How much relief do you think the boys on the Edmonton Oilers are feeling right now being able to play in another arena for the first time in almost a year?
Can Connor McDavid and his club turn around this early-season skid? Since he’s joined the NHL, the Oilers have three wins against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That would be three wins in twelve games since 2015. I mean, if you want to take it all the way back to the beginning, the Oilers have a 38.9% winning percentage in Toronto, and that all started after they traded Gretzky to LA. Before, they were absolutely dominant, but then again, the Leafs were horrid in those days and the Oilers had a dynasty going.
As for this evening, they’re taking on a really good hockey club tonight in Toronto. These fellas don’t mess around as their top-six is stacked with three former 1st overall picks in Joe Thornton, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews. Their 3rd line is very formidable as Zach Hyman, Alexander Kerfoot, and Ilya Mikheyev all have the ability to cause complete havoc for the opposing team. Edmonton’s defense will have its hands full with them.
The Buds, I believe, are running 11 forwards and seven defensemen, but that group of skaters doesn’t really concern me too much. Morgan Rielly is the best of the bunch and Jake Muzzin is a really good shutdown D in this league. However, the likes of TJ Brodie, Justin Holl, Travis Dermott, and Zach Bogosian, these are #4-to-#6 defenders. I reckon the Oilers’ forwards should be challenged but not overwhelmed like they were against Montreal.
I haven’t heard who’s going to be in the net, but I suspect it will be Frederik Andersen.
Here are three players that I think you should keep an eye on for the Buds tonight,
- #46 Mikko Lehtonen (D) – This Finnish defender was running the show in the KHL a year ago. I think he might’ve set a record for most points by a Finn in a season before he left. I am very curious as to how he’ll fare in the NHL after performing like that in Russia. I can guarantee one thing, he’s not Anton Belov.
- #88 William Nylander (RW) – Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares get all the attention in Toronto and that leaves Nylander to his own devices and he’s so good. Just an outstanding complementary winger and chance machine. If one day, the Maple Leafs decide to move one of these four, they’d best decide against it being the Swede.
- #97 Joe Thornton (C) – I mean, why not? It’s Jumbo Joe in a Leafs uni wearing Connor McDavid’s number, right? Is that the closest Connor gets to playing for the Leafs? I keed! It’s interesting that Sheldon Keefe has him up on the first line, I didn’t think he had that kind of gas in his tank still. I suppose we’ll see how he does chasing McJesus or Draisaitl around.
For Toronto to have success,
With regards to the away team, I’ll be watching these three individuals closely for Edmonton,
- #8 Kyle Turris – During the previous game against Montreal, his line nearly got one in the early going. It’s not been a good start to his time with the Oilers, but I remember it taking a few games for Ryan Strome to get going and I think it’s important to remember that a good part of the reason he’s in Edmonton is to play mentor to Jesse Puljujarvi.
- #74 Ethan Bear – Tick tock… Evan Bouchard is foaming at the mouth to get into the lineup and if the sophomore slump continues to keep Bearsy down, Uncle Evan will need to come in and relieve him of his duties. I’m looking for a very impressive bounce-back game here.
- #21 Dominik Kahun – I haven’t been disappointed with him so far at all. He’s got wheels and crafty hands and despite not producing a lot, he’s had a few chances each game so far. I dig how he’s skilled but willing to work the muck along the boards. Good work ethic on this gent and that has to pay off soon, especially if he’s moved up to Connor’s wing in the event that RNH goes back to Leon’s flank.
It’s nearly 9am Edmonton time when I’m writing this and I haven’t seen any official posting as to the current line combos, but I’m expecting at least one. That being Ethan Bear to come in and for William Lagesson to come back out.
It sounds like James Neal is getting close, that said, I don’t think he’ll be in tonight. But if he is, I would think that Alex Chiasson comes out.
What do the Oilers need to do to win this one?
- Stop f*cking around with the puck on the powerplay, for one. Shoot the GD thing!
- The forwards need to get back and help out in the d-zone so that they’re in a position to break out of it with possession.
- For the love of Pete, give Mikko Koskinen some help. Stop leaving him out to dry.
I haven’t had the chance to watch the Leafs this year yet, but from the way that Kyle Dubas has constructed the roster, my feeling is that Toronto is built in a similar manner to Edmonton and so I would think that if the Oilers can really get their forecheck game going and use a combination of cycling in the corner and higher up in the o-zone, they could finally have a game where that depth in skill pays off.
I believe that the Maple Leafs are a better opponent for Edmonton than Vancouver and Montreal. It’s more skill-based than grit-based and the Oilers should be able to navigate the waters a bit easier. 
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