GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings

Edmonton Oilers (10-10-2) (6th, Pacfic)

Los Angeles Kings (7-14-1) (8th, Pacific)

8:30 PM MST

Staples Center

TV: Sportsnet West

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Jewels From The Crown

ANGUISH

The Oilers didn’t do much scoring on Friday night, but they rode a power play goal courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the end. Anaheim was kept off the scoreboard for fifty-nine minutes and forty-four seconds, but it was Nick Ritchie who pushed home a rebound to tie it up in the dying seconds of the third. Rickard Rakell tapped home the overtime winner just fourteen seconds into overtime, swiping a point away from the Oilers. Edmonton will try to forget all about Friday when they try to put together a sixty minute event in LA today.

The Kings have struggled mightily this season. If we are looking at a playoff team in Edmonton, they’ve got to do the deed today in LA. Can the Oilers pick up two points at the end of this road trip?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

I don’t want to say it’s 100% on me but it’s 90%. I asked Peter. I felt like we could have two third lines and really do damage if we could put more heat on the puck. I watched two games that he played, one in the NHL and one the American Hockey League and I asked Peter if he’d give some thought to make him part of the group and we could really build a line. He said sure, so that’s why we made the switch.

Source

That’s Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock on recalling Jesse Puljujarvi from Bakersfield.

I like Hitchcock’s story here; I’m a little concerned that he states that he wants to make “two third lines”. But then, on the other hand, it’s not like he can rock a good second line. Maybe he wants one of those third lines to score some goals too.

The Kings are saying

I think it’s a lot of things. I think it’s not putting together a full hockey game. I think it’s little things. I think it’s supporting each other all over the ice. I think it’s about detail, about making plays. It’s about special teams and they haven’t been good enough for us lately. It’s a lot of things.

Source

That’s Kings defenceman Alec Martinez with his thoughts on why the Kings have struggled so far this season.

A LOT OF THINGS

The Kings have played 22 games so far this season, but they’ve taken just 15 points in the Pacific Division. The Pacific is no screaming hell this year either. The Kings are in trouble with a tonne of thirty-somethings on their roster, it will be interesting to see if and how they can sort things through.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• A TALE OF TWO PEOPLE: I don’t ever want to hear Peter Chiarelli talk again. Hitchcock tells a story about how he wanted Puljujarvi, a player to help run his third line. I’m not sure if this works, but if you’re going to sell me a line, make me believe. I can’t believe a damn thing that comes out of PC’s mouth. Also, this quote to Geno makes him sound like he just got on the job yesterday. For now, I’m buying what Hitch is selling. For now.
• 98: I’ll be watching to see where he ends up. Here’s hoping it’s with RNH.
• Chris Wideman should make his Oilers debut today. Puck-moving RD was acquired from Ottawa on Thursday for a late draft pick in 2020. I’ve got a funny feeling it will come at Matt Benning’s expense.
• NET GAINS: Expect Cam Talbot to get the nod for Edmonton (5-8-1, .888SV% / 3.31 GAA). -The Kings are likely to go with Peter Budaj (0-1-0, .818 SV% / 5.02 GAA)
• SICK BAY: Andrej Sekera is out for the Oilers (ankle), while Tobias Rieder will be out until mid-December (upper body). The Kings will be without goaltenders Jonathan Quick (knee) and Jack Campbell (knee) and forward Trevor Lewis (foot)