Oilers Need a Win vs. Devils, Plus Broberg Involved in Any Campbell Trade

Plus a pre-game look for paid subscribers at Oilers vs Devils

Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.

The Edmonton Oilers are coming off three straight losses and looking to pick up points in the second of a three-game road swing through New York. So far, it’s not looked good. Can the avoid another ugly losing streak?

Plus, there is talk about Philip Broberg, a look at goalie options and more.

Enjoy the game tonight and now onto the good stuff!

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3 Takeaways As Oilers Lose Third Straight Game 3-1 to Islanders

December 20, 2023 by Brian Swane

The Edmonton Oilers played their first of six consecutive games on the road Tuesday (Dec. 19), losing 3-1 to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Leon Draisaitl scored at just 1:23 of the first period to give Edmonton a 1-0 lead, but the Islanders answered with second-period goals from Simon Holmstrom, Bo Horvat and Anders Lee.

Islanders’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin stopped 30 of 31 shots in a winning effort, while Stuart Skinner made 18 saves for the Oilers. After going three weeks without a loss, the Oilers have now lost three consecutive games. Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s tilt on Long Island:

Draisatl scored early, but the Oilers fell apart on special teams

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Oilers’ McDavid Dominates vs. Devils Just Like Gretzky in the ’80s

December 21, 2023 by Brian Swane

In McDavid’s 14 career games against New Jersey, Edmonton has gone 8-5-1 while the superstar centre has racked up six goals and 19 assists. He will look to continue his dominance of the Devils when the Oilers visit Prudential Center tonight (Dec. 21). Edmonton arrives in Newark having dropped three in a row, while McDavid just had his personal 12-game point streak snapped on Tuesday (Dec. 19) in a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders. Here’s a look at five of McDavid’s most memorable performances against the Devils:

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Elvis Merzlikins Can Solve Oilers’ Goaltending Woes

December 21, 2023 by Sean Panganiban

Both the Oilers and Sharks have pieces they would be willing to trade and a massive multi-player move between the two teams could be beneficial for both sides. The Oilers have a goaltending and defensive issue and have struggled to find depth scoring while the Sharks are looking to add draft picks and young players to their roster. Is there a possible deal there?

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Philip Broberg Likely Moved in an Oilers Trade of Jack Campbell

December 20, 2023 by Rob Couch

The Edmonton Oilers were finally over .500 after a very poor 2-9-2 start; however, they have since dropped to two games under with a three-game losing streak. That is how the season has gone for them. They continue to bounce from winning streak to losing streak this season. While the team continues to try and find consistency, it is apparent where they need help: in net.

Stuart Skinner isn’t the problem. The problem is the lack of help for a second-year goalie who shouldn’t be on pace to start north of 55 games a season. Very few netminders can do that these days, and it wears any goalie down regardless. We saw what happened when Skinner was worn out by playoff time last season: obvious fatigue and play that wasn’t up to his standards. The Oilers need a solid backup or a goalie who can split time with Skinner. That is where Jack Campbell and Philip Broberg come in.

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Oilers vs Devils Pre-Game

After a loss to the New York Islanders, the Edmonton Oilers will try to rebound against the New Jersey Devils, stopping a three-game losing streak in its tracks. Edmonton needs to win the next two road games to back into a the playoff conversation and avoid being one of those streaky teams that loses as many as they win.

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