Let's Go Streaking!!

You know what I mean.

STATS:

Oilers:

PP - 29.9% 1st in NHL

PK - 84.4% 2nd in NHL

Last 10 - 6-2-2

GF/G - 3.16 13th in NHL

GA/G - 3.07 14th in NHL

Blackhawks:

PP - 15.1% 28th in NHL

PK - 82.4% 7th in NHL

Last 10 - 5-5

GF/G - 2.98 18th in NHL

GA/G - 3.11 21st in NHL

As you can see the Oilers power play is good and the Blackhawks power play is bad. However it will be the battle of top 10 penalty kills in this one.

LINES:

Edmonton:

Neal - McDavid - Ennis

RNH - Draisaitl - Yamamoto

Archibald - Sheahan - Kassian

Athanasiou - Khaira - Chiasson

Nurse - Bear

Jones - Larsson

K. Russell - Benning

Smith

Neal got the bump to the first line after his first game back which is fine I guess. I really liked Archibald up there but I understand the move. The 4th line is a HUGE yikes in the defensive zone. AA and Khaira are abysmal in their own zone. That being said, they will be on the 4th line so I don't expect them to play a ton of minutes.

The Oilers have been hot in their last 3 games. Sure they were out played to hell last game. Thanks to some great goal-tending and some questionable refereeing, the Oilers pulled out a victory in Dallas. They wrap up a 3 game road trip in Chicago who has also been pretty hot since the trade deadline.

Chicago:

Kubalik - Toews - Saad Nylander - Strome - Kane DeBrincat - Dach - Caggiula Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter

Keith - Boqvist Carlsson - Murphy Maatta - Koekkoek

Crawford

The Hawks have also won 3 straight all thanks to great goal-tending from Corey Crawford. Over those last 3 games he has a .949 save % and a 1.97 GAA. Which is absurd! In the last game vs the Ducks the line of Nylander, Strome & Kane combined for 7 points so look out for that line!

Predictions....

1. I say Oilers have what it takes to win this one, especially with all other teams in the Pacific dormant tonight. Its a chance to gain on Vegas and to spread themselves out from the pack. I say 5-3 win.

2. Drake Caggiula scores and it's a nice one.

3. Mike Smith was hit with a puck in the morning skate right underneath the blocker. He is still ready to play tonight but I see him struggling early letting in the first 2 of the game.

Up next for the Oil!

Sat Mar 7 vs Blue Jackets

Mon Mar 9 vs Vegas

Wed Mar 11 vs Jets

Fri Mar 13 vs NY Islanders

4 game home stand after this one and all tough games!