For the second time in as many nights, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against a Pacific Division rival to try and secure a four-point swing in the standings and maintain pace in the Wild Card race. Can it be done? We’re only a few short hours from finding out.

After finishing their inaugural season with a Stanley Cup Finals loss, I was really interested to see what the Golden Knights were going to for an encore. Personally, I was expecting them to take a big step backwards after finishing their first year on a run that no one could have ever expected, but that’s just not the case. Instead of falling back to earth, the Golden Knights went out and took big swings in free agency and on the trade market to bolster their roster and try to repeat the success they enjoyed a year ago. As for our Oilers, well, they’ve also followed a similar path as last season and I think anyone reading this right now would agree that it hasn’t been nearly as pleasurable of a journey.

Seeing as I’m in Vegas right now with a group of Nation citizens for tonight’s game and nursing one of the gnarliest hangovers I’ve had in a while, there is nothing that I would love more than to see the boys keep the good times rolling. Last night’s win against Arizona was huge and it was great seeing Oilers fans losing their minds behind enemy lines. Here in Vegas, we got a ‘let’s go Oilers’ chant going in the bar were at and it was all kinds of special to be a part of. Sure, there’s still plenty of work to do in the standings and we can dwell on that if we want, but that’s not the vibe I want to be putting out into the universe when the boys need us most. I say we ride this thing until the wheels fall off.

Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a bloody mary and craps table calling my name.

Numbers courtesy of Natural Stat Trick (fancies at 5×5)

Draisaitl – McDavid – Kassian
Khaira – RNH – Gagner
Rieder – Cave – Chiasson
Lucic – Brodziak – Currie

Klefbom – Larsson
Nurse – Russell
Sekera – Benning

Koskinen

Marchessault – Karlsson – Smith
Pacioretty – Stastny – Stone
Pirri – Eakin – Tuch
Carpenter – Bellemare – Reaves

Schmidt – Engelland
McNabb – Theodore
Merrill – Miller

Fleury

Game Day Prediction: Despite a strong effort from all four lines, the Oilers can’t keep up with Vegas’ offensive prowess and drop the game 3-2.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: Chris the Intern is having the time of his life in Vegas right now, and I guarantee you that he will be passed out before midnight.

Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: After powering through a few Bloody Marys at lunch, I drop $20 in the Wheel of Fortune slot and walk away with $25. Who can you not love a 25% return?