The forward missed the first nine games this season because of a concussion. Winnipeg is 0-3-0 during its five-game homestand while being outscored 14-5. Goalie Mike Smith starts for the Oilers, who have won two straight games. He has not started since a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 14, Edmonton's only defeat this season.
Players to watch
Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has a point in each of Edmonton's eight games (16 points; six goals, 10 assists), and has five multipoint games. Jets center Mark Scheifele had a three-game goal streak end in a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, but has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past six games.
They said it
"Any team can beat any team on any given night in this league, so you just worry about yourself and make sure you're playing well." -- Oilers coach Dave Tippett "What's different about the Edmonton Oilers now is, there's structure in their game for them to survive the moments in the game where the other team is not making a lot of mistakes." -- Jets coach Paul Maurice
Appleton is expected to be scratched for the first time this season. … Edmonton recalled Gagner from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Saturday.
Stat pack
McDavid is tied with Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson for the NHL lead with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists). … Nugent-Hopkins has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past five games. … Kris Russell will play his 800th NHL game. … Jets coach Paul Maurice needs one win to reach 700 in the NHL. … Morrissey has five assists in his past five games.
