The Carolina Hurricanes are on the NHL’s better teams. The Edmonton Oilers are still struggling to find their identity, and are 6-4-0 in their last 10. On the heels of a road back-to-back, the Oilers were already going to struggle to find a way to pull out a win and head home feeling really good about a difficult Southeast road trip. Things got a whole lot more difficult as two key forwards won’t be in the lineup for Edmonton.
Related: Josh Archibald Deemed Healthy: Is He an Option for the Oilers?
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins left Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers early with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft had no updates to offer on his condition but did note that Nugent-Hopkins wouldn’t be playing until he had been fully evaluated. More imaging needs to be done.
Now, news that Kailer Yamamoto was not on the ice for the warm-ups vs Carolina has led to news he won’t be in the game either. Yamamoto blocked a shot in the 3rd period vs Florida and is unable to go.
This all comes with Jesse Puljujarvi already out the lineup and the Oilers running with a depleted roster thanks to no Duncan Keith. Colton Sceviour and Brendan Perlini will get the nod for Edmonton and the hope is that a couple of fresh bodies with motivation to play well with let the Oilers squeak out a big win and hop right back into the playoff conversation.
Mike Smith will get the nod in net for the Oilers and he did not play very well against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first game of this Oilers’ road trip. Edmonton will need him to be much better and potentially help the team steal two points. Mikko Koskinen was excellent for the Oilers against the Panthers and is the reason Edmonton won, along with a hat trick from Derek Ryan.
Next: Rasmus Ristolainen Likely on the Move, Bruins Rumored to Have Interest
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