The Edmonton Oilers are facing a critical juncture in the Stanley Cup Final as they trail the Florida Panthers. The team is looking to Game 4 to even the series before heading back to Edmonton. Several key storylines are developing, including the status of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, potential lineup adjustments, and the goaltending decision.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' health is a concern. He missed Tuesday's practice for maintenance, raising questions about his availability for Game 4. While he was a game-time decision for Game 3, he ultimately played. If Nugent-Hopkins cannot play, Jeff Skinner is likely to take his place on the top line with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry. Nugent-Hopkins has been a key offensive contributor throughout the playoffs, with 5 goals and 13 assists in 19 games. His absence would be a significant blow to the Oilers' attack.

The Oilers' lineup is expected to remain largely the same for Game 4, despite some fan concerns about the defensive pairings and the bottom-six forward group's lack of production. Coach Kris Knoblauch seems to be placing his trust in the team's ability to rebound. In Game 3, the defensive pairings saw some adjustments, with Darnell Nurse paired with Evan Bouchard, Brett Kulak alongside Jake Walman, and Mattias Ekholm with John Klingberg. These pairings are designed to create a more balanced defensive structure.

A major question mark is who will start in goal for Game 4. Stuart Skinner was pulled in Game 3 after allowing 5 goals on 23 shots, with Calvin Pickard taking over. Knoblauch has not yet announced his decision, stating that he will wait until closer to game time. While Skinner has generally performed well in the latter halves of playoff series, Pickard's strong performance earlier in the playoffs before his injury adds another layer to the decision. Some observers believe Knoblauch is leaning towards starting Skinner, emphasizing that the team's struggles in Game 3 were a collective failure rather than solely Skinner's fault.

The Oilers are aiming to improve their discipline after taking too many penalties in Game 3. The Panthers capitalized on these opportunities, and Edmonton cannot afford to give them easy chances. The Oilers need to control their penalties, especially in the first period, to avoid allowing Florida's top players to dominate the game.

Following a disappointing 6-1 loss in Game 3, the Oilers recognize the need for a much better performance. Captain Connor McDavid acknowledged that the team's best has yet to be seen in the series and emphasized the importance of shifting focus to Game 4. The Oilers are determined to put the Game 3 defeat behind them and come out with a stronger effort in their next game.