Carolina at Edmonton, 7:30 PM, TSN

Game Story

'Canes Staal-ing?

If the Oilers can't win,

Then the Hurricanes seriously can't win. 

This team just missed the playoffs last year, with Calder Trophy wunderkind - Jeff Skinner and exceptional, probably one-of-the-best-Canadian-goalies-in-the-league Cam Ward, and obviously, one of the great Staal brothers, Eric Staal!

It's been bad for the 'Canes - Staal is going through an awful slump (perhaps brought on by something other than hockey), Ward isn't saving their bacon, and Skinner isn't being super-human, simply human.

By human, we mean 23 points. Which is kind of insane, just so you know.

Lines/Injuries

As per practice, the line combos are gonna be

Smyth-RNH-Eberle
Gagner-Horcoff-Hemsky
Paajarvi-Belanger-Jones
Eager-Lander-Petrell

Whitney - Petry

Smid - Gilbert

Peckham - Sutton

Dubnyk

Hall's still injured, but he's close to returning. They're mum on when he's back, but I'm betting Thursday next week with Phoenix. Well - maybe eeeeeeven Saturday night with the Flamers.

Predictions!!

Glorious Prediction - 29th overall team vs high-octane offence? Dear lord. Oilers romp with an 8 goal outburst. Eberle gets hatty. Paajarvi breaks slump. Dubnyk gets a shutout too. Why not? ITS GLORIOUS

Realistic Prediction - Kirk Muller is yet to win as the coach of the Hurricanes. He's a good coach. The Oilers act as horrific streak-busters, but we do eke out a point. 3-2 shootout.

ELPH Prediction - Staal wakes up. Everyone should be afraid. Hat trick breaks him out of the slump like a fish back in water. 6-2.