Match-up - Edmonton Oilers (18-39-11) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (29-34-4) Road/Home records - 8-19-9 -------------- 12-19-2 TV - SNOL, FS-O Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season Series - 0-0 Last 10 - Oilers: 2-7-1 ------------ Blue Jackets: 3-6-1 Projected starting goalies - Ben Scrivens vs Sergei Bobrovsky
Projected lines for the Oilers via DailyFaceoff.com:
Benoit Pouliot - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle Teddy Purcell - Derek Roy - Nail Yakupov Ryan Hamilton - Anton Lander - Matt Fraser Matt Hendricks - Boyd Gordon - Rob Klinkhammer
Oscar Klefbom - Justin Schultz Andrew Ference - Keith Aulie Martin Marincin - Mark Fayne
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
*expected to return
Rene Bourque - Ryan Johansen - Cam Atkinson Nick Foligno - Brandon Dubinsky - Corey Tropp Scott Hartnell - Alexander Wennberg - Marko Dano Luke Adam - Mark Letestu - Jared Boll
Jack Johnson - David Savard Fedor Tyutin - Dalton Prout Kevin Connauton - Ryan Murray*
What to watch:
1) Ryan Murray is set to return to the lineup in tonight's game. The Blue Jackets obviously aren't making the playoffs, so the development of their young players is the most important thing as we finish this season. Murray is at the forefront of that, so hopefully he can settle in, stay healthy, and finish off strong. Injuries have undoubtedly slowed down his development.
2) After recording just one point in 10 games, Cam Atkinson has found his way onto the score sheet picking up a point in consecutive games. He generally gets a lot of shots/chances so when they start to go the points really start to come in bunches.
3) Neither team is very good at even-strength, but the Blue Jackets have a decisive advantage in terms of special teams. If they can stay out of the box themselves they should have a good chance at winning this game, especially if Edmonton gets in any penalty trouble.
4) Columbus likes to play a power game, get pucks behind the net and work the defense. They should be able to do that tonight, as Edmonton's defense isn't overly good, and can be prone to turnovers in the defensive zone. Strong forecheck pressure should make that even more noticeable.
5) Marko Dano: 17 shots on goal and two points in his last five. As he gets more comfortable the points should continue to pile up.
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