Edmonton Oilers News

Pickard allowed four goals on 46 shots in the Coyotes 5-2 loss in Nashville on February 5th. Pickard has lost both of his starts with Arizona, allowing a combined six goals on 70 shots (.914 SV%). Tonight he faces a Flames team that is dangerous offensively but come in as losers of five of their last seven.

Pickard stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Coyotes loss in Montreal on January 23rd. With Darcy Kuemper starting and getting hurt last night, Pickard will start the second-game of their back-to-back tonight in Nashville. He draws a tough assignment in Nashville—the Predators have won three of their last four and are 16-10-0 on home-ice.

Brown has recorded three goals in 22 games with the Thunderbirds this season but has no points in three NHL games. Brown is expected to be in the lineup on Friday.

Frederic was a first-round pick of the Bruins back in 2016 (No. 29 overall) and could make his NHL debut on Tuesday. The 20-year-old centre has collected 10 goals and seven assists in 37 games this season, in what is his first full AHL season. Frederic is expected to replace Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson in the Bruins bottom-6.

Pickard will make his first start in a Coyotes uniform and will play behind a tired and injury riddled team on the tail-end of a back-to-back. Pickard had a tough time in Philadelphia this season, going 4-2-2 with a 4.01 GAA and .863 SV%. In an extended fantasy week, you could probably leave Pickard on the waiver wire in the final night before the All-Star break.

Brown, 24, was a sixth-round pick in 2013 and is set to make his debut after playing 167 games in the AHL and 54 games in the ECHL. Brown has just three games in 19 games with the Thunderbirds this season.

Jones could make his NHL debut on Thursday after recording 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in 32 games with San Diego. Jones is a former first-round pick (No.24 in 2016) who is part of the struggling Ducks’ roster re-tool.

Hyman has missed the past eight games with a sprained left ankle but will return to the lineup on Thursday. Hyman, who has seven goals and eight assists (15 points) in 32 games this season, will skate on a line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner in his return to the lineup.

Pickard has not made an appearance with Arizona since being acquired via waivers on November 29th. Pickard has gone 4-2-2 with a 4.01 GAA and .863 SV% in 11 games this season.

Kulak has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace David Schlemko on Saturday. Kulak has just one assist in 12 games this season but is a solid daily fantasy punt—he averaging 2.1 shots per game and 0.8 blocked shots.

Ekholm was a late scratch from Thursday’s lineup in Philadelphia but will play today in Boston. Ekholm has three goals and 19 assists (22 points) in 35 games this season.

Hyman suffered an ankle injury in New Jersey and missed Thursday’s game. Head coach Mike Babcock told reporters post-game that Hyman tried to play through it but it is serious enough to keep him sidelined until at least early-January.

Stecher is in concussion protocol after being hit by Danick Martel during Tuesday’s game vs. the Lightning. Alex Biega will replace Stecher in the lineup.

Hyman will miss Tuesday’s game in Carolina and Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay before being eligible to return Saturday in Florida. Hyman was given a five-minute interference penalty on the play and was forced to answer the bell against Matt Grzelcyk. You should see either William Nylander or Patrick Marleau move back into the top-6 with Hyman suspended.

McDavid was a late scratch from Monday’s game in Dallas but will be back on the Oilers top line on Wednesday. McDavid obviously provides a massive boost to the Edmonton line as he comes into Wednesday tied for 17th in the NHL in assists (21) and tied for seventh in points (35).