Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
When: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. MT, Rogers Place
TV: Sportsnet Radio: 880 CHED
Odds: Oilers – 105, Predators – 114
The buzz: After climbing above .500 for the first time this season, the Oilers got shut out 3-0 at home by the New Jersey Devils in a season that’s so far been one step forward, two steps back.
The quote:
“We’ve gone through some ups and downs. Still trying to sort of get a groove on our game but obviously it’s a process. We want to keep trying to build on the good things in it and we’re right back at it tomorrow.”
• Oilers forward Jeff Skinner
The Poll:
Will the Edmonton Oilers finish ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights ?
a) Yes.
b) No.
c) Maybe, but the playoffs are another story.
d) Before or after Mark Stone takes his usual salary cap vacation?
The news:
• The Oilers special teams have been a letdown since posting astronomical numbers in last year’s playoffs, currently sitting 26th (38.4 per cent) on the power play and dead last (60 per cent) on the penalty kill.
• Captain Connor McDavid is back skating with the team after injuring his ankle on Oct. 28. This could potentially be the last game he misses, despite an initial prognosis of being out 2-3 weeks.
• The #Oilers have acquired defenceman Ronnie Attard from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenceman Ben Gleason.
• The Oilers loaned forwards Drake Cagguila back to Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.
The lineup:
Skinner-Nugent-Hopkins-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Janmark-Henrique-Brown
Ryan-Philp-Perry
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Stecher
Kulak-Emberson
Skinner
The injuries: Connor McDavid (ankle)
The prediction: McDavid or not, the Oilers will take advantage of the fact the Golden Knights have yet to strike gold on the road so far this season, going 0-3-1.
The vibe:
(FAN FORUM: Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it along to @edmontonjournal and we’ll get some of them in a future edition.)
E-mail: [email protected]
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge