The Oilers tied the first two games of their season, and while it’s far from a disastrous start, the results are actually acceptable, but I actually have a few things I want to get rid of. I was going to call them concerns, but that’s probably not the right word. I don’t think any of the things I’m noticing will cause the Oilers to miss the playoffs or anything, but they’re still worth discussing.
The Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks despite scoring two goals in the opening minutes of the game. They nearly returned against the Calgary Flames, although they basically did the same thing. This is a trend that dates back to last year’s playoffs, when the team went low in many key game situations. Game one vs. LA, game five vs. LA, and also the first two games of the Battle of Alberta.
You need to find a way to consistently show up on time.
The early exit in the first two games of the season made it really difficult to get a good understanding of how good this team can be. Part of the reason I’m incredibly optimistic about this Oilers team being able to get a deep playoff run is that I think the depth they have in their top 9 is about as good as it is in the Western Conference . I personally think they have the best top 9 in the conference.
I don’t think it’s the best top 9 in the NHL, throwing McDavid and Draisaitl on the same line for most of the hockey game, which Jay Woodcroft felt compelled to do back-to-back games with his team. Bringing together the team’s two superstars makes the Oilers a one-line team again.
At 5v5, if Woodcroft has loaded McDavid, Draisaitl and Kane on a line, the Oilers will be shot down at 5v5.
The comeback win over the Canucks was fueled by their special teams, and the near comeback against the Flames was due to Stuart Skinner not having a light and the Oilers actually scoring deep. Loading McDavid and Draisaitl was not a key factor in either of those games. So keep them split at 5v5.
They’re going to do damage together on the power play and that’s a huge advantage the Oilers have in every game they play, but I think this team’s best shot at coming out during the regular season as one of the best teams in the Ending Western Conference is hold 29 and 97 split at 5v5.
In the last ten minutes of a game when you’re down by one? I can stand behind it. But I don’t think throwing a few minutes into a game every time you’re behind and then having to throw all your other lines in a blender is a great recipe for long-term success.
If this whole tirade sounds familiar, that’s because I covered all of this on my daily show, Oilersnation Everyday, which streams every weekday and game day at lunchtime in the mountains on The Nation Network’s YouTube channel.
Keeping McDavid and Draisaitl separate is one thing I’d like to see in the next few games, the other thing I’d like to see is more of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with even strength.
Now, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins brings a lot to the table on the special teams side. He’s a power play witch, to quote my good friend Lowetide, and he’s one of their most used penalty killers, accumulating 7:51 shorthanded on the ice in two games, which is the most of any forward. Hyman is second at 6:57 and surprisingly Ryan McLeod is third at 6:01.
He’s a very good special teams player and since the Oilers can count on him to take penalties they really are never forced to overwhelm McDavid or Draisaitl when they lose a man and can use that time to them to rest. McDavid has been on the ice since 0:52 SH time while Draisaitl gets up at 4:30 as they like to use him for faceoffs. Giving these two a chance to rest is important, and Nugent-Hopkins is one of the reasons they are able to do so.
Still, this team needs more of Nugent-Hopkins at 5v5. Last year wasn’t a great season for #92. He scored 11 goals in 68 games, only seven of which were evenly matched. If they’re going to commit to him being their third line center, which is fine with me, then they’re going to have to get him to field better offensive numbers, which I actually think he’s capable of doing.
In consecutive seasons, his consistent-power shooting percentage has been below 8%. Before that it was 12.5%, 12.4% and 15.2%. In all three seasons he scored at least 20 goals or better. There should be a positive regression soon, so I picked him as one of my bold predictions as one of the Oilers’ eight 20-goal scorers this year.
He needs to take better chances and when that comes, the Oilers will score more goals while McDavid and Draisaitl are off the ice.
One idea I’ll discuss a little more on tomorrow’s show: pairing Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the third row. Give Nugent-Hopkins a player who can push the game forward. They’ve spent a lot of time together this season and while the results weren’t great, they drew 9-7 in 16:15 and without a goal, they also didn’t stand on the ice together to concede a goal. I think this duo could have potential. Try it.
What is your opinion? How should Woodcroft construct the top 9 for tomorrow’s game against Buffalo?
#Play #McDavid #Draisaitl #NugentHopkins
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