Game Thread - Coyotes vs Oilers

Finally some actual hockey (if you can call the preseason actual hockey) to talk about. Sure, it's been fun to mock the Oilers front office for their inability to properly interpret a document that they absolutely need to be able to interpret but you can only do that for so long before it gets old. And we've been ridiculing them for years about these kind of mistakes, we really need something new to mock. I think an Oilers/Coyotes game might be just what we need.

When And Where

7PM at Rexall Place. Show up early to listen to catch Flute Guy perform in the LRT station. Stay late to catch an amazing performance from Pail Drummer. It's going to be a great night.

How To Tune In

Guess what? No television tonight either. I thought more of these games were televised in previous years. Am I wrong about that? So once again you can go with the radio broadcast on 630 CHED or you can stream the game online at edmontonoilers.com; AB, SK, NWT, or NU residents only.

What To Watch For With The Oilers

This morning, when asked about his centres, Dallas Eakins said, "We have two and then a whole bunch of mud." I'm going to assume that the two he was referring to are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Boyd Gordon, which leaves Leon Draisaitl and Mark Arcobello as mud. Both are in the lineup tonight and will be looking to convince the coach that they deserve the job of the team's second line centre. Draisaitl will be playing with David Perron and Jordan Eberle, Arcobello gets Jesse Joensuu and Steve Pinizzotto. Lucky Arcobello.

What To Watch For With The Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes

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From the good folks at Five For Howling:

Many of the question marks left for the Coyotes have to do with line combinations and defensive pairings more so than competition for spots (though what the team chooses to do with Justin Hodgman, Lucas Lessio, and Max Domi will be fascinating to watch). Dave Tippett is expecting to shuffle liens around to find what sticks, and will even reportedly try Sam Gagner on the wing instead of down the middle at some point this week.

Sam Gagner on the wing? That Dave Tippett is one smart fellow.

Line Combinations

Edmonton Oilers

David Perron - Leon Draisaitl - Jordan Eberle
Benoit Pouliot - Boyd Gordon - Teddy Purcell
Matt Hendricks - Jujhar Khaira - Tyler Pitlick
Jesse Joensuu - Mark Arcobello - Steven Pinizzotto

Oscar Klefbom - Justin Schultz
Darnell Nurse - Brad Hunt
Martin Marincin - Keith Aulie

Ben Scrivens
Viktor Fasth

Arizona Coyotes

Other than the legendary Devan Dubnyk getting the start, I have no clue.