Oilers Look to Bounce Back Against Canadiens Seeking Consecutive Win
Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens Preview: Oilers Look to Recover, Canadiens Eye Second Straight Win
The Edmonton Oilers (9-7-2) will attempt to regroup and bounce back after a tough loss when they face the Montreal Canadiens (6-10-2) on Monday night at the Bell Centre. The game is set to start at 7:30 PM ET, bringing together two teams heading in different directions. Edmonton, which recently saw its three-game win streak come to an end, looks to rebound, while Montreal is riding high after a dominant 5-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Let’s break down what to expect from these teams as they prepare for this important matchup.
Edmonton Oilers: Striving for Consistency After Recent Setback
The Oilers are aiming to recover from a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in their last game. That loss ended a three-game win streak and put a dent in their momentum. With a goal of earning their fourth win in five games, Edmonton faces the challenge of maintaining consistency and avoiding another slip-up.
Offensively, the Oilers have been solid, averaging 2.78 goals per game, though they’ve struggled at times against some of the league’s stronger defensive teams. In the loss to Toronto, Edmonton managed three goals on 30 shots, with Connor McDavid contributing a goal and an assist, Leon Draisaitl adding a goal, and Adam Henrique scoring as well. While the offense has been productive, it’s the defense that remains the Oilers’ biggest concern. Edmonton has struggled defensively, allowing 3.17 goals per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. In their recent loss, the Oilers gave up four goals, and they’ll need a more disciplined defensive effort to avoid falling behind against Montreal.
In goal, Stuart Skinner is expected to start for the Oilers. Skinner has a 3.28 GAA and a .877 save percentage this season, and his performance will be critical for Edmonton as they look to get back on track. The Oilers will also be monitoring the status of Darnell Nurse (concussion) and Viktor Arvidsson (undisclosed), both of whom are listed as questionable for Monday’s game.
Montreal Canadiens: Momentum Building After a Strong Win
On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens are looking to build on their impressive 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. After a tough loss to the Minnesota Wild, Montreal bounced back with a strong performance and will aim to carry that momentum into Monday’s matchup, seeking their second consecutive win.
Offensively, the Canadiens have averaged 2.83 goals per game this season. In their win over Columbus, Montreal capitalized on five goals from 30 shots, with key contributions from Mike Matheson (one goal, one assist), Joel Armia (two assists), and Nick Suzuki (one assist). However, Montreal will need to continue spreading the scoring throughout the lineup, as they remain somewhat reliant on their top players to generate offense.
Defensively, Montreal continues to struggle, ranking among the weakest teams in the league with an average of 3.89 goals allowed per game. However, their defensive play showed improvement in the win over Columbus, as they allowed just one goal on 26 shots. Sam Montembeault, who stopped 25 of 26 shots in that win, will start in goal for Montreal. Montembeault has had an inconsistent season, posting a 3.10 GAA and a .898 save percentage, but his recent performance should give him confidence going into this matchup.
Conclusion
The Edmonton Oilers come into this matchup as the favorites, given their superior offensive capabilities and the presence of stars like McDavid and Draisaitl. However, their defensive lapses could create opportunities for Montreal, especially if Montembeault can replicate his strong performance from the Columbus game. Montreal will need to rely on solid goaltending and disciplined defensive play to prevent Edmonton’s high-powered offense from taking over the game.
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