EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers return home following a 2-1-1 road trip, in which they went beyond regulation three times - winning two. Once again, they were tight games, three decided by one goal.
The Oilers hope to replicate some of their play from the road trip now that they return to home ice.
"I don't know what seems to be the difference right now but the way we're playing on the road, especially this last road trip we've tightened things up a lot," said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. "That's the attitude we need to take coming into tonight, especially with the way we finished off our home stand last time definitely wasn't good enough. We responded on the road well and it was a pretty good road trip for us."
A NEW KIND OF EXPANSION TEAM
The Vegas Golden Knights are the first team to come in and test the Oilers on this home stand. Their hot start has been one of the fun storylines so far this season, as they sit at 10-5-1 through their first 16 games in franchise history.
"I'm not completely surprised," said Head Coach Todd McLellan. "I'd say their record surprises me a little bit when I go back to the traditional expansion-type success. The people that are running the program, George (McPhee) and Kelly (McCrimmon), do a tremendous job of scouting. They spent a lot of time constructing the team, and obviously I know Gerard Gallant really well. Between the three of them, they've done a really good job of putting their team together and have developed an identity a lot faster than any of the other expansion teams in the past... When you get that identity developed quickly, you get confidence and you just play. That's what they're doing."
Part of their identity is being hardworking, meaning the Oilers will have to bring the same effort to surpass the visitors.
"It's pretty special what they're doing right now," said Oilers winger Leon Draisaitl. "I think they have a very competitive group over there, which a lot of people forget sometimes. All these guys have played in the League for a while and they're all good players. It's cool to see how they got together and had such a good start. For us, it's about outworking them tonight and it's a good chance at two points."
FINDING PULJUJARVI
Jesse Puljujarvi was recalled from the American Hockey League over the road trip and instantly stepped in on the second line, scoring in his season debut against the New York Rangers.
"I think it's confidence for him," said his centre, Nugent-Hopkins. "He's got all the tools, he's a big kid, he's got a great shot and can really fly. If he has the confidence in himself to go out there and do that then he's going to be a force. We saw that, especially against the Rangers, he picked up the puck, put the puck on net and just go get it. He was a force and obviously, I've got to find him in the right spot to shoot the puck and he'll find a way to put it in."
Puljujarvi's biggest benefit to Nugent-Hopkins is that the winger tries to get into spots to shoot, meaning the centre has more opportunities to create scoring chances.
"It's great," said Nugent-Hopkins. "He's definitely a pure shooter. He's got a heavy shot and most of the time it goes where he wants it. Playing with him, sometimes there will be a little rush, he stops up and puts himself in a one-timer spot. I've got to be able to find him when he's cocked and ready like that."
LINEUP NOTES
Barring any pre-game changes, the lineup is expected to remain the same from Sunday's game in Washington, D.C. Cam Talbot was the first goaltender off the ice, and gets the start against the Knights.
Maroon-McDavid-Draisaitl
Lucic-RNH-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-Pakarinen
Malone-Letestu-Kassian
Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Benning
Auvitu-Russell
Talbot
At the other side of the ice, Jon Merrill will draw into the lineup for Luca Sbisa (lower body).
-- Chris Wescott, EdmontonOilers.com
