{"id":120088,"date":"2021-10-18T16:28:27","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T20:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=120088"},"modified":"2022-01-27T01:13:48","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T06:13:48","slug":"new-oilers-players-strong-start-to-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/10\/18\/new-oilers-players-strong-start-to-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton Oilers Players Off to a Strong Start"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Edmonton Oilers hit the ice this evening against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">Anaheim Ducks<\/a> for their third game of the year. The Oilers season isn\u2019t even a full week old yet, but they sit atop the Pacific with a 2-0 record, both wins coming against division rivals. A large part of the Edmonton Oilers story so far has emerged from the team\u2019s several new players. From the wings to the third-line centre and back on defence, the positive contributions are arriving at a rapid pace.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s dig into the new Oilers and their strong starts to the season.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Zach Hyman \u2013 Brilliant On and Off the Ice<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When the Oilers signed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hymanza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Hyman<\/a> to a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/07\/28\/zach-hyman-signed-oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">monster seven-year $38.5 million contract<\/a>, there was naturally some concern. Two games into the season, however, and Hyman\u2019s impact already has fewer fans fretting about future contract problems.<\/p>\n<p>He started things strongly in Wednesday\u2019s debut with a goal, knocking in a tape-to-tape pass from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a> on Edmonton\u2019s already elite power play. \u00a0He finished that game with one point, three shots on goal, and over 17 minutes of ice-time. That included time on both the power play and penalty kill. Hyman\u2019s ability to play in all facets of the game continued in Saturday\u2019s win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/flames\/\" target=\"_self\">Calgary Flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">McDavid \u27a1\ufe0f Draisaitl \u27a1\ufe0f Hyman \ud83e\udd45 <\/p>\n<p>The new guy fitting right in with the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EdmontonOilers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@EdmontonOilers<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0nP0aNXuzr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/0nP0aNXuzr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; B\/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BR_OpenIce\/status\/1448495413397377034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 14, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Another added benefit of Hyman\u2019s strong play has been the impact on the rest of the top six. His ability to help drive play has him slotted on the second line with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nugenry01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/y\/yamamka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kailer Yamamoto<\/a>. This has allowed the league\u2019s best duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, to run together on line one.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t costing the Oilers either. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalstattrick.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Natural Stat Trick<\/a>, the combination of Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins, and Yamamoto owns an impressive 11 scoring chances for, opposed to only five against, in addition to controlling the shot share and expected goal percentages.<\/p>\n<p>The eye-test matches the math, with Hyman\u2019s speedy workhorse style blending well with Nugent-Hopkins&#8217; smart and steady playmaking, as well as Yamamoto\u2019s persistent, buzzing attack.<\/p>\n<p>The Oilers have previously been forced to run McDavid and Draisaitl on separate lines due to the inability to stop the bleeding with those two off the ice. The early returns of Hyman show the tantalizing possibility of that restriction no longer applying.<\/p>\n<p>After Saturday\u2019s game, Hyman continued to endear himself to Oilers fans with an excellent segment on Hockey Night in Canada. The city is abuzz with Hyman, its brightest new Oiler.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>We Built This Third Line On Rock and Roll (And Strong Forechecking)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019d be forgiven for forgetting the last time the Oilers had a meaningful third line. It\u2019s been that long. It\u2019s why Holland signed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/ryande01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derek Ryan<\/a> to a two-year contract in July, and why he traded away young defenceman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bearet01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ethan Bear<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/foegewa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Warren Foegele<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Oilers simply had to be better in the bottom six, and so far, that looks to be the case. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/coaches\/tippeda01c.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dave Tippett<\/a> has crafted an early duo of Foegele and Ryan on the team\u2019s third line, and the two of them have spent the first two games with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/turriky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Turris<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kassiza01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zack Kassian<\/a> who returned from injury on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<p>Through two games, the duo is a little shy in the shot metrics but is coming out ahead in scoring chances, expected goals and most importantly isn\u2019t bleeding actual goals at even strength.<\/p>\n<p>The goal differential is the most important feature for this duo &#8211; and presumably trio with Kassian as a suspected regular. Can they score enough to stay north of 50% and not give up what the top six earn?<\/p>\n<p>It looks like a distinct possibility. What we are seeing so far is what was advertised. Ryan is a smart, veteran player who puts himself in good positions on the ice. Foegele is a strong, consistent forechecker who is dogged in his pursuit of the puck. This was clearly evident in Saturday\u2019s opening goal, which started with a Kassian keep-in, continued with Foegele\u2019s drive to the net, and ended with a seeing-eye tap in from a net-front Ryan.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Welcome to Edmonton, Derek Ryan. It looks like you&#39;re enjoying your stay on the other side of the score sheet. \ud83d\udea8<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NHLonSN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NHLonSN<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HockeyNight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#HockeyNight<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KoP15QKXjZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/KoP15QKXjZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Sportsnet\/status\/1449565663769546752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Other small positives are Ryan\u2019s faceoff percentage of 64%, Foegele\u2019s four hits in two games, and Kassian&#8217;s feisty presence in the Battle of Alberta.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Better Than Expected, Still Miles to Go<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The biggest Oilers\u2019 question mark coming into the season was the second pairing of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/keithdu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Duncan Keith<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/cecico01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cody Ceci<\/a>. How the rest of the season plays out for this duo is a mystery, but early indicators aren\u2019t as scary as initially feared.<\/p>\n<p>The results look similar to the Oilers\u2019 third line. Keith and Ceci as a duo are a bit behind in the shot share, but similar to Ryan and Foegele, are 50% or higher in expected goals, scoring chances, and high danger Corsi. Even better, the duo is ahead two to one in terms of even-strength goal differential.\u00a0 This despite only starting 30% of their shifts in the offensive zone.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, Keith and Ceci as a duo currently have better shot and scoring metrics than the top pair of Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie. Part of that is Barrie\u2019s wobbly start to the season and the level of competition each pairing faces, but it\u2019s worth noting regardless.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the best moment for these two came in the third period of Saturday night\u2019s game. The Flames had just scored a goal and were trailing by only one. With the game in a delicate balance, Ceci used his legs to open a passing lane for Draisaitl on the breakout. Ceci then promptly found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/puljuje01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesse Puljujarvi<\/a> with a tape-to-tape pass that sent the young Finn on a breakaway. Puljujarvi fired it home, the Oilers regained their two-goal lead and the game was essentially put away at that point. It was a huge moment for Ceci, who has looked more than capable to start the season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Two games, two goals.<\/p>\n<p>And this one was a biggie.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BattleOfAlberta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BattleOfAlberta<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#LetsGoOilers<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YJ6StJUq5p\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/YJ6StJUq5p<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EdmontonOilers\/status\/1449598270548836352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll need to monitor these two closely as the season progresses and the team faces stronger competition in order to determine if this is a pattern or early season illusion.<\/p>\n<p>Small sample sizes can be misleading but the Oilers and their fans are certainly happy with what they are seeing at this point.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: <a id=\"PPB_u9HZQ8tqzPLmSdm8vQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1235868695\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'PPB_u9HZQ8tqzPLmSdm8vQ',sig:'D1l2-MtSEftMTPe5sIixOddI07DByOjseFklAYHKAYA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1235868695',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Edmonton Oilers hit the ice this evening against the Anaheim Ducks for their third game of the year. The Oilers season isn\u2019t even a full week old yet, but they sit atop the Pacific with a 2-0 record, both wins coming against division rivals. A large part of the Edmonton Oilers story so far [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3938,"featured_media":120091,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,4547,4548],"tags":[69,1847,317,3538,714],"class_list":["post-120088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oilers","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-cody-ceci","tag-derek-ryan","tag-duncan-keith","tag-warren-foegele","tag-zach-hyman"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3938"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120088"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120088\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}