BLOG: All content from Wednesday at Rogers Place 04.14.21

EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers held a full-pull practice at Rogers Place on Wednesday.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Slater Koekkoek were absent from the main group's skate. Mike Smith took shots from the starter's crease.
Get all content from Wednesday below.

Head Coach Dave Tippett on Friday's game against the Vancouver Canucks:

"We're anticipating it's on until we hear different. Our travel plans, our practice schedule and everything have been set up that we're going. I guess we'll just have to monitor it day-to-day but right now, we're scheduled to go there tomorrow afternoon still."

Coach Tippett on all the schedule shuffling his team has gone through over the 2020-21 season:

"It is what it is. The schedule has had some quirks this year because of the situation and you just have to deal with the hand that you're dealt. That's the hand we've been dealt here. It's not an ideal situation but there are no excuses and you've got to do what you've got to do.
"We've got an early game on Friday night, so we get in there (Winnipeg) a little bit earlier than anticipated. And then the game in Winnipeg on Saturday night is not until nine o'clock. So, we'll have some time in between. You just have to deal with it and focus on what you have to do to win. We'll be there to play."

Tippett's status update on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins:

"He's still up in the air a little bit. He skated again this morning on his own. A little longer today, so I'll see what T.D. (Forss) says on whether he joins our group tomorrow or not. He's waiting for some clearance from the doctors. He skated for almost 45 minutes this morning and we'll see where he gets tomorrow."

Tippett on players' habits being disrupted this season:

"From a coach's standpoint, you make sure you're trying to spin it the right way. We needed some rest here just mentally and physically. The Trade Deadline was on Monday, we got our team in order and now we got 14 games left. We've used the last couple of days to really dig into some of the stuff that we need to make sure we have in place for the stretch drive. The practice days have been good and a little bit of rest has been good.
"That being said, you got to deal with what's in front of you. We play four games in six days and then we have a few days off again. You try to maximize what you're doing whether it's game day or practice day. Players, I think, like to get into a rhythm where there are not too many days off in between games. They're creatures of habit but their habit is they'd much rather play games than practice."

Tippett on the challenges of coaching this season:

"I don't know if it's more challenging. It's different. There have been some positives. Playing a team two or sometimes three times in a row has been interesting. They're like little playoff series. You win the first game, it's harder to win the second game. There are some things like that from a coaching standpoint that's been different but kind of intriguing. It's been interesting to be involved in.
"Some of the quirks in the schedule where you're playing a lot of games in a short amount of time and then you have a few days off, the changes in the schedule are something that doesn't normally happen. So, you're dealing with changes. From a coaching staff, it's probably not that bad. You're trying to pound home the same thing every day. It's been different. I wouldn't say more challenging but different."

Tippett on the playoff-type regular-season series the Oilers have played this year:

"You have an idea of what you're going to see going into the first game and then there might be some things that happen in that first game that you feel like you might want to tweak a little bit. Even when you win, you try to tweak a couple of things to see if you can stay ahead of it. You're trying to always gain an advantage somehow or you're trying to make sure you're taking away the other team's advantage.
"There are things like that when you play the same team back-to-back that come into play as opposed to a normal schedule. Playing the same team over is a little more of a playoff feel and there is some intrigue that goes into the game-to-game tactical stuff that comes into play."

Tippett on whether the Oilers have experienced COVID-19 fatigue:

"It is a daily focus point. Our group has been very vigilant. I give Dr. Naidu and T.D. (Forss) a ton of credit. They are at the forefront of that making sure the protocols are in place and they are being met. They talk about it and want to keep it out. All the players talk. Our focus as a team has been really strong and they're committed to it. We've got a job to do this season and we want to make sure we're doing the best we can with hockey and the protocols to make sure everyone stays safe."

Tippett's confidence in the National Hockey League completing the '20-21 regular season and playoffs:

"I have no doubt that it's going to finish. We're close enough to the finish line now. There have been some challenges during the year for the League to reschedule some things but for the most part, it's pushed ahead. Barring anything drastic happening, I think this thing will push through."

Tippett on where he thinks Dmitry Kulikov will slot in:

"We'll bring him in and just see where things fit. You get into some practices, we'll try him in a couple of different places. Until we get him in some games and just see where it goes, you'll get a feel for where he fits best. Where he fits best, where the rhythm in our lineup goes, certain matchups, things you're looking for, special teams. You got to get him in and get him in a few games to get a feel for what he's doing."

Forward Leon Draisaitl on Friday's upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks:

"We're preparing for this game to happen. I think we're going to play. I don't know the details at all but we're getting ready for the game on Friday. I'm sure the NHL knows what they're doing. I think they've done a great job this year so far. If it's not safe then we wouldn't play on Friday. I'm sure it's safe and good to go. We're excited to get back into it."

Draisaitl on the Oilers welcoming Dmitry Kulikov to the team at the Trade Deadline:

"Dmitry is going to help us. He has experience and I think he's had a pretty good year. He's going to definitely help us. We're excited to head down the final stretch and go into the playoffs."

Draisaitl on the Oilers going 22-9-2 since starting the season 3-6-0:

"We just stuck to our game plan a little more We found different ways to win throughout the year. We won some really important games. We won games where we weren't feeling at our best or playing at our best. Those are games you need to win. I think we just kind of buckled down and obviously had a not-so-good start but turned it around from there."

Draisaitl on the focus for the last 14 games of the regular season:

"Going into the playoffs, you want to use these last 14 games to, first of all, secure your playoff spot and then make sure you go into the playoffs playing your best hockey. We're obviously looking to do that over the next little stretch here. It's important, the playoffs are not something you can just flip a switch and feel great again. You have to earn that. That's what we're looking to do."

Draisaitl on all the schedule updates and changes the Oilers have endured this year:

"There's no choice, really. It's not ideal and we know that. We knew it was going to happen eventually this season to any team. It hit our team pretty bad, especially since we've been so good and haven't really had any cases or anything like that. You just hope that the NHL down the road during this last little stretch here helps us out a little bit."