The Edmonton Oilers are looking to continue to build toward the upcoming playoffs as they host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.
The Oilers won their third straight game, pounding the visiting Utah Hockey Club 7-1 on Tuesday evening, marking their highest single-game goal total in 39 contests.
“Everyone that comes into the rink, you hope you have this every single night from puck drop in Game 1,” said Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, reflecting on the ramp-up toward a playoff run. “Our team game is going to continue to grow. You want to head into the end of the season playing your best hockey, and I think we’re starting to get there.”
Edmonton (40-24-4, 84 points) has outscored opponents 12-3 over this stretch, a very positive sign at just the right time for Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch.
“It’s in everyone’s vision right now,” said Knoblauch, speaking on how the upcoming postseason may have sharpened his club’s preparation. “I think everyone understands the importance of dialing it in and making sure our defensive play improves as we move forward to the playoffs. Also, looking at the standings, we know from last year how crucial it would have been to have home-ice advantage for a few more rounds.”
The Oilers are right behind the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights, trailing them by only two points.
The Jets (47-18-4, 98 points) have been rolling lately, winning five of six despite their 6-2 defeat to the Canucks in Vancouver on Tuesday night. Thursday’s matchup in Edmonton presents an opportunity for Winnipeg to address areas that could come back to bite them in the postseason.
Mid-game on Tuesday, Jets coach Scott Arniel made a switch, pairing deadline addition Brandon Tanev and Alex Iafallo with third-line center and captain Adam Lowry. It seems like Arniel is also willing to give this combination more time in Edmonton.
“Just trying to get different looks,” Iafallo said. “(Tanev) hasn’t played with too many guys yet, so it’s a good forechecking line. We’re just trying to create that offense down low and keep putting pressure on them. … that’s what we’re going to keep doing, and a big game in Edmonton will be a good test for that.”
A key topic for the Jets is whether they should rest Vezina-favorite goalie Connor Hellebuyck more leading into the playoffs. Despite Hellebuyck allowing five goals on 21 shots against the Canucks, it doesn’t seem like Winnipeg is leaning in that direction.
“This isn’t on him,” Arniel said Tuesday after the defeat. “A lot of those goals were mistakes that we made, whether it was coverage or off the rush, that ended up in the back of the net. We know what he’s done for us all year long. He’ll just get right back on the horse and be ready for Edmonton.”
On the injury front, Edmonton blueliner John Klingberg didn’t play against Utah but could be in the lineup against Winnipeg. Jets defenseman Neal Pionk remains out with an undisclosed injury.
