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G24: Oilers right back at it vs. Wild

December 1, 2022, 11:03 PM ET [9 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This is one of those games I've got a bad feeling about before the puck even drops.

Edmonton absolutely manhandled the Blackhawks yesterday, aside from a few late game shenanigans. The Oilers were firing pucks at will, dominating zone control and outclassing the Hawks nearly every step of the way. The 5-4 final was kind to Chicago and if not for some great play by Soderblom, it could have been a 7 or 8 goal game for Edmonton.

That being said, the late game scoring opportunities that Edmonton gave up were clear signs this team still has a long way to go. They need to figure out sooner rather than later that if they take their foot off the gas for even a moment than it's probably going to result in goals against.

My other issue with the game last night was how Woodcroft deployed his lineup and that leads into why I am nervous about the game tonight. Despite nearly every line playing well and producing or at least creating scoring chances; Jay Woodcroft still leaned heavily on McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nurse, and Ceci for the minutes. Hyman played the fewest minutes at 5 on 5 of this group with just over 18 minutes while Nurse played the most at nearly 21. Ceci, McDavid, and Draisaitl were all about 19 minutes.

From there was a significant drop off to the next highest minutes logged by Bouchard at under 13. RNH and Puljujarvi were rolling but only played nine-ish minutes at five-on-five. Nuge did have some penalties but still, that is a significant drop off. Woodcroft leaned on his best players hard and now they will play again tonight against the Wild.

The Wild are about as average a team as can be this year. They are playing basically .500 hockey with a 10-9-2 record and 22 points in 21 games. They have allowed 62 goals against while scoring 62 themselves. They sit right in the middle of their division in fourth place.

To me this already screams a 2-1 or 1-0 game for the Wild in a dull affair where the Oilers sleep walk through and the Wild are just good enough to turn them back every time they try to enter the blueline. I hope I am wrong.

Tonight I would like to see Holloway get a bit more ice-time and a chance to do a bit more. I expect however he will once again be under 10 minutes.

Jesse Pulujarvi had a great game last night, notching an assist with a brilliant pass to Nuge as well as a massive hit which directly led to the Janmark goal. JP quietly has 4 points in his last 8 games, for the most part all in a bottom six role. He is doing exactly what is being asked of him right now. He has confidence. The goals will come soon.

I had angry words about Nurse after the Panthers game so credit where credit is due. Nurse had an excellent game against the Hawks and probably his best game of the season. Of course I will put an asterisk beside that because Nurse can skate circles around the Hawks but that kind of play will get him into trouble against good teams. Still it was a step in the right direction.

Draisaitl – McDavid – Hyman
Janmark – RNH – Puljujarvi
Benson – Shore – Ryan
Holloway – Malone – Hamblin

Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Barrie
Broberg – Bouchard

Campbell

Same lines I expect with the exception of Campbell in net. Enjoy the game!
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