Game Eight, 2022-23: Oilers at Chicago

The Edmonton Oilers won a highly entertaining game on Wednesday night in St. Louis, with rookie goalkeeper Stuart Skinner playing a feature role. It was a determined effort by all involved and the top end players were brilliant on the night. Jesse Puljujarvi scored his first goal of the year, cruising through the slot to run interference and maybe to get a stick on it. He did, and that’s a fine goal. A fun thing for fans today: Check out social media and observe those who frame the goal as luck, and those who suggest it was an astute play. JP is suddenly on pace for 12 goals this season. Low, but not tragic. Kailer Yamamoto and Warren Foegele are among the forwards who have yet to score a goal this season. It’s not a fun place to be for any player. It remains early days.

THE ATHLETIC!

• Lowetide: How the Oilers are working to solve second-pairing issues
• Lowetide: Are the Oilers finding chemistry with their skill lines?
• Lowetide: 5 Oilers prospects delivering exceptional early performances
• DNB: 5 takeaways from the Oilers’ first 5 games
• Lowetide: Oilers’ defence depth impacted by Philip Broberg’s early woes
• DNB: Warren Foegele Q&A
• Lowetide: Did the Oilers find the right fit for winger Zach Hyman?
• DNB: Another Oilers loss isn’t ideal, but it shows why they have little to be worried about
• DNB: How the Oilers can manage Connor McDavid and star players’ workloads
• Lowetide: 6 Edmonton Oilers positives from an uneven start
• Lowetide: Can the Oilers’ AHL affiliate sustain a productive prospect pipeline?
• DNB: Oilers need Jakob Chychrun or another top-4 defender, as loss to Flames shows
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers early impressions from season-opening win
• DNB: Oilers must adapt to short-handed lineup because it’s coming again
• DNB: Oilers goalie Jack Campbell enters season intent on exceeding expectations
• Lowetide: Why Oilers’ Evan Bouchard will be a key to 2022-23 season
• New DNB: 11 bold predictions for 2022-23 season
• Jonathan Willis: Jakob Chychrun would look good on the Oilers, but is there a deal to be had?
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
• Lowetide: Oilers top-20 prospects, summer 2022

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER

• At home to: VAN, CGY, BUF, CAR, STL, PIT (Expected 4-1-1) (Actual 3-3-0)
• On the road to: STL, CHI, CGY (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
• Overall expected result: 5-2-2, 12 points in 9 games
• Actual October results: 4-3-0, 8 points in 7 games
• Oilers in 2022-23: 4-3-0, 8 points in 7 games

Edmonton now has two wins in a row, and a chance to to guarantee a winning record with a victory in Chicago this evening. There were multiple positives on the evening, led by Skinner.

SUMMARY

• Evander Kane picked up an assist and a penalty on a night when none of his three shot attempts landed on target. He is 2-4-6 through seven games, and ranks No. 5 among Oilers scorers. That’s a strong top five group among the forwards this season. He was less a factor than normal, but still productive.
• Leon Draisaitl had an assist, three shots and four takeaways on the night. One HDSC, one penalty, he is 3-9-12 through seven games and leads Oilers scorers. Played 24:38 to lead all Oilers, one hopes he gets an 18-minute assignment tonight. Edmonton needs him for Calgary on Saturday.
• Kailer Yamamoto had a takeaway and a blocked shot on the night, another quiet evening for a player who is 0-1-1 through six games, 46 minutes with Connor McDavid. He’s due, past due. I would hang with him for a little longer, partly because the other two lines are going so well. Dylan Holloway’s return to health could squeeze someone, and Yamamoto is a candidate. Edmonton needs something close to KY’s 20 goals a year ago, suspect he’ll begin to chime in soon.
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having an impact start to the season. Scored a fine goal, five shots, three HDSC, one takeaway. Nuge is 4-4-8 in seven games so far this season. Took 12 faceoffs, won seven. He is building the foundation for a career season in these early days. Joined 200-goal club last night.
• Connor McDavid made a brilliant play to set up RNH for his goal, four shots and one HDSC. Took just one faceoff. 5-6-11 through seven games for the year. Showed his 200-foot acumen by taking a loose puck behind the Oilers net and beginning the sequence that resulted in the Puljujarvi goal.
• Zach Hyman scored 1-1-2 and is 3-5-8 in seven games for Edmonton this year. Five shots, five HDSC and 10 shot attempts on the night. He was all over the ice again. He’s so consistently productive I believe we overlook his contributions at times. The expected for Hyman is a fairly difficult bar. He delivers.
• Warren Foegele raced down his wing, circled the net, sent a pass through the middle. Darnell Nurse answered the call, Jesse Puljujarvi tipped it for the goal. One shot, one HDSC, one takeaway. He contributes to the 3line, had a great chance later on in the game.
• Ryan McLeod had one shot, a giveaway and a takeaway. Skated miles and is increasingly confident entering the offensive zone with the puck on his stick.
• Jesse Puljujarvi scored his first goal (and point) on the season, a nice tip from the exact spot he should be on the play. Two shots, one HDSC, he forechecked with abandon and had the wheels turning. Had some other chances and looks dynamic out there. He did not get credited with any hits, I saw two on one shift. NHL has to straighten out the inconsistencies from town to town.
• Devin Shore had a shot on goal and won four of five in the dot. Did not get in on the PK.
• Derek Ryan had a shot and a blocked shot. Played 1:49 clean minutes on the PK.

• Darnell Nurse was key to the first goal of the game, three blocked shots, one or two errant passes and heavy minutes versus Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn. He is 2-3-5 in seven games. Made a dangerous pass that led to some chaos, but was a giant late in the game. He is 4-4 goals at five-on-five, that’s playing big minutes against tough competition.
• Cody Ceci was outshot 5-10 at five-on-five and was defending most of the night. He bent but did not break. 1-1-2 in the first seven games, 5-3 on-ice goals. Ceci was a strong signing.
• Evan Bouchard had two shots, a giveaway, a 1-0 goal differential at five-on-five and 66 percent expected goals. Had an effective night when playing with Nurse. He makes mistakes, but is making progress. His 3-5 goal share at five-on-five is a touch unfair but I expect he’ll zoom past 50 percent soon. Two assists in the first seven games, but that only means Swing Out Sister is just around the corner.
• Tyson Barrie was 3-8 shots at five-on-five, one shot on goal and is 1-2-3 through seven games. He is 4-2 goals at five-on-five while he’s on the ice, and has played a more mature game dating back to the late regular season 2021-22. Edmonton needs him to slide into the two-way role and he’s done it, with some slip slidin’ entering the conversation at times.
• Brett Kulak had a takeaway, a hit and four shot blocks, a reasonable shot share (7-6) while he was on the ice and was 1-0 goals. For the year, he’s 5-0 goals at five-on-five. Played over four minutes with both Barrie and Ceci. His last two games have been his best.
• Ryan Murray took a penalty, had one shot and one hit. Edmonton was outshot 2-7 while he was on the ice. Murray is 2-6 in five-on-five on-ice goals early in this season, and it has cost him. At five-on-five, in the first two games of the season he played a total of 29:29. In the last two? 18:59.
• Markus Niemelainen played 8:20, about one minute of it on the PK (clean). He drew a penalty, these are the days where he’s building confidence in himself and the coaching staff. I will tell you that I stared at that third round of the 2016 draft for hours and wondered why they chose three defensemen in a row, and still think it was a curious choice. Niemelainen could save all of it if he plays in the NHL for 200+ games. He has a chance.

• Stuart Skinner was simply amazing. Stopped 37 of 38, on a night when his expected goals-against was 3.55. He is a rock solid goaltender, able to recover quickly and is playing with great confidence. I don’t think we’re in goalie controversy, but the coaching staff will want to get him another start soon. Has a 1.44 GAA and a .957 SP. Music!

LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON

10-2 TSN1260, we’ll have James Duthie and talk Oilers, and may spend a bit of time on the Vancouver Canucks. We will also preview the Thursday night game between the Ravens and Bucs. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!