Preview: Blues vs. Oilers

BLUES VS. OILERS

TEAM SNAPSHOTS

BLUESThe St. Louis Blues will play their first matchup in 10 days on Wednesday after three games were postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Their last game was in Winnipeg on Dec. 19 - a 4-2 loss to the Jets.
Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola were the goal scorers for the visiting Blues, capping off a stretch of stellar play for Tarasenko, who was
amed the NHL's Second Star of the Week
, Tarasenko's goal in Winnipeg was his fourth in his last three games and his team-leading 12th of the season.
Four Blues are expected to miss Wednesday's game while in COVID-19 protocols. Robert Bortuzzo, Dakota Joshua, Ivan Barbashev and James Neal were added to the League's protocols on Sunday. Oskar Sundqvist was cleared Tuesday and practiced with the team. He is eligible to play on Wednesday.
After using the extended break to continue their rehab, some injured Blues could make their returns on Wednesday. After Tuesday's practice, Blues Head Coach Craig Berube said that forwards David Perron, Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas - 65 points between them - look like they're ready to play.
COVID absences and injuries haven't stopped the Blues from having a successful overall December slate, going 5-2-2 as they enter their final game of the month. The Blues are now 17-9-5 on the season, good for 39 points and tied with Nashville for second in the Central Division.
Wednesday will mark both the Blues' last game of 2021 and their last game before the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic. The Blues and the division-leading Wild will meet in the outdoor game on Jan. 1 at 6 p.m. at Minnesota's Target Field.

OILERSThe Edmonton Oilers hoped to have found their footing again recently, ending a six-game losing streak with back-to-back wins before the extended holiday break. They also won nine of their first 10 games, highlighting a desire for greater consistency approaching the second half of the year.
Forward Zach Hyman, currently fifth on the team with 19 points, is expected to make his return following a shoulder injury on Dec. 11. Hyman will rejoin an extremely talented forward group highlighted by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are currently tied for the League lead with 49 points each.
The Oilers' last game before the holidays was a 5-3 win in Seattle. McDavid finished it off with an empty-net goal, and Draisaitl added three assists to the winning effort.
Edmonton is also dealing with some COVID-related absences, but have seen a couple of key players return to the ice this week. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, currently third on the team with 25 points, as well as head coach Dave Tippett, were both recently cleared from COVID-19 protocols.
Ahead of Tuesday's games, the Oilers sit at 18-11-0 with 36 points, good for third place in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThe Oilers will come to St. Louis for the second time this season after coming away with a 5-4 win on Nov. 14. A goal from Kailer Yamamoto broke the tie with less than 30 seconds left to take the regulation win. The two teams will face off once more in Edmonton on April 1 to finish the season series.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BLUESColton Parayko has eight points - all assists - in 16 career games against the Oilers. Averaging a career-high 24:15 of ice time this season, the 6-foot-6 defenseman has two points in his last three games entering Wednesday's matchup.
OILERSDraisaitl recorded three points in his last visit to Enterprise Center. The 26-year-old forward and 2019-20 Hart Trophy MVP winner has 15 points in 15 games played against the Blues over his career.