Red Wings vs. Oilers

                                                                                         

Detroit -150 vs. Edmonton

The Edmonton Oilers got a much needed victory over Columbus Tuesday night as they powered over the Blue Jackets for a 7-2 win on the road in Columbus. Prior to that game, the Oilers had lost three straight and five out of seven. The good news for Edmonton is that they got a win and have momentum moving into their next game. The bad news is that the next game is against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings, who shutout the Oilers Monday night.

It is a home-and-home of sorts, except the Oilers (9-8-2) had a game between traveling to Detroit and welcoming the Red Wings (12-2-3) to Edmonton, whereas Detroit did not. Backup goal Ty Conklin was masterful in net for the Wings Monday night as he blanked Edmonton on 21 shots to record his fifth career shutout, but first with Detroit. The victory was especially sweet for Conklin because, not only was it his second straight start (both victories), but it was against the team he started his career with, the Oilers. It has truly been a good week for Conklin as his wife gave birth to his second child, a boy, this past Saturday.

Conklin has actually outplayed number one net minder Chris Osgood this season. Conklin has a 2.47 goals against average versus a ballooned 3.31 GAA for Osgood. Still, in 11 games played, Osgood has only lost once in regulation. Osgood, one of the cogs in Detroit's cup run a year before is expected to get the start Thursday night.

Detroit is in first place in the Central by six points over second place Chicago while Edmonton's recent struggles have dropped Edmonton into fourth place. However in the tightly packed Northwest Division, the Oilers are actually closer to first place Minnesota (3 points) than last place Colorado (4 points).

Despite the loss to Detroit earlier this week, Edmonton has more than held their own against the powerful Red Wings in recent years. Before Monday night, the Oilers had beaten the Red Wings six out of the last nine games.

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