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The New Jersey Devils have likely had one of the more disappointing starts to the season. After all of the hype surrounding the team in the summer; with the acquisition of the likes of Hughes, Gusev, Subban, and Simmonds, many were expecting this team to explode out of the gates.
Instead the team has a 0-2-1 record through the first three games, allowing 15 goals in those games, the second most in the league thus far. All of this should be prefaced with the fact that we are so early into the season and a single game can turn these numbers around. It will be up to the Oilers tonight to not be the team that gets the Devils going.
LINEUP
RNH hasn't played poorly by any stretch through the first few games but he has yet to appear on the scoreboard. Nugent Hopkins has 7 points in 11 career games against the Devils. Neal is red hot right now and Jurco has some decent hands, if RNH can take charge of that line the Oilers can be very dangerous.
DEVILS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - JACK HUGHES
The 1st overall pick of 2019 hasn't made an impact on the scoresheet yet either but flashes of his skill have started to come out. It's a matter of when not if Hughes will start producing and even at 18 he has the ability to take over a game.
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3 KEYS TO VICTORY
1.) Beatable Goaltending - Between Blackwood and Schneider, goaltending has been the early letdown for the Devils. It will be Blackwood in net tonight who last allowed 7 goals against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton needs to challenge him early and often.
2.) More From The Bottom - Last game the Sheahan centred and Haas centred lines played with some long stretches in the offensive zone. Unfortunately those two lines also only registered two shots total. Spending more time in the oppositions end is good but those lines do need to generate more shots.
3.) Watch The Breakaways - Edmonton ended up dominating the Islanders but still made some egregious mistakes. One breakaway allowed the Islanders shorthanded goal while a second opportunity almost ended up in the back of the net as well. The up ice passes the Oilers are now making are a great way to move the puck up the ice but they need to be sharper or else a team with as many offensive weapons like the Devils will quickly capitalize.
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FILM OF THE DAY
The Devil has been a prominent figure in many films over the years. One of the most memorable for me would have to be this little scene from Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. NSFW for language.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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