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G33 - Hurricanes @ Oilers - Switching Things Up

December 10, 2019, 4:46 PM ET [116 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Edmonton has had some lackluster offense to start the month of December, particularly from their top end players. Leon Draisaitl has 3 goals in 4 games so far in December, but played one of his more disengaged games of the season against Buffalo. Connor McDavid meanwhile hasn't scored in four games and only has a single assist in his last three games.

It's also worth noting that in the two games where McDavid was pointless, both against Buffalo and Ottawa, Connor played over 24 minutes. While the words won't ever come out of his mouth, fatigue is clearly a factor.

Tonight Edmonton plays against a very good Hurricanes team in a very good Division. The Hurricanes own record of 18-11-1 is similar to the Oilers 18-10-4 record yet while the Oilers sit first in their Division, the 'Canes currently sit 5th in their own.

The top 5 teams of the Metro Division have the best combined goal differential of any division; Capitals (+24), Islanders (+17), Flyers (+11), Penguins (+22), and Hurricanes (+15).

Somehow Edmonton has gone undefeated against all of these teams and is 9-0 against the Division.

We've seen a better Oilers team hit the ice against a tougher opponent and hopefully we see that tonight. The new line combinations might help out as well.

LINEUP

OILERS


Nygard-McDavid-Kassian
Khaira-RNH-Draisaitl
Neal-Haas-P. Russell
Granlund-Sheahan-Archibald

Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-Jones

Koskinen

HURRICANES

Niederreiter-Aho-Teravainen
Svechnikov-Staal-Foegele
Dzingel-Wallmark-Necas
McGinn-Martinook-Gauthier

Slavin-Hamilton
Edmundson-Pesce
Gardiner-Van Riemsdyk

Mrazek

OILERS PLAYER PROFILE - RYAN NUGENT HOPKINS

It's been a rough year so far for the Nuge. He missed a few games with a hand injury which apparently had been bothering him for some time. Hopefully now we can see some more offense from the former first overall pick because the numbers have not been there. RNH only has 2 even strength goals through 26 games. Regardless of his linemates that simply isn't acceptable.

HURRICANES PLAYER PROFILE - NINO NIEDERREITER

Another player not making the most of his opportunity is the former Wild player. Niederreiter has spent a fair amount of time this season in the top 6, specifically with the dynamic Aho but has failed to provide much impact in terms of scoring. He has a single assist in his last 9 games.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1.) Freshness - Tippett is mixing up his lines, hoping to generate something more offense. McDavid will be paired with Kassian and Nygard, both of whom have enough speed to play the game at McDavid's pace. Meanwhile RNH and Draisaitl will try to find some chemistry at 5 on 5, something the two players have rarely had the opportunity to do.

2.) Back To The Starter - Tippett is finally starting to realize who his real starter is. A month ago we would have seen him go back to Smith in net, despite his rough start against Buffalo but instead we are back to the player who has proven to be a better bet in Mikko Koskinen.

3.) Something At 5 on 5 - Edmonton has dropped over the past couple weeks and is now 21st in the league in even strength goals with 65. I'm going to be Captain Obvious here for a moment; if Edmonton isn't generating enough shots on net, they aren't going to score many goals. Tonight the Oil need to take more second and third looks at the net.

And please stop shooting at the net when you are behind the net... only McDavid is allowed to do that.

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FILM OF THE DAY

At least once a year there is a big switch up in the lineup which gives me free reign to make a post about a Freaky Friday type of movie. There are plenty to choose from so this time I'm going with 1984's All of Me, staring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Enjoy the trailer below.
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