At first glance, it might seem the Oilers are catching the Blues at the right time, hosting them Thursday night at Rogers Place, perhaps a glimpse of teams trending in different directions.
Coming off an 8-2 whipping of the Golden Knights Tuesday, the Oilers are 3-1-1 in their last five games, 4-2-1 in seven, easily their most successful stretch of the season. Meanwhile the Blues surrendered a season-high seven goals Monday, opening their three-game trek to Western Canada with a 7-4 loss to the Flames in Calgary. One of the top defensive teams in the NHL, the Blues surrendered 12 goals in their last two games, and are looking to avoid losing three straight for the first time this season.
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko referred to facing the Oilers as a "good challenge" and Thursday's contest an opportunity for a "bounce-back game."
NHL Power Rankings: Blues slip to second, Oilers moving up
Mike Yeo, the Blues head coach, said -- with tongue firmly in cheek -- that his team can start by "not giving up large amounts of goals" before turning serious about Thursday's game with the Oilers.
"For us, the focus is to get back to who we are -- when we are at our best, we are a tough team to play against, it starts with the details, the structure and the hard-working nature of our group," explained Yeo following the morning skate.
"What I see in Edmonton is a team that looks like it found its game. It's going to be a handful for us."
Indeed, their eight-goal explosion Tuesday had the look of the dam finally bursting in Edmonton for a team expected to score goals much more regularly than it has to date this season. It was only the sixth time the Oilers scored more than two goals in 18 games, and they still are the fourth-lowest scoring team in the NHL.
"Coming into the year, everyone knew how good they potentially could be," St. Louis' Kyle Brodziak said of the Oilers. "For whatever reason, they didn't have the start they wanted. I think the last few games you see a team that's showing flashes of what they were supposed to be like all year. They're going to be dangerous."
The Oilers added another weapon Tuesday, acquiring veteran forward Michael Cammalleri, the six-time 20-goal scorer with 290 career goals on his NHL resume, who makes his debut with the Oil Thursday.
"I'm really excited about the hockey opportunity," Cammalleri told reporters. "Coming to this team, where it's at, where it wants to go. I look forward to playing tonight for the Edmonton Oilers."
Coach McLellan discusses Cammalleri's fit in #Oilers lineup, building off last game's offence & more ahead of tonight's matchup vs. Blues. pic.twitter.com/O7V1c9OtiT
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 16, 2017
Head coach Todd McClellan said that Cammalleri opens on the left side of Ryan Strome and Iiro Pakarinen. Prior to the trade, the 35-year-old Cammalleri had three goals -- two on the power play -- and seven points in 15 games.
"He's a leader, he's played a lot of games, and he's dangerous with the puck," said Oilers defenseman Kris Russell. "That can help us."
That all should help against a Blues team seeking to get back on track after blistering to a 13-3-1 break from the gate before stumbling the past two games.
"We got a little complacent, it seemed like we were coming to the rink every night knowing we were going to win, and maybe you take the foot off the gas a little bit," offered Blues forward Brayden Schenn, who has 11 points during his current five-game point streak. "We've got to get back to doing what we do, playing hard hockey, being hard to play against."