The closer we get to the finish line, the more anxious I am about the days of the race. It’s not like last year in the all-Canadian category where the Oilers were basically locked in place by the jump, but we’re probably in a playoff game that is as tight as it gets. Regardless of the Pacific Division score, it seems that the Oilers are not gaining ground in the teams behind them nor are they losing ground. It’s almost as if everyone in the class has decided that now was the best time to start winning hockey games and the pressure of the situation is really starting to rise here. We are almost at a point where losing even one game is unacceptable, and that makes this third round of the season against the Sharks even more important. As I write this, the Oilers are just three points above Vegas for third place in the division and this does not have much room for error, making this game against the Sharks a must have. No excuse just extinguishes the effort. Currently ranked 7th in the Pacific Division with 14 games to go, San Jose is just playing in the stretch and that makes it dangerous because expectations are not so high. Sure, the kids are playing for jobs next year, but no one thinks they change the season, you know? My point here is that the Oilers have a solid chance to continue their streak, but that they could easily hit if they are not ready to play. Not only that, San Jose gets into this thing in a series of three defeats, so you know they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The good news is that this is a team that does not score much and if the Oilers can play smart with the elf, play a simple game and win a couple of rebounds, then we should be fine. Again, maybe I’re just feeling overwhelmed again because I’m willing to ignore every time the Oilers have downgraded the least competition over the years? Either way, I hope the boys will fight hard for 60 minutes, because we have reached game 71 in the program and there is not much time until the finish line. Let’s see what the numbers say. Advertising – Continue reading below Advertising – Continue reading below
THE NUMBERS
The numbers are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick (fancies at 5 × 5)
SUGGESTIONS…
Oils *** UPDATE ****
Kane-McDavid-PuljujarviHyman-RNH-YamamotoBrassard-Shore-KassianFoegele-McLeod-Ryan Nurse-CeciKeith-BouchardKulak-Barrie Blacksmith Advertising – Continue reading below Advertising – Continue reading below Connor McDavid is in a streak of 13 games (11-15-26) right now and I can not imagine it ending tonight, as our man will become a supernova as he always does towards the end of the season. As for his accomplice in the crime, Leon Draisaitl, I just hope our man feels good after he looked very injured on Sunday against Anaheim. I know Draisaitl and Woodcroft both mentioned that he would be fine and that he participated in the morning skate, but you can show me skepticism until I see him move the way he usually does, you know? As for the tubes, Woodcroft said Koskinen would be available tonight after losing Sunday’s game, but did not say if he would start. Baggedmilk Note: Line and goalkeeper combinations are not exact yet, but I will come back with updates as soon as new ones come out. ** UPDATE ** Draisaitl is out for the Oilers, Smith begins, and I pray I did not just lose a lot of money.
Sharks *** UPDATE ***
Meier – Hertl – BarabanovDahlen – Couture – BalcersNieto – Bonino – GregorLeonard – Reedy – Chmelevski Megna – BurnsFerraro – KarlssonVlasic – Meloche Reimer Advertising – Continue reading below Advertising – Continue reading below Looking at the Sharks stats page, the first thing that sticks to me is that they have kids sprinkled all over the lineup who will burn you out if given the chance, and although it was not a good year for San Jose, there is no doubt is rather a group that needs to be taken seriously. I feel like this could be one of those nights where the Oilers will win silly prizes if they play stupid games, you know? UPDATE: Reimer starts for San Jose
WHAT THEY SAY…
From the East Bay Times: Sharks coach Bob Boughner had a simple message for his veteran defenders in a meeting on Monday morning: even with the team out of the playoffs less than a month ago, do not limp at the finish line. The Sharks have 14 games in the regular season, starting with Tuesday’s home game against the Edmonton Oilers. With a record of 29-31-8, the Sharks, before Monday’s game, were seventh in the Pacific Division and 16 points behind the Golden Knights of Vegas for second and final wild in the Western Conference. This season will mark the first time in franchise history that the Sharks will lose the playoffs for the third year in a row, but Boughner wants those players with long-term contracts to stay motivated and set the standard for younger players. “That was exactly my theme this morning, ‘Hello, we’re all part of this. “We are putting ourselves in that position and you who will be here in the long run is your decision,” Boughner said. “You can either play this outside and be a team that overcomes it every night, or you can do all the moves. “The kids who will do the right things are the kids who will play, the others just won’t.”
TONIGHT…
Photoshop: Tom Kostiuk Game of Thrones Prediction: The Oilers enter San Jose, play well, clear an empty net and close a big 4-2 victory. Obvious game day prediction: Make another two-point night for Connor McDavid. Oh, and Evander Kane is booking all night. Not so obvious prediction of the day of the game: Jacques Hyman raises a short goal in the second period. Advertising – Continue reading below Advertising – Continue reading below
BETTER THAN EVER
With McDavid and Draisaitl chasing another huge season, I spent a big chunk of this week’s podcast talking about how much I love these two guys. Not only that, the Oilers have played very well over the last two weeks and that means another opportunity for me to pump the team’s tires. Subscribe to Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts.
