Edmonton Oilers Pregame Thoughts

The only old habit we didn’t revisit before Tuesday night resurfaced on Tuesday night.

You have a 2 goal lead after two periods? Connor McDavid scored both goals? Life was pretty decent until the third period happened. For all the criticism Stuart Skinner has gotten(rightfully so), you can’t possibly pin the loss to the Hurricanes on him. 2 of Carolina’s goals, including the Overtime winner, came from failed attempts to clear the puck after Skinner made a brilliant save. You’re supposed to build off potential game-saving stops, not keep hanging your goalie out to dry. The tying goal by Carolina was a rush that came off a bad line change by Edmonton. What could’ve been a really solid bounce-back game for Stu was wasted by poor decisions made by the players in front of him.

I’d seen on social media, and heard from the colour commentators, a reminder of how the Oilers turned their season around last year after an ugly loss against the Hurricanes in Carolina. I wouldn’t really equate this Carolina loss with last year’s. Remember that referenced loss was on U.S. Thanksgiving, the day that determines the likelihood of a team making or missing the Playoffs depending on percentages. I’d give it another week or so until we really have that sort of talk again. A part of me expected a sluggish start in October, though not this sluggish. No doubt, Edmonton needs to improve some things. One more home game, and then a long road trip. The keys to the game are…

Not A Kid Anymore: Sidney Crosby, Sid The Kid, is a 37 year old athlete who still plays the game like a kid. McDavid was asked by the media about who should be Team Canada’s captain at the Four Nations Cup. His response was “Should be Sid for sure, that’s not even a question”. Sid will be looking to remain the master in this tilt as the Penguins are only 1 point out of a Wild Card spot.

Snakebite Cure?: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hasn’t scored a goal yet. Zach Hyman just became the first player in NHL history to not get a single point in his first 7 games following a 50+ goal season. Viktor Arvidsson was one of Edmonton’s top UFA acquisitions, he also doesn’t have a single point. Can you believe the slump these guys are in? With the Oilers shockingly being second last in Goals For, it should be time to take the monkeys off their backs against a team that’s third last in Goals Against.

Bison King: Fan Favourite Jesse Puljujarvi plays his first game against the team that drafted him 4th overall. He’s been having himself a nifty start to the season, with 5 points in 7 games. Even more impressive is he’s had that production while being a bottom-six forward. While most fans, including myself, always pointed out his strong defensive play and forechecking, he’s contributing for Pittsburgh in a way he didn’t develop how to in Edmonton.