Might 16, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers ahead Connor McDavid (97) and ahead Leon Draisaitl (29) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) throughout a cease in play towards the Vancouver Canucks in the course of the first interval in recreation 5 of the second spherical of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Area. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Frid-Imagn Photographs After ending only one win shy of hoisting the Stanley Cup for the sixth time in franchise historical past final spring, the Edmonton Oilers hope some minor re-tooling will get them again to the promised land.
Edmonton hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night time to open the groups’ respective 2024-25 common season.
The Oilers took two of three conferences final season, successful 3-1 in Winnipeg in November and 4-3 in additional time at Winnipeg in March. The Jets gained the collection opener, in additional time, 3-2 in October.
Regardless of coming one win shy of the Cup within the Finals towards the champion Florida Panthers, the Oilers struggled initially of the 2023-24 season, going 3-9-1, resulting in the firing of head coach Jay Woodcroft in favor of Kris Knoblauch.
“We wish to simply begin on time. We need not placed on a present on Wednesday, however we have to play good hockey, we should be compact, (and) we have to play our kind of method,” ahead Leon Draisaitl stated. “Clearly, get off to a greater begin when it comes to gathering wins.”
Newly employed Oilers normal supervisor Stan Bowman added items to an already potent Edmonton offense which completed fourth within the league in targets (292), signing Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson.
The pair will be part of Zach Hyman, who scored a career-best 54 targets final season; captain Connor McDavid, who turned one in all 5 gamers in NHL historical past to succeed in the 100-assist plateau; and Draisaitl, who completed with 106 factors within the common season, then secured an eight-year contract extension.
On the again finish, Edmonton, which completed second within the Pacific Division with 104 factors, added Troy Stecher, Ty Emberson and Travis Dermott, who formally signed on Tuesday.
Wednesday is the primary of three conferences between the 2 golf equipment. The Jets and Oilers meet subsequent on March 20 in Edmonton earlier than concluding the season collection in Winnipeg on April 13.
The Jets enter the season with a brand new look behind the bench after assistant coach Scott Arniel took over from the retiring Rick Bowness final Might.
“We will should play quick towards (Edmonton),” Arniel stated. “They’re fast, they have some folks that may shut on you. We talked about after we’re popping out of our finish or our impartial zone regroups; we’re not holding on to pucks or going d-to-d and attempting to sluggish issues down. We wish to play quick; we wish to make them defend.”
The Jets completed second within the Central Division final season with 110 factors however had been dispatched from the playoffs by the division rival Colorado Avalanche within the first spherical.
Winnipeg had depth in scoring, with 12 gamers hitting the 30-point mark, together with heart Mark Scheifele, who had a team-leading 72 factors in 74 video games. With forwards Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli departing in free company, Winnipeg will want related contributions this yr.
The Jets led the league final season with the fewest targets towards, thanks partially to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s Vezina efficiency. They are going to want an identical defensive efficiency this season within the aggressive Central Division.
To assist Hellebuyck, who signed a seven-year extension, the Jets added netminder Kaapo Kahkonen from the San Jose Sharks — one of many membership’s key offseason acquisitions.
Hellebuyck, who missed a number of practices this week as a result of a household matter, is anticipated to get the beginning in Edmonton.
–Area Stage Media
