The Edmonton Oilers will reunite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, hoping the duo can spark their struggling offense. After a rough start to the season, both superstars are not yet up to scratch, prompting coach Kris Knoblauch to put them back in with Vasily Podkolzin to add energy and get the puck back.
Popular Twitter poster Paul Almeida writes: “I like Podkolzin with McDavid & Draisaitl. They don’t need another experienced player on their line. They need someone with a physical presence who can win puck battles for them. Spread the talent out on lines 2 and 3 as well.” While this is true, the feeling here is that Knoblauch is bringing Draisaitl and McDavid back together to start the game and fuel each other.
During the morning skate in Ottawa, the projected lines were posted by Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now:
- Podkolzin-McDavid-Draisaitl
- Mangiapane-RNH-Roslović
- Frédéric-Philp-Savoie
- Howard-Henrique-Tomasek
Defensive pairs include Ekholm-Bouchard, Nurse-Walman, Kulak-Emberson and Stecher-Regula, with Stuart Skinner starting in goal.
Both McDavid and Draisaitl have struggled in recent games. Draisaitl, who has scored four goals, admitted he “doesn’t feel that way at the moment” and highlighted the impact top players have on the team’s overall performance. McDavid, still searching for his first goal of the season, expressed frustration with the team’s lack of flow at 5-on-5 and on the power play. He said the entire team is “out of sync” and you have to wonder if the recipe for success is getting these two back together to motivate each other. Their chemistry is undeniable even though both are currently inactive in their respective games.
Knoblauch’s strategy is to rely on their proven chemistry to get the team out of trouble. Podkolzin’s presence on the top line is intended to add spice and maintain puck possession. If McDavid and Draisaitl regain their form, it could provide a much-needed offensive surge against a Senators team that has struggled defensively, especially in the absence of their captain, Brady Tkachuk.
Next: Who steps up as Oilers’ physical presence after Kapanen injury?
#Oilers #reunite #top #stars #spark #Senators #offense