Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!
If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.
So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for tonight’s matchup!
Random Pontifications
“…the Oilers may try to augment that second line with a trade, looking at names like Sam Reinhard, Sam Bennett, or Patrick Kane. Adding a big piece to that second group would allow Edmonton the luxury of rolling out the top two players in the league over and over without depth concerns.” – The Hockey Writers
- Why would the Panthers want to move either of those players? C’mon… And Patrick Kane isn’t coming to Edmonton to “save the day”, he’s going to a team close to home with a better chance at winning the Cup and less travel. Think New York, Buffalo, possibly Vegas, Colorado, or Boston.
- Now, what about a team like Buffalo who’s giving scoring winger Viktor Olofsson a hard time? What about Conor Garland who wants out of Vancouver like it’s about to sink into the Pacific?
- That being said and even with Edmonton struggling to score 5v5, looking at the big picture, is offense really the problem with the Oilers. I think keeping the puck out of the net is the biggest one and that being the case, does big CLB dman Andrew Peeke move the needle? Is he a better option than Cody Ceci, Philip Broberg, or Vinnie Desharnais? Peeke blocks shots, munches the TOI, and has been trusted in the past by the coaches in Columbus to play in critical situations.
- Apparently Sam Gagner will be signing a deal with Bakersfield shortly. Is he the guy Bob Stauffer was referring to recently when he said he thought the Oilers will be adding a right-shot center? Either way, I don’t think Samwise will be signing a pro deal for a while IF that’s something Edmonton is planning to do.
Latest on Puljujarvi https://t.co/iWeUaUgLiG
— NHL Trade Rumors (@NHLTradeRumors) October 20, 2023
The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.
Three Players to Watch for the (team)
- #81 Kyle Connor – Has TWENTY shots already this season! To go with that he’s already scored three times and added an assist.
- #9 Alex Iafallo – Three goals from the third line so far this season. He’s keeping par with the PL Dubois… That’s pretty decent if you ask me.
- #55 Mark Scheifele – The Jets captain is always a threat. He’s got five points on the campaign so far and with the Oilers struggling defensively so badly, Scheifele will definitely be a player to watch.
Three Players to Watch for the Oilers
- #18 Zach Hyman name – Hyman has been pretty consistent so far this season and his 6pts kind of shows that. I think he’s good to add his name to the scoresheet IF the Oilers can manage more than one goal vs. WPG
- #71 Ryan McLeod – Speaking of consistency but sans the production, it could be argued that McLeod’s line has been the best one over the course of Edmonton’s first four games. Sooner or later that puck is going to hit the back of the net for them.
- #74 Stu Skinner – At the time of writing, I’ve got no idea if he’ll be starting but considering Jack Campbell has laid an egg in 2/3 starts, I think it’s not a huge stretch to think Skinner might start vs. the Jets. My my my, one of these netminders needs to take this net and win a game for the Oilers at some point here or she’s gonna be loooooong season. I hear that Celebrini guy is kinda good.
The Next Twelve Games (#2-#13)
- 10/14 vs. Canucks – I think the Oilers will take 2/2 vs. Vancouver to start the year. (W)
- (4-3 LOSS)
- 10/17 @. Predators – The Pred don’t scare me. Their roster is in shambles. Poor Jusse Saros and Roman Josi. (W)
- (6-1 WIN)
- 10/19 @ Flyers – Their forward group looks entertaining but they’ve got nobody on defense. (W)
- (4-1 LOSS)
- 10/21 vs. Winnipeg – The Jets are always a tough out. I like their chances. (L)
- 10/24 @ Wild – Minny isn’t as good as they used to be but still very solid. (W)
- 10/26 vs. Rangers – I like NY’s defense and goaltending here. (L)
- 10/29 vs.Flames – Calgary is going to surprise a few this year. (L)
- 11/2 vs. Stars – This will be a very tight game. (W)
- 11/4 vs. Predators – Leon will continue to light the Preds up. (W)
- 11/6 @ Canucks – I’ll take Edmonton for a third time here, Alex. (W)
- 11/9 @ Sharks – I don’t even recognize half the names on SJ’s roster… (W)
- 11/11 @ Kraken – I like Seattle’s roster. Well-rounded. (L)
