The Edmonton Oilers have yet to play the Calgary Flames but so far their games against the Toronto Maple Leafs have probably been the most entertaining. Do you think that’s because there are so many similar-aged players who reckon they’ve got something to prove when they go head-to-head?
Either way, I’ve loved the entertainment value that’s been provided these last couple of seasons between the two clubs.
Last night, I wouldn’t say the Oilers woke up but you do have to wonder if they’re starting to round into regular-season form.
Here are a few of my observations from last night’s game:
- Mikko Koskinen, who’s been the brunt of a shite ton of vitriol from the Oilers fanbase and local media, showed that he can steal a game for his team and did exactly that when he stoned Mitch Marner from point-blank range on more than one occasion and on William Nylander in OT.
- Does Leon Draisaitl have the best backhand in the history of the league? They used to say it was Mats Sundin, but that feed Leon gave Dominik Kahun before he scored his first of the year was exquisite.
- Josh Archibald had himself a good game. So well that Coach Tippett gave him a few shifts with McDavid and even ended the game on the first line proving Derek Van Diest’s prediction to be true.
- Jesse Puljujarvi wasn’t his normal self last night. He had a few really nice plays but it looked like his legs weren’t really there. I didn’t expect him to be on the first line in the first ten games of the year let alone the first half. So if he bounces up and down the lineup a bit, I won’t be worried. That said, his fancies indicated that he’s better on the top-line than the third…
- If you’re suggesting the Oilers should trade Pulju for Sam Bennett, maybe it’s time to get yourself some help. An atrocious suggestion as if the Flames need help on the wings and the Oilers need another 4th line center. Plus, Lanny 2.0 wants time in the top-6. Do you see that happening in Edmonton? There are easier ways to get a Sam Bennett without trading Puljujarvi for him.
- Ethan Bear got dinged up in the final frame last night and didn’t return and that, in theory, would open up a small window for Evan Bouchard to get a game, but I won’t be so quick to bet the farm on that happening. I reckon Kris Russell would get in ahead of Bouchard and Tippett would slide Slater Koekkoek over to the right side instead.
- Fack me… That end-to-ender from McDavid… Good Lord. There’ve been some really nice end-to-end goals since I started watching hockey and that one ranks right up there. He made everybody on Toronto look silly there.
- John Tavares had a very sneaky good game. From stripping James Neal of the puck in the slot on Nylander’s goal to that tipped shot that lead to Hyman’s PP marker. He was a real difference-maker for the Leafs.
- Tyson Barrie had his best outing as an Edmonton Oiler and was rewarded with two apples on the evening. Filled in for Bear in the third after #74 left the game.
- I’ve read it suggested that Barrie should be up with Nurse for tonight’s game, but I’m not sure that would be the greatest of ideas. He does well when he’s put in a position to succeed and that isn’t against the elites of the game. You could argue if Ottawa has any “elites” on their club if you’d like and you might very well have a point though. I might be more inclined to split the duties between him and Koekkoek alongside Nurse on that top-pair.
Let’s talk about this evening’s game a little.
I’m starting to think that I should start every 3P2W post with a quote from my previous edition…
Has nobody paid any attention to this team for the last ten years? If the challenge looks too good to be true, it probably is. These are the kind of games that Edmonton usually gives away because the press clippings in Edmonton have said they’re scheduled wins for the Oilers… Matt Murray is struggling? Good, that means we should be expecting a shutout for him. Oh? They’ll be playing the backup or third string? Might as well chalk up a shutout anyhow. God forbid Ottawa loses a top player to injury, that will just add more to their cause. Do they have any rookies that haven’t scored their first goals of the year or former Oilers playing for them? Stop me if you’ve heard these before.
That sentence in bold… Yeah… Ottawa’s best defenseman won’t be playing tonight. Thomas Chabot has been ruled out.
So, here we are. An absolutely golden opportunity for the Oilers to grab two seemingly easy points from a badly struggling group out of Ottawa and coming off of a win. Will we get an Oilers team who is still feeling the energy from the previous night’s win or will we get an overconfident team that hasn’t exactly knocked it out of the park vs the Senators in the recent past.
For what it’s worth, this one could be a rough one. The Senators have some ornery old buzzards on their defense. Reckon Zack Kassian might wake up for this game? He might have to before someone wakes him up.
Here are three players that I think you should keep an eye on for the Sens tonight,
- #18 Tim Stutzle – The electrifying German was just in Edmonton for the World Juniors and now he’s back. He’ll be hard not to notice. It’ll be fun watching him, Draisaitl and Kahun go up against each other.
- #7 Brady Tkachuk – He has 21 shots in his last five games and ONE goal to show for it. He’s due and he’s also the type that will do anything to score. I’m looking forward to him and Darnell Nurse battling it out.
- #9 Josh Norris – I didn’t know a lot about him before the season started but he looks to be a damn fine player. Very smooth-skating center. Great speed, vision, playmaking. Not sure about his two-way game yet though. He’ll be in tough if he lines up against McDavid or Leon though.
For Ottawa to have success they’ll need to bring a very physical game to the Oilers. They really haven’t been tested on that front quite yet and the Senators have a roster full of players who can play with that edge. I don’t think they’ve got the skill to compete with Edmonton but if they show a willingness to compete and battle for some ugly goals, they could take McDavid’s side by surprise.
With regards to the home team, I’ll be watching these three individuals closely for Edmonton,
- #56 Kailer Yamamoto – He’s been quiet the last couple of matches. I wonder if the compressed schedule is hitting him a little bit.
- #44 Zack Kassian – Another quiet one last night. They’ll need him to be on his toes tonight because the Sens have some real muscle on their team and Kass might be called into action.
- #19 Mikko Koskinen – He’s in again tonight and possibly for the next game against Ottawa in two days. Then he’ll have a three-day break. That will be twelve games in a row? If he says he feels good, he must really feel good because he’s doing something that is, really when you think about it, unprecedented. I don’t claim to pay the closest attention to the rest of the league, but when’s the last time a netminder started his club’s first twelve games of the season?
Keys to Success For the Oilers
Pretend that they’re playing someone else. Forget that it’s the Ottawa Senators and at all costs, do not read the press clippings today.
Seriously though. It’s fun to win games when Connor and Leon are scoring beautiful goals and the goaltending is solid, but this team needs to learn how to win ugly too. An opportunity like this where they can work on getting to and working pucks to the net couldn’t be more obvious.
The Sens are the worst team in the league and Edmonton should have no problem skating circles around them. I mean, don’t they have to win this game? Just to relieve some of the pressure they’re feeling. If the Oilers lose any of the next four they play against Ottawa, I don’t know how the fanbase will handle it. They’re already screaming for Gaetan Haas’ return, who’s next, Will Acton?
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