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PRESEASON GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks

Canucks in town tonight, 29 Oilers remain on main roster

NHL: Preseason-Winnipeg Jets at Edmonton Oilers
Oh, we’re so happy!
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Edmonton Oilers vs.

Vancouver Canucks

7 PM MST

Rogers Place

TV: Sportsnet One (NHL Network in USA)

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Nucks Misconduct

OILERS! CANUCKS! ON TV!

Vancouver makes a preseason stop at Rogers Place tonight as the Canucks square off with the Oilers. The Oilers are playing in two more preseason games this week, so I’d venture to guess that Peter Chiarelli and Co. will be looking especially hard at some players who are in right in between a roster spot and assignment. This is Vancouver’s second game in two nights, they were on the short stick of a 4-1 loss to the Kings. Edmonton is coming off a 5-3 loss in Winnipeg on Sunday. Both teams will be looking to score some goals and hang a W on the board. Can the Oilers out-hustle the Canucks?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

It’s interesting when you listen to the new coaching staff come in and their comments. There is no liability in his game, is some of the language they’re using.

Source

That’s Oilers head coach Todd McLellan on Kailer Yamamoto’s play this preseason. Yamamoto had two goals in Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Jets, and he looks more and more like a strong candidate to begin the season on the main roster. If the Oilers let go of a player like Zack Kassian in the process, I think it becomes nearly a lock that Yamamoto makes the club.

The Canucks are saying

At the end of the day we’re all trying to make this team or earn different opportunities, so you’ve got to bring it, no matter what, there’s no excuses at this point.

Source

That’s Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher after last night’s 4-1 loss to the LA Kings. The Canucks and Kings faced off in Salt Lake City, Utah. Like the Kings, the Canucks were an abysmal 0/5 on the power play.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

  • SHOOTING DARTS - There are a few guys on the bubble here. I’m looking at you, Pontus Aberg, Ryan McLeod and Alex Chiasson. Chiasson’s on a PTO, Aberg’s on a deal, and Ryan McLeod will probably be sent down right before the season starts. McLeod has impressed me quite a bit. He’s fast as lightning and he can put the puck in a teacup. I don’t expect he makes the roster at the end of preseason, but stranger things have happened, I suppose.
  • Mikko Koskinen was in net for five goals against in Sunday’s loss to Winnipeg. I thought he looked better than his first game against Calgary last week. I think Al Montoya is going to get a game to start, it may be tonight. We’ll know more in a bit.
  • A little surprised to see Kevin Gravel get assigned yesterday. Even more surprised to see Jason Garrison still with the club on a PTO.
  • With both Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko in Utah last night for the Canucks, it wouldn’t surprise me to see old friend Anders Nilsson between the pipes once again for Vancouver tonight.
  • Tonight’s top line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Connor McDavid - Ty Rattie is probably your top line to open the year. Very much interested to see if there’s any line chemistry between Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto. It’s Tobias Rieder to the left of Jujhar Khiara and Jesse Puljujarvi, while the fourth line consists of Alex Chiasson - Kyle Brodziak and Zack Kassian.