GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers @ Colorado Avalanche

Edmonton Oilers (16-7-3) 1st, Pacific @

Colorado Avalanche (13-8-2) 4th, Central

27 November 2019

Pepsi Center

800 PM MST

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Mile High Hockey

MAKING IT WORK

James Neal, Alex Chiasson and Markus Granlund each had a goal for the Oilers, while Connor McDavid put one away in the shootout. Mikko Koskinen turned aside 27 shots in regulation and was a perfect 3/3 in the shootout to give the Oilers two more points in the standings. The Oilers withstood a barrage of non-calls (even Coyotes coach Rick Tocchett admitted this luxury after the game) and emerged on top. The Oilers enjoyed a four point lead atop the Pacific Division after their win. Good stuff!

The Oilers could increase that lead to six points with a victory in Colorado tonight. Can the Oilers continue the good times upward?

Let’s go to the tape.

THE OILERS ARE SAYING

This group is gaining confidence. We’re getting great goaltending and, if there’s one thing that’s a little bit different from the past, we’re extending the game. We had a short amount of time in the second where they got a little bit of momentum, but as the game went on, we built back our game and stuck with it.

Source

That’s Oilers forward Alex Chiasson after his club’s 4-3 shootout win over the Coyotes on Sunday.

What a game. What a finish. Alex Chiasson scored his second goal of the season on a nifty little feed from Sam Gagner. Gagner replaced Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who will also be out at least today with a hand injury.

THE AVALANCHE ARE SAYING

I think the first period was a bit of a write-off, we didn’t show up...We just dug ourselves in a hole, and it was too much to climb out of. Second and third periods, we were definitely the better team, but the first period hurt us.

Source

That’s Avalanche foward Nazem Kadri after Colorado’s 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

The Avalanche scored early in the first period when Nathan MacKinnon netted his 14th in the first minute. The Maple Leafs roared back, scoring four goals before the first was up.

LINES

They’ll go here after morning skate.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• The Oilers have a chance to end this roadie at 4-1, which would be spectacular. Consider that they haven’t had Ryan Nugent-Hopkins last game and this one tonight, they’ve gotten timely goals from secondary sources (Markus Granlund, Alex Chiasson), and Mikko Koskinen is playing at .920 on the year. The Oilers are atop the Pacific Division. Can’t ask for more right now.
• HI-OCTANE: The Avalanche are a superiour offensive club. They’re fourth in the league in goals scored averaging 3.52 per game, though they’re right in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals allowed (3.00). Nathan MacKinnon (14-19-33), Andre Burakovski (11-10-21) and Nazem Kadri (7-10-17) lead the way among the forwards, while Cale Makar is probably going to win rookie of the year on defence (7-18-25). Oiler defencemen will need to take note.
• NET GAINS: I’ve got Mikko Koskinen in for the Oilers tonight (9-1-2, .920 SV% / 1 SO / 2.45 GAA). For the Avalanche, look for Philip Grubauer (7-5-2, .910 SV% / 2.99 GAA).
• SICK BAY: The Oilers will be without centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (hand), Jujhar Khaira, Brandon Manning and Matt Benning are all day-to-day. The Avalanche will be without Gabriel Landeskog (lower body). Mikko Rantanen is out until the weekend (lower body), while Colin Wilson and defenceman Erik Johnson are day-to-day.