The Oilers played their last game on Friday in a 5-3 victory against the Golden Knights. Edmonton will not play again until they face off against the Flyers on Wednesday. That is a long time between games but it should be good news for the team as it gives them some much needed practice time. Despite a 5-0 start to the season, the Oilers have not looked like a dominant team in any of their games and have been able to capitalize on their opponents mistakes while preventing their own from finding their way into the back of the net. Banking these points early is great and fans should feel optimistic at this record despite not playing their best. Here are some thoughts.

1) The Powerplay Is Better: Edmonton has been a top powerplay team over the past few seasons but somehow their deadliest weapon has gotten even better. I shouldn't say somehow because the answer is obvious. Over the past couple seasons alongside McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, and Barrie or Nurse, or Klefbom, the Oilers have used guys like James Neal or Alex Chiasson as the 5th man on the PP. These are net front guys that were counted on to tap in goals in front but were inconsistent to be nice (sorry Canucks fans, you're going to have to get used to this too).

Now, Tippett is finally sending out Puljujarvi or Hyman as the net front man and the results both ways have been stellar. Both of these players offer so much more than Neal or Chiasson and give the Oilers opponent one more headache to have to deal with. Currently the Oilers PP sits first at 47.06% which is absolutely bananas. Essentially the Oilers are scoring once every two powerplay opportunities. I don't think that number is sustainable but I also don't think it's ridiculous to think that it will drop drastically.

2) Better Apart: The McDavid, Draisaitl, and Puljujarvi line was used predominantly in home games for the Oilers. This line went 5-2 in even strength scoring, at 30-31 in shots with a CF% of 48.31. They played 43:45 together. Compare that to the Hyman, McDavid, and Puljujarvi line which went 1-2 in goals at even strength, 12-15 in shots but posted a CF% of 54.72%. This was in 24:43 minutes of play.

The slight goal differential and shots isn't ideal but longer term I expect that to tilt in the Oilers favor, especially if they continue to out-possess their opponent as they did. What is more favorable is that the Draisaitl, Yamamoto, and RNH line went 1-0 in goals, 18-21 in shots and a CF% of 49.09 in just over 24 minutes of play.

Again that doesn't feel amazing but it is worlds better than the RNH, Yamamoto, and Hyman line. This trio is just over 27 minutes at even strength went 0-2 in goals, 10-12 in shots, and a CF% of 41.86. For long term success, running McDavid and Draisaitl on opposite lines provides the most balanced roster.

3) Seriously, That Third Line: Obviously McDavid posting 13 points in 5 games has helped this team win a game or two, but the third line might be almost as important in these wins. Kassian, Foegele, and Ryan have been exactly what this team needed out of a third line. In just over 40 minutes together at 5 on 5, this line has gone 3-3 in goals, 26-20 in shots and a CF% of 52.05. Two of those goals against were scored against them in the Vegas game but at least Kassian scored a 5 on 5 goal to help stop the bleeding.

Quickly on Kassian; I will always admit when I was wrong about a player and so far Kassian has proved me wrong. Zack has been engaged at all ends of the ice, is shooting and skating well and causing absolute mayhem for the opponents in their end. This is the Kassian which deserves to be paid 3.2 million a year and I hope he is able to keep this type of consistency up for the whole season.

Foegele meanwhile has been equally, if not more impressive and we are starting to see his offensive instincts and aggressive puck carrying kick in. Hopefully injuries do not happen but we all know they will to some degree. Foegele is a player who is easily able to slot into the top six and the team won't miss a beat.

4) Who Was Worried About Goaltending: Through 3 games Koskinen has a 0.943SV% and Mike Smith has a 0.920SV% through 3 games as well. So far, the tandem that everyone was concerned about has not only held up, but has been rock solid and helped the Oilers out a few jams. Koskinen will likely get the start on Wednesday and no one should be concerned about that.

Over the next few days Tippett needs to have his players going over their defensive systems to make sure that they are not bleeding chances against which has been the biggest concern through 5 games. Edmonton has not yet played a full 60 minute game. Hopefully they can do so against the Flyers and keep this win streak going.

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