Oilers Reunite Top Stars Looking to Ignite Offense vs Senators

The Edmonton Oilers are reuniting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for Tuesday’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators, hoping the pairing can spark their struggling offense. After a rough start to the season, both superstars have yet to hit their stride, prompting coach Kris Knoblauch to place them back together with Vasily Podkolzin to add energy and puck retrieval.

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Popular Twitter poster Paul Almeida writes, “I like Podkolzin with McDavid & Draisaitl. They don’t need another skilled player on their line. They need someone with a physical presence that can win puck battles for them. Spreads out the talent on lines 2 & 3 as well.” While this is accurate, the sense here is that Knoblauch is putting Draisaitl and McDavid back together to start the game to spark each other.

During the morning skate in Ottawa, the projected lines were posted by Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now:

• Podkolzin-McDavid-Draisaitl
• Mangiapane-RNH-Roslovic
• Frederic-Philp-Savoie
• Howard-Henrique-Tomasek

Defense 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 four goals, admitted he’s “not feeling it right now” and stressed the impact top players have on the team’s overall performance. McDavid, still searching for his first goal of the season, echoed frustration over 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 one has to wonder if the recipe for success is getting these two back together to motivate each other. Their chemistry is undeniable, even if both are off of their respective games right now.

Knoblauch’s strategy is to rely on their proven chemistry to dig the team out of a funk. Podkolzin’s presence on the top line is intended to add grit and sustain puck possession. If McDavid and Draisaitl regain their form, it could unlock a much-needed offensive surge against a Senators squad that has struggled defensively, particularly in the absence of their captain, Brady Tkachuk.

Next: Who Steps Up as Oilers’ Physical Presence After Kapanen Injury?