clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Can Oilers Snap Losing Streak With Trip To Winnipeg?

Out of first place in the Pacific, Edmonton searches for a W.

By Jeff Chapman
Mark Fayne's back? Mark Fayne's back.
Mark Fayne's back? Mark Fayne's back.
Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports


oilers logo black text

@
winnipeg jets logo 4
12-10-2, 24 points, 1.084 p/g- Ranks 11-12-0, 22 points, .960 p/g
Pacific Division - 3rd Central Division - 6th
17th P/G 24th
10th ST 24th
5th S/G 30th
16th Goal 21st
6 PM MDT
TV -  TSN 3, SN Oilers
Radio - 630 CHED
MTS Centre

The opposing view

PROJECTED LINES
FORWARDS

Milan Lucic - Connor McDavid - Leon Draisaitl
Benoit Pouliot - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Patrick Maroon - Mark Letestu - Zack Kassian
Tyler Pitlick - Drake Caggiula - Anton Slepyshev

DEFENCE
Oscar Klefbom - Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera - Kris Russell
Darnell Nurse - Matthew Benning

GOAL
Cam Talbot
Jonas Gustavsson

It's A 3 Game Skid

By the time the Oilers got on the board in the second, it was all but over.  Auston Matthews scored his tenth goal five minutes into the first period, while James Van Riemsdyk made it 2-0 Leafs early in the second.  Andrej Sekera would counter for the Oilers midway through the second frame, but Nazem Kadri got Toronto back up by two just a minute later.  A late goal by Zach Hyman that was fuelled by a bad giveaway didn't do the Oilers any favours.

Edmonton brought out Jonas Gustavsson to finish the game, and Connor McDavid scored a beauty midway through the third, but it wasn't nearly enough to save Edmonton from their third consecutive loss.

The Oilers travel to Winnipeg to take on the Jets, winners of their last two.  Can Edmonton figure it out tonight?

Let's go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

"There's some things we need to clean up on and talking's one of them...Our D-Zone hasn't been that strong, we've been losing games there (with) mental mistakes and it just all comes from talking.  I think that's where it started today:  everybody just trying to be vocal, do things the right way and talk."

Source

That's Oilers winger Patrick Maroon on talkin' it up amongst the teammates.

It's important to talk to your teammates.  It's even more important to fix the power play right now, which looks good about one every four or five games.  More on that in a bit.

The opponents are saying

"When he skates the way he's capable of skating, he affects what happens on the line with now Mark (Scheifele) and Patrik (Laine).  He pulls people off, (and) he buys them more time."  Source

That's Jets coach Paul Maurice on forward Nikolaj Ehlers.

Ehlers has produced quite nicely during the month of November, and as a result, has 20 points (4-16-20) in 25 games this year.   Ehlers' 20 points trail only Mark Scheifele on the Jets, who has 26.

Have some of this
  • Good, because it stunk.  A 5 on 3 power play opportunity doesn't come very often, and it's oh-so-important to cash in on these moments.  The Oilers got a chance to do so, and were unable to do so against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
  • Check out our Jets' scouting report with Tim from Arctic Ice Hockey.   Turns out turfing Ondrej Pavelec has helped the Jets.  I for one, am not shocked at this admission.
  • McDAVID: Running out of superlatives for Connor McDavid yet?  No, not close. His goal and assist give him 11 and 20 on the season.  Keep on doin' your thing, kid.  Club needs you more than you'll ever know.
  • FAYNE: Eric Gryba went down with an undisclosed injury in practice yesterday, which made Mark Fayne's beeper go off.  Brandon Davidson still conspicuously absent.  Fayne could go in for Benning tonight, though it wouldn't shock me to see Fayne in the press box.
  • NET WORTH: Cam Talbot (11-9-2, .917 SV% / 2.56 GAA / 3 SO) will go for the Oilers. The Jets will go with Connor Hellebuyck (9-8-0, .915 SV% / 2.54 GAA / 2 SO)
  • Iiro Pakarinen (knee), Eric Gryba (undisclosed) and Brandon Davidson (upper body) will be out for the Oilers. The Jets are without Tyler Myers (lower body), Joel Armia (lower body), Shawn Matthias (lower body).  Marko Dano could play after taking a puck to the eye against the Devils on Tuesday.  Mathieu Perreault (upper body) is questionable as well.
  • #GOILERS