Edmonton @ Anaheim preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2019 ) Anaheim 5, Edmonton 1

The Edmonton Oilers own the second-best record in the Western Conference and are sitting atop the Pacific Division, but they face a challenging three-week stretch to maintain that position. The Oilers play eight of the next 11 games away from home, including seven road contests versus division rivals beginning with Sunday night's matchup at the Anaheim Ducks.

Although Leon Draisaitl continued his goal binge, Edmonton finally received some depth scoring in Friday's 4-0 win over New Jersey to avert a three-game winless homestand. "Contributions from different guys," said forward Alex Chaisson, who notched his first goal of the season. "I've said this time and time again: When you have guys on any given night coming in and pulling on the rope, that's what is going to make this team dangerous." The Ducks have been idle for four days since surrendering three third-period goals in a 4-2 home loss to Minnesota, their first loss in nine games when entering the third period in front. "We are a tired team," Anaheim first-year coach Dallas Eakins told reporters. "I think we've been kind of hanging on by a thread, and we need some practice time."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Edmonton), Prime Ticket (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE OILERS (11-5-2): Draisaitl joined some lofty company by becoming the fifth player in franchise history to register 14 goals in the first 18 games of a season. The 24-year-old German forward, who established career highs in 2018-19 with 50 goals and 55 assists, has scored eight times and collected six assists during an eight-game point streak to become the second player to reach 30 points this season. Draisaitl was limited to one goal and one assist in four matchups against the Ducks last season but he has tallied 11 times in 20 career meetings.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (9-7-1): Anaheim, which is 2-1-1 on its seven-game homestand, continues to sputter offensively despite erupting for a seven-goal outburst versus Winnipeg on Oct. 29 - only the second time in nine games the team has scored more than twice. Captain Ryan Getzlaf, who played in his 1,000th career game last weekend, already is halfway to last season's total of 14 goals and has prospered against the Oilers with 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 50 contests. Two-time 30-goal scorer Rickard Rakell ended a nine-game drought in Tuesday's loss.

OVERTIME

1. Oilers captain C Connor McDavid has 10 points in his past eight games overall and 18 in 15 meetings versus Anaheim.

2. Ducks C Adam Henrique has scored five of his team-high eight goals in nine home games.

3. Draisaitl is the first Oilers player with 30 points in the first 18 games since Wayne Gretzky had 30 in 13 contests (1987-88).

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Ducks 3