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G55: Predators @ Oilers - Kick In The Pants

February 8, 2020, 2:22 PM ET [3 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
In an 82 game schedule, teams are going to lose games and will also go on some losing skids. Tonight the Oilers are in danger of going on a three game losing streak, something they have only had happen once this entire season.

From December 8th to December 14th, the Oilers went on a four game losing streak failing to beat the Sabres, Hurricanes, Wild, and Leafs. All of this was part of a rough December for the team where the top players weren't scoring and goaltending let them down hard.

Right now the team is losing games because quite simply they have been outworked by their opponents. It may sound like a sports cliche but it's the best way to describe what has happened. Edmonton is full of skilled and fast players but against the Coyotes and Sharks they looked like they were standing still. The Oil were beat in every puck battle, out-skated, and outplayed at nearly every turn.



Last practice, Tippett clearly wasn't happy with the effort he was seeing from his guys and had some choice words to tell them. It's rare to see Tippett visibly get mad like that and that certainly won't be lost on the players. Edmonton is in the middle of a tight playoff race, not showing up for games like this is simply unacceptable.

This evening Edmonton will be itching to get back into the win column against a Predators team that is fighting to be in the playoff race. One last sports cliche; Edmonton needs to want it more.

LINEUP

OILERS


Gagner-McDavid-Kassian
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Khaira-Sheahan-Archibald
Benson-Haas-Chiasson

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Bear
Jones-Benning

Smith

- This is not the official lineup but it is what the team was practicing with yesterday. I'll update if things change.

PREDATORS

Duchene-Johanson-Granlund
Forsberg-Turris-Smith
Grimaldi-Bonino-Arvidsson
Trenin-Sissons-Blackwell

Josi-Fabbro
Tinordi-Ekholm
Hamhuis-Weber

Saros

---

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1.) Goals Against -
Nashville is a curious team. The Preds have allowed the 23rd most goals in the league but are in the middle of the pack when it comes to even strength goals against. The reason is that they have allowed the third most powerplay goals against this season. Edmonton has looked down right bad on the powerplay as of late but an early chance on the PP tonight should give the team some energy.

2.) Benson - There isn't much to glean from Tyler Benson's NHL debut in a game where no one on the Oilers was able to make much happen. There was one noticeable play where Benson was able to skate the puck in and get a quick shot on net. Benson certainly had rookie nerves in his first game and will be looking to make a better impression his second time around.

3.) Adapt - Watching the last game versus the Sharks, it was frustrating seeing the Oilers get stopped at the blue over and over. San Jose was able to stack their blue line and prevent the Oilers from skating the puck in. Dump and chase is not my favourite style but Edmonton needed to do something different when it was clear their strategy wasn't working. Nashville can be another infuriating team to play against and the Oilers need to adapt on the fly to keep the pressure on.
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