Neither game was perfect but the Oilers have started to right the ship by winning their past two games against the Flyers and Predators to put themselves now 2-3-0 on the season. Here are a few observations now after 5 games.

- The Oilers couldn't buy a save in their first three games and while neither goaltender was helping them out, the team in front was absolutely brutal as well. I wanted to see how the goaltending looked when the Oilers were playing a competent game in front of them. That has been more of the case in the last two games and the netminders have been good enough in both.

- Was surprised but happy to see Pickard get the start against the Preds. Edmonton needs Skinner fresh for the playoffs and to do that, Pickard needs to play more than in back to back situations.

- While McDavid and Draisaitl have started to look more like their usual selves we all certainly know they both have more to bring. I don't agree with long term having them on the same line but in the interim I think it's okay to let the two of them get back in sync.

- Two players remain a non-factor or worse, a liability in the first 5 games; RNH and Zach Hyman. Hyman has still been around the net and just hasn't been able to cash in but RNH in particular has just looked slow and a couple steps off, particularly on the powerplay - an area he has always been successful.

- I had stated this in the summer and with how the season has begun I would try Jeff Skinner on the PP in place of RNH, at least until the latter finds his game. Skinner has been an excellent add thus far and has found ways to produce now on a third line with Henrique and Brown. The bottom six desperately needed scoring and Henrique, Skinner, and Brown seem to have quickly found chemistry together. I'd reward Skinner with the slight reduction in 5 on 5 time with some PP time as well.

- Arvidsson may be pointless through the first 5 games but the forward has come as advertised, being tough to play against, being a hound on puck retrieval and going to the hard areas of the ice. One thing I would like to see more is some volume shooting. Arvidsson has always shot the puck a ton and averaged close to 3 shots a game throughout his career. He only has 7 through the first 5 with Edmonton.

- Great to see Stecher, the smallest player on the team drop the gloves in defense of his teammates. I don't think it was a coincidence that a game after Stecher dropped the gloves, Darnell Nurse did the same. Nurse has started the season like he ended last year; wildly inconsistent, but it was nice of him to remember that he can be a physically imposing player when he tries.

- Edmonton has had a pretty easy schedule through the first 5 games even though their poor play has dictated otherwise. Today against the Stars they play their first real tough opponent of the season. In the past, these are the kinds of games the Oilers have excelled in and their best players have risen to the occasion. The Stars will be looking for blood against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Hopefully Edmonton is able to respond in kind.

Thanks for reading!

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