Edmonton Oilers looking for third straight win against the Wild
The Edmonton Oilers youth movement seems to be working out as they have been impressive in winning their first two games of the season and will look to make it three for three as they travel to Minnesota
to take on the Wild on Thursday 14 October.
Previous meetings
The Wild and Oilers split their season series 3-3 last season with the Oilers winning the most recent meeting 4-1 in Edmonton back on 5 April.
Neither team qualified for last season's playoffs and are looking to move up the standings this year.
How they match up
The Edmonton Oilers are off to a great start. After many of their young stars impressed in the pre-season they have not disappointed since the start of the regular season. Jordan Eberle's goal in the season
opener against the Calgary Flames is already being talked about as a potential goal-of-the-year candidate. First overall draft pick, Taylor Hall, got the first point of his career in the Oilers 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers when he assisted on a goal
by Shawn Horcoff. Captain Horcoff has been impressive so far and has scored in each of Edmonton's games.
Nikolai Khabibulin has also been solid in goal for the Oilers despite some of the off-ice distractions he has had to suffer through since coming to Edmonton over the summer. Khabibulin has let in only
two goals and has saved 63 of 65 shots and has one shutout.
The Minnesota Wild's official home opener comes after they opened the season with two games played across the Atlantic against the Carolina Hurricanes in Helsinki, Finland. The Wild lost both matches collecting
a single point from the back-to-back series and will be looking to start their three-game home stand with a win.
Newly acquired Matt Cullen was impressive with a goal and one assist in his regular season debut for the Wild against one of his former clubs. Team captain Mikko Koivu also collected a point in each game
in Helsinki. The Wild will be looking to get back into the Northwest Division race with a good result against Edmonton.
What to expect
Both the Oilers and the Wild are looking to improve on disappointing seasons. So far the Oilers have got off to the kind of start they were hoping for while the Wild have not. This tough divisional matchup
could be pivotal in terms of each team's momentum.
If the Oilers get a win they will be so energized with confidence knowing that they will meet the Wild again this month, as well as having two more games against the Flames whom they have already beaten.
The Wild, on the other hand, if they continue losing, could be headed for a long slide as they meet the Vancouver Canucks twice this month, as well as having meetings against last season's Presidents Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals, and last season's
Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks.
Expect the Wild to bring the Oilers back down to Earth a little with a big game from goaltender Niklas Backstrom.
Wild will win 3-1.
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