Edmonton Oilers' checking line is failing, and Babcock has to decide what to do

The Oilers' checking line, built by coach Mike Babcock and made up of newcomers Owen Michaels, Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph, has been getting outplayed, outshot and outscored this season.

The numbers are rough. The group has scored five goals and allowed eight in 11 games. Its share of even-strength goals is 38.5 per cent, while the top line of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Vladimir Podkolzin has scored 15 and allowed six, with a 71.4 per cent share over 138 minutes.

Michaels has been the team's best rookie story since training camp, but his faceoff win rate has slipped to 47.9 per cent after a hot start. Formenton, in his first NHL season after three years in Switzerland, is struggling to win battles and cycle the puck, though his speed on the forecheck stands out. Joseph has been closest to earning his spot on individual play, but he fits better as a fourth-liner.

The team is missing Jason Dickinson and Matt Savoie. Dickinson could be back as early as Wednesday against Calgary. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman were out through October.

A columnist in the Edmonton Journal expects Babcock to keep the checking group together until Dickinson returns, and suggests Michaels could benefit from AHL time. The source does not say whether Babcock has responded to the line's struggles.