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GD37: Oilers @ Leafs - Stacking The Wrong Line |
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Tonight the Oilers will once again face-off against the Maple Leafs. Last game, Edmonton played a bit of catchup in the first period, a strong second period and then collapsed in the last 8 minutes of the game, allowing the Leafs to tie the game and subsequently win in OT. It was a disappointing end but one of the Oilers own makings.
Tonight Tippett has shuffled up his second line, adding Kyle Turris to a line with RNH and Yamamoto. I don't have any specific issues with giving Turris a shot in the top six and if he can get to the right spots of the ice he could be a useful complimentary player. Unfortunately I think Tippett is stacking the wrong line.
RNH continues to struggle mightily and having him centre a line and shoulder the defensive responsibilities in addition to asking for scoring is apparently too much for the player right now. The Draisaitl, McDavid, and Puljujarvi line is rolling strong but outside of that the rest of the team isn't scoring right now.
When fans were asking early to have the RNH, Draisaitl, Yamamoto line back together, it wasn't just because it was so good, but because McDavid has the ability to drive a line without those players beside him.
I would rather see Tippett try something like this:
Turris-McDavid-Puljujarvi
RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Maybe tonight we will see a 5 on 5 goal from the RNH line but somehow I doubt it.
OILERS LINE COMBINATIONS
Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Turris-RNH-Yamamoto
Shore-Khaira-Archibald
Ennis-Haas-Kassian
Nurse-Barrie
Lagesson-Larsson
Russell-Bear
Smith
LEAFS LINE COMBINATIONS
Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Simmonds
Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman
Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Spezza
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Bogosian
Hutchinson
4 GAME THOUGHTS
1.) Force A Powerplay - Over their last four games against Toronto, the Leafs have had 12 PP opportunities while the Oilers have had only 5. I'm not hear to complain about the reffing, the Oilers haven't done enough to put the Leafs into a position to take many penalties. Edmonton needs to get their feet moving to draw some more calls their way.
2.) Full 60 - Over the course of a game there will be moments of sustained pressure by either side but the Oilers completely caved in the second half of the third period. Edmonton needs to play with pace and not try to not lose a game as they did in their last game.
3.) Last Chance Turris - Kyle Turris played a good steady game in his last game on March 8th before dealing with COVID. Turris has obviously not panned out as expected. Tonight Turris has an opportunity to earn a spot as a winger in the top six, something that Kahun or Ennis have not been able to lock down themselves.
4.) Guard The Blue - Edmonton did a great job against the Jets in mucking up the neutral zone to prevent much in the way of chances but it is something Edmonton has not yet been able to do against the Leafs in any of their games this season. The Oilers need to find a way to stack their blueline to prevent a controlled entry similar to the way the Leafs have implemented it against the Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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