GDB Wrap up -6.0: KEEP ROLLING
By Cam Lewis
5 years agoLook, we all know the pre-season doesn’t matter. These games don’t count towards the standings, neither team is playing at 100 percent, and we shouldn’t draw too many conclusions from them. But still, damn, it’s difficult not to get fired up after a showing like that.
What happened?
The Oilers exploded for seven goals on 37 shots and ended up with an easy 7-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg’s lineup didn’t feature many key players, like Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler, Nik Ehlers, and Mark Scheifele were out of the lineup, and Edmonton completely dominated. The Oilers went up 2-0 in the second period, Winnipeg battled back with a couple goals of their own, then Edmonton broke away in the third.
Jesse Puljujarvi opened the scoring in the first period…
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins followed it up in the second…
After Winnipeg tied it up, Ty Rattie breaks the tie…
And then the Oilers start to pull away in the third…
How about this top line?
Oh boy, I know it’s just pre-season, but still…
Thoughts…
- Ty Rattie was given the opportunity of a lifetime last season during garbage time when he was placed on the top line alongside Connor McDavid. Given his strong play to finish the season, Rattie has more than likely earned himself a shot on that top line to start the regular season. For a guy who hasn’t been given a real NHL chance before, this could be a career-changing. Rattie slotted in next to McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the former MVP’s first pre-season tuneup and the line was dynamic. Rattie buried two goals and put up five points, RNH scored two of his own, and McDavid had four points. Obviously, he needs to show it in the regular season, but Rattie is doing a good job early on showing he deserves a long look on that top line that showed such good chemistry last season.
- Jesse Puljujarvi was absolutely flying tonight. His goal in the first is an example of what he can accomplish with his speed and skill. In the past, we’ve seen Puljujarvi look timid and afraid to throw his weight around, but he was flying around all over the place tonight. If he can use his speed and body consistently throughout the season, he’s going to have himself a breakout year.
- The Nurse and Bouchard pair had a bit of a difficult time tonight. Nurse looked a little rusty, which isn’t surprising, and Bouchard looked out of his depth at times. There were a few instances in which both defenders got caught looking in the defensive end. Sticking with the defence, though, the Klefbom and Larsson pairing looked like the 2016-17 version of the pairing. Klefbom looked healthy and confident on the ice and he wasn’t shying away from physical play, which is a great sign.
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