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HB and the Oilers are Back! |
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HockeyBuzz is back and so are the Edmonton Oilers. Prior to the start of their 5 game run against the Lightning, Wild, Golden Knights, Panthers and Bruins I stated that Edmonton need not win every game but at least be competitive and at bare minimum go .500. The team won 4 of 5 with their only loss being a back and forth affair against the Panthers. After that the team played a back to back against the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Askarov's, winning both games. The Oilers ended up going 8-2-0 prior to the Christmas break and sit in 2nd place in the Pacific Division.
It's been a bit so let's just hit some quick point form thoughts for you to all enjoy prior to Christmas Day.
Stuart Skinner looks like the legitimate start he was for the Oilers through most of last season once again. In December, Skinner has the 6th best 5 on 5 SV% among starters with a 0.926 and from the start of November Skinner has a 0.916SV%. Since the whole team has gotten back into a rhythm and recovered from their Stanley Cup Final hangover Stu has been solid.
Oilers fans aren't unfamiliar with one of their players being in the conversation for the Hart and other trophies but this season it's all about Leon Draisaitl and not Connor McDavid. Draisaitl ranks second in overall points with 52 (5 points behind MacKinnon) and leads the NHL with 24 goals. In addition, Draisaitl has been one of the more dominant two way forwards this seeason and outside of the Oilers media circle there are people who state he should be in the Selke conversation.
Draisaitl will start making 14 million next season on an 8 year deal and this year the power centre is showing why he is worth that and more. The fact that Draisaitl could be in the conversation for the Hart, Rocket, Art Ross, and Selke trophies all in the same year would be a remarkable feat - oh and the team still has Connor McDavid.
Darnell Nurse continues to play solid on the Oilers second pairing and is a huge part of the Oilers recent successes and stability. It's clear the main focus at the deadline will be finding him a legitimate partner to play with.
I don't think Hyman was snubbed for Team Canada for the 4 Nation Faceoff due to his poor start to the season but if there are any injuries is there any question about him being the first name called up? After a slow start followed by some injuries, Hyman now has 13 goals on the season which includes 8 in his last 7 games and 10 in his last 10. The most notable moment however wasn't Hyman scoring but breaking his nose on a deflection up into his face after scoring 2 goals. Hyman would return the following game and score a goal while wearing a full cage. Hyman really has become this generation's Ryan Smyth.
Speaking of goals the Oilers are getting some secondary scoring, Draisaitl has 24 goals, McDavid has 15 and Hyman has 13, after that Edmonton has 5 players with 6 goals and and two with 5 goals. For some players like Perry, Brown, and Skinner that is solid considering they are bottom six players while for guys like RNH that is not good enough.
Speaking of Skinner I wonder how long he remains on this roster. It is clear that Knoblauch is not a fan of the player and has drastically cut his minutes and moved him into a fourth line role. The fact that Skinner has 6 goals despite his limited minutes and linemates shows that the forward can still produce. At some point I would like to see him elevated with the likes of Draisaitl and simply let him do what he can provide in the offensive zone.
Good to see Arvidsson get a goal after returning to the lineup, hopefully this holiday break gives him a good reset and he can return to the lineup healthy and ready for the push into the spring.
That is all for now, I hope everyone has a great holiday and we will see you all after!
Thanks for reading!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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