Heading into last night's action the Edmonton Oilers found themselves sitting in third place in the Pacific Division. Having beat the LA Kings the night before the Oilers put themselves into sole possession of that spot. They were 2 points up on the Kings with a game in hand. As for the teams ahead. They were one point behind the Knights with 2 games in hand and 12 points behind the Canucks with 4 games in hand.
Last night's action was a little bit of good mixed in with a little bit of bad. The LA Kings lost to the Calgary Flames which means they didn't tie the Oilers for third and the Oilers gained another game in hand on them, leaving them 2 points up with two extra games to play.
The teams ahead of the Oilers both were able to secure some points though. The Golden Knights defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2, moving the Knights 3 points ahead of the Oilers. The Oilers do have 3 games in hand still though. As for the Vancouver Canucks they got one point in an overtime loss to the Pittsburg Penguins. Leaving the Oilers 13 points back with 5 games in hand.
Edmonton Oilers Vs St. Louis Blues
Now let us take a look at the game tonight as the Oilers look to close the gap on the Knights and Canucks as they take on the St. Louis Blues in a surprisingly early 6:30 PM home game. This is one of the games where the schedulers have helped the Edmonton Oilers out.
The Blues played last night in Winnipeg against the Jets. A game where they lost 4-2 even though they got 38 shots on Laurent Brossoit. Being that this game was in Winnipeg and didn't finish till 8:30 PM, I assume the Blues will be rolling into tonight's game fatigued. This is why I think this should be an easy 2 points for the Oilers.
The Blues are having an average season, they are 30-26-2. They are 6 points out of the final Wild Card spot. If they want a chance to make the playoffs they are going to have to start putting up wins. So this may cause the Blues to come out strong, but if the Oilers can weather the initial storm the tired legs of the Blues should catch up with them
If the Oilers can win the game tonight it will be a straight gain on the teams ahead of them as there are no other games in the West tonight. The Oilers can't squander their games in hand. They need these two points if they want to climb the standings.