GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars

Edmonton Oilers (10-11-2) (6th, Pacific)

Dallas Stars (12-10-2) (5th, Central)

7 PM MST

Rogers Place

TV: Sportsnet West

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Defending Big D

CRITICAL MASS

The Oilers play their next three games at Rogers Place, they’ll face two Pacific Division opponents in that time. Ken Hitchcock has been coach for only a few games, and he’s still getting used to the roster. It’s a great time to peel off a few wins. Think about it - Dallas tonight, LA on Thursday and Vegas on Saturday. Easier said than done. The Oilers will try to get back to a Bettman .500 with a win over the visiting Dallas Stars.

Let’s get a look at the lines

Leon Draisaitl / Connor McDavid / Alex Chiasson

Drake Caggiula / Ryan Nugent-Hopkins / Jesse Puljujarvi

Milan Lucic / Kyle Brodziak / Zack Kassian

Jujhar Khaira / Ryan Spooner / Patrick Russell

Oscar Klefbom / Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse / Kris Russell

Kevin Gravel / Chris Wideman

Mikko Koskinen

Cam Talbot

THREE THINGS TO WATCH FOR

• Jesse Puljujarvi is in the top six tonight. After a trip to the fourth line and just 7:43 of ice time, Puljujarvi gets some time with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Drake Caggiula. Puljujarvi had spent four games in the AHL (2-2-4) before being called up before the Oilers played LA on Sunday. Will he strike gold on line 2?
• Alex Chiasson gets promoted to business class alongside Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid for tonight’s contest. Chiasson’s had a streaky season and ten goals in 17 games so far. Can he increase that number tonight?
• The Stars are starting goaltender Mikko Koskinen tonight in their first game of a back-to-back. Sporting just a .905 SV% on the year, can the Oilers score early and often?