After a 6-2 drubbing where the Oilers played one of the most disinterested games of the season, the team has responded with three straight wins. The team is still being led by the likes of Draisaitl and McDavid, but some secondary scoring, solid goaltending, and a decent defense has also contributed.

In the players eyes they still have a chance to make it to the playoffs, but realistically the players right now are auditioning for spots for next season. Depending on who the next GM will be, players need to show now what they can do or they could likely find themselves searching for a PDO in the fall.

Players like Josh Currie, Sam Gagner, Ty Rattie, and Jujar Khaira need to show strong over the next month if they want to be bottom 6 contributors next season. There should be competition in training camp next year but making a good impression now will go a long way.

LINEUPS

OILERS

Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian
Lucic-RNH-Chiasson
Rieder-Cave-Currie
Gagner-Brodziak-Rattie

Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell
Sekera-Benning

Koskinen

CANUCKS

Pearson-Horvat-Goldobin
Leivo-Pettersson-Boeser
Roussel-Gaudette-Granlund
Eriksson-Beagle-Motte

Edler-Biega
Pouliot-Stecher
Sautner-Schenn

Demko

4 KEYS TO VICTORY

1) Tailspin. While the Oilers have been playing strong in the last few games, the Canucks have faltered. To their credit, they did beat the Leafs last night in overtime but prior to that had lost 6 of their last 8. Vancouver is also playing the second of their back to backs as well, on the road.

2) No Klef Bomb Overall defensively the top pairing for Edmonton is doing their job, but Oscar Klefbom is not producing right now. He has been held off the scoresheet for the last 6 games and doesn't have a powerplay point in his last 9 games. The Oilers need more out of him.

3) No Breaks Last time these two teams met the Oilers won in the shootout, the time before that, the Canuks won 4-2, due in large part to 2 goals in the last 2 minutes of the first period. Edmonton can't afford to have a moment like that in this game, nor can they afford playing into overtime. Edmonton needs 2 points tonight and for Vancouver to walk away with nothing.

4) Tobias Rieder. He is going to score the game winning goal tonight. Book it.

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