A VERY inexperienced Edmonton Oilers lineup is going to take on a Vancouver Canucks team that is icing mostly NHL-caliber players tonight. This game is going to be a massive test for the young bubble players like Cooper Marody, Ethan Bear, Joseph Gambardella, and Tomas Jurco. To be honest, it’s not really a fair challenge, but it is what it is and this is the NHL. Buckle up and come to play when the opportunity is presented or stay home.
Three Players to Watch on the Canucks
It’d be easy to tell you to watch Elias Pettersson or Tyler Myers, but I’d rather focus on the younger players because we already know what we’ve got in this team’s stars. I find it much more entertaining to keep an eye out for those that are not quite as promoted.
This is the Canucks roster for the evening,
On the ice now @RogersArena 👀 pic.twitter.com/niGqw8zAgM
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 17, 2019
Quinn Hughes – This fella is definitely the best skating defenseman on Vancouver and I wouldn’t hesitate to say he could be one of the best in the entire NHL. The offense that this kid is going to bring from the Canucks’ blueline will be a massive contributing factor to how many points Vancouver’s top players get this year. He might challenge his own brother and Kaapo Kakko for the Calder this season.
Jake Virtanen – Scored two goals last night vs. Cam Talbot and the Calgary Flames but has been criticized for coming into camp out of shape. He plays a very in-your-face style and he’s tough as nails. Similar to Zack Kassian I’d say. I’ve always liked Virtanen since his days in Junior playing for the Calgary Hitmen. If he could put it all together and find a way to stay healthy, he could be a very dangerous player in the future.
Thatcher Demko – I’m not sure who’s starting this game in net for Vancouver, but if Demko gets in, keep an eye on him. He’s Vancouver’s goalie of the future in my opinion. They’ve been marinating him in the minors for a few seasons now and he looks to be ready to take the next step.
In the event that Demko stays on the bench, I’d say to look for one of their free-agent signings, Micheal Ferland. He’s a tough customer that likes to rattle a few pots out there and with the Oilers dressing AHL enforcer Anthony Peluso, we might see some fireworks.
Three Players to Watch on the Oilers
Whew! She’s basically the Bakersfield Condors vs. and NHL team tonight folks! Notice that Evan Bouchard is playing with another rookie defender (he played with Lagesson last night). I believe that is a tell on the coaching staff’s part and it’s telling me that the plan is to send him to the AHL to start the year.
We’re going to see how efficient the Nurse/Larsson pairing is in a shutdown role. I’ve said in the past that I don’t think it’s a good idea because they basically got caved in last season. I don’t think they move the puck well enough and as soon as the opposition sees that Nurse is trying to do it himself instead of passing it out, they’ll get on top of that. However, if there are two players on this Oilers team that could be paired with each other to form an elite shutdown pair… It’s Nurse and Larsson.
The Oilers will be dressing these players tonight,
One hour 'til game time on the West Coast! ⏰
Which #Oilers player(s) will you be keeping an eye on tonight against the Canucks? pic.twitter.com/JODYnvljXj
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 18, 2019
Tomas Jurco – If Jurco has a good preseason and pushes someone out of a spot, he could find himself playing alongside a very good center in Edmonton. From what I’ve read so far, this is a player that can find the soft ice and isn’t that what pundits were saying about Leon Draisaitl last season? Jurco’s problem might be that he has a Forrest Gump shot, you never know what you’re gonna get.
Ryan McLeod – Mr. McLeod has show flashes this preseason and I’m looking forward to seeing if he can maximize his potential vs this veteran-laden Canucks lineup. His linemates really compliment him I believe. If he’s going to be the Oilers 3C of the future, he’s going to have to show that he can stay above water against NHL competition. Big test tonight.
Ethan Bear – Word has it that he’s in the best shape of his life (they all say that, don’t they?) and there’s a big opportunity for him sitting right there. Caleb Jones and William Lagesson didn’t exactly knock it out of the park last night vs Winnipeg, so Bear really has a chance here to tell the Oilers that he’s ready for the next step with a good game. I’ll be looking to see if his skating and decision making has improved since last year.
The game is on the tele tonight folks at 8pm! Go Oilers Go!
