Confidence, momentum, consistency, attention to detail and a portion of luck lead to winning streaks in the NHL. Since Ken Hitchcock was hired the Oilers are 8-2-1, their second 8-2-1 stretch of the season in fact, and have been one of the best teams in the NHL.
They picked the perfect time to play well, because their 17 points are sixth best in the NHL since November 19th, and three Pacific Division foes are in the top five. Tampa Bay is 10-2, Calgary is 9-2-1, Washington and Anaheim are 9-2, while Vegas is 9-3. Over the past 24 days the Oilers have righted their ship and been able to keep pace in the suddenly surging Pacific Division, and they’ve accomplished that playing against some good teams. All their opponents over the past 11 games, except St.Louis, are among the top 16 in points accumulated since November 19th.
And tonight they face another strong test against the Jets, who have the seventh most points, 16, since November 19th, and I’m certain they remember blowing a three-goal, third period lead at home to Edmonton on October 16th.
The Jets are a very good team with a lot of depth, especially on the blueline. Their entire top-six is healthy again and currently Tyler Myers is in their third pair, because Jacob Trouba and Dustin Byfuglien are the top-two right defenders. Talk about a plethora of quality right shot defenders. Toss in Josh Morrissey, who is arguably their most consistent defender, Dmitri Kulikov and Ben Chairot, and it is easy to see why the Jets are a Stanley Cup contender.
They also have six legit top-six forwards on their top two lines.
This will be a monumental test for the Oilers defence core with Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell out of the lineup. Caleb Jones and his sticks arrived in Winnipeg last night, but as of this morning’s skate his hockey bag had yet to arrive. Because of that we will likely see Jason Garrison and Chris Wideman in the third pair tonight.
Cam Talbot is going to be tested often, I suspect, and he might need to mirror Mikko Koskinen’s first 35 minutes in Colorado on Tuesday, when he stoned the Avalanche until the Oilers forwards woke up and pumped in four goals in just over seven minutes in the second period. Talbot has played very well in his previous two starts and if he wants to get starts every two or three games he will need another strong performance.
LINEUP…
Oilers
Chiasson-McDavid-Draisaitl
Khaira-RNH-Puljujarvi
Lucic-Brodziak-Kassian
Caggiula-Spooner-Rieder
Nurse-Larsson
Gravel-Benning
Garrison-Wideman
Talbot
Captain obvious points out the blueline isn’t ideal. Nurse and Larsson will play a lot tonight, but if the Oilers find themselves behind a few goals I’m interested to see if Trent Yawney keeps them around 25 minutes, instead of closer to 30, with a game tomorrow in Edmonton. Playing back-to-back games in Winnipeg and Edmonton is a tough go due to the travel time.
The Oilers had to make a roster move to activate Tobias Rieder, so they placed Kris Russell on IR, meaning he is out for both games this weekend as well. Taking Zykov and Rattie out of the lineup were pretty easy decisions at this point. Zykov has no shots in three games and doesn’t skate well enough for me. Hitchcock isn’t the biggest fan of Rattie, and I’m not sure he will get much of an opportunity unless we see some injuries.
Jets
Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler
Connor-Little-Laine
Perreault-Lowry-Tanev
Lemieux-Roslovic-Appleton
Morrissey-Trouba
Chiarot-Byfuglien
Kulikov-Myers
Hellebuyck
Once again the Jets have five forwards on pace for 55+ points. Wheeler leads them with 5-33-38, while Patrik Laine has 21 goals and Mark Schiefele has 17. The Jets PP is best in the NHL at 30.3%. The Oilers just faced Colorado, who were first on the PP entering Tuesday’s game, and allowed only one goal on six chances. The Oilers need to limit their penalties tonight, especially with Klefbom and Russell out of the lineup. Russell is second on the Oilers in PK TOI with 65 minutes, while Klefbom is fourth at 59. Kevin Gravel (19min) and Matt Benning (30min) will see more PK work tonight.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
Jets to watch: #17 Adam Lowry – Center
Son Of Dave is one point away from 100 in his NHL career and it’s still a little bit amazing at times that he is still a Winnipeg Jet when you consider that two short seasons ago he was practically on everyone’s short list of players that should be offered up to the Vegas Golden Knights.
His scoring numbers have dipped a slight bit this season as he’s become primarily the team’s go-to defensive center, but four of his last six games have seen him be a bit more agressive with scoring chances with three registered shots on goal – he had gone 12 previous games managing one or no shots at all – and while the offense is starting to come around, he’s remained a steady presence on a Jets third line that has seen it’s share of different linemates over the last few weeks.
TONIGHT…
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Jets offence combined with a depleted Oilers blueline equals a 4-2 Jets victory.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Laine scores a PP goal.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The “Grindentity” line scores again. People flood his twitter with suggestions for a goal song for the trio. He hates the name, and while fans are upset about the loss they take some solace in pressuring Nielson to make a Grindentity song.
MONTH OF GIVING…
Thank you Richard and Lucas for their great bids and to A1Heating and Urban Tavern for the awesome packages.
DAY NINE: Gas and Hockey courtesy of Hughes
- $1,000 in Hughes Gift cards to be used for fuel or car washes.
- Four tickets in their Theatre Box at Rogers Place on January 1st at 2 p.m. for the Edmonton Oil Kings. It includes dinner and an underground parking pass.
- Pair of seats to Oilers/Canucks (row 22) on December 27th.
You can bid by listening to TSN 1260 and calling 780.444.1260 or text 101260 between 2-6 p.m. today.
Thanks in advance. All proceeds will help out Santas Anonymous.
Package #2: Pyramid of Giving
Adopt-A-Teen Edmonton is well short of their fundraising goal. They supply a $50 gift card to teens so they don’t go without at Christmas. Being a teenager is tough. You are trying to figure out who you are, dealing with hormones, relationships and at times it is very awkward time of our life. We do a lot for kids at Christmas, but many teenagers are left out and today we will help them.
We will have a pyramid of giving.
Eight people will donate $100
Six people will donate $200
Four people will donate $500
One person will donate $1000
We will raise $5000 and help 100 teens today. You can be part of the Pyramid by texting your donation to 101260 between 2-6 p.m today.
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Was at the game in Winnipeg when we came back from 4-1…how sweet that was. McDavid in the third period was pure magic. The crowd knew a scoring chance was coming the moment he touched the puck. Jets had no Bfyuglien in the game, which I’m sure Connor will see a lot of this game.
Stating the obvious, but tonight’s game will be determined by lines 2-3, as well as the ability of our Defence making simple plays in our own zone. Chip it out and do not let this team cycle.
Crossing fingers that Talbot keeps progressing as well. Making that one save at key moments can change the outcome of the game.
GDP: 3-1 Oilers final.
Benning can’t, but will take stupid penalties… That alone may be a difference maker?
Marry Christmas Winnipeg, Dadbot #33.
Hitch has a plan. He will get these lesser Dmen playing with fire. I hope Talbot comes to play though because he will probably see some major rubber tonight. Oilers pull the upset 4-3 in OT, McDraivid magic.
Hopefully here the K. Quinn: Conner McDavid… Oveeeeeeertime Winner!…crosses fingers that there is no Drew Remenda!
We have a winner!!!
Scheifele should have had a hooking penalty on Jujhar’s breakaway
yup
NHL told the refs to stop calling so many penalties because it slows down the game. Perhaps if more penalties are made then players will start to have to stop taking them but, instead it’s better to take liberties with skilled players. #NHLknowsbest
Veteran non call. Yes, its a thing.
If the Oil have any shot of winning then Talbs will have to be a brick wall, the forwards will have to back check like crazy, limit their turnovers, and keep the Jets hemmed in their own zone.
As the saying goes, “Both teams ice 5 skaters and 1 goalie, and the score starts at 0-0.”
Conditions are equal at puck-drop time – and anything can happen before 60 minutes are up.
Conner is going to have to be his best tonight also or were gonna get dummied. And the Jets are gonna be looking for revenge because of the last game against us.
Can we ice 4 skaters and 2 goalies?
Talbot under Koss. Let them shoot 100 at us.
I’ll jump in with a crazy prediction…Somebody forgets to tell Chiasson and Kassian we’re supposed to lose this one, and they light up Hellebuck…4-2 Oil..
Good luck Talbot you will need it tonight.
Lol, we should all start ripping on Talbot, so he plays lights out and wins us the game!!
And there is the difference between Talbot and Koskinen. That 1st jets goal Perrault was just walking out of the corner and Talbot was already on his knees. Simply BRUTAL!
Yeah blame the goalie. Not the two player who allow Perrault to WALK. RIGHT. IN!
The defenceman caused the Goaltender to drop to his knees. LOL
Also, since you CLEARLY know how to play goalie, it makes sense why you don’t know why Talbot is down in the butterfly.
The proof is in the pudding Alex……keep rooting for your man crush!
Oh don’t worry I will. And he’s not a man-crush
Talbot back to his old self at .850
And Hellebuyck is at .875 with the Jets’ D. Welcome to the new NHL.
If I am Chia I am talking to Chaisson agent about resigning before the end of the season and they decided to test the free agent waters, Guy has been a solid signing
Lets hope he doesnt turn into lucic 2.0.
Yea and he’s only 28. Should have a couple good years left in him I would think.
Well considering his goal output and his 650k salary right now even if they double his salary he’d still be a bargain
I’m not the biggest Benning fan but if Benning told the guy who was chirping him in the penalty box “Hey look at the score clock” that is F-n priceless…lol
His talent might be suspect but he brings it every game… Wat more can you ask???
Mikko the Cat would have stopped that
Ur lame just sayin
It was just a matter of time before they would tie the game.
Alex, being a goaltender yourself, what’s your analysis of the winning goal tonight?
AND goal 1, 3, & 4
Anyone else wanna knee drop kneedroptalbot?
I’d like to kick Drai in the butt for that coasting he was doing instead of hustling for that back check
Ya after 24 min and two points im gonna cut him some slack
Looks like the Oil are intelligently preparing to lose this one unless they get lucky. In hockey terms, and even as an Oiler fan, I don’t blame them. The season is a “war of attrition,” meaning you can’t win every battle. Sometimes you have to rest and regroup. This game might be that time.
Any chance Winnipeg does that thing the oilers do when they should for sure win a game?
Well, they did it pretty much every playoff series in the ’80s.
We need a Mcgoal.
I would think Garrison sits next game and Jones has hid debut. Garrison is a f’n nightmare
AHH Talbot your a [email protected]@@@@@@@@K
A game of inches, it is. Oh well. One is better than the none everybody was predicting. We’re not that far off
Jesus Talbot you godamn siv!! What a weak goal
He got us a point.
Still that is a routine save. Dammit
Morrissey’s shooting from inside dot while in full flight.
That’s not a weak goal, but go on.
It looked like Talbot over played the short side. If you slow mo it you can see it looked like he lost his position of where the net was. He could have been out a bit more as well because the Jets only had that shot. He wasn’t going to be able to come across the front of the net.
I thought he was looking toward the Ref for a goaltender interfrence call?
Is Talbot ever gonna stop >0.900 again?
It’s a contract year! He just wants to retire or what?
Let’s trade him straight up for a pick and bring up whoever is in the A.
Koss time baby. Koss time.
Its gonna be a big test of our depth tonight, they have to step up.
Time to make Safeway pony up again. I what to see the Oiler’s firing with all cylinders offensively tonight. Can’t have another half assed effort from Draisaitl. Defense is taking the night off, tonight will be all about scoring goals and lots of them.
Yeah, no more half-assed three point nights by Draisaitl!
Sometimes he shows up, sometimes he doesn’t. If he doesn’t show up tonight I think it’s going to be a very bad night.
A 90 point pace isn’t good enough for you?
Go Talbot! Gonna have to stop the first 10 shots or it’ll get out of hand real quick. Then play Hitch-D and make it to OT tied up at 1.
To win the Oilers will need 5 man D units playing for each other. The Jets don’t play much of a breakout game, so the centres will be that third D down low between the dots and and the wings will have to limit the damage done from the points. Talbot’s got to play his best game this year and Three bad penalties in this game will cost a goal or two, so Seal Team discipline will be requires across the roster.
I’ll be happy with a 1-0 Oilers win, along with every forward escaping from the shadow of Byfuglien–easily the most dangerous hitter in hockey.
Until he ran into Elisiak Man’s a beast
Let’s be optimistic.
Would tonight’s lineup be competitive against the Blackhawks ? The Hawks were within 1 goal of the Jets ( Tuesday night ) into the 11th minute of the 3rd period, and actually won the even strength scoring 3-2. The Jets were 3 for 5 on the PP plus an ENG for a 6-3 win. If we can stay out of the penalty box…
Connor and Drai are so creative and imprevisible playing together, they will basically pass to each others until the shooting angle become non existant
Please accept this tap in goal Leon. Oh no I insist that aould be yours good sir, No no no I believe it is yours, Pardon me! This is definitely y….. Oh crap
Nurse nerds to stop Perreault from moving to the slot unopposed. Unlikely break for Gravel, otherwise not bad
SPOONER!!!!!!!!!!!