Tonight the Oilers will face off for the second time in the week with the difference this time being Edmonton will actually play a game. The Edmonton Oilers were supposed to play three games last week against the Canadiens until a COVID case from the Canadiens forced the league to postpone and reschedule the games. The remaining two games have been rescheduled for April at the end of the season.

Last night the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final time of the regular season, earning a win in OT. That win gave the Oilers a final record of 3-5-1. The win should give the Oilers some confidence if these two teams do end up meeting in a playoff round. The 3 game series Toronto won has been called the strongest Leafs performance of the year and the Oilers worst. The remainder of the games between these two teams have been much closer. It could be an excellent playoff series.

Tonight Edmonton will try and break even against the Canadiens that they have played only three times this season.

OILERS LINE COMBINATIONS

Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Turris-RNH-Yamamoto
Shore-Khaira-Archibald
Ennis-Haas-Kassian

Nurse-Barrie
Lagesson-Larsson
Russell-Bear

Koskinen

- Not official yet but I don't see Tippett deviating much from the lineup from last game.

CANADIENS LINE COMBINATIONS

Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Drouin-Suzuki-Anderson
Byron-Kotkaniemi-Lehkonen
Frolik-Evans-Perry

Edmundson-Weber
Kulak-Petry
Romanov-Mete

Price

- Armia remains out due to COVID

4 GAME THOUGHTS

1.) Darnell Norris (credit to Yeomra) - It's time to start seriously talking about Darnell Nurse as a candidate for the Norris Trophy. Nurse has logged more minutes at 5 on 5 than any other defenseman this season, his 10 goals at 5 on 5 are double that of Jeff Petry, another candidate and he has 10 more points at 5 on 5 than Victor Hedman (who sits 37th in that category). The only reason Nurse may not get the vote is because he doesn't play on the top unit PP.

2.) Rebound for Draisaitl and Barrie - I thought that both Draisaitl and Barrie were off in the last game against Toronto. Draisaitl in particular coughed up the puck multiple times and Barrie was directly responsible for a goal. Look for both players to come out stronger.

3.) First Period Struggles - Speaking of coming out stronger it is something the Oilers have struggled with as of late. The Oilers have been outscored 4-2 in the first period over their past four games which isn't awful but it has been the Oilers pace that is more concerning. Edmonton hasn't generated much of any sustained scoring chances in the first period recently and Tippett will be wanting more.

4.) Take Advantage - The Montreal Canadiens had their first practice in a week on Monday due to the COVID cases. The Oilers need to attack early against a team that likely won't look in game shape until later in the game.

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