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G4: Oilers @ Jets - Connor Air

October 16, 2018, 1:41 PM ET [176 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT

Watching the standings especially at this time of year is a dangerous habit. Every point matters but with so few games played the fluctuations are constant. Case in point, should Edmonton win tonight they will find themselves 2 points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand over the Flames and Canucks...

Thinking like that is meaningless right now. Instead look at it like this; a win tonight will put the Oilers at 2-2-0 having began their first four games on the road.

Much has been written about how difficult an October the Oilers play but at the end of the day every NHL team plays the same number of games against tough opponents. The tough start cannot and should not be used as a crutch or an excuse for poor play.

Last season the Jets dominated the Oilers, winning all three contests and outscoring Edmonton through those games 14-5. So far the Jets have yet to replicate their high scoring tendencies, managing only 11 goals through their first 5 games. The Oil need to tread carefully and not be the ones to wake up the Jets.

LINEUPS

OILERS


RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Caggiula-Strome-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Brodziak-Kassian

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell
Garrison-Benning

Talbot

I felt that Bouchard played a solid game against the Rangers but based on the optional skate it looks like Benning draws back in tonight.

JETS

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Little-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Tanev
Perreault-Roslovic-Lemieux

Morrissey-Trouba
Mrrow-Myers
Kulikov-Chiarot

Hellebuyck

Courtesy of Daily Faceoff


Byfuglien is currently out with an injury. I thought Brossoit might get a chance against his old team but Maurice elects to go with his starter.

4 KEYS TO VICTORY

1) Capitalize On The PP.
The Jets have been pretty undisciplined through their first 5 averaging the most penalty minutes a game at 18.6. Tonight might be a night where the Oilers PP gets plenty of time...they need to start doing something with it.
2)Can Someone Else Score?! Connor McDavid has scored or assisted on every Oilers goal so far. I don't care if it's the 2nd line, 3rd, 4th, or goaltender. The Oilers need some goals without McDavid on the ice.
3) Mind The Morrissey. Morrissey like Darnell Nurse signed a bridge deal late this summer and so far the young Jets defender has answered the call. With 4 points through his first 5 games Morrissey has been active in the play and a threat at both ends of the ice. Watch for his breakout passes.
4) Build On The Previous Game. For all the disapproval I give to Drake Caggiula I will admit he had a good game against the Rangers... as opposed to the Game against the Bruins where he looked like he had a good game (hitting things and constantly being out of position). Caggiula along with Strome and Puljujarvi showed promise together. My bet is this line opens up the scoring for the Oilers.

FILM OF THE DAY

Hopefully when tonight's game is done the Oilers are able to party like these guys from Con Air. Enjoy.

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