Last game against the Canadiens was the kind of game that really makes you miss having fans in the arena. Once again Montreal came out with the shutdown style of play that has vexed Edmonton all season long. As the game progressed the Oilers fought back both physically and by skating hard at both ends of the ice. Finally the flood gates opened and in the third period Edmonton poured on the goals, winning 4-1. The whole game had a playoff atmosphere and it was heartening to see Edmonton adapt and play that kind of game.
Things are bizarre right now in the North Division. The Leafs are in the middle of a tailspin, having lost their last 5 straight and only earning 6 regulation wins in their last 21 games. The Canadiens have been struggling to produce any offense and now are in danger of losing their playoff spot; first to the Flames, who would already have that spot if they could be the "free bingo spot" Ottawa Senators, as well the Canucks who missed nearly a month having COVID run rampant through their roster but just won two straight against the Leafs.
The only two teams currently riding high are the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. While we have discussed for the past couple weeks that a Jets/Oilers series seems likely. Now the door is once again wide open for either of those teams to take the top spot.
OILERS LINE COMBINATION
Archibald-McDavid-Puljujarvi RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto Kahun-Shore-Kassian Nygard-Haas-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear Jones-Larsson Russell-Barrie
Smith
CANADIENS LINE COMBINATIONS
Toffoli-Suzuki-Armia Drouin-Kotkaniemi-Anderson Tatar-Danault-Byron Lehkonen-Staal-Perry
Chiarot-Weber Edmundson-Petry Monanov-Kulak
Allen
4 GAME THOUGHTS
1.) RNH Returns - RNH has been out of the lineup since April 7th and while he has struggled this season the Oilers roster is still far better with him in it than out. It'll be interesting to see where RNH slots in and while it's likely he ends up in the top 6 it would be interesting to see him centre a third line for a game or two.
2.) That's What It Takes - It might be too much to ask for the exact same kind of spectacle that last game was but regardless the effort needs to remain consistent. Nothing is more frustrating than watching this team look like that one night then disappear the next.
3.) Bearing Down - Ethan Bear played his best game of the season on Monday night and not only because he scored his first goal of the season. Bear had his legs moving, was up in the play and making smart defensive passes. Ethan has stated the extra time off has helped him work on his conditioning and training and it is showing. The Oilers need the Bear of last season to make a long playoff run possible.
4.) Powerplay - The only real area of criticism last game was the fact that Edmonton went 0/4 on the PP. The team had some good chances but still didn't have an answer to the Canadiens PK. The cross ice pass to Draisaitl isn't there right now so the team will need to lean on other options and cash in.