What Happened Out There?

Having had a night to marinate on the 6-4 loss to the Blackhawks on Saturday, there are a few points to take away from the game. Here are three things that the Oilers ought to have a look at before starting game 2 on Monday night.

1. START KOSKINEN

This was a test for Coach, and it didn’t work out as well as we would have liked. I understand his relationship with Mike Smith, but Mikko Koskinen had a better season, he had a better training camp, he had a better exhibition game against Calgary last week, it sure looked clear from over here. Tippett went with his gut, and it ended up costing the Oilers early and often. Also, did Smith really have to marinate in net for five Blackhawk goals? Start Koskinen tomorrow night. Also, start Koskinen on Wednesday. Any games after that? Koskinen. You get the idea.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO DOMINIK KUBALIK

Dominik Kubalik was our player to watch yesterday for Chicago. He responded in-kind by putting up two goals and three assists en route to Chicago’s 6-4 victory yesterday. The two goals were of the power play variety, the Oilers went a dismal 3/6 on the PK thanks in large part to Kubalik’s two goal effort.

3. PLAY YOUR BEST LINES

Some roster moves should be in order after yesterday’s 6-4 loss to the Blackhawks. We’ve already hashed out the Koskinen saga. Let’s get Caleb Jones in over Cowboy. Joakim Nygard and Gaetan Haas ought to find their way into the bottom six. Can we get the Nugent-Hopkins - Draisaitl - Yamamoto line back please? Both Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl handled their business on the power play yesterday. (the club went 3-for-4 on the man advantage yesterday) If Tyler Ennis is in the lineup after recovering from a cheap shot at the hands of Drake Caggiula, put him up top on the right side with McDavid.

Regroup, and let’s come out swinging on Monday for game 2.