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Preview: Game 62 Oilers @ Kings

Grumpy Oilers travel to California to take on Pacific Division leaders

By Jeff Chapman
Who farted?
Who farted?
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports


Edmonton

@
kings logo
22-33-6, 50 points, .820 p/g Ranks 35-20-4, 74 points, 1.254 p/g
Pacific Division - 7th Pacific Division - 1st
30th P/G 6th
18th ST 8th
24th S/G 2nd
28th Goal 3rd
8:30 PM MDT
TV - Sportsnet 360
Radio - 630 CHED
Staples Center
The opposing view:  Jewels From The Crown

Rock Bottom Again?

It can't possibly get any worse.  might still get worse.

Finishing off a six game home stand at 1-4-1, the Oilers turned in another listless performance on Tuesday night. This time, the Senators dropped four goal on the Oilers, while Edmonton was able to muster up a lonely tally from Jordan Eberle.  Todd McLellan took the team to task after this one, announcing that some changes were likely afoot.

I can think of at least two Oilers who will likely have new mailing addresses come Tuesday.  From the sounds of things, there could be a few more come this off season.  With the trade deadline just days away (and the team firmly ensconced in last place once again), the chance for some fireworks on Monday is higher than usual.

In the meantime, the Oilers are playing the Kings in Los Angeles.  Please recall the Kings, who are a pretty good hockey team.  Let's go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

"I think we had a choice to make this morning; we could come to the rink and pout and be down on ourselves or we can come and work, and I think for the most part the guys made the right choice and I'm happy for that..."

Source

That's Oilers head coach Todd McLellan on yesterday's practice.

Everyone loves a good bag skate.

The opponents are saying

"He's 18 years old playing in a men's league, and his production, if he'd played every game, his production is with the top handful of guys in the League."   Source

That's Kings head coach Darryl Sutter on Oilers wunderkind Connor McDavid

ACTUALLY DARRYL, HE'S 19
McDavid had an assist on Edmonton's lone goal versus the Senators, which is one of the lone bright spots in Tuesday's 4-1 snoozefest.  He's got 28 points (10-18-28) in 24 games, and remains the best reason to keep tuning into these last 20 contests.

Have some of this

  • Jujhar Khaira has been recalled.  Terry Jones thinks someone's gonna get gassed.  I'm guessing Khaira is up in case someone gets moved in the next 96 hours, but after last post game, don't be surprised to see 54 in the lineup.  Khaira has two assists in twelve games this year with the Oilers.
  • The Oilers are in game one of a back-to-back (tomorrow against the Ducks), Cam Talbot (12-21-3, .910 SV% / 1 SO) should get the start for the Oilers.  Jonathan Quick (30-15-3 .921 SV% / 2.17 GAA / 3 SO) is likely for the Kings.
  • A fairly big cog.
  • Andrew Ference (hip), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (hand), Eric Gryba (knee)  and Oscar Klefbom (leg), are out for the Oilers, The Kings are without Jordan Nolan (undisclosed), Marian Gaborik (knee) and former Oilers defenceman Matt Greene (shoulder)