<p><center><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/thumbpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Funniest-Fail-GIFs-9.gif?w=1424"></center></p>
<p>Tonight the Leafs are playing against a team that wins the lottery more than Ms. Cleo&#8217;s best customer. They are playing against a team that figured the backup goaltender for the Presidents Trophy winning team must have been just that good that he can be their number one. The Leafs are playing against a team that traded Jeff Petry and Martin Marincin while having the worst defense in the league and replaced them with Andrej Sekara, Eric Gryba, and Griffin Reinhart and declared they&#8217;ve improved. Tonight the Leafs play against the only team who Leafs fans can pity the fans of. </p>
<p><b>#HereComeTheOilers</b></p>
<p></p>
<h2>The Leafs</h2>
<p>Over the past decade, when the Leafs have been at their worst you could always still count on a win against the Oilers. Tonight really shouldn&#8217;t be any different. It doesn&#8217;t matter that Garret Sparks is making his NHL debut, it doesn&#8217;t matter that the leading goal scorer has come down with a case of being Joffrey Lupul, and it doesn&#8217;t matter that Roman Polak is unfortunately still a thing we have to overcome on a nightly basis. It&#8217;s the Oilers and the two points are gift wrapped and ready to be delivered.</p>
<p><b><i><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/40/toronto-maple-leafs">Lineup via Dailyfaceoff.com</a></i></b></p>
<div>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>LW</th>
<th>C</th>
<th>RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1160/james-van-riemsdyk"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/VanRiemsdykJames.png?w=1424" alt="James van Riemsdyk"> <br />James van Riemsdyk</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1429/nazem-kadri"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Kadri-Nzaem.png?w=1424" alt="Nazem Kadri"> <br />Nazem Kadri</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2410/leo-komarov"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Komarov-Leo.png?w=1424" alt="Leo Komarov"> <br />Leo Komarov</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/596/shawn-matthias"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Matthias-Shawn.png?w=1424" alt="Shawn Matthias"> <br />Shawn Matthias</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1409/tyler-bozak"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Bozak-Tyler.png?w=1424" alt="Tyler Bozak"> <br />Tyler Bozak</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1009/pa-parenteau"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Parenteau-PA_1.png?w=1424" alt="P.A. Parenteau"> <br />P.A. Parenteau</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/374/daniel-winnik"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Winnik-Daniel_2.png?w=1424" alt="Daniel Winnik"> <br />Daniel Winnik</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/919/nick-spaling"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Spaling-Nick_1.png?w=1424" alt="Nick Spaling"> <br />Nick Spaling</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/589/michael-grabner"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Grabner-Michael.png?w=1424" alt="Michael Grabner"> <br />Michael Grabner</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/21/peter-holland"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HollandPeter_1.png?w=1424" alt="Peter Holland"> <br />Peter Holland</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2182/byron-froese"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Froese-Byron.png?w=1424" alt="Byron Froese"> <br />Byron Froese</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1314/brad-boyes"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Boyes-Brad_1.png?w=1424" alt="Brad Boyes"> <br />Brad Boyes</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Defensive Pairings</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1955/jake-gardiner"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Gardiner-Jake.png?w=1424" alt="Jake Gardiner"> <br />Jake Gardiner</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1441/dion-phaneuf"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Phaneuf-Dion_1.png?w=1424" alt="Dion Phaneuf"> <br />Dion Phaneuf</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/115/matt-hunwick"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Hunwick-Matt_1.png?w=1424" alt="Matt Hunwick"> <br />Matt Hunwick</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2319/morgan-rielly"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/RiellyMorgan.png?w=1424" alt="Morgan Rielly"> <br />Morgan Rielly</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2051/martin-marincin"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Marincin-Martin.png?w=1424" alt="Martin Marincin"> <br />Martin Marincin</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1344/roman-polak"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Polak-Roman.png?w=1424" alt="Roman Polak"> <br />Roman Polak</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>#FreeCorrado</p>
<h2>The Oilers</h2>
<p>Remember when Oilers fans were busy reminding everyone who&#8217;d listen that nothing else matters because they got Connor McDavid? That was fun. What was even more fun was when the Oilers managed to still be terrible with him, and now have retaken their rightful place in the basement without him. I&#8217;m sure the number one thing motivating McDavid to heal and return to the lineup is that he can play enough games this season to knock a year off of unrestricted free agency eligibility and get out of Edmonton a year earlier. </p>
<p><b><i><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/24/edmonton-oilers">Lineup via Dailyfaceoff.com</a></i></b></p>
<div>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>LW</th>
<th>C</th>
<th>RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/538/taylor-hall"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HallTaylor.png?w=1424" alt="Taylor Hall"> <br />Taylor Hall</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2766/leon-draisaitl"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Draisaitl-Leon.png?w=1424" alt="Leon Draisaitl"> <br />Leon Draisaitl</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1389/teddy-purcell"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Purcell-Teddy.png?w=1424" alt="Teddy Purcell"> <br />Teddy Purcell</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/868/benoit-pouliot"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Pouliot-Benoit.png?w=1424" alt="Benoit Pouliot"> <br />Benoit Pouliot</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2120/ryan-nugent-hopkins"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Nugent-HopkinsRyan_1.png?w=1424" alt="Ryan Nugent-Hopkins"> <br />Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/531/jordan-eberle"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/EberleJordan.png?w=1424" alt="Jordan Eberle"> <br />Jordan Eberle</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1185/lauri-korpikoski"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Korpikoski-Lauri.png?w=1424" alt="Lauri Korpikoski"> <br />Lauri Korpikoski</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1238/mark-letestu"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Letestu-Mark.png?w=1424" alt="Mark Letestu"> <br />Mark Letestu</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2805/iiro-pakarinen"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Pakarinen-Ilro_1.png?w=1424" alt="Iiro Pakarinen"> <br />Iiro Pakarinen</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2950/jujhar-khaira"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Khaira-Jujhar-.png?w=1424" alt="Jujhar  Khaira"> <br />Jujhar Khaira</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2052/anton-lander"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/LanderAnton_1.png?w=1424" alt="Anton Lander"> <br />Anton Lander</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/648/matt-hendricks"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HendricksMatt_2.png?w=1424" alt="Matt Hendricks"> <br />Matt Hendricks</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Defensive Pairings</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2526/darnell-nurse"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Nurse-Darnell.png?w=1424" alt="Darnell Nurse"> <br />Darnell Nurse</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/184/andrej-sekera"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Sekera-Andrej_1.png?w=1424" alt="Andrej Sekera"> <br />Andrej Sekera</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2384/oscar-klefbom"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Klefbom-Oscar.png?w=1424" alt="Oscar Klefbom"> <br />Oscar Klefbom</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/940/mark-fayne"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Fayne-Mark.png?w=1424" alt="Mark Fayne"> <br />Mark Fayne</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2383/brandon-davidson"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Davidson-Brandon.png?w=1424" alt="Brandon Davidson"> <br />Brandon Davidson</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2316/justin-schultz"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/SchultzJustin.png?w=1424" alt="Justin Schultz"> <br />Justin Schultz</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Really take the time to savour those defence pairings when you look at this lineup, they really are quite amazing. The bottom six forward group is astonishingly bad too. I&#8217;d say they are still about five more first overalls away from icing a competitive team.</p>
</div>
<h2>Starting Goaltenders</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/thenationnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/7a/d9/article_7ad91246-ef03-4763-9aaa-5fde08008096.jpg?resize=580%2C846" alt="sparks" width="580" height="846"></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">VS.</h2>
<p><center><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lirxqpgb3O1qbtcboo1_500.gif?w=1424"></center></p>
<p><center><b>Anders Nilsson</b></center></p>
<p></p>
<h2>What to Expect?</h2>
</p>
<ul>
<li>The AHL Game of the Week</li>
<li>Oilers fans saying &#8220;At least Draisaitl looks good&#8221;</li>
<li>Leafs fans saying &#8220;At least Rielly looks good&#8221;</li>
<li>Some mention of Edmonton winning the Grey Cup and everyone in Toronto being confused by what that is.</li>
<li>Some mention of arts and culture and everyone in Edmonton being confused by what this is.</li>
<li>Sparks going to for a celebratory burrito after the game</li>
</ul>
<h2>What the Enemy Is Saying&#8230;</h2>
<p>Our friends at <a href="http://publish.oilersnation.com/2015/11/30/trading-nugent-hopkins-would-be-a-dangerous-decision-for-the-oilers">Oilers Nation</a> know they need defensive help, they just aren&#8217;t willing to pay for it&#8230;</p>
</p>
<blockquote><p>If the Predators come calling with Seth Jones, perhaps none of that matters. Maybe it’s so important to shore up the right side of the blue line that trading a quality 22-year-old two-way centre makes sense if the possibility arises. I don’t believe in “untouchable” lists and there are certainly deals where it would make sense for the Oilers to part with their 2011 No. 1 pick.</p>
<p>But caution is vital here. Nugent-Hopkins is far from superfluous, and the best case scenario would be if the Oilers can solve their defensive shortcomings without giving up on the lovely one-two-three combo they have at centre. Edmonton fans have seen how a lack of depth down the middle can hurt a team; it’s a lot easier to find a Teddy Purcell-type player who can play on the wings with a good centre than it is a good centre to fill a void if one develops.</p>
<p>Trading Nugent-Hopkins may turn out to be the best possible decision at some point. But it should certainly be a last resort.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In other words, &#8220;long live Justin Schultz!&#8221;</p></p>

<center><img src="http://thumbpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Funniest-Fail-GIFs-9.gif"></center><p>Tonight the Leafs are playing against a team that wins the lottery more than Ms. Cleo's best customer. They are playing against a team that figured the backup goaltender for the Presidents Trophy winning team must have been just that good that he can be their number one. The Leafs are playing against a team that traded Jeff Petry and Martin Marincin while having the worst defense in the league and replaced them with Andrej Sekara, Eric Gryba, and Griffin Reinhart and declared they've improved. Tonight the Leafs play against the only team who Leafs fans can pity the fans of. </p><p><b>#HereComeTheOilers</b></p><h2>The Leafs</h2><p>Over the past decade, when the Leafs have been at their worst you could always still count on a win against the Oilers. Tonight really shouldn't be any different. It doesn't matter that Garret Sparks is making his NHL debut, it doesn't matter that the leading goal scorer has come down with a case of being Joffrey Lupul, and it doesn't matter that Roman Polak is unfortunately still a thing we have to overcome on a nightly basis. It's the Oilers and the two points are gift wrapped and ready to be delivered.</p><p><b><i><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/40/toronto-maple-leafs">Lineup via Dailyfaceoff.com</a></i></b></p><div><table>
<thead><tr>
<th>LW</th>
<th>C</th>
<th>RW</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1160/james-van-riemsdyk"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/VanRiemsdykJames.png" alt="James van Riemsdyk"> <br>James van Riemsdyk</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1429/nazem-kadri"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Kadri-Nzaem.png" alt="Nazem Kadri"> <br>Nazem Kadri</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2410/leo-komarov"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Komarov-Leo.png" alt="Leo Komarov"> <br>Leo Komarov</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/596/shawn-matthias"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Matthias-Shawn.png" alt="Shawn Matthias"> <br>Shawn Matthias</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1409/tyler-bozak"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Bozak-Tyler.png" alt="Tyler Bozak"> <br>Tyler Bozak</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1009/pa-parenteau"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Parenteau-PA_1.png" alt="P.A. Parenteau"> <br>P.A. Parenteau</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/374/daniel-winnik"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Winnik-Daniel_2.png" alt="Daniel Winnik"> <br>Daniel Winnik</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/919/nick-spaling"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Spaling-Nick_1.png" alt="Nick Spaling"> <br>Nick Spaling</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/589/michael-grabner"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Grabner-Michael.png" alt="Michael Grabner"> <br>Michael Grabner</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/21/peter-holland"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HollandPeter_1.png" alt="Peter Holland"> <br>Peter Holland</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2182/byron-froese"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Froese-Byron.png" alt="Byron Froese"> <br>Byron Froese</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1314/brad-boyes"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Boyes-Brad_1.png" alt="Brad Boyes"> <br>Brad Boyes</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div><div><table>
<thead><tr><th colspan="2">Defensive Pairings</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1955/jake-gardiner"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Gardiner-Jake.png" alt="Jake Gardiner"> <br>Jake Gardiner</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1441/dion-phaneuf"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Phaneuf-Dion_1.png" alt="Dion Phaneuf"> <br>Dion Phaneuf</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/115/matt-hunwick"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Hunwick-Matt_1.png" alt="Matt Hunwick"> <br>Matt Hunwick</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2319/morgan-rielly"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/RiellyMorgan.png" alt="Morgan Rielly"> <br>Morgan Rielly</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2051/martin-marincin"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Marincin-Martin.png" alt="Martin Marincin"> <br>Martin Marincin</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1344/roman-polak"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Polak-Roman.png" alt="Roman Polak"> <br>Roman Polak</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div><p>#FreeCorrado</p><h2>The Oilers</h2><p>Remember when Oilers fans were busy reminding everyone who'd listen that nothing else matters because they got Connor McDavid? That was fun. What was even more fun was when the Oilers managed to still be terrible with him, and now have retaken their rightful place in the basement without him. I'm sure the number one thing motivating McDavid to heal and return to the lineup is that he can play enough games this season to knock a year off of unrestricted free agency eligibility and get out of Edmonton a year earlier. </p><p><b><i><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/24/edmonton-oilers">Lineup via Dailyfaceoff.com</a></i></b></p><div><table>
<thead><tr>
<th>LW</th>
<th>C</th>
<th>RW</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/538/taylor-hall"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HallTaylor.png" alt="Taylor Hall"> <br>Taylor Hall</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2766/leon-draisaitl"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Draisaitl-Leon.png" alt="Leon Draisaitl"> <br>Leon Draisaitl</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1389/teddy-purcell"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Purcell-Teddy.png" alt="Teddy Purcell"> <br>Teddy Purcell</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/868/benoit-pouliot"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Pouliot-Benoit.png" alt="Benoit Pouliot"> <br>Benoit Pouliot</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2120/ryan-nugent-hopkins"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Nugent-HopkinsRyan_1.png" alt="Ryan Nugent-Hopkins"> <br>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/531/jordan-eberle"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/EberleJordan.png" alt="Jordan Eberle"> <br>Jordan Eberle</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1185/lauri-korpikoski"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Korpikoski-Lauri.png" alt="Lauri Korpikoski"> <br>Lauri Korpikoski</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/1238/mark-letestu"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Letestu-Mark.png" alt="Mark Letestu"> <br>Mark Letestu</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2805/iiro-pakarinen"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Pakarinen-Ilro_1.png" alt="Iiro Pakarinen"> <br>Iiro Pakarinen</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2950/jujhar-khaira"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Khaira-Jujhar-.png" alt="Jujhar  Khaira"> <br>Jujhar Khaira</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2052/anton-lander"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/LanderAnton_1.png" alt="Anton Lander"> <br>Anton Lander</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/648/matt-hendricks"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/HendricksMatt_2.png" alt="Matt Hendricks"> <br>Matt Hendricks</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div><div>
<table>
<thead><tr><th colspan="2">Defensive Pairings</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2526/darnell-nurse"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Nurse-Darnell.png" alt="Darnell Nurse"> <br>Darnell Nurse</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/184/andrej-sekera"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Sekera-Andrej_1.png" alt="Andrej Sekera"> <br>Andrej Sekera</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2384/oscar-klefbom"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Klefbom-Oscar.png" alt="Oscar Klefbom"> <br>Oscar Klefbom</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/940/mark-fayne"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Fayne-Mark.png" alt="Mark Fayne"> <br>Mark Fayne</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2383/brandon-davidson"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/Davidson-Brandon.png" alt="Brandon Davidson"> <br>Brandon Davidson</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/2316/justin-schultz"><img src="http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/media/jerseys/SchultzJustin.png" alt="Justin Schultz"> <br>Justin Schultz</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Really take the time to savour those defence pairings when you look at this lineup, they really are quite amazing. The bottom six forward group is astonishingly bad too. I'd say they are still about five more first overalls away from icing a competitive team.</p>
</div><h2>Starting Goaltenders</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//thenationnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/7a/d9/article_7ad91246-ef03-4763-9aaa-5fde08008096.jpg" alt="sparks" width="580" height="846"><br></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">VS.</h2><center><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lirxqpgb3O1qbtcboo1_500.gif"></center><p></p><center><b>Anders Nilsson</b></center><p></p><p><br></p><h2>What to Expect?</h2><p></p><ul>
<li>The AHL Game of the Week</li>
<li>Oilers fans saying "At least Draisaitl looks good"</li>
<li>Leafs fans saying "At least Rielly looks good"</li>
<li>Some mention of Edmonton winning the Grey Cup and everyone in Toronto being confused by what that is.</li>
<li>Some mention of arts and culture and everyone in Edmonton being confused by what this is.</li>
<li>Sparks going to for a celebratory burrito after the game</li>
</ul><h2>What the Enemy Is Saying...</h2><p>Our friends at <a href="http://publish.oilersnation.com/2015/11/30/trading-nugent-hopkins-would-be-a-dangerous-decision-for-the-oilers">Oilers Nation</a> know they need defensive help, they just aren't willing to pay for it...</p><p></p><blockquote>If the Predators come calling with Seth Jones, perhaps none of that matters. Maybe it’s so important to shore up the right side of the blue line that trading a quality 22-year-old two-way centre makes sense if the possibility arises. I don’t believe in “untouchable” lists and there are certainly deals where it would make sense for the Oilers to part with their 2011 No. 1 pick.<p></p>
<p>But caution is vital here. Nugent-Hopkins is far from superfluous, and the best case scenario would be if the Oilers can solve their defensive shortcomings without giving up on the lovely one-two-three combo they have at centre. Edmonton fans have seen how a lack of depth down the middle can hurt a team; it’s a lot easier to find a Teddy Purcell-type player who can play on the wings with a good centre than it is a good centre to fill a void if one develops.</p>
<p>Trading Nugent-Hopkins may turn out to be the best possible decision at some point. But it should certainly be a last resort.</p>
</blockquote><p></p><p>In other words, "long live Justin Schultz!"</p><p></p>

LGD: #HereComeTheOilers

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