The Edmonton Oilers will look for the sweep of the season series when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday for the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs.
The Oilers have outscored the Ducks 20-7 in the three meetings this season, most recently picking up a 5-3 victory in Anaheim on Feb. 9.
Edmonton, second in the Pacific Division, sits six points back of the Vancouver Canucks for the division lead with two games in hand.
The Oilers (44-23-4, 92 points) have won back-to-back games and six of its last nine following a 4-1 win at home over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Captain Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in the win, extending his multipoint streak to six games (two goals, 14 assists).
“We are trying to build something here in this room and just trying to be a part of wins, and that is what we are focused on coming down the stretch,” McDavid said. “It’s always hard against these guys. They are as solid as they come. They’re structured and responsible. They’re good. It’s always difficult.
“It requires a patient game, a mature game. I thought we showed that on all levels.”
Leon Draisaitl recorded three assists in the win over the Kings, extending his point streak to six games (five goals, five assists). Forward Zach Hyman, whose goal streak ended at four games on Thursday, had five goals in his previous four games.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner is 33-14-4 with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 53 games this season. This month, Skinner is 6-1-2 in 10 appearances, posting a 2.37 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
“Like many times, he’s been the difference in the game, and he played really well,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “You’re always asking your goaltenders to make key saves at key moments.”
The Ducks travel to Edmonton looking to avoid a fourth straight loss. Anaheim (24-45-4, 52 points) has just one win over its last 11 games (1-9-1) and is seventh in the Pacific Division. The Ducks are 13-21-2 on the road this season.
Anaheim scored two short-handed goals 44 seconds apart in the third period but could not hold on to a 2-1 lead, falling 4-2 to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday after a 4-0 loss at Seattle on Tuesday.
“I think the work ethic was there, but we kind of take ourselves out of the game by taking way too many penalties,” said forward Jakob Silfverberg, who scored a goal and an assist in the loss.
“Especially in the third, we have a 2-1 game, and then we just have a parade going to the box. Obviously, that’s not going to make your case easier for winning games.”
Forward Frank Vatrano has a team-leading 30 goals and 51 points in 73 games but has just one goal in his last 13 games. Silfverberg has three points in his last three games, while Alex Killorn has two goals in his last four games.
Goaltender John Gibson is 13-25-2 this season with a 3.41 GAA and an .891 save percentage. In 22 career appearances against the Oilers, Gibson is 9-8-3 with a 3.36 GAA and an .896 save percentage.
–Field Level Media