Oilers Gameday – Vs. Kings

The Edmonton Oilers conclude a five game homestand tonight, looking to clinch a winning record on the stand and build on a two-game winning streak. The Oilers host their division rivals from LA in the third meeting between the sides on the season. LA won the first two in California, one coming in the shoot-out and one in regulation. Both teams are coming in off victories.

Edmonton enters the game riding a two game winning streak, which saw them beat Ottawa Tuesday and the Islanders 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night. The Oilers recalled forward Anton Lander and defender Oscar Klefbom on an emergency basis Saturday afternoon. Defender Jeff Petry hurt his back on Thursday, but will play tonight. Both Lander and Klefbom, who practiced Saturday, will have to wait to get into the lineup.

The Kings snagged sniper Marian Gaborik from Columbus on Wednesday for Matt Frattin and picks, and are coming into Edmonton with a relatively healthy lineup tonight. The Kings have been off since Thursday night, when they knocked off the Winnipeg Jets by a 3-1 score at the MTS Centre. LA recently recalled forwards Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli.

The Oilers will send ex-King Ben Scrivens out to battle his former team, while US Olympian Jonathan Quick will get the go for the Kings.

Keys To The Game:

Edmonton: For Edmonton this is going to be a very, very tough game tonight against the Kings. LA has dominated the Oilers lately, as Edmonton has gone 5-13 in their last 18 against them. Tonight, Edmonton needs to use their speed to have a fighting chance. This group won’t beat LA in a physical game, so Edmonton will have to open things up and trade chances with the Kings.

Los Angeles: It’s the exact opposite for the visitors from LA. The Kings need to play the body on the Oilers. LA is arguably the best team in the NHL when it comes to these physical contests, while Edmonton is one of the worst. The Oilers attack is easily thrown off by physical play, and if LA uses it tonight, they’ll easily walk away with two points.

Players To Watch:

Edmonton: Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens has been sensational since coming over form the Kings via trade back in January. He’s a big time competitor and will be itching to prove LA wrong tonight when he gets his first crack at his old team. He’ll also be looking to keep up the best stretch of play in his career. Scrivens will play a great game tonight for Edmonton, I’d count on it.

Los Angeles: Kings forward Jeff Carter is arguably one of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL today. His ability is unreal and he his shot even better. Edmonton’s defense isn’t very good, and usually struggles against top notch offensive players. I suspect the same to be the case tonight, and suggest keeping a close eye on Carter, who I suspect gets a goal.

Gameday Prediction:

The Oilers have been winning games recently, and are starting to look like an NHL team during stretches. The LA Kings are a Stanley Cup contender and own the Edmonton Oilers, so I think we know where this game is going to end up going. The Oilers, thanks mainly to Scrivens, will stay in this game, but LA will come out with a 3-1 win that flatters the home side.

The Lines:

Edmonton Oilers Lines:

Taylor Hall – Sam Gagner – Nail Yakupov

David Perron – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle

Matt Hendricks – Boyd Gordon – Jesse Joensuu

Luke Gazdic – Ryan Smyth – Ryan Jones

Andrew Ference – Justin Schultz

Martin Marincin – Jeff Petry

Philip Larsen – Mark Fraser

Ben Scrivens

Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams

Tyler Toffoli – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter

Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown

Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Jordan Nolan

Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty

Robyn Regehr – Slava Voynov

Willie Mitchell – Alec Martinez

Jonathan Quick