Nothing builds team morale like a road trip, and this one for the Edmonton Oilers is perfect. 

Three games in sunny California with multiple days between each matchup? What a gift from Gary Bettman. Something tells me golf clubs are loaded onto the private jet this week. 

“I hear it’s warm in California,” joked coach Mike Babcock during his Tuesday scrum. 

“We got time to look at what we did and how to improve on things. Now, in saying that, when you’re going alright — keep playing. We had a good off-day on Sunday. We played three games in five days. It’s the start of the year. Freshen yourself up and get ready to go.”

But those off-days won’t feel so good unless the Oilers keep building their game after a stingy defensive showing Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. 

No touchdowns surrendered, and two points nabbed, meaning five of a possible six have been captured. Interestingly, the Oilers also started 2-0-1 a year ago. 

Visiting Anaheim, San Jose, and Los Angeles will be a step up in class, but a positive head-to-head record in the Pacific Division is what kept the Oilers afloat a season ago. They have higher hopes than just “getting through” the regular season, but Wednesday should have some extra juice. The Ducks beat the Oilers in six games back in April after all. 

“This is great,” said Connor McDavid. “Eight days in California, three games, so kind of unique that way. We’ll have lots of time to get together, get familiar with each other. We already are. But good to get on the road to spend some time together and enjoy that thing. But big games, divisional, and we want to make sure we’re ready to roll.”

Dickinson nearing return to the lineup

We have Jason Dickinson sightings. 

The Oilers veteran centre has been labouring through his nagging ankle injury sustained last season, but practiced on the team’s second line two days in a row. Babcock is hopeful that Dickinson will be able to play on this trip, but it’s worth noting the forward’s comments from Monday about his injury status. 

This may continue to be an ongoing situation. 

“If I’m being totally honest, I never quite got to 100 per cent over the summer,” he said during a scrum on Monday. 

“I was making jumps, but it felt like every jump I made, I would plateau for........

© Oilers Nation