The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to start a new streak tonight – and carry it through their annual Western Canada trip.
They'll have to contain the league's biggest superstar tonight in order to do so. Let's dive right into the details.
MATCHUP:
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers
Rogers Center, 9:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Connor McDavid is having one hell of a season (as is expected), with 99 points so far. Speed, skill, smarts, he's got everything NHL general managers ask for in spades, and is set to top the 100 point mark for the second straight year.
- Aside from McDavid, it looks like Leon Draisaitl has been the only other real bright spot for the struggling Oilers, with 67 points, flipping between the second center spot and McDavid's wing. His huge extension (8 years, $68 million) kicked in this year, giving them a second long-term building block. Given that they're the Oilers, it's easy to see them adding a third this summer through the draft lottery.
- Here's where the Jackets show what they're made of. The winning streak gave them a bit of breathing room, but there's still very little margin for error – and despite playing some not-so-hot teams on this trip, it's tough to win out West.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
OILERS
34-36-6 (6th in Pacific Division)
PP: 14.5% (31st) / PK: 75.2% (29th)
5v5 Corsi: 50.7% (14th)
BLUE JACKETS
42-28-5 (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 15.3% (30th) / PK: 77.7% (25th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.6% (8th)
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