GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings

Edmonton Oilers (19-18-3) (6th, Pacific)

Los Angeles Kings (16-23-3) (8th, Central)

8 PM MST

Staples Center

TV: CBC / Sportsnet

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent:Jewels From The Crown

FINALLY, A WIN

It was the Arizona Coyotes who struck first, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl swooped in and made it a 2-1 contest in the second period. Connor McDavid would block a shot late in the third and take it to an empty net to set the final score at 3-1. McDavid would finish the day with three points, the Oilers would pick up two points in the standings.

Oilers are in LA this evening to see if they can make it two in a row. Can they get some secondary scoring outside of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

That’s the plan,...I’ve had a good week here, skated yesterday with a couple of the younger guys. Progression has been good. I’m looking forward to tomorrow

Source

That’s Oilers forwrd Alex Chiasson, who is set to return to the lineup this evening against Los Angeles. Chiasson has been out of the lineup since taking a puck to the knee against the Flyers on December 14th. Chiasson has sixteen goals, he’s been scoring at an incredible 32% on the year. He’s in with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tobias Rieder tonight.

The Kings are saying

Obviously never fun to be out, the amount of time I was out, but that’s part of the process... There were a lot of guys hurt with me which helped and got some really good work in and I should be ready to go

Source

That’s Kings forward Carl Hagelin, who is set to return to the lineup this evening against the Oilers. Hagelin has been out of the Kings lineup with a knee injury since late November. Hagelin has five points (1-4-5) in 21 games so far this season.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• It’s 90s night in LA, and if you’re watching the Fox feed, you’re in for a treat? Fortunately for most of us, you won’t have to relive this monstrosity. For those who might be too young, this was a terrible idea that happened back in the 1990s and it was geared toward the casual fan. Long story short, there was a belief that casual fans couldn’t keep up with the little puck on the screen. To help alleviate this, special pucks were constructed with transmitters in them. The puck then ‘glowed’ on screen. It was a faint blue glow. When the puck was shot over 70 miles an hour, a red comet tail appeared on screen. It was goofy. The pucks cost something like $400 each, which made things really interesting when one went up over the glass.
• The defence is...something today. Kevin Gravel on the right side?

http;//dailyfaceoff.com

• Alex Chiasson is back in the lineup, and that’s great news for the Oilers. He’ll be up on line two with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tobias Rieder. Chiasson is the fourth leading scorer for the Oilers this season with 20 points in 31 games. Look for a top line of 29-97-44 one more time. Milan Lucic will team up with Jujhar and Jesse on the third line, while the other trio will feature Kyle Brodziak, Joseph Gambardella and Ty Rattie.
• The Edmonton Oilers are in serious need of some wins, and they need them now. Anaheim is clinging onto the second wild card spot in the Western Conference right now at 45 points. Edmonton has 41 and two fewer games played. A win tonight against LA and a win tomorrow against Anaheim will help immensely. A loss tonight and tomorrow would be eight losses in nine games.
• The Kings continue to struggle in the 2018-19 season. Los Angeles is dead last in goals per game (2.21), though they’re a somewhat more manageable 17th overall in goals allowed (3.02). They’re not getting much help on special teams, where they’re tied at 25th overall with Anaheim (15.3%).
• NET GAINS: Oilers are on the first game of a back-to-back, expect Cam Talbot (7-11-2, .892 SV% / 3.30 GAA). For the Kings, look for Jonathan Quick (6-10-2, .895 SV% / 3.05 GAA / 1 SO).
• SICK BAY: The Oilers are without Andrej Sekera (ankle), Kris Russell (groin), Oscar Klefbom (finger). Kailer Yamamoto (upper body) is day-to-day. For the Kings, Trevor Lewis (foot) is out, while Alec Martinez (upper body) is day-to-day.