The Oilers take their two-game winning streak to Amalie Arena Thursday for a match against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first of a three-game Eastern Conference road trip.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet West or listen on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Read the Preview then check back following Thursday's avails for the Morning Skate Report.

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PRE-GAME RAW | Kassian
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BY THE NUMBERS
Stats Comparison: Oilers vs. Lightning
Media Game Notes: Oilers vs. Lightning
2019-20 Oilers Player Statistics
2019-20 Lightning Player Statistics
Head-to-Head: Oilers vs. Lightning
2019-20 NHL Standings
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You can watch tonight's game on Sportsnet West.
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INSIDE THE OILERS

News and notes from the Oilers Dressing Room, including news of Tyler Benson's recall and James Neal's Injured Reserve activation.
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG

PRE-GAME REPORT

TAMPA, FL - After capping off a homestand with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers hit the road for three out East starting with a stop in Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
RALLYING CAUSE
In what will be the club's second game without the services of their captain Connor McDavid, who remains out of the lineup for at least the next couple weeks with a quad injury, the Oilers look to continue the rallying cause in his absence.
"We're taking that team mentality," said Oilers defenceman Caleb Jones as the group forges forward through the key injury tonight in Tampa.
"We're going to do it as a group of 20 guys out there. We're going to need everyone. It's obviously a really good team and tough building to play in."
STEPPING UP
The group knew it was going to be effort by committee to replace the void left in McDavid's absence and during Tuesday's victory over Chicago, it was the heavy lifting by the trio of Leon Draisaitl (three goals, one assist), Kailer Yamamoto (two goals) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (one goal) that propelled the orange and blue to victory.
"You still have to find a way to carry on and do things right." said Oilers bench boss Dave Tippett on the team mentality while McDavid is sidelined.
"Our guys grabbed it the other night.. (Tuesday) was a step in the direction. We know how we're going to have to play here, coming on the road."

Despite two of Tuesday's aforementioned goals coming on the power play, the line of Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl and Yamamoto has become an offensive force, combining for 15 even-strength points in the last five games - something they'll be counted on to continue in the coming weeks.
Despite that line shouldering the load, Coach Tippett felt a balance was struck in the group's first test without their captain and is expected to deploy the same lineup Thursday night vs. Tampa.
"We've got a couple lines that we think that are real heavy, working lines that can really grind... Leon (Draisaitl's) line has just been so good, it's hard to break them up," said Tippett.
ROAD TEST
While the Oilers boast a solid 10-3-2 record in their last 15, they will be running into the NHL's hottest team in a Lightning squad that has rattled off eight consecutive wins and is 9-0-1 in the last ten to find themselves firmly entrenched in second place in the Atlantic Division.
On the topic of hot streaks, Edmonton will once again turn to Mike Smith between the pipes on Thursday night. The 37-year-old is 8-0-2 in his last ten starts and will look to keep it going in Tampa against a team that has some offensive juice.
"They're a good team. We can't feed into their transition. They're an off-the-rush team and we have to take care of the puck," said forward Zack Kassian.

Of note from the Tampa side will be the absences of three key offensive weapons. Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli both left the team's last contest with lower-body injuries and will not play on Thursday. Forward Steven Stamkos also remains sidelined with a lower-body ailment, having already missed the Lightning's last two contests.
As of Thursday morning, the Oilers sit alone in second place in the Pacific Division with 66 points, three points back of the division-leading Canucks, albeit with two games in hand.
The Golden Knights, Flames and Coyotes all have 64 points to occupy third in the division along with both wildcard spots, respectively, heading into action on Thursday night.
Lines at morning skate appeared as follows:
Nugent-Hopkins - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Gagner - Haas - Chiasson
Archibald - Sheahan - Kassian
Khaira - Cave - P. Rusell
Nurse - Bear
Klefbom - Larsson
Jones - Benning
Smith
Koskinen

PREVIEW

OILERS (30-20-6) vs LIGHTNING (37-15-5)
TV: 5:06 p.m. MT; Televised on Sportsnet West
Head-to-Head:
This is the first of two games between the Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning this season.
Last year, the Bolts went undefeated against EDM, winning by three-goal margins in both outcomes.
In two games vs. EDM in '18-19, Nikita Kucherov had eight points (3G, 5A) while Steven Stamkos collected five (3G, 2A). Andrei Vasilevskiy backstopped TBL both games, owning a .921 S% and 2.50 GAA against the Oilers.
The two sides will conclude the season series on March 20.
Oilers team scope:
The Oilers travel to the Sunshine State on a two-game winning streak, beating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 in the team's first game without Connor McDavid , who is sidelined for 2-3 weeks with a quad injury.
"Every team's going through some adversity, some with injuries, and we're no different than that," Oilers Head Coach Dave Tippett said following the win.
"That doesn't mean we can't compete hard and try to find ways to win. That's what it's going to be for us from now on."
The Orange & Blue are currently second in the Pacific Division with 66 points. Leon Draisaitl, who is coming off a four-point effort, leads the NHL in scoring with 32 goals and 89 points in 56 games.
Lightning team scope:
The Bolts are the hottest team in the League entering Thursday's clash with the Oilers.
Tampa Bay is currently riding an eight-game winning streak, most recently mastering the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in overtime. Not only are the Lightning on the longest success streak in the NHL at the moment but the club is also 20-2-1 since Dec. 23., which is the best record since that time.
Kucherov is the club's scoring leader with 27 goals and 70 points in 56 contests. Between the pipes, Vasilevskiy is 30-9-3 with a 2.44 GAA and .920 S%.
By the Numbers:
The Oilers are 10-3-2 in their last 15 games, outscoring opponents 63-46. ... Edmonton is averaging 4.17 goals over their last six road games. ... The Oilers are 14-6-2 vs. Eastern Conference teams this season, which is second-best among Western Conference clubs. ... EDM is 1-8-1 over their last 10 road games vs. TBL and have been outscored 27-14 during a seven-game losing skid on the road against the Bolts.
The Lightning have an NHL-best plus-51 goal differential and are plus-42 since Dec. 23. ... The Bolts have allowed two goals or less in six consecutive games. ... Despite all their team success, the Lightning are 2-for-38 on the power play in their last 15 games, owning a 5.3 percent average over that time. ... TBL is 10-0-1 in their last 11 at Amalie Arena and have won seven consecutive home games vs. the Oilers, not losing on home ice to Edmonton since December 9, 2009.
Injury Report:
OILERS - Joakim Nygard (hand) is on IR; Kris Russell (concussion) is on IR; James Neal (ankle) is on IR; Connor McDavid (quad) is out.
LIGHTNING - Nikita Kucherov (lower body) is day-to-day; Anthony Cirelli (lower body) is day-to-day; Steven Stamkos (lower body) is on IR; Ryan McDonagh (lower body) is day-to-day; Jan Rutta (lower body) is on IR.
-- Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com