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GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights

A win in Sin City will give Edmonton 5 of 6 points on this road trip

By Jeff Chapman
Edmonton Oilers v Anaheim Ducks
Both Tyler Ennis and Andreas Athanasiou scored in their debuts for Edmonton
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Edmonton Oilers (33-22-7) 3rd, Pacific vs

Vegas Golden Knights (34-22-8) 1st Pacific

26 February 2020

T-Mobile Center

8 PM MST

TV: Sportsnet West

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Knights on Ice

HALF A SURPRISE

The Oilers got out to a lacklustre start in last night’s overtime loss to the Ducks. They were down 2-0 at the end of the first before the new guys started finding their legs. Tyler Ennis would score in his first game as an Edmonton Oiler to cut the lead in half. Leon Draisaitl would knot it at 2-all early in the third on a power play goal. Later on, Andreas Athanasiou would tie it again at 3-all on a late goal in regulation.

The Ducks would eventually take this one in overtime. Edmonton would escape Anaheim with a point, but leaving points on the table within the division is costly.

The Oilers look to swipe two points from the Golden Knights in Vegas tonight. Will the Oilers emerge with a W?

Let’s go to the tape.

THE OILERS ARE SAYING

That’s a big point for us. We got a big two points [Wednesday] night that are up for grabs against a good Vegas team.

Source

That’s Oilers captain Connor McDavid on picking up a point in last night’s 4-3 OTL to the Anaheim Ducks.

Picking up one point is always better than picking up none. The point keeps Edmonton tied with Vancouver, who now has a game in hand on the Oilers.

THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS ARE SAYING

We need [Karlsson] to get a little bit hot here. He works so hard and he gets so many chances, it was nice to see him get on the board. Hopefully that opens the floodgates.

Source

That’s Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer on forward William Karlsson after Vegas’ 6-5 OT win over Anaheim on Sunday night.

Karlsson had a hat trick in Sunday’s win. Every coach would like a little bit more of that.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

  • I’m sure there are better debuts, but picking up a goal and an assist is a pretty good way for Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Ennis to say hello. You think they’ll start with Connor McDavid on the top line again tonight?
  • ONE MORE POINT: Leon Draisaitl’s power play goal gives him 99 points on the season. Is tonight he pushes the river to 100 on the season?
  • KNIGHT TIME: The Golden Knights are tied with St. Louis in goals scored per game (3.20/G), good for 11th in the league. They’re 14th in goals allowed per game (3.03).
  • NET GAINS: Marc-Andre Fleury gets the nod for Vegas tonight. 25-14-5 / .906 SV% / 2.79 GAA / 4 SO.) Expect Mikko Koskinen ( 16-12-2 / .911 SV% / 2.89 GAA / 1 SO) for the Oilers.
  • SICK BAY: The Oilers are without Kris Russell (concussion), Kailer Yamamoto (ankle), Joakim Nygard (hand) and Oscar Klefbom (shoulder). The Knights will miss Alex Tuch (leg)