The Oilers are hot and the Devils are not. There has been very little hospitality for the Devils on their western swing, as they have lost the first two games by identical 6-3 scores. Is it goalie issues or trouble on defense? It is not uncommon for New Jersey to struggle on the road; they are a very ugly 8-20 to date. Now facing the Oilers, it will be interesting to see this very young team’s response. They are not without skill on offense, scoring 3 each against the Canucks and Flames, but that 27th rated defense is a real poke in the eye.

The Oilers have won 4 straight in Edmonton, and are going for the home-town sweep on Saturday. They beat a couple of contenders, then beat up on a pair of under-achievers, scoring 13 goals in those two games. The Oilers’ defense is not that much better than the Devils’. A case in point: Saturday’s starter Koskinen gave up 5 goals against Detroit in his last outing.

It is very likely that the Oilers will outlast the Devils on Saturday, and they are a big favorite. I expect lots of offense on both sides. Take the Over in this match-up.