MORNING SKATE REPORT: Oilers vs. Ducks
The Oilers conclude a three-game homestand with a meeting against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday
by Jamie Umbach / EdmontonOilers.com
Ahead of a five-game road trip, the Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place on Saturday in the final contest of a three-game homestand.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet West and CBC or listen on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Read the game preview below and check back for our Morning Skate Report, lineup updates, videos and more.
TALKING POINTS: Gretzky fields media ahead of Trade Deadline
Oilers Assistant General Manager Keith Gretzky provided an update on Jesse Puljujarvi and discussed the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline
by Staff / EdmontonOilers.com
Q: Can you update us on Jesse Puljujarvi and where he's at?
A: We came back off the trip and one of the reasons he sat out the one game was he had a little bit of a lower-body injury. We've looked at it this week and we have a couple different options that we can do. We've given them to Jesse and his agent and they're going to have a second doctor look at it.
Q: There's a sense with Jesse that there's this tension there about where he wants to be versus where he should be, and that his future is somewhat up in the air. From an organizational standpoint, where are you guys with his development and where the relationship is with the player?
A: First of all, we need to get him healthy. That's our main focus. Right now, he's injured to a point where he wants a second opinion. That's fine, that's his right and we feel it's right with us. He's going to get that next week and if there are different options we'll see where they go next week.
BLOG: OEG statement on McDavid's 2-game suspension
Oilers Captain suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Islanders defenceman Nick Leddy
by Staff / EdmontonOilers.com
EDMONTON, AB - Oilers Captain Connor McDavid was assessed a two-game suspension for his hit on Islanders defenceman Nick Leddy, the National Hockey League Player Safety Department announced Friday.
Statement from Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson:
"We are highly disappointed in the NHL's decision to suspend Connor McDavid for two games. We strongly disagree with the decision and it is difficult to accept for our team and most important our fans at this critical point in our season. We will unequivocally support Connor as he explores his options."
Read the explanation from the Department of Player Safety below:
McDavid comes in front of Leddy's body and clips Leddy's head with his shoulder, making the head the main point of contact on a hit when such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.
Head Coach Ken Hitchcock commented on the hit prior to the ruling being made public on Friday.
"He (McDavid) went for the puck," Hitchcock said. "That guy (Leddy) pulled up. He wasn't sending a message to anybody. Nick doesn't play that way and Connor doesn't play that way. He's not sending a message.
"I don't want to comment on the player safety issues because I just know no matter what you think or feel, they're going to do what they're going to do. A lot of times when you go into those meetings, they already have something in mind off of what they reviewed."
Video: RAW | Ken Hitchcock 02.22.19
Hitchcock continued, commenting on the on-ice treatment McDavid receives from opposing players.
"I said this before about Connor: I get the fact that you interfere with him when it's in the play when the action is right around the puck. That's a puck up for grabs so you can do what you have to do.
"The part that's bothered me, and this a very short window for me looking at this, I don't like the fact that he gets dealt with way behind the play. It happened three times last night again where he wasn't 40 feet from the puck but he was coming and it was going to create a really good situation. A lot of teams pick him up early, lock on and he's not able to get back into the play. I just think that's interference."
GAME STORY: Oilers 4, Islanders 3 (OT)
Connor McDavid scored the overtime winner in his return to the lineup and added an assist as the Oilers defeat the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime.
by Tony Brar / EdmontonOilers.com
EDMONTON, AB - After sitting out Tuesday's game with an illness, Connor McDavid's two-point night helped the Oilers break a five-game losing skid, as Edmonton defeats the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime.
Sam Gagner also scored his first goal for the Oilers in nearly five years while Mikko Koskinen turned aside 20 of 23 shots on Thursday night. With the victory, the Oilers record improves to 25-29-6 as the team is now six points back of the second Wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Leon Draisaitl's first period marker moves him into third in NHL goal scoring with 36, tying Buffalo Sabres winger Jeff Skinner. With a two-point performance of his own, Draisaitl has 12 goals and five assists in his last 12 games.
Koskinen improves to 15-14-3 as the netminder earned his first win since Jan. 16. He now owns a .906 Sv% and 2.87 GAA this season.
Team Nugent-Hopkins completes three-peat as Charity Cup Challenge champ
Autism Edmonton wins $25,000 and three charity runner-ups receive $10,000 each
by Press Release / OilersFoundation.ca
(Edmonton, AB) - Hockey Helps Kids fourth annual Charity Cup Challenge saw a different sort of hat trick, as Team Captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins completed a three-peat as the Hockey Helps Kids Charity Cup Challenge champion.
Sister Annata Brockman School, also known as Team Nugent-Hopkins, has won $25,000 for its local charity of choice, Autism Edmonton. Autism Edmonton's goal is to enhance the lives of families and individuals living with autism, by providing life-long support and creating awareness, acceptance, and opportunities in the Edmonton community.
GAME STORY: Coyotes 3, Oilers 2 (SO)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins equalized with 11 seconds remaining, but the Oilers would fall 3-2 in the shootout on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes.
by Jamie Umbach / EdmontonOilers.comEDMONTON, AB - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored with 11 seconds remaining in the third period to force overtime, but Vinnie Hinostroza provided the final act in the shootout to sink the Oilers in a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday night at Rogers Place.
RELEASE: Oilers recall Josh Currie; Sekera activated
The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Josh Currie from the American Hockey League's (AHL) Bakersfield Condors
by Press Release / EdmontonOilers.com
EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Josh Currie from the American Hockey League's (AHL) Bakersfield Condors.
Currie, 26, leads Bakersfield with 24 goals and six power play goals this season, also posting 37 points, 13 penalty minutes and a +5 plus-minus rating in 49 games. He has eight points (5G, 3A) in his last five games.
An alternate captain this season, Currie has reached 20+ goals in three consecutive seasons with the Condors, and led the team in scoring in 2017-18.
The 5'10", 172-pound forward is being recalled to the NHL for the first time in his five year career as a professional.
The native of Charlottetown, PEI signed with the Oilers on July 18, 2018 after three seasons with Bakersfield (AHL).
For Josh Currie's statistics and player profile, click HERE.
The Oilers also placed F Jujhar Khaira and F Jesse Puljujarvi on Injured Reserve and activated D Andrej Sekera off Injured Reserve.
Sportsnet #BrightestStars Showdown Week 19
In Week 19 of Sportsnet #BrightestStars, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins go head-to-head
by Staff / EdmontonOilers.com
Sportsnet #BrightestStars Showdown is back for another season, pitting the week's biggest plays and players head to head to allow fans to decide on the winner.
To vote, visit the official Oilers Twitter and Facebook accounts. On Twitter, RETWEET the Oilers #BrightestStars post for one highlight or hit LIKE for the other. On Facebook, simply COMMENT with your selection.
Oilers In Depth: The Podcast: E.11 Gretzky and Mio
Hear the story behind the plane ride that brought The Great One to Edmonton, as told by Wayne Gretzky and Eddie Mio
by EdmontonOilers.com Staff / EdmontonOilers.com
Hear the story behind the plane ride that brought The Great One to Edmonton, as told by Wayne Gretzky and Eddie Mio. Also find out what other number Gretzky wore besides 99 and catch up with former Goaltender Eddie Mio.