Eberle due to break out - Early impressions and questions.

Game Night.

Tonight the  Oilers will host the Minnesota Wild in a game that will be sure to excite at the Pill Box  Ok who am I kidding, what I am an Oilers Rep? Ok, perhaps more likely to bore us.   

Eberle has been the player that when I have tracked forward movement of the puck, has been the top Oiler this season.  When I track forward movement as opposed to negative movment, bad plays.  He is bound to bulge the twine soon.  He does have 3 apples to start the season.

Some early observations and questions.

Team Chemistry

The team showed some signs of showing some chemistry in the last couple of games.  The kids will be back together. Horcoff and Smyth are starting to look like they did a few years ago and Jones was a good fit there.

Does anyone think the Oilers offence will break out against Minnesota?  Probably not, but perhaps they go against all logic and pop 4 or 5 tonight.  The offence so far has been a little of a dissapointment but to be fair, injuries have already been a factor.

Defence

Did anyone predict how well they have played so far?  It is obviously very early but the Oilers are 3rd best in goals allowed this season.  Anchored by a very solid Tom Gilbert, who has always been good but he has added a physical dimension to his game this year.  He has been rock solid.  Smid has taken another step forward this year and Corey Potter has appeared out of nowhere, perhaps he is related to Harry?  Very solid, does not play beyond his limits.

The obvious question.  Is this a mirage?  Or has the defence taken a huge step forward?  I am not going to predict that the Oilers will stay at the 3rd best team in goals against this season but perhaps a significant improvement?

Goaltending

The early season has not provided any clearer answers to who should be the number on goaltender.  I expect them to continue to rotate until one falters.

Omark

On the opposite end of my tracker is Linus Omark.  When he gets in the offensive zone he can cause trouble, but in the neutral zone and in the defensive zone he is a liability when it comes to moving the puck forward.  The coach has already put him in the press box once and he was not good in Calgary.  I am not sure how long of a leash Renney will give Omark.  It will be interesting to see how he does in the next few games.

Peckham

He has struggled every game, he is not moving the puck forward and is leaking goal scoring chances against.  Potter has already taken his place.  The Oilers depth on defence is not very deep, Peckham will get back in this year.

The question is going to be how fast do other players past him in the future.  Marincin?  Gernat? Teubert?  These players are developing now.  Peckham may be looking over his shoulder.

Enjoy the game!