Hot Links: Thursday, May 20

Morning, folks.

Tough vibes this morning. All that anticipation. All that excitement. Only to watch our heroes fumble away a perfectly attainable result from a game in which they were probably most deserving.

Jesse Puljujarvi was the Oilers’ best forward and, despite how much I absolutely love that, this team isn’t built to win without Connor McDavid (or Leon Draisaitl, for that matter) factoring on the score sheet. It should be, but you know. Ken Holland “had cap constraints” or whatever. As if he’s not getting insane value from guys like JP and, believe it or not, Mike Smith, this season. As if Kailer Yamamoto isn’t on his ELC. As if Dominik Kahun isn’t making grains of sand relative to the average top six winger. As if Zack Kassian and Alex Chiasson re-signed themselves. Imagine not buying out James Neal?! Really takes the shine off that Milan Lucic deal.

But, I digress.

The Oilers have six more opportunities to manufacture four wins. Let’s hope they do it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Copper and Blue Podcast: Episode 11 — “Cool, you’re Jets.”

It’s playoff time baby!

Preston, Shona, and Corey break down what to expect from the Oilers in their first round series against the Winnipeg Jets. We go line-by-line and pairing-by-pairing as we give our thoughts on Edmonton’s roster and how it stacks up against Winnipeg’s.

Stick around for the second half of the episode as the crew looks at the other playoff matchups, complete with predictions and all!

GAME RECAP - Jets 4, Oilers 1. (Copper and Blue)

2021 NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF GAME THREAD: Game 1 Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg Jets (Copper and Blue)

Oilers / Jets Goaltending Preview: Connor Hellebuyck (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Wednesday, May 19 (Copper and Blue)

Jets Finally Stifle McDavid, Plus More Takeaways From North Playoff Opener (TS)

McDavid And Draisaitl Sputter Against Jets, Kadri Blindsides Faulk (SN)

The Day After: There’s Seven Games In The Series, But The Oilers Fall In The First (ON)

Unsung Heroes Shine As Jets Flip Script Vs. Oilers In Game 1 (SN)

Oilers Learn Familiar Lesson As Jets Grind Out Game 1 Win (SN)

Hellebuyck Leads Jets To Game 1 Win Over Oilers On 28th Birthday (CBC)

Stubborn Jets Get Jump On Edmonton Oilers With Game 1 Victory (ES)

McDavid Recognized As Art Ross Winner, Matthews As Richard Winner After Season Ends (CBC)

Oilers Need More Contributors With Or Without Connor McDavid And Leon Draisaitl Scoring (TA)

Oilers Observations: Jesse Puljujarvi Scores, Leon Draisaitl Thrives And Edmonton Falls In Game 1 Vs. Jets (TA)