Edmonton Oilers (5–0–0) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (0–2–1)
7:30 p.m. CDT
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSN/WGN
Projected starters
Chicago — Corey Crawford (0–2–1, .875 save percentage, 4.63 goals against average)
Edmonton — Mike Smith (3–0–0, .907 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average)
Team statistics
Power play
Chicago (33.3%, Fourth)
Edmonton (41.2%, Second)
Penalty kill
Chicago (60.0%, 30th)
Edmonton (94.1%, Second)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (30.0, 21st; 35.0, Fourth)
Edmonton (25.8, 31st; 28.8, 27th)
Shooting percentage
Chicago (10.0%)
Edmonton (16.3%)
Face off percentage
Chicago (46.6%, 31st)
Edmonton (47.4%, 28th)
Average height and weight
Chicago — 6-foot-1, 198 pounds
Winnipeg — 6-foot-2, 199 pounds
Projected lines and pairings
Chicago Blackhawks
Alex DeBrincat — Jonathan Toews — Drake Caggiula
Andrew Shaw — Dylan Strome — Patrick Kane
Brandon Saad — David Kampf — Dominik Kubalik
Zack Smith — Ryan Carpenter — Alexander Nylander
Duncan Keith — Connor Murphy
Olli Maatta — Brent Seabrook
Calvin de Haan — Erik Gustafsson
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl — Connor McDavid — Zack Kassian
Tomas Jurco — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — James Neal
Jujhar Khaira — Riley Sheahan — Alex Chiasson
Joakim Nygard — Markus Granlund — Josh Archibald
Darnell Nurse — Ethan Bear
Oscar Klefbom — Joel Persson
Kris Russell — Matt Benning
Analysis
The Blackhawks fell to 0–2–1 on the season with another crushing loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Despite the strong first period, the Blackhawks fell this time in overtime. Chicago was once again were let down by poor defensive positioning late in the game, which has been the theme of all three games thus far.
Despite another loss, the Blackhawks had some positives. Recently acquired Calvin de Haan made his season debut. De Haan had been out with shoulder surgery to start the season as well as a groin problem. The other bright spot for the Blackhawks was the play of Robin Lehner. Lehner kept the Blackhawks in the game with his stellar play. Despite Lehner’s stellar effort in net on Saturday, it will Corey Crawford’s turn in net. Crawford will get another chance to deliver the first win of the season against a very tough offensive-minded opponent.
The Edmonton Oilers pose an explosive offensive threat and have been on a tear early in the season. They boast Connor McDavid and James Neal leading their offensive charge, who have helped Edmonton to an undefeated start to the season. McDavid is the current points leader with 12 and reigning NHL MVP. Neal, who was acquired in a much-maligned trade from the Calgary Flames for Milan Lucic this offseason, is the current NHL goals leader with six. The challenge for the Oilers is can they continue to win on the road? This will be their third consecutive road game.
This game figures to be another wild one for the both teams. Can the Blackhawks muster up enough defense to hold off McDavid and the Oilers? Will the Blackhawks finally get their first win?
Comment below in our live game thread tonight!
And, be sure to look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game on The-Rink.com.