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G7 - Flyers @ Oilers - Rebound |
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It was going to happen sooner or later.
The Oilers undefeated streak ended on Monday with a lose to the Chicago Blackhawks. I felt Edmonton played a strong road period in the first but fatigue finally set in as the Hawks took the game over.
It isn't anything for the Oil to be ashamed of. They were on the tail end of a four game road trip at the beginning of the season. Tonight Edmonton plays another team at the end of a road trip... but this team has traveled to a whole other continent to play. Philadelphia started their season in Prague before returning home for a game, then heading right back out for a Western Canada swing.
Early road trips can be fatiguing, especially for teams with young players. The Oilers spent last night in their own beds while the Flyers are rounding out their own road trip. Edmonton should come out and start the game as the stronger team.
LINEUPS
OILERS
Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian
Neal-Nuge-Chiasson
Khaira-Sheahan-Russell
Jurco-Granlund-Archibald
Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Persson
Russell-Benning
Koskinen
- Nygard is apparently out 2-4 weeks with a back injury, an unfortunate start for a player who was just starting to look comfortable.
- Koskinen gets the start at home
FLYERS
Giroux-Hayes-Van Riemsdyk
Lindblom-Couturier-Konecny
Pitlick-Laughton-Voracek
Stewart-Raffl-Twarnyski
Provorov-Braun
Sanheim-Niskanen
Hagg-Gostisbehere
Hart
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OILERS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - ALEX CHIASSON
Chiasson was a feel good story last season due to a ridiculous shooting percentage and clicking with the Oilers top players. Jurco didn't do anything with his time in the top 6 and with Nygard out, Chiasson gets an opportunity to make an impression.
FLYERS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - CARTER HART
The young goalie has been a great story thus far for the Flyers. He has played all but one of the Flyers games and has a .938sv% in those games.
3 KEYS TO VICTORY
1.) Challenge Hart Early - The Flyers are fatigued and Hart is playing more than he ever has in his professional career. Edmonton needs to challenge the young goalie early and often.
2.) Recover - Last game against the Hawks was the first game that both Bear and Persson looked shaky at times. There are going to be growing pains for the unproven players and tonight they need to bounce back.
3.) Goals For RNH? RNH has had consistent linemates this season but has yet to put the puck in the back of the net. Nuge is far too good a player to stay off the score sheet for too long and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pot a 5v5 goal tonight.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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