A 7-2-1 record after the first ten games is nothing to be ashamed of. The last two loses however, have seen old habits creep back into the Oilers game and unsurprisingly, the high shooting percentages and special teams numbers are starting to fall back to normal.
The Oilers have failed to score a goal since the second period against the Red Wings, being shut out both against the Winnipeg Jets, as well as the Minnesota Wild. Connor McDavid has been held off the scoresheet for three straight games and the rest of the roster isn't doing anything during this tough stretch.
Standings wise, tonight is the toughest game Edmonton has played so far this season against the 7-2-2 Washington Capitals that currently sit in first place in the Metro Division. The lethargic starts the Oil have had in their last few games cannot happen against a team like the Caps.
LINEUP
EDMONTON
Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian Chiasson-RNH-Neal Khaira-Sheahan-Archibald P.Russell-Granlund-Gagner
Nurse-Bear Klefbom-Russell Manning-Benning
Koskinen
- After wrongly placing him in the lineup last game, Sam Gagner finally gets back into the lineup
CAPITALS
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie Hagelin-Kuznetsov-Wilson Vrana-Eller-Hathaway Leipsic-Dowd-Stephenson
Kempny-Carlsson Orlov-Jensen Siegenthaler-Gudas
Holtby
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OILERS PLAYER PROFILE - CONNOR MCDAVID
It is very rare to see McDavid not register a point in two games in a row...three has been unheard of. Tonight should be a much higher offense game from both sides which should see McDavid playing with much more intensity.
CAPITALS PLAYER PROFILE - JOHN CARLSON It is not Ovechkin or Kuznetsov who is leading the Capitals right now but instead, defenseman John Carlson. Washington can beat teams in a number of different ways and right now Carlson is the player to be most aware of.
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3 KEYS TO VICTORY *It's been 600 minutes of regulation play since the Oilers bottom six scored a goal.
1.) More Than Good PK Numbers - Khaira and Granlund have been useless so far at 5 on 5 but are in the coach's good books due to their ability on the PK. Unfortunately most of the game is not played on the PK. Granlund in particular has taken a few really dumb penalties. Both these players need to start showing something aside from strong special teams play.
2.) Run and Gun - The Caps are a team that scores a large number of goals but due to some issues with Holtby, have also allowed a large number of goals against. This could likely be the kind of game that coaches hate but the Oilers will need to reign it in and not force Koskinen to take part in a shooting gallery.
3.) McDavid Scores - If McDavid isn't registering points, chances are this team isn't winning.
FILM OF THE DAY
Overall, the first ten games for Edmonton was great in terms of their spot in the standings. Now they need to focus on their next ten games and aim for just as good of a record. With the magic number today being 10, enjoy this scene from 10 Things I Hate About You.