When things are going well, you’ll even grab a win that you don’t deserve. The first and second periods on Tuesday night brought me back to Oilers hockey from the beginning of the season. Bad games like that are bound to happen; it just looked worse against a basement dweller. Credit to Columbus for playing very hard in the offensive zone when they had the puck. Criticism to Edmonton for making more turnovers than a bakery. Stuart Skinner surpassed Grant Fuhr for the most consecutive wins by an Oilers goaltender with 11. He had to do it by bailing out his team in big ways. I figured that Calvin Pickard would get the start instead, as we always worry about Skinner getting burnt out with starts, but the players in front looked more like the burnt-out ones. Tied 1-1 heading into the final frame, the Oilers fought back with three unanswered goals. After that game, the Blue Jackets now have a third-period goal differential of -36. Had they not been that bad in third periods, they gave themselves a very good chance to end Edmonton’s long winning streak. But instead, that’s now 14 wins in a row.
The Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels, who was celebrating his 50th birthday that evening, brought up an interesting statistic halfway through the third period. Edmonton had gone the previous six games without allowing more than three shots in the final ten minutes of regulation. They missed making it seven straight games by just one shot.
As I mentioned in previous articles, Corey Perry is expected to play his first game as an Oiler on Saturday against the Predators. But the timing of the signing was an odd coincidence since the Blackhawks are in town tonight. For us as fans, it can be easy to make jokes about that situation playing out, while it would just be awkward and anxious for Perry. We should put that to bed and view tonight just like any other important game. We would, of course, also like to see a better start from the Oilers tonight. The keys to the game are…
On The Ice, Not On Paper: Two weeks ago, when the Oilers last played the Blackhawks, I was boasting and saying it should’ve been an easy win. Edmonton won, but Chicago almost made me look dumb for thinking that, as it was a badly played game for the Oilers. The Hawks outplayed and outworked Edmonton throughout that whole game. Considering how Tuesday night went, they need to come out with a better effort tonight, regardless of what the standings say.
Puck Management: This was already alluded to before today’s keys. The Oilers need to limit the giveaways they were made against Columbus. Don’t make impatient passes or look for pretty plays. Get the puck to where it needs to be responsibly and don’t hesitate to shoot a puck on net when an opportunity presents itself.
Extra Help On Special Teams?: Edmonton’s first goal on Tuesday night was scored by their second powerplay unit. Not their first unit, their second. It’s been highlighted a lot how much the Oiler’s PP is slumping compared to last season. But seeing a unit that would normally see very little ice time contribute for a PP goal of their own might be a good confidence boost for them. It may also help that Chicago’s penalty kill is ranked 26th in the league and their overall goals against is ranked 27th.
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Nice work Stephen…..well written!
This team is flying.