Eberle Returns To The Top Line

Oilers practice:
Lucic-McDavid-Eberle
Maroon-Leon-Caggiula
Pouliot-RNH-Pitlick
Hendricks-Letestu-Kassian
Puljujarvi

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) December 16, 2016

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Revolving Door

When Bob Stauffer tweeted out the lines from yesterdays practice I Squeeed a little. It looks like Coach Todd McLellan has decided to put the best RW on the team back on the top line.

It has been a revolving door of right wingers for McDavid this season. McLellan has been pretty quick to jockey around the RWs on the first line to try and find the best chemistry. I think Ebs is that guy and it seems the coach agrees, at least for the moment.

Just about every forward on the Oilers has had a chance to play with Connor at some point this season. Leon Draisaitl has been the most productive of those forwards, but Drai needs to play at the center position as much as possible. Leon has shown he can create offense no matter who he’s playing with, so why not have him on a second line to act as a catalyst for secondary scoring?

Eberle is a sniper. His one timer isn’t that great but his wrist shot is fantastic, his hands are baby soft, and if his play from the last few games proves right then he’s starting to show that he’s willing to do the dirty work required to create offense.

Will It Last? 

That’s one hell of a question. As mentioned McLellan seems to juggle his lines regularly and you can’t really fault him for it. For the top line, creating offense isn’t a problem but finishing chances has been at times. If they’re having trouble finishing then I’m sure we’ll see the blender come out.

One thing of note is that Coach Todd mentioned in his post practice presser yesterday that the lines for tonight’s game aren’t set in stone yet. With the recall of right shot Taylor Beck from Bakersfield there is a chance we see him suit up for tonight’s tilt versus the Lightning. After all why call him up to sit in the press box? It’s not like he’s Frank Corrado or something. 

I have a feeling that we’ll see Caggiula sit for Beck to get a chance on the second line. Beck has been on fire in the AHL with 30 points in 19 games. He’s not really a bottom six guy and if he can stay hot then he’ll have an opportunity to stick in the NHL for a while.

If Eberle has trouble finishing or goes back to flying by defenders instead of battling for the puck, don’t be surprised if we see the latest AHL call up playing first line NHL minutes with one of the best players in the world.

The Time Is Now

A lot has been made of the tough Oilers schedule the last 5 weeks. It’s been a busy one with basically a game every other night. That changes now as the Oilers have one of the lightest schedules, in terms of game days versus off days, for the rest of the season. The time is now for the Oilers to gain back the ground they lost in the race for the pacific division.

McLellan can’t be patient when it comes to line chemistry. If it’s not there then he has to find something that works and find it quickly.

The playoffs are in sight. Let’s hope that doesn’t change moving forward.

Thanks for reading.