Now that the dust has settled and the NHL Trade Deadline has passed, teams are locked and loaded with their rosters set for the playoff drive. The Edmonton Oilers didn’t make a giant splash for a goaltender that Oil Country was hoping for, but they did add Brett Kulak and Derick Brassard, two-depth pieces that will benefit the team.

Hockey analyst Louie DeBrusk was recently on the radio show “Oilers Now” with Bob Stauffer and stated when healthy, he’d put the Oilers’ forward group up against any team in the NHL. For as much criticism general manager Ken Holland has received in the past, credit where credit is due, he’s constructed a stellar set of forwards.

The Oilers are fifth in the league in man-games lost due to injury, but they’re starting to get healthy. Jesse Puljujarvi recently returned from injury on March 19 against the New Jersey Devils. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins injured his shoulder on Feb. 26 against the Florida Panthers and is expected to return to the lineup this week. When he returns, the Oilers will have one of the deepest set of forwards that should be able to stack up to the NHL’s best. Let’s take a look at some possible line combinations for the playoff stretch.

Kane – McDavid – Yamamoto

The addition of Evander Kane was like an early trade deadline pick-up in itself. The power forward has come as advertised so far this season. He’s on pace for 44 goals in an 82-game season, he hits and isn’t afraid to muck it up after the whistle. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, the Oilers should try and re-sign him to a short-term deal.

Kane started his campaign playing with McDavid and produced two goals and two assists in five games. When head coach Jay Woodcroft coached his first game with the Oilers on Feb. 11, he moved the left-winger over to play on Leon Draisaitl’s wing for 13 games and he tallied six goals, four assists. I initially wrote he was a better fit with the German center, but since reuniting with McDavid on March 12th, he’s tallied five goals and two assists. In his second stint playing with the captain, he’s been more in sync, not forcing plays and playing with more patience. He’s still looking to pass to McDavid, but he’s also rushing the puck himself when the opportunity presents itself, like his wrap-around goal in their win over the New Jersey Devils.

McDavid is the superstar that will produce big points, but Kane will pick up points while creating space with his physicality. Meanwhile, Kailer Yamamoto is a big part of the line and has done a superb job with his puck retrieval. For being short-statured, he hits heavy and separates the opposition from the puck, while being able to pass it to the captain in full flight. The trio of Kane (power forward), McDavid (playmaking superstar), and Yamamoto (skilled puck retriever) showed their potential with an even-strength goal against the Colorado Avalanche on March 21, and they have all the ingredients to be a high-scoring first line.