As the Edmonton Oilers (9-8-2) prepare to take on the Ottawa Senators (8-8-1) this evening, the team is looking to bounce back after a frustrating shutout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, who are currently struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The game will start at 5 p.m. and can be watched on Sportsnet West and TSN5, with radio coverage on 880 CHED.

Missing Key Players

The Oilers are faced with a difficult situation, as they might be forced to play with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. This adjustment comes as forward Viktor Arvidsson could miss his fourth consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. Similarly, defenseman Darnell Nurse will be sidelined for the next 4-9 days due to an upper body injury following a hit from Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In response, Edmonton has called up Josh Brown from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors to strengthen their defense line.

Recent Performance Woes

The Oilers had shown promise previously, capturing seven points from their last eight and raising hopes among fans. However, their recent 0-6 loss to the Canadiens marks the third time this season that they have been shut out in just 19 games. With a record of 4-5-1 at home and 5-3-1 on the road, the Oilers will need to find their scoring touch and secure a win to regain confidence.

Insight from the Players

Oilers forward Derek Ryan acknowledged the need for a more gritty style of play, stating, "You’re not going to score pretty goals; you’ve got to grind it out and kind of get a greasy one every now and then." This mindset could be crucial for Edmonton's game plan against Ottawa.

Lineup Expectations

**Ottawa Senators Expected Lineup:** - **Forwards:** Tkachuk – Norris – Greig, Giroux – Stutzle – Batherson, Amadio – Pinto – Perron, Cousins – Gaudette – MacEwen - **Defense:** Sanderson – Zub, Chabot – Jensen, Kleven – Hamonic - **Goalies:** Ullmark, Forsberg **Edmonton Oilers Expected Lineup:** - **Forwards:** Nugent-Hopkins – McDavid – Hyman, Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Perry, Janmark – Henrique – Brown, Skinner – Ryan - **Defense:** Ekholm – Bouchard, Kulak – Emberson, Dermott – Stecher, Brown - **Goalies:** Skinner, Pickard

Injury Report

**Ottawa:** None **Edmonton:** Viktor Arvidsson (undisclosed), Darnell Nurse (upper body)

Final Thoughts

As the Oilers look to shake off the disappointment of their last performance, fans are hoping for a strong showing against Ottawa. Can Connor McDavid and the team find their scoring feet again? Tune in tonight to find out, and brace yourself for what promises to be an intense matchup! **Stay connected for updates and results from this exciting encounter – this is not one to miss!**