Pre-Game: Wild: Oct 14th

                                       VS:             Minnesota Wild 
 
 
Scratches and Injuries:
Jf Jacques out with back spasms
Strudwick will be a healthy scratch

MacIntyre will sit out 

 Matchup(s) of the Night:

1.) Backstrom(at home) VS Oilers: If the Oilers were playing at Rexall, they would be having a hay day with Backstrom. He is absolutely atrocious in Edmonton. But instead they are playing in Minny, where Backstrom is golden. He has 11 career wins, in 11 career starts against the Oilers on home soil. Backstrom seems unstoppable at the Xcel Energy Center. But with Harding out with a torn MCL, Backstrom will be carrying the load and his numbers will definitely take a hit this season with limited rest. The Oilers are also sporting the new rookie look, which should throw a curve ball at Backstrom.

 2.) Stortini VS Staubitz: Stortini and Staubitz have a colored history. They have fought throughout their careers, add to the fact that they are now divisional rivals and you got yourself a good little match up running here. Stortini is still trying to make a point because last game was not pretty to say the least. Zack brought no energy to the game, unlike MacIntyre against Calgary. The Oilers need Zack to find his groove because Mac will usually only be in against the big heavyweights of the league. Renney seems to have lost a little confidence in Stort, so it would be a good thing for him to gain that back here today.


Keys to the Game: 
  The Oilers are coming off a game where most  fans wanted to jab a fork in there eye. Although they got the win, it was Florida who in reality is going to be a bottom 5 team this year. But they found a way to win a game while being totally outplayed. Although Minnesota is not much better than the Panthers, they have the Oilers' number. Expect the Oilers to be a much more physical team today then in the past against the Wild. Both Boogaard and Scott are gone, and this might be the first season where Hemsky is able to play a full season. The Oilers will need play smashmouth hockey in games where the offense isn't clicking, and today could be one of those games. Looking at Minnesota's roster, it's littered with grinders. There best player from last year, Guillame Lattendresse, is playing on the 4th line. With a lack if scorers in the Wild line up, this should allow the Oilers defense to jump into the play. The Wild are a slow aging team, and the Oilers are the fastest team in the league. The breakout will be the most important factor in today's game for Edmonton because this is where Edmonton will generate the majority of their scoring chances.


Player Analysis:Kurtis Foster: Foster will return to Minny after a brutal leg injury that saw him play his last game for the Wild. We're sure that this will be an emotional return for him. They never gave him a legitimate shot to be a full time roster player, so expect him to shove it in the face of his former team.

Magnus Paajarvi: He's been pretty invisible since that first pre-season game where he exploded for 3 goals and an apple. The combination of M.P.S - Brule - Cogliano doesn't seem to have chemistry despite their abundance of speed. But if Paajarvi hopes to move up the depth chart, he has to show that he can produce with his current line mates.

Ales Hemsky: Hesmky has been the Oilers most dynamic player this year. He looks rejuvenated and delighted to play for the Oilers; for the first time in his career he is surrounded with talent. Hemsky historically does not play that well against the Wild, but a Wild without Boogaard and Scott may allow Hemsky to play loose.

Taylor Hall: Hall seems to be shaking off the cob webs as the games have progressed. He had his first NHL point last game and was flying around the ice. John Carlson, Tyler Seguin, Jordan Eberle, and Tyler Ennis are looking like they will be Calder finalists. If Hall wants to be in the mix he needs to start potting some goals before he hits that rookie wall later in the season.

Tom Gilbert: Gibby has been the worst Oiler thus far in this news season. He has only looked comfortable playing with Whitney. It looks like Whitney boosts his game dramatically. But he isn't paired with him, so he should be elevating the play of Smid. For the 4 million he is getting paid, it looks like we are getting the old Tom Gilbert.

Depth Chart

LW		C		RW
Penner		Gagner		Hemsky
Hall		Horcoff		Eberle
Paarjarvi		Cogliano		Brule
Jones		Fraser		Stortini
Macintryre		O'Marra		Jacques
Giroux		Vende Velde		O'Mark
	D		D
	Whitney		Foster
	Smid		Gilbert
	Vandermeer		Peckham
	Strudwick		Belle
	Chorney		Petoit
	Souray
		G
		Khabibulin
		Dubnyk
		Deslaurier