Oilers at Bruins
THE STORY: Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin had auspicious beginnings to their respective NHL careers. But both players have flipped the proverbial switch in Year 2, emerging as solid offensive options. The top two picks in the 2010 NHL draft face off Thursday night when Hall guides his red-hot Edmonton Oilers into Boston for a date with Seguin and the equally sizzling Bruins. While Hall's team is off to the better start this season - winning seven of its last eight games and nine of 14 overall - Seguin has had the better individual showing, leading the defending Stanley Cup champions in goals (eight) and points (15). He has been especially dangerous of late, scoring seven times over his last seven games. Boston has looked every bit like the team that prevailed in last year's playoffs, winning its last three games by a combined score of 18-5. A similar outcome will prove difficult against a stingy Oilers club allowing the fewest goals per game in the league.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet East, NESN
ABOUT THE OILERS (9-3-2): There isn't much any other player in the league can do right now to supplant Nikolai Khabibulin as the runaway choice for comeback player of the year. Considered close to finished after a dreadful 2010-11 campaign, the 38-year-old netminder has had a spectacular start to this season. He has yet to lose in regulation through his first nine games, and has surrendered just nine goals in that span. His two shutouts equal his entire total in 47 games a season ago.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (6-7-0): The champs are alive. After dropping seven of 10 to start the year, Boston has won three straight in convincing fashion and can reach the .500 mark for the season with a victory on Thursday. Tim Thomas is expected back in goal for the Bruins after Tuukka Rask drew the starting assignment in the club's 6-2 win over the New York Islanders on Monday night. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has won all three career starts against Edmonton, including a pair of shutouts.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams met once last season, with the Bruins edging the Oilers 3-2 on Feb. 27. Seguin was held without a point with a minus-1 rating, while Hall had zero points and was a minus-2.
2. Bruins forward Daniel Paille will undergo facial surgery after taking a puck in the face in Monday's win. Paille, who suffered a broken nose and facial lacerations, is out indefinitely.