Minnesota Wild (1-4-0) @ Edmonton Oilers (3-2-1)
Rexall Place @ 8:00 CDT
Television:KSTC
Audio from tonight's game will be streamed live via WCCO on CBS radio.
For the Edmonton perspective, check out The Copper & Blue
Preview of the Oilers by The Copper & Blue's very own Derek Zona
The Oilers broken and battered, helter-skelter hockey show rolls into Minnesota after being outplayed in Chicago. The Oilers are being outshot, outchanced and outplayed, but they aren't being outworked, which is keeping the fanbase happy. The team is suffering injuries much like Minnesota with Sheldon Souray, Steve Staios, Fernando Pisani and Marc Pouliot all out. Ethan Moreau is fighting an ankle injury and Lubomir Visnovsky still has yet to fully recover from his shoulder surgery. If you are a veteran in an Oiler uniform, you are probably hurt. To cover for the injuries, Pat Quinn is leaning heavily on Denis Grebeshkov, Tom Gilbert and Shawn Horcoff. The first line has yet to show up, and J.F. Jacques looks more culpable. Pat Quinn gave him a chance on the first line, but he looks more like a 4th liner at this point. Nikolai Khabibulin seems to be getting stronger, and the game-losing gaffes are in the rear-view mirror.
Minnesota Wild | Edmonton Oilers |
| Forwards Defense Goalies | Forwards Defense Goalies |
Notes:
- Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was 4-1 in his five starts against the Oilers last season.
- Kyle Brodziak will play his first game against his old squad "Heck yeah, there’s extra motivation. In fact, my plan is to score three goals and then skate to center ice and spike my stick on their logo."
- Former Wild prospect, Patrick O'Sullivan, is off to a nice start, with 1 goal, 3 assists in 6 games.
- Ales Hemsky and Steve Staios have been listed as "Out"
Questions to Answer
- Which inconsistent, injured team can prevail?
Does the closed-door meeting after the first period in Anaheim have an effect?
Can any of the forwards find the defensive zone with GPS?
If Havlat is healthy enough to play tonight, will he be benched again for half-assing it?
Does anyone miss Marian? I do.