Game Preview And Tonight’s Lines: Edmonton Oilers @ Phoenix Coyotes

Edmonton Oilers @ Phoenix Coyotes

30 JAN 2013 – 7:30 PM MST

LINES

F

Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle
Nail Yakupov – Sam Gagner – Ales Hemsky
Ryan Smyth – Shawn Horcoff – Lennart Petrell
Teemu Hartikainen – Eric Belanger – Magnus Paajarvi

D
Nick Schultz – Justin Schultz
Ladislav Smid – Jeff Petry
Ryan Whitney – Corey Potter

G
Devan Dubnyk
Nikolai Khabibulin

• Oilers begin a three game road trip tonight that will see them play three games between now and the middle of Saturday.  Edmonton is coming off a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.  The Coyotes are coming off a 4-0 victory over Nashville on Monday.
• LINE CHANGES – The only difference between Monday’s lineup and today’s lineup is the addition of Nikolai Khabibulin coming off the injured reserve list to back up Devan Dubnyk.  Yann Danis was put on waivers yesterday, he has cleared today, and is back in OKC.  As for Khabibulin, I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw him get some ice time on this 3 game roadie.  I’m scared out of my mind, as Khabibulin hasn’t seen any in-game action in almost a year. Also, in a rare moment of complete sincerity, I can’t explain enough how glad I am to see that fourth line remain intact.  I liked what I saw on the fourth line against the Avalanche, and I hope to see more of it tonight.
  
• More power play goals?  Yes please.  Add the four power play goals from the Colorado game, and Edmonton’s power play efficiency sits at a whopping 35.7 per cent.  That’s not going to last, but enjoy the ride while you can.  
• Devan Dubnyk will get his sixth consecutive start between the pipes for the Oilers, while Chad Johnson will get his second consecutive start for Phoenix.  Until Monday, Johnson’s last  game was in 2011 while a member of the New York Rangers.  Goaltender Mike Smith is currently on the injured reserve list, and Jason LaBarbera hasn’t had much luck going 1-4 in the Coyotes’ first five games.  

Jeff – @OilOnWhyte

Ian – @ibleedoil

Jonathan – @jonrmcleod

Troy – @heavyoilcountry

Dave – @rustyknuckler

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