Blackhawks at Oilers
THE STORY: The sheen has officially worn off the Edmonton Oilers' blistering start to the season. Coming off its worst defensive effort of the season, Edmonton looks to rebound against a formidable foe as it entertains the Chicago Blackhawks at Rexall Place on Saturday night. Once the darlings of the Western Conference, the Oilers have dropped four straight games and have been outscored 20-8 in the process. They limited Ottawa to just 16 shots on Thursday night but surrendered five goals in a game that saw veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin pulled after just one period. Things don't get any easier Saturday as the Oilers host the Central Division-leading Blackhawks. Chicago saw its four-game winning streak halted Friday in a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, but has recent history on its side in the head-to-head series against Edmonton.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC, WGN.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (12-5-3): Ray Emery isn't expected to push starter Corey Crawford for playing time - at least not yet - but the backup netminder is certainly doing his best to keep Crawford honest. The journeyman goalie is unbeaten in regulation so far this season (3-0-1), and his 2.70 goals-against average and .905 save percentage rank just behind Crawford. Emery, who is expected to get the start Saturday night, has never faced the Oilers in his NHL career.
ABOUT THE OILERS (9-7-2): Don't start etching Khabibulin's name on the comeback player of the year award quite yet. The 38-year-old netminder wowed observers with a sensational October that ranked among the greatest months of his career. His last three games have been a different story, as he has surrendered 11 goals over his previous seven periods to see his goals-against average balloon from 0.98 to 1.74. He's 14-9-1 with a 2.49 GAA in 26 career games against Chicago.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago has won the last three head-to-head meetings and seven of the previous nine. The Blackhawks have outscored the Oilers 15-4 during the winning streak.
2. Edmonton's penalty kill remains a revelation. A year after finishing second-last in the NHL at 76.9 percent, the Oilers have allowed just nine power-play goals in 74 opportunities this season (87.8 percent) - good for sixth in the league.