When the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers have faced off this season, the results have both been blowouts. The first game came back in November in Edmonton with the hometown Oilers routing the Blackhawks 5-0. In their most recent matchup – exactly one week ago today, the Blackhawks returned the favor to the oilers with a 5-1 victory in Edmonton. Both teams have shown that they can shine against each. The rubber match now comes in Chicago with both teams looking to come out ahead.
This is the Blackhawks first game following their bye week from Feb. 12 to Feb. 17, and they’ll be taking on a hot Edmonton team that has recently found its scoring touch.
That'll do it for this one! The #Blackhawks win their fifth straight (on the road) before the bye week! #HAWKSWIN! pic.twitter.com/pzL5gzVQon
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 12, 2017
The Oilers have been an inconsistent scoring team this season. After scoring seven goals, four goals and four goals against the Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks respectively, they only scored two goals, were shutout 2-0 by the Nashville Predators, and scored just one goal in three consecutive games against the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks respectively. After playing the Blackhawks last Saturday, the Oilers found their scoring touch again with 11 goals in their next two games against the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. If they want to beat a good Chicago Blackhawk team, they’ll need to continue that offensive streak – something Chicago will look to prevent for a win of their own.
Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks
United Center – 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 18
Broadcast channels –SN, NHLN-US, WGN
2016-17 Season Series:
Nov. 21 – Blackhawks 0 – Oilers 5
Feb. 11 – Blackhawks 5 – Oilers 1
Edmonton Oilers – 31-19-8 – 70 points
Away Record: 16-9-5
Hot Players: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl
Key Injuries: Darnell Nurse, Kris Russell, Tyler Pitlick, Mark Fayne, Jujhar Khaira
Projected lines:
Forwards:
Patrick Maroon-Connor McDavid-Jordan Eberle
Milan Lucic-Leon Draisaitl-Anton Slepyshev
Drake Caggiula-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Zack Kassian
Matt Hendricks-Mark Letestu-Iiro Pakarinen
Defense:
Andrej Sekera-Matt Benning
Oscar Klefbom-Adam Larsson
Brandon Davidson-Eric Gryba
Starting Goaltender:
Cam Talbot
[irp]
Chicago Blackhawks – 35-17-5 – 75 Points
Home Record: 18-7-4
Hot Players: Richard Panik, Artem Anisimov
Key Injuries:
Projected lines:
Forwards:
Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane
Nick Schmaltz-Jonathan Toews-Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman-Tanner Kero-Marian Hossa
Dennis Rasmussen-Marcus Kruger-Andrew Desjardins
Defense:
Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Michal Kempny-Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Starting Goaltender:
Corey Crawford
Game Notes
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]1)[/miptheme_dropcap]Prior to the Chicago Blackhawks bye-week, the team found themselves on a five-game road winning streak. This will be their first game back at home the Blackhawks have posted an 18-7-4 record this season.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]2)[/miptheme_dropcap]The Oilers have been dealing with injuries to both Darnell Nurse and Kris Russell as of late. The team has managed decently without them so far, but a high-scoring Chicago Blackhawks team could give them trouble.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]3)[/miptheme_dropcap]The Blackhawks have two 20 goal scorer already this season in Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa. Both Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin will look to join that club Saturday as both are sitting on 19 goals apiece heading into the game.
[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]4)[/miptheme_dropcap]The Oilers also have two 20-goal scorers with Leon Draisaitl scoring 22 this season and Patrick Maroon scoring 20 goals for the first time in his career. McDavid is sitting on 19 goals heading into the game. The Oiler captain also leads the NHL in points this season with 66 points in 58 games.
Both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers want to end their season series with a win. Despite not being division rivals, and despite both teams looking poised to make the playoffs this season, it’s the test of competing against another top team that means so much in this instance. Teams are supposed to win games against non-playoff teams. When it comes to games between playoff teams, both want to come away with a victory to see how they match up ahead of the postseason.