The Edmonton Oilers shook up their lineup for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday after rallying from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game with three third-period goals, but losing 6-5 on Phillip Danault’s goal with 42 seconds remaining.
The big move was subbing in one ex-Buffalo Sabre for another, inserting Evander Kane played his first game since Game 2 of last year’s Stanley Cup Final in place of Jeff Skinner. Kane spent all of the regular season on LTIR recovering from two separate injuries (hip/sports hernia and knee). Skinner, who was signed to a one-year, $3 million deal after the Sabres bought him out last June, had just 16 goals this season for Edmonton and was -2 in Game 1.
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The big winger had four hits in 14:46 in his return, but did not have much of an impact on the outcome, as the Kings built a 3-0 lead and fended off a late Edmonton rally with three third-period goals in a 6-2 victory. The two clubs move to Edmonton for Game 3 on Friday.
Here is how other former Sabres did on Wednesday:
Eric Johnson (COL): Johnson was a healthy scratch for Game 2 after being on the ice for Colin Blackwell’s OT game winner in Game 2. Sam Malinski replaced the 37-year-old blueliner and assisted on Colorado’s only goal in a 2-1 OT loss in Game 3.
Joel Armia (MTL) 7:27 TOI, 1 Hit
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