Edmonton Oilers (18-21-3) (6th, Pacific)

Chicago Blackhawks (19-15-6) (7th, Central)

1 PM MDT

United Center, Chicago IL

TV: Sportsnet West

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Second CIty Hockey

BREAKDOWN

The second half of the season did not start off the way anyone would have liked. Fresh off a shootout victory against Anaheim, the Oilers promptly pooped the bed in Dallas. The Stars got five goals from five different players, while the Oilers tallied one lonely goal from Leon Draisaitl. Cam Talbot got the hook shortly into the second period and the Oilers couldn’t get much of anything going yesterday afternoon.

Oilers get another kick at the can this afternoon. This time it’s in Chicago, where the Blackhawks rank last in the Central. Can the Oilers string a couple of goals together?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

“We just got beat by a good team that worked hard...The first period they came out strong and made their plays. I thought the work ethic was there. Just a couple mental mistakes that ended in the back of the net."

Source

That’s Oilers captain Connor McDavid on yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars.

Dallas had three up on the Oilers after one period of play. By the time we saw Al Montoya early in the second period, it was long over.

The Blackhawks are saying

“It wasn’t a great night for our [defense]...That was probably as tough a period with how we played with our gap. We gave them the puck and possession on almost every entry, not denying them what we wanted to do”

Source

That’s Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville after Chicago’s 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.

Strange days for Chicago, who find themselves last in the Central Division. The club’s been a Central Division stronghold since Quenneville has taken the reigns.

Three thoughts:

• Cam Talbot got the hook early yesterday, but he should climb right back into the net for the Oilers (15-14-2, .903 SV% / 3.09 GAA /1 SO). Anton Forsberg (1-5-3, .902 SV% / 3.33 GAA) will start this afternoon’s game for the Blackhawks
• Pat Maroon gets a crack back into the lineup after serving his two game suspension.
• SCORE, ANYBODY: Two goals in the last twelve periods? Yikes. Oilers are 1-4-1 since their four game winning streak.