The Edmonton Oilers will try to beat the Ottawa Senators for the seventh time this season when the two teams meet Friday night at Rogers Place.
The Oilers improved to 6-0 against the Sens with a 7-1 rout on Wednesday.
“I think tonight will be a very intense game,” head coach Dave Tippett said Friday. “You can’t have a let down. There’s no room for error here. We’re in the second half of the season.
“We have 28 games left. Every game is of ultra-importance. Evert point is ultra-important. They’re can’t be any let down.”
“Tonight is two points that are key to us. They’re a good team. I expect them to come out with a lot of energy and tenacity,” said winger Alex Chiasson.
Defenceman Kris Russell won’t play and is day-to-day with a lower body injury. Caleb Jones will come in on defence.
The Oilers expected lineup is:
Draisaitl – McDavid – Yamamoto
Ennis – Nugent-Hopkins – Puljujarvi
Shore – Khaira – P. Russell
Neal – Haas – Chiasson
Nurse – Barrie
Lagesson – Larsson
Jones – Bear
Smith
It’s the last game of the Oilers seven-game home stand. They’re 3-3.
The Oilers and Senators are on 630 CHED with the Faceoff Show at 5:30 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.