KANATA, ON - There's no time to dwell on the Oilers most recent loss, a 6-2 drubbing versus the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, as the squad jumps right back into game action when they meet the Ottawa Senators Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre.
There are areas the Oilers want to improve after Wednesday's match, including their team discipline and effort in the faceoff circle, going 2-for-5 on the man advantage against the Maple Leafs and winning just 37 percent of their faceoffs.
"A big part of it was penalties, number one," said Oilers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. "And number two, we lost almost all the faceoffs in the first ten minutes of the second period.
"We never started with the puck."
Edmonton is 3-4-1 on the second night of a back-to-back this season and many players voiced the opinion that getting back on the ice is the best thing for the team.
"It's nice to get back on the horse again as quick as possible here," said Oscar Klefbom, who went minus-two and had five shots on goal in Wednesday's affair.
"We played some good hockey last night but we gave it away in the second period. We played one bad period against a good team and it cost us."
A SENSE ON THE SENS
The Ottawa Senators are in a full-on rebuild mode, making four deals since Feb. 22 and trading impact players Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel.
The youth movement is engaged in Canada's capital, as the club will have 15 picks in the first three rounds in the next three NHL Drafts.
On the ice, plenty of Sens players have an opportunity to prove themselves.
"They've got speed and they've got skill," said Hitchcock.
"Our obligation right now is to find our forecheck quickly, get pucks turned over and see if we can frustrate them by keeping them in their zone."
With the competition in the NHL seemingly tighter than ever, no team can sleep on their opposition.
"They lost three key players over the past few days but they're going to come out and play," said forward Alex Chiasson.
"That's one thing in this League: It doesn't matter who you play any given night, every team has got a chance to win."
LINEUP NOTES
Hitchcock confirmed keeper Mikko Koskinen - who was pulled against Toronto after making 12 saves on 16 shots - will tend the twine in Ottawa.
Up front, Hitchcock noted he will dole Sam Gagner out at centre with Brad Malone and Ty Rattie flanking him. Kyle Brodziak will draw out of the lineup.
On the back end, Hitchcock said he doesn't expect any changes.
Lines will be made apparent at warmups.
-- Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com
