The Oilers are back at Rogers Place tonight. Finally. After a season that has felt like one giant, never-ending road trip—27 of their 47 games have been away from home—Edmonton is kicking off a massive home stand against the New York Islanders.
Honestly, the edmonton oilers hockey game tonight is a bit of a strategic puzzle. On paper, it’s just another mid-January matchup between two teams hovering around the playoff bubble. But if you look at the roster moves and the crease situation, things get weird.
✨ Don't miss: Injured players in NFL: Why some teams survive the carnage and others don't
The Three-Headed Monster in Net
Kris Knoblauch is doing something most NHL coaches avoid like the plague: carrying three goaltenders.
With Tristan Jarry just back from an 11-game injury stint, the Oilers aren't ready to let Calvin Pickard or Connor Ingram go. In fact, Ingram is the one getting the nod tonight. He was stellar against Chicago on Monday, making 30 saves, and Knoblauch clearly wants to ride the hot hand while Jarry eases back into game shape. It's a luxury, sure, but it's also a logistical headache that can't last forever.
Why Tonight's Lineup Looks Different
You’ve probably noticed the line juggling.
Kasperi Kapanen is back and actually producing. He’s found some chemistry on the second line with Leon Draisaitl, which has forced Jack Roslovic down to the third-line center spot. It hasn’t been perfect. Roslovic’s line has been outscored since the move, but the underlying numbers say they're creating chances. They just need one to actually go in.
Tonight, Curtis Lazar slides back into the lineup, replacing Andrew Mangiapane. It’s a move designed to add some grit to the bottom six against an Islanders team that thrives on making the game "ugly" and slow.
Edmonton Oilers Hockey Game Tonight: Breaking Down the Matchup
The Islanders are a strange beast this year. They are currently 4th in the league in goals against, meaning they don't give up much. On the flip side, the Oilers are 2nd in the league in scoring.
It’s the classic "immovable object meets irresistible force" scenario.
| Key Stat | Edmonton Oilers | NY Islanders |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Per Game | 3.4 (2nd) | 2.9 (21st) |
| Goals Against | 3.3 (27th) | 2.7 (4th) |
| Power Play % | 33.85% (1st) | 15.22% (32nd) |
If the Islanders want to win, they have to stay out of the box. Period. Edmonton’s power play is currently operating at a historic 33.85% clip. Giving Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard an extra man is basically asking for a loss. The Islanders' penalty kill is okay, but their power play is dead last in the league. If this game turns into a special teams battle, Edmonton wins ten times out of ten.
The McDavid Factor
Connor McDavid is currently on a 20-game point streak. Read that again.
He has 82 points in 47 games. While the rest of the league is grinding through the January "dog days," McDavid looks like he’s playing at 2x speed. He had two assists in the OT loss to Nashville on Tuesday, and he usually feasts on Eastern Conference teams that aren't used to his pace.
🔗 Read more: ¿Quién juega el Mundial de Clubes hoy? El nuevo formato que lo cambia todo
What to Watch for at Rogers Place
The Islanders are coming off a heartbreaking 5-4 loss in Winnipeg where they blew a comeback. They’re tired. This is the middle of a long road trip for them, and they’re dealing with a massive injury list. No Bo Horvat. No Kyle Palmieri. No Alexander Romanov.
Basically, the Islanders are playing a "next man up" game, while the Oilers are finally getting healthy.
- Ingram’s Consistency: If Connor Ingram puts up another .915+ save percentage performance, the "three-goalie problem" gets even more complicated for management.
- The Second Line: Keep an eye on Podkolzin and Kapanen. If they can provide secondary scoring behind the McDavid/Hyman duo, the Oilers become impossible to defend.
- Jake Walman’s Impact: Now that Walman is off the LTIR and back on the blue line, the defensive rotations should look a lot cleaner than they did in December.
Betting and Tactical Insights
The moneyline heavily favors Edmonton (-178), and for good reason. The Islanders are missing their top center and a huge chunk of their defensive depth.
Tactically, expect the Islanders to try and "trap" the neutral zone. They want to frustrate McDavid by clogging up the middle of the ice and forcing the Oilers to dump the puck in. Edmonton is at its best when they can transition with speed, so the first ten minutes will tell you everything you need to know. If the Oilers are hemmed in their own zone, it’s going to be a long night. If they're flying through center ice, expect a blowout.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight’s Game:
- Check the Final Scratches: Andrew Mangiapane is expected to sit, but keep an eye on the pre-game warmups around 6:30 PM MT to confirm the bottom-six configuration.
- Watch the Power Play Entry: See if the Islanders challenge Bouchard at the blue line or if they sit back in a diamond. If they sit back, Bouchard will pick them apart.
- Monitor the Crease: If Ingram struggles early, the conversation about Jarry’s "readiness" will dominate the post-game headlines.
- Tune in on Time: Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM MT (9:00 PM ET) at Rogers Place, broadcast on Sportsnet West and ESPN+ for those outside the region.