Mike Babcock has a decision to make before the Oilers face San Jose today: keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together, or spread the wealth.
The case for keeping them together is loud. McDavid has 12 points through four games and a +11, while Draisaitl has nine points and a +8.
Skating with Vasily Podkolzin, the trio carried Edmonton's last win almost on its own. Oilers reporter said they "single-handedly won us that last game."
Podkolzin has been a revelation on that line. He has four goals and six points in four games, two of those goals on the power play, along with a +6.
He's 25 and carries a $2,950,000 cap hit. After a 19-goal season last year, he's playing like a winger who belongs beside the league's best.
That same reporter has always believed the two stars need to be split at some point. "You can't go the whole year with Connor and Leon playing together."
The difference now might be Babcock. In the past, uniting them felt like a last resort, while this time it looks like a choice backed by a plan for the rest of the lineup.
Babcock needs his depth forwards to make the top line a luxury
The idea is to get the other lines going and give those players confidence and clear roles. Then a stacked top line becomes a weapon instead of a crutch.
That's where the questions are. Edmonton's depth forwards have produced very little, and the Oilers already moved Spencer Stastney to bring in centre Filip Hallander.
More help could come from players returning from injury. Once healthy, that group could form a solid second line and take real pressure off the stars.
Keep McDavid, Draisaitl and Podkolzin together for now. A team chasing a Cup rides what works, but Babcock can't let the rest of the bench feel like spectators.
Leaning only on the top line is like putting all your savings in one hot stock. It feels brilliant right up until the day it doesn't.
San Jose brings its own storylines. Darnell Nurse faces his former team, and Macklin Celebrini is a game-time decision.
The Oilers are 3-0-1, and Devon Levi has won all three of his starts.
Babcock has the best duo in hockey on one line. The real test is whether he can build a team around them that doesn't need them every single shift.
Should Mike Babcock keep McDavid, Draisaitl and Podkolzin together?
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