At least for now, it looks like the Oilers have dodged a bullet. Andrej Sekera is back practicing with the team this morning. When the shot from the point hit him in his hand, I immediately feared it was broken. It’s a pretty common occurrence in the NHL and the shot hit him square. It turns out his hand went numb after he took the shot but there wasn’t enough damage to keep him off the ice for this game.

The trade deadline is directly around the corner and the Edmonton Oilers are giving every indication that this will be a quiet year for them. Peter Chiarelli has made comments to several members of the media and most recently it was John Shannon relaying a story that Chiarelli poked fun at him saying his plans for deadline day were to kick back and watch the TV guys squirm.

The reality is that the looming expansion draft and the rules governing it make acquiring big assets difficult. Most teams will still want to fit under the 7-3-1 protection format and for the Oilers that means going after a defenseman with term is pretty much out of the question. They are going to protect Klefbom, Larsson, and Sekera. Adding someone else means exposing one of Klefbom or Larsson, because Sekera has a NMC. There just isn’t really much incentive to make that kind of a deal now.

Edmonton CAN add another forward with term that they can protect with their 7 forward protections, it just means exposing Kassian or someone on the 4th line. If the Oilers are acquiring potential difference maker then that’s an easy choice. The spot most likely to be filled would be the 3C position. If you look at the lineup as it is today, Draisaitl is McDavid’s winger and Letestu has been elevated to 3C. If Letestu can be pushed down to 4C and a suitable, offensively capable center is brought in, then the Oilers have the depth and flexibility to really match up against anyone. At least, with their forwards anyway.

There are certain media guys, like Frank Seravalli of TSN, who still believe that a deal can be made for Kevin Shattenkirk to bolster the blueline. On recent radio hits on TSN 1260 and 630 CHED’s Oilers Now, Seravalli has mentioned that his information suggests Shattenkirk may now be open to the idea of signing with Edmonton long term. This was not always the case and there was reportedly a deal in place between the Oilers and the Blues for Shattenkirk (no confirmation it was for Hall but probably) but that he was unwilling to sign.

Fast forward 8 months from that point where a lot of people’s minds are changing about the Oilers. They aren’t a joke anymore. This is a quality team with star players who will be in their prime for the better part of a decade. They have solid goaltending. They have a well-respected coach. They have a brand new, state-of-the-art arena. And, they are going to make the playoffs. You cannot blame people for turning away before this season. Now they have a lot more to offer a hockey player who genuinely wants a chance to win. Has Kevin Shattenkirk changed his mind about the Oilers? I can’t possibly know that, but I know it’s at least plausible that he has.

Waiting on a big splash is just setting yourself up for disappointment, but even a small move to acquire a 3C will be strengthening this team in a pretty significant way.

LINEUP

Sekera took the morning skate, Larsson did not. Pouliot joined the team but is still on IR, apparently.

Maroon McDavid Draisaitl
Lucic RNH Eberle
Caggiula Letestu Kassian
Hendricks Khaira Pakarinen

Klefbom Benning
Sekera Russell
Davidson Gryba

Talbot
Brossoit

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

1) Put On Your Big Boy Pants. Alright. The Washington Capitals are the top team in the NHL. They have a +72 goal differential, 87 points in the standings. They have 40 wins on the season already, which is something the Oilers haven’t done over 82 games since 2007-2008. This is the biggest test that the East has to offer. The Capitals are favorites to advance to the Cup Finals and it’s on the strength of their entire club. They don’t have a major weakness. They are incredibly strong 5v5 and have a solid Power Play. Scariest statistic I’ve seen is that they have a 64.7% Goals For percentage 5v5. They are number 1 in the NHL in lowest goals against per 60 minutes and highest goals for per 60 minutes. This team knows how to play.

2) Don’t Waste PP Opportunities. As if it’s not bad enough that the Washington Capital Power Play is good, their Penalty Kill is ranked 6th in efficiency. As if that wasn’t bad enough (for the Oilers), the Capitals actually give up the fewest shots against during the 4v5 penalty kill at 38.9 SA/60. AND, as if THAT wasn’t bad enough, the Capitals only average 8:48 PIMs per game, which is 9th lowest in the NHL. So their Penalty Kill is efficient, it’s based on more than hot goaltending, and they don’t spend a lot of time in the box. So any chances the Oilers get, they will be challenged to capitalize on. This PK will be of real interest tonight.

3) Baby Got Backstrom. It is Nicklas Backstrom, not Alexander Ovechkin, who is leading the Caps in scoring. Lord knows Ovechkin is ever-present with that shot of his, but Backstrom is only 5 points back of McDavid with 2 fewer games played than the Boy-Wonder. He has 59GP, 18-45-63 and he has 11 points in 11 career games against the Oilers. He is one of the very best players in the NHL and plays a pivotal role in making that team the dangerous beast that it is. Speaking of beasts, on the 5v4 Power Play, Backstrom is producing 6.66 points per 60 minutes. That’s 14th in the NHL. 5v5 he’s producing 2.65 points per 60. Good for 8th in the NHL (min 200 minutes). Thank goodness Sekera is back, but I think the Oilers will have a better time keeping him off the scoreboard by having the puck more often than the Capitals. Because once these guys get it, the puck tends to end up in the back of the opposition net.

Puck drops at 5 PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet. Game On!

Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy

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