EDMvsVGK_Preview

The Oilers host the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place on Sunday in the second of back-to-back games.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet or listen live on the Oilers Radio Network, 630 CHED.
Read the game preview below with more to come, including our Morning Skate Report, videos and lineup updates.

INSIDE THE OILERS

News and notes on newly-acquired forward Ryan Spooner and more in our Inside the Oilers blog.
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG

PRE-GAME REPORT

EDMONTON, AB - No time for caution.
After a 4-2 loss in the Battle of Alberta was quickly put in the rearview mirror, with plenty of bumps and bruises to show from it, the Oilers (9-9-1) won't waste any time when they host the Vegas Golden Knights (8-11-1) on Hockey Fights Cancer night at Rogers Place on Sunday.
"This one is over," Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan said during post-game in Calgary after the defeat. "Put it behind us and get ready to play tomorrow."
The Oilers are one game into an important eight-game stretch that includes seven Pacific Division opponents, representing a valuable opportunity to gain ground or stay ahead of their nearest rivals in the thick of the standings.
The Golden Knights are already in Edmonton awaiting the Oilers after last playing on Friday in a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers have never lost at home to the Golden Knights in all two of their previous visits.
The Oilers coaching staff will make a decision on Kyle Brodziak before tonight's game after the centre missed Saturday's Battle of Alberta due to illness.
CAM'S CREASE
Goaltender Cam Talbot goes to work in between the pipes for the Oilers after Mikko Koskinen got the nod against the Flames, making 33 saves on 36 shots.
He's expected to be countered with Marc-Andre Fleury in the opposing crease, who's 3-5-0 on the road and 8-8-1 this season overall with a 2.60 goals-against average and .901 save percentage for the reigning Western Conference champions.
SPOONER ADJUSTS
From boarding a plane at 6:30 a.m yesterday morning in New York to suiting up for the Oilers that evening, new Oilers forward Ryan Spooner contributed gave everything he had.
"Tough day for him," McLellan said. "I think he only got 11 minutes, but he woke up with the time change and flew six hours for an eight o'clock game. Trying to figure out his linemates and his team... it was not an easy night to come in and play with your new team."
The Ottawa, Ontario product was limited on the ice by the Oilers six infractions, but put on a positive display for the Oilers coaching staff that they're confident can grow with a little more adjustment and familiarity.
"You can see he has some offensive skill, he has the ability to read and react to plays, and once he gets his legs underneath him and figures out his teammates he'll be even better," McLellan added.
-- Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com

PREVIEW

OILERS (9-9-1) vs. GOLDEN KNIGHTS (8-11-1)
TV: 6:00 p.m. MST; Televised on Sportsnet
Head-to-Head:
Tonight's game is the first of four meetings between the two Pacific Division teams this season. They meet again on December 1 in Edmonton before finishing the season series on March 17 and April 1 in at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Oilers won three of four meetings during the 2017-18 NHL season against the reigning Western Conference champions.
Oilers team scope:
The Oilers are in the midst of back-to-back games, losing the first of two by a score of 4-2 to the Calgary Flames on Saturday. They're 1-4-0 in their last five games and return home where they're 4-3-1 this season.
Newly-acquired forward Ryan Spooner had 10:35 in ice time against the Flames in his first game as an Oiler after being acquired in a trade from the New York Rangers on Friday for Ryan Strome.
Goaltender Cam Talbot, who's 0-4-0 in his last four starts with a .857 save percentage and a 4.21 goals-against average, gets the start in goal for the Oilers. The netminder is 2-3-1 at home with a .889 save percentage this campaign.
Knights team scope:
The Golden Knights last played on Friday - a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. They'll await the Oilers in Edmonton after having already arrived in the city in advance of Sunday's contest.
Golden Knights are 3-8-0 on the road and average 2.45 goals per game this season, third worst in the NHL. They're 1-10-0 when trailing after two periods, and have allowed the second-most goals (28) in the second frame.
Jonathan Marchessault, who leads the Golden Knights in points with 15 (8G, 7A) has 5 points in his last 12 games after recording 10 points in his first 8 games. Marc-Andre Fleury is tied with Keith Kinkaid (NJ) with 3 shutouts this season, needing one more to have sole possession of 24th in all-time shutouts.
By the Numbers:
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for their 90th goal since the start of the 2016-17 season in the loss to Calgary, which is second most in the NHL during that span.
The Oilers captain made it 10 goals and 17 assists in 19 games this season in the loss after recording an assist. Alex Chiasson has seven goals and an assist after scoring a shorthanded marker.
Injury Report:
OILERS - Andrej Sekera (knee) is out; Tobias Rieder (upper body) is out a month; Kyle Brodziak (illness) is day-to-day
KNIGHTS - David Clarkson (back), Paul Stastny (lower body) and Erik Haula (undisclosed) are on IR
-- Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com