While Edmonton played their most entertaining game so far against the Penguins, they played their most complete game overall against the Blues last night. I hate using the phrase "felt like playoff hockey," but that is probably the most apt description of the game. Both netminders were phenomenal as Binnington and Skinner both put on a clinic, the physicality was up racked a notch and you just knew it was going to be a dirty crashing the net goal that ended up winning the game.

From the start of the game to the end whistle, the Oilers all looked totally dialed in and were aggressive on the forecheck and determined to win every puck battle. It was a heavy game that didn't involve specifically bone crushing hits, but just players willing to go to the tough areas.

Edmonton's first goal was scored on a Darnell Nurse point shot that after review turned out to be a Jesse Puljujarvi tip. As I had said in the previous blog, the third line for Edmonton has looked excellent since being put together and eventually the goals would start going in. After JP was given that goal, you could see the confidence begin to show even more in his game. Puljujarvi was skating the puck in himself, making plays and firing more shots on net. Foegele almost buried a point blank goal himself and McLeod had his share of chances as well. I love this line.

Huge credit to Stuart Skinner who continues to show maturity and a skillset that seems far greater than his 17 total NHL games might suggest. The thing that impresses me the most about Skinner is how rarely he ever gives up a second chance. Once Skinner makes a save he almost immediately swallows the puck and gets the whistle. It has to be a frustrating playstyle to go up against as it prevents the opposition from getting any rhythm in the offensive end.

Alright, I'm sure you are wondering about the title.

Before I state anything, I will say I do not think the team is going to trade Yamamoto any time soon. That being said, if things continue as they are right now there certainly are interesting options available to Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers.

The top scorers for the Oilers this season are going to be McDavid, Draisaitl, Kane, Hyman, and RNH. I don't think many people are going to object to those. Right now Kailer Yamamoto is getting regular shifts with these players but has yet to register a goal or really be a part of the scoresheet at all.

If Puljujarvi continues to do what he has been doing on the third line; playing a solid defensive game, chipping in with some goals, and showing great chemistry with Foegele and McLeod than I think the Oilers have a great third line that they could keep together this season and beyond. Somehow Edmonton is going to need to find a way to alleviate their cap situation.

Which brings us back to Yamamoto. If Yamamoto isn't scoring than there isn't much he brings to the top six. He can be a highly tenacious player but that usually comes hand in hand with his scoring. So far I have not seen much that merits him deserving the ice time he has received. Yamamoto has a 20 goal season under his belt and is on a fairly team friendly deal at two years at 3.1 million. Teams would have interest in that player. If Yamamoto was dealt, Holloway could step in and be a complimentary player (would be the hope at least).

This is all very premature but it will be a story to continue to follow as right now Yamamoto is not doing enough to help out his team.

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Prior to the start of the season, this game was probably written off as an easy win for the Oilers but the Hawks come into tonight's game on a four game winning streak. It is not Toews and Kane that lead the Hawks in points but instead Tyler Johnson, Sam Lafferty, and Jason Dickinson. Lafferty, Dickinson, and Kurashev make up the Hawks third line and it is these role players that are making other teams pay.

In these four games, the Hawks have been the bottom feeding Sharks, the Red Wings in OT, the Kraken who gave up a multi-goal lead, and the Panthers who outshot them 31-22 and went 0/6 on the PP. This isn't to say Chicago should be taken lightly and I am sure fans are enjoying this but I don't expect the Hawks to keep up this pace.

Edmonton just fought a tough playoff like battle against the Blues. I doubt we will see tonight's game played in the same way but regardless this is a game the Oilers cannot sleep through and expect an easy win. Calgary on Saturday is going to be the toughest game yet. It would do the Oilers well to earn another two points here.

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RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Foegele-McLeod-Puljujarvi
Holloway-Shore-Ryan

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Barrie
Niemelainen-Bouchard
Murray

Campbell

- Holloway was skating this morning and may play in tonight's game. If he does that would mean Devon Shore is probably out or Ryan Murray if the team wanted to go back to 6 defensemen.

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Athanasiou-Domi-Kane
Khaira-Toews-Raddysh
Kurashev-Dickinson-Lafferty
Blackwell-Entwistle-Johnson

Johnson-Jones
Tinordi-Murphy
McCabe-Jones

Stalock

- Tyler Johnson was just placed on the IR with an ankle injury he suffered against the Panthers and will not play.

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