Music: {allcanada} OILERS (8-14-2) at MAPLE LEAFS (7-11-5)

Sunday, November 29, 2015

{allcanada} OILERS (8-14-2) at MAPLE LEAFS (7-11-5)

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Monday, November 30, 2015

7:30 PM ET

OILERS (8-14-2) at MAPLE LEAFS (7-11-5)

TV: TVA Sports, SN

Season series: The Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs split the season series in 2014-15 with each team winning at home. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 5-1 on Feb. 7; Edmonton won 4-1 on Mar. 16. Right wing Jordan Eberle led the Oilers with a goal and two assists. Center Peter Holland led the Maple Leafs with a goal and an assist.

Oilers team scope: Rookie forward Connor McDavid is expected to rejoin his teammates in Toronto. He broke his collarbone on Nov. 3 and has been rehabbing in Toronto. General manager Peter Chiarelli told the Oilers website that McDavid, who was expected to miss 8-12 weeks, is ahead of schedule. Chiarelli, however, refused to commit to a timetable as to when McDavid will be ready to play. The Oilers had the day off after a 3-2 shootout win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The game against the Maple Leafs is the finale of a five-game road trip for the Oilers (1-2-1). Defenseman Justin Schultz returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing 14 games with a back injury. He was paired with Brandon Davidson. Forward Jujhar Khaira, 21, made his NHL debut with the Oilers on Saturday. He played on the fourth line with left wing Matt Hendricks and center Anton Lander. Khaira was recalled from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League after Nail Yakupov sprained his ankle last Wednesday.

Maple Leafs scope: Toronto coach Mike Babcock told the Maple Leafs website that goalie Garret Sparks, 22, will make his NHL debut on Monday and forward Joffrey Lupul will not play because of an undisclosed injury. Lupul, who is tied for the team lead with Leo Komarov with eight goals, did not skate on Sunday. With James Reimer out because of a lower-body injury and Jonathan Bernier struggling (0-8-1), the Maple Leafs will turn to Sparks, who is 8-2-1 with a 1.90 goals against average and a .938 save percentage with Toronto of the AHL this season. "We've got to find a way to win a game," Babcock said. "Is he ready for the opportunity? We're going to find out." Bernier faced 23 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Reimer did practice Sunday, but he's not ready to play. "You have to be able to do your job to your fullest and right now it's a little restricted," Reimer told the Maple Leafs website. "I can't quite do everything I need to do to be successful."