Two of the NHL’s premiere talents go head-to-head when the Edmonton Oilers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night.
The Oilers’ Connor McDavid, 20, was the league’s leading scorer and MVP last season. The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, 30, has captained his team to the last two Stanley Cups while winning the Conn Smythe Trophy both years.
“He’s obviously a little bit more experienced. He’s done more in the league,” said McDavid. “He skates so well, and he takes such good care of himself.
“You think a guy like that could play forever.”
This season has started better for the Penguins than it has for the Oilers. Despite a couple of lopsided losses, Pittsburgh is 5-3-1. The Oilers have the second-lowest scoring offence in the league and are 2-5.
Edmonton hopes to get boost its attack with the return of forwards Leon Draisaitl – who has missed four games with concussion-type symptoms – and Drake Caggiula – who’s missed five games with an undisclosed injury.
Also look for Jujhar Khaira to play after being a healthy scratch the last three games. It’s expected that Jussi Jokinen, Anton Slepyshev and Brad Malone will come out of the lineup. Malone has been assigned to Bakersfield of the AHL.
Catch the Oilers and Penguins on 630 CHED with the Face-off show at 3:30 p.m. The game will start at 5 p.m.