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Oilers to Break Up Arguably the Most Dangerous Line in Hockey

The Edmonton Oilers are giving the lines a new look ahead of Saturday’s match-up with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It appears, in an attempt to find a little more “balance” throughout the Edmonton Oilers lineup, head coach Dave Tippett is splitting up one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL. It wasn’t something he necessarily wanted to do, but for the betterment of the team, as a whole, something he felt he needed to try.

In response to questions about dividing Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto, Tippett said, there’s an old line, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This situation is more, “if it’s not broke, you’re not looking hard enough.” The trio has been on fire since Yamamoto was called up, but missing a piece isn’t exactly new either as Yamamoto was injured for a few games and the line kept performing well.

Still, this is really the first time Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl will be divided since the line caught fire.

Tippett said this was more about “getting better” and that while he was hesitant to split the line, there were other things he needed to see and understood that with the new acquisitions at the trade deadline, there would be changes while trying to find the right mix on more than just one line. For now, Tyler Ennis will get a go with the NHL’s leading scorer and Nuge will hop up a spot.

Tippett added that Connor McDavid is familiar with the group of he, Nuge and Zack Kassian and expects this might help everyone in the long run. And, that if things don’t work, they can always go right back to the old lines.

Oilers Get Klefbom Back

The news came after media first focused on the fact that defenseman Oscar Klefbom was back in the lineup and would be playing Saturday night. “It feels like it’s been two months,” Klefbom said. “The body feels good,” he added.

Klefbom believes he can jump right back and he sat out with the importance being that he was able and ready for a long playoff run.

Related: NHL To Close Dressing Rooms to Media Due to Coronavirus Concerns

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