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G62: Oilers @ Kings - McDavid Returns + Deadline Approaching

February 23, 2020, 4:43 PM ET [83 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After missing the past six games, Connor McDavid makes his triumphant return back into the Oilers lineup. Over this past stretch Edmonton has gone 3-2-1 without their captain and best player and with the exception of a lackluster performance (again) versus the Minnesota Wild, the Oilers played some strong team hockey. Leon Draisait and his line have been a dominant force and the Oilers forward depth becomes exponentially better with McDavid once again in the lineup.

Unfortunately the Oilers are still missing two-thirds of a top six. Zack Kassian is out three more games but even then he is a solid complimentary forward, not a true top six player. Expectations are high in Oil Country as fans are hoping Ken Holland will make some moves in the next 24 hours to make this team better and push them into the playoffs and beyond.

Here are a few rumours and thoughts leading up to the deadline tomorrow.

MIKE GREEN?!!!!!

A new bit of information suggests that Edmonton has some interest in defenseman Mike Green. The 34 year old right shot defenseman is nowhere near the dominant force he was in his prime but he is still a strong passer and has some decent numbers when you take into account how truly awful the Red Wings are as a whole this season.

What doesn't make sense is the fact that Green has a cap hit this season of 5.375 million. The only way Green could be added would be if a contract of substance is moved out of Edmonton, we are talking Adam Larsson or Kris Russell.

In theory Green makes sense as a depth option for the team but really isn't and shouldn't be the focus for Ken Holland. Unless we are talking some much larger scenario in which Adam Larsson is moved for a top six forward and Green is brought in to replace him; I just don't see it.

THE BARGAIN BIN

Tyler Ennis keeps coming up in conversation and that makes a ton of sense for the cash strapped Oilers. At 800k, Ennis could easily be added without having to shed extra salary. The 14 goals the 30 year old winger has would place him 5th on the Oilers, tied with Zack Kassian. In a perfect world, Ennis is a guy you play in your middle six as a solid scoring option but his speed makes him an intriguing fit alongside Connor McDavid.

Another Senators option would be Vladislav Namestnikov with 13 goals this season. Any deal with him would likely need to involve the Sens retaining part of his 4 million dollar deal which expires after this season.

After how the team performed in McDavid's absense, I don't see a third line centre as as big of an issue for Holland to address. The Sheahan, Archibald, Benson line proved solid having to take on some extra minutes and now that McDavid is back those three should settle in as a fine third line moving forward this year.

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One way or another, we will know in the next 24 hours what this team will look like going into the post-season.

LINEUP

OILERS


Gagner – McDavid – Chiasson
RNH – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
Benson – Sheahan – Archibald
Khaira – Haas – Russell

Nurse – Bear
Jones – Larsson
Lagesson – Benning

Smith

KINGS

Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown
Kempe – Vilardi – Frk
Moore – Lizotte – Wagner
Prokhorkin – Amadio – Lewis

Forbort – Doughty
Roy – Hutton
Ryan – Walker

Quick

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3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1.) Manage The High -
Connor is back and that is a massive boost for the morale of this team. Everyone is going to be fired up to have the captain back with no one more pumped than number 97 himself. Edmonton should come out swinging against the Kings and the team needs to manage that high and still stick to the game plan laid out by Ken Holland.

2.) Once Again.... Prove You Are Better - Edmonton did not look ready to play against a Wild team that is far weaker than the Oilers. Tonight the Oilers play against the bottom of the Western Conference in LA. Martinez is gone for the Kings. Toffoli is gone. How many names do fans outside of LA recognize on this roster? These are two points that should be guaranteed to be the Oilers (but I am not guaranteeing that myself) and Edmonton needs to play their hardest to take them.

3.) Powerfulplay - While the team did manage 3 goals on the powerplay in the last week, the PP did not look nearly as confident as when Connor McDavid was in the lineup. With 97 back in charge things should once again look deadly at all times. Another change is that Ethan Bear was getting some reps on the top PP unit in last practice. Darnell Nurse is a great even strength producer but the powerplay is not his strong suit. Hopefully Bear will get some looks on that unit and use his offensive acumen on the 5 on 4.

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FILM OF THE DAY

McDavid is back and that puts everyone in a good mood. For that I am simply going to play a clip from my favourite movie of all time. Enjoy a little scene from The Prestige.
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