OILERS’ WAIVER CLAIM CAN PROVE ’EM WRONG

As storylines go, what could be more fitting than Brandon Davidson playing his first Edmonton Oilers game in Montreal against the Canadiens who put him on waivers a week ago and Nathan Walker doing the same against the team he scored his first NHL goal game against?

Both guys were claimed on waivers by the Oilers, Walker from Washington, Davidson from the Canadiens.

“When I was picked up, that was the one (possible date with the Canadiens) that I noticed right away,” said Davidson. “Maybe I’ve got something to prove a bit. But, hey, I’m just glad to get into a game, get my rhythm back, and it just happens to be my old team.”

Davidson, will likely be paired with Yohann Auvitu on the third pairing Saturday. His last NHL game was Nov. 22 in Nashville with the Habs.

Last season, he got traded from the Oilers to Montreal for David Desharnais on Feb. 28, but didn’t play shortly afterwards when the Habs were in Edmonton.

“I was bummed about that a bit. It sucked that it didn’t happen because I really wanted to be in that game, but it was something I couldn’t control,” said Davidson, who was in and out of the Canadiens lineup through the first two months this season.

Davidson has had no trouble the second time around with the Oilers, fitting in on the ice.

“I was halfway throughout the first practice and I leaned over and mentioned to Rusty (Kris Russell) that nothing’s changed. Feels like the good old days,” he said. “Little tougher for Walker, for sure.”

Walker may play with Leon Draisaitl on the left wing against the Habs. He also saw them Oct. 7 in Washington when he got his first goal in his first NHL game when a Devante Smith-Pelly shot went off his leg and into the net.

“I knew something hit me but I wasn’t sure if it was the puck or the D-man’s stick. They reviewed it afterwards and I decided it was my goal,” said Walker, who didn’t do a little dance. “Nah, nah. I just went over to the huddle and they kept asking if the puck had hit me. I had no idea.

“Incredible feeling because my family was there from back home (Australia).”

HABS’ SCORING WOES CONTINUE

The Canadiens have started winning games with Carey Price back in net but they still don’t score much, other than Brendan Gallagher’s 13 goals.

Captain Max Pacioretty has eight goals and Alex Galchenyuk, continually in coach Claude Julien’s doghouse for his play defensively, has six goals.