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P3 Oilers vs Jets: Testing Team Defense |
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The Oilers continue preseason action against the Winnipeg Jets this evening. Focus in camp is starting to get tighter and we are reaching a breaking point where bodies need to leave if the Oilers want to focus on things like special teams and not waste time. That said, I always feel like teams keep too many bodies around for too long every year, so we are likely right on track.
The remaining players were split into two groups: Group A (The NHL group) and Group B (Everyone else). Group A notably included Kailer Yamamoto and PTO hopeful Chris Kelly. Group B had all of the AHL-bound defenders like Bear, Jones, Mantha, Paigin, and Lowe.
A family emergency kept me away from seeing the games on Monday, but I did get to see highlights and it seems as though Yamamoto finally put his best foot forward. I was wondering how he would appear with more highly skilled linemates. The answer, it seems, is “quite well”. We will see how much rope he’s given by the coaching staff. Early days still.
Honestly, that goal is unreal. If he shows that kind of anticipation and skill throughout camp he’s really going to push players like Jesse Puljujarvi. And as excited as people were about Yamamoto’s performance, they were equally unenthusiastic to Puljujarvi’s debut. For me, it’s important to remember that Yamamoto had played games in the summer for team USA, games with his CHL club, and 3 games with the rookie squad BEFORE playing that game against Calgary. Puljujarvi, on the other hand, had no such head start.
Nevertheless, per McLellan today, Yamamoto will be playing on a line with Jokinen and RNH, not Puljujarvi. The competition is fierce for these spots. There doesn’t look to be any room for performance lapses.
LINEUP
No McDavid or Draisaitl today. Pressure is on Nuge to lead at both ends of the ice.
Jokinen RNH Yamamoto
Khaira Letestu Kassian
Rattie Kelly Callahan
Laleggia Gambardella Malon/Russell
Russell Benning
Stanton Gryba
Auvitu Mantha
Brossoit
Ellis
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Veteran Jets. The Jets are boasting a lineup that includes Trouba, Little, Wheeler, Byfuglien, Myers, and Schiefele. Oh…and Matt Hendricks too. This might be as close to an opening night roster as one could find this early into camp. Edmonton will have their hands full with this one, and it’s no surprise that the veterans they confirmed first are the defensively responsible 3rd and 4th lines we expect will handle checking duties when the regular season commences. Nuge, Jokinen, Letestu, and Kassian will be doing a lot of DZ and PK work this year (based on their usage last season) and this game will probably give them lots of opportunities to work on those aspects of their games.
2) Internal Competition. As nice as watching the Oilers beat the Flames twice was to start preseason, the reality is that these games let clubs sort out their internal competitions before the external ones take everyone’s attention. Tonight we’re watching Khaira, Yamamoto, and Auvitu a little closer than even Nuge or Jokinen. We’re doing that because Pakarinen, Slepyshev, Puljujarvi, Caggiula, Stanton, and Simpson are gunning for the spots those three are holding in tonight’s game. A couple bad shifts in a row could mean the difference between an NHL pressbox or an AHL bus.
3) Laine’s Laser. In addition to the standard home lineup laden with NHL veterans, the big name we will all be watching is Patrik Laine. Last year’s runner up in the rookie goal scoring race possesses one of the deadliest shots in the NHL, reminiscent of a young Stamkos. He’s already scored once in his preseason debut and will no doubt be ready for more. Brossoit will be forced to hone his game against an elite one-shot scorer in the league. No small task for him and making sure Laine doesn’t find open space to receive those juicy passes will be difficult for this defense.
Puck drops tonight at 6PM Mountain Time on the Oilers Website and GCL. Game On!
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