Zach Hyman (18) of the Edmonton OilersZach Hyman (18) of the Edmonton Oilers, leaves the second period holding his face after a puck hit him against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. Photo by Shaughn Butts /Postmedia

Game Day 32: Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins

This in from Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, the lins from Edmonton’s practice today with some good news: Zach Hyman looks good to go for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins, as he was back on the top line at practice today. Viktor Arvidsson also looks like he’ll play on the third line.

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Kapanen
Arvidsson-Henrique-Brown
Skinner-Janmark-PerryEkholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Stecher
Kulak-Emberson

GrA 31g

My take

1. For now Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is holding on to his job on the top line, but his two-way play has been subpar this year. Jeff Skinner has also been struggling with his two-way play but he’s not had as much opportunity on a top line. Would it be a good idea to give Skinner a run of games with McDavid to see how he does in that role? If he can’t pick up his play even with top linemates, it would be good to know that sooner than later.

2. Evan Bouchard has been taking a lot of criticism but Mattias Ekholm has been in a six week defensive slump. He’s been leaking his highest rate of mistakes on Grade A shots at even strength since he arrived in Edmonton. It’s not unexpected to see some level of inconsistency in a player’s game. If Bouchard and Ekholm can crank it back up to the way they played in October and in the playoffs, Edmonton’s going to be a hard out for the rest of the season.

3. Stuart Skinner is back in net after an iffy performance against Florida. Of course, Skinner had been riding high for a few weeks, playing sound hockey.

4. Great to see Hyman good to go, as he’s been hot lately, seven goals in his last six games before taking a deflect Bouch bomb on the nose. As for Arvidsson, who was playing solid two-way hockey before he got hurt, and he’s a welcome addition to any NHL third line when healthy. He’s a skilled, smart and aggressive player, his only challenge being his on-going health issues.5. Edmonton’s fourth line is a work in progress. Florida and Vegas have won Cups with super aggressive, hard-hitting fourth lines. I’m not sure any of the fourth liners tonight, save for Janmark, are in that category, nor is Derek Ryan, who will be sitting. It will be no surprise to see Edmonton pick up at least one aggressive fourth liner come the trade deadline.