Oilers Gameday – Vs. Islanders

The Oilers play game four of a five game homestand tonight, looking to build off of a win on Tuesday night against Ottawa. Tonight, Edmonton will get a rare visit from the New York Islanders in the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Islanders won the first meeting 3-2 back in October on the Island.

The Oilers will look a little different tonight. Ales Hemsky, who scored two goals on Tuesday in his finale, was traded to Ottawa yesterday, while defender Nick Schultz was shipped out to Columbus, both bringing draft picks in return. Edmonton is coming off of a 3-2 win over Ottawa on Tuesday, and is looking to save face on this homestand. Philip Larsen was recalled yesterday and will be in the lineup.

The Islanders come into Rexall Place lacking their two biggest scorers. Forward Thomas Vanek was traded to Montreal yesterday for a pick and a prospect, while John Tavares is out for the season with a torn ligament in his knee, suffered at the Olympics. Defender Andrew MacDonald was also shipped out, heading to Philly on Tuesday. The Isles, who broke out last year, have sunk back down to the basement in the NHL and eastern conference, and sit only six points ahead of the Oilers.

Ben Scrivens is expected to tend net for Edmonton, while veteran Evgeni Nabokov is expected to get the go for New York, who is coming off of a 3-2 OT win in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Keys To The Game:

Edmonton: Pucks to the net, just get pucks and fire them to the net. The Islanders are basically Edmonton east, with a terrible defensive unit, add to that some suspect goaltending, and it’s very well possible that Edmonton can put some goals on the board tonight. The Isles struggle in their own zone, and give up a ton of goals, for Edmonton, they need to put pucks on net and apply some pressure, they have the horses to do it.

New York: Play physical, that’s going to by NY’s key to this one. The Oilers don’t like physical play and it usually throws them off their game. The Islanders have a few players that can put the hammer down physically. While they are a weaker defensive team, they are a unit that can disrupt opposing attacks with hits. That’s been a proven way to ruin the Oilers offense.

Players To Watch:

Edmonton: Forward Jordan Eberle is a player that gets hot, real hot, at times. His goal on Tuesday night broke a bit of a drought for the sniper, and tonight against a weak defensive team I think it’s realistic to think he might find the back of the net. Eberle seems to have success against eastern conference teams, and I’ll wager that continues tonight. I’ll say a goal and assist for Ebs.

New York: Speedy forward Michal Grabner is a player that has had some real success on the Island. With no Tavares and no Vanek tonight, he’s going to be the main threat for New York. Edmonton’s defense struggles against speedy and skilled players, and that is exactly what Grabner is. His speed creates chances, and he has goal scorers hands. It’s a bad combo for Edmonton, and I’d watch him tonight.

Gameday Prediction:

The Oilers and Islanders are both teams out of it, but New York seems to be fighting for some pride, while Edmonton has been going through the motions. With the emotional high provided by Ales Hemsky now gone, I suspect the Oilers lull themselves back to sleep tonight against a motivated New York squad. Edmonton keeps it close, but a 4-2 Islanders win will be the result here.

The Lines:

Edmonton Oilers Lines:

Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Nail Yakupov

David Perron – Sam Gagner – Jordan Eberle

Matt Hendricks – Boyd Gordon – Ryan Jones

Luke Gazdic – Ryan Smyth – Jesse Joensuu

Martin Marincin – Jeff Petry

Andrew Ference – Mark Fraser

Philip Larsen – Justin Schultz

Ben Scrivens

New York Islanders Lines:

Michael Grabner – Frans Nielson – Kyle Okposo

Josh Bailey – Brock Nelson – Cal Clutterbuck

Anders Lee – Ryan Strome – Colin McDonald

Matt Martin – Casey Cizikas – Eric Boulton

Calvin De Haan – Travis Hamonic

Thomas Hickey – Lubomir Visnovsky

Brain Strait – Matt Carkner

Evgeni Nabokov