OILERS (19-19-3) at DUCKS (19-16-7)
TV: 5:00 p.m. MST; Televised on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet Oilers
Head-to-Head:
Tonight's game is the second of four meetings between the two teams this season. In the previous meeting, the Ducks scored in the final minute to tie the game and then won it in overtime. The next two meetings will both be at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Rickard Rackell had two points in that game, a 2-1 OT win. Rackell also had five points in four games last season against the Oilers.
Oilers team scope:
The Oilers dropped a 4-0 decision on Saturday night to the Los Angeles Kings. Despite the loss, they remain four points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team they're chasing is tonight's opponent, the Anaheim Ducks. A win tonight would move the Oilers two points behind Anaheim with a game in hand.
Alex Chiasson and Connor McDavid each lead the Oilers in plus/minus at +6. ... Kris Russell could return to the lineup tonight. He has eight points in 31 games and leads all Oilers blueliners with a +4 rating.
Ducks team scope:
The Ducks are desperately seeking a win tonight, having lost each of their last seven games (0-5-2). Prior to their current slide, they had a very strong stretch of hockey where they won nine out of 10 games and 11 out of 13.
Ryan Getzlaf leads the way offensively for the Ducks with 29 points in 36 games. Second on the team is Adam Henrique with 23 points in 42 outings.
John Gibson has been outstanding in goal for the Ducks this season. He has a 2.60 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 35 games.
By the Numbers:
Offensively, the Ducks are the second-worst team in the NHL averaging 2.40 goals per game (only L.A. is worse at 2.26 GPG). Oilers are 25th at 2.74. ... The Ducks are 14th in goals against per game at 2.88 while the Oilers are 23rd at 3.20.
Connor McDavid has 17 points (three goals) in 13 career games against the Ducks. Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each have 16 points. Draisaitl has 10 goals in 17 career regular season games.
Injury Report:
OILERS - Andrej Sekera (achilles) is out; Kailer Yamamoto (upper body) is out; Kris Russell (undisclosed) is questionable; Oscar Klefbom (hand) is out
DUCKS - Korbinian Holzer (wrist) is out; Corey Perry (knee) is out; Patrick Eaves (back) is doubtful; Cam Fowler (facial fracture) is out; Rickard Rackell (ankle) is out; Ryan Miller (sprained MCL) is out
-- Marc Ciampa, EdmontonOilers.com
