By Christopher Boyd -
The Minnesota Wild continue to search for their first Canadian win as they take on Edmonton tonight in the newly minted Rogers Place. Named after Canadian hero Fred Rogers, Edmonton’s new arena comes fully-loaded with all the latest Canadian technology: disco balls, confetti cannons, and 8-track tape decks throughout the press box, and the dress code for the press box mandates denim jean pants with a jean jacket overcoat.
Edmonton sits second in the Pacific Division at 14-10-2 and 30 points. The Oilers are just one point behind division-leaders San Jose who have one fewer games played. Edmonton leads the division and is second in the Western Conference in goal differential at +11. The only team ahead of them? The Wild at +14.
The Wild, who are 4-5-4 away from home will be hoping to move to .500, and have a chance as the Oilers are worse at home (6-6-0) than they are on the road (8-4-2). This disconnect has been mainly chalked up to the Oilers’ deeply rooted love of Tim Hortons’ donuts and the pressure put on them by the press while in the Great White North.
Team Leaders
The Oil are headed by a team of youngsters: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McJesus has 34 points (11-23) on 72 shots for a shooting percentage of just over 15%. Leon has 21 points (10-11) on 55 shots and is shooting over 18%.
The Oilers are helped by a team of goalies who are playing at a decent level; while neither Johann Gustavsson nor Cam Talbot are lighting the world on fire, their .916 and .914 save percentages are serviceable. Talbot projects to be in net tonight, so the Wild will be facing the guy who’s played over 1,000 minutes rather than the guy who is sub-150.
Projected Lineups
With Darnell Nurse out injured, Mark Fayne will likely take his spot on the Edmonton blue line. The Oilers played last night and didn’t skate this morning, but if the lineup stays the same, it will be:
Lucic - McDavid - Draisaitl
Pouliot - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
Slepyshev - Caggiula - Pitlick
Maroon - Latestu - Kassian
Russell - Larsson
Klefbom - Fayne
Sekera - Benning
Talbot (Gustavsson on bench)
The Wild’s lineup, according to daily faceoff, is projected to be:
Tale of the Tape
How to Watch
Puck Drop: 8:30 Central
TV: FS-N/FS-W (also on SN1, SNE, SNO, SNP)
Radio: 100.3 FM, Wild Radio Network
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