Klefbom missed 21 games with a broken finger on his left hand, sustained blocking a shot in a 6-4 win at the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 11. The Oilers are on a five-game losing streak (0-3-2) after going 4-2-0 in their previous six games. A six-game losing streak would match their longest of the season (Dec. 16-31). The Blackhawks are on a season-high four-game winning streak, which followed a five-game losing streak (0-3-2). Their last five-game winning streak was from Dec. 8-17, 2017.
Players to watch
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in an 11-game point streak. Kane is tied for second in NHL scoring with 76 points (31 goals, 45 assists). Oilers center Connor McDavid is on a four-game point streak and has 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in his past 17 games. He is tied with Kane for second in NHL scoring with 76 points (31 goals, 45 assists).
They said it
"I think our power play has been rolling, which has been helping a lot. There are some nights you might not be playing as well, but you get one or two on the power play and you start feeling a lot better about yourself." -- Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane on his 11-game point streak "He's a big guy, a good skater with an unbelievable shot. He runs the power play and is on the penalty kill. Those holes are hard to fill. He's been out for such a long time and we're very glad to have him back." -- Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson on the return of Oscar Klefbom
The Oilers sent defenseman Andrej Sekera to Bakersfield of the American Hockey League for a conditioning assignment Monday. Sekera has been on injured reserve after rupturing his Achilles heel during an offseason workout. … Koekkoek returns to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the past two games. … Kunitz returns after being a healthy scratch in a 4-3 win at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. ... Talbot will start for Edmonton and Ward for Chicago.
Stat pack
The Oilers are 6-12-3 since Klefbom's injury. ... Toews has nine points (five goals, four assists) in a four-game point streak. … DeBrincat has nine points (three goals, six assists) in a five-game point streak. … Draisaitl has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past four games.
