2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM21: Oilers @ Jets – 3P2W – Can McDavid Jump into the Top-5 in League Scoring Tonight?

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 today’s matchup!

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Oilers’ Goaltending Circus: Navigating the Trade Tightrope

You’ve probably heard the buzz, the Oilers are juggling their goaltenders like it’s a circus act, and the trade talks are just adding more clowns to the mix. So, let’s dissect this spectacle and figure out if the Oilers are playing a dangerous game or just pulling off a hilarious magic trick.

Edmonton Oilers Goaltending: A Quest for Stability or a Comedy of Errors?

Now, let’s talk goaltending. The Oilers are on a quest for stability, but it seems more like a wild goose chase. The lack of substantial news might not be a strategic silence; it could be the hockey world collectively scratching its head, wondering if the Oilers have a plan or if they’re just hoping for some goaltending pixie dust. Jake Allen, anyone? Is the reason they didn’t make a move because they believe in their internal magic, or are they just not willing to pay the price for a goalie? It’s like trying to make sense of a sitcom plot that’s gone off the rails.

Beyond the Crease: Oilers’ Depth Woes

But wait, there’s more! The Oilers’ problems go beyond the crease.

The Oilers’ depth, as reliable as a chocolate teapot in a sauna. The third and fourth lines are supposedly contributing, but it’s more like watching a mime perform in a vacuum – no laughs, just a desperate attempt at relevance. And the defense? While I will admit in the last week it’s improved, at times they still appear to be wobbling around like newborn giraffes on roller skates – awkward, uncoordinated, and in desperate need of adult supervision.

Now, enter the Oilers, attempting to remedy their chaos with a goaltending trade. It’s akin to trying to fix a leaky faucet with a sledgehammer. Are they on a quest for a solution, or is this just another episode of “How to Mismanage an NHL Team 101”? Picture them saying, “Who needs a game plan when you can dabble in goaltender roulette? It’s the edgy, unpredictable approach to team building we’ve grown to admire and love from this organization.

Trade Prospects: The Oilers’ Multimillion-Dollar Punchline

Now, let’s talk trades. The Oilers aren’t just window shopping for goaltenders; they’re eyeing a whole department store. Third-line center? Check. Two-way physical presence? Check. Ekholm-type defenseman? Check. But here’s the kicker—the cost. It’s not just about acquiring players; it’s about doing it without bankrupting the franchise. It’s a multimillion-dollar punchline, and the Oilers are wondering if the joke’s on them.

Conclusion: Trading Places or Just Trading Blows?

In the end, it’s a balancing act for the Oilers. Are they trading places with success, or are they just trading blows with the hockey gods? The outcome of this goaltending saga will either be a triumph or a facepalm moment in Oilers history.

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Three Players to Watch for the Bad Guys

#55 Mark Scheifele (7g 16a 23pts) – He’s scoring pretty well for the Jets over his last five games with three goals and a pair of helpers. His line with Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers has been very solid to date.
#81 Cole Perfetti (7g 10a 17pts) – Not bad for the 22yr old. He’s over half way to last season’s production totals (8g 22a 30pts in 51GP) with 60 games left to top them.
#91 Kyle Connor (14g 9a 23pts) – Connor started the season on fire but has cooled off as of late. That doesn’t matter though, he’s always a threat to score and tonight will be no different.

The Jets have excellent scoring throughout its entire roster. Neiderreiter has six goals on the third line as does Mason Appleton. Their 2nd line of Perfetti, Namestnikov, and Iafallo have combined for 41pts on the campaign, too. On top of that WPG’s defense is contributing as well not to mention Connor Hellebuyck is back to his old self (10-5-1, 2.61GAA, .908SV%)…

Therefor the Oilers are going to have to be on their game tonight or risk getting that asses blown out.

Three Players to Watch for the Good Guys

#97 Connor McDavid (8g 20a 28pts) – I think it’s only fair that the spotlight stays on McDelish as he continues his assault on the Art Ross race. He has a staggering 53pts in 30 games in his career vs. the Jets… Another 3-point game could vault him into the top-5 in league scoring.
#57 James Hamblin (2g 1a 3pts) – Have the Oilers found their new 4C? Jimmy the Hammer has seemingly discovered his stride after 21 games and it appears that Kris Knoblauch is content with the effort so far. I hope this guy can keep it going. Edmonton will need his line to keep their heads above water this evening.
#2 Evan Bouchard (5g 16a 21pts) – 1g and 4a in his last five. The commotion over his play has quieted down significantly during this 3-game heater for Edmonton but his production has not.

Soup's last three:

Has stopped 102 of 108 (.944) and allowed just two five-on-five goals. 🍜 pic.twitter.com/CUeZ1PUqxp

— Bakersfield Condors (@Condors) November 30, 2023

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