PRESEASON GAME PREVIEW: Winnipeg Jets @ Edmoton Oilers

Winnipeg Jets

@ Edmonton Oilers

Monday, 16 September 2019

7 PM MST

Rogers Place

TV: TSN3

Radio: 630 CHED

Oilers open preseason schedule with visit from Jets.

With training camp in full swing, tonight is the first night of game action between the Oilers and another NHL club. New Oilers GM Ken Holland is on record stating that superstar Connor McDavid could very well appear in only one preseason game this year (and from some of the shots we’ve seen him take, that’s probably better than not). Who will benefit from tonight’s showing?

The Oilers are saying:

There’s a recipe for success on that line, obviously Nuge is a great two way player, create a lot of offense and Nealer’s a shooter so, for myself, ,it’s a matter of trying to hunt pucks down and make plays for those two guys to be effective.

Source

That’s Oilers forward Sam Gagner on his line with James Neal and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Holland already won the Lucic for James Neal deal. Having James Neal look competent with the puck alongside 93 would be gravy on top.

The Jets are saying

Getting on the plane and travelling a bit, gelling with the team, talking before the game and after the game - that’s how you create chemistry with guys is conversation.

Source

That’s defenceman Neal Pionk on getting used to his new club.

Pionk joins the Jets after Jacob Trouba was shipped to the Rangers. Pionk will pair with Logan Stanley tonight.

LINES

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• Tonight’s top line looks like a real candidate to be the second line during the regular season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is teamed up with Sam Gagner and newcomer James Neal. If this line gels, it would all but solidify a top line of Leon Draisaitl - Connor McDavid - Zack Kassian
• SOMETHING NEW - Alex Chiasson is the only familiar face on tonight’s second line. He’ll be alongside newcomers Gaetan Haas and Joakim Nygard. It will be Oiler fans first look at both Nygard and Haas in a game, could this be a potential third line in 2019-20?
• Colby Cave centres a line with Tyler Benson and Patrick Russell. Not sure how many chances this line will get. A little surprised that Benson isn’t up higher in the lineup for this one, but it’s the first game of the preseason and there’s plenty of time.
• Klefbom - Persson is tonight’s pair to watch. Joel Persson is going to get plenty of opportunity to make the big club this year, it’ll go a long way for his stock if he can pair well with Klefbom.
• Expect both Stuart Skinner and Dylan Wells to share the net tonight for Edmonton.
• FAMILIAR FACES: Former Oiler Mark Letestu is back with the Winnipeg Jets this season. He’ll appear tonight on a line with Gabriel Bourque and Jack Roslovic.

Hockey season is back. Let’s all have fun out there.