The Oilers will end their mini two-game home stand tonight versus perennial cup favourite Tampa Bay Lightning. The Oilers come in on a four-game win streak posting impressive advanced stats during this run of 57.37 CF%, 64.70 xGF% and 72.73 HDGF%. The scheduling also favours Edmonton again as Tampa will be playing the second of a back-to-back just like the Seattle Kraken did on Tuesday. The Bolts beat Vancouver last night 5–2.
Signs of a winning team
Jesse Puljujarvi was healthy scratched last game so it will interesting to see if he’s back in the lineup. His night off sparked plenty of trade rumours and the closer we get to the deadline, the more it feels that he will be given a fresh start elsewhere. Evander Kane made his return last game and started on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele; later in the game Kane had some time with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid as coach Jay Woodcroft blended the 11 forward–7 defencemen lineup often after the Oilers had a comfortable lead.
Jack Campbell has been much better since the start of the new year posting five wins and two losses with a 2.02 GAA and .915 SV%. Tonight Campbell get’s some rest as Stuart Skinner is projected to start tonight. I think it was a wise move by Woodcroft to ease Kane and Skinner back into the lineup. Both players have been away from the team and allowing them to shake some rust off and get into the routine will pay dividends.
Coach Woodcroft tore into the team after some lazy drill work. Normally known as a players coach, it is nice to see Woodcroft demand more from his players while on a win streak. With Kane back, the roster is mostly healthy except for Kailer Yamamoto’s absence due to an undisclosed injury. The Oilers are only five points away from division leading Golden Knights. If the team can come together and continue to execute at the same level, then there is a good chance they could finish in the top three, if not win the Pacific. This is why tonight’s game will be an excellent litmus test versus a legitimate opponent.
McDavid is winning in a different way
The City of Edmonton has named a snow plow after McDavid, which received a chuckle from the superstar.
UPDATE: Campbell will get the start tonight.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
