Oilers @ Leafs - Jan. 5th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[CarltonTheBear]

@
18-13-2, 38 points | 21-8-2, 44 points 
Projected Lines

Hyman-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi Foegele-McLeod-Yamamoto Benson-Turris-Kassian Perlini-Shore-Sceviour Nurse-Bouchard Keith-Ceci Koekkoek-Barrie Koskinen

Bunting-Matthews-Marner Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds Rielly-Brodie Muzzin-Holl Sandin-Dermott Campbell

Scratches

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins William Lagesson Mike Smith

Nick Ritchie Timothy Liljegren      Alex Biega

Game Notes

EDM
•Koskinen (12-7-1, 3.19 GAA, 0.900 Sv%) will likely start for the Oilers
•Edmonton is 2-8-2 in their last 12 games and have gone from being 1st in the league in Pts% at the beginning of December to barely holding onto the final Wild Card spot in the West
•To make matters worse McDavid (and Derek Ryan) tested positive for COVID yesterday. They await another round of test results this morning but it seems likely they'll be out for this game
•Former Leaf Zach Hyman of course makes his return to Toronto for the first time, unfortunately no crowd will be present to give him a warm welcome back

TOR
•Campbell (16-5-2, 1.86 GAA, .939 Sv%) will start for the Leafs
•The Leafs had their own COVID scare as Matthews tested positive on a rapid test but returned a negative PCR test afterward. He'll need another negative test today but if that happens he should be able to suit up tonight
•Kase missed practice yesterday after tweaking something in the gym so his status is unclear. If he's out expect Ritchie to step back into the line-up
•Muzzin and Liljegren are both off of the COVID protocol and appear 100%, Muzzin was back in his regular spot alongside Holl while Liljegren practiced as the 7D
Injuries

•Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Lower Body - Questionable •Mike Smith - Upper Body - Questionable •Kris Russel - Upper Body - Injured Reserve •Connor McDavid - COVID-19 Protocol - Questionable •Derek Ryan - COVID-19 Protocol - Questionable

•Ondrej Kase - Undisclosed - Questionable •Auston Matthews - COVID-19 Protocol - Probable

Stream Options

BilaSport.net
Sportsurge.net

[bustaheims]

Sigh. I was supposed to be at this game, but, if McJesus is out, that's at least some solace that I didn't miss out entirely.

[Frank E]

Sigh. I was supposed to be at this game, but, if McJesus is out, that's at least some solace that I didn't miss out entirely.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[bustaheims]

Sigh. I was supposed to be at this game, but, if McJesus is out, that's at least some solace that I didn't miss out entirely.

I'm sorry for your loss.

COVID just keeps taking and taking.

[RedLeaf]

Sigh. I was supposed to be at this game, but, if McJesus is out, that's at least some solace that I didn't miss out entirely.

If McJesus can’t even heal himself, he’s got the wrong Moniker. Lol

Btw I know how bad that sucks . My Xmas gift to my son was taking him to Mondays game against Carolina .

[CarltonTheBear]

Auston Matthews says he plans to play tonight vs. Edmonton

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 5, 2022

Ritchie is also confirmed in for Kase.

[herman]

Dave Tippett was asked today who is keeping the team together. He first said the leadership group. “You know who’s been really good? Duncan Keith’s been really good. His veteran leadership is really strong. On the bench during games, in between periods, it’s been really good.”

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) January 4, 2022

better on the bench lol

[CarltonTheBear]

Dave Tippett was asked today who is keeping the team together. He first said the leadership group. “You know who’s been really good? Duncan Keith’s been really good. His veteran leadership is really strong. On the bench during games, in between periods, it’s been really good.”

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) January 4, 2022

better on the bench lol

Glancing through some stats it doesn't seem like Keith has been all that bad. Certainly not $5.5mil with another year left on his deal good, but better than his last couple seasons in Chicago at least. Extra surprising when you factor in Ceci has been his partner for most of the season.

[Guilt Trip]

Connor McDavid, Derek Ryan and Tyson Barrie are all in COVID Protocol and will miss tonight's game in Toronto.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 5, 2022

[RedLeaf]

Connor McDavid, Derek Ryan and Tyson Barrie are all in COVID Protocol and will miss tonight's game in Toronto.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 5, 2022

That’s the start of an outbreak on the oilers team.

Im no epidemiologist, but doesn't it stand to reason that more cases on the Oilers are likely and playing other teams right now will spread this further? Or are we all on the Herd immunity train now?

[Zee]

The first 2 lines look like quite the mismatch in the Leafs favour which probably means they'll lose like 5-2 tonight.

[L K]

I demand blood.  I also want to see Koskinen fight Tippett tonight.

[Downtown]

Go Leafs Go!

[bustaheims]

I demand blood.  I also want to see Koskinen fight Tippett tonight.

Coach Tipp confirms Mike Smith will make the start tonight. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/G4UTEHwdc4

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 5, 2022

Also, this:

Mikko Koskinen is not a good goalie.

Also true:

- Mike Smith is not a #1 goalie
- Oilers offence has been neutered
- Oilers defence is highly overrated by water carrying media
- Oilers have zero depth
- Year 7 of McDavid and the team still has all the same issues

— VisuallyBetter (@Isuckatpicking) January 5, 2022

[Bullfrog]

Marner, you're not playing junior. Why didn't he give that to Rielly?