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Thoughts Leading Up to Game Two |
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The Oilers won their first game and while they were in early season form, they managed to bring the anxiety of fans to mid-season levels after blowing a 2-0 lead in the third period before winning in the shootout. While that may sound negative, let me be clear in saying that I actually liked most of what I saw from the Edmonton Oilers. I do think this season will see some rollercoaster moments like what we saw. It's going to be a fun, entertaining, and likely infuriating season all at the same time.
Here are some thoughts:
The McDavid, Draisaitl, and Puljujarvi line was great as we all expected it to be. Jesse got things started with the first goal, being in the right place to quickly bang a puck past Demko. Puljujarvi finished the game with two hits and six shots and was a force all night. I've said for months to expect a major breakout year for Puljujarvi and this game certainly didn't make me feel any different.
McDavid and Draisaitl were often their regular brilliant selves but Draisaitl did have some rough moments with a few notable turnovers. The Canucks played McDavid well and the cross ice passes that Leon was trying to make simply weren't working. Something I expect he will clean up as the games go on.
In order to keep the McDavid, Draisaitl, and Puljujarvi line together, Tippett needed for Hyman, RNH, and Yamamoto to play a good game and they certainly delivered. Hyman might be the single most important piece that was added this off-season as he brings a completely different element to the Oilers. He was aggressive in all areas but I was also impressed to see how often Hyman looks for the shot. He finished the night with three shots and of course a great powerplay goal.
My biggest issues with both Yamamoto and RNH have been their lack of shooting at even strength. Yamamoto had two shots at 5 on 5 while RNH had 3. I expect this line will stay together heading into the Calgary game on Saturday.
While they did not score, the third line for the Oilers was absolutely buzzing all night as well. Ryan and Foegele both had some chances and played well at both ends of the ice while Sceviour was a fine if unspectacular linemate. Great on Sceviour for stepping up the moment that Keith was hit.
I don't have much thoughts on the fourth line as they played very little, especially with the penalty issues that the Oilers ran into during the second period.
Mike Smith won't eliminate all fears on the Oilers goaltending with a single great performance but it certainly won't hurt as the Oilers netminder was brilliant all night and stopped at least four attempts that I thought were going to be sure goals against. The second goal against was a bit of a tough one but I won't linger on that with the rest of his performance.
The defense I will address as a collective because what I saw was a mixed bag from everyone. The good pieces for me were Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard. It wasn't for charity sake that Bouchard was paired with Nurse near the end of the game. Bouchard was counted on in all situations, including on the penalty kill and was a solid presence all night.
The worry already though should be that Bouchard was placed up there because the coach couldn't trust either of his veteran right shots in Ceci or Barrie to handle it. Ceci and Keith had some strong moments that highlighted their skating ability and solid outlet passes but the Oilers defense as a whole spent far too much time in their own end, skating without every seeming to be set up. The Canucks were able to pile up the shots in the third period and Edmonton never looked comfortable to be in that situation.
Overall it was a good first game that saw Edmonton walk away with 2 points and plenty of things to work on. I expect Tippett will have the team practicing their defensive zone work before they face off against Calgary on Saturday. A game that it looks like Zack Kassian will play.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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