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G74: Oilers vs Coyotes - Connor Mc60

March 27, 2023, 6:58 PM ET [8 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Sorry guys, it's been a busy few days for me... don't buy a house... it's a ton of work.

The Oilers had a hard fought battle against the Golden Knights on Saturday which ended with an OT defeat but played a good game. This is a matchup that we could certainly see in the playoffs in the first round. The Kings are surging and could end up being the top team in the Pacific.

I wasn't able to write anything after the Coyotes game so let's talk for a moment about Connor McDavid notching his 60th goal of the season. I think sometimes we go numb to how good this player is and how much better he is than any other player in the NHL. There are the elite players in the NHL and above all of them is McDavid. He is in another rank all to himself.

McDavid notched his 60th goal in his 72nd game (one game fewer than it took Matthews to do it a year ago). There are 9 games remaining in the season and McDavid has 139 points. It seems to be a given right now that McDavid will hit 150 points; the first player to do so since Lemieux did it in 95/96. We are witnessing history right now folks.

Those from the outside think of the Oilers still as a two player team in McDavid and Draisaitl. It's understandable why when those two players are just so good and so much better than anyone else but this Oilers team has depth and some pretty incredible surrounding players that are doing amazing things.

RNH is also having a career year with 89 points and is 12th in the NHL in scoring. Hyman is 23rd in the NHL with 76 points, also with a career high 31 goals. Edmonton has 4 players in the top 25 in scoring in the NHL including those ranked #1 and #2. Oilers fans have it pretty good right now.

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Tonight Edmonton will play in Arizona and Jack Campbell will start. Campbell's last game was a 5-4 victory against the Sharks in OT. The Oilers had 52 shots on net while the Sharks had only 32. While I was just preaching about the Oilers depth, goaltending is an issue if Skinner gets hurt (knocks on wood frantically).

Tonight we will also see Janmark beside McDavid and Kane with Yamamoto on the third line. The Oilers have some great depth scoring throughout the lineup but Yamamoto remains fairly unproductive. I think a third line spot is the correct place for the smaller forward with perhaps a chance to feast on lesser opponents and third pairing defenders. Janmark has played well as of late but I would rather see Foegele on that top line. I understand the desire to keep him in that third line role as a way to outscore opponents on those lines as well.

Enjoy the game!
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