Apologies, I am writing this on the road so this will be a bit of a condensed blog. Edmonton did exactly what they needed against the St Louis Blues and showed up to play a full game. After going up 2-0 with a beauty from Leon and a seeing eye shot from Caleb Jones the Blues started to push back.

After the Blues scored a couple of goals to make it 2-2 the Oilers top line took over once again.... I am of course talking about the Draisaitl Nuge Yamamoto line who right now is Edmontons most dangerous line. Leon scored a beauty for his second of the night and Archibald scored a shorthanded empty better to double to Blues 4-2.

Overall the Oilers played a full game against the Blues and continued to look like a team that belongs in the playoff hunt. Once again some poor decision making cost them (most notably on the second Blues goal) but from the top of the lineup to the bottom this is a competitive team.

Tonight we will see Tyler Benson make his NHL debut and I hope it is next to Connor McDavid. More skill is needed on that line next to him and Kassian and with Neal out dealing with a foot issue, it is the perfect opportunity to throw Benson into the fire. We are seeing depth force it's way onto this roster in real time and finally this organization seems to be learning how to properly develop talent.

Only a few months ago, some fans were ready to call Yamamoto a bust, simply because he struggled in the NHL as a 19 and 20 year old. Not only is Yamamoto looking like an NHL player, but he looks more than comfortable in a top 6 role. If Benson is able to replicate anything close to the same success that Yamamoto did, suddenly this is a team that has a real top 6 and the idea of adding more depth seems less daunting.

I don't know if Lagesson will also be injected into the lineup tonight. I thought the Jones Benning pairing was strong most of the night. If we don't see Russell back in that third pairing role I would be okay.

LINEUP

OILERS

Benson-McDavid-Kassian
Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Gagner-Sheahan-Archibald
Chiasson-Haas-Russell

Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Larsson
Jones-Benning

Smith

FLAMES

Mangiapane – Lindholm – Tkachuk
Gaudreau – Monahan – Robinson
Lucic – Ryan – Dube
Bennett – Backlund – Rieder

Giordano – Brodie
Hanifin – Hamonic
Kylington – Andersson

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3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1.) A Better Smith - Mike Smith did not play awful against Calgary in the last game but he certainly did not out play David Rittich. Smith continues to make awkward saves and put himself out of position too often. Oh and please stop going out to play the puck my heart can't take anymore.

2.) Angry Connor - Mark Giordano was not called on a blatant interference call on McDavid the last time these two teams faced off..... and Connor was about as mad as I've ever seen him. McDavid is a threat most games without any incentive. Angry Connor is extra fun to watch.

3.) More Fireworks? - Last time these two teams played there was an extra level of hype due to the Tkachuk and Kassian shenanigans. Those issues were technically settled last game but these teams hate one another. The show isn't over yet.

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