Stars at Oilers, G71 2024-25

Seldom in recent seasons have the Oilers faced a two-step without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The front end is pure heaven and hell in the NHL, emphasis on hell. The Dallas Stars are not a clear favourite to emerge from the incredible Central, but that’s only because the collection of impact teams in the group is the largest in the NHL’s four divisions. Make no mistake, tonight is an extreme test for Edmonton. This team needs the double you and the opponent is an enormous hurdle.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH

• On the road to: CAR (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
• At home to: ANA, MTL, DAL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 2-1-0)
• On the road to: BUF, NJD, NYI, NYR (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 2-2-0)
• At home to: UTA, WPG, SEA, DAL (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 3-0-1)
• On the road to: SEA (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: CGY (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• Overall expected results: 7-5-2, 16 points in 14 games
• March result: 7-3-1
• Oilers in 2024-25: 41-24-5, 87 points in 70 games

The March won-loss is fabulous considering just how poorly this team played in February. Despite the tough schedule, the team needs points from this week. I have Edmonton going 1-1-1 in the last three games. That would work out to 8-4-2, and the club would have exceeded my prediction.

HEROES

The Oilers will find out about themselves tonight, and in fact that process began when McDavid left the game against the Jets. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is on another level right now, so good to see. I think the Oilers could use a stolen victory from their goaltender, perhaps that is tonight from Stuart Skinner.

I’m fascinated by the difference between five top flight defensemen and four. The addition of Jake Walman gives Edmonton a completely different look. I remember when Craig MacTavish would go to camp with three quality blue and have seven above-average types by Valentine’s Day. Those were the days.

I know the world is a different place, but Stan Bowman needs to find Charlie Huddy 2.0 this spring or summer. Maybe his name is Jan Hejda, or Steve Staios, but this team needs a value contract. They need a $5 million blue who they can pay $1.5 million. Tough ask, but that’s the job.

The reason Bowman is in this position is the Blues offer sheet for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. I wrote about it here at The Athletic. Bowman can evaluate and acquire talented defensemen, he proved it at the deadline. I think Ty Emberson is worth bringing back, and like Troy Stecher too, but the ‘bubbling under’ group who will play next season in Bakersfield do not inspire confidence. I like Beau Akey, but would love to see the team bring in a couple of 22-24 Euros and then sign Luca Munzenberger. The great hope a year ago on the Condors blue was Max Wanner, and the club cut bait on him. Phil Kemp isn’t in the plans based on management’s actions in the last two seasons.

It falls to Bowman. He can start by signing Munzenberger and Marc Lajoie.

A busy day on the Lowdown, with feature guest Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal. We’ll chat about this week’s games, the Nuge and what the Bakersfield Condors need to add over the offseason. We’ll also chat MLB, as opening day is tomorrow, and about the NFL revolving door surrounding quarterbacks. 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, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.