Edmonton Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson, who spent his first five NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, will face them for the first time since being traded for left wing Taylor Hall on June 29, 2016. Larsson has two goals and six points in 40 games, leads the team with 119 hits and is second with 71 blocked shots. "It will be fun to see my old teammates but it's still business, we have to get two points," Larsson said. "We're well prepared, but it's going to be a special one for me." Coach Todd McLellan has liked what Larsson has done for his defense. "Our team is better than it was last year, and he plays a part in that," McLellan said. "There are a lot of assets he brings to the table that we desperately needed. His ability to defend, his puck skills and ability to move it up are everything we knew before he came in. His physicality and ability to battle in tight around the blue paint, was something we found out after he arrived." McLellan said he watched Hall play against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Prudential Center on Friday. "We had great years with Taylor as an individual but the team didn't get to where it wanted to go, so changes had to be made," McLellan said. "There are nights when we sorely miss his offense and ability to drive the play long with his speed, but that's what happens when you make a trade." Goaltender Cam Talbot, the expected starter, has been forced to make 30 or more saves 17 times; he is 13-1-3 in those games. The Oilers are 1-1-0 on their four-game road trip.
