Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch makes drastic decision about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in hopes of tying the series vs Kings

The Edmonton Oilers are aiming to even their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings after a soul-crushing 6-5 loss in Game 1. As they gear up for Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena, head coach Kris Knoblauch is preparing a pivotal lineup adjustment involving Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, hoping to ignite a response from his team with their NHL season at stake.

The Oilers are currently down 1-0 in the series against the Kings, and although the series is long, taking an even score back to Alberta would be critical to avoid falling in a 0-2 pit in the NHL postseason.

Edmonton and Los Angeles have faced off in each of the last four Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Oilers advancing past their City of Angels counterparts in each of the previous three seasons.

McDavid and Draisaitl were at the center of a viral moment during the Game 1 loss to the Kings. With the team trailing 5-2 late in the third period, Edmonton’s stars lit a spark with a bold wake-up call on the bench. Moments later, the Oilers stormed back to tie the game at five. While the Kings ultimately netted the game-winner in the final minute, head coach Kris Knoblauch may have uncovered something valuable.

Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period of the game at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

During the Oilers’ morning skate ahead of Wednesday night’s Game 2, head coach Kris Knoblauch shuffled the lines—slotting McDavid and Draisaitl together on the top line, rather than spreading the stars across separate units.

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Panic button?

While pairing McDavid and Draisaitl on the top line is a powerful move—given that no other line can match the firepower of the two stars—it also carries the risk of leaving weaker lines throughout the rest of the lineup.

Grouping the star duo in Game 2 may seem like a desperate measure by Knoblauch, as the Oilers struggled to generate offense when neither McDavid nor Draisaitl were on the ice. Ahead of a crucial matchup, McDavid voiced a strong wake up call for his team.

Double-or-nothing

Both No. 97 and No. 29 recorded multi-point performances in Game 1, with four of Edmonton’s five goals either assisted or scored by the dynamic duo.

It’s a double-edged sword, but Knoblauch and the Oilers seem willing to take the risk. It’s do-or-die for Edmonton as they head into Crypto.com Arena, where they’ve been defeated in all three visits to LA this season.