NHL- Edmonton Oilers @ NY Islanders (Pregame)
The Oilers come into this Saturday night match up boasting a record of 7-3-1 which is good enough for first in the Pacific. Coming off of a third straight loss, the Oilers will be looking to end their streak when they face the not so hot New York Islanders.
These two teams have had very different starts to their seasons. The high flying Oilers on cloud nine with sophomore sensation Connor McDavid and improved netminder Cam Talbot. The Islanders on the other hand are sitting 7th in the Metropolitan with a measly 3 points against teams in the eastern conference. Winless on the road, the islanders must be happy this game is at the Barclay's Center (or as happy as one could be watching hockey in the Barclay's Center). Both teams have a sub-par powerplay but Edmonton gains the advantage on their penalty kill where they hold a near 91% vs the Islanders' 81.4%.
The expected net-minders are Talbot and Halak. Talbot has looked impressive even in a 5-3 loss to his former team on Thursday. Talbot currently leads the league in wins with 7 as well as second in the league with two shutouts while facing a league high total of 341 shots. Halak, although his stats may not seem as high, has come off a very impressive game on Thursday saving 40 on 42 shots in a shootout loss to division rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. After possibilities of the goaltender moving were squashed by the lack of offers if any, Halak's performance on Thursday should put some rest to the islanders 3 goalie system. The last time these two faced it was Edmonton who came out on top with a 3-1 win last February. The Score currently has the Islanders as the favourites to win this game.
The expected lineup for the Oilers will be; Lucic McDavid Eberle, Pouliot Nugent-Hopkins Kassian, Maroon Draisaitl Puljujarvi, Lander Letestu Pitlick. On Defence; Klefbom Larsson, Russell Sekera, Nurse Gryba. With the Aforementioned Talbot in the crease.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Islanders are looking to be setup out front with; Prince Tavares Bailey, Lee Nelson Strome, Ladd Quine Chimera, Kulemin Cizikas Clutterbuck. On Defence; Leddy Hamonic, Hickey Boychuk, de Haan Seidenberg. Halak is most likely going to start.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/31/new-york-islanders
http://oilers.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=33403
