TALE OF THE TAPE:
Game: Edmonton Oilers (19-26-5) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (19-27-5)
Location: Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Time: 7:00 PM MT
Where to find it: TV: Sportsnet – Radio: 630 CHED
Edmonton Oilers Preview:
CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂 CONNOR MCDAVID 🙂
But in all seriousness, there is a lot to look forward to as an Oiler fan right now. The team is beginning to get healthy again, and today’s return of McDavid is just the start. Recent waiver claim Adam Clendening will draw into the lineup, as Justin Schultz is sidelined with an illness.
We now are near a point where we can actually see where the Oilers are as a team. They have still managed to improve off this point last season, but are they better? I would like to think so.
Once we are able to have Klefbom and Davidson return to the lineup, we are nearing a team that actually resembles a NHL roster.
As I wrote about the other day, the next few weeks will be crucial for the team as some hard decisions will have to be made.
I’m keeping today’s preview short and sweet because right now you should be preparing your McDavid shrines and ensuring your fridge is stocked with beer. You’re going to need a few celebratory pops later when he scores 80 goals tonight.
Predictions for tonight:
- Connor McDavid plays Hockey.
- Connor McDavid scores a goal.
- Connor McDavid resurrects the Oilers season.
The Otherside:
Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo have carried the load with the regular tandem of Sergei Bobrovsky (groin) and Curtis McElhinney (ankle) out with injuries. Korpisalo (2-1-1) has started the past four games, including back-to-back wins against the Montreal Canadiens last week. He made 60 saves on 64 shots in the wins against Montreal. Coach John Tortorella is expected to be back behind the bench after missing three games with broken ribs sustained in a collision with forward Rene Bourque during an outdoor practice Jan. 22. This will be the start of a three-game swing through Western Canada with visits against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday and Calgary Flames on Friday.
Line Combos and Starting Goalies c/o Left Wing Lock:
Oilers (Cam Talbot):
Taylor Hall – Leon Draisaitl – Teddy Purcell
Benoit Pouliot – Connor McDavid – Jordan Eberle
Zack Kassian – Mark Letestu – Nail Yakupov
Lauri Korpikoski – Matt Hendricks – Iiro Pakarinen
Andrej Sekera – Mark Fayne
Griffin Reinhart – Adam Clendening (expected)
Darnell Nurse – Eric Gryba
Columbus Blue Jackets (Joonas Korpisalo):
Boone Jenner – Brandon Dubinsky – Cam Atkinson
Brandon Saad – Alexander Wennberg – Nick Foligno
Scott Hartnell – William Karlsson – Matt Calvert
Ryan Murray – Seth Jones
Jack Johnson – Justin Falk
Fedor Tyutin – Dalton Prout
Any ideas on how to improve my game previews? Send me an email at zjlaing@gmail.com.
