The 23-39-10 Oilers will face-off tonight against the always tough Nashville Predators at Bridgstone Arena for the 4th and final time of the season. With a respectable 38-25-10 record the Predators are looking to continue their current win streak of 3 games as they jockey for a play-off position.
The Oilers on the other hand will continue to play spoiler with only 10 games remaining in their arduous season; and hope to snap a 6 game losing skid in Music City. Since the loss of Taylor Hall to injury, the Oilers have won 1 out of 7 games, as the club struggles to find some offense as the season dwindles. However, Head Coach Tom Renney could only suggest for his team to just stick with the mandate of playing hard right to the end.
"We'll just work, that's all. We'll protect ourselves by playing hard within our structure and within our system of play. They're a team that continues to be very, very hungry and playing well for points."
"We want to make sure we have a solid foundation of how we play without the puck, we want to make sure we've got a backend that's solid and strong and can defend as well as advance the puck. And with the forward group, be that as it may, the big thing for us is to try and play strong within our structure," Renney continued.
"We want to make sure we have a solid foundation of how we play without the puck, we want to make sure we've got a backend that's solid and strong and can defend as well as advance the puck. And with the forward group, be that as it may, the big thing for us is to try and play strong within our structure," Renney continued.
Ryan Jones who is having a career year for the Copper and Blue, could only agree with his coach.
"Obviously we want to rebound with the two losses and come out with a big win here. They've played well, they've split the season-series so far, so we're looking to come out and put in a good effort and come out with two points."
Renney is still mum as to who he will dress against the Preds, though it has been announced that Dubnyk will make his return to the crease which is no surprize to the net-minder. The last time the squads met, Dubnyk posted his first ever shut-out with a 4 to nothing victory.
Perhaps, the kid can make some more magic and lay another golden goose-egg.
"It's only been one game, but I certainly can't complain. I just try to take some things that made me feel good from last time here into tonight. I've got to make sure I'm ready to make it happen."
Linus Omark and Ryan Jones continue to put numbers in the scoring department. The Flashy Swede has goals in consecutive game, while the blue-collar Jones has two in his last four.
"I think we have to outwork them and then limit our turnovers. They're like us: a good transitional team, and if we can get more pucks behind them so they can't turn against us, then I think we're going to give ourselves a chance to win."
Oilers vs Predators 5 pm Pacific start. www.atdhe.me
#hockey #edmonton #predators #NHL
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