Oilers Game Day: @ Tampa Bay Lightning

One of the things that Oilers fans have not had the ability to appreciate over the previous few years, was the seemingly exotic ability for the Orange and Blue to string together multiple wins in a row. As a result, it has been quite the different feeling in the 2016/2017 season going into numerous nights where the Oilers had the opportunity to build on what was an extended win streak.

To illustrate this, let’s look at the meaningful streaks that the Oilers have had so far. In October (oh how sweet October was), the Oilers kick-started their fantastic campaign with a lengthy and statement making streak of 6 games. In November, a month where Edmonton struggled, they still managed to squeeze in a 3 game streak. December, similar to the previous month, only brought a single 3 game win streak, but was notable in the Oilers ability to take losses to overtime. In fact, December witnessed the Oilers compile not only a 4 game point streak, but also a 6 game point streak to close the month.

In January, the Oilers were able to not only tack on a 3 game streak, but a 4 game one as well; and now, in February, the Oilers are currently on a 3 game run. A win tonight in Tampa and they can make it 4. Edmonton’s ability to consistently string together points and wins has them eyeing a near 100 point season for the first time in almost 3 decades. What a year.

Focusing on tonight, with a 4 game streak in the balance, the Oilers will be taking on a Lightning team that, although is lost a little bit in the Eastern Conference standings, is no pushover. Tampa sits at 5-2-3 in their last 10, and even though Stamkos is still out with a knee injury, they still possess a lethal dose of forwards who can pump the net with success. Look no further than this Jonathan Drouin goal for evidence of their top-end skill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRbFQERAyJw

A win tonight, with backup goaltender Laurent Broissoit in net, and the Oilers can move ahead of the Ducks in the Pacific by 2 points, with a game in hand. That is a massive step forward for Edmonton, who have a very real opportunity to host a first round playoff series. Additionally, with a game against the red-hot Florida Panthers tomorrow, and one against the Capitals on Friday, a good portion of pressure can be lifted off the remainder of the week.

A win tonight is not a do or die situation, but the Oilers would be doing themselves a massive favour in snagging 2 points.

Oilers Key to the Game

Courtesy of @iActium at RawCharge.com, “A disturbing trend has reared its ugly head over the past two games. The inability to hold a multi-goal lead is suddenly an issue for Tampa. Against Dallas and Colorado (two of the weaker teams in the West) the Lightning had a two-goal lead in both before allowing the opposing team to tie it up in the final minutes of the third period.” Source

What does this tell us? Well it shows that recently, against weak teams, the Lightning have failed to keep the puck out their net when it matters most. The Oilers, who are much better than both Colorado and Dallas, should look to take advantage of this. Not only is this an encouraging sign if Edmonton finds themselves down early (which is possible depending on Brossoit’s performance) but it should be encouraging for early in the game as well.

Blowing leads can shatter a team’s confidence. Get on them early with pressure, and it could derail Tampa’s energy early.

Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers: Laurent Brossoit is tonight’s Oiler to keep an eye on. The young goalie played well in his last start against the Flames in January and will be tasked with a difficult job tonight against a potent offence. How Brossoit plays this evening will most certainly impact Chiarelli’s plans for addressing the backup situation at the deadline.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Jonathan Drouin. See above… seriously watch that highlight. Goal of the year?

The Lineups

Edmonton Oilers

Patrick Maroon – Connor McDavid – Jordan Eberle

Milan Lucic – Leon Draisaitl – Anton Slepyshev

Drake Caggiula – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Zack Kassian

Matt Hendricks – Mark Letestu – Iiro Pakarinen

Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson

Andrej Sekera – Matt Benning

Brandon Davidson – Kris Russell

Laurent Brossoit

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ondrej Palat – Tyler Johnson – Nikita Kucherov

Alex Killorn – Brayden Point – Jonathan Drouin

Brian Boyle – Valtteri Filppula – Vladislav Namestnikov

Gabriel Dumont – Cedric Paquette – J.T. Brown

Victor Hedman – Jake Dotchin

Jason Garrison – Anton Stralman

Braydon Coburn – Andrej Sustr

Ben Bishop

Game Notes

• The Oilers last played the Bolts in December at Rogers Place. Draisaitl and Lucic were the goal scorers, with Connor McDavid nabbing the shootout winner for a 3-2 victory.
• Speaking of McDavid, he currently leads the league with 67 points. Crosby, 65, and Burns, 64, trail the Oilers captain in what is shaping up to be a fantastic race for the Art Ross. Connor has 6 points in his last 3 games.
• Tonight’s game will mark only the second start of the year for Brossoit. He has played in 3 games officially, but 2 of those came in relief of Cam Talbot. In his 3 appearances, Laurent has compiled a .919 save percentage. His performances against Calgary and Minnesota were especially encouraging.
• Kris Russell draws back in for Edmonton after missing a few games with an injury. The debate of this player will rage on throughout the night, but what do you think? Do the Oilers have enough depth at D to turn Russell into some draft picks that could be used for a different acquisition?

Prediction

The Lightning have an ability to get games to the extra frame lately, and the Oilers always seem to be generating points, so I think that this one heads to overtime as well.

After a tightly contested affair that hits the extra frame tied at 2, things open up with 3 on 3 and see numerous chances exchanged both ways. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, with his underrated, and frankly underused, wrister from the slot, wins it for the visitors. Oilers fans turn the TV off confident that their backup goaltending problem is solved.

Brian Boyle on Connor McDavid: "With Sid he's older, learned some of those tricks… With Connor it's like, ask him nicely to slow down."

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) February 21, 2017