Oilers vs Ducks Lineup Notes: Brandon Davidson Returns

For the second game in a row it looks like the Oilers are going to make a change on the blue line, with Brandon Davidson replacing Eric Gryba who is apparently dealing with some nagging injuries. Davidson will play alongside Brad Hunt (who replaced Nikita Nikitin in the Oilers last game), reuniting a defensive pair that played together a lot last season in Oklahoma City.

Gryba out, Davidson and Hunt play together.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) December 31, 2015

The other lineup change tonight will be Jujhar Khaira playing in place of Iiro Pakarinen. Agains the Kings Pakarinen played just two shifts before leaving with an injury. As is usually the case with the Oilers this season, Pakarinen's injury is listed as undisclosed. I'm not sure what the value of the secrecy is but this is the way the Oilers treat injuries now.

Gryba nagging injuries, won't play tonight. Khaira in for Pakarinen.

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) December 31, 2015

Despite being pulled in his last start, the Oilers will go back to Cam Talbot in net tonight; he was taken out of the game after allowing three goals in 96 seconds. Both Talbot and Anders Nilsson were pulled in their last starts as once again the Oilers goaltenders seem to be providing the team and its fans with more questions than answers.

Talbot starts for Oilers vs Ducks.

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) December 31, 2015