Game Thread: Oilers vs Devils - Trying To Climb Out Of The Cellar

The New Jersey Devils make their annual appearance in Edmonton tonight. I can't tell you how glad I am that the NHL finally smartened up and went back to a schedule format where every team visits every city each season. If for no other reason than it means fewer games against the Wild, which is always a good thing. After another moral victory on Wednesday night the Oilers, who are now in the NHL's basement again, are looking to snap a three game losing streak against a Devils team that last played on Tuesday night in Calgary, a game that they lost in overtime.

How To Watch

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

What To Watch For

Leon Draisaitl continues to be one of the most fun Oilers to watch right now. He's using his body well and he's putting the puck in the net, if you don't like that then there is something wrong with you. The Dr. Drai nickname does leave a lot to be desired, but I suspect that the Deutschland Dangler will catch on soon enough. On the downside, he's probably not going to continue to shoot 31.6%. And yes, an individual point percentage of 90.9% is likely unsustainable as well. But who cares? He's playing good hockey and getting some friendly bounces. Someone has to get the good bounces, it might as well be him, and we might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

The Opposing View

From All About The Jersey:

What doomed the Devils in Calgary was that they just had pucks bouncing off or straying from their sticks throughout most of the game. Not only were passes just not being collected, but simple carries by Devils would just be lost. While the ice wasn't perfect, the Flames had little issue adjusting and so they were able to move the puck smoothly. The turnovers made by the Devils' sticks gave them ample opportunities to do just that. If they want to be able to get points and make the most of opportunities against Edmonton, then they need to actually have the puck to do so. Put it another way: the Devils experienced the opposite of what transpired on Tuesday when they smashed Pittsburgh. It's not a coincidence.

Projected Line Combinations