Going into tonight's game against the Avalanche the Oilers have put a stamp on the season that they are a team to be favoured to win the cup, a harsh turnaround from the start of the season where they were honestly terrible. The way they are playing now there is nothing the same as early in the season and the standings are proof of that.
The Avalanche on the other hand has been constant all year. This shouldn't come as a surprise because they were one of a handful of teams that coming into the season were expected to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers were also one of those teams though. This is why tonight's game should be exciting as it is a battle of what could arguably be the two best teams in the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers Lines
Oilers lines & pairings at Friday’s practice:
— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) March 15, 2024
RNH - McDavid - Hyman
McLeod - Draisaitl - Foegele
Kane - Henrique - Brown
Janmark - Carrick - Perry
Ryan
Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Desharnais
Kulak - Ceci
Stecher
Skinner
Pickard#Oilers
The Oilers are coming off a game where they beat the Washington Capital pretty badly. So, I wasn't too surprised to see any changes in the lineup. They played a nearly perfect game after the first period. Skinner will get the start tonight, as he should, this game should have a playoff feel to it and want him to be ready for high-pressure games.
Colorado Avalanche Lines
#GoAvsGo lines. https://t.co/rc87a4erkf pic.twitter.com/K9AacVyCwE
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) March 14, 2024
Here are the lines from the Colorado Avalanche's last game on Wednesday, In the game the Avs were able to come from behind and eventually beat the Canucks in overtime. This was a thrilling game, but I would assume they do not want to have to come from behind if they want to win tonight. The Oilers' current defense and goaltending are better than the Canucks is right now.
Good Playoff Preview
This is a battle of two of the best teams in the league at a very important time in the season, both teams are trying to end up in the best position possible in the standings. They will be playing as hard as possible to not only get the two points but to prove that each team is indeed ready to win the Cup.
Not only is this a battle of the top 2 teams in the NHL, but there is the battle of the two best players in the NHL. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are 2 of the 3 players in the fight for the Hart Trophy this season and right now Mackinnon may be the favourite, but depending on how McDavid plays the rest of the way, if anyone can change voters' minds it is him