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PS GAME 2: NHL Players Spotted! |
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Last night fans finally got to watch some real"ish" hockey on their computer screens (side note the OilersTV stream seemed better than previous years). By no means was it an NHL calibre roster but truth be told it was nice to relax and watch some hockey again.
A few quick thoughts on last nights 7-4 victory against the Flames.
- No player needed to prove more last night than Mikko Koskinen and oohhhhh boy..... Koskinen allowed the first goal on his first shot against, something Oilers fans heard way too many times last season. The second goal he allowed was a weak shot that caught him off guard, and he allowed a goal on the first shot of the second period. Not a great first impression.
- Aside from the weak goals Koskinen just looked out of place most of the game, his rebound control was poor and I caught him looking behind himself multiple times. It's the first pre-season game so it isn't time to push the ejector seat yet but it certainly didn't help to persuade his naysayers.
- On a positive note the Benson-McLeod-Yamamoto line was flying all night. The trio combined for 7 points on the night. Yamamoto looked much m,ore like the player he did last season; a sneaky good forward who attacks the puck strong. Meanwhile Benson continued to show his great vision, making a nifty quick pass on the Bouchard goal. Lastly McLeod may have been the best of the three making a number of strong passes and quickly moving the puck up the ice.
- The other key player to watch Bouchard also had a good showing. Not only did he score a goal but was strong at both ends of the ice. I quite liked Bouchard's IQ; he found ways to jump into the play without sacrificing his defensive coverage.
- Some might disagree but I wasn't a fan of all of the fights last night. I get that players are trying to prove themselves but all of the hits that resulted in fights both ways were clean. It seemed less about trying to change the energy of the game and more of a "I can fight too" mentality.
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Tonight the Oilers will ice a slightly more NHL lineup. Here is the line combinations
OILERS
Khaira - Strome - Puljujarvi
Caggiula - Brodziak - Kassian
Safin - Marody - Rattie
Benson - McLeod - Yamamoto
Vesey
Garrison - Benning
Jones - Russell
Lowe - Jerabek
Lagesson
Talbot
Montoya
CANUCKS
Dahlen-Horvat-Eriksson
Baertschi-Pettersson-Goldobin
Gagner-Granlund-Leipsic
Schaller-Motte-Virtanen
Hutton-Stretcher
Del Zotto-Biega
Sautner-Tanev
Nilsson
Dipietro
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
1) Puljujarvi gets on the top line...sorta. Todd McLellan has basically stated in black and white terms that Puljujarvi will start the season on the third line with Strome and Khaira. McLellan has said he wants his assistant coaches to develop their own thoughts on players before he tells them his. Puljujarvi needs to make the most of this pre-season and show to his new coaching staff the ability he has. Please give this kid someone to play with who has offensive talent.
2) Starting Safin. Ostap Safin gets his first action tonight. The young prospect was out through the rookie camp with a hip flexor injury. Bet on the kid looking to make an impact early and stick around as long as he can.
3) Kid Line Take 2. Technically the Oilers 4th line tonight, the Yamamoto-McLeod-Benson trio are back on the ice again. Clearly the coaching staff wants to see as much of these three as possible so bet on them getting into most of the pre-season games.
4) No Top 6. None of the Oilers predicted top six are in the lineup tonight. Veteran players rarely play all the pre-season games and the team is planning for McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH and company to play their first pre-season action at home against the Jets on the 20th.
Tonight's game is televised and can be seen on Sportsnet at 8PM.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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