The Edmonton Oilers have unveiled their forward lines and defensive pairings for Thursday night's clash with the New York Islanders, and the decisions signal potentially turbulent times for a pair of experienced players. Veteran winger Andrew Mangiapane will be a healthy scratch for the second time, while in the crease, Connor Ingram gets the start over Calvin Pickard.
Lineup Decisions Raise Eyebrows
The projected lines, as reported by Tony Brar of Oilers TV on January 15, 2026, see Curtis Lazar returning to the lineup at centre. The forward combinations are set to be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, Vasily Podkolzin with Leon Draisaitl and Sam Kapanen, followed by Mark Howard, Jack Roslovic, and Matt Savoie on the third line. The fourth line features Mattias Janmark, Curtis Lazar, and Trent Frederic.
On defense, the pairings are Mattias Ekholm with Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse with Wyatt Emberson, and Jake Walman with Jimmy Stastney. The extra skaters are listed as Andrew Mangiapane and Alec Regula. In goal, the order is Connor Ingram starting, backed up by Tristan Jarry and Calvin Pickard.
Uncertain Future for Veteran Winger
The continued benching of Andrew Mangiapane is a stark development. After being a healthy scratch previously, Mangiapane returned for two games but failed to make a positive impact with his performance. His return to the press box now coincides with reports that the Oilers have been actively trying to trade him for approximately three weeks.
This situation casts doubt on earlier optimism from hockey insiders, including Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who suggested a trade market for the winger might exist. The inability to move him, coupled with his inconsistent play, leaves his future with the franchise in serious question.
Goalie Tandem in Flux
Between the pipes, a similar story of uncertainty is unfolding for veteran netminder Calvin Pickard. Since the acquisition of Tristan Jarry, the Oilers have shown a clear preference for giving starts to the younger Connor Ingram. While Pickard has performed adequately over the past month, Ingram's stronger play has earned him the lion's share of the workload.
This creates a looming roster dilemma for Edmonton's management. If Jarry remains healthy, the team will soon face a difficult decision on which goalie to keep as the backup. The current pattern of starts suggests the organization is either evaluating Ingram's readiness for full-time NHL duty or has already begun to favour him over Pickard. The latter scenario could result in Pickard being placed on waivers in the near future.
For both Andrew Mangiapane and Calvin Pickard, these lineup decisions represent more than just a single night off. They are clear indicators that their roles with the Edmonton Oilers are tenuous, prompting speculation about their next moves as the team solidifies its roster for the stretch run.
