This is one of those games that might have Oilers fans feeling a bit uneasy. The New Jersey Devils have been getting their asses handed to them recently and tonight will be their second game in a back-to-back. They’re going into this game embarrassed and extremely motivated. A dangerous combination and one that has bitten the Oilers in the rear-end on more than one occasion in the past.
With that in mind, their goaltending is horrid (expected starter MacKenzie Blackwood has a .800 SV% and a 6.58 GAA) and the Oilers offensive stars are on fire! I’m sure the Devils will want to get this game under wraps as early as possible, so Edmonton is going to have to be smart about how they go about their gameplan tonight.
A Few Notes
- New Jersey has the 2nd most goals against (15) so far and the Oilers have the third most goals for (14)… I like those numbers.
- The Oilers have the 6th best PP in the NHL and the Devils have the worst penalty kill. Interesting…
- New Jersey has yet to score on the powerplay in nine chances as well. Edmonton’s PK is running at a 90% clip. I like Edmonton’s odds in the special teams battle.
- Is it a coincidence that the Oilers are getting a few more calls going their way and that their team is quicker?
- I’ll be watching closely to see if the line of Khaira/Sheahan/Russell continues their grinding ways. I loved their game vs. the Islanders and NJ’s defense is even worse. I think they could have a good night… If they wanted.
- If there’s a time for the guys in the bottom-six to start scoring, this is it. With the way that NJ’s goaltending has staggered out of the gate, there might not be a better opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
- NBC’s Joe Haggerty with the quote of the morning, “Who knew swapping out Milan Lucic for James Neal would be such a difference-maker for the Oilers?” Okay…
Three Players to Watch for the Devils
- Jack Hughes – There’s a good chance that he’ll score tonight versus the Oilers because that’s what players who are looking for their first NHL goal do when they play Edmonton… He’s yet to put up any points, only has three shots, and is -3.
- Taylor Hall – There’s a good chance that he’ll score tonight versus the Oilers because that’s what former Oilers do when playing their old team…
- Nikita Gusev – There’s a good chance~… Ha! Almost got ya. This Russian has been getting hyped ALL summer, yet he’s only managed to score once so far. That said, nobody on his team, aside from Blake Coleman, seems to be scoring.
Lines for the #NJDevils –
(via @DailyFaceoff)Forwards:
Hall – Hischier – Gusev
Bratt – Zajac – Palmieri
Coleman – Hughes – Simmonds
Wood – Rooney – HaydenDefense:
Vatanen – Subban
Greene – Severson
Butcher – Carrick— NJDevils Game Bot (@NJDevilsGameBot) October 10, 2019
Three Players to Watch for the Oilers
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Nuge hasn’t been able to get his name on the scoresheet yet. It’s only three games, mind you, but the Oilers are third in goals for to date with fourteen. If the rest of the team keeps scoring and he doesn’t, when do we start to get concerned?
- James Neal – Can he keep the streak going? According to Jason Gregor, no Oiler has scored ten goals in October since 1987. Neal has eleven games to score four more goals. Gretzky has the most with thirteen and he did that twice.
- Markus Granlund – Time is running out for the summer signing. Edmonton has some depth in the bottom six that could easily replace him. He’s sure looking like this year’s Toby Rieder.
Lines for the #LetsGoOilers –
(via @DailyFaceoff)Forwards:
Draisaitl – McDavid – Kassian
Jurco – Nugent-Hopkins – Neal
Nygard – Haas – Granlund
Khaira – Sheahan – RussellDefense:
Nurse – Bear
Klefbom – Persson
Russell – Benning— NJDevils Game Bot (@NJDevilsGameBot) October 10, 2019
I’ve got the Oilers taking this one but I’m 1-2-0 on my predictions so far… Not exactly hitting it out of the ballpark there. But I will say this, the players that I have been asking you to keep an eye out for have done okay.
Who do you like and which players will you be watching for? Let us know in the comments section and Let’s go Oilers!!!
