PRE-GAME REPORT
EDMONTON, AB - A rebound game is in order for the Oilers, who are coming off 5-1 and 8-2 defeats at the hands of the Ducks and Kings in back-to-back games.
“We need to. There’s no question about that,†Oilers centre Anton Lander said of having a bounce-back performance. “We’ve got to be ready tonight. We’ve got to go out there and have a really good game. Enough is enough.â€
When asked what needed to change, Lander said, “Everything, I think.â€
“It was embarrassing the last couple of games,†said Lander. “We’ve got to be ready, we’ve got to go out there and go hard, play hard for each other and the fans. It’s just, we’ve got to go out there and play hockey. We can’t sit down and sit back and just wait for the season to get over. We’ve got to go out there and work hard.â€
The results of the last two games weigh on the Oilers, as they showed progress in the previous stretch going 5-1-2 prior to their game in Anaheim.
“The last couple games didn’t go the way we wanted to, obviously,†said Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson. “We’re back home. There was a lot of life at practice today, which I liked, especially coming off that loss against LA. We have to get back to doing the things we did at home before we left. I thought in Colorado we played a strong game, but the last couple we got away from things that were making us successful. We’ve got to get it back and it’s a great opportunity for our team tonight.â€
The Oilers turn their sights on Calgary, a team in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.
“Calgary is a good team,†Lander said. “They’re a fast team. They have good defencemen, they’re moving the puck well. We’ve got to get up on the forecheck and be ready to block shots because they’re good at finding a way to (get pucks to) the net.â€
The Oilers will be without Nikita Nikitin and Mark Fayne. They have recalled David Musil on emergency basis and he will make his NHL debut tonight against Calgary.
AN IMPROVED PROSPECT
David Musil will make his NHL debut tonight. Musil, 21, has come a long way in his second professional season.
“He’s improved a lot,†said Brandon Davidson, who was Musil’s teammate in Oklahoma City. “From last year to this year, I think there are significant changes in his play. He’s definitely grown up a lot and matured into a good hockey player. He’s a simple man like myself, making those simple plays and I think that’s what has earned him the call up. He has done a great job so far and hopefully he can keep moving forward.â€
“It has been a good learning year,†said Musil. “I’ve played with a lot of good players and it has been a lot of fun throughout the year.â€
Davidson says Musil has become a solid, stay-at-home defenceman in OKC, who plays a simple game much similar to his own. Davidson, a leader in OKC, has spoken to Musil and will try and help him adjust.
“I talked with him this morning and stuff,†said Davidson. “He understands coming up here, what he needs to do, and I think for me, I’m a new guy as well but I’m just trying to make him feel like part of the gang here and letting him get comfortable with things. It’s about getting comfortable and finding your confidence. I just let him do his thing and anyway I can help him, that’s what I’ll do.â€
Even with having familiar faces in the locker room, a first NHL game can be an intimidating moment for a young player. But Musil says he’s ready to go.
“I would say I’m more excited. It’s really exciting coming up here, but it’s kind of the good nervous,†said Musil.
QUICK NOTES: Jordan Eberle has 12 points (6-6-12) in his last 10 games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has 11 points (5-6-11) in his last 10 games. Justin Schultz is playing in his 200th career NHL game. Nail Yakupov is one point away from tying a career high. Flames 2015 first-round pick Sam Bennett could make his NHL debut tonight and is a game time decision. Calgary has the second-most wins against Western Conference opponents with 28 (trailing only Anaheim).
-- Chris Wescott, edmontonoilers.com
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Pouliot
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Lander
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Ebs
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Purcell
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Roy
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Yaks
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Hall
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Henricks
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Miller
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Gazdic
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Somebody other than Nuge 
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Fraser
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Marincin
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Musil!
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Davidson
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Aulie
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