Edmonton Oilers projected Game 1 lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights

Edmonton Oilers lineup thoughts

There really is not much to say about the Game 1 projected lineup, because we have not seen the Edmonton Oilers or the Vegas Golden Knights play each other yet. In the season series, both of these Western Conference foes split, winning and losing two games a piece. In four games, the Edmonton Oilers outscored the Golden Knights 11 goals to 10. The Oilers were scoring an average of 2.75 goals per game, while allowing an average of 2.5 goals per game.

With the Oilers set to go “nuclear” against the top Golden Knights line consisting of Karlsson, Eichel and Stone, we will see what kind of pressure McDavid, Draisaitl and Perry can provide. The Oilers top line combined for 24 points against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, with McDavid and Draisaitl picking up 21 of those points—McDavid produced 11 points and Draisaitl got the other 10.

The rest of the Oilers forward group saw some depth scoring, with the remaining nine forwards combining for 15 goals and 32 points respectively. That is pretty impressive considering how the Oilers started against the Kings and what the defensive depth was able to accomplish for Los Angeles as well.

On the defensive side of the Edmonton Oilers game, there was a lot that went wrong and a lot to be cleaned up after the first six games that were played. The Oilers allowed an unacceptable 12 goals in the first two games of their postseason, before only allowing 12 in the final four games of the series.

Yes they dominated and managed to score 20 goals in the remaining four games, but still averaged three goals against them in the process. Even though they proved that they could almost score at will, the Oilers will definitely need to clean up their game defensively, if they want a chance to get by the Vegas Golden Knights and into the Western Conference Final yet again.

Stay hot Calvin Pickard

Calvin Pickard was the only goalie in the first round to go 4–0. Yes, you read that right. With Pickard being undefeated in the first round, the Edmonton Oilers will continue to put their trust in him as they head into a much tougher leg of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Stuart Skinner, who is the Edmonton Oilers’ number-one netminder, struggled in his first two starts. That is why Calvin Pickard was put in as relief for Skinner. Even though he allowed the first goal on the first shot that he faced, Pickard stayed strong and finished the series with a GAA of 2.93 and a save percentage of .893%.

You don’t want to tire your goalie out, but with the way that things have worked for the Oilers so far, Pickard will continue to get the start in the net until otherwise said so by the team.

Oil Country, it all starts soon, with round two against the Vegas Golden Knights set to take place in Sin City. Go Oilers Go!