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Hot Links: Wednesday, February 17

GAMEDAY as Edmonton looks to rebound tonight against Winnipeg after a tough loss on Monday. PLUS: Finding an edge, re-inserting Caleb Jones, Evan Bouchard, McDavid approaching 500, looking for goalies, and MORE!

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NHL: FEB 15 Jets at Oilers Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Morning, folks!

Hope everybody’s feeling optimisic today, if for no other reason than to offset my inherent pessimism whenever the Oilers play anyone but Ottawa.

Edmonton scored five goals against the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck, last time around but still managed to lose in regulation. Hopefully their ability to battle back from 4-1 down to tie it 5-5 early in the third will buoy them into another good performance tonight, and their inability to close doesn’t turn into a losing streak of any length.

News from yesterday’s practice. Do you see where the pessimism comes from? Kyle Turris doesn’t look like he could stay in the AHL right now and yesterday he was filling in for the absent Leon Draisaitl on a line that had already been struggling in most of the key 5v5 metrics — other than GF%, of course — over the last little while. Fingers crossed for a maintenance day.

William Lagesson and Tyson Barrie both missing practice also throws the current D rotation out of whack, but Caleb Jones might be strictly better than both of them and his drawing in will be a net-positive if it comes to it.

Of course, Tippett could just move Bouchard to the left side and dress Kris Russell instead. It might get weird.

Tyler Ennis getting back into the top six feels like a long time coming based on his play — and results — of late, but there’s a risk in taking him off a Jujhar Khaira line that was never really effective without him. Maybe Kahun can help Khaira similarly and benefit from the easier matchups.

Let’s see what happens.

(And then complain about it probably.)


Some Thoughts On The Oilers Defence (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, February 16 (Copper and Blue)


Game Notes Jets @ Oilers: Limit The Mistakes (ON)

Finding An Edge (TSF)

Oilers Understand They “Can’t Play That Type Of Game” Against Jets (TOR)

OILERS NOTEBOOK: McDavid Chasing Down Crosby Achievement (ES)

Evan Bouchard Worth The Wait For Edmonton Oilers (ES)

Oilers’ McDavid Forever Linked To Crosby As 500th Career Point Approaches (SN)

Show Us More, Dad (ON)

Connor McDavid Is About To Wreak Havoc On The North Division (ON)

Morrissey In Awe Of McDavid As A Person, On Top Of All His Milestones (SN)

Is There A Mid-Season Goaltender Upgrade For Ken Holland To Make? (ON)

31 Thoughts: Tavares, Gagner Blazing A Trail In Minor Hockey Involvement (SN)

Quick Strikes Are Sinking The Oilers (ON)

One Great City! (LT)


Lowetide: Tinkering With The Oilers’ Top Six — What Are The Best Combos? (TA)