Edmonton will be without center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who sustained cracked ribs in the win at Vegas on a hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb. Nugent-Hopkins is expected to miss 5-6 weeks. Forward Daniel Sedin will be back for Vancouver after sitting out the win at Minnesota because of back spasms.
Players to watch
Right wing Brock Boeser leads Vancouver and is second in rookie scoring with 40 points (22 goals, 18 assists) in 42 games. Oilers captain Connor McDavid is on a three-game point streak (one goal, four assists) and leads Edmonton with 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 46 games.
They said it
"I think you try and do as much as you can on the break to stay active an stay ready for when you come back. I don't think any break during the season you can take fully off. It's always tough to find your game and do it right away. The good news is that we're both in the same situation, we're both coming back and ready to go." -- Canucks center Sam Gagner on returning from the break in the schedule "You can't replace a guy like that; that goes without saying. He does everything. He goes under the radar, but he plays every special team, he plays in every situation. Obviously, there is a hole to fill and guys have to step up." -- Oilers center Ryan Strome on filling in for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Markstrom will make his third consecutive start. … Pakarinen will play his first game with Edmonton since Nov. 28 after being recalled from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League on Thursday.
Stat pack
Boeser has two points (one goal, one assist) in his past seven games after having 13 points (eight goals, five assist) in his previous 10 games … Draisaitl has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past eight games after having 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in a six-game point streak.
