Edmonton @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 7, 2019 ) Edmonton 4, Minnesota 1

Edmonton first-year coach Dave Tippett is fortunate to have players such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at his disposal, but goaltending has been perhaps the biggest part of the Oilers' early season success. Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen, who are a combined 68 years old, are off to fast starts with Smith likely to get the call Tuesday when Edmonton visits the Minnesota Wild.

“If you’re going to have success in this league, you need goalies who can stand on their head sometimes and competition is a really, really good thing,” Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom told reporters after a 1-0 shootout loss at Winnipeg on Sunday. “We got one point (Sunday) because of Smitty. I mean we played a solid game but some nights you can’t find a way to score a goal.” Tippett has alternated his goalies by using each for two straight games, so it appears to be Smith's turn again Tuesday after the 37-year-old made 23 saves Sunday to earn his 39th career shutout. Minnesota lost its first four games but has won two of its last four after a 4-3 victory over Montreal on Sunday. “We need to remember this feeling. This feels great,” Wild forward Jason Zucker, who apologized Saturday after making comments Thursday suggesting that everyone needed to be better - including coach Bruce Boudreau - told reporters after recording a goal and assist.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Oilers (Edmonton), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE OILERS (7-1-1): McDavid and Draisaitl are among the league leaders in points with 17 and 16, but McDavid hasn't hit the scoresheet in three of his last four games while Draisaitl was blanked Sunday for the first time this season. James Neal shares the NHL lead in goals (nine) with Boston's David Pastrnak after recording seven in 63 games with Calgary last season. Smith (3-1-1, 1.98 goals-against average, .930 save percentage this season) is 6-12-2, 2.27, .917 in 21 games (19 starts) versus Minnesota.

ABOUT THE WILD (2-6-0): Zach Parise and defenseman Brad Hunt joined Zucker in the scoring column Sunday and the trio each has a team-leading three goals. Defenseman Matt Dumba (club-worst minus-10) recorded an assist against Montreal but was a minus for the sixth time in eight games this season while even in the other two contests. Devan Dubnyk is off to a rough start at 1-5-0, 4.18, .874 but is 9-4-0, 1.71, .932 in 13 career games versus Edmonton.

OVERTIME

1. The Oilers boast the league's top power play at 38.5 percent with Neal scoring six of its 10 extra-man goals.

2. Minnesota, which saw its home sellout streak end at 251 games Sunday, has yielded four power-play goals over its last three games while Edmonton has allowed three in 31 chances this season.

3. The Oilers won the final two meetings of 2018-19 by a combined 11-3 with McDavid and Draisaitl teaming for four goals and 10 points.

PREDICTION: Oilers 3, Wild 2