Oilers vs Penguins Preview – Reinhart down, Schultz up

edit 4:46 PM: Anders Nilsson has been confirmed to start.

Screen Shot 2015-11-28 at 3.34.18 PM


TALE OF THE TAPE:

Game: Edmonton Oilers (7-14-2) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (13-8-1)

Location: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Time: 5:00 PM MT

Where to find it: TV: Sportsnet – Radio: 630 CHED


Edmonton Oilers Preview:

Coming off the heels of a 4-3 heartbreaking OT loss to the Red Wings, the Oilers made the move to activate Justin Schultz off the IR and assign Griffin Reinhart to the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).

The move isn’t one that I am a fan of, but it is one that I can understand. The Oilers still have a log jam of defencemen and something had to give. Reinhart was one of few defencemen available to be returned to the AHL, and I don’t feel that Brandon Davidson or Darnell Nurse are deserving of that. Reinhart still has some flaws in his game, so hopefully he can get some big minutes in Bakersfield.

Jujhar (J.J.) Khaira will be featured in his NHL debut.

“I think I’ve found my game,” said Khaira. “I’m definitely more confident. I know what I need to do when I’m out there, what kind of player I need to be and a lot of it has to do with being a big body and creating room for myself and others.” Source.

At 6’3, 215 lbs that is exactly what Khaira can come in and do. His scoring has caught up with his size this season, as he has potted seven points in 16 AHL games – a definite improvement over the 10 points in 51 games he notched last year.

I am a big fan of Khaira’s, and was happy that we were able to get him in the 3rd round of the 2012 NHL Entry draft. The Oilers are a team that has been lacking size for sometime, so hopefully Khaira will be able to continue to develop into an impact player for the Oilers down the road. His game has been impressive in the AHL.

Tonight, both the Oilers and Penguins are preparing for back-to-back games after both suffering OT losses last night. Last time these two teams met was on November 6th, where the Penguins beat the Oilers 2-1. Anders Nilsson had the start in that game, and boasted an impressive 2.05 GAA and .939 sv%.

Given that Talbot had the start last night, I would expect to see Nilsson manning the crease tonight.

Walter Foddis’ Pregame Metrics:
PreGame_Metrics_-_EDMvsPIT
The Otherside:

Backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff will make his fourth start of the season after Marc-Andre Fleury made 41 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Zatkoff got the victory in Edmonton earlier this month, making 26 saves. Sidney Crosby, who left the game in Columbus briefly after being cross-checked in the neck late in the second period, returned to the game and extended his point streak to four games when he set up Evgeni Malkin for a power-play goal midway through the third period. Crosby has three goals and five points during this stretch. “I’m OK,” said Crosby, who left with 1:20 remaining in the second period but was back for the start of the third. There always concern when it happens, but I’m OK.” – nhl.com


Line Combos and Starting Goalies c/o Daily Faceoff:

As per the Oilers website, “The Oilers did not skate this morning, having flown in from Detroit last night. The lineup will be announced during warmups.”

Oilers (Unknown): Screen Shot 2015-11-28 at 3.14.11 PMScreen Shot 2015-11-28 at 3.14.18 PM

Penguins (Jeff Zatkoff): Screen Shot 2015-11-28 at 3.16.09 PMScreen Shot 2015-11-28 at 3.16.14 PM

Any ideas on how to improve my game previews? Send me an email at zjlaing@gmail.com.


[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq8KHn2TEXI]

 

Zach Laing Written by: