PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers vs. Predators

The Oilers look to earn their third-straight victory when the Nashville Predators visit Rogers Place on Thursday.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet West or listen on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Video: OILERS TODAY | Pre-Game vs NSH 01.27.22

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS
GAME DAY VIDEO
OILERS TODAY | Pre-Game vs. NSH
PRE-GAME RAW | Coach Tippett
PRE-GAME RAW | Keith
PRE-GAME RAW | Hyman
RECENT VIDEOS
RAW | Coach Dave Tippett
OILERS TODAY | Post-Game at VAN

BY THE NUMBERS
Oilers Statistics
Predators Statistics
Head-to-Head
Game Notes
RECENT BLOGS & ARTICLES
BLOG: Wednesday's optional at Rogers Place
RELEASE: Turris to taxi, Konovalov assigned

VIEWING INFORMATION
You can watch Thursday's game on Sportsnet West at 7:00 PM MT.
News and notes from Oilers optional practice on Wednesday, including the status of forward Zach Hyman (COVID-19 Protocol) and his potential return to the lineup against the Predators.
**>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG**
EDMONTON, AB - After consecutive comeback victories over Pacific Division foes the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, the Orange & Blue vie to extend the streak to three games as they pit their 6-4-0 showing versus Central Division opponents against the Nashville Predators.
The visitors breach Rogers Place amid some success of their own, securing three straight triumphs over the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken by an overall scoring margin of 13-5.
One club's streak is on the line Thursday night at Rogers Place and members of the Oilers are preparing to ensure it isn't theirs.
"They play a patient type of game and a well-structured team game, so we've had a lot of battles with them over the years and they're never easy games," defender Duncan Keith, who has 45 points in 90 career games against the Preds, said.
"They're always competing and always have a lot of good players and good goaltending."
WINNING WAYS
Although the Oilers haven't lit the lamp before their competition in 10 straight games, the squad has been able to administer hard-working efforts while also showing their ability to dig themselves out of trouble. Forward Zach Hyman has missed the past two contests while being in COVID-19 Protocol but watched the games on TV, noting some observations in the recent wins.
"It's really evident that the work ethic is there," Hyman, who will make his return to the lineup versus Nashville, said. "We've just been putting a lot of pucks on net, too. Playing in our own end and defending well, that leads to breaking out, having the puck and being on offence."
Edmonton overwrote two-goal disadvantages in two straight but are well-aware that the habit is not a recipe for success. In the Battle of Alberta on Saturday, the Oilers completed the comeback by converting on two power plays but Tuesday at Rogers Arena it was sheer pressure that led to a pair of even-strength scores for the equalizer. Keith believes that 5-on-5 success must continue to reverse the trend of allowing the first goal against.
"It's a matter of trying to find ways to score more 5-on-5," he said. "We've done a good job at trying to handle that and the momentum shift when we get down a goal or two, but it's definitely not making it easier on ourselves. We could create a bit more 5-on-5 and try to bury our chances when we get them."
The Oilers are 22nd in the National Hockey League with 75 markers at 5-on-5 and remain the only team in the League without a regulation, overtime or shootout loss when scoring first with a spotless 10-0-0 record.
"This stretch has taught us how to come back from behind and how to play when you're down, I guess," Hyman added. "It's going to be nice to eventually get the first one. Hopefully, it's tonight and then rolls from there. It's a lot easier when you score the first goal."
Video: PRE-RAW | Duncan Keith 01.27.22
GOOD TO BE ZACH
As aforementioned, the Oilers are getting a big piece back on the ice in the form of Hyman, who energizes the lineup with speed, skill and dogged forechecking while also factoring into the power play and penalty kill.
Head Coach Dave Tippett likened Hyman's return to Nugent-Hopkins', as both players are multi-faceted and affect the game in many positive ways.
"You look on the bench and there are situations that you know players can get the job done," said the coach. "He's one of those players. He's feeling good this morning. He skated the last couple of days on his own and then came in this morning and his tests turned out the right way for us."
Hyman flanked the left side of the third line with Ryan McLeod and Zack Kassian and until further notice, he will start the game in the top nine. "I think we can be a line that holds onto the puck in the other team's zone and really transports it from the D-zone to the O-zone. Hopefully, we can generate some chances, too," said Hyman of his potential linemates.
However, similar to the Nugent-Hopkins situations, that unit could change as Hyman has been a fixture of the Oilers top six all season.
"He said he felt good, so, we'll see how the game plays out," Tippett added.
LINEUP NOTES
Based on morning line rushes, the only other change to the lineup will be the inclusion of William Lagesson on the blueline for Slater Koekkoek. The swede was partnered with Kris Russell on the third pairing.
In goal, Mikko Koskinen is expected to get the start.
Oilers Projected Lineup vs. Nashville
-- Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com
OILERS vs. PREDATORS
STREAM: 7:00 p.m. MT; televised on Sportsnet West
Oilers Team Scope
The Oilers came from behind for the second game in a row on Tuesday night to earn their second-straight victory after Connor McDavid tallied the game-winner in overtime with 24 seconds left in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Impeded by Spencer Martin in the Canucks crease through the opening two periods, Ryan McLeod squeezed one by the netminder 6:33 into the third period before Leon Draisaitl equalized with the 29th goal of the season for #29 off a stellar feed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who made his return from a six-game absence with a lower-body injury.
"I thought we were strong the whole game," Head Coach Dave Tippett said. "We were down two and I felt like we were playing well. So, we had to stick with it in the third."
The Oilers held a light optional skate on Wednesday, with Tippett saying the Oilers could see Zach Hyman back the lineup against the Predators after the forward was initially eligible to come out of COVID-19 Protocol on Tuesday.
"He skated on his own this morning and we're waiting on a few more tests to come back today," Tippett said. "If those come back the way we hope, he'll skate in the morning. But it's tough to make a call until then."
Video: PRE-RAW | Dave Tippett 01.27.22
Predators Team Scope
The Predators earned their own come-from-behind victory to extend their win streak to three games in a 4-2 victory on Tuesday night over the Seattle Kraken.
Luke Kunin, Filip Forsberg, Mattias Ekholm and Matt Duchene each found the back of the net while goaltender Juuse Saros made 33 saves to earn his 23rd victory of the season. Duchene's game-winning tally late in the third period was his 20th goal of the campaign as the 30-year-old undergoes a mid-career renaissance in his third season for Nashville with 39 points in 40 games.
"I just liked the fact that we had a pretty gritty effort," Predators Head Coach John Hynes said. "We had to stay with it. It wasn't an easy game. Credit to Seattle, I thought they played a good game and tested us in certain areas, but I felt like we were able to gather ourselves in the areas that gave us trouble in particular periods... we were able to adjust some things, and the guys came out, battled, did a good job and [earned a] hard-fought two points."
The Predators occupy second place in the Central Division with a 27-14-3 record.
By The Numbers
The Oilers have points in six straight games (5-0-1) against the Predators, outscoring them 27-14... Nashville's 15-4-2 record since December 4 is the fourth-best record in the NHL... Edmonton is 11-8-0 at home this season, getting outscored 65-63, but 2-7-0 over their last nine home games...
Defenceman Roman Josi has a team-leading 43 points (13G, 30A) in 42 games this season, placing him third for scoring among defenceman in the NHL... Leon Draisaitl has 18 points in his last 18 games after recording 40 points in his first 19 games of the season... The Oilers are 3-7-0 when Draisaitl is held without a point this season...
Injury Report
OILERS - Mike Smith (thumb) is on LTIR; Tyson Barrie (upper & lower body) is day-to-day; Zach Hyman (COVID-19 Protocol) is on IR.
PREDATORS - Eeli Tolvanen (COVID-19 Protocol) is day-to-day; Dante Fabbro (upper body) is on IR.
-- Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com