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G42: Oilers @ Flames - Deadline Prep |
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Monday marks the trade deadline for the NHL and with the recent news of both of Edmonton's games against the Canucks next week being postponed, tonight's bout against Calgary will be the Oilers last game until after the deadline. With the new rules in place regarding the 7 day quarantine vs the 14 day, this could actually give Edmonton an advantage if they do make a deal.
I've said a few times I do not think it is wise this season for Ken Holland to try and make a big splash at the deadline. The Oilers don't have much in the way of draft assets and I would rather the team hold onto those to prepare for the Seattle Expansion Draft. Edmonton is a good hockey team and a playoff team but they are not Cup contenders yet and I don't think any singular move suddenly pushes them into that category. I see the 4th round pick in play for the Oilers in a move to try and acquire a bottom six centre. Players like Luke Glendening and Derek Ryan fall into that category.
Tonight Edmonton will face off against the Flames in a way that in prior years has been flipped. Edmonton is the team starting to prepare for their first playoff series while the Flames are the ones on the outside, waiting to sell off assets for picks and prep for the draft. The Flames have the worst record in the North Division over the past 10 games, going 2-8-0 and having lost their last 4 straight. Ottawa has lost three straight but even they have posted a 3-4-3 record.
OILERS LINE COMBINATIONS
Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Kahun-Haas-Yamamoto
Shore-Khaira-Archibald
Kassian-Turris-Chiasson
Nurse-Barrie
Russell-Larsson
Jones-Bear
Smith
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Monahan-Dube
Lucic-Backlund-Nordstrom
Bennett-Ryan-Ritchie
Giordano-Tanev
Hanifin-Andersson
Valimaki-Stone
Markstrom
4 GAME THOUGHTS
1.) Missing RNH - Ryan Nugent Hopkins has not had a great year but looking at the lineup today should help fans to remember why the forward should be extended. Without RNH in the lineup the depth takes a pretty big hit. If RNH isn't extended than Holland needs to sign a player that brings the same abilities that RNH provides.
2.) Spoiler - That is the role the Calgary Flames now find themselves in and if there is any team they will relish doing that against it's the Edmonton Oilers. Expect Calgary to come out with some aggression early. Edmonton has struggled lately to come out sharp and a goal against or worse an injury could occur if they aren't keeping their heads up.
3.) Defense? - Darnell Nurse is still having a season worthy of being in Norris discussions but over the last couple games we have seen some of his old bad habits creeping back into his game; missing his man in front of the net being the big one. As a whole the Oilers defense has not been sharp (with the exception of the Bear and Jones duo). Somehow these guys need a reset and to kick it back in gear.
4.) Goalie Battle - Okay show of hands, who had Mike Smith having the better SV% out of him and Markstrom to start the season? Markstrom hasn't been the only issue for Calgary lately but he certainly hasn't been giving them his best play. If Edmonton can't come out looking like the better team, they still might earn the win if Markstrom continues his mediocre play.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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