The Edmonton Oilers take on the Utah Mammoth tonight at Rogers Place. The Mammoth are 5-2-0 after seven games (Edmonton 5-0-1) and it’s fair to say this is the most substantial test for the home team so far this season. Please read this.
It’s also a great test for Mike Babcock. If he’s as smart as I think he might be, we will see Leon Draisaitl check down to the second line this evening. He could go Formenton-McDavdi-Hyman and Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Kapanen. It’s the right thing to do. Will Babcock do it?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 0-0-1
- On the road: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0-0
- At home to: Seattle (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0-0
- On the road to: Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles (1-1-1) Actual 3-0-0
- At home to: Mammoth (1-0)
- On the road to: Mammoth (0-0-1)
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2)
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-3-2, 20 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 5-0-1, 11 points in six games
I have tonight as a win, but suspect Utah is going to be a tough out this evening. We have no evidence to use for this evening, Babcock’s one game running 97 and 29 apart at five-on-five came in the first, ludicrous game of the year. Can the Oilers win with 92-97-29? Hell yes! I think it wise to split them against a deep team like the Mammoth. Utah has six men who are averaging over 2.00 points-60 at five-on-five, The Oilers have six as well, consisting of the top line, Evan Bouchard plus Alex Formenton and Ike Howard.
That brings us to the center position. Utah’s pivots are Nick Schmaltz (Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse) on the top line, the trio has scored eight goals this season. The No. 2 line features Vincent Trochek at center with Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. That line has scored six goals. The third line is Barrett Hayton with Anders Lee and Kailer Yamamoto. Three goals. Fourth line is Kevin Stenlund with Jack McBain and Daniel But. Three goals. Utah has played seven games. The team has two productive lines and two checking lines that have produced in lesser roles.
Let’s run the Oilers. The No. 1 line has 15 goals in six games. Incredible. The second line (Owen Michaels with Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph) has three goals, while Jason Dickinson (with Filip Hallander and Kasperi Kapanen) has two goals. The fourth line is Josh Samanski, Trent Frederic and Ike Howard, the line has one goal.
The Mammoth four lines has scored 20 goals in seven games. That’s 2.86 goals per game. The Oilers four lines have scored 21 goals in six games, or 3.5 per game. Edmonton’s blue has scored eight goals, Utah six.
I think we’re early for a real solution, we can get back to something near normal when Nuge and Matt Savoie return. For now, I think Babcock would be wise to split McDavid-Draisaitl. Perhaps he will do some of both. That decision and the starting goaltender loom large tonight. I’ll suggest we see Levi in goal and a hybrid (some time together, some time apart) version of the No. 1 line tonight.
This will be a different game tonight. The player I’ll be focused on is Owen Michaels. I think Babcock loves him and may well be fine with a Michaels line versus Trochek trio matchup. Suspect it is a big ask, too big to fulfill. We’ll see. Connor Murphy is going to be a busy man with Dickinson’s line IF Babcock uses him as a matchup versus Trochek. My secret “player I really like but I’ve only seen him a little” is Filip Hallander.
On the Lowdown today, we will have Bagged Milk from Daily Faceoff Edmonton on the show at 1, plus a Utah perspect (guest TBA). We’ll talk Dodgers-Brewers, Guardians-Rays and preview the Elks game Friday night plus the entire NFL slate of games this weekend. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Is Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman getting better at his job?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7686650/2026/10/15/edmonton-oilers-trades-stan-bowman-devon-levi/
— I like these home and home games against same team. Wasn’t it the Covid year to reduce travel teams played 2 in a row at home vs same team. Such a good idea reduce travel, rivalry etc.
— Don’t know when puck luck will change: the team isn’t as good as their record but points matter most. Regression at some point and will be interesting to see how roster and coach react.
LFGOILERS.
Split them up? NO!
I think we can have the opinion that the coach should split McDavid and Drai, and it’s defendable.
At the same time, for me, to state that “it’s the right thing to do” or imply that the coach is not smart if he doesn’t do is stating an opinion as fact and is too far, in my opinion.
Yes, that first game was bonkers and is likely not reflective of anything going forward but it’s the one game where they were split and the one fame the team did not win.
They’ve played exclusively together for five games, all regulation wins – that is a fact. They beat Seattle (5 wins this year, same record as Utah), Anaheim (4 wins) and San Jose (3 wins).
I think it might be a good time to split them if Hyman is back – it would allow Howard to stay in and Samanski to sit (and it could have Kap with Leon making Kap a good player) but I won’t say “it’s the right trying to do” or the coach isn’t smart if he doesn’t – just an opinion.
So, this game could offer a verdict on roster-building – top-heavy vs evening-out. Thing is, smarty-pants Babs has last change so can skew things tonight – Saturday’s rematch should be more telling.
The Utah D and G’s is also middling, but they’re getting it done. Glad they’re in the Central.
“So, this game could offer a verdict on roster building ….”
sounds like 2018 – 2026 Oilers to a T! maybe sans 2024 Roster
A big game tonight, so big it needs an adjective to describe it – huge? oversized? mammoth? Yes, a mammoth game against the Mammoth.
If this was a grade 3 classroom, that would kill.
The Oilers need more quality in the top 6.
And they need to trade for it very soon.
Delusions need to end.
Hyman returns tonight. Nuge and Savoie are on the way. Maybe see how those players impact the roster before we go big game hunting.
Yes because your delusional with that comment😅
If Hyman is ready, personally, presuming Babcock is not splitting the top line, I just put him in for Hallander and let the other 3 lines stay.
I presume he’s probably in for Howard – I could see an argument just to throw Hyman in Howard’s spot but Babcock will probably put him on the 2nd line and move Hallander now.
At the same time, the one game where Hyman was available is the one game where McDavid and Drai were split (and the one game they did not win).
Lets not forget, if they split McDavid/Drai, it creates a new top 6 forward in Kapapen as he can play with Drai and he’s excellent with Drai and a 10th-13th forward otherwise.
Completely agree with your view on Kappy. I also think it’s likely that withDraisaitl Howard would also become a second line player…. I’m not sure what more he could do to prove himself to Babs.
Other than score but surely that can’t be expected given his deployment so far.
I said before the LA game that it was super important points wise as I think tonight is going to be a tough game. This trip was not gruelling but it was still 9 days away and they travelled yesterday, got half a day of family time before its game day/night and then fly out back on the road tomorrow.
Utah is one of those teams that have the type of players that can give the Oilers trouble, similar to Anaheim – young, big, fast, skilled. They have a great PK, like the Ducks.
I don’t think the Oilers want a track meet tonight
I know it’s not going to happen but man I’d love to see:
Howard McD Hyman
Podz Drai Kap
Formenton Dickie Samanski
Hallender Michaels Frederic
Run that top line for 5 to 10 games and then you would know alot more about Howard. Wierd thought giving rookies some at bats when injuries strike eh?
As usual, I think you’re right LT. I just hope the coach doesn’t wait until a 3-0 deficit before splitting up the center depth. Hyman should provide a big boost to the top 6. Hopefully the team watched some video and another 40 shot game isn’t in the cards tonight.
Go Oilers!
Big game tonight so go oil go.
That said once injuries are back I am not sure we will need a top 6 player at the deadline, focus maybe on a right shot man to improve that group instead. No offense to Emberson but I would rather Murphy be the 3rd rd.
“If he’s as smart as I think he might be, we will see Leon Draisaitl check down to the second line this evening.”
Early days, but this is looking like one of the greatest lines in hockey history in real time. Until they start to come back down to earth (which they should, but what if they don’t), how can you separate them?
I understand, and am curious about what they can do if placed together all season. However, this can’t sustain. The Oilers, once again, are a one-line team.
True, but it is a historic line!
I dont want to put words in your mouth, so do you think the combination of hyman, nuge and Savoie are not good enough for a second line?
I think they could be, but worry about age (Hyman, Nuge) and injury (Hyman, Nuge). The second line on a team with McDavid-Draisaitl-Podkolzin wouldn’t have to outscore by a ton, but would need to outscore.
Highly agree with those concerns as both are showing some wear on the edges, thank you.
I’m also far more of a fan of Nuge’s work on the wing than at centre. He’s been less than stellar there (to my eye) for more than a few years. Still one of my favourite players though.
Now if they do go the Savoie-Nuge-Hyman second line to start with it’s still a worthy experiment. If it fails, then I’d be happy enough if they were to check down to the tried and true:
Nuge-McD-Hyman
Podz-Drai-Kap*
*Sub in and out whichever winger is going best at the time for Kap.
Who splits up the GMC line when going nuclear. Hey Connor-Leon-Pod I’m going to split you up because we’re winning too easily. If this was the playoffs I agree but for now I let the big dogs play together and let everyone else saw off. I also start Levi give Jarry the road start.
Keep it going Oilers. Looking good this year. Never thought I’d say this but I’m loving Babcock so far.