Detroit @ Edmonton preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 22, 2019 ) Detroit 3, Edmonton 2

Connor McDavid appears to be on a quest for his third Art Ross Trophy in four seasons. The 22-year-old captain attempts to build off his third career five-point performance when the Edmonton Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

McDavid, who finished second in the NHL in points last season after winning back-to-back scoring titles, tops the league in the early stages of 2019-20 with 17 points in seven games. McDavid, a former Hart Trophy recipient, recorded a goal and four assists in Edmonton's 6-3 triumph over Philadelphia on Wednesday after being kept off the scoresheet in Chicago two days earlier for the first time this campaign. The Oilers cashed in on both their man-advantage opportunities versus the Flyers and bring the league's best power play (45.5 percent) into the game against Detroit, which is wrapping up a three-game road trip after suffering a 5-1 defeat in Calgary on Thursday. Darren Helm scored in the setback for the Red Wings, who have lost the first two games of their trek and three straight overall.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Sportsnet One (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (3-4-0): Defenseman Danny DeKeyser, who missed one game with a mid-body injury, returned to the lineup Thursday and blocked three shots while registering a minus-2 rating in 22 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time. Anthony Mantha is on pace for a career season as he has recorded a team-leading 10 points in seven games after notching 48 each of the last two campaigns. The 25-year-old right wing has been the only member of the Red Wings to convert on the power play this season, scoring both goals the team has recorded on 20 opportunities.

ABOUT THE OILERS (6-1-0): Leon Draisaitl is attempting to keep pace with McDavid as he entered Thursday two points behind his linemate after scoring two goals and setting up another against the Flyers. It was the fifth multi-point performance of 2019-20 for the 23-year-old Draisaitl, who has opened the season with a seven-game point streak. James Neal, who is tied for the league lead with eight goals, notched his first assist of the campaign Wednesday to give him points in five of his first seven contests.

OVERTIME

1. Oilers coach Dave Tippett announced rookie D Joel Persson, who sat out Wednesday and is in concussion protocol, will miss the next 7-to-10 days.

2. Detroit has been outscored 15-4 during its losing streak.

3. Edmonton placed LW Joakim Nygard (ribs) on injured reserve and recalled D William Lagesson from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Red Wings 1