Oilers: Jesse Puljujarvi needs to improve on great game one
By Jim Lynch
Jesse Puljujarvi is currently leading the Edmonton Oilers in goals after one playoff game.
Let that sink in, Jesse Puljujarvi is leading one of the best offensive teams in the NHL in the playoffs. The Edmonton Oilers have stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but it is Puljujarvi a forward finally coming into his own and set to be a big piece in the future like possibly Kahun, leading the team in points.
Oh of course did I mention the Oilers only scored one goal in game one? McDavid was held to two shots on goal, and Draisaitl had four. Neither could find the back of the net and the team ended up losing the game. So yeah everyone needs to be better.
Jesse Puljujarvi just scored his first playoff goal and played over 13 minutes on Wednesday night. His game one performance was not that bad it was actually pretty great. He kept up with McDavid and helped deliver a little physicality to the game with four hits.
Check out his goal here:
https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1395203383255085056?s=20
The entire Oilers team needs to be better in game two. Somehow this team has to find a way to finish this series with more than one goal a game. A low-scoring matchup will favor the Jets every time. So somehow they need to open things up.
Playing physical and getting the defense involved is a great start. This team cannot be afraid to take chances. Focusing on the game itself and not how falling behind 2-0 in the series would be detrimental needs to be a priority tonight.
Connor McDavid was held off the goal sheet in game one, he did not even register an assist. Luckily one of his linemates should enter the night with a pep in his step after scoring his first-ever playoff goal. Puljujarvi has nowhere to go but up after game one and I am excited to watch it all play out tonight.