On that note, the Oilers have actually started to spread the scoring around a little bit which obviously eases the pressure on #97 and makes a huge difference in defending them. I don’t have to tell anyone how important it is that he’s not relied on for 100% of the offence and getting other people going is the only way they’re going to consistently win hockey games, including the one today. Over the past two contests, found money, Alex Chiasson has three clutch goals, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has four points (2G, 2A), Leon Draisaitl has a pair of goals, and it seems like the other line combos are starting to find some chemistry too. Can it continue today? Maybe a fourth line goal if I’m being greedy? I Gord damned hope so. The Oilers absolutely need everyone on board if they plan on getting their first win against the Predators in literal years. To say that Edmonton has had their ‘hockey balls’ in the Preds’ pocket over the past few years would be an understatement, and there’s no better time to turn the lights up and end the futility dance than right here and now.

But if this seemingly neverending losing streak is actually going to end, the Oilers are going to have to pay some serious attention in all three zones on the ice and prevent the Predators from settling into their offensive gameplan. Against the Capitals, the Oilers did a really nice job of closing gaps and not allowing Washington’s skill guys the space to get anything done. I mean, Ovi was way quiet on Thursday. He wasn’t really a factor at all and that’s the kind of team defence I want to see again. Over their last 10 meetings (going back to 2015-16), the Predators have outscored the Oilers 32-12 which is a pretty jarring stat to soak in and an exclamation point on how lopsided this matchup has been. In the first round of this year’s series, at least by my eye, the Oilers probably played well enough overall to have deserved at least a point, but the obvious problem was that they couldn’t score at five-on-five or with their power play which has since registered goals in two straight games. The chances were there but the goals were not. Over the last two games, the Oilers have found different ways to score some goals and I’m hoping that well has only just been tapped.

Now, what we have to do is pray to the Hockey Gords that the rock solid team that we all watched on Thursday night is the ‘real’ Edmonton Oilers and not a bi-weekly wonder. Considering the improvement as their season has gone on, the fanboy in me is super hopeful that this trend will continue. I mean, ‘Flagpole Sitta‘ was a pretty solid jam but you can be damned sure that Harvey Danger would have been better off with another hit, ya dig?

Check out this unbelievable fact that I found yesterday because it’s almost unbelievable. And I honestly don’t mean this to be a knock against Koskinen at all, but it’s the kind of coincidence that you just can’t make up. Prepare to have your brains blown through your skull:

Also, Koskinen was actually pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots. I was looking at his saves column which was just as hilarious but not quite accurate.

Numbers courtesy of Corsica

RNH-McDavid-Yamamoto
Rieder-Draisaitl-Chiasson
Lucic-Strome-Caggiula
Khaira-Brodziak-Kassian

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell
Garrison-Benning

Koskinen

The big story today is that Mikko Koskinen will be getting his first start of the season. More than that, it will be his first NHL regular season start since February 13, 2011, a game, as we saw above, that he was pulled in after allowing four goals on 14 shots. In three preseason appearances this year, Koskinen finished with a 1-1-0 record and a .855 save% with 10 goals against on 69 shots. Those aren’t great stats (obviously) and it will be interesting to see how he handles his first start of the year, especially against a team like Nashville. In brighter news, Evan Bouchard became the youngest Edmonton Oilers defenceman to score an NHL regular season goal with his half-clapper from the point for the first of his career on Tuesday night, and it’s no surprise to see him earn his eighth game of the season. Decision time looms for the Oilers.

As of posting, the Oilers hadn’t released their line combinations yet but I’ll be sure to update this when they pass along the info. It’s going to be interesting to see if Puljujarvi makes his way back so I’ll be waiting on that.

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Grimaldi-Turris-Smith
Rinaldo-Bonino-Hartman
Jarnkrok-Sissons-Salomaki

Josi-Ellis
Ekholm-Subban
Hamhuis-Weber

Saros

Friends, your time is running out if you want to get in on this road trip to Calgary. We’re about 3/4 sold out and you have less than a week to make the call on coming or not.