Oilers at Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks have recorded at least a point in 14 of their last 20 games (12-6-2) to remain in the mix for second place in the congested Pacific Division. The Ducks look to continue to push forward on Friday when they host the Edmonton Oilers in the latter's first trip to the Honda Center since losing Game 7 of their epic second-round series in last year's playoffs.
Adam Henrique celebrated his 28th birthday in fine fashion on Tuesday, scoring 1:36 into overtime in Anaheim's 4-3 win over Buffalo to mark his 12th goal and fifth game-winner in 30 contests since being acquired in a trade from New Jersey on Nov. 30. "He has that unique ability to rise to the occasion. He's scored some big goals in the short term for our hockey club," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. Edmonton's superstar captain Connor McDavid has been doing that since he entered the league, and he continued his torrid stretch by scoring and setting up a goal in a 5-2 setback at Los Angeles. The reigning Hart Trophy recipient, who has 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in his past nine games, had an assist as the Oilers exacted a small measure of revenge with a 2-1 shootout win over Anaheim on Jan. 4.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), Prime (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE OILERS (23-25-4): Leon Draisaitl scored a power-play goal for the second straight contest on Wednesday to extend his point streak to four games, during which he has two goals and five assists. Fellow forward Michael Cammalleri has set up a goal in three straight contests and owns a plus-6 rating in that stretch. Milan Lucic hasn't been as fortunate, as the burly forward has been held off the scoresheet in nine of his last 11 encounters since picking up an assist in the first meeting with Anaheim.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (26-19-10): John Gibson is eligible to return from injured reserve after his lower-body injury forced Ryan Miller into the crease for the final four contests of the team's road trip. Gibson turned aside 33 shots against the Oilers in the first encounter and Ryan Kesler scored Anaheim's lone goal in that contest. The 33-year-old Kesler has scored four more times since that game, but those are his lone points in that span.
OVERTIME
1. Anaheim has won six of its last seven at home while Edmonton has dropped five of its last seven on the road.
2. The Oilers are 10-3-0 against Pacific Division foes this season.
3. Ducks RW Ondrej Kase scored and set up a goal on Tuesday to increase his point total to 10 (five goals, five assists) in his past 12 games.