The Canucks may sit 32nd in the NHL for the best odds to select first overall this summer, but the Oilers’ Pacific rival that most recently pushed them to Game 7 in the 2024 Second Round has been on a late-season run of three straight victories and will be motivated to end their hopes of home ice.
The Oilers will receive an injection of offence from Hyman’s return that can hopefully spark their goalscoring after scoring one goal or fewer in their last three games, with the defence & penalty kill looking in strong form entering tonight’s regular-season conclusion against the Caucks.
“I think this can definitely work as a positive,” Nugent-Hopkins said about the importance of Game 82. “You always want to find your game approaching the playoffs, and right now, we have no choice but to do that. So I think the way we’ve been playing lately, especially on the defensive side, has been a good indication of what we can bring in the playoffs.
“Tonight, we understand where these guys are at and how they’re playing. They’re playing free, and they’re playing loose, and they’re playing good hockey. So we have to prepare for that and make sure that our defensive mindset stays the same. We don’t just try to kind of run and gun and open things up.”
With the expected return of Zach Hyman, forward Isaac Howard was loaned to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors following Thursday’s optional morning skate. Leon Draisaitl was on the ice but remains out until sometime during the First Round, while Jason Dickinson will have his status re-evaluated after the conclusion of the regular season.
The lines are based on Wednesday’s full practice and will be confirmed during warmups.
