GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers @ Anaheim Ducks

Oilers are winners of one in their last eight. Ducks are winless in their last seven. We got ourselves a barn burner here.

By Jeff Chapman@NewWaveOil Jan 6, 2019, 5:00pm MST

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings — Last night’s 4-0 loss to the Kings was the first time Connor McDavid was held without a point since 1922

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

Anaheim Ducks (19-16-7) (4th, Pacific)

6 PM MST

Honda Center

TV: Sportsnet / SN 360

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Anaheim Calling

This is going to be a fun one tonight. The Anaheim Ducks are playing to avoid matching their longest winless streak in their franchise’s history (that’s eight losses). They’ve lost seven in a row, and they’re going to take on a likely irritable Oilers squad who got blown out of the water last night in LA. The Oilers have won just one game in their last eight, and they’re somehow still just four points from these very same Ducks.

These Ducks are clinging to the second wild card position in the Western Conference, and the Oilers can be within two points with a regulation win tonight.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

How is this team going to push back after yesterday’s embarrassing loss to the Kings? The Oilers got caved by a 4-0 margin in a game that saw them shoot the puck just sixteen times. How will they come back?
Kris Russell is back in the lineup tonight. Who comes out? It’s going to be Gravel, isn’t it? Surely it wouldn’t be Brandon Manning, who the club traded for three games ago, would it?
Mikko Koskinen had an evening to forget, getting pulled after the third goal on his eighth shot. Cam Talbot pitched in relief. Whoever starts tonight, they’ve got to give at least replacement level goaltending for the Oilers to have a shot at this one.