Wild at Oilers game preview: Broadcast info, injury report and analysis

Sarah McLellan's breakdown: The Wild will have to stay out of the penalty box to avoid Edmonton's potent 1-2 punch of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

December 9, 2023 at 1:45AM
Marc-Andre Fleury (blocks a shot by Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins last season. (Stacy Bengs, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WILD GAMEDAY

at Edmonton Oilers, Rogers Place; 8 p.m. Friday

TV; radio: BSN; 100.3 FM

Stats and analytics: Tap here.

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Sarah McLellan's preview:

Opening bell: The Wild and Oilers are the only teams in the NHL to make a coaching change so far this season. Like the Wild, the Oilers (10-12-1) have become more competitive since making a switch, bringing in Kris Knoblauch to replace Jay Woodcroft. But Edmonton still hasn't closed the gap on a playoff spot. Still, lately they've looked much more like the team that was pegged before the season to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Watch him: Oilers RW Zach Hyman is coming off his second hat trick of the season, and he leads Edmonton in goals with 15. Hyman, who's dangerous in front of the net and has a knack for tipping pucks, has seven goals in his last five games.

Injuries: Wild D Zach Bogosian (upper body). Oilers LW Dylan Holloway (lower body).

Forecast: Although the Wild won the first matchup 7-4 on Oct. 24 in St. Paul, the Oilers have improved since their poor start to the season. They've won five in a row, their last game a 6-1 blowout of Carolina on Wednesday. To slow down the likes of Hyman, C Connor McDavid and C Leon Draisaitl, the Wild will have to be sharp in their own end and staying out of the penalty box would be wise, too. G Marc-Andre Fleury is scheduled to get the start for the Wild in what would be his 996th career game.

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about the writer

Sarah McLellan

Minnesota Wild and NHL

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Star Tribune in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The Arizona Republic.

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The 39-year-old was a standout player at Grand Rapids and with the Gophers, and won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009.

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