Oilers Gameday – vs Dallas

So the Oilers won on Wednesday, which threw a wrench into my plans of copying the first paragraph of the last preview post I wrote. Instead, here’s the rundown on tonight’s tilt with Dallas, along with bonus NFL content because I do what I want.

Last Game:

Edmonton:

WE WON! It was a solid effort, actually, in front of a home crowd that obviously enjoyed the end result. It was too bad that Hendricks paralyzed himself in the shootout, but Ebs’ goal was outstanding. Anyway, the Oilers actually kept pace with the Bruins AND got 2 points, AND it looks like we might have a decent goaltender. Plus Taylor Hall got all hot and bothered and tried to punch Chara in the face, and that was awesome.

Dallas:
I’m guessing they won because they’re 20-5-1. And are powered by Jamie Benn.

Keys to the Game:

Edmonton

Try to keep up, which will be a challenge against the line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Patrick Sharp (also, is there a better looking line in the NHL? I didn’t think so…)
In all honesty, I think that the Oilers just need to keep it simple, try and make passes to each other instead of the other team, and do their best to get some pucks into the Dallas net before pucks get into their own.

(Basically, they need to play better. And maybe get a PP goal. That’d be nice.)

Dallas

The Stars need to keep doing what they’ve been doing. You don’t get to 20 wins in 26 games without being pretty great.

Players to Watch

Edmonton

All of them. They’re pretty good, most of the time. Tonight, though, I’m going to keep my eye on Jujhar Khaira – I’d LOVE it if he put one in the net at home. I was pretty impressed with him on Wednesday, and I hope he’s able to make the full transition from the AHL to the NHL.

Anders Nilsson gets the start tonight. He’s looking for a second consecutive win (man, that’d be nice).

Dallas

This is Jamie Benn’s world and we’re all just living in it.

Lineups

Edmonton

Taylor Hall – Leon Draisaitl – Jordan Eberle

Iiro Pakarinen – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Teddy Purcell

Matt Hendricks – Mark Letestu – Lauri Korpikoski

Jujhar Khaira – Anton Lander – Luke Gazdic

Darnell Nurse – Andrej Sekera

Oscar Klefbom – Mark Fayne

Justin Schultz – Eric Gryba

Anders Nilsson

Dallas

Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Patrick Sharp

Mattias Janmark – Jason Spezza – Patrick Eaves

Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – valeri Nichushkin

Colton Sceviour – Vernon Fiddler – Ales Hemsky

Alex Goligoski – John Klingberg

Johnny Oduya – Jason Demers

Jyrki Jokipakka – Jordie Benn

Kari Lehtonen? Antti Niemi? Do they even need a goalie, or can they just will the puck to stay out of the net?

Final Thoughts:

I had a bunch more stuff to write, but I’m suffering from a football hangover from last night, and all my coherent thoughts went out the window when this happened:

0:00 on the clock. One final chance. Relive the game-winning #touchdown + celebration with #Packers radio calls. https://t.co/IWd1Zw67ht

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 4, 2015

I’ve watched the video at least a dozen times (not to mention the SportsCentre loop I watched for hours last night and this morning). I love everything about it. Beyond how great the end of the game was, the real takeaway for me was how much fun it was to be part of a community enjoying a victory. Shout out to @mental_gas and @avry for keeping me sane throughout the games.

I want this kind of Oilers-related joy someday soon. We all need it.