Chill.

It was 1 game after not playing for months and not being able to train properly. Seasons longer than 1 game.

Totally agree. Chaisson and Khaira were useless out there! Zero puck control or hockey sense displayed by that 4th line.

If the defence plays like this tomorrow night, then start scratching and playing other guys.

Put Nygard and McLeod in for JJ and Chia

lol

I know that but I'd rather take action and fix what's broken now instead of putting it off until later in the season

its not looking very pretty.

and it makes me very happy

Chaissons main value is that he was as decent pp producer. He had 2 open nets that he didn't bare down on. If he keeps that up, I would agree with you.

Juhjar looked worse than he did the previous 3 seasons, which is saying a lot. I genuinely do not and probably will never understand why he is on the roster year after year.

Koekkoek was easily the best dman today. He looked great. I really like that pickup.

Can't really bench Bear and Barrie. Every single RHD today played really bad. Larsson scored, but he had a night filled with horrible pinches.

The powerplay was appalling to watch, but thats gotta be written up to early season rust. Swapping Klefbom for Barrie doesn't lead to that dramatic a drop.

I would like to see Shore and McLeod both get extended looks over giving Khaira another chance.

Ultimately as someone already said, its just one game. Holtby made several incredible saves and Koskinen could make a save when it counted. Both teams were pretty sloppy, Holtby just played amazing. Crazy how he makes just a little more than Smith.

Not even an oilers fan but I just watched that game tonight and was mind boggled how they continued to stuff puljujvari down on the third line. Kassian looks like a beer league player out there on that top line. Part of my criticism is skewed cuz I bet on puljujarvi to have a point tonight lol. But Puljujarvi had a strong game until the hook in the last 2 minutes and when they needed offense Kassian was still out there over him. I just dont see Puljujarvi having success skating along side Archibald and Turris. I understand spreading out the talent but idk I just dont agree with the idea behind tht line up decision. Again not an oils fan so maybe I dont know something about the process their taking with puljujarvi but its something that annoyed me

Kassian set up Nurse and looked fine. You want beer leauge? Alex Chaisson is a bender.

It might've been Chassion, I ALWAYS mix up their names. But I still hate the idea of using Kassian on the top line when you have a potential top 6 talent like Puljujarvi on the roster. Im a bruins fan and you dont see the Bruins putting Chris Wagner on the top line with Pasta out, they're sticking in the young kid who has talent and potential. And maybe im just a Kassian hater and cant get over my opinion of that he's a result of skating with McDavid. Idk just my thoughts

Yea I agree that Puljujarvi had a good game. Its so strange to watch him because he doesn't take quick strides like every other player. He takes 1 stride and is full speed. Its so strange to watch. But yea, he was definitely one of the better forwards for the Oilers. I mentioned on another post, but putting him Archibald and Turris makes no sense. We want him to produce offensively and Archibald, while I like his game, is a 4th line, pk energy guy. I would have liked to see Ennis on that line with them.

As for Kassian, I actually didn't mind him today. HE had a wretched showing in the bubble and I was prepared to be let down again, but I thought he skated well. A couple dumb decisions to look for a pass when he was in the slot and wasn't overly physical, but his play certainly didn't hurt the Oilers.

Its tough to try Puljujarvi right off the bat, since his whole reasoning for going to Finland was partially due to not getting that opportunity, so you don't want to necessarily reward that. Lots of people say that Puljujarvi with McDavid "didn't work the first time", but if I remember correctly, they did indeed have a period of like 10 games where he was almost a ppg. I know small sample size, but I do think it can work.

I can understand that, dont reward a child with a toy they want just because they're having a tantrum. Like I said before I just dont look at Kassian as a top 6 guy, never mind top line so that's just the only thing that bothers me. But I do think Kassian definitely helps McDavid's game with his size so it isn't like it doesn't make sense why the Oils still roll with it, I'm just not a fan of that idea, maybe if you guys were a little bit deeper up front it wouldn't bother me as much. I just wanted to hit my bet

When did Ennis start playing center? And IMO Larsson was the worst D on the team tonight and was a direct cause of 2 gaols puck watching.

That and they missing there #1Dman which I could tell they were missing him. They should adapt to play without him given time but who knows.

when you blame the 4th line when McDavid and Drai are on your team.

It's one game, same can be said for all teams. Those who won and those who lost.
No preseason games no nothing. Give this season to about 5 games in. Some things are more painfully obvious than others. Like players being slow. But I didn't see much of that watching EDM.

Perhaps the fixes were needed in the off season.

The two D you are sitting were not the problem. Larsson was horrible. You must not have been watching the same game.

Puljujarvi needs to develop and learn the tricks of the game which is why he's on Turris's wing. Puljujarvi got 1 year of men's league in Finland last year and other than that he skated and flailed around on the Oilers since he was 18. He didn't learn a damn thing not even english till last year he's a project and has had confidence issues in the past so they need to build him up and make him see what its like to earn it before he goes on Mcdavid's wing.
Kassian was not that bad. He can skate and handle the puck and win forecheck battles. The oilers weren't playing a typical dump and chase last night they had nudge bringing up the puck with mcdavid on the wing with a pass to mcdavid as soon as they entered the zone so kassian's job was to go to the other corner in case mcdavid has to dump it.

NOOOOOO You dont play Dump and Chase with McDavid and Drai. You let them carry it in. No and Never!!!!!

Nudge was carrying the puck in last night then he was dishing to Mcdavid on the left wing. My point was usually they make it to the net for a shot or they get cut off on the entry and fire it into the corner a situation kassian is good for.

Kassian is a much more dynanamic and skilled player than Chris Wagner. He's fast and has the skill to stick it with McD, Nuge and Drai. Yes, I am a Kassian fan so I may possess a little bias but he has been looked upon as a player with a similar style to that of Tom Wilson (not that he is Wilson). Pulijarvi should replace him on the top line mid season none the less. Then Kassian will slot with Turris and bring grit to the 3rd line and together they will make the 3rd line dangerous.