NHL Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers with Line Combinations | 12/5/2024

The Edmonton Oilers (13-10-2) will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-10-3) on Thursday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Before the puck drops, the Oilers will honor their captain, Connor McDavid, for reaching the milestone of 1,000 career points last month. The Oilers are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night, where Vegas goaltender Adin Hill was outstanding. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets lost to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, falling 3-0 in a very emotional game, honoring the late Gaudreau brothers with a pre-game ceremony. This will be the second and final meeting between these two franchises this season, with the Blue Jackets winning the first one 5-1 in Columbus, Ohio, in late October.

Forward Zach Hyman will return to the lineup on tonight as the Edmonton Oilers begin a three-game homestand at Rogers Place against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“It’s exciting. It’s a great day. Anytime you’re back in the lineup, you’re excited. That’s what all of us love to do is play. It’s no fun when you’re on the sidelines watching, especially when you’re a little banged up, so it’s good to be back.”

Hyman on being back in the lineup

While Hyman is set to rejoin the team, forward Viktor Arvidsson will remain out for the Oilers, with no timeline for his return, according to Coach Knoblauch. The Swedish forward was named to Sweden’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster on Wednesday but has not played for the Oilers in nine games. Many worried about injuries when the Oilers signed him this past Summer, so hopefully this is something that won’t linger.

“I don’t have a timeline. It’s obviously gone on longer than we anticipated. I thought it was just a couple of days off, rest and get back, but it hasn’t quite healed the way we assumed it would have.”

Coach Knoblauch on Viktor Arvidsson’s status

EDM Lines:

RNH – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Kapanen
Janmark – Henrique – Skinner
Perry – Ryan – Brown

Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Stecher
Kulak – Emberson

Pickard
Skinner

CBJ Lines:

Voronkov – Monahan – Marchenko
Sillinger – Fantilli – Johnson
Aston-Reese – Danforth – Olivier
Pyyhtia – Kuraly – Labanc

Werenski – Fabbro
Provorov – Severson
Christiansen – Harris

Tarasov
Merzlikins

Where to Watch/Listen:

SNW
FDSNOH
630 CHED
97.1 The Fan

ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as the discuss Gavin McKenna making the jump to the NCAA, Pittsburgh and San Jose making additions, and the NHL season to begin on October 7, 2025.

1. ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing 32:56
2. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos 24:53
3. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening 37:46
4. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again 56:17
5. ITR 43: It's Winning Time 39:10