Fri Dec 06 03:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Oilers Look to Bounce Back Against Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss

**EDMONTON, AB** – The Edmonton Oilers, coming off a 1-0 shutout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, begin a three-game homestand Thursday night at Rogers Place against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The defeat snapped a three-game winning streak for the Oilers and prevented them from closing the gap on the Pacific Division leaders.

Despite being heavily outshot (28-16) against Vegas, the Oilers couldn’t find the back of the net, a problem they’ve faced four times this season, tying them for second-most shutouts in the NHL. Coach Kris Knoblauch attributed the loss to a tight-checking game with limited space. Players echoed this sentiment, noting the Golden Knights’ strong goaltending and defensive play.

The Oilers have recalled Drake Caggiula from the Bakersfield Condors, suggesting the imminent return of injured forward Zach Hyman, who has been sidelined since November 19th. On a positive note, Edmonton’s penalty kill has been exceptionally strong lately, boasting a 95.5% success rate since November 12th.

While both the Oilers and Blue Jackets struggle on the power play (tied for 22nd in the league at 17.7%), they’ve also faced a lack of opportunities. This game marks Columbus’ first visit to Rogers Place since the passing of Johnny Gaudreau, a player highly respected by many Oilers, including captain Connor McDavid.

The Oilers hold a significant historical advantage at home against the Blue Jackets, winning 24 of 33 previous matchups at Rogers Place. However, Columbus has won five of their last six meetings against Edmonton, outscoring them 22-9 at even strength. The Blue Jackets have also proven difficult to beat when leading after the first or second periods.

Connor McDavid, the all-time leading scorer per game against Columbus (1.76 points/game), and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (six-game home point streak against the Blue Jackets), will be key for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner is expected to start in goal for Edmonton, while Elvis Merzlikins is projected to start for Columbus. The game can be seen on Sportsnet at 7:00 MT.

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