GDB -5.0: The Back Nine (5:00pm MT, Streaming)

We’re winding our way through the preseason and for the second time in less than a week, our beloved Edmonton Oilers are squaring off against the Winnipeg Jets in another tune-up match ahead of the October 13th season opener. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s game day.

When these two teams met up on Wednesday night, I was honestly expecting the Jets to lay the boots to the Oilers seeing as they dressed triple the NHL regulars than we did, and that probably would have happened to a greater degree than it did had it not been for the goaltenders. That’s not to say that the boys were perfect between the pipes — there is always plenty of room for improvement — but I would absolutely suggest that they weren’t getting a whole lot of help either, especially early on. Quite frankly, the boys were outmatched and it was a tough game to watch if you were hoping for an undefeated run of preseason wins, but the good news is that there’s a chance to rebound tonight at Rogers Place with a bunch more regulars suiting up to try to make it happen. And yes, I do know that wins don’t matter in the preseason.

More importantly, we’re reaching a stage of the tune-up period where the lineups are looking a whole lot more like what they will when the regular season kicks off in just under two weeks. As a result, I’d also expect the level of execution and the need to eliminate mistakes to rise as well. Even though I know a lot of everyday guys won’t be running at 100% effort, I still like knowing that the regulars on our side are getting some game action to work on their execution and shake off the rust. From defensive strategies to the special teams, this is the time to work out as many of the kinks as possible so that we can hit the ground running when points are on the line. As for the rest of the squad, with only 11 days to go until the season opener, time is running out for anyone that wants to make a good first impression and I’ll be looking for the fringe guys to lay it all out on the line as if their careers depend on it. Too much to ask? We shall see.

Foegele – McDavid – Puljujarvi
RNH – Draisaitl – Kassian
Perlini – Shore – Turris
Sceviour – McLeod – Griffith

Nurse – Bouchard
Lagesson – Ceci
Broberg – Berglund

Since the Oilers played the Kraken last night in Everett, I’m curious to see how many of those same prospects/hopefuls/vets would be back in the lineup against the Jets but we have yet to find out that information. Since there was no morning skate today, I don’t know what the line combos look like at the time of posting so I gave my best guess as to who would be playing where. As always, I’ll jump back in and update the article as soon as the news comes out.

Connor – Scheifele – Ehlers
Harkins – Lowry – Svechnikov
Toninato – Perfetti – Reichel
Malott – Eyssimont – Malott

Pionk – Dillon
Morrissey – Chisholm
Nogier – Schmidt

Comrie
Berdin

The Jets don’t have their line combos listed so I took a swing on what things might look like, but I will readily admit that I’m not sure where everyone is supposed to go. That said, these are the players the Oilers will be playing against and it will be up to them to keep them all quiet regardless of how the trios and pairings look come game time.

Game Day Prediction: The Oilers avenge Wednesday night’s loss with a yuuuuge 4-2 win.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: The stream will provide moments of frustration but we shall prevail.

Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: Touched by the return of fans to the building, OEG offers a one night only bargain of including free fries with your Bobby Nicks burger.