Hot Links: Monday, February 1

Morning, folks!

Still sluggish after writing too many words about a curious game that saw Edmonton play worse at 5v5 than the friggin’ Ottawa Senators but still score eight goals thanks to their superlative power play. Hard to complain at all after watching them score that many, but I bet I’m not the only one who feels weirdly disappointed — maybe disappointed isn’t the right word, necessarily, but you get it — after such a performance.

I’m sure if the first and third period were swapped, we’d be only and extremely pumped.

Still trying to figure out where the hell Evan Bouchard is and who he has to massage, or injure, to get an NHL shift this season. Dave Tippett had a brief excuse last week when news broke of Bouchard’s nagging back issue, but last night he didn’t. Ethan Bear, the team’s best RD, was out. There was a gaping hole on the right side with the Oilers down their best defenseman. Bouchard plays the right side. He also probably moves the puck as well — or even better — than Ethan Bear. That’s his skill set. That’s what he does best.

And still. Dave Tippett opted to move Kris Russell to his right side and bring in William Lagesson instead. Just wild scenes here in Edmonton.

Oh well. Two wins on the spin before tomorrow night’s rematch with those same lousy Senators. Then they get a couple days break before taking on Calgary in the season’s first Battle of Alberta on Saturday night.

Maybe Bouchard will get in one of those games.

Please.

GAME RECAP: Oilers 8, Senators 5. (Copper and Blue)

GAME THREAD: Game 11/56 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Ottawa Senators (Copper and Blue)

GAME PREVIEW: Game 11/56 - Edmonton Oilers vs. Ottawa Senators (Copper and Blue)

GAME RECAP: McDavid Dazzles Leafs in 4-3 OT Win (Copper and Blue)

What depth looks like (Copper and Blue)

Monday Mailbag – Will The Real Edmonton Oilers Please Stand Up? (ON)

Led By Who Else, Draisaitl & McDavid, Edmonton Oilers Outscore Their Mistakes To Top Sens 8-5 (EJ)

Oilers’ McDavid, Draisaitl Pick Apart Senators In Nearly Historic Night (SN)

Tim Stützle On Playing Against Fellow Countryman Draisaitl (SN)

McDavid, Draisaitl Combine For 11 Points As Oilers Down Senators (CBC)

OILERS SNAPSHOTS: Troy Grosenick Once Had His NHL Coming-Out Party Like Stuart Skinner (ES)

Player grades, Games 1-10: McDavid, Draisaitl doing their level best to carry slow-starting Edmonton Oilers (EJ)

Oilers Hoping Dramatic Win Over Leafs Is “Turning Point” Of The Season (TOR)

Oilers’ Troy Grosenick: 5 Things To Know About Edmonton’s Newest Goalie (THW)

The Day After: Connor McDavid’s Brilliance Was The Bow On Top Of The Oilers’ Best Effort Of 2021 (ON)

Lowetide: Oilers’ Line Chemistry Finally Coming Into View (TA)

Lowetide: Some Of The Oilers’ Russian Prospects Less Than A Year From The NHL (TA)