The Edmonton Oilers are back on home ice tonight, hosting the Minnesota Wild in what promises to be a high-tempo clash between two teams trying to find consistency as the season grinds into December. Puck drops at 9 p.m. ET, and both clubs are rolling out lineups that reflect recent injuries and some notable lineup shuffling.
Let’s break down what to expect from each side.
Minnesota Wild Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Kirill Kaprizov - Ryan Hartman - Mats Zuccarello
- Marcus Johansson - Joel Eriksson Ek - Matt Boldy
- Yakov Trenin - Nico Sturm - Vladimir Tarasenko
- Liam Ohgren - Ben Jones - Tyler Pitlick
Defense:
- Jacob Middleton - Jared Spurgeon
- Jonas Brodin - Brock Faber
- Zeev Buium - Zach Bogosian
Goaltenders:
- Jesper Wallstedt
- Filip Gustavsson
Scratches: Daemon Hunt, Ben Jones
Injuries: Marcus Foligno (lower body), Vinnie Hinostroza (lower body), Marco Rossi (lower body), Danila Yurov (undisclosed)
Status Update:
Ryan Hartman is stepping up to center the top line alongside Kaprizov and Zuccarello, filling in for Danila Yurov.
Yurov had been playing through an injury sustained in an overtime win against Chicago but is now sidelined. Ben Jones will draw into the lineup in his place.
This top line has the potential to be dangerous with Hartman’s gritty two-way play complementing Kaprizov’s elite skill and Zuccarello’s veteran vision. The second line of Johansson, Eriksson Ek, and Boldy gives Minnesota a balanced attack, with Eriksson Ek continuing to be one of the more underrated two-way centers in the league.
On the back end, Minnesota is leaning on a mix of experience and youth. Spurgeon and Middleton bring a steady presence, while Brock Faber continues to impress with his poise and puck movement. Zeev Buium gets another look on the third pair, skating alongside the physical Zach Bogosian.
In net, Jesper Wallstedt is expected to get the nod, though Gustavsson is available if needed. Wallstedt’s development has been a key storyline for the Wild, and tonight could be another opportunity for the young netminder to show he’s ready for more NHL action.
Edmonton Oilers Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Matthew Savoie - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman
- Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Andrew Mangiapane
- Adam Henrique - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Mattias Janmark
- Trent Frederic - Curtis Lazar - Connor Clattenburg
Defense:
- Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard
- Darnell Nurse - Alec Regula
- Brett Kulak - Ty Emberson
Goaltenders:
- Stuart Skinner
- Calvin Pickard
Scratches: David Tomasek
Injuries: Kasperi Kapanen (knee), Noah Philp (undisclosed), Jack Roslovic (undisclosed), Jake Walman (lower body)
Status Update:
The Oilers held an optional morning skate, so there’s a bit of fluidity in terms of final deployment.
But based on current projections, the top line remains anchored by Connor McDavid, with rookie Matthew Savoie getting a big opportunity on the left wing and Zach Hyman continuing to be a force on the right. Savoie’s speed and creativity could mesh well with McDavid’s dynamic game, and if that chemistry clicks, Edmonton might have found something intriguing.
Leon Draisaitl centers the second line with Vasily Podkolzin and Andrew Mangiapane, a trio that brings a mix of power, finesse, and two-way responsibility. Adam Henrique and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins form a savvy third-line duo, with Janmark adding speed and forechecking ability.
Defensively, the Oilers are rolling with their familiar top pair of Ekholm and Bouchard. Bouchard’s offensive instincts paired with Ekholm’s steadying presence have been one of the team’s more reliable combinations. Darnell Nurse skates with Alec Regula on the second pair, while Kulak and Ty Emberson round out the blue line.
Between the pipes, Stuart Skinner is expected to start. He’s been carrying the load in net recently and will look to hold off a Wild team that can generate offense from multiple lines.
What to Watch
This game has the feel of a momentum swinger for both squads. The Wild are looking to keep climbing after a rough patch earlier in the season, while the Oilers are hovering around .500 and trying to string together some consistency. The matchup between McDavid’s line and the Wild’s top defensive pair will be one to watch closely - and so will the goaltending battle, especially if Wallstedt gets the start.
With both teams dealing with injuries to key players, depth scoring and special teams could be the difference-makers tonight. And for Edmonton, getting contributions from young players like Savoie and Podkolzin could be the spark they need to get rolling.
Puck drops at 9 p.m. ET. Let’s see who rises to the occasion.