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Morning, folks!
How about that weekend, huh?! The Oilers faced two games in two afternoons in two states and came away with two absolutely massive wins on the back of Leon Draisaitl’s two big nuts.
There were positive contributions throughout the lineup, of course, but in the four games since Connor McDavid got hurt against Nashville, Draisaitl has 3-7-10 (!!!) and the Oilers are 3-1-0, losing to only Tampa Bay in Tampa.
As someone who had long been skeptical of exactly how good Draisaitl could be away from McDavid — as recently as this year as he and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ initially struggled together — Draisaitl is loudly and obnoxiously proving me to be a fucking idiot and I couldn’t be happier.
Kailer Yamamoto’s inclusion on that line has tranformed it from Drasaitl and RNH struggling at evens to all three of them going Super Saiyan and pummeling teams at their leisure.
What occurred in the SE USA over the past few days might be looked back on in April May June as the catalyst to their ultimately successful season. The Oilers looked as well-structured and competent as a team as they have in as long as I can remember. Save Colby Cave’s line, the Oilers had their whole team completely going this weekend and the way they hounded the puck on D and supported it on O was truly impressive. Joyous even. If they can keep that form up and then re-introduce the best player in the world at 100% or so? Look out.
The Devils began parting out their roster yesterday as we scream toward the trade deadline, with Andy Greene (NYI) and Blake Coleman (TB) finding new homes. You’d have to think this road trip has shown Holland enough to spring him into action to find some help for Edmonton.
Two days off await the Oilers as they make their way back home — where they’ll face Boston on Wednesday — following their extremely successful road trip. Dave Tippett for Jack Adams.
From Us
Oilers Pick Up Thrilling OT Win In Carolina (Copper and Blue)
The SuperFan Podcast – Episode 13 – Thomas Drance (Copper and Blue)
GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Copper and Blue)
GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Panthers 1. (Copper and Blue)
GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers (Copper and Blue)
From Elsewhere
When I Get To The Border (Lowetide)
31 Thoughts Podcast: Keith Yandle On Broadway And Brad Marchand (Sportsnet)
Monday Mailbag – Are The Oilers Telling The Truth About Connor McDavid? (Oilersnation)
Oilers Prospect Update: A Nice Kesselring To It (Oilersnation)
Leon Draisaitl Making Hart Trophy Case After Putting Oilers On Back (Sportsnet)
Red-Hot Draisaitl Chirps Critics: People Think ‘I Can Only Play With Connor’ (Score)
Archibald, Draisaitl Lift Oilers To OT Win Over Hurricanes (Sportsnet)
For Money
Next-Night Masters: How The Oilers Beat The Hurricanes And Improved To 6-0 In The 2nd Half Of Back-To-Backs (Athletic)
Lowetide: Oilers Reap Benefits Of Bakersfield Condors’ Strong Development Process, Even In A Losing Season (Athletic)
Oh Also
Sounds like McDavids recovery is going well. He’s getting treatment, working out and will have further testing Tuesday to see where things are at. He’s expected to rejoin the team in Edmonton in the next 2-3 days.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 16, 2020
(Corrected an earlier tweet saying test was Monday)