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GAME THREAD: Game 7/56 Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets

The Oilers will try to get back in the win column against a depleted Winnipeg team

By PrestonHodgkinson
NHL: JAN 22 Oilers at Maple Leafs Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Edmonton Oilers (2-4-0, 5th in North) vs.

Winnipeg Jets (4-1-0, 3rd in North)

24 January 2021

Bell MTS Centre

7 PM MST

TV: Sportsnet West

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Arctic Ice Hockey

New Look Lines:

The Edmonton Oilers are heading into Winnipeg with a different looking forward group. While no new players are expected to get into the lineup, some existing players have been swapped around.

The most significant move will see Zack Kassian and Jesse Puljujarvi swap positions. Kassian will start on the team’s third line alongside Kyle Turris and Tyler Ennis after a disappointing start to the season. Puljujarvi, on the other hand, will get his first look on the top line with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The trio looked fantastic in the limited time they played together on Friday and they will hopefully bring that energy again tonight.

Despite speculation that Evan Bouchard would make his season debut, we will see the same defensive group that played in Toronto.

Three Things To Watch:

  • Puljujarvi will be THE guy to watch on the Oilers' side of things. The lanky Finn has had a strong start to the season despite only having point through six games. He has proven to be a force in the offensive end and has played a complete two-way game thus far. Puljujarvi has had his chances on the net and I suspect he is due for his first of the season any moment now. As I said, this trio looked fantastic in their limited time together on Friday.
  • The Jets are fresh off the heels of a franchise-changing trade made on Saturday morning. The club traded superstar winger Patrik Laine and up-and-comer Jack Roslovic to the Columbus Blue Jackets for centerman Pierre Luc-Dubois. Unfortunately for Winnipeg, they will be without Dubois as he will need to go through the 14-day quarantine process. Advantage Edmonton.
  • Adam Larsson is in DIRE need of a better game tonight. The veteran defender has had a rough go early on this season. His poor play culminated in an egregious turnover on Friday that led to a goal against. Many thought that Dave Tippett would punish this play with a night in the press box, ala the Ethan Bear scratch, but he chose to put him back in. An interesting move but one that gives Larsson a chance at redemption.

Lets. Go. Oilers.