Edmonton Oilers: An in-depth look at the third line for the team
By Phil Gretzky
There are many reasons for the success the Edmonton Oilers are having in the early going, but part of that is the performance of the third line. For the first time in years, we finally have some depth that is capable of doing more than just giving the top six a breather for a brief period of time before we send them back out on the ice to work them like a rented mule.
The third line has actually made a difference in games, a nice change from the last 15 years or so when we either had an incomplete third line or an inconsequential third line. It hasn’t been this good in some time.
For you see, hockey is a team game. Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl can carry the load for a while, but it doesn’t equate to long-term success. You have to have a complete top-six, solid depth in the bottom six, blueliners who are capable of moving the puck, and goaltenders who are able to steal a game and shut the door when it really matters.
Also, everyone must play smart two-way hockey, up and down the lineup.
This is the recipe for success in the NHL. The Oilers currently have 34 goals for and 21 goals against, which equates to a +13 goal differential. The latter number is tops in the division while the former numbers are top two in the division.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, it’s no surprise the Arizona Coyotes are still winless in 10 games when you consider they are having trouble scoring and keeping the puck out of their own end. They have only 13 goals for and a whopping 42 goals against, for a -29 goal differential. The trifecta of these numbers are unanimously the worst in the league.
The McDrai duo are doing their thing, and special teams as well are chugging along. Zach Hyman is off to a great start, as is Jesse Puljujarvi. Both players have fit into the top six like a glove. Darnell Nurse is also doing his thing as a top pairing guy, and Evan Bouchard hasn’t looked out of place as his partner (we knew the latter would happen, just not this quickly). Duncan Keith and Cody Ceci have also paired together very well to start the season.
All of these things are key to the team’s success, but today I’ll be focusing on the third line specifically. Let’s take a look at the three players who compose this line, which has remained constant the entire season.