Edmonton Oilers (29-13-3) at Vancouver Canucks (19-15-10)
TV: CBC, Sportsnet. Radio: 880 CHED.
TIME: 8 p.m. Saturday
Odds: Oilers -166, Canucks +138
THE SETUP
The Oilers have won four in a row to reach a share of first place in the Pacific Division for the first time this season, as they prepare to play their fourth game in six days to wrap up a three-game road trip. Vancouver won their first meeting of the season 7-3 on Nov. 9. The Oilers have won their previous four games and eight of their past nine. The Canucks have lost six of their previous seven (1-4-2).
LEON STANDS ALONE
Leon Draisaitl leads the league in goals (31), plus-minus (+28), even-strength goals (24), overtime goals (four) and game-winning goals (nine). He sits second overall with 67 points in 45 games. Meanwhile, Quinn Hughes leads the Canucks with 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) in 40 games to sit 24th overall in scoring.
THE QUOTE
“They don’t get rattled. A lot of that has to do with the experience of being together for a long time and last year’s playoffs. There were stressful times but there is a lot of confidence in that group.”
• Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch
THE LINEUPS
EDMONTON
Forwards
Draisaitl – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin – Nugent-Hopkins – Arvidsson
Janmark – Henrique – Brown
Skinner – Philp – Perry
Defence
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Klinberg
Kulak – Emberson
Goalies
Skinner
Pickard
VANCOUVER
Forwards
Debrusk – Pettersson – Lekkerimakki
Di Guiseppe – Miller – Boeser
Heinen – Suter – Garland
Hoglander – Blueger – Sherwood
Defence
Hughes – Hronik
Forbort – Myers
Soucy – Desharnais
Goalies
Demko
Lankinen
INJURIES
OILERS: None
CANUCKS: Juulsen (undisclosed)
E-mail: [email protected]
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
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