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Edmonton Oilers NHL Line Combinations
Last updated: 2026-11-01T14:25:02.080Z
Source: Projected
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Edmonton OilersTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$103,870,378
$89,222,500
Projected Cap Space
$129,622
$24,277,500
Current Cap Space
$156,190
$24,277,500
Active Players
23/23
17/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
0
1
2
1
0
3
0
1
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2nd Powerplay Unit
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1st Penalty Kill Unit
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2nd Penalty Kill Unit
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Injuries
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Badges:
Game-time decision
IRInjured Reserve list
DTDDay-to-Day
OUTOut
Edmonton Oilers Lines: Today’s Lineup and Analysis
Looking for the latest Edmonton Oilers lines ahead of their next game? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re setting your fantasy hockey lineup, looking for an edge in your next bet, or simply trying to figure out who’s playing alongside Connor McDavid tonight, we’ve got you covered with the latest projected line combinations, defence pairings, and goaltending information.
Below, you’ll find a complete breakdown of the Oilers’ projected lineup, including all four forward lines, three defence pairings, and the goaltending depth chart. We’re also tracking the team’s power play and penalty kill units, along with any injuries or healthy scratches that could impact who gets into the lineup.
Of course, anyone who’s followed the Oilers long enough knows that line combinations can change in a hurry. Whether it’s an injury, a struggling forward, or head coach Kris Knoblauch looking for a spark, what worked one night isn’t necessarily what we’ll see the next. Be sure to check back regularly for the latest Oilers lineup updates.
Oilers Line Combinations
The Oilers entered the 2025-26 NHL season with another roster built around their superstar talent, but plenty of moving pieces throughout the lineup. Below, we’re breaking down Edmonton’s forward lines, defence pairings, and goaltending depth chart to give you a better idea of how the team is being deployed.
Forward
When you’ve got Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, you’re already starting from a pretty good place. The Oilers have two of the best offensive players on the planet, and figuring out the right combinations around them remains one of the biggest decisions facing the coaching staff. With Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins providing established options in the top six, Edmonton has no shortage of firepower when its best players are rolling.
The 2025-26 season also brought some interesting changes to the forward group, with younger players like Matt Savoie looking to establish themselves and additions like Jack Roslovic providing another option in the lineup. Vasily Podkolzin continued to offer a useful combination of speed, physicality, and versatility, giving the coaching staff flexibility when building its lines. The biggest question isn’t whether Edmonton has enough star power to score goals, but rather which combinations can provide the most consistent production throughout the lineup.
Defence
While Edmonton’s forwards tend to get most of the attention, the defence group has an equally important job in helping the Oilers play the kind of hockey needed to win. Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm remain a major part of that equation, with Bouchard’s ability to move the puck and contribute offensively complementing Ekholm’s steady, experienced approach in his own end.
Beyond the top pairing, the Oilers have spent plenty of time looking for the right balance between offensive production and defensive responsibility. Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman have both played important minutes, while the addition of Connor Murphy in 2025-26 gave the team another defensive-minded option. Finding dependable pairings that can handle difficult matchups remains especially important for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Goalies
Goaltending has been one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Oilers over the last few seasons, and 2025-26 was no exception. After entering the season with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in the picture, Edmonton made a significant change by sending Skinner to Pittsburgh in a deal that brought Tristan Jarry to town. Connor Ingram also worked his way into the conversation, giving the Oilers a different look between the pipes as the season progressed.
For a team with legitimate championship expectations, getting reliable goaltending is an enormous piece of the puzzle. Edmonton doesn’t necessarily need its starter to steal every game, but having someone who can make the timely saves and give the team a chance to win is absolutely essential. Keeping an eye on the Oilers’ projected starting goalie is especially important for fantasy managers and anyone following the team’s upcoming matchups.
Power Play
With Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and the rest of Edmonton’s offensive weapons available, it’s no surprise that the Oilers’ power play continues to be one of the team’s greatest strengths. When this group gets set up in the offensive zone and starts moving the puck, there aren’t many teams in the NHL that can match the creativity and talent they bring to the table.
The Oilers finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 30.6% power play, the best mark in the NHL. Edmonton’s top unit typically features four forwards and one defenceman, with Bouchard quarterbacking the attack from the blue line while McDavid and Draisaitl look to create opportunities. For fantasy hockey players and bettors alike, tracking who’s getting time on the top power play unit can be just as important as knowing the even-strength line combinations.
Penalty Kill
As much fun as it is watching the Oilers work their magic with the man advantage, the other side of special teams has been a different story. Edmonton’s penalty kill has had its share of difficult stretches, and finding ways to keep the puck out of the net while shorthanded remains an important part of the team’s overall success.
The Oilers finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 77.8% penalty kill, leaving plenty of room for improvement. Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Matt Savoie have contributed to the shorthanded group, while the coaching staff has continued looking for combinations that can win faceoffs, disrupt passing lanes, and clear the puck when opportunities arise. Penalty-killing assignments are also worth watching for fantasy managers whose leagues reward shorthanded points or other defensive statistics.
Injuries
Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NHL season, and they can have a significant impact on how the Oilers put their lineup together. Losing a player from the top six can force a complete reshuffling of the forward lines, while an injury on the blue line can change everything from defensive pairings to special teams assignments.
That’s why it’s worth checking Edmonton’s injury report and projected lineup before every game. A player moving up alongside McDavid or Draisaitl because of an injury could suddenly become a much more interesting fantasy option, while a missing regular on the power play could open the door for someone else to earn valuable minutes.
Using Edmonton Oilers Lines for Betting and DFS
Keeping up with the latest Oilers line combinations isn’t just useful for knowing who’s playing where. It can also provide valuable context when making decisions for sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and season-long fantasy hockey leagues. Ice time, linemates, and special teams opportunities all play a role in a player’s potential production, which makes understanding Edmonton’s lineup an important part of doing your homework.
One of the first places to look is how the Oilers are deploying McDavid and Draisaitl. When they’re playing together, Edmonton can load up with an incredibly dangerous top line. When they’re separated, the team spreads its offensive talent across multiple lines, potentially creating different opportunities for their wingers. Knowing who gets those minutes can help identify players who might benefit from a favourable matchup.
Special teams are another area worth paying close attention to. With Edmonton’s power play operating at an elite level during the 2025-26 season, players earning time on the top unit can see their offensive opportunities increase significantly. Watching for changes to the power play combinations, along with shifts in ice time and recent production, can help you make more informed decisions when evaluating player props or building DFS lineups.
At the end of the day, there are no guarantees when it comes to betting or fantasy hockey, but having the latest information is always better than going in blind. With McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Hyman, and plenty of other talented players in the mix, the Oilers offer no shortage of options to consider. Just make sure you’re checking the latest projected lines and confirmed starting goalie before locking anything in.
Oilers Lines FAQs
How often do the Oilers change their lines?
The Oilers change their lines from game-to-game. Whether it’s due to a strategic reason or roster changes such as injuries or trades, the Oilers coaching staff try to ensure that they have a competitive advantage every game so changes to their lines happen often.
Who plays on the Oilers’ top power play unit?
The Oilers top power play unit consists of Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Leon Draisaitl as forwards, with Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid as defenceman. The Oilers possess sensational offensive depth in their forward groups so they opt to use four forwards in their top line rather than the traditional three forwards, two defenceman split.
How do injuries affect the Oilers’ line combinations?
Injuries have a major effect on the Oilers line combinations. If a player is ruled out of an NHL game due to injury, this can lead to the entirety of the Oilers lines tonight changing as they need to adjust for the overall shift in their roster.
Who is number 2 on Oilers?
The number 2 is donned by defenceman Evan Bouchard on the Edmonton Oilers. Bouchard is one of the top NHL players on the Oilers roster and has spent all six years of his NHL career with the Oilers.
Who is the captain of the Oilers hockey team?
The current captain of the Edmonton Oilers is Connor McDavid. McDavid made history in 2016 when he became the youngest player to be named captain in NHL history at just 19 years old.
Who are Connor McDavid’s linemates?
Connor McDavid’s current linemates are Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Serving as his teams top centre, McDavid utilizes the goal-scoring ability of Hayman and Nugent-Hopkins to find scoring chances against any NHL defence they face.