| Edmonton Oilers | Team | Detroit Red Wings |
| 14-15-3 31 Points | Record | 20-10-1 41 Points |
| Nikolai Khabibulin (10-7-3 2.00 GAA) | Starting Goalie | Jimmy Howard (19-7-1 1.91 GAA) |
| The Copper & Blue | SB Nation Site - Last Meeting | 11/11 3-0 W |
| 9:30 PM EST | Time - Television | FSD, SNET-W |
The young Oilers continue their growing pains this season, having cooled off from a hot start, the Oilers have lost 8 of their last ten. Detroit last saw them in the Joe Louis Arena the day after they had played Boston and on their third game in four nights. Both teams have been off since Saturday and the Oil have the home change. That last contest ended 3-0, but I felt it was closer than the score let on.
Edmonton has an aggressive forecheck which Detroit beat in November using a very patient breakout, which requires sharp attention to detail and crisp passing. On the other end, consistent pressure on the Oilers' defense should lead to turnovers and scoring chances. It will be key to prevent guys like Hall, Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins from gaining speed through the neutral zone, since they are a threat against any D-man in the league if that happens.
The Oilers have potential to be very good in a few seasons, let's let tonight be a lesson to their young and talented forwards about the right way to do things in the NHL.
Comment away and let's go Red Wings.