The Oilers finished their 5 game road trip with a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets. For many, that game felt like a PTSD flashback of the post-season last year. The Jets were frustratingly stifling, prevented the Oilers top guys from having an inch of space and out-chanced the Oilers at 5 on 5. When Edmonton had their PP opportunities they made the Jets pay but at even strength they did not do nearly enough.

That game was a perfect argument for the necessity to be a strong 5 on 5 team. Yes powerplay goals count just as much as a 5 on 5 goal, but roughly 50 minutes of a 60 minute game are played at 5 on 5. Being dominant for 10% of a game and holding on for dear life for the other 90% isn't a long term strategy.

The Oilers 5 on 5 scoring has improved; last season they finished 9th in scoring at even strength and 11th in goals against at 5 on 5. This season the Oilers are scoring more at 5 on 5 and rank 4th in the NHL but they have been porous on the back end and have allowed the 5th most goals against at even strength. I lay much of this at the feet of the Oilers blueline that has struggled mightily in their own end. Duncan Keith has been as brutal as expected and again had an unforced turnover which led to a goal last game against the Jets. Bouchard has solid moments but is being asked to do too much right now. Ceci overall has been solid but doesn't bring the same physical force that Larsson did. All in all the Oilers blueline has taken a massive step back from what they were last season.

Then you have the bottom six. I know plus/minus isn't a perfect stat by any regard but each member of the Oilers top six is a plus player while every bottom six player (with the exception of McLeod who is 0 with 7 games played) is a minus. They've gotten some more offense from this group which was needed but now they need to find a combinations that can keep the puck out of their own net.

I still like the idea of moving RNH to the third line and Foegele to the top six to try and balance things out but there may be a couple other options.

On the blueline, Philip Broberg has been developing nicely in Bakersfield and could be a callup option. Broberg is second among all rookie defenders in the AHL with 10 assists and is fifth on the Condors in team scoring. I know there are fans annoyed with the Broberg pick, especially while watching Zegras do what he is doing in Anaheim but right now the Oilers left side is thin and Broberg is once again tracking as a top four option.

Another option looking much further ahead would be Dylan Holloway who could bring an excellent combination of physicality and scoring finesse to the Oilers, either in the top six or on the third line. We have not had any updates on his injury status but he should be back playing somewhere by the beginning of January.

With those details in mind, here is what the Oilers lineup could look like heading into the trade deadline:

Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Foegele-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Holloway-RNH-Kassian
Shore-Ryan-Sceviour
McLeod

Nurse-Bouchard
Broberg-Ceci
Keith-Barrie

Smith
Koskinen

Looking at this, the most logical deadline targets would be a stronger starting goaltender, and a more defensive/physical right shot defender. To acquire that player I would strongly consider trading Tyson Barrie. Give up offense to acquire defense. That's also because the idea of a Keith and Barrie pairing is a nightmare I fear I would never awaken from.

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Tonight the Oilers will put Stuart Skinner in net in their rematch against the Jets. I like this move for a few reasons. First of all Koskinen was fighting the puck hard in his last game against the Jets and was moving like he does when he has played too many games in a row. Secondly it should send a strong message to the team in front of their netminder to smarten up. Skinner has had some strong moments but he is still a young netminder new to the NHL. I hope his team will provide him some traction as opposed to it having to be the other way around.

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