Blues Gameday Preview: Edmonton Oilers- 10/26/22

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The St. Louis Blues‘ three-game winning streak to open the 2022-23 season was snapped on Monday when they were shut out 4-0 by the Winnipeg Jets. The offense was shorthanded, missing both Pavel Buchnevich and Brandon Saad, while Thomas Greiss made his first start wearing the blue note, stopping 39 of 42 shots (the final goal was an empty-netter). His 39 saves set a franchise record for goalies playing their first game with the Blues.

St. Louis Blues' Gameday Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Justin Faulk and Jordan Binnington
Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Justin Faulk, and Jordan Binnington (The Hockey Writers)

The Blues (3-1-0) still had a successful road trip, going 2-1-0 and grabbing four of six possible points. They’re at home tonight to take on the Edmonton Oilers (3-3-0) for the second time this season; the Blues shut out the Oilers 2-0 on Oct. 22.

Related: St. Louis Blues’ Top 10 Prospects for 2022-23

St. Louis Blues Projected Lineup

Forwards

Ivan BarbashevRyan O’ReillyJordan Kyrou
Brayden SchennRobert ThomasVladimir Tarasenko
Jake NeighboursLogan BrownTyler Pitlick
Alexey TropchenkoNoel AcciariNathan Walker

Defense

Nick LeddyColton Parayko
Torey KrugJustin Faulk
Niko MikkolaRobert Bortuzzo

Goalies

Jordan BinningtonThomas Greiss
Jordan Binnington St. Louis Blues
Jordan Binnington is off to a hot start in 2022-23 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Roster Notes

Buchnevich was placed on injured reserve (IR) on Oct. 25, retroactive to Oct. 15. Taking his spot on the roster is veteran forward Tyler Pitlick, who was signed to a one-year, $750,000 deal the same day. Pitlick joined the Blues for camp and the preseason, scoring 4 points (4 assists) in three games. Losing Buchnevich is a tough early-season blow for St. Louis, and the extent of his lower-body injury is unknown. Pitlick will provide the Blues with offensive depth for the time being.

Edmonton Oilers Projected Lineup

Lineup Note: Edmonton will go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen tonight.

Forwards

Ryan Nugent-HopkinsConnor McDavidZach Hyman
Evander KaneLeon DraisaitlKailer Yamamoto
Warren FoegeleRyan McLeodJesse Puljujarvi
Devin ShoreDerek Ryan
Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid has just four total shots and zero points over his last two games (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Defense

Darnell NurseCody Ceci
Brett KulakTyson Barrie
Markus NiemalainenEvan Bouchard
Ryan Murray

Goalies

Stuart SkinnerJack Campbell

Quick Look at the Oilers

After defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 24, the Oilers are back to .500 with a 3-3-0 record. In doing so, they handed the Penguins their first regulation loss of the season. Despite the victory, superstar Connor McDavid was held off of the scoresheet for the second straight game, while Leon Draisaitl, their other superstar, scored a goal and two assists and now leads the team with 11 points.

Leon Draisaitl Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When the Blues and Oilers met earlier this season, McDavid and Draisaitl had no points and were held to five shots between them. It’s going to be very difficult for the Blues’ defense to stymie these two again. The defense kept them hemmed in, and their playmaking chances were low, while Jordan Binnington handled everything else that got through.

Players to Watch

St. Louis Blues: Jordan Binnington

Binnington is off to a tremendous start, with a 3-0-0 record and stopping 78 of 83 shots – good for a .940 save percentage (SV%) and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.65. As mentioned, he recorded his first shutout of the season, stopping all 23 shots against the Oilers in his last start. The Blues have lacked a bit of firepower upfront without Buchnevich in their last two games and Saad in their last game. Until they’re both ready to go, the Blues will need a little bit extra from Binnington to keep the Oilers at bay while they try to scratch out another victory.

Related: Blues Binnington Gamble Paying Off Early

Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid

McDavid should be watched every game, but the fact that he is scoreless in two straight games after his hot start means he’s going to be playing with some extra motivation in this matchup. In his last two games, he’s been on the ice for 46 shifts and has only registered four shots. McDavid won’t be held to such a low number often, and I expect him to be aggressive tonight and try to get his game going.

Where You Can Catch the Game

Edmonton Oilers @ St. Louis Blues – 7:00 PM CST

Related: Blues October Prospects Report: Alexandrov, Bolduc, & Buchinger

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Midwest and Bally Sports+. The radio call can be heard on 101 ESPN and the 101 ESPN app.