WINNIPEG, MB - The Oilers return to post-holiday action rested and ready for a quick one-day visit across the prairies to take on the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this season.
Their first meeting back on October 9 in Edmonton was just the third of the Oilers young 2017-18 season, and the 5-2 loss was the personification of some of the early-season struggles that followed in October.
But the month of December has brought out the best in many facets of the Oilers team game including a well-rounded scoring attack, solid goaltending, sound defence, and a few key pieces returning from injury, all of which has culminated in a four-game winning streak and their first .500 record (17-17-2) since early October.
"We played some good teams," said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. "Teams that we had trouble with in the past. You look at a team like St. Louis who beat us down pretty good and we were able to find a way to get a win against them, San Jose & Montreal-a bunch of good teams. We felt good about that heading into the break."
While Edmonton arrives in Winnipeg winners of their last four and 7-3-0 in December, the Jets have cooled of late, dropping four of their last six and going 5-5-2 this month.
Nonetheless, the Jets have positioned themselves well, sitting third in the Central Division with a 20-11-6 record and just two points back of the division-leading Blues. Their success so far is not lost on their opponents tonight.
"You've seen the start they've had to the year," said Oilers d-man Darnell Nurse. "They are playing some really good hockey. They're a big, strong team and for physical guys, it's going to be a game where both teams will be pushing each other back and those are the fun ones to be a part of."
DUST OFF THE COBWEBS
Both teams are returning to action following the break and shaking off the rust quickly could be paramount-especially for an Oilers team that is 10-3-1 when scoring first and a Jets squad that is 16-1-4 when doing the same.
"I think it's awkward for everybody but (players) deserve that opportunity to spend time with family and leave the skates hanging in the stalls and rest," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan of the three-day break.
"But this (first game back) is always a crapshoot, whether you're the home team or the visiting team. Yet, the value of the points is the exact same… I'd like to think we'll come out and respond, but we've got to get everybody involved and everybody playing and try to find our legs, hands and hockey sense again really quick."
The Oilers have compiled a better record on the road (9-7-2) but will be going up against one of the league's best home teams as the Jets sit at 12-3-1 at Bell MTS Place and have yet to lose back-to-back homes games this season.
CAM ON A STREAK
One of the biggest keys to the Oilers recent success has been the return of a calm and poised Cam Talbot between the pipes. He has won seven-straight starts and has posted a solid 1.98 GAA and .928 SV% at even strength during the streak.
"I feel confident. It's a by-product of the team in front of me," said the Oilers goaltender of his last seven performances.
The always-humble Talbot was quick to mention that the Oilers recent turnaround has been multi-faceted and the result of the Oilers improving in all aspects of their game.
"(We've) been playing some great hockey as of late so I'm just staying back there, trying to give us a chance to win and letting them go out there and do their thing. We've really turned the corner offensively and defensively. We've got some chemistry going on every line now."
The Oilers netminder gets the nod vs. Winnipeg tonight as he looks to help the Oilers extend their current winning streak to five while also searching for his eighth win in his last eight starts.
LINEUP NOTES
It appeared the Oilers will deploy the same lineup that has got the job done over their recent stretch of success.
Lucic-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Draisaitl-Strome
Maroon-RNH-Caggiula
Cammalleri-Letestu-Kassian
Nurse-Russell
Sekera-Benning
Davidson-Larsson
Talbot
-- Cait MacPhail, EdmontonOilers.com
