Game Thread: Oilers vs Capitals - We're Going Streaking

How 'bout them Oilers? Led by Connor McDavid and Nail Yakupov, the local outfit have won three straight games and look to continue their run of form against a Washington Capitals team playing their second game in as many nights. The Capitals, coming off another win in Vancouver last night, have won four straight themselves and have been full value for their 5-1-0 record to start the year.

How To Watch

Puck drop: 7:00PM MST
TV: Sportsnet Oilers
Radio: 630 CHED

What To Watch For

Something's gotta give. The Oilers and Capitals both bring winning streaks into this game, and with the NHL allergic to the idea of the draw, one of these streaks has to end tonight. The Capitals have been a juggernaut so far this season, and have been winning on the back of their impressive possession game (top-3 CF%). The Oilers, conversely, have been scoring timely goals and surviving, almost winning in spite of their poor possession numbers (bot-3 CF%). These numbers don't tell the whole story, certainly, but they do point to tonight being a very difficult matchup for the home side, even if the Capitals are coming into Edmonton tired.

The Opposing View

From Japer's Rink:

24.3 - The average number of shots allowed per game by the Capitals, the lowest in the League. Opponents have combined for just 147 shots on goal through six games, with only 108 of those shots hitting the net at even strength - both of which are also the lowest in the NHL - and have given up more than 30 shots just once (in their lone loss on the season).

The Caps have also had the better even-strength Corsi-for and Fenwick-for percentages in four of their six games so far, and are third in the League in both ES CF% and FF%, trailing only Los Angeles and the Blues.

Projected Line Combinations

The Oilers will make a few changes to their lineup tonight. Andrew Miller was re-assigned to Bakersfield, so look forAnton Slepyshev to draw in on the fourth line. Rob Klinkhammer will move up to flank Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, andAnders Nilsson replaces Cam Talbot between the sticks.