Boston Bruins (36-13-8), (2nd, Atlantic)

Edmonton Oilers (24-30-4) (6th, Pacific)

7:00 PM

Rogers Place

TV: Sportsnet One

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Stanley Cup of Chowder

BREAKDOWN

The Oilers stopped their losing streak at six with a victory in Colorado. Connor McDavid scored a couple of goals an and empty netter for a hat trick, while Ryan Strome found the score sheet for the first time in what seems like forever.

Oilers are back home for a couple at Rogers Place. Tonight they’ll face the Bruins, who are one point away from the top spot in the East. The Bruins are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Flames last night at the Saddledome.

Can the Oilers give the Bruins more than they bargained for?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

“We get paid to come and get better. Obviously it’s frustrating times right now, but we came with a good effort today. I thought everybody played good. We deserved to win, quite frankly.”

Source

That’s Oilers forward Ryan Strome after Edmonton’s 4-2 victory over the Avalanche.

QUITE FRANKLY

The goal was Strome’s first since December 23rd, 2017.

The Bruins are saying

“First 40 (minutes), we played really well, really limited their opportunities. They had a few chances, but that’s what [goalie Tuukka Rask] is there for. If we can continue to sustain that for 60 minutes every night we’re going to be a really good team, really hard to play against”

Source

That’s Bruins forward Brad Marchand on last night’s 2-1 Bruins victory in Calgary.

Marchand had the winner in OT with less than 90 seconds remaining. The win brought the Bruins to within one point of the Lightning, who sit atop the Atlantic.

Have some of this

• 37 points in 16 games is a pretty torrid pace. What do you think, first line? Second line RW? With exactly two right wings under contract, you know it’s going to be one or the other.
• The Bruins are serious contenders in the Eastern Conference this year. They’re sixth in scoring (3.25 goals per game), and they’re first overall in goals allowed per game (2.42). They’ve got a 12th overall power play percentage (20.8) and a second ranked penalty kill (84.0)
• NET GAINS: Look for Cam Talbot to get the nod again (20 -22-2, .901SV%, 3.12 GAA / 1 SO). With Tuukka Rask picking up the W in Calgary, I'd wager a nickel you'll see Anton Khudobin (12-3-4, .923SV%, 2.34 GAA / 2 SO) tonight.

SICK BAY: Edmonton is without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (ribs), and Andrej Sekera (face). Boston will miss Frank Vatrano (lower body), Anders Bjork and Kevin Miller (upper body).