I shudder to think what will happen if the Edmonton Oilers lose tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets and go to 2-5-0. Honestly, what can Ken Holland or Dave Tippett do at that point? Shuffle the top-six that has been playing extremely well? Scratch a veteran on defense? He probably wouldn’t change the goalie…
I mean, are we looking at a season where we just have to fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the ride no matter where it takes us since next year will be the one where the Oilers have near $30M in cap space and will be able to really bring in the players necessary for a long run in the playoffs?
Here are three players that I think you should keep an eye on for the Jets tonight (should they be in the lineup),
- #14 Ville Heinola – Very silky puck-moving defender. He’s the future of Winnipeg’s blueline. Tough to say where he’ll top out but he’s been high-end at every level he’s played at. He’s only played one game so far this season, so there’s a chance he doesn’t draw in, but in the event that he does, it won’t take long to notice the obvious talent.
- #81 Kyle Connor – Fack! This guy is sneaky good. I can remember in his draft year wondering how a kid lighting up the USHL was getting so much ink. Now we know. He’s one of the league’s finest finishers and it would behoove the Oilers to keep close tabs on the firey-haired winger.
- #64 Logan Stanley – At 6’7″ I’m sure there are tons of Jets fans hoping that Stanley is the next coming of Dustin Byfuglien or Zdeno Chara. He’s not Tyler Myers, that’s for sure. He’s an emerging shutdown defender who plays an honest brand of hockey. Surely, he’ll be tasked with making Leon Draisaitl’s night a living Hell…
For Winnipeg to have success, a hard forecheck will be necessary. Edmonton is having trouble moving the puck out of their own end, so if the Jets can compound that challenge for the Oilers, they could create more chances for themselves.
Connor Hellebuyck, if he’s starting, needs to be better too. His game against Ottawa was very underwhelming.
I reckon if they get the puck to Nik Ehlers as much as possible, that would give them a better chance at the two points as well. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty confident in saying that he usually does quite well against Edmonton.
With regards to the away team, I’ll be watching these three individuals closely for Edmonton,
- #13 Jesse Puljujarvi – Pulju has a history of doing well in Winnipeg. Does that have something to do with his friend Patrik Laine being there? I’m not sure, I hope not. Aside from that, he’s playing very well and his fancies tell me that he’s creating a lot of chances for his teammates. I’m hoping to see him on the 1st line tonight, but I won’t hold my breath.
- #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – He’s starting to heat up a bit I’ve noticed. Five points in six games this year, right? When I read that I was taken aback a bit. He’d scored them so quietly. Typical spy Nuge behavior. Edmonton is going to need him to really buckle down on Winnipeg’s skilled wingers like Kyle Connor or Nik Ehlers though.
- #29 Leon Draisaitl – His line had an off-night vs. Toronto last time out. I suspect he’ll be matched by Blake Wheeler and/or Logan Stanley, so it might be a bit of a slog, but I know he relishes these tough matchups, and any chance he gets to throw these guys off his back akin to how Jaromir Jagr used to do it, he’ll take it.
There are some rumblings that Adam Larsson might come out for Evan Bouchard and I wouldn’t be shocked if that did happen. It’s a bold move to take out a vet who is part of your leadership team like that so I’m not totally confident that it will happen unless he’s banged up, which he very well could be. Blocking shots and giving opposing forwards the business in the corners can take a toll on a fella.
I wonder about Ennis coming out again for Chiasson or Nygard too.
What do the Oilers need to do to win this one?
Well, I’m glad you asked. One, pull their heads out of their asses. Every time they play a team that is without one of their better players they shit the bed. Enough! It’s time to flip the switch on that narrative.
Two, SUPPORT THE DEFENSEMEN IN THE D-ZONE!!!
I can’t understand why the forwards can’t get this. It’s such a simple concept. If they do this, they’ll offer safer passing options to their d-men and it will also mitigate the risk of getting scored upon in case of a turnover because they’ll out-man the other team down low…
Three, shoot the damned puck!
Four, the bottom-six is going to have their work cut out for them. Winnipeg’s grinders are very very good at what they do and often win that battle. I don’t know if Coach Tippett will have Puljujarvi down there or Kassian, but I’m worried less about that than how Kyle Turris is going to match up against someone like Adam Lowry or Jansen Harkins.
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