May 15, 2021 /

2020-21 Edmonton Oilers GM56: Oilers vs. Canucks – Three Players to Watch

Tonight’s game marks the final one of the 2020-21 NHL season for the Edmonton Oilers as they prepare to begin Operation 16W 2021.

I think the Oilers will put out a pretty standard roster this evening with changes coming in at the bottom. Gaetan Haas and Joakim Nygard might be playing and Slater Koekkoek looks to be coming in. I’m still hoping that Evan Bouchard gets the nod and wouldn’t be a nice gesture to get Patrick Russell in too since he’s been a good soldier all year? Too bad Alex Stalock couldn’t get a game in during the regular season.

It’s going to take 16 wins for the Edmonton Oilers to bring home Stanley Cup #6! Grab a shirt to celebrate the occasion!
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

Should they be in the lineup, here are three players that I think you should keep an eye on for the Canucks tonight,

  • #48 Olli Juolevi – It’s be a long road for Juolevi but see his career finally  trending up. He’s a solid two-way NHL defender with above average puck-moving skills.
  • #6 Brock Boeser – Lit up the Oilers last week. I expect nothing less than another goal from BB tonight.
  • #35 Thatcher Demko – Has given the Canucks a puncher’s chance when they’ve faced the Oilers.

With regards to Edmonton, I’ll be watching these three individuals closely,

  • #10 Joakim Nygard – It’s a shame about his hand. It’s given him some real trouble for the last year. Before his latest setback, in the role of disruptor, he looked very promising.
  • #19 Mikko Koskinen – The big man hasn’t had the greatest of starts the last two times out. A good game from him would put a lot of anxiety to rest as he’s the next man up in the event Mike Smith gets hurt or his form slips.
  • #20 Slater Koekkoek – Unless things change at the last second, Koekkoek will play his first game since having his collar bone broken on a hit from then Flames forward Sam Bennett on February 20th.

Oilers Notes

I’m expecting a relaxed Edmonton team tonight. Their ticket to the post-season has been punched and there’s no need to push things at this point. I reckon the stars will be rested and the special teams’ second units to get more time.

That said, there’s no reason to lay down and let Vancouver have their way. A modicum of intensity and focus is still required heading into game 1 of their series with the Jets.

Speaking of Winnipeg. They’ve run into an injury crisis at exactly the wrong time and that begs the question, will we see the sort of Oilers team that has had problems playing down to its competition or will we see the one that laid waste to inferior teams this year?

Give us a follow on the socials!

This is how Pavel used to tell you who was #1 back in the day! Click the pic and grab a shirt or a mask!
Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!

CategoriesArmchair GM Beer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL

TagsEdmonton Oilers NHL Vancouver Canucks

Beer League Hero Written by:

I'm the Beer League Hero! I am from Camrose, Alberta but I make my home in Taipei City, Taiwan. I've been through the ups and downs and the highs and the Lowes, the Bonsignores and the McDavids, the Sathers and the Eakins but I'll never leave my Oilers, no matter what! They're with me until the end and then some. GO OILERS GO!