GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers @ Montreal Canadiens

Edmonton Oilers (23-24-4) (7th, Pacific)

Montréal Canadiens (28-18-6) (3rd, Atlantic)

1200 PM MST

Centre Bell

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Eyes On The Prize

STOP THE WORLD

Yesterday’s game against the Flyers was a tale of two games. The Oilers came out and handled the Flyers for half the game. They put the puck on net, they got goals from players who rarely score too (seriously, Adam Larsson, Zack Kassian?). It looked like a perfect storm was shaping up for the Oilers, but the Flyers would score four power play goals before Nolan Patrick scored the game winner in overtime. The Oilers need roughly 40 points over the remaining 62 available, leaving one on the table in Philadelphia is no bueno.

The Oilers try to right the ship this afternoon in Montréal. Can they turn a disappointing loss into a couple of points?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

“Got to have a short memory, take the point and move on. Should have been two.”

Source

That’s Oilers captain Connor McDavid on yesterday’s 5-4 OT loss to the Flyers.

The Oilers should have left Philadelphia with two points, they left after yielding four power play goals to the Flyers.

The Canadiens are saying

We knew coming in that this was their third game back. We wanted to keep it simple early, get pucks in and get our legs going. I think everyone did a good job at that, moving our feet...As the game went on, you’re starting to get your hands and everything back and get the pace of the game back.

Source

That’s Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry on Montréal’s 3-2 loss to the Devils on Saturday.

Both Montréal and Edmonton came off the bye yesterday with losses. At least the Oilers picked up a point in the most unsatisfying way possible.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• NET GAINS: Both Edmonton and Montréal are on the tail end of back-to-backs. The Oilers are rolling with Mikko Koskinen (14-11-1, .910 SV% / 2.79 GAA / 3 SO) between the pipes, the Canadiens are going with Carey Price (20-13-4, .915 SV% / 2.56 GAA / 3SO).
• Oilers had the luxury of a porous Flyer defence yesterday in Philadelphia. The Canadiens averaging 2.92 goals allowed per game, good for thirteenth in the league.
• WAITING ON A FRIEND: The Oilers will have to do without Oscar Klefbom for at least today’s game. There’s a chance he could be ready to go on Tuesday against Chicago.
• SICK BAY: The Oilers will be without Oscar Klefbom (finger) and Andrej Sekera (ankle). The Canadiens are without Andrew Shaw (neck).