On May 14th last season the Edmonton Oilers Cup aspirations were cut short after losing 5-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights would go on to win the Stanley Cup while the Oilers players, coaches, and managers would be standing on the sidelines wondering what happened. Most of that team is still here and likely still freshly remembers that feeling of loss. They need to remember that while at the same time, wiping the slate clean.
Kane-McDavid-Brown RNH-Draisaitl-Hyman Holloway-McLeod-Foegele Janmark-Ryan
Nurse-Bouchard Kulak-Ceci Broberg-Desharnais Ekholm
Skinner
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We don't have confirmation on the starter but Skinner was in the starters net in the last practice but Campbell also took some reps. The fact that we are currently in a position where both netminders are being discussed as the starter is only good news.
I am really looking forward to seeing what the Holloway-McLeod-Foegele line can do together. Holloway in particular now has some NHL experience under his belt and has a better handle on what to expect going into the regular season. I am not expecting a massive point season for the young player but I think he has the skillset to be a valuable roster piece, similar to how McLeod emerged last season.
Still some big question marks on the 12th forward spot on this roster. It looks like the Oilers will run 11/7 tonight, with Ekholm being the #7 to ease him back into game shape. There have been some rumors that the Oilers are looking at a player like Nic Dowd in Washington. He would check a number of boxes for Edmonton on what they are looking for in their fourth line pivot.
The first game of the season is always a battle of nerves vs rust. We are in for some sloppy hockey tonight as both teams will be trying to get their game legs under them. Whichever team is able to flip that switch faster will likely be the team that comes out on top.
Apparently the Canucks have some kind of illness that is passing through their locker room already. If the Canucks are rusty, nervous, and sick than the Oilers absolutely need to find a way to come out on top.
Who scores the first goal of the season for the Edmonton Oilers? I'm going to go with Connor Brown. Who is your pick?
Hockey is officially back!!
Thanks for reading!