Just a quick blog today my friends. By the end of the first period against the Red Wings on Tuesday, it felt like the Oilers were going to let two points slip away by playing down to their opponents level. Instead it was the depth players, including Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele who got the team ahead. It's rare to see McDavid and Draisaitl held off the scoresheet (McDavid would have one PP assist), and it used to be even rarer that Edmonton would win those games. Instead this team is finally starting to prove they are more than their best players.

For the first time since McDavid has entered the league, the Edmonton Oilers are outscoring the opposition when McDavid and Draisaitl are not on the ice. The Oilers are 47-38 in Goals For/Against when neither McDavid or Draisaitl is on the ice.

Ironically, this year is also the worst McDavid and Draisaitl have been in preventing goals against. The Oilers are 24-20 with McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice. They are 21-21 when McDavid is on but not Draisaitl. They are 20-24 when Draisaitl is on the ice but not McDavid. Despite the points, Leon is not having a good season and has publicly stated that same sentiment.

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Today we saw another big domino drop in Vladamir Tarasenko as the oft rumoured winger was traded to the New York Rangers. New York was right up against the cap prior to the trade but still managed to find a way to add a costly player. Ken Holland has gone on record saying any deal the Oilers make will have to be dollar in and dollar out. Oilers fans are hoping that he can find a way to be at least as creative as Chris Drury and the Rangers.

No lineup changes tonight except that it looks like Skinner will get the start. Yamamoto remains on LTIR but that is expected to change sometime this weekend. As trade deadline looms ever closer we will start to hear far more chatter and rumours. It's a fun time of the NHL season folks.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the game!

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