The Edmonton Oilers finished 1-1-2 in the last four games, with four points in the last four. On paper, that doesn’t look great, and it isn’t. However, all four of those games were one goal affairs.
The problem right now with the Edmonton Oilers is the lack of goal scoring which is mind boggling considering how much skill the Oilers have. That said, they’ve looked competitive in those games. Some of those games were heartbreakers, like the Arizona game where the Oilers blew a 3-1 lead and lost in overtime, or San Jose where they fell in the shootout.
Against the Panthers, the Oilers were the better team but didn’t get a point. That’s life.
That said, there’s only four more games left until McDavid returns, including a three game road trip.
The Edmonton Oilers Three Stars:
3. Jordan Eberle: Jordan Eberle, while pointless in three of those four games, did post three assists against Arizona. Eberle has started to look more productive, especially compared to last month where he was not very noticeable. He’s shown recently that he has chemistry with Leon Draisaitl, although last night he ended up back with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Benoit Pouliot.
2. Andrej Sekera: Sekera, like I said last week, is the number one defenceman of the Edmonton Oilers and it’s not really close. He’s been quietly outstanding. He’s leading the d-corps in minutes played, with the lowest amount being 20:54 against Arizona. He played whopping 27:25 against Calgary last night. Continuing with last night there was a fantastic play where he stayed with (I believe) Johnny Gaudreau and as Gaudreau was about to shoot, Sekera went down, blocked the shot, recovered the puck and moved it out. It was a simple but effective way of play from Sekera and deserves some more recognition.
1. Cam Talbot: This Week, Talbot played in three games, including the shootout win against Calgary. In those three games, he had a combined 0.933 save percentage. In his last five games, Talbot is rocking a 0.931 save percentage. Talbot has been outstanding these last few weeks, which is a far cry to when people were giving up on him back in November. He’s a starting goalie, it’s established now. The real question is: what type of starting goalie is Cam Talbot? It’s a really good question because there’s still a limited sample size. Personally, I don’t think he’s as bad as he was in November, nor as good as he was in December. It’s a happy medium. I had Talbot finishing the year around 0.920 for save percentage and right now he’s 28th with a respectable 0.914%
There’s a lot for Talbot because this morning it was announced that Talbot was signed to a 3 year extension, for around 4.17 million.
Talbot 3 yr extension with Oilers. $12.5 million over term.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 17, 2016
It’s a good contract, seems pricey at first glance but Jonathan Willis at Oilersnation.com writes that Talbot is actually 24th in Starting Goalie Salary. It’s not a bad deal although I’m a bit nervous about a NMC for the first two years and a modified no trade clause for the third.
Edmonton Oilers News and Rumors
Connor McDavid turned 19 this week on Wednesday! However, it wasn’t the greatest birthday as McDavid was announced that he will not be returning until after the All Star Break. It’s too bad because I know I miss seeing 97 on the ice, but makes sense from an Oilers perspective, where the organization has been notorious for rushing players back too soon.
Also announced was that Oscar Klefbom would be out until after the break. Jason Gregor of Oilersnation revealed that Klefbom is fighting a Staph infection
Finally, Mark Spector revealed the Oilers were in on Seth Jones and offered Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Personally, I wanted to see that deal, but I completely understand the pros and cons to that potential deal. At the end of the day, it didn’t happen.
Around the League:
Alex Ovechkin was honored for his 500th goal by the Washington Capitals (video to follow)
Highlights
Oilers and Flames Highlights from last night’s game
Whalermaniacs song. Yikes
Ovechkin’s 500 goal tribute featured a star studded cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MAzuCIN7xc
Alexei Emelin had the hit of the year so far last night on Paul Stastny
The Week Ahead
The Oilers wrap up before the All Star break with a back to back in the state of Florida: The Panthers on Monday and the Lightning on Tuesday.
The Oilers visit the Stars on Thursday and host the Predators on Saturday.
That’s the week that was. Follow me on Twitter ! Have a great week Oilers fans.
RNH has to be better, yes he is a good defensive forward, but he isn’t getting it done when it comes to scoring. Right now this team is scoring a goal a game, when you think how much money is tied up in the forwards that’s not nearly good enough.
This is McDavids team now, and PC should be building the team around him. Yes some so called core players will be moved out. It happens to every team. The oilers have shown no matter how much hi end forwards you have, with out a solid d , it’s all for nothing.
They also have too many right wingers. I beleave if Eberle had not gotten injured at the beginning of the season then this would have been dealt with.
Putting a talented and expensive player on the 3 Rd line doesn’t work in a cap league.
Am waiting to see what PC comes up with.