The Polar Express is one of my son’s favourite Christmas movies.
It has become an annual tradition in our home to watch it before Santa arrives. It is a story of a young boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, embarking on an adventure that teaches lessons about friendship, courage, and the spirit of Christmas. Tom Hanks, at least the motion-capture animation version of him, is the conductor. We first watched it when our son was six and now at 12, he still enjoys it. I’ve become rather fond of it as well. While many families will watch the Polar Express, and other Christmas classics during the holidays, they will also gather around the television tonight to see if their Blue and Orange Express can keep rolling.
The Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of their best stretch of the season. They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and have moved into a tie with Vegas (although Vegas has three games in hand) for second place in the Pacific Division, and only two points behind Anaheim. The Ducks lost 3-1 to Seattle last night, and are idle tonight, so if the Oilers can defeat the Flames, they will head into the Christmas break tied with Anaheim, and potentially even Vegas who host San Jose this evening.The Oilers’ surge up the standings has been powered by their offence, specifically their top two lines. Through their first 27 games, the Oilers ranked 17th in GF/GP at 3.00 and here is a look at the offensive production of their top two lines:
Connor McDavid: 11-25-26
Leon Draisaitl: 15-16-31
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 6-12-18 (18 GP)
Zach Hyman: 1-3-4 (8GP)
Vasily Podkolzin: 4-6-10
Matt Savoie: 3-4-7
Here is their production in the past 10 games, where the Oilers have scored 44 goals and are averaging 4.4o GF/GP.
McDavid: 12-14-26
Draisaitl: 2-19-21
Hyman: 8-4-12
RNH: 4-8-12
Podkolzin: 5-1-6
Savoie: 4-1-5
McDavid, Hyman, Savoie and Podkolzin have more goals since December 3rd than they had prior. Leon Draisaitl, despite going goalless in his last eight games, is still averaging over two points per game. The Oilers’ best asset is their offensive play, and while they need to become more consistent defensively, they first needed to rediscover their true identity, which is creating and producing offence.
McDavid is on a heater and showing everyone he’s still as dominant as ever. He rocketed up the scoring race and now leads the NHL with 62 points, one ahead of Nathan MacKinnon. Draisaitl has moved up to fourth with 52 points. Hyman has seven goals and 10 points in his last seven games. It took him 10 games to get up to speed after not playing since May 27th, but he’s knocked off the rust and looks great. RNH has been their most consistent forward pre and post injury. Podkolzin and Savoie chipped in nicely the past 10 games, and the return of Jack Roslovic, who played great until his unfortunate injury, should only boost their offence.
Sure, the Oilers would like some more production from their bottom-six, but offence isn’t an issue right now, and likely won’t be moving forward. The Oilers are now third in GF/GP this season at 3.38, trailing only Dallas and Colorado. Edmonton has only played one game all season with McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Hyman and Roslovic in the lineup, and that was their last game. If their top guys remain healthy, it should strengthen the third line simply because guys who were filling in the top six, will be on that line. Kasperi Kapanen has only played six games all season and is expected back early in the New Year. He’ll add speed, skill and tenacity to that line.
Andrew Mangiapane scored his first goal in 22 games this past Saturday and he and the Oilers are hoping that gets him going. As the Oilers get healthier the competition for ice time in the bottom six will increase. Trent Frederic was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but returns tonight. He’s capable of playing better, and while he’s clearly lacking confidence, he needs to find his game, or he will be in and out of the lineup. He spoke about the need to just be simple, move his feet and be engaged. If he can play close to how he played in Boston a few games ago, he can be an asset, but he needs to find some consistency in his game. While he and others try to find some offence, the good news for the Oilers is their big guns are firing.
The Oilers’ true identity, offensive punch, is back, and they will need their stars to keep it going tonight against a Calgary team, which is 6-2 in their last eight games, and only allowed 21 goals in that span.
SNAPSHOTS…— Adam Henrique hasn’t scored in 29 games, the longest drought of his career, and he’s probably best suited as a fourth-line centre, who can kill penalties and win key faceoffs. But he should be able to chip in more than he has. He’d loving nothing more than to gift himself a goal for Christmas. There are currently six forwards who have played 29+ games this season and have yet to score. Luke Glendening (36 GP), Keegan Kolesar (34), Garnet Hathaway (33), Hendrix Lapierre (33), Phillip Danault (30) and Brandon Tanev (29). Radek Faksa is mired in a 33-game goalless drought, while Michael McCarron hasn’t scored in 30 games. They each have one goal this season. Henrique isn’t alone in searching for a goal.
— Calgary has only played eight games since December 3rd. They are rested and have played quite well recently. Dustin Wolf is 5-1 with a stellar 2.17 GAA after being overplayed, in my opinion, early in the season. Wolf started 18 of the Flames first 21 games, and it didn’t go great. I understand he is their starter but skating him into the ice early in a season made no sense. They are on a bit better of a rotation lately, even with them playing fewer games, and Wolf’s numbers are much better.
— I’m not sure the Flames organization is committed to a plan. Starting Wolf in 18 of their first 21 games, tells me they thought they could compete for a playoff spot. And I still think they partially believe that today. Calgary is currently 13th in the Western Conference, and five points behind Utah for the final Wildcard spot. However, they are only two points out of last place.
Are the Flames really much better than Seattle, Nashville, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Chicago? The Flames need to be closer to the bottom than a Wildcard spot. Management should look to trade Rasmus Andersson sooner than later. During his interview on After Hours this past Saturday, Scott Oake asked him if it was up to him if he’d re-sign in Calgary. He didn’t give a direct answer, and said “It takes two to tango,” which inferred Calgary hadn’t committed to him. I think Andersson would stay in Calgary, if they paid him top dollar on a long-term deal. But that wouldn’t be a wise move, for the Flames, and it gave me the impression Andersson would sign if he hit the jackpot, but nothing else. I could be wrong in my interpretation, but my main takeaway from that interview is that he’s going to be moved. So why wait and gain points that will only lower your odds in the draft lottery.
— It will be interesting to see if the Flames make any other moves outside of Andersson. Blake Coleman is a solid third line player, and he has one year remaining at $4.9m. Teams would be interested in adding him this year so they could get two playoff runs from him. Many teams are looking for centre help. Nazem Kadri has this season plus three more with a $7m AAV. With a shortage of 2nd line centres available, the Flames might be able to secure a solid return before the deadline. Kadri is on pace for another 70-point season and Minnesota, Washington and a few others would love another centre.
— Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Draisaitl has the most points in the NHL against Calgary with 63 (15-48-63) in 46 games. McDavid has the most goals with 29, and he has 60 points in 43 games. McDavid has three hat tricks, and he’s had 3+ points 10 times. Draisaitl has also had 3+ points in 10 games.
— The Oilers’ power play is 42.4% in their last 10 games with 14 goals on 33 chances. They’ve started to draw more penalties and they are crushing teams. The most dangerous part of their PP right now is they are scoring in many different ways. Draisaitl, their main shooter, only has one PP goal during this hot streak, while McDavid has four, Hyman and RNH have three and Evan Bouchard has two. Draisaitl leads the group with 10 assists. The Oilers PP is so dangerous, because they are never predictable. They are also instilling new wrinkles and looks, the latest being RNH crashing down to the net on the left side and taking a pass from the right corner from either Draisaitl or McDavid.
LINEUPS…
RNH – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Roslovic
Mangiapane – Henrique – Savoie
Janmark – Lazar – Jones
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Regula
Stastney – Emberson
Ingram
“We thought he was solid against Vegas and we are hoping he can build some momentum before the Christmas break,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch.
I spoke with Ingram and he chuckled how he feels like a rookie again being back in the NHL. “I’m not sure where to sit on the bus, or sit in meetings (laughs), but it is great being here with this team. It’s been a lot of fun,” said Ingram.
Connor’s brother Mark was a two-time All Canadian Safety for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Connor did play high school football. “I was a defensive lineman, but I was terrible. I didn’t have the personality to be in the trenches,” he said laughing. He’s a big football fan (Riders), and being from Saskatchewan he is thrilled to be in a Canadian market so close to home.
Huberdeau – Frost – Coronato
Farabee – Kadri – Sharangovich
Zary – Backlund – Coleman
Lomberg – Beecher – Klapka
Bahl – Andersson
Kuznetsov – Weegar
Hanley – Brzustewicz
Wolf
The Flames have been getting production throughout their lineup during their 6-2 run. They have 10 skaters with 2+ goals including nine forwards with Backlund (5), Kadri, Huberdeau, Sharangovich and Coronato (3) and Lomberg, Zary, Coleman and Farabee with two each. The Flames have produced very well 5×5, but their PP remains inept going 3-for-21 (14.3%). They rank 30th on the season at 14%. However, their penalty kill has been dangerous lately with three shorthanded goals in their last eight games.
TONIGHT…
Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Oilers head into the Christmas break on an 8-2-1 after a 5-2 win tonight.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid and Draisaitl each pick up two points.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Spencer Stastney scores his first goal with the Oilers. He becomes the 11th player to score their first goal as an Oiler this season.
MONTH OF GIVING…
Thanks to everyone who bid on our Mystery Monday packages yesterday.
DAY 17: Christmas Challenge. Our final day and we will continue our “Christmas Challenge” that began last year on the final day. An opportunity to help those in need. You can listen and make your challenge between 2-6 p.m. on Sports 1440 by texting 833.401.1440 (can call the same number) and include your name and donation amount. All money raised will support The Christmas Bureau.
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