Once a coach, always a coach. So when Steve Yzerman called former Detroit assistant coach Todd McLellan a month ago, looking to make a head coaching change behind the Wings bench, replacing Derek Lalonde,

There's plenty of evidence that proves the Oilers coaches have pulled the right strings to get the most from the defence.

With Evan Bouchard not quite repeating last year's career year and Mattias Ekholm showing signs of slight decline, Nurse has been the Oilers' best defender some nights. Bouchard and Ekholm are still one of the best pairings in the league, making Nurse a very valuable luxury.

Leon Draisaitl continued his MVP-type season with a three-point game. Zach Hyman buried two and could have had four. Calvin Pickard was strong early. And Corey Perry was in full-worm form with a highly effective, agitating display.

Brett Kulak skating with Ty Emberson is another familiar duo for Oilers fans. These two have been a rock-solid third-pairing for the team. But, as previously stated, Nurse and Stecher are often broken up during a game. When that happens, Kulak slides up to Nurse's pairing while Stecher plays with Emberson.

The Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid back after a three-game suspension and, with that, came some pretty major line changes.

The Oilers are heading toward the March 7 deadline in a position of strength but will explore avenues to improve.

Not exactly a masterpiece at Rogers Place on Monday night, but the Edmonton Oilers ’ mastery of the Seattle Kraken continued with an eighth consecutive victory for the blue and orange. As was the case in Seattle at the beginning of the month, the Oilers walked away with a 4-2 win, an emtpy-net goal sealing the deal in each instance.

Right-shot defenceman Alec Regula was claimed off waivers six weeks ago from the Boston Bruins, who were trying to send him to their AHL farm team in Providence to continue his rehab from off-season knee surgery, but he’s yet to play a single minute for the Edmonton Oilers.

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Stuart Skinner makes 40 saves & Ryan Nugent-Hopkins records two goals on Saturday in a 3-2 victory over the Sabres at Rogers Place that lifts the Oilers into first place in the Pacific Division

THROUGH GAMES OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29, 2025