Oilers Game 9: Dallas Stars

Well, October was a long month. But at least it ended on a more positive note. This new month has to be a fresh start for Edmonton. Hopefully, they just got their “Up and down like a toilet seat” phase out of the way early, and they can now play some real hockey. Other than the countless penalties being taken by the Oilers on Sunday night, the Heritage Classic against the Flames was the best game they’ve played thus far. It’s like they’ve been reading every Oilers fans’ tweets or reading all of my articles and fueled all of that into multiple angry shifts. Next time, I’d prefer if they didn’t give the team two 5v3 powerplays in one period. But a win is a win, and they weathered that storm well. Congrats also to Vincent Desharnais for recording his first NHL goal. At age 27, it took him a while to be an NHLer. Although his job is to prevent goals, this is a nice milestone that he can finally celebrate. It was an important goal late in the third period, and making it more fun was scoring it in an outdoor game. On a personal note, the NHL should make it mandatory for every goalie to wear a toque during outdoor games.

In other news, Sam Gagner was signed to a cheap one-year NHL contract the other day. This was a result of Adam Ernie being sent down to the AHL. Gagner still has lots of fans in Edmonton, and this move is a sign that just about points to him suiting up for the Oilers. I honestly can’t recall any highlight that makes me want to keep Ernie. Maybe some AHL hockey will do him good? Most Oilers fans would rather have prospect Raphael Lavoie called up, but we’ll see what the veteran Gags can do in his return to Oil country. The keys to the game are.

Quiet Wyatt: Stars fans feel the noise of Wyatt Johnston in his sophomore season. 41 points in all 82 games played last season and has a point in each game so far this season. He’s made good use of his second-line center role between Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov.

Special Teams Teeter Totter: It really comes to my surprise that a team with so much offensive depth in their top 9, especially with Jason Robertson there, as well as Miro Heiskanen on the blue line, could have the 30th-ranked powerplay in the league. They do, however, have the 2nd ranked penalty kill in the league. It’ll be tough for Edmonton’s PP to capitalize, but at least their PK might look good.

Tired Starter?: Stars goalie Jake Ottenger played the last night against the Flames and faced 46 shots. He could play again tonight because he is their Dallas #1 goalie (one of the best in the league) and Scott Wedgewood’s stats through his two games don’t spark optimism against the team with McDavid and Draisaitl. I kind of figured that they would play Wedgewood in Calgary and rest up Ottenger for Edmonton. That means the Oilers will have to make the game extra harder for him. Exhaust him with the offense and make him overwork.