With Thanksgiving weekend upon us, there’s plenty to be thankful for, including friends, family, and, of course, the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-0-1 start through their first five games.

With all the injuries the team has faced early this season, I’d imagine they’re thankful for their first line’s hot start, along with a rookie who has stepped in and owned the faceoff circle. We’ll discuss that and more in this edition of Oilers Thoughts. 

The Oilers’ first line has asserted its dominance

The Oilers have faced the injury bug early in the season, but a big part of their 4-0-1 start is the top line’s scorching start.

Connor McDavid leads the league with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists), Leon Draisaitl has nine points (three goals, six assists), and Vasily Podkolzin has seven points (five goals, two assists). By the eye test, the Oilers’ first line is controlling play with ease, playing fetch with one another and looking like men among boys through the first five games, combining for 29 points.

The underlying metrics further highlight just how dominant the trio has been at five-on-five.

The Oilers’ first-line underlying metrics at five-on-five through five games this season

According to Natural Stat Trick, they’ve posted a 72.2 CF% (Corsi For percentage). The shots have been in their favour at 27-14; they have a 35-6 advantage in scoring chances and a 15-4 edge in high-danger chances, while also owning a perfect 8-0 goal share.

Put simply, the first line of Podkolzin, McDavid and Draisaitl has been downright dominant so far this season. While I’ve mostly leaned towards the “McDavid and Draisaitl need to centre their own lines” stance over the past few seasons, I also see the benefit of a “if it ain’t broke, why fix it” approach. For now, I say keep that line together while they’re hot, even when more bodies start returning to the lineup.

More on Podkolzin’s impressive start

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