Blue Jackets at Oilers, G26 2024-25

The Edmonton Oilers have a chance to start a December run tonight, as the Columbus Blue Jackets come to town. CBJ are stronger this season than usual, 6-3-1 in the last 10 but not strong (3-7-2) on the road. The Oilers have Zach Hyman coming back into the lineup and that should help. One question I’m hoping we get an answer to in the coming days? What, exactly, is the RW depth chart? Based on recent viewings, I can’t see Kaperi Kapanen behind all of Hyman, Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown and Corey Perry. Kapanen solves some things. Speed. Aggression. I think he may force the issue on right wing before the deadline.

The Athletic article today is on the third line. Some of the numbers posted this season by that trio are eye-popping. Article is here.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER

• On the road to: VEG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
• At home to: CBJ, STL, TBAY (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: MIN (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: VEG, FLA, BOS, SJS, OTT (Expected 4-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: LAK, ANA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: UTA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• Overall expected result: 9-4-0, 18 points in 13 games
• December results: 0-1-0
• Oilers in 2024-25: 13-10-2, 28 points in 25 games

Oilers need this win and it could set up a nice early run in December. This month will tell us much about what Stan Bowman will be looking for at the deadline. Based on your comments to me on the blog and privately, your main concerns are Stuart Skinner, Evan Bouchard, Second pair RH side, Jeff Skinner, scoring wingers, fourth-line center. That’s a lot for a deadline, but the view should be clearer on New Year’s day.

FOUR NATIONS UPSIDE

Lots of online upset among Oilers fans about the final lists for Four Nations rosters. It isn’t a major tournament (one-offs happen and this looks like one) so there won’t be much of a chance to build up rage and rancor about this event. Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson will play (if healthy, Arvidsson’s day-to-day has more sustain than Jimmy Page), but all other Oilers (as of right now) will rest.

I think that’s a positive. If you’re asking me if Evan Bouchard should be there, the answer is yes. If you’re asking me if I’m upset he will rest instead, my answer is no sir. Rest at that point of the season will be key for Edmonton’s big minutes men. It’s all good in my opinion.

TONIGHT

I’m loving the defense currently. Not everything is roses, but at five-on-five Since the start of November there’s some good mojo working. Ekholm-Bouchard (59 percent expected goals since November 1, but 11-13 goals); Nurse-Kulak (3-0 goals and 63 percent expected goals); Nurse-Stecher (3-2 goals and 61 percent expected goals); Kulak-Emberson (6-8 goals and 31 percent expected goals). There’s some wobble for sure, but I’ll take it. Kulak-Emberson are running some good luck based on expected goals, that might be something to monitor.

The Lowdown runs noon to 2pm today on Sports1440. We’ll have the view from both teams on the show today plus have a long look at the NFL and NCAA football with Declan. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio; Radioplayer Canada, we tweet out the show after it’s done and you can catch us on Apple and Spotify.