Oilers Game Day – Vs. Chicago

Finally! After a weeklong drought from Oilers hockey that felt like an eternity, we are blessed with a game against the Blackhawks on Hockey Night in Canada. Hallelujah!

Yes, it was along week indeed, but the thing that did capture our attention every night was the race in the standings. While the Oilers were lounging around and relaxing, the other teams in the Western Conference got their opportunity to bank some important games. For the Sharks, it was a chance to pad their lead in the Pacific Division. For teams like the Flames and the Kings, it was a chance to continue to jockey their way in the Wild Card race while also catching ground with the top 3 in their division.

When we last left the Oilers on Sunday evening, they sat 3 points shy of the Sharks (the Sharks had 2 games in hand) and 8 points ahead of the Kings who were 4^th in the Pacific (they also had 2 games in hand). Thankfully, the week off was not a disaster and the Oilers will be able to hit the final stretch, without interruption, with a bit of leeway.

How does everything look now?

The Sharks, with no games in hand, have only 4 points on the Oilers, while Anaheim is up 2 but has played the extra game. In regards to the Wild Card, Edmonton has a nice 6 point cushion on the cut-off line there. Calgary, with 56 games played, and only 59 points, pose even less of a threat to the Oilers than the Kings. As for Vancouver, they are standing on very shaky ground, and may already be as good as dead in the water.

What does it all mean? It means that as of February 11^th, it is looking more and more like there are only 9 real teams contending for the playoffs, with anyone below the Flames more than likely out of it. To further that, it means that for their remaining 27 games, the Oilers have to just play respectable hockey, even at only a .500 point pace, and it will be very, very likely that they will be playing extra hockey. How beautiful is that? Of course, we will all love if they can climb to even 2^nd in the Pacific Division. Home advantage in the spring? *faints*

And now, the Oilers get a chance to kick start that 27 game stretch of respectable hockey with a home matchup against the Hawks. These teams have only met once so far this year, back in November, where Edmonton walked away victorious, 5-0. Leon Draisaitl had 2 goals and 3 points on that night and he will be looking to repeat that performance against Chicago, who just played, and won, last night in Winnipeg.

Keys to the Game

Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers have the roster to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. The problem is that they will have to have the execution to beat Chicago. Following the All Star break the Oilers put out a very messy effort against the Minnesota Wild and suffered a 5-2 loss as a result.

The Oilers cannot afford to come out of another break with dead legs, sloppy hands, and foggy heads. Chicago will make them pay if they do. However, if Edmonton comes out with an energized effort and can limit their mistakes, as they did against Montreal, then they should be more than capable of beating a tired Chicago club.

Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago hasn’t had a break like the Oilers, and is actually coming into tonight with 4 straight wins. The Blackhawks are performing at an excellent level, but this will be their 3^rd game in 4 nights. If the Oilers do come out with fresh and lively legs, the Blackhawks won’t be able to outskate them for a full 60 minutes.

What they can do, is continue to play smart hockey, just as we have seen Chicago do for so many years, where they intelligently set the play up, snap the puck around, and force prolonged possession with experienced and calm play. If the Oilers want to commit a plethora of errors tonight, Chicago will have no problem capitalizing on them with more of that cerebral hockey.

Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers: Matt Benning makes his return after getting hurt in the Carolina game and missing the win against the Canadiens. One positive about the break is it gave a few banged up Oilers, like Benning, the chance to heal up without missing a ton of game time. Not only is the rookie returning to the lineup, but he gets to play in a pairing with Andrej Sekera.

Much has been written this week about the Sekera-Benning pairing, mostly from writers like WoodGuy and Lowetide, who have been hopeful that this duo would return. Well, with Kris Russell still banged up, more than a few of us will get our wish. Chicago boats some premium offensive power, so it will be really interesting to see how Benning handles the increase in minutes against the elites.

Chicago Blackhawks: Artemi Panarin managed 3 points in the win against Winnipeg on Friday night, so naturally it makes sense that he has the potential to carry on his momentum tonight. You may remember that Panarin was the player who edged out McDavid last year for the NHL’s rookie of the year.

It may seem fun to heckle him this evening, getting a tad bit of revenge for his robbery of McDavid’s trophy last season, but let us all remember: it’s important to respect our elders. So try and be kind tonight to the world’s oldest 25 year old.

The Lineups

Edmonton Oilers

Maroon – McDavid – Draisaitl

Lucic – Nugent-Hopkins – Eberle

Pouliot – Caggiula – Slepyshev

Lander – Letestu – Kassian

Sekera – Benning

Klefbom – Larsson

Davidson – Osterle

Talbot

Chicago Blackhawks (projected from last night)

Schmaltz – Toews – Panik

Panarin – Anisimov – Kane

Rasmussen – Kruger – Hossa

Hartman – Kero – Tootoo

Keith – Hjalmarsson

Kempny – Seabrook

Campbell – van Riemsdyk

Darling

Game Notes

• Edmonton enters this evening with a 6-3-1 record in their last 10. Chicago combats that with a 7-3 record.
• Connor McDavid got some company at the top of the points standings over this week with Sidney Crosby joining him at 60 a piece. Patrick Kane is in 6^th with 55 points.
• Cam Talbot missed last night’s practice due to a travel delay, giving him an extra day of rest. Could that missed practice factor into his play tonight?
• Jordan Oesterle will play again tonight, on a pairing with Brandon Davidson. Take note of his ply tonight, with a focus on his puck moving ability.

Prediction

Chicago has just been playing too well to predict a loss. I do, however, think that the Oilers will have learned something from the All Star break, and will be able to work that lesson in tonight against the tired Blackhawks.

I foresee a 3-2 overtime win for the Blackhawks, with Edmonton tying the game in the final 10 minutes of the 3rd. Let’s say that Jordan Eberle, who has 22 points in 21 career games against the Blackhawks, finds the twine to be the 3rd period hero.