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G34 - Oilers @ Wild - Fresh Start |
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We are 30 minutes from game time so let's just get right into it. Edmonton finished a length 4 game home-stand, winning only one game against the LA Kings. They finished 1-2-1. Most of the opponents Edmonton lost to at home were not playoff teams or what many would consider the tougher teams in the league.
Over the next few weeks Edmonton will play the likes of Pittsburgh, Montreal, St Louis, Dallas, and their first game against the Calgary Flames who have been hot as of late. If the Oilers can't get some things straightened out the month of December could get really ugly really fast.
Tonight Edmonton plays a Wild team dealing with a number of injuries but is playing much better hockey than they were in October, when the Oilers lost to them 3-0.
LINEUP
OILERS
Nygard-McDavid-Kassian
Draisaitl-RNH-Chiasson
Neal-Haas-Gagner
Khaira-Sheahan-Archibald
Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Larsson
K.Russell-Jones
Smith
WILD
Parise-Donata-Fiala
Zucker-Kunin-Zuccarello
Foligno-Hartman-Rask
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Mayhem
Suter-Dumba
Soucy-Brodin
Hunt-Menell
Kahkonen
3 KEYS TO VICTORY
1.) One Off Or Something? - The Nygard, Kassian, McDavid trio actually had a number of good looks against the Hurricanes with Kassian potting a couple and Nygard getting in on the action too. It's likely not something we will see too much more of but hopefully that line can continue to make things happen.
2.) A Third Line? - Gagner, Neal, and Haas together is probably the closest Edmonton has to running a high event third line. That line has some speed with Haas finally playing an NHL game and should have some offensive prowess. If Tippett can get that line out against lesser opponents they should be generating.
3.) End The Hotness - With Dubnyk out, the Wild are starting Kaapo Kahkonen, a 23 year old who has played a total of 3 NHL games. This season he is rocking a 0.947 SV% but hopefully his hot start ends facing off against the NHL's best forwards in McDavid and Draisaitl.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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