Skinner seems to have taken a grasp on the Oilers' starting role as he is set to start his third-straight game for Edmonton Thursday as they take on Dallas. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in his rookie season in 2022-23, but has struggled thus far this season as he is 1-2-1 with a .863 SV% and 3.51 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Dallas Stars, who have points in all but one of their games this season (6-1-1) but are 18th in the NHL in goals per game (3.13) and 21st in shots per game (29.8).

Skinner seems to have taken a grasp on the Oilers' starting role as he is set to start his third-straight game for Edmonton Thursday as they take on Dallas. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in his rookie season in 2022-23, but has struggled thus far this season as he is 1-2-1 with a .863 SV% and 3.51 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Dallas Stars, who have points in all but one of their games this season (6-1-1) but are 18th in the NHL in goals per game (3.13) and 21st in shots per game (29.8).

Tomkins will get his second start of the season after serving as backup to Jonas Johansson for the majority of time thus far. In his only NHL game, Tomkins allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on October 15th. The Lightning will hope Tomkins fares more favourably against an easier assignment on Thursday as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who rank 26th offensively (2.56 GF / GP) and have lost four consecutive games.

McDavid missed the last two games with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Saturday vs. the Jets. However, he was a full participant in Saturday's practice which put him on track to be a surprise participant in Sunday's Heritage Classic vs. the Flames. McDavid, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in five games, skated next to Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele in Saturday's session.

The Oilers will give Stuart Skinner the nod in Sunday's Heritage Classic against the Flames. Both Skinner and fellow Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell have struggled to find their form early on in the 2023-24 season, but Skinner did enjoy his finest start of the season in Edmonton's most recent game against the Rangers on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced in a losing effort as the Oilers were uncharacteristically shut out on home ice. Outdoor games always bring some extra uncertainty with them, but the Oilers are -155 favourites to pick up the win on Sunday, and the line could move further in their favour if Connor McDavid is able to return to the lineup.

McDavid missed the last two games with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Saturday vs. the Jets. However, he was a full participant in Saturday's practice and appears to be on-track to play in Sunday's Heritage Classic vs. the Flames. McDavid, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in five games, skated next to Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele in Saturday's session.

The Oilers are expected to give Stuart Skinner the nod in Sunday's Heritage Classic against the Flames. Both Skinner and fellow Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell have struggled to find their form early on in the 2023-24 season, but Skinner did enjoy his finest start of the season in Edmonton's most recent game against the Rangers on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced in a losing effort as the Oilers were uncharacteristically shut out on home ice. Outdoor games always bring some extra uncertainty with them, but the Oilers are -155 favourites to pick up the win on Sunday, and the line could move further in their favour if Connor McDavid is able to return to the lineup.

Brown will take the place of Travis Dermott (illness). Brown has played in two games this season for the Coyotes, registering no points, one shot on goal, four blocked shots, and five hits.

Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.

It appears Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.

McDavid left Saturday's game after picking up an upper-body injury in the third period. The Oilers announced that he's expected to miss at least one week, so expect him to miss the next three games, including the Heritage Classic next Sunday.

Savoie suffered the injury in the final game of the Sabres' Prospect Showcase in September. The 19-year-old is one of the Sabres' top prospects and is coming off of a season where he had 95 points (38G / 57A) in 62 games with the Winnipeg Ice (WHL).

McDavid appeared to be in some discomfort and was seen grabbing his left side after a shift late in the third period. He did not return for the final 4:20 of the third or the overtime period. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft told reporters that he would have an update on the injury on Sunday, but that it appeared to be "more muscular" in nature. The 2022-23 Hart Trophy winner is enjoying another otherworldly start to this year's campaign, with two goals and six assists to his name through the opening five games of the season.

Skinner allowed four goals on 16 shots (.750 SV%) in his previous start as he lost to Vancouver but will look for redemption Saturday as he takes on Winnipeg. The 24-year-old has had a horrific two appearances for the Oilers thus far in 2023-24, with his 0-2-0 record, 5.33 GAA and .750 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who have lost their last two games but are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.5).