Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks

EDMONTON (47-26–9) VS. SAN JOSE (46-29-7), 8 P.M. CBC/CHED

LAST 5 GAMES: Edmonton (4-1-0) EDM 5 VAN 2 EDM 3 VAN 2 EDM 4 SJS 2 EDM 4 LAK 6 EDM 3 ANA 2

San Jose (3-2-0) SJS 3 CGY 1 SJS 2 EDM 4 SJS 3 VAN 1 SJS 3 VAN 1 SJS 2 CGY 5

IN THE TANK

Edmonton – Full

Game 1 of the playoffs, this is high as the energy level gets. San Jose – Full

They get to clean the slate and start the post-season fresh.

INJURIES

Oilers: RW Tyler Pitlick (knee). Sharks: C Joe Thornton (knee, probable); C Logan Couture (face, probable).

NOTES: Both Logan Couture (face) and Joe Thornton (knee) who missed the stretch drive with injuries have been practising hard and are expected to be in the lineup for Game 1, but head coach Pete DeBoer says it will be a game-day decision … In the last four games of the season, Edmonton’s second line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Milan Lucic and Jordan Eberle combined for 10 goals … Connor McDavid has four goals and four assists in five games against the Sharks … He had a two-point night in four of the five meetings … San Jose won the first two games of the season series, 3-2 at home in overtime and 5-3 in Edmonton before the Oilers answered back with 4-1, 3-2 and 4-2 wins … Edmonton’s power play is three-for-18 in the four games. The Sharks are one-for-16 … Edmonton is 32-14-4 since Dec. 17 … The Sharks closed out the season with four wins in their last 13 games.

MATCHUPS

FORWARDS – EDMONTON

Oilers top six forwards are firing on all cylinders.

DEFENCE – SAN JOSE

Burns and Vlasic head a deep, solid, D corps.

GOALTENDING – EDMONTON

Talbot has the edge against most goalies in the league.

POWER PLAY – EDMONTON

The Oilers power play was significantly better this season. PENALTY KILL – SAN JOSE

The Sharks have the slight edge over Edmonton here. INTANGIBLES – SAN JOSE

Experience is definitely on San Jose’s side in this one.

OVERALL – EDMONTON

Oilers won their last three games against San Jose.

WHO TO WATCH

EDMONTON – Milan Lucic

He turned the tide in San Jose the last time they met with his natural hat trick. As the Oilers’ leader in post-season experience, they will look to him to set the tone. SAN JOSE – Logan Couture

Couture is playing hurt after taking a puck in the face late in the season. He’s a key ingredient in San Jose’s hopes, so how he adjusts will have a big impact.