The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Chicago Blackhawks tonight with a notable change to their power play unit. David Tomasek will be scratched, opening the door for Jack Roslovic to step into a top-unit role.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to give Roslovic a chance on the top power play unit. Roslovic has been finding his stride after missing training camp and the beginning of the season. In 10 games this season, he has tallied one goal and three assists. He has also shown good chemistry on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin.
Knoblauch believes Roslovic's skill set will be a good fit on the power play. "We want a right-hand shot to get in front of the goalie, Jack could help with our entries with his speed," Knoblauch stated. While the Oilers already have Connor McDavid and Draisaitl to lead entries, the coach values Roslovic's offensive abilities. "Here's a guy that's joining our team and been playing fairly well, has had many scoring opportunities, contribute a little bit. We feel he's a good offensive player that should be able to fill in in that role," Knoblauch added.
The Oilers' power play has been a strong point this season, ranking among the league's best. They have a 30.3% success rate, having scored 10 goals in 33 attempts. Integrating Roslovic aims to add another dimension to their already potent attack.
For Roslovic, this is a prime opportunity to increase his point production and gain confidence. This chance to play alongside the team's best players in a key offensive situation could significantly boost his performance. However, this could be a temporary adjustment since Zach Hyman is nearing his return.
The decision to insert Roslovic means that Tomasek will be out of the lineup. Noah Philp will be returning to the lineup. With Hyman and Mattias Janmark also close to returning, Tomasek may be at risk of losing his spot if he doesn't produce consistently. Being removed from the power play and the lineup reduces his opportunities to make an impact.
The Oilers are looking to capitalize on their offensive strengths against a Blackhawks team. While the Oilers boast offensive stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Blackhawks will be looking to contain their attack. The Blackhawks enter the game with a 5-4-2 record, while the Oilers are 5-4-3.
Tonight's game will be a test of how well Roslovic integrates into the Oilers' power play and whether he can seize this opportunity to solidify his role within the team.
