Well no matter how bad things might get for the Edmonton Oilers….at least they haven't been shut out 14-0.
Quick thoughts on Canada's shilacking of Denmark in their first non-exhibition World Juniors game:
I have no issue with Canada running up the score against an opponent who was so clearly outmatched. First off, this is a tournament where scores and total goals matter; they could put a cap on the total number of goals counted if they really felt it was an issue. Second and more important, this tournament has implications beyond a gold medal. Players like Bouchard, Frost, and Comtois are trying to show the teams that drafted them they are NHL ready, and players like Lavoie and Teasdale want to improve their draft rankings. You can't tell these guys to take their foot off the gas. For Edmonton fans, Evan Bouchard played a fairly strong game and he chipped in 3 assists on the night, which was the most points by any defenceman on the team. Clearly the strength of Team Canada lies in its forwards as most of their goals resulted in the forwards cycling the puck.
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I've spent the last few days visiting family in Red Deer. It's always therapeutic to get away from work and other life stresses and unwind and reset. That is exactly what the Oilers are hoping for as they return to action tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Oilers are currently on a three game losing skid where they have been outscored 14-6 and outshot in total 105-73. Losing to Tampa is understandable as they are an offensive dynamo, but the Blues and Canucks are not. Tonight Edmonton needs to prove they are better.
LINEUP
OILERS
Chiasson-McDavid-Draisaitl Rieder-RNH-Puljujarvi Lucic-Brodziak-Kassian Zykov-Spooner-Rattie
Nurse-Larsson Gravel-Jones Benning-Wideman
Koskinen
Caggiula and Garisson are out with the flu and Russell is still not 100% and will likely play next against the Blues. Draisaitl and McDavid are back together.
CANUCKS Goldobin-Pettersen-Boeser Eriksson-Horvat-Virtanen Leivo-Gaudette-Granlund Roussel-Beagle-Motte
Edler-Tanev Hutton-Gudbranson Pouliot-Biega
Markstrom
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4 KEYS TO VICTORY 1) SHOOOOOOOT. Edmonton has only outshot opponents in 3 of it's last 10 games… even when the Oilers beat the Wild 7-2 they were outshot 33-32. Simply put the Oil need to be putting more pucks on net.
2) Zykov Back In The Lineup. In the short amount of games and minutes he has played, I have liked what Valentin Zykov brought to the lineup. The combo of he Rattie and Spooner have been positive in the Corsi's and created some chances. Tonight he will be looking for his first point as an Oiler. 3) Wildcard. Edmonton holds onto the second of two Wildcard spots right now… should the Canucks win tonight, they will move ahead of Edmonton, albeit the Oilers do have a few games in hand. Regardless of that, these divisional games are crucial to win.
4) Work Off The Turkey. It is always interesting to see how teams respond after the Christmas break. Since December 18th Edmonton has only played two games. Both teams need to shake off the rust early, whoever does it better will likely win the game.
FILM OF THE DAY
Last night The Legend of Zorro was on TV, which was the sequel to the 1998 Mask of Zorro movie where after years of being retired, the masked vigilante returns. It hasn't been that long since we have had NHL hockey but it sure feels like it.