Game Thread: Devils @ Oilers

Both the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils are looking to put the skids on their respective winless streaks. The Devils are winless in their last three (0-1-2) while the Oilers are 0-2 with losses to Ottawa and San Jose.  Former first overall draft pick Taylor Hall will visit Edmonton for the first time since being traded to New Jersey last summer in a blockbuster deal that saw defenceman Adam Larsson come to the Oilers in return.  It's fair to say that Oiler fans remain divided on whether or not this was a good deal for the club.  (They got taken to the cleaners.)

Can the Oilers take two points and spoil Hall's return to Edmonton?

How To Tune In

7 PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet West.

What To Watch For From The Oilers

Can the Oilers get back on track in net?  Cam Talbot will need to recover from a lacklustre performance against the Sharks, having allowed five goals against San Jose on Tuesday night.  Jonas Gustavsson was in net for five goals on Sunday night against the Senators.  Gustavsson's performance was enough to warrant an assignment to Bakersfield.  Laurent Brossoit was called up to back up Cam Talbot, who will no doubt be eager to erase Tuesday's performance from his memory.

What To Watch For From The Devils

From All About The Jersey

All I want on this four-game road trip is more watchable hockey than the other four-game road trips. Please be watchable, Devils. Give Taylor Hall help, he can only do so much on his own - and with six shots against Florida on Monday, it can be a lot. But imagine if you can be options for Hall instead of guys skating with him. In fact, be an option for the Devils puck-carrier even if it’s not Hall or yourself. I’d like more of that as it was lacking on Monday.

Substitute the word "Oilers" for "Devils" and you've got a pretty accurate six year period in Oil Country.

Final Thought

Calgary's breathing down Edmonton's neck in the standings, and the stupid Canucks are stumbling into victories.  I can't explain it either.  Oilers can't afford to lose three in a row, especially on Taylor Hall night.