NHL Grind Down: Saturday, January 23rd - Page Three
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers – 10:00 PM EST
| Nashville Predators | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | Cam Talbot |  | Jimmy Howard | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-18-8 | 19-25-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.53 | 2.70 | 20.30% | 77.80% | Team Stats | 2.39 | 2.94 | 16.90% | 81.30% |
Nashville started their four game western canadian road trip out on the right foot by disposing of the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night by a score of 4-1. Tonight should be more of the same if Nashville can retain the focus they had against Winnipeg as the Oilers rank second in the league in terms of goals against by giving up 145 of them. Ryan Johansen seems to have adapted to his change of scenery by rewarding his new team with two goals and five assists in his last five games. Slowly but surely the chemistry between Johansen and sniper James Neal is starting to gel before our very eyes. Neal has found the net two times while assisting on three others over the last four games. The second line that features Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg are tied for second on the team in points and make a great pairing on the road against a very leaky Edmonton defense. Defenseman Shea Weber and Roman Josi make fine plays on the point as they each log over 24 minutes a night and get the lion’s share of the Nashville power play minutes.
What was supposed to be a breakout year for the Oilers has now turned into a nightmare thanks to a slew of injuries over the course of the season. The latest casualty comes in the form of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins which has left Edmonton shuffling to create a solid second line. Jordan Eberle has been the mainstay but even he has had trouble scoring of late and who can blame him. Matt Hendricks was spotted on the second line a few games ago and now it seems that Rob Klinkhammer will get a shot to skate in the top six. Wait, Rob Klinkhammer?? Yes Rob Klinkhammer, you know, the guy who has accumulated just 43 points in 193 games. Yes, that Rob Klinkhammer. He’s got a great name but unfortunately, we get no points for how cool your last name is. Taylor Hall is the play here as not only does he lead the team with 47 points, he has also scored two goals to go along with four assists in his last six games. Teddy Purcell and Leon Draisaitl complete the team’s top line and also get the top power play minutes when the situation arises. Purcell seems safer than Draisaitl with his two goals and two assists over the last three games.
Elite Plays
NSH: None
EDM: Taylor Hall
Secondary Plays
NSH: Ryan Johansen, James Neal, Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg
EDM Teddy Purcell, Leon Draisaitl, Jordan Eberle