Mattias Janmark skates on Oilers top line ahead of Game 1 against Canucks

Mattias Janmark was skating on the Edmonton Oilers top line during a Tuesday skate one day before the club opens its Round 2 series against the Vancouver Canucks.

He takes the place of Adam Henrique, who played alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hymn for the Oiler’s whole first-round series against the L.A. Kings. While Henrique scored a goal and an assist, he got banged up in Game 5, and is dealing with an ankle injury, according to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.

The injury will likely keep him out of the lineup for Game 1 Wednesday night against Vancouver, thus Janmark’s elevation up the lineup. He’s an unlikely candidate, given that Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway and even Corey Perry have had looks up on the first line.

But on Tuesday, as noted by Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said he expects a rotation of players to cycle through the top-line left-wing spot, not cementing Janmark on that line. With Henrique out, Connor Brown is expected to draw into the lineup for his playoff game with the Oilers.

Here’s how the Oilers lineup is shaping up for Wednesday night:

Mattias Janmark – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Leon Draisaitl – Evander Kane

Dylan Holloway – Ryan McLeod – Corey Perry

Warren Foegele – Derek Ryan/Sam Carrick – Connor Brown

While it might be easy to panic thinking of Janmark on the top line, the fact players will rotate through the spot should allow you to breathe a little easier. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Holloway and Foegele rotate through that spot, given that both have had time there.

Holloway has had a strong playoffs so far, scoring two big goals in Game 2 against L.A. and averaging 9:23 in ice time per game. He’s been physical and engaged, using his speed to his advantage, which is exactly what the team was hoping for from him.

Foegele, meanwhile, had a tough first round despite scoring a goal and an assist. He got bumped down the lineup from the second line to the fourth, and will look to rebound against the Canucks.