Those are the standings in the Pacific Division right now. Edmonton sits in 6th right now but has at least 2 games in hand on every team above them. It’s likely this division will be a battle like this all year.
Edmonton is not considered a dominant force this year. Pundits are not counting Edmonton as a playoff lock or even a wild card team this season. There are too many roster holes, not enough scoring depth. McDavid can’t do it all on his own.
Prove them wrong.
Aside from maybe the game against the Rangers the Oilers have not been the favourites going into a single game this season. They have played against Western and Eastern Conference Champions, President's Trophy teams, and Stanley Cup winners. Edmonton is treading ground at .500.
They can be better.
Tonight the Oilers face off against the Stanley Cup Champions of last season, the Washington Capitals. Despite a summer of partying Ovechkin doesn’t look like he has a Cup Hangover. He has 8 goals in his first 8 games. Nothing suggests the Caps don’t have every intention of trying to repeat and go for the Cup once again.
Edmonton should want the same. LINEUPS
OILERS
RNH-McDavid-Yamamoto Rieder-Draisaitl-Chiasson Lucic-Strome-Caggiula Khaira-Brodziak-marody
Klefbom-Larsson Nurse-Russell Gravel-Bouchard
Talbot
This is my best guess with the Oilers lineup. It was just announced that Kassian and Puljujarvi would be healthy scratches tonight. If Todd wants to send a one game message to Puljujarvi that he wants to see more from him fine... if he thinks that Caggiula is a better forward than him we have a big problem.
UPDATE
Have changed the lineup again, it looks like Chiasson will draw in next to Draisaitl tonight with Caggiula on the third line and Marody slotting down to the fourth.
Still no start for Koskinen... the Oilers are getting tons from their 2.5 million dollar backup.
CAPITALS Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Smith-Pelly Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie Vrana-Eller-Connolly Jaskin-Dowd-Burakovsky
Kempny-Carlson Orlov-Niskanen Orpik-Djoos
Holtby
4 KEYS TO VICTORY 1) Lucky Number 13. McDavid leads the Oilers with 13 points in 7 games. Four players on the Capitals have 13 points in 8 games; Ovechkin, Carlson, Kuznetsov, Backstrom. Washington is a massive offensive threat and the Oilers will need to limit their mistakes. 2) Draisaitl Wakes Up. Despite the loss against Pittsburgh, Leon Draisaitl played his best game of the season. When Draisaitl is playing his best he has the potential to be the best player on the ice even when he is sharing the ice with McDavid or facing off against Malkin. With Kuznetsov on one line and Backstrom on the other, Drai needs to bring it again. 3) Holtby’s Only Human After All. Braden Holtby has been one of the league’s best goalies over the past few seasons but this year has looked average. In seven starts the Washington netmind has an average goals allowed of 3.46 and a SV% of .885. It could be a fast paced high scoring game and Talbot needs to have a bounceback game. 4) Be Disciplined. The Caps have a lead leading PP right now and have scored the most powerplay goals at 12. Giving Washington a powerplay is simply asking to be scored on. Edmonton needs to balanced being engaged while avoiding the box.
FILM OF THE DAY In case my earlier tone wasn't clear Edmonton is an underdog who needs to give everything they have in order to win. Picking a movie like Rocky is an easy way to show that but instead I chose my favourite fighting movie of all time Warrior specifically this fight where physics teacher and retired MMA fight Brendan Conlon faces off against the undefeated Russian Koba.