Game Day: Oilers vs Red Wings

The Edmonton Oilers snapped a three game losing skid last night with a shootout victory over the New York Islanders last night. It was an interesting game as you saw the Oilers drop two goals relatively quickly but responded with two goals themselves to tie it up. However, the Islanders took another lead and once again, the Oilers responded. Two goals were on the power play, which is refreshing considering how awful it’s been lately. Today however, comes another test with a very hot hockey team: the Detroit Red Wings.

Keys to the Game

1) Get over the Early Game Syndrome

The Oilers have been a historically bad team when it comes to afternoon affairs and this one could be no different. The last game the Oilers won in Detroit is way back on December 9th, 2009, a whopping 7 years. After a tough game against the New York Islanders, it is vital for the Oilers to come out strong and not let the other team score within the first minute of the game. I also imagine Gustavsson will be taking the net.

2) Special Teams

The Oilers have not allowed a single Power Play goal while on the road and are a perfect 21/21 in their last penalty killing attempts. I imagine they can continue to keep it up as Detroit sits at 17th place with a 17.8% success rate on the power play. The Red Wings Penalty Kill sits at 15th which is the same place that the Oilers sit with their Power Play. Both are middling teams in that regard. Still, the Oilers have some momentum going forward with the power play, as they did tally two goals against the Islanders with the man advantage.

3) Overcoming those injuries

Kris Russell is day to day, Jesse Puljujarvi seems to have a bit of a charlie horse but Kassian is unknown. Puljujarvi and Kassian were listed as doubtful for tomorrow and Dillon Simpson was recalled from Bakersfield (announced on Coaches Corner last night). I would imagine Taylor Beck gets a recall, since he had a 4 point night with Bakersfield last night.

McLellan says Puljujarvi just sore, “knee not a concern,” indicates Kassian won’t play tomorrow.

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 6, 2016

Who To Watch For

Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid

It’s crazy to say this, but McDavid has looked a bit quiet in his last few games. While he will silently put up a point or two, I’m still hoping he has a multi point game in the near future. I consider him one of the best players in the league already, but it’s frustrating seeing teams employing the trap, clutching and grabbing or being the victim of poor ice. He had some good chances against the Islanders and last year he had a high light real move against Petr Mrazek.

Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin and Jimmy Howard

Larkin has had a rough go so far this season as he has only four goals and a single assist in twelve games this season. However, Larkin has scored two goals in his last two games for the Red Wings, signalling that the sophmore could be heating up. Larkin has tremendous speed that will keep the Oilers on their toes and is a very skilled player. The Red Wings are also riding some very impressive goaltending from Jimmy Howard. Howard has played four games this season, but has a 3-1-0 record with a staggering 0.974 save percentage.

Projected Line Ups

Edmonton Oilers

Maroon-McDavid-Eberle

Pouliot-Nugent-Hopkins-Pitlick

Lucic-Draisaitl-XXX

Lander-Letestu-XXX

Klefbom-Larsson

Sekera-Benning

Nurse-Gryba

Gustavsson

Note: the XXX could be call ups that at the time of writing was not yet revealed.

Detroit Red Wings

Nyquist-Nielsen-Larkin

Tatar-Zetterberg-Abdelkader

Athanasiou-Helm-Sheahan

Miller-Glendening-Ott

DeKeyeser-Green

Ericsson-Marchenko

Smith-Kronwall

Howard

Lineups for Detroit taken from Dailyfaceoff.com

Prediction

I do not have high hopes for the Oilers in this one. For one, they are horrible at afternoon games. Secondly, it’s the second game of a back to back. Thirdly, I believe they’ll have Gustavsson in net, who is not a Cam Talbot.

Add all those factors up and I think the Oilers lose 3-1 in a boring mid day affair against the Red Wings. I think McDavid gets a goal, but Nyquist, Zetterberg and Abdelkader each get one on even strength. Jimmy Howard continues his ways against the Oilers.

It would be great to be proven wrong!