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| 2-1-0, 4 points, 1.33 p/g | Ranks | 0-3-0, 0 points, 0 p/g |
| Western Conference - 13th | Western Conference - 10th | |
| 15th | P/G | 26th |
| 15th | ST | 21st |
| 22nd | PK | 5th |
| 12th | Goal | 17th |
Two goals don't make a right
Connor McDavid and Oscar Klefbom tallied for the Oilers in a ten minute burst of the second period, but the Oilers were handled up and down the rink for the majority of a 4-2 loss in Dallas on Tuesday. Goaltender Anders Nilsson kept Edmonton in the game in stopping 48 of 51 shots, but the Oilers were simply overwhelmed by the Dallas attack. Three games into the 2015-16 NHL season might be a little too quick to pull the fire alarm, but the defence looks eerily similar to ones we've seen in 2014-15. And 2013-14. And that lockout shortened year of 2013. And...you get the idea.
The Oilers are looking for their first win of the 2015-16 season, and they'll take on a Blues team that had the upper hand over the Oilers in a 3-1 matchup in St. Louis.
Let's go to the tape.
The Oilers are saying
"We had some key people that weren't engaged in the game, and we had others that were overwhelmed"
That's Oilers head coach Todd McLellan on his team's 4-2 defeat in Dallas on Tuesday night.
Shouts out to Andres Nilsson for keeping it close. Nilsson's Oilers debut saw him turn away 48 of 51 shots, keeping a game that could've been 8-2 or 9-2 down to 3-2 before getting the hook for the extra man. It was good to see the OIlers score a couple of goals (it was twice as many as they had in their first two games combined), but allowing 50+ shots in a game to a team that got lit up by the Avalanche for five unanswered goals isn't really going to win you many accolades. Oilers gotta put a clamp on those shots allowed, and fast.
The opponents are saying
"We're going to miss Robby (Fabbri) I was surprised about the concussion because he had three great shifts after the concussion". Source
- The Oilers will be wearing those beautiful orange WHA style throwback jerseys tonight, so if they're mauled by a Blues team at home, they'll at least look wonderful while doing so.
- The Oilers have really benefited from some wonderful goaltending to start the season. Cam Talbot and Anders Nilsson have combined to stop 100 shots on 107 shot attempts in three games so far, which is a tidy .935 combined SV%. That's a ton of shots per game, and they're playing at such a high (read: unsustainable) level right now. It's a shame the team has only averaged one goal of offense per game. Talbot or Nilsson, it's all good right now.
- Taylor Hall got the what-for after Tuesday's 4-2 loss in Dallas. It's game 3, and it was widely reported that he was sick before the game. It certainly wasn't one of his better games, but I'll take a one legged Taylor Hall over Lauri Korpikoski on the top line any day of the week.
- For St. Louis, Robby Fabbri (concussion) is out indefinitely and will not dress. The Blues are also expected to be without defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk (wrist). The Oilers will again be without Jordan Eberle (shoulder).