Avalanche News
Key Player to Watch in Avs vs Oilers: Jonathan Drouin

Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin has moved on from the ugly overtime win against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night and is ready to face a highly skilled Edmonton Oilers team.
“First thing you’ve got to realize you’re not playing well, and we knew that but we still had a chance to win when we’re down one goal. Luckily, (goaltender Mackenzie) Blackwood stood on his head there … but it’s not a game you want to repeat or have many times during the year. As bad as it was, after the second we looked at each other โ we got one period, guys can score one goal and get that one point and see where that brings us. It was nice to get that and win the game.
“It’s a big game. Obviously, we didn’t like how we played. The coaching staff didn’t either. When you have meetings like yesterday,ย video like that, you want to have a good game when we’re playing a healthy team. Obviously, they have a lot of firepower and they’re a well-rounded team,” Drouin said.
It’s a powerhouse matchup on both sides of the ice with four of the NHL’s top five points leaders โ Nathan MacKinnon (70), Leon Draisaitl (65), Connor McDavid (62) and Mikko Rantanen (61). With that much talent on the ice, Drouin expects it to be a tight game.
โNot Happy with the Way We Playedโ: Avs Uneven in OT Win
“Sometimes those games are tight defensively … both teams know there’s a lot of skilled players on each side that can create off an inch, half an inch,” the 29-year-old forward said. “Biggest thing with those two guys is tight coverage and making sure, not only tight on them, but the other players too. They’ll make a pass through two, three guys right on the guy’s tape. So it’s good to be tight on them and focus on them but you got to focus on the other guys too getting open.”
The Ste-Agathe, Quebec native is closing in on a career milestone, his 100th goal. He may only have two points in his last five games, but heย is just that player he described the Avs have to watch out for from Edmonton.
With the Avs’ average goals-for per game at 3.31 and the Oilers’ average goals-against per game at 2.73, it wonโt be an easy feat. However, Drouinโs lethal wristshot and exceptional vision make him a constant threat on the ice. Keep an eye out and be ready to witness history if he finds the back of the net.
Here’s how to watch and everything you need to know for a possible playoff-like game: Avalanche Game 46 vs Edmonton Oilers, Lines, Notes & How to Watch