There was plenty of negative reaction following Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and rightly so. Evan Bouchard made costly errors, Stuart Skinner couldn’t deliver timely saves, and the offence failed to secure the game. Fans have every right to be frustrated with the outcome.
However, on a positive note, Edmonton has earned points in four consecutive games and they’re one win away from moving into the top three in the Pacific Division. It’s not pretty, but it’s not all bad either. The Oilers now head to the Bell Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens, looking for their fourth win in five games.
1. The Oilers have performed well at the Bell Centre in their last 10 visits, posting a 6-2-2 record. The most recent game against the Canadiens was a memorable 2-1 overtime win, secured by Bouchard, which set a franchise record for most consecutive wins at 10. That streak extended to 16 before a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
2. Montreal has had a tough start to the season, sitting last in the Atlantic Division with a 6-10-2 record. The Canadiens began 2-1-0 with wins over Toronto and Ottawa but have since endured losing streaks of four and six games. The latter was snapped with a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Despite their record, they’ve been decent at home, where four of their six wins have come.
Despite their struggles, Montreal is averaging more goals per game (2.83) than Edmonton and boasts stronger special teams. Their power play ranks in the top 10 at 22.2%, and their penalty kill is 13th at 81%. However, defensive issues persist, with an average of 3.89 goals against per game — second worst in the NHL behind only Pittsburgh (3.90).
3. Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau have allowed 49 goals at 5-on-5, tying with the St. Louis Blues for most by a goaltending duo. Montembeault has played every November game so far, stepping in after Primeau’s start against Buffalo. His stats include a .905 save percentage in all situations and .921 at 5-on-5.
Calvin Pickard occupied the starter’s crease during the morning skate. He has faced Montreal six times in his career, securing two wins with a .907 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average. His lone shutout came in February 2018, when Colorado defeated Montreal 4-0, with Mikko Rantanen recording a hat trick and Pickard assisting on a goal. Pickard has won four of his last five starts and has maintained a save percentage below .900 only once during that stretch (against New Jersey). Since a poor start against Chicago on Oct. 12, Pickard ranks 17th in save percentage (.917) and 13th in goals-against average (1.67) at 5-on-5. His main struggles, like the team’s, have been on the penalty kill, with a .750 save percentage.
4. Edmonton’s special teams are showing improvement. The Oilers have killed eight consecutive penalties and scored on two of their last eight power-play opportunities. They still rank last in penalty killing (66%) and 22nd in power play, but signs of progress are evident.
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play his 900th game for Edmonton tonight, becoming the third player in franchise history to reach this milestone, joining Ryan Smyth (971) and Kevin Lowe (1,037). Nugent-Hopkins has amassed 707 points, ranking seventh in team history ahead of Paul Coffey (669), Smyth (631), and Doug Weight (577). Leon Draisaitl sits just ahead with 874 points.
6. The Oilers will be without defenceman Darnell Nurse, who left Saturday’s game following a hit to the head from Ryan Reaves. The Leafs forward received a five-game suspension for the hit. Nurse has only missed one game over the past two seasons. In his absence, Josh Brown has been called up from the Bakersfield Condors. Signed to a three-year deal over the summer, Brown has played 290 NHL games since 2018 and has two assists this season in the AHL. Known for penalty killing and physical play, Brown’s recent performance was described as solid, though his season has been average overall.
7. Tonight also marks Leon Draisaitl’s first look at young rival Cole Caufield in the Rocket Richard Trophy race. Caufield, tied for second with 12 goals, trails Draisaitl, who has 13. Caufield started hot with 10 goals in 11 games but has only two in the last seven, while Draisaitl has four in his last four games.
