The Edmonton Oilers suffered a 6-1 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night time on the Canada Life Centre, because the Jets iced a lineup stacked with NHL veterans whereas the Oilers opted to relaxation most of their regulars together with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With out their high expertise, Edmonton’s coach Kris Knoblauch stated he wasn’t in any respect stunned by a lopsided recreation.
“They have been a way more veteran crew, virtually their NHL lineup, which is an efficient take a look at for our guys,” Knoblauch stated. “Whenever you’re in a scenario like that, you discover out in case you’re NHL prepared or not.” Brett Kulak stated, “That’s precisely what you need within the pre-season. You need the problem, you wish to get the sensation of tempo and the puck motion these guys have at that degree.”
Winnipeg, which dressed 15 NHL regulars, rapidly took management, with Neal Pionk main the way in which with 4 factors. Adam Lowry, Brad Lambert, Colin Miller, Kyle Connor, and Nikolaj Ehlers every contributed objectives to offer the Jets their first win of the preseason.
For the Oilers, Connor Brown scored the lone purpose. Goaltender Stuart Skinner made his preseason debut, stopping 23 of 27 photographs earlier than being changed by Collin Delia for the third interval. Delia made eight saves on 10 photographs.
Count on the Oilers to Begin Enjoying Veterans in Preseason Extra
After making 9 cuts on Wednesday, the Oilers may make extra cuts after the subsequent preseason recreation. Knoblauch hinted that his veterans might be taking part in extra video games because the crew performs his final 4 preseason video games. He talked about that the road of Leon Draisaitl, Jeff Skinner, and Viktor Arvidsson might get not less than 2-3 video games collectively earlier than the beginning of the season.
Regardless of the loss, the sport gave Edmonton’s younger gamers an opportunity to show themselves because the crew continues to guage candidates for key roster spots, together with the battle for the fourth-line heart function. The testing of prospects is perhaps within the rearview now. The main target will shift to engaged on line chemistry and narrowing down the roster to those that have a authentic probability to make the crew.
The Oilers will look to regroup as they transfer nearer to finalizing their opening night time roster for the 2024-25 season.
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