Oilers Game Day – Vs. Minnesota Wild

Oilers vs. Wild – Game 52

Fresh off the heels of Hollywood attention for McDavid, and some fresh Alberta Mountain air for much of everyone else on the team, the Edmonton Oilers are ready to hit the home stretch on the season. In the broader scene of things, these final 30 games will be all about locking down a playoff spot that as of now, the Oilers own comfortably. In a more focused picture, however, Edmonton will be much more concentrated on the immediate horizon. Next week, the Oilers will take their CBA mandated 5 day break in the schedule, but before they can take a seat on the La-Z-Boy, they will need to storm through a stretch of 4 games in 6 days, with a back to back set of tilts thrown in. The Oilers can ill-afford to take an early knee.

The Minnesota Wild will make their venture down 104th avenue this evening to face the Oilers for what will be the third time this year. In these teams’ previous 2 meetings, the Wild were able to secure a victory both times, with each game requiring at least overtime to find a result. Minnesota will enter Rogers Place as arguably the second hottest team in the league, behind only the Washington Capitals. With a +54 (!) goal differential on the year, a 32-11-5 record (69 points), and a record of 8-2 in their last 10, there is very little doubt that the Oilers will have their hands full tonight. The fact that Minnesota sits second in goals against per game, and fourth in goals forward per game, only intensifies the task.

That isn’t to say that Edmonton hasn’t been good themselves, though. Just prior to the All Star break, Edmonton was good for a 2 game sweep in California, outscoring Anaheim and San Jose 8-1 in the trip, while in the process compiling a 7-2-1 record over their last ten. Even further back, Edmonton has a 13-3-3 record to show in their last 19 games. They currently sit tied for first in the Pacific, albeit with a game in hand on the Sharks.

What this all means is that we have a goliath game on our hands tonight between two of the Western Conference’s better teams. Despite the break, we should expect emotions, physicality, and a intense playoff atmosphere. The Oilers will look to once again step up in the face of pressure, and capture their 9th win against the Central Division in what will be their 13th attempt.

Keys to the Game

Edmonton Oilers

Take Advantage of the Goalie Battle: Thankfully, the Oilers won’t have to face their former netminder Devyn Dubnyk, who has absolutely owned Edmonton since being traded just a few years ago. Instead, the Oilers will matchup against Darcy Kuemper. Yes, it is true that Kuemper has had Edmonton’s number in the past (3-1-1 record, .937 save %); but, this is a much different year. Not only are the Oilers better, but Kuemper has been playing a lot worse than his career numbers, with a .901 save percentage and 3.28 GAA on the year.

On the other end of the rink will be Cam Talbot, who has been exceptional all year. The opportunity for a victory is as clear as day if this distinct mismatch can be exploited by Edmonton.

Stop Being Sloppy: The Oilers won both games in California, but there was a decent amount of sloppiness in both games, especially so against the Sharks. Failed passes, giveaways, and general carelessness crept its way into the game in more than a few occassions over the 48 hours. Similar play against the league’s 4th best offence will give Minnesota all the opportunity they need to win.

Minnesota Wild

Defend Well, Score on the Power Play: For the Wild, much of the game will be about playing with the same level of execution that they have demonstrated all year. It will be key for them, especially with Kuemper in net, to give up very little, and in exchange, take advantage of whatever openings the Oilers provide.

This will mean that the Wild have to contain McDavid in the neutral zone, avoid costly turnovers, and hope that their Power Play (10th best in the league) can find a way to get a puck or two past Talbot. The problem is that the whole “containing McDavid” thing sure is a lot easier said than done.

Players to Watch

Edmonton Oilers

• Milan Lucic: The big left winger will still be stationed on the Oilers third line tonight, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to make an impact if he so chooses. Lucic had been showing well in the few games prior to the break, and it will be important for him to carry over that success. His intimidating, forceful presence can be crucial in big games such as this going forward. If a motivated Milan shows up tonight, that will be very encouraging for the future.

Minnesota Wild

• Matt Dumba: Remember the whole Ryan Nugent-Hopkins/Matt Dumba rumour that was floating around this past summer? Well, that rumour ultimately never came to fruition, but since then I know that personally I have taken more of an interest in the Wild’s second pairing defender. The 22 year old has 22 points in 48 games this year, and by almost all accounts, has looked pretty impressive this season. In the last meeting between the Wild and Oilers, Dumba scored a goal. Look for him to play a factor in tonight’s tilt.

The Lineups

Edmonton Oilers

Patrick Maroon- Connor McDavid – Leon Draisaitl

Benoit Pouliot – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle

Milan Lucic – Drake Caggiula – Anton Slepyshev

Matt Hendricks – Mark Letestu – Zack Kassian

Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson

Andrej Sekera – Kris Russell

Brandon Davidson – Matt Benning

Cam Talbot

Minnesota Wild

Nino Niederreiter – Eric Staal – Charlie Coyle

Jason Zucker – Mikko Koivu – Mikael Granlund

Zach Parise – Erik Haula – Jason Pominville

Chris Stewart – Tyler Graovac – Jordan Schroeder

Ryan Suter – Jared Spurgeon

Marco Scandella – Matthew Dumba

Nate Prosser – Mike Riley

Darcy Kuemper

Prediction

This is a tough game to predict. On one hand we have a team that is right at the top of the league with their record. The Wild have been outstanding all year and it shows in their stat line, with greatness seeping through at every facet.

On the other hand, the Oilers are a team who just swept California, have an almost identical record in their last 10 games, and who will undoubtedly be starting the better of the 2 goalies.

I also look at the home and away records of both clubs. Minnesota has the second most road wins in the league, with a record of 15-5-5. The Oilers, after a slower start at Rogers, have improved their record to 13-8-3.

I will say that goals by Matt Benning and Leon Draisaitl get this game to overtime tied at 2. In the extra frame, it is Talbot who is the difference maker and Drake Caggiula sends the Oilers fans home happy in what is a hallmark night for the College rookies. 3-2 Oilers win in overtime.