This fall for Edmonton Oilers fans has been a lot about frustration. Coming to grips with the fact general manager Peter Chiarelli has assessed this as a ‘growth year’ is difficult when the weather is fine, borderline impossible when the cold winds blow. The team itself has had tremendous difficulty in areas that had previously been strengths (goal, power play) and the penalty killing is ‘expansion team’ level so far this year.
Even with all the bad news, there are some interesting things to talk about with this team. If the Oilers can get back into the Pacific Division race, and find a scoring winger for the Nuge line, we may see a more mature offence than the one that ripped up the charts one year ago.
OILERS 5X5 SCORING (FORWARDS) 2017-18
Anything over 2.00/60 is good and having five men over that plateau is excellent. The McDavid line is always soaring above the crowd, but that second (Nuge) line is showing some positive arrows. We talk of three scoring lines—unicorns!—but being able to roll out two consistent scoring lines would be very beneficial for this team.
One quick note: Despite the disastrous start for the third and fourth lines, there are signs of life. The offensive output (explosion?) from Friday night has names like Anton Slepyshev and Drake Caggiula on the board, plus Ryan Strome nearing established career levels. Oilers need more, but there are some good signs.
THE OTHER SIDE
To this point, Detroit has lost the first of their four road games on this trip and will want to get themselves back in the win column. They lost to Ottawa 3-1 on Thursday night, and are coming off two days to rest before today’s matinee affair in Edmonton. Prior to the loss against the Senators, Detroit was on a two-game winning streak but are 3-6-1 in their last 10 contests. Last season, the Oilers were a perfect 2-0 against Detroit, a feat they would love to repeat this year.
Scratches: Johan Franzen (concussion) is on IR and Danny DeKeyser (ankle) is listed as day-to-day.
LINEUPS
Oilers
Maroon-McDavid-Draisaitl
Lucic-Nuge-Yamamoto
Caggiula-Strome-Jokinen
Pakarinen-Letestu-Kassian
Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Benning
Russell-Gryba
Talbot
At the time of posting, the Oilers hadn’t released their lineups yet, but we know that Slepyshev probably won’t be available for today’s contest which makes it seem likely that Yamamoto will play in his ninth NHL game. We’ll update the lineups as they come out.
Red Wings
Nyquist – Zetterberg – Tatar
Athanasiou – Larkin – Mantha
Helm – Nielsen – Abdelkader
Wilson – Glendening – Frk
Ericsson – Daley
Kronwall – Green
Ouellet – Jensen
Howard
Lineups (subject to change) are courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Detroit went .500 this week, but they need to play more consistently at a higher level if they want to collect more W‘s. Keeping the lines consistent has helped, especially when it comes to the Kid Line as they’ve been the best part of this team since they’ve been playing together. Blashill has kept his promise to give them more minutes at important times of the game and it’s payed off in the form of points for them and penalties killed. If they can keep that line together going forward, I will be happy.
TONIGHT
GAME DAY PREDICTION: The game begins with a sleepy feel, but the visitors cash on a power play midway through the first (Anthony Mantha). Edmonton is outshot 12-3 in the period, fans walking past the sushi in search of stronger stuff after One.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The second period sees Edmonton find its legs and push hard, but a shorthanded goal by Detroit late in the frame has the home side down by a pair after 40. Oilers get 18 shots to Detroit’s six, fans walk past the easily available fare and go on a deep dive for a Curve Burger.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The third period will be remembered for some time, as the Oilers hold an impromptu “turn back the clock” afternoon, scoring five goals in 20 minutes and flattening the winged wheel. McDavid with four points, Oilers win, first star Curve Burger.
GDB BROUGHT TO YOU BY COLLIN BRUCE MORTGAGE TEAM
Source: Edmonton Oilers, Official Game Page, 11/05/2017 – 9:30am MST
I think we can finally put any playoff talk to bed. This team has confirmed it is not a playoff calibre team this season.
Yup. This season can be labeled as “development”.
Funny that is what Chia called it as well.
Lol! I love how you “fans” turn on the oilers when they hit a rough patch. Fair weather fans for sure, writing off the team 12 games into the season. ??. Too funny!!
The Oilers would look great in a ringette league.
Of course Mrazek has to have one of his good games against the Oilers. He’s erratic and half the time plays like a Hall of Famer, the other half like a bum.
It is not a coincidence. The Oilers are just great at making other goalies look good. Easy shots.
They do, but he’s entirely unpredictable as well.
My thought as well. Lots of easy shots with clear sight lines
Indeed, but with Mrazek in goal that’s enough some nights.
We need a heart transplant
^no kidding !!
Not Zack. He has been all over the ice this afternoon.
Haven’t seen the entire game but Caggiula looks alright as well.
Caggiula actually hits people despite his size. Most of the other Oilers outside of Nurse and Larsson don’t play the body knew enough.
They haven’t learned to handle being labeled as contenders. So many of these guys are used to playing the underdog role.
They arn’t facing as many backup goalies and teams are taking them seriously this season.
No. The Oilers had issues with backup goaltenders. Would be interesting to see the actual stats on that.
Most teams have learned to better contain McDavid as well. Of course the entire league has scouted him hard. He’ll learn new trick though, this is all part of the fun of being a star.
Who in the world is still calling this team a contender?
At the moment nobody. Except they may still view themselves as such. They had that message hammered into them all summer by the media.
#FallinForDahlin
This comment makes me really sad
It also rhymes poorly.
Absolutely no offense from the defence, all wrist shots. The only shooter is Klefbom and he can’t hit the net
He said he deliberately shoots wide looking for bounces and tips since the opposition defends better against him this season.
But yes, he’s not lighting it up at all. Sekera’s absence also means Klefbom draws a lot more attention to him.
Can you say shut out
Maybe they need a road trip or new players let you guys decide
They need to trade for a scoring right winger.
Nah, that train has left the station. Giving up futures to salvage a season that’s going down the toilet anyway isn’t wise. They should have signed some free agents during the summer instead. But out of curiosity, what do we have to give up that would bring in any worthwhile help?
Oilers get spanked again…..back to the days NFL games I guess.
It’s those damn orange jerseys, look like a pumpkin,play like a pumpkin.
Just frickin disgusting….only could be worse when they lose to Arizona.
How many days to the draft?
Sad state of affairs.
At least we know Jesse Puljujärvi isn’t the answer right now, the coaches referred to him having to learn to carry out the himself and to feel like he belongs in the league. Apart from a few guys playing their hearts out the rest of the team looks like they take for granted being in the NHL.
Zack should ask for trade to a team that wants to win. Soo sad
Whats the Oilers record with Yamamoto in the Top 6?