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They always say your first instinct is correct. My first instinct was that this team was going to struggle to compete against a Pacific Division that was starting to improve. We are approaching the 20 game mark and Edmonton sits 6th in their division.
The success of October has all but been erased with this last 4 game losing streak and Edmonton finds themselves at 17 points in 17 games. The bleeding needs to stop now and McLellan is hoping that mixing up the lines will provide a new spark.
1) Bergevin Outsmarted Us?! Remember when everyone laughed at Marc Bergevin for trading natural centre Galchenyuk who he refused to play at centre for Max Domi, who had always played as a winger and was then moved to centre for Montreal (that sentence made me bite my tongue). Galchenyuk has dealt with injuries but Domi has been brilliant for the Canadiens, leading them in both goals and points. He is the player to watch for Montreal tonight.
2) This Is Why You Don't Give Goalies Big Contracts. The Canadiens are in the middle of the pack of the Atlantic Division. It feels really odd to say that Montreal has been a good team despite how Carey Price has been playing. The 31 year old netminder is making 10.5 million dollars from now until eternity and has played below .900 thus far. Edmonton needs to stop making goalies who have been average look brilliant. UPDATE 2B) I spoke too soon. The Canadiens will have Antti Niemi in net who lifetime against Edmonton is 12-3. That is not a good number for the Oilers.
3) Lost Without Connor. Since November 1st the Oilers have gone 2-4-0. McDavid has not scored an EV goal since October 30th. These two things are clearly tied together. Putting McDavid and Draisaitl together significantly lowers the chances of goals being scored if they are not on the ice. That being said the top line has not been great as of late and the coach is hoping a shakeup will get #97 back to his carrying ways.
4) Nugent Hopkins To Rieder. A few games ago RNH and Rieder were on the penalty kill and Rieder made a great play to set Nuge on his way on a breakaway. Rieder found a way to get open and Nuge fired a shot to Rieder in front of the net. No goal was scored on the play but I thought in that moment Nuge and Rieder could look good together.
Rieder has yet to score a goal and Nugent-Hopkins does not have one since October 25th. Hopefully these two can gain some quick chemistry and get each other going.
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FILM OF THE DAY
Edmonton needs to stop the bleeding so a vampire movie is on the table today.... I guess because Edmonton needs to drink that blood to get better? It isn't a perfect metaphor.
There are plenty of great vampire movies to choose from Bram Stoker's, Lost Boys, Breaking Dawn Part 2, From Dusk till Dawn... however I am going a bit off the board and going with 2007's 30 Days of Night. This clip isn't for kids.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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