Matching the intensity that the Edmonton Oilers had versus the Calgary Flames over the remaining 32 games would be a difficult test for any team. The animosity and the build up to last game was a different scenario entirely than any other game. That being said, Tippett and his coaching staff need to find a way to harness that effort and use that as a bar for the remainder of the season.
For better or worse, going right from that game into a match-up against the Stanley Cup Champions in the St Louis Blues will give Edmonton easy encouragement to play at the same level.
St. Louis remains the best team in the West but January has been their worst month this season. Here is a breakdown by month for the Blues: October: 7-3-3
November: 10-2-3
December: 9-4-0
January: 5-3-2
---
By no means have the Blues hit a wall but the wins haven't been as easy for them to come by. This is the third game of the Blues four game Canadian swing while Edmonton should be feeling fresh after only playing once since the All Star Break.
LINEUPS
OILERS
Neal-McDavid-Kassian RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto Gagner-Sheahan-Archibald Khaira-Haas-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear Klefbom-Larsson Jones-Benning
Koskinen
BLUES
Schwartz-Schenn-Kyrou Sanford-O'Reilly-Perron Steen-Thomas-Bozak Blais-De La Rose-Barbashev
Pietrangelo-Faulk Bouwmeester-Parayko Dunn-Bortuzo
Binnington
---
BENSON/LAGESSON RECALLED
It looks like Joakim Nygard will be out long term with the Oilers after taking a puck to the hand against the Flames. He will require surgery and will be out at least a month. Kris Russell is also in concussion protocol.
Nygard being injured at this point in the season is extremely unfortunate for the player, especially because he is playing for another contract. That being said, it does finally provide the Oilers a reason to call up Tyler Benson.
Many expected Benson to compete for a spot at the beginning of the season but Holland has slow played the playmaking left winger. Benson has 35 points through 42 AHL games this season and has been one of the Condors best players. He may not play another game in the AHL in his career.
Due to flight scheduling, or perhaps because they don't want him to start in back to back games Benson will not play tonight.
---
3 KEYS TO VICTORY
1.) Same Start - As I started this blog by saying, Edmonton needs to play with the same level of intensity they did against Calgary. That means finishing checks, hustling back to your own end, and being first to rebounds.
2.) Shot Suppression - Through the two games Edmonton has played this season against the Blues, they have allowed a total of 69 shots. St Louis is dangerous from top to bottom and the Oilers need to find ways to better contain that offense.
3.) Big Shift Connor - Last game Connor played the most minutes he has this season at 27:45, those are ridiculous numbers. Like all forwards, McDavid will perform better with his minutes more controlled. I expect a big game from Connor tonight.