EDMONTON, AB - This will be the first meeting for the Oilers against the San Jose Sharks this season, and their first since Edmonton beat them in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's strange, we haven't been playing many divisional games yet," said Oilers winger Drake Caggiula. "These points are absolutely huge for us. We always talk about if we take care of our own division, the standings should work out in your favour. We have the Sharks coming into town and we haven't played them since playoffs so maybe there's some leftover stuff from that, you never know, but we're looking forward to the challenge today."
The Sharks come to town winners of three of their last five games, but they'll be without their top scorer tonight. Logan Couture is battling a concussion and will sit, after compiling a team-high 15 goals and 11 assists for the Sharks to start the season.
LARSSON RETURNS?
All signs point to Edmonton getting a big boost to their back end in the form of Adam Larsson. The defenceman hasn't played a game since the team's 3-2 overtime win against Arizona on November 28.
"All plans this morning were that he's in so unless something changes after the morning skate, he won't be but we have him scheduled to play," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan.
"I didn't think it would be this long," said Larsson. "One or two days almost but I had a setback and it took a little bit longer. I feel good right now and am ready to get back in there."
Larsson's teammates are excited to have one of their leaders return to action.
"He's a big piece to our D core and a big piece to our team," said Caggiula. "He's a leader on and off the ice and we're looking forward to having him back soon. He plays the game the right way and is a big presence for us on defence."
McLellan says Larsson will be paired with multiple defencemen depending on his performance and the flow of the game etc.
UPDATE:Adam Larsson has been activated off IR and Anton Slepyshev has been assigned to Bakersfield.
CAGGIULA LOOKING TO GAIN MOMENTUM
Caggiula is looking to find some of the success he had in his rookie season last year, but it's been an up-and-down start to 2017-18. Caggiula has four goals and three assists in 22 games, but he'd like to do more.
"I think confidence is a big thing," said Caggiula. "I've been getting some chances and hitting some pipes and other games, I'm not getting any chances at all. I just have to find a way to be consistent and play with that confidence and do the things I know I'm capable of doing. I had a bit of an injury there but I can't say that really hindered me. It's good to be back and fresh and I want to bring some energy to the team."
At morning skate, Nathan Walker exited the ice before Michael Cammalleri, indicating he may play against the Sharks. That would likely mean Caggiula slides up the depth chart. A likely spot would be with Pat Maroon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. We'll see a more confirmed lineup during warmups.
-- Chris Wescott, EdmontonOilers.com Head Writer
