Edmonton Oilers (23-28-3) (6th, Pacific)

Vegas Golden Knights (37-15-4), (1st, Pacific)

8:00 PM

T-Mobile Arena

TV: Sportsnet One

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Knights On Ice

BREAKDOWN

The Oilers managed to hang five goals on a Florida team that’s struggled for large swaths of the season, but a 3-for-4 night on the power play and a Vincent Trocheck hat trick helped propel the Panthers to a 7-5 victory in Edmonton. Exactly one penalty was called against Florida, resulting in a penalty shot goal for Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers home penalty kill is quite literally the worst that’s ever been tracked. One of the keys to success here has to be avoiding the penalty box at all costs.

The Oilers begin a three game road trip in Vegas, a team they’ve had success against all year. Can the Oilers make it 3-for-3 against the Pacific Division leaders this year?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

“Obviously, we’ve been giving up a bunch of goals and it’s more how we’re giving them up, breakaways and open shots in the slot, not really giving [Talbot] a chance. But definitely frustrating when we’re scoring five goals and we’re still losing the game. It definitely can’t happen..”

Source

That’s Oilers captain Connor McDavid on the club’s 7-5 loss to the Panthers on Monday.

If you need one really good reason to keep watching this season, Connor McDavid is that reason. With 66 points so far this year, he’s right on the cusp of another 100 point season. A cherry atop a dirt sundae.

The Golden Knights are saying

“For me, personally, I felt good all night...I felt like I was fresh. Every time I came to the bench I wanted to go back out there.”

Source

That’s Golden Knights forward David Perron after his club’s 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

Vegas’ expansion team just keeps on winning. Tuesday’s win was the club’s 37th win on the year. David Perron has 51 points in 50 games (14-37-51)

Have some of this

• Sekera will be out until at least Tuesday versus the Bruins. The chances of seeing Keegan Lowe in an Oilers uniform just shot up about 50% on this road trip.
• If you complain about special teams enough, surely they’re going to improve, right? Maybe next year. Oilers gave up 3 goals while the Panthers were on the power play Monday night. Season PK%: 70.9. Home PK%: (null). At least Leon had that nice goal on a penalty shot.
• Both Drake Caggiula and Andrej Sekera will be out tonight after taking pucks to the head. The Oilers have recalled Keegan Lowe.
• Vegas has been having fun out there. They’re leading the Pacific with 76 points, they’re scoring goals, they’re winning hockey games. They’re second in the league in goals scored (3.39 per game), they’re eighth in goals allowed (2.71 per game). They’re 13th on power play (20.1%) and their PK ranks 13th as well (81.6%)
• I’ve mentioned that Vegas’ leading scorer was selected in the expansion draft more than a couple of times. It’s still baffling. Jonathan Marchessault has 54 points (20-34-54) so far this year.
• NET GAINS: Look for Cam Talbot to get the nod tonight (19-20-2, .901SV%, 3.18 GAA / 1 SO). I’d expect Marc-Andre Fleury to get the start for Vegas (17-6-2, .932SV%, 2.07 GAA / 2 SO)
• SICK BAY: Edmonton is without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (ribs), Andrej Sekera (face), and Adam Larsson (personal). The Golden Knights will be without Erik Haula (flu), Jon Merrill (undisclosed), William Carrier (upper body) and goaltender Malcolm Subban (upper body).