5 NHL questions: Ilya Bryzgalov to start for Edmonton

A daily feature that asks five questions about the days NHL games. Will they be answered? (That doesn’t count as one of the questions.)

by Adam Gretz

Nov 28, 2013, 5:00 PM UTC

Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

1. How will Ilya Bryzgalov do in his first start for the Edmonton Oilers?

Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to start for the Oilers when they travel to Nashville on Thursday night, and it will be his first start since joining the team. He did make one relief appearance this week and stopped 12 of 13 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. How will he do against the Predators?

2. Will Nashville extend its winning streak to three games?

Even more than the modest two-game winning streak the Predators bring into their game on Thursday, they’ve actually won five of their past six games and have not allowed more than two goals in any of them. That includes a pair of shutouts.

3. Will the Canucks bust out of their slump?

Vancouver travels to Ottawa on Thursday night having lost six of its past seven games. They have only won three of their past 12. The Canucks, who did not play on Wednesday, are getting an Ottawa team that not only gives up a ton of shots and chances, but are also playing the tail end of a back-to-back set of games. Will the Canucks do something they haven’t been able to do much of in November and win a game?

4. Will Erik Karlsson record two or more points?

It's not often that you see a defenseman leading his team in scoring, but that's the position the Ottawa Senators are in entering Thursday as Karlsson, one of the NHL's most dangerous defenseman with the puck on his stick, has a team-high 26 points in 25 games. He's already recorded eight multiple point games this season. Will he make it nine on Thursday?

5. Will the Predators score four or more goals?

Offense is usually a struggle for the Predators but their recent hot streak has coincided with a goal-scoring binge that’s seen them score at least four goals in four of their past six games. Will they be able to do it again against Ilya Bryzgalov? They scored four or more goals just 12 times a season ago.