Slow start. Check.
Amazing second period. Check.
The Dallas Stars game on Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames pretty much went to form, at least until the third period. For some reason, the long lost Stars turtle showed up at the Saddledome – so it was Jake Oettinger to the rescue. Dallas was out shot 22-5 during the frame (and there was a post involved), but the team survived and heads up the Alberta Highway 2 to Edmonton with a full two points earned.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Ty Dellandrea (10) – Sam Steel (18)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Thomas Harley (55) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Its a short turnaround, so this is the lineup from the Calgary game. Wedgewood will likely get either this game or Vancouver. Faksa could draw back in at any point (but didn’t that fourth line look solid against the Flames).
Edmonton Oilers Lineup
Leon Draisaitl (29) – Connor McDavid (97) – Warren Foegele (37)
Evander Kane (91) – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) – Zach Hyman (18)
Dylan Holloway (55) – Ryan McLeod (71) – Connor Brown (28)
Derek Ryan (10) – Sam Gagner (89)
Darnell Nurse (25) – Cody Ceci (5)
Mattias Ekholm (14) – Philip Broberg (86)
Brett Kulak (27) – Evan Bouchard (2)
Vincent Desharnais (73)
Stuart Skinner (74)
Jack Campbell (36)
Mattias Janmark is day-to-day, but if he’s ready, the Oilers will likely to with the traditional 12/6 allignment. Gagner just signed a contract, so this will be his first game of the season.
Other than that, the Oilers rely on their top six more than any other team in the NHL. Miro/McDavid matchups are fun, but behind the scenes, this game is depth versus superstars. Given Edmonton results to date, there could be a plethora of goals tonight. Cody Ceci is really first pair?
Keys to the Game
Contain McDavid. Heiskanen is the man for the job, but there will be times when he’s not on the ice (or Suter needs to keep up).
Special Teams. The Oilers are dynamic. The Stars are confusing. Advantage Edmonton.
Pucks on Net. The Edmonton goaltenders have been giving up goals. The Stars need to get their shots on net – some of them probably go in.