The Edmonton Oilers go after their fourth straight win Thursday night when they host the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks have been a thorn in the side of the Oilers this season, winning two of their three previous meetings. The Oilers needed a shootout to win the other.
“We haven’t scored five-on-five,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “We can’t seem to penetrate their checking five-on-five. We feel like we’ve had lots of scoring chances, but we’ve not finished.”
The Oilers have scored only six goals against the Canucks this season and only two of them have come five-on-five.
Leon Draisaitl has been driving the Oilers offence lately with 17 points over the course of an 11-game point streak. He’s second in the NHL with 41 goals. He leads the NHL with a shooting percentage of 22.8.
“I always knew that I had a decent shot, I’m just trying to use it a little more,” said Draisaitl. “I try to get it off my stick as quick as possible. I try to use my one-timer as much as I can.”
“He’s shooting the puck so well,” said captain Connor McDavid. “He’s definitely been shooting the puck a lot more. Guys are looking for him. He’s creating plays himself. It’s been really impressive.”
Jujhar Khaira could return to action after missing nine games with a foot injury. Hitchcock called him game-time decision.
Catch the Oilers and Canucks on 630 CHED with the Face-off Show at 5:30 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.