Edmonton Oilers Pregame Thoughts

During the Sportsnet broadcast of Sunday afternoon’s game in Detroit, they showed a stat from October of the 2022/2023 season where Connor McDavid scored nine goals in nine games. He’d of course win the Rocket Richard Trophy that year after finishing the regular season with 64 goals. You remember the moment where he dropped a pass while looking at a goalie down the middle of the offensive zone, and it’s almost possible to believe that 64 goal season even happened. No person could be foolish enough to suggest McDavid is the number one reason for the Edmonton Oilers having another slow start to another season. It’s just weird to see him be so quiet, wouldn’t you agree? When any other forward goes the first six games, or any six games in general, without a goal, it’s nothing; we know it’ll come eventually. When it’s Connor F***ing McDavid going this long without a goal, it’s a national emergency. We don’t even realize that he still leads the team in points with seven assists.

It wouldn’t be as big of a deal if the Oilers could get more secondary scoring outside of Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. But there’s never any chemistry built between each line because they always change, and some of the youth still don’t get enough chances with more skilled players. Noah Philp scored his second NHL goal after coming back from three healthy scratches. He shouldn’t have been scratched after the second game of the season. Take a lesson from the Red Wings, having rookie Emmitt Finnie on Dylan Larkin’s line, and ask why we see Matt Savoie and/or Isaac Howard on the fourth line. If you can’t put enough trust in your youth, don’t bother drafting or trading for young players.

Some debate over the third goal that Detroit scored. At first glance, Mattias Ekholm is screening his own goalie. Also, on the net view, Skinner was in the right position for a moment, then moved his legs at the last second. Both the defenseman and the goalie are at fault here. And Draisaitl? Depending on how his team looks in the next couple of weeks, he’ll lose sleep on that fumbling breakaway opportunity.

Some good news, though. Jake Walman was activated from injured reserve. As much as I, and other Oilers fans are ripping on the team’s offense, not having another defenseman who could make passes up to the forwards on the ice hasn’t helped, either. Whenever he comes in, he’s needed back so badly. Then, when Zach Hyman comes back shortly after, we’ll pretend the season started after that and not two weeks ago. Aside from the Rangers game, this has felt like a road trip from Hockey Hell. End it with a win on game #5, and it can at least be a road trip from Hockey Purgatory instead. The keys to the game are…

Oilers Pregame Thoughts

Mr. 1000: Okay, I referenced my displeasure with young players having him as their center. But 1000 NHL games is a huge deal for anyone, I can’t take that away from Adam Henrique. So get a goal, or an assist, and have yourself a night.

Scoring Remedy?: The Ottawa Senators rank 31st in both Goals Against Per Game and on the Penalty Kill. Jason Gregor stated on his show last week that the Oilers are dead last in shooting percentage and 5v5 goals. Move some stats up against a weaker team to help build offensive confidence.

Sens-less Captain: Brady Tkachuk has missed Ottawa’s last three games due to injury, and could miss more than a month’s worth. He’s not just the captain, but also the tough and emotional leader for the Senators. A factor that could be missed, and Edmonton could try playing with their own edge while still working on generating offense.