Line match-ups: Oilers vs. Blue Jackets, Nov 5/08

Edmonton’s Lines

Columbus’ Lines

Matchups

Notes

• As usual, the Horcoff line took the brunt of the difficult forward match-ups. In a game where the Oilers were outscored 4–2 at even strength, they broke even (1–1). The problem clearly stemmed further down the depth chart.
• The Kid Line looked at relatively easy ice-time (nearly 60 per cent of their ice-time against the bottom six) and was 0–1 at even strength. This line hasn’t been producing offensively, and Gagner in particular looked bad, with a brutal giveaway at just over a minute left (although it should be noted he was out with Pisani and Moreau). With MacTavish feeding them softer minutes, the offence will come.
• The checking line was once again out of its depth, going 0–2 at even strength. Given that the bulk of the heavy lifting was being done by the first line, and that this isn’t a remotely new occurrence, I think it’s brutally obvious that a line-up shift is necessary. The Oilers will not win a lot of games when their veteran core is bleeding chances and goals against.
• The three defencemen that the coaching staff trusts played a lot again. Souray, Visnovsky and Gilbert played against top opposition, and with Gilbert’s improved play of late, it looks like the Oilers will have a decent top-four. Staios and Strudwick are both capable of covering bottom-pairing roles, and when Smid and Grebeshkov return, this defensive group could be one of the team’s major strengths. I must admit, I’m greatly surprised by the effectiveness of both Visnovsky and Souray in difficult match-ups.