Edmonton Oilers (28-16-8) at Nashville Predators (24-18-8), 6 p.m. MT, TV: Sportsnet West, radio: 630 CHED
The Oilers come into Thursday’s game in Nashville off a 5-2 loss Tuesday to the visiting Minnesota Wild. That followed the all-star break and a commanding three-game road trip that saw convincing wins in Calgary, Anaheim and San Jose. The Predators are 3-1-1 in their last five, including a 3-2 OT win over the Oilers Jan. 20 at Rogers Place.
Oilers forwards Jordan Eberle (L) and Leon Draisaitl celebrate a third period goal during NHL action between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames in Calgary on Oct. 14, 2016.
Who to watch
Oilers: Leon Draisaitl
He is on a seven-game point streak, having scored four goals and five assists in that span. Draisaitl has become a fixture beside Connor McDavid.
Nashville Predators defenceman P.K. Subban.
Predators: P.K. Subban
It’s his second game against the Oilers since returning from a back injury. He’ll look closer to the Norris Trophy-winning defenceman in his second game against Edmonton.
Oilers centre Connor McDavid.
Who has the advantage
Forwards: Oilers — Oilers have more balanced scoring.
Defence: Predators — Having P.K. Subban back makes a big difference.
Goaltending: Oilers — Expect a good bounce-back effort from Talbot.
Power play: Edmonton — Oilers slightly better than Predators.
Penalty kill: Predators — Predators slightly better than Oilers.
Intangibles: Oilers — Oilers have difference maker in Connor McDavid.
Overall: Oilers — Oilers have a few more weapons than Predators when they’re all firing.
Edmonton’s Kris Russell (4) defends during the Edmonton Oilers’ NHL pre-season hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016.
Worth noting
Kris Russell was plus-4 for the season heading into the game against the Wild. He’s now even on the year after a minus-4 night.
Jujhar Khaira will not play on the road trip, according to head coach Todd McLellan. Khaira has missed the past five games with a wrist injury.
In three games against the Wild, Connor McDavid was held scoreless. He had one assist in the last meeting against Nashville.
Talbot was pulled for the third time this season on Tuesday. He’s started a league high 46 games this year and will get the start against the Predators.
Predators defenceman P.K. Subban has one assist in five games since returning to the lineup from a back injury.
Leon Draisaitl extended his point streak to seven games with his goal against the Wild on Tuesday.
McDavid had a six-game point streak snapped by the Wild.
Injuries — Oilers: RW Iiro Pakarinen (knee), Darnell Nurse (foot), RW Tyler Pitlick (leg), LW Jujhar Khaira (wrist); Predators: RW Miikka Salomaki (lower body), Roman Josi (upper body).
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On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest