THINGS TO WATCH FOR TONIGHT

1. The lines. Friday’s practice had Leon Draisaitl with Connor McDavid for the first time all training camp. The nuclear option is always there, wonder if the big line from a year ago begins the season together. My guess is no.
2. A strong performance by special teams. The power play should dominate again this season but there’s a lot of turnover from last season’s middling PK. There are talented players available for Todd McLellan 4×5, it will be interesting to see usage tonight.
3. How well the Oilers play when Connor McDavid is off the ice. Edmonton is a championship calibre team with 97 on the ice, his dominance is unquestioned. What happens when McDavid sits during 5×5 time is the real thrust of this year’s conversation. Can this team outscore when lines 2-4 are out there? Something to watch this evening.

THINGS TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

1. Mark Fayne waived and walking the streets of Bakersfield. Suspect a trade would be ideal but that may come at the deadline.
2. Jesse Puljujarvi in Bakersfield or in the opening night lineup. There’s no neutral ground here, suspect room for only one of JP or Kailer Yamamoto. Going into tonight, it isn’t close. Yamamoto best fills the need for a high skill player on RW, perhaps even more important with what has been a pedestrian showing by Ryan Strome.
3. Kailer Yamamoto in the opening night roster. Incredibly.
4. Chris Kelly decision. I’ll tell you true that to my eye Brad Malone outplayed him but that and a toonie will get you a cup of coffee. The Oilers are no doubt worried about PK and 5C, Kelly addresses both issues. I think it’s 50/50.

LINEUP

Apr 8, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) defends Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic (27) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Edmonton Oilers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Oilers

Canucks

QUICK HITS

• Corsica 2.0 is here. I am so happy!
• Don’t count out a trade by Peter Chiarelli opening night. I think last year’s team caught him a little flat-footed at the deadline. He made one smaller trade, but this year we should see aggressive Chiarelli. What does that mean? Stay close to your twitter, people. Aggressive PC is kind of wild.
• Very few Oilers still in camp are ineligible for waivers. Connor McDavid is, helluva lot of good that does! Also, Jesse Puljujarvi, Anton Slepyshev, Darnell Nurse, Kailer Yamamoto.
• Among the youngsters vying for feature roles on RW, we’re still unclear about the pecking order. This may take some time, perhaps November or later. Don’t discount a mid-season deal.
• Get your tickets to next Saturday’s Season Launch Party at the Pint Downtown and help us raise funds and awareness for Little Warriors.

TONIGHT…