The Edmonton Oilers made the long drive to Winnipeg and after a week which quite honestly felt like a month, will play a hockey game. It's been a wild season with very little breaks and the time at home likely felt like a gift for the Oilers players. Once the puck drops tonight we will discover if the team is still in relaxation mode or if they are ready to show up.

The Jets have been surging as of late and have extended their lead in the standings against the Oilers. Edmonton has two games in hand but even if they win both they will still be one point back of Winnipeg. I'm not sure if home ice advantage will be as big a factor this season but regardless any little advantage helps. It's almost a given these two teams will meet in the playoffs so expect that kind of atmosphere tonight.

OILERS LINE COMBINATIONS

Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Kahun-Haas-Yamamoto
Archibald-Khaira-Chiasson
Nygard-Shore-Kassian

Nurse-Barrie
Russell-Larsson
Jones-Bear

Smith

JETS LINE COMBINATIONS

Dubois-Scheifele-Connor
Copp-Stastny-Ehlers
Perrault-Lowry-Appleton
Harkins-Thompson-Lewis

Morrissey-Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Heinola-Demelo

Hellebuyck

4 GAME THOUGHTS

1.) Big Week For Jones - Caleb Jones has had an up and down season but over the last few weeks he had been pretty solid alongside Bear. With Kulikov in the lineup later next week someone on the left side is going to be on the outside looking in. Nurse is obviously not going anywhere so it will be Jones or Russell. I like what Jones brings far more than Russell but he needs to show his coach this week he is invaluable to the roster.

2.) Break's Over - Over the last few games the Oilers have not had good first periods. Tonight the team will be adjusting to game action for the first time in a week. The Oilers need to get their feet under them fast or the Jets will take a fast lead.

3.) Depth Issues - With RNH out of the lineup things fall off fast with Tippett's decision to keep Draisaitl and McDavid together, something I disagree with. Draisaitl with Yamamoto and McDavid with Puljujarvi gives Edmonton two good scoring duos. I like Haas but he doesn't bring nearly enough to be elevated that high in the lineup. If Draisaitl and McDavid are going to stay together they need to be playing at their highest level.

4.) Down the Stretch - I already mentioned the playoff like atmosphere we should expect from these two teams tonight but that tempo should be what we see from the Oilers from here on out. There aren't too many games left in the season and the playoffs will soon be here. Edmonton needs to play at a high pace and avoid the dumb mistakes they have made in the past.

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