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G6: Predators @ Oilers - A New Player Has Entered The Game

October 20, 2018, 1:53 PM ET [62 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT

The Oilers continue their home stand this evening against the Nashville Predators. As has been stated many many many times the Oilers have a difficult October schedule. Every team Edmonton faces this month with the exception of the Rangers and Blackhawks were playoff teams last year... and Chicago is off to a strong start.

Edmonton came alive against the Jets, looked strong for most of the game against the Bruins, but tonight is their biggest test so far as they play the unbeatable Nashville Predators.

Okay the Preds aren't unbeatable, but looking at the Oilers record against them you wouldn't know that. Edmonton hasn't won a game against Nashville since March 19th of 2014. That is 12 straight wins for Nashville since.

A large factor in these wins has been Pekka Rinne. The Oilers would not have faced Rinne tonight either way because he played last night in Calgary but the 35 year old netminder left the game in the third due to injury.

LINEUP

OILERS

RNH-McDavid-Yamamoto
Rieder-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Lucic-Strome-Chiasson
Khaira-Brodziak-Kassian

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell
Garrison-Bouchard

Talbot

A few injury updates for Edmonton. Benning was placed on the IR meaning he is out for at least a week. Caggiula is not quite ready to play but could draw back in to the lineup by Tuesday, Rattie pulled a muscle and will be out a couple of weeks.

Tonight Alex Chiasson gets his first NHL action of the season. The right winger will slot next to Lucic and Strome and should gel fine with players who play a similar game.

Kailer Yamamoto gets the nod on the top line in place of Ty Rattie. Yamamoto will be looking to add some more goals to his repertoire after scoring a beauty of a first two nights ago.

It was originally reported that Kevin Gravel would play on the third pairing tonight but it seems that Garrison instead will play.

PREDATORS

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Fiala-Turris-Smith
Jarnkrok-Bonino-Hartman
Rinaldo-Sissons-Salomaki

Josi-Ellis
Ekholm-Subban
Hamhuis-Weber

Saros

4 KEYS TO VICTORY

1) Score First. Despite a three game winning streak the Oilers have yet to open the scoring in a game. The team has shown resilience in battling back but at some point the team needs to set the pace and score first.
2) Garrison Take 2. It shows the state of the Oilers defence when I dedicate an entire key to one player not being bad. Garrison was directly the cause of the Jets first two goals with egregious errors. He is back in the lineup tonight and with Gravel now primed to take his spot he needs to be better.
3) Facing Saros. Normally facing a backup gives teams an opportunity to get some more scoring in but Saros has been a force since entering the league. Over the past two seasons he has played 21 and 26 games with the Preds and had .923 and .925 SV% He came in early in the third against Calgary last night stopping 9 of 9. He is still fresh and ready to go.
4) Get To The PP. The Predators are a huge threat at 5 on 5. They have produced most of their goals that way while limiting the opposition. Their PK is another story at 72%. Scoring a goal or two on the PP could be the difference maker.

FILM OF THE DAY

Tonight the Oilers will aim to beat the Predators for the first time in years... I imagine their victory will look something like this scene from Tarzan

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