GDT: Devils @ Oilers - 9:00 PM - MSG

[JK3]

DEVILS (7-3-0) vs. OILERS (7-3-0)

Head-to-Head
The Devils and Oilers meet for the first time this season with two identical records going head-to-head in Edmonton. Both clubs have win streaks on the line on Thursday night, the Devils owners of four straight victories, while the Oilers' win streak sits at five.

Three of the top four NHL points leaders meet in the matchup, with Connor McDavid (22 pts), Leon Draisaitl (21 pts), and Jesper Bratt (16 pts) all expected in their respective lineups tonight. McDavid and Draisaitl are No. 1 and 2 in points, while Bratt is fourth. Boston's David Pastrnak is third with 18.

Devils team scope:
The Devils began their Western Canadian road swing with a win in Vancouver on Tuesday night. The win was a fourth straight victory for the club, winning four in a row for the first time since Oct. 6 and 16, 2018. The team will try for a fifth straight victory, which as a club has not been accomplished since a span between Dec. 15, 2017, and Dec. 27, 2017.

Jesper Bratt has the opportunity, with at least a point against the Oilers, to set a franchise record for points in 11 games to start a season. Bratt assisted on Nico Hischier's power-play goal in Vancouver to tie the team record with Tom Higgins set back in 1984-85.

Oilers team scope:
The Oilers will hold a pre-game ceremony to open the Oilers Hall of Fame and induct Lee Fogolin and Ryan Smyth as the inaugural inductees.

The Oilers are coming off a dominant win over the Nashville Predators where Evander Kane recorded a hat-trick, McDavid had a two-goal, two-assist effort and in combination with Draisaitl's five-point night, the three Oilers accounted for a 12-point night in Edmonton's fifth consecutive win.

By the Numbers:
The Devils have allowed less than 25 shots to their opponent in nine straight games. A streak between Apr. 10, 2013, to Apr. 27, 2013, was the last time the club had a nine-game streak of conceding 25 shots or less.

The Oilers lead the league in players with 10 or more points. McDavid, Draisaitl, Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zack Hyman all have reached or broken the 10-point mark through the club's first 10 games.

Injury Updates:

Devils
Jonathan Bernier (Hip - IR)
Ondrej Palat (Groin surgery - IR)

Oilers
Tyler Benson (knee - IR)
Oscar Klefbom (shoulder - IR)
Mike Smith (undisclosed - IR)

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[mtnet]

LGD!

 

[Eggtimer]

Let’s go Devils ! Tough matchup where both teams are on fire. It will be a very interesting game to see how we stack up against one of the best in the West and a team many people picked to be in the Cup finals

 

[Clam Jensen]

I’m off tomorrow (going to visit friends in Rochester with the wife and child) so I will be watching this one

 

[glenwo2]

By the Numbers:
The Devils have allowed less than 25 shots to their opponent in nine straight games. A streak between Apr. 10, 2013, to Apr. 27, 2013, was the last time the club had a nine-game streak of conceding 25 shots or less.

The Oilers lead the league in players with 10 or more points. McDavid, Draisaitl, Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zack Hyman all have reached or broken the 10-point mark through the club's first 10 games.

Something's gotta give.

 

[MartyOwns]

this should be a really good test. LGD!

 

[Rhodes 81]

We've absolutely dominated most games this year, but I doubt we're holding Edmonton under 25 shots and running up the score on them. It'll be interesting to see how they handle a team that's firing on all cylinders. The game against the Avs was tight with some of their forwards out, but Edmonton will be much more explosive.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Huge test against McDavid and Draisaitl, I'm a believer! Go team

 

[Darkauron]

If we win this game, then we are winning the cup!

 

[Devils090]

Huge test, would love to get a point from this game but given how McDrai are playing it’s going to be very tough. Staying out the box is the key here.

 

[Devs3cups]

Real tough game coming up. Won’t be too disappointed if we lose tonight considering the opponent, I just want a good effort, as we’ve had a lot this year. Team is buzzing right now and one loss with a good effort won’t change my opinion. It's the dreaded Western road trip after all lol.

Stay out of the box and draw penalties. EDM’s PP is rolling and their PK is struggling.

LGD!

 

[Nocashstyle]

Nervous about this one…but as long as they play a complete game, I’ll be satisfied

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

LGD, dont see any reason why the Devils couldnt win this one. Oilers are good but dont have great depth. If our goaltending lays an egg then ofc its going to be difficult to win. But dont see any reason to not expect them to win, theyre good enough to do so.

 

[Devs3cups]

Nervous about this one…but as long as they play a complete game, I’ll be satisfied

That’s basically how I’m feeling. Team’s gonna lose once in a while, but they’ve won the ones they were supposed to so far.

 

[Saugus]

This is a big one. I don't think we will dominate shots again like we have against other teams. But I'm hoping the sharp offensive play will continue and the defense can contain chances against from their dangerous forwards.

 

[PWiz30]

If Jack gets a point tonight he will have had 82 points in his last 82 games.

 

[Colin226]

Found this on Google and it made me chuckle:

 

[youryeah]

9:00 pm start time

 

[Whaddagoal]

Funny thing is, I don't have a bad feeling about this one.

Come out hot, get some goals, then try to match the game style we played vs. Avs (perhaps). Another Speed vs. Speed? We can probably do the run and gun game with them a bit, but not sure we can sustain a whole game of that.

Certainly both fanbases are thinking the same thing. I see a few folks on their side haven't been watching us, and thinking its like last season for us. NOT. THE. SAME. TEAM.

Granted, I haven't seen much of the Oilers games this year either!, but I believe our squad can come through on this one...

Let's Go Devils.

(Vitek tonight?)

 

[Zippy316]

Going to be an interesting one.

I think we have a deep enough team where none of the lines or d pairings will be clearly mismatched against the Oilers guys.

My main worry is that the Devils best second match up line is McLeod’s line. Oilers definitely overload their top six minutes quite a bit, so if you hard match, you struggle to find ice time for Hughes/Mercer’s lines. Either that or you just take your chances and go shot for shot with Hughes against one of the top lines. Devils have been thriving so far by a pretty equal spread for all four lines and d pairings though.

 

[Nubmer6]

Our next 3 games are tough. We've been saying "it's going to be a test" for almost every game, but these games against top teams really are.

If we lose all 3, it'll be utter dispair around here. Winning just 1 will be a little disappointing. Winning 2 would be great. Winning all 3 = cup.jpg

 

[Better Call Sal]

Hour earlier start for the win! This should be a fun one. If we can contain this team's shot output on the road, it would speak volumes of what they're capable of. I know the captain will have the team in line and ready to go!

Let's f***ing Go Devils!!!

 

[markog]

Stay out of the box!

 

[Saugus]

Going to be an interesting one.

I think we have a deep enough team where none of the lines or d pairings will be clearly mismatched against the Oilers guys.

My main worry is that the Devils best second match up line is McLeod’s line. Oilers definitely overload their top six minutes quite a bit, so if you hard match, you struggle to find ice time for Hughes/Mercer’s lines. Either that or you just take your chances and go shot for shot with Hughes against one of the top lines. Devils have been thriving so far by a pretty equal spread for all four lines and d pairings though.

On the road we won't be able to line match as much as we might if it was a home game. Given how crazy good we are at puck possession and winning puck battles, I think Ruff is more likely to just roll the lines.

I definitely don't want to see any nonsense with McLeod playing 20+ minutes, or doing the FOGO shit again.

 

[Eggtimer]

Huge test, would love to get a point from this game but given how McDrai are playing it’s going to be very tough. Staying out the box is the key here.

This.
Cannot give two of the best forwards on the planet multiple PP chances withiut it biting you in the ass.