November 14, 2019 /

2019/20 Edmonton Oilers G21: Avalanche @ Oilers – Three Players to Watch

This is one of those games you should’ve had circled on the calendar as soon as the 2019/20 schedule was released. It’s a shame that the Avalanche are so done in my injuries to major superstars at the moment but as a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, I won’t complain too much.

This will be an interesting game for the Oilers because even though Colorado is going through a bit of an injury crisis, they’re still winning. I’d be much more concerned if the Avs were at the bottom of the standings given Edmonton seems to have the most trouble against these sorts of teams.

Edmonton need to counter Colorado’s speed and sit the slower players that didn’t help them against San Jose. I’d like to see Gaetan Haas back in the lineup and Mikko Koskinen. Versus Anaheim, Haas, Granlund, and Russell were fantastic. The Oilers could use a bit more of that effort from their forwards.

As for the defense, Ken Holland called up the team’s best defensive option from their AHL affiliate, Caleb Jones, because Brandon Manning took out his frustrations on Barclay Goodrow’s facebone and sustained a hand injury. So he’s on the IR for who knows how long. The question is, will he draw into the games or just participate in the practices as William Lagesson did previously?

The Next Ten Games Part Three

The first ten games of the 2019/20 season went quite well for the Oilers, more so at the start than the end, mind you. The second ten games were equal to the first ten and it saw the team get a bit better from an analytical point-of-view. Now, the third installment might be the most important as we’ll pass American Thanksgiving (11/28) in this block. I think it was Elliotte Friedman that said 78% of teams who are in a playoff spot by this holiday tend to stay in that spot. I say the Oilers finish this segment of ten games with twelve points out of a possible twenty.

11/14 Colorado (11-5-2) (h): I like the Oilers’ chances against a third-string backup. Won’t be easy though. (WIN)
11/16 Dallas (9-8-2) (h): The Stars are 8-1-1 in their last ten here and I don’t see Edmonton slowing them down. (LOSS)
11/19 San Jose (8-10-1) (a): Embarrassed from the spankings the Sharks have been giving them since last season, I think the Oilers bounce back here. (WIN)
11/21 Los Angeles (6-11-1) (a): The Kings don’t scare me. Easy points for the Oilers. (WIN)
11/23 Vegas (9-8-3) (a): The Golden Knights are a dangerous squad and this game could go either way. I’ll take Vegas here as their home advantage is massive. (LOSS)
11/24 Arizona (11-6-2) (a): Having already lost twice to the Coyotes, Edmonton will find a way to secure the two points here. (WIN)
11/27 Colorado (11-5-2) (a): I reckon by this time, the Avs will be healthier and that much more dangerous. (LOSS)
11/30 Vancouver (10-6-3) (h): The first game of a B2B with the Canucks on a Saturday night and on the eve of Jesse Puljujarvi’s signing deadline. I’ll take the distraction-free Canucks. (LOSS)
12/1 Vancouver (10-6-3) (a): Revenge is a dish best served ice cold… (WIN)
12/4 Ottawa (7-10-1) (h): Much like the Kings, the Senators don’t have a lot going for them. (WIN)

Records as of Nov.14th, 2019.

Three Players to Watch for the Avalanche

  • #8 Cale Makar – It’s time to meet your Makar Oilers Fans! He’s got seven points (4g 3a) in his last five and has to be the favorite for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
  • #29 Nathan MacKinnon – The Great Nate might be the leagues premier power forward. I can’t think of another player who combines skill, speed, and power in the way that MacKinnon does.
  • #43 Nazem Kadri – Connor McDavid’s nemesis. I’ll be watching this matchup closely to see A) how the refs handle it and B) how McDavid deals with it. Hopefully, we don’t have Kris Russell scoring any game-winning own goals with Kadri on the ice.

These are the lines that the Avs were practicing with a few days ago. There are sure to be some changes, most notably in between the pipes.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • #82 Caleb Jones – We’re THAT close to getting a puck mover on every pairing. Jones had a tough training camp but since getting sent to the AHL he’s done nothing but be Bakersfield’s workhorse from the blueline. His best attribute is his skating and escapability. Both of those will come in handy when facing a quick and hard forechecking squad like the Avs.
  • #91 Gaetan Haas – Haas got a ‘B’ in his quarterly report from Bob Stauffer and it’s hard to argue with that. One half of European Showtime has impressed greatly since his recall from Bakersfield. He’s got a real ability to disrupt the other team’s flow with his speed and aggression on the forecheck.
  • #10 Joakim Nygard – I expect to see the speedy Swede moved up to the 2nd line and re-join Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and James Neal. This will inject some life into that line and get Neal back on the right side where he belongs and frankly, where he’s most successful.

Here are Edmonton’s lines from their loss to San Jose. Expect something very different come game time.

Hey Flames Fans! Neal with it! Click the pic above and grab this beauty!
Hockey players are the toughest athletes on the planet. Click the pic and purchase this shirt right now!

CategoriesBeer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL

TagsColorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers NHL

Beer League Hero Written by:

I'm the Beer League Hero! I am from Camrose, Alberta but I make my home in Taipei City, Taiwan. I've been through the ups and downs and the highs and the Lowes, the Bonsignores and the McDavids, the Sathers and the Eakins but I'll never leave my Oilers, no matter what! They're with me until the end and then some. GO OILERS GO!