Hot Links: Monday, January 25

Morning, folks!

Still feeling the funk after a big last-second — literally — victory over the Winnipeg Jets last night. The performance wasn’t perfect but the result was just about, and it featured some big performances from some key players.

Jesse Puljujarvi received rave reviews from anyone with a set of eyes last night. It’s borderline offensive to me how effusively praised he was. Where was this love and recognition of greatness a few months ago when a large faction of Oilers fans were asking if he can he do it away at Stoke on a cold Tuesday night?

Of course, part of why Puljujarvi was so great last night — and, again, a lot of that was down to his own inherent excellence — was Connor McDavid returning to form as the best player on the planet. It’s his universe, we are all just party to it.

Mikko Koskinen was stout in net despite giving up two goals in the third period. He’s given the Oilers a puncher’s chance in most games, and last night they were able to take it. Here’s hoping that continues.

It wasn’t all perfect last night though. Adam Larsson and Kris Russell are still featuring far too much for a team trying to establish itself as a good one. Larsson is getting his ass kicked with a consistency that would make death and taxes jealous. Russell isn’t part of the solution, or the future. Dave Tippett came around on how to properly deploy Jesse Puljujarvi — and by extension, Zack Kassian — so perhaps he’ll get wise to his best defensive pairs soon, too.

Oilers Ground Jets In 4-3 Win (Copper and Blue)

GAME THREAD: Game 7/56 Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets (Copper and Blue)

GAME PREVIEW: Game 7/56 Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets (Copper and Blue)

Oil Drops: Winnipeg/Columbus Blockbuster, Maybe “We’ll See” Puljujärvi On The Top Line Soon (Copper and Blue)

Oiler Falter in 4-2 Loss in Toronto (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Friday, January 22 (Copper and Blue)

Monday Mailbag – What’s Up With Zack Kassian? (ON)

Jets’ Emotional Weekend Ends With Hollow Feeling As Oilers Stymie Late Rally (SN)

Tippett Happy To See Luck Swing In Oilers’ Favour On Special Teams (SN)

Leon Draisaitl Believes ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ For Jesse Puljujarvi (SN)

Jesse Puljujarvi Gets Opportunity On Oilers’ Top Line (ES)

Tippett Giving Chance To Puljujarvi On Top Line With McDavid (SN)

Could Evan Bouchard Make His Season Debut Tonight? (TOR)

Tippett Looking For More From Certain Oilers (TOR)

2020-21 Game Seven: Oilers At Jets (LT)

Edmonton Oilers: Dave Tippett Confirms Plans For Evan Bouchard (OOW)

Let’s Talk Accountability (ON)

It’s Time For Oilers To Demote Kassian And Insert Bouchard (TOR)

Sign Your Name (LT)

Lowetide: Jesse Puljujarvi Is Ready For His No. 1 Line Audition (TA)

Lowetide: Oilers’ Scoring Wing Prospects Having An Impact (TA)

Wheeler’s 2021 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 19 Edmonton Oilers (TA)