Maybe consider this the Pre-Series Pre-Game and keep it going throughout the series, be interesting to read it after the series is over to see the ebb and flow depending on how the Oilers play the next 3 games vs the bottom feeders, who all the teams below us have struggled with.
If we can take this series 3-0 the way we took the first series it will separate us from Calgary and Vancouver and help solidify a playoff spot for us in the top 4.
Oilers really need to find the offensive mojo that went AWOL vs Toronto and play tighter defensively. We have given up the first goal of the game 4 games in a row and we are a different team when we are chasing as teams can lock it down and have we struggled come from behind this year, only 2-10 when behind to start the 3rd period this year.
We score the first goal in the games and teams chase us which makes a dramatic difference to this team when our bottom 6 cant find the ocean off a pier and when we are 2 up the game opens up a lot more for our high end players to find ice.
I think Tip will keep the Dime (DYM) line together for at least another game, he needs to get Draisaitl and Yamamoto going consistently and grab leads rather than chase games. When McDavid and Draisaitl are together the puck is usually in the other teams zone and we dont have a better puck hound to get them the puck than Yamo who also has finish and poise around the net to finish chances himself.
I like RNH back at C, at least he will be moving his feet and staying more engaged in the game there. Playing with PJ and either Kahun or Ennis should compliment his conservative game as each player brings something different however I find Kahun to be a perimeter player whereas Ennis gets in the guts of the game a lot more. But you don't have 2 small wingers out there like the Kahun Drai Yamo line which has proven ineffective for too many games now. And quite frankly if RNH wants a raise, then f***ing earn it.
The bottom 6 has once again become a black hole of nothingness offensively but at least they aren't killing us 5v5 as badly as early in the year when Turris was 3C. However Khaira is recycling his way back to being shitty Khaira, so he needs to step it up. I like the idea of Shore and Archi, they aren't afraid to mix it up and crash bang forecheck. Just aren't going to see any scoring.
I would like to see Haas get a goal or two here, and I think the 4th line can do a little damage offensively. Not the fleetest of foot on the wings but plenty of experience and gamesmanship there. As Neal showed vs Turtle he isn't afraid to mix it up.
Lines for Game 1 I dont think we will see a lot of change from what won them the game v Calgary, and think we might see to start:
Draisaitl - McDavid - Honey Badger
Kahun - RNH - PJ (However I would rather see Ennis in place of Kahun personally)
Shore - Khaira - Archibald (if healthy)
Neal - Haas - Chaisson
As for D, Tip probably goes with the same pairings. Outside of the bottom pair of Jones Bear who again struggled in the first period but played better as the game wore on, the pairings were pretty decent overall. I would rather Lagesson in for Jones and Bouchard has got to get playing at some point and I think we will see him in this series in at least 1 game.
Nurse - Barrie
Russell - Larsson
Jones - Bear
I think we see Smith to start. He seems to go with Smith after Smith posts a good game. Koskinen the middle game, and then I think back to Smith for the final game in the set.
I am most excited to see @ConnorMcMullet continue his 3 game GDT winning streak and further advance his cartoonist skills. He took a good step past stick-man drawings with the last winning GDT and we might even see perspective in his next set of drawings.
OK Oilers - opportunity knocks. 3 games to get yourselves back into the middle of the top 4 pack here and get your game in order.
If we can take this series 3-0 the way we took the first series it will separate us from Calgary and Vancouver and help solidify a playoff spot for us in the top 4.
Oilers really need to find the offensive mojo that went AWOL vs Toronto and play tighter defensively. We have given up the first goal of the game 4 games in a row and we are a different team when we are chasing as teams can lock it down and have we struggled come from behind this year, only 2-10 when behind to start the 3rd period this year.
We score the first goal in the games and teams chase us which makes a dramatic difference to this team when our bottom 6 cant find the ocean off a pier and when we are 2 up the game opens up a lot more for our high end players to find ice.
I think Tip will keep the Dime (DYM) line together for at least another game, he needs to get Draisaitl and Yamamoto going consistently and grab leads rather than chase games. When McDavid and Draisaitl are together the puck is usually in the other teams zone and we dont have a better puck hound to get them the puck than Yamo who also has finish and poise around the net to finish chances himself.
I like RNH back at C, at least he will be moving his feet and staying more engaged in the game there. Playing with PJ and either Kahun or Ennis should compliment his conservative game as each player brings something different however I find Kahun to be a perimeter player whereas Ennis gets in the guts of the game a lot more. But you don't have 2 small wingers out there like the Kahun Drai Yamo line which has proven ineffective for too many games now. And quite frankly if RNH wants a raise, then f***ing earn it.
The bottom 6 has once again become a black hole of nothingness offensively but at least they aren't killing us 5v5 as badly as early in the year when Turris was 3C. However Khaira is recycling his way back to being shitty Khaira, so he needs to step it up. I like the idea of Shore and Archi, they aren't afraid to mix it up and crash bang forecheck. Just aren't going to see any scoring.
I would like to see Haas get a goal or two here, and I think the 4th line can do a little damage offensively. Not the fleetest of foot on the wings but plenty of experience and gamesmanship there. As Neal showed vs Turtle he isn't afraid to mix it up.
Lines for Game 1 I dont think we will see a lot of change from what won them the game v Calgary, and think we might see to start:
Draisaitl - McDavid - Honey Badger
Kahun - RNH - PJ (However I would rather see Ennis in place of Kahun personally)
Shore - Khaira - Archibald (if healthy)
Neal - Haas - Chaisson
As for D, Tip probably goes with the same pairings. Outside of the bottom pair of Jones Bear who again struggled in the first period but played better as the game wore on, the pairings were pretty decent overall. I would rather Lagesson in for Jones and Bouchard has got to get playing at some point and I think we will see him in this series in at least 1 game.
Nurse - Barrie
Russell - Larsson
Jones - Bear
I think we see Smith to start. He seems to go with Smith after Smith posts a good game. Koskinen the middle game, and then I think back to Smith for the final game in the set.
I am most excited to see @ConnorMcMullet continue his 3 game GDT winning streak and further advance his cartoonist skills. He took a good step past stick-man drawings with the last winning GDT and we might even see perspective in his next set of drawings.
OK Oilers - opportunity knocks. 3 games to get yourselves back into the middle of the top 4 pack here and get your game in order.
