In a season in which he's moved a lot through the lineup trying to find a fit, Skinner credited his most recent linemates for finally getting him going.

"I think Simmonds helped a lot," Skinner said. "Me, him and Lazar had some good chemistry. We'd like to have produced a little bit more. We generated quite a few chances that maybe we would have liked to have seen gone in, but there were obviously positive signs there. He's a big, strong guy who creates a lot of space for himself and his limemates. Lazar was solid down the middle and we did a good job on the forecheck."

Krueger moved Olofsson (no points in seven games) down a peg and had him playing Friday with Marcus Johansson and newcomer Dominik Kahun. Jimmy Vesey took Skinner's spot with Lazar and Simmonds while the fourth line had Johan Larsson centering Michael Frolik and Kyle Okposo. Zemgus Girgensons (lower body) did not practice and is questionable for Saturday.

"We would like to have stability,'" Krueger said. "I'd rather stand here with you in 10 games and say, 'Wow, isn't it great we're playing the same lines?' You don't want to force that, but we will not give up on any game or any situation. Sometimes changing the lines is a way to keep the group reaching for victories and for successful games."