GDT Game 37: 12/21/17 | 8:00 PM CT | @ Oilers | FSMW/KMOX

[theohall]

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers likely will be up a defenseman and down a defenseman when they face the St. Louis Blues on Thursday at Rogers Place.

Veteran Andrej Sekera tore an anterior cruciate ligament last spring in Game 5 of the Oilers' second-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks. That was seven months ago, and he hasn't played since.

However, he went through a full practice Wednesday and is finally expected to be back in action Thursday.

The Oilers will be getting back a veteran defenseman with over 600 games of NHL experience, but Sekera likely will come in as a straight swap for Oscar Klefbom, who was placed on injured reserve with what is being called a nagging injury.

Sekera was paired with defenseman Matt Benning in practice as the Oilers (15-17-2) prepared to play a Blues team that has absolutely owned Edmonton so far this season, winning the previous encounters 4-1 and 8-3.

"I feel as good as I need to feel to be playing at this level," Sekera said. "I'll just go out, play hard and try to help this team win a game. I am ready to roll. ... I am excited, not nervous."

Sekera said he won't try to do too much.

"I'll just try to play a hard, simple game and try to make sure they like me on the ice when they play with me, not the other way."

Klefbom's absence, plus the fact the Oilers are seven points out of a playoff spot, means Edmonton can't ease Sekera back into the lineup. Sekera won't get a game or two at the minor league level, as is the practice with many players getting back into game shape after long-term injuries.

"We would have preferred to have some type of game to put him in and get the rust off," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said, "but we don't have that. He's got to play his first (NHL) game at some point. I think the players are excited, maybe it'll add a bit of energy to our group."

The coach said Sekera will get time on the special teams units. At home this season, the Oilers' penalty kill has been abysmal, with a lowly 58.33 percent success rate. That is concerning, considering the Blues have lit up the Oilers for 12 total goals over the previous two encounters this season.

However, the Oilers have won their past two game while the Blues have lost two in a row, with St. Louis scoring just once in that pair of games.

The Blues (22-12-2) are without center Jaden Schwartz, who has 35 points in 30 games, and veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Both on injured reserve with long-term ailments.

So if there is a time for the Oilers to end their miserable run against the Blues, maybe it is now. And the Blues feel the Oilers team they will face Thursday bears little resemblance to the struggling club they faced earlier this season.

"They're playing a lot better hockey obviously now than they were at the start," said Brayden Schenn, who had 39 points in 36 games for the Blues. "They're winning some hockey games and obviously have confidence with their team. ... They're starting to buzz a little bit and getting production from their top players, which comes (as) no surprise. They're close to a playoff spot, so we're going to be in a battle and we've got to be way better."

Blues coach Mike Yeo added, "It's a matter of making sure that you're prepared to play the right way and to play that way for 60 minutes, and we haven't been doing that."

The Oilers recalled winger Anton Slepyshev from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif., on Tuesday, just one day after sending him down. Slepyshev fills the void left by Nathan Walker, who was claimed off waivers by the Washington Capitals. The move continued a dizzying sequence Walker, an Australian who played just two games for the Oilers after Edmonton claimed him off waivers from Washington.

[theohall]

For Robb_K - bumping this since this is tonight's game.

[Robb_K]

Good save by Allen! Blues look a little more energetic than last night. I hope it keeps up.

[Robb_K]

Berglund should have scored on that breakaway. Great 4 min PK! And Stastny is robbed by Talbot!!

[Robb_K]

Not a bad 1st Period for The Blues, but the puck didn't bounce for them.

[Robb_K]

Nice work by Pääjärvi in front of the net. But he needs to hit the puck away from the goalie. Lift it into a corner,

Allen with another great save, or maybe the 4th post hit by The Oilers. I said the puck wasn't bouncing The Blues' way. But maybe they HAVE been lucky so far.

[Robb_K]

Good PP O-Zone entrance there, and got 2 good scoring chances on the drive. THAT'S an improvement.

[Robb_K]

Brilliant save by Allen to keep it tied!

[Robb_K]

Yet another tough scoring game. 0-0 into The 3rd. Nail biting time. Thompson, Steen, Stastny, Edmundson and Parayko have looked good. I hope The Blues can pull out a win here. They need get as many as possible to still be in decent shape when Schwartz returns.

[Robb_K]

How did Talbot get back around to stop that Stastny open-net wraparound?!!! The Blues HAVE to win this after The Oilers hit the post 5 times!

[Robb_K]

Thompson wrists it in!!! 1st NHL goal! Blues lead 1-0!!!

But you KNEW that The Blues would let down after scoring! Boo!

[Robb_K]

Berglund buries one-timer on a great feed from Schenn!!! Blues lead 2-1!!!

And Dunn plays goalie, and saves the lead!

[ibldbl]

Just.(Franking).Pathetic

[Robb_K]

Booooooooooooo! Blues give up the winning goal with 50 seconds left.

[cardsfan04]

The rough patch we're going through doesn't bother me a ton. Injuries, streaks follow streaks, etc. But, games like last night need to be won. Losses like that are what turn bad stretches into horrible ones, because it's a missed chance to limit the damage.

[theohall]

So much for the theory of playing all your veterans in the final minute who understand the system to prevent a last minute goal.

[Toasted Oates]

And in the midst of that shit show, Hitchcock coached victory #800 last night...against Chicago.

The gods continue to smile down on Bluuuues hockey.

[theohall]

This team wouldn't be .500 playing Hitchcock's system. To reliant on the defense staying home and not taking chances offensively.

[Toasted Oates]

This team wouldn't be .500 playing Hitchcock's system. To reliant on the defense staying home and not taking chances offensively.

No kidding. I pined for his firing 3 years ago. It's not like the Stars are world beaters, either. Just pointing out that the timing was classic Blues.

[theohall]

What sucks - they aren't playing that poorly. The puck just isn't going in the darn net.

Hard for a coach to keep pushing his message when the results aren't forthcoming largely due to bad puck luck, some lucky goaltending, and one ridiculous goaltending performance (Vasilevsky).