Edmonton Oilers look to keep winning ways against the Seattle Kraken in an afternoon matinee.
EDMONTON -- There are two massive points at stake in today's game. For Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers they need to keep to their winning ways in order to continue rising through the ranks.
Today's opponent - the Seattle Kraken - are nine points back of the Oilers and have played two more games. The bigger threat to the Oilers is the Los Angeles Kings. They have also played two more games than the Oilers, but are only two points behind.
Luckily for the Oilers, the Kings don't play until tomorrow. So tonight presents an opportunity to widen the gap between them and their divisional opponent.
Projected Forward Lines
Hyman - McDavid - Draisaitl
Zach Hyman is having himself a season. With 40 goals in the bag already on the year, don't be surprised to see him notch at least another one today. This line will (more than likely) continue to be dominant.
Zach Hyman.Kane - Nugent-Hopkins - Janmark
There have been mixed results with this line - as Kris Knoblauch has swapped Dylan Holloway for Mattias Janmark at several points in the Oilers last game. Keep an eye out on this line to see if that swapping happens again today.
Foegele - McLeod - Perry
This third line has some great potential. The flow of the last couple games has prevented them from seeing more ice time. If they can get some regular shifts together, this could be a really useful line at both ends of the ice.
Corey Perry.Holloway - Ryan - Brown
Will Connor Brown finally score? There's no better time than the present. For the Oilers to make it to the top of the standings - and also grind their way to a Stanley Cup - they will need their depth players to find ways to score without getting bumped up the lineup to play with Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or McDavid.
Projected Defense Pairings
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Desharnais
The name of the game for the defenders is to keep the puck out of the net. One of the best ways to do that is to play as much as possible in the offensive zone - and not giveaway the puck in a costly fashion.
Starting Goalie
Skinner
Stuart Skinner has rebounded well in his last few outings. If the Oilers go down a goal or two in the beginning of the game, look to Skinner to shut the door.
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