Blackhawks Look to End the Oilers Streak Tonight: Matchup Preview

In what may be one of the most lopsided matchups of the year, the streaking Edmonton Oilers will host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight @ 8:00 CST. After a tough start to the year, in which the Oilers even enacted a coaching change, the Stanley Cup contenders now find themselves firmly back in the conversation amongst the leagues' best teams.

The Oilers will look to win their 15th in a row against the Hawks, the 32nd ranked team in the league (tied with San Jose), in which (according to covers.com) they are a 2.5 point favorite. By all accounts this is in line with the recent play by both teams and tonight's outcome likely won't go the way of the visiting team.

There is some hope tonight for Chicago, as Petr Mrazek should be in net tonight to help give the Blackhawks a boost in their attempt to shock the hockey world this evening. It won't be easy though as the Oilers ice one of the most talented forward groups in all of the NHL. Outside of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have 3 other skaters already over 40 points this season.

One key facet of the game tonight will be to keep off of the penalty kill tonight as the vaunted Oilers power play stands at 25.7%. That ranks 6th in league as it coincides and rises with their 14 game winning streak.

Will the Blackhawks have a chance to end the Oilers winning ways or will the Oil can kick on leaving this Blackhawks team on a potential historic list.

Of note, while the Oilers have signed ex-Blackhawk Corey Perry this week, he is not expected to play.