Red Wings at Oilers
THE STORY: The Edmonton Oilers have fallen on hard times and it won't get any easier when the red-hot Detroit Red Wings pay a visit Monday. The Oilers were the class of the Western Conference over the first month of the season but have been in a freefall since, losing 3-2 to San Jose on Saturday to slip out of the top 10 in the conference. Edmonton dropped all three games on its mini-road trip and returns home to tangle with a Red Wings team that pummeled the Los Angeles Kings 8-2 on Saturday. Detroit has won four of its last five games - scoring a whopping 27 goals in that span - to become the third Western Conference team to reach the 20-win plateau. This is the second meeting this season, with Detroit cruising to a 3-0 win in the previous encounter on Nov. 11.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Rogers Sportsnet West
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (20-10-1): An improved power play has made a significant difference in Detroit's fortunes this season. After managing only 10 goals in 70 chances through the first 16 games - a 14.3-percent success rate - the Red Wings' power play has been considerably stronger in the previous 15 outings, going 18-for-60 (30 percent) over that span. Detroit has scored on the man advantage in nine of its last 10 games overall.
ABOUT THE OILERS (14-15-3): Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may be generating most of the hockey headlines in Edmonton, but Jordan Eberle is starting to build a reputation as a YouTube regular. The talented forward had another highlight goal against San Jose, dragging the puck past a Sharks defender before waiting out netminder Antti Niemi and sliding the puck into the open side. Eberle has been the hottest Oilers forward, recording points in 13 of his last 16 games.
OVERTIME:
1. Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk is one of the hottest forwards in the league, recording eight goals and 15 assists in his last 15 games.
2. Detroit has beaten Edmonton six straight times, outscoring the Oilers 24-11 over that span.
3. Oilers forward Shawn Horcoff was bumped to the third line Saturday. The 33-year-old hasn't scored in his last 10 games.