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G69: Oilers vs Stars - High Scoring Game Incoming? |
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On November 5th the Stars beat Edmonton to the tune of 6-2/ On December 21st the Oilers returned the favor, beating the Stars 6-3. Will we see another high scoring game tonight as the Oilers host the Stars one last time this season?
Edmonton is averaging just under 5 goals a game so far in March. The two games that the team lost were highly winnable games that they lost due to bad goaltending and poor puck decisions and turnovers. Since the deadline this team is looking like a legitimate contender on most nights. Tonight Edmonton is facing a team that there is a chance they could play in the playoffs; either in the first round or in a later round. The Oilers must limit their mistakes and, forgive the cliché, play with playoff intensity tonight.
Hey fun fact. Since the beginning of March the Edmonton Oilers have scored 7 PP goals, tied for the 4th most in the NHL... it's almost as if the Oilers PP is still really good without Tyson Barrie and that he wasn't the key to Edmonton's success...
Let's talk about Warren Foegele for a moment. While he hasn't scored since February 25th, the forward has looked excellent for the Oilers as of late, adding to that with 2 assists against the Senators. Averaging under 14 minutes a game Foegele has been an play driver in the bottom six for the Oilers and I would highly consider elevating him in the lineup.
Kailer Yamamoto continues to underwhelm me in the top six. He doesn't have a shot on net in his last two games and no points in his past 5 despite playing right next to Connor McDavid or Draisaitl for the entire time. It's strange that Puljujarvi was constantly berated by media and fans alike for this kind of play but things have been rather quiet on Yamo... I digress.
If Yamamoto continues to prove ineffective in the top six I would like to see Woodcroft elevate the forward. Foegele can play either the left or right side and has looked comfortable with either McDavid or Draisaitl. Something worth considering.
Continuing with praise of the bottom six. Derek Ryan is 5th on the team in goal scoring with 12 goals. Is the forward riding a unsustainably high shooting percentage? Absolutely. But unsustainable SH% only matter in the long term. Right now Ryan is an invaluable piece to this roster and it's great to see the 36 year old continue to make an impact.
Kane - McDavid - Yamamoto
RNH - Draisaitl - Hyman?
Kostin - Bjugstad - Janmark
Foegele - Shore - Ryan
Nurse - Ceci
Ekholm - Bouchard
Kulak - Desharnais
Broberg
These were the lines in practice this morning but Hyman took additional reps after practice which is leading some to believe that he will not play again tonight. It's promising that he is out taking part in practice but the forward still appears to be dealing with something.
Ryan McLeod was not on the ice for practice today. No word on if he is dealing with an injury or an illness but it's unlikely that he plays tonight.
No surprise, Skinner starts.
Enjoy the game!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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