Game Notes G10: Oilers host Predators, Raphael Lavoie to make NHL debut, and more

The Edmonton Oilers kicked off the month of November with a loss to the Dallas Stars and they’ll look to avoid making it a losing streak when they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon.

1. The big story this weekend is that top prospect Raphael Lavoie has been recalled from the Bakersfield Condors to make his NHL debut against Nashville. Connor Brown was injured during Edmonton’s loss to Dallas and Philip Broberg was optioned to the AHL to open up the salary cap room needed to bring up Lavoie.

Lavoie was among the last forwards cut from the team at the end of training camp. The team’s second-round pick from the 2019 draft cleared through waivers and has been dominating the AHL since. Through five games, Lavoie leads the Condors with four goals and seven points and he’s racked up 17 penalty minutes.

2. A big forward with a great shot, Lavoie will give Edmonton a much-needed depth-scoring option. A major issue for the Oilers so far has been a complete lack of offence from their third and fourth lines. Ryan McLeod, Mattias Janmark, Dylan Holloway, Adam Erne, Connor Brown, and Derek Ryan haven’t scored a goal yet this season.

Sam Gagner was signed and brought up from Bakersfield ahead of the game against Dallas and he scored two goals in his season debut. The 34-year-old is one of just five players on the Oilers with multiple even-strength goals this season. Zach Hyman and Warren Foegele are leading the way with three each.

3. Lavoie will be able to play 10 NHL games or spend 30 days on the Oilers’ active roster before he’s eligible for waivers again. If he sticks with the team longer than 10 games, you’d have to think that he’s not going back to the AHL again.

4. The Predators are an excellent team to make your NHL debut against if you’re an Oiler. Nashville hasn’t beaten Edmonton in regulation time since October 20, 2018. Since then, the Oilers have had 10 wins in 12 games against the Predators, with the two losses coming in either overtime or the shootout.

Most recently, the Oilers beat the Preds in Nashville by a score of 6-1 on October 17 for their first win of the 2023-24 season.

5. Leon Draisaitl led the way in that win with two goals and two assists, putting him at 39 points over 24 career games against Nashville. The run Draisaitl has had against the Predators over the past few seasons has been incredible. Over Edmonton’s last 10 games against Nashville, Draisaitl has 18 goals and 30 points on 50 shots and the Oilers are outscoring the Preds 35-to-8 when he’s on the ice.

I’ve never seen one player kick the ass of one single team so badly.

6. Jack Campbell started for the Oilers in that aforementioned win over Nashville and picked up what’s been his only win on the season. He stopped 43 of 44 shots in the win against the Predators but has allowed 14 goals on 79 shots across three games otherwise.

Stuart Skinner has started the team’s last three games, so it seems likely that Campbell will get back into the net against the Predators. This is as good of an opponent as possible for the Oilers to try to get a goalie back on track.

Oilersnation is headed to the desert! Escape to Arizona on our next Oilersnation Vacation presented by Alberta Blue Cross from Feb 18-20th, 2024! Join the party for just $1,999/person (double occupancy rooms). Your ticket includes roundtrip flights from Edmonton, a two-night stay in a popular hotel, transportation to the airport and premium hockey game tickets! Limited spots are available, so don’t hesitate to get your ticket now!