Usually I would be overjoyed to have an Edmonton Oilers game at a convenient time here in the UK and across Europe.
On current form, maybe it will prove to be a mixed blessing?
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers (7pm UK, 8pm CET).
To say that the Oilers’ start to the season has not lived up to expectations would be a massive understatement. The pre-season favourites for a deep post-season run are 2-6-1 and, having watched all nine games, that is a fair reflection of how the team has played.
They are averaging exactly four goals allowed per game. Even with some elite talent and a great powerplay unit, you’re facing an uphill task to consistently win games when you need to score five or more goals. When the powerplay unit is only ticking along, and injuries are hobbling various players too, a defence that leaky leaves you in a spot of bother.
Sadly for all hockey fans, Predators fans excluded for today, Connor McDavid is one of those not at 100%. Although he’s played in the last two games after a lower-body injury, he hasn’t shown the dynamism and quickness that are usually part of what makes him the best player in the league.
That means it may be a good time for Nashville to be playing the Oilers, something that has not been the case for a while.
The Oilers have had the Preds’ number of late, including a 6-1 scoreline just a couple of weeks ago that gave Edmonton their first win of the season.
Nashville have lost three of their last four games, the latest defeat coming on Thursday at the hands of the Seattle Kraken.
Winnipeg Jets at Arizona Coyotes (8pm UK, 9pm CET)
The other Europe-friendly Saturday game starts one hour later and sees the Jets travelling to Mullett Arena.
The Coyotes showed last season that they could turn their unique temporary home arena situation to their advantage as 21 of their 28 victories came on home ice (21-15-5 at home, 7-25-9 on the road). They’ve already won three of their first four home games this season too, including a 3-2 over the Montréal Canadiens on Thursday.
Both teams have had an encouraging start to the season, although the Jets have cooled off recently, losing their last three games (two in OT).
