Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93), left, celebrate after his goal against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and goaltender Kevin Lankinen, second from right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) AP

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid scored in his return from a three-game suspension, and the Edmonton Oilers won 4-2 against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Place on Monday.

The Detroit Red Wings got things rolling on home ice this past week, but now they have to go back on the road for a series of tough games. The Red Wings swept their three-game homestand, beating the Montreal Canadiens,

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

The Edmonton Oilers are sitting atop the Pacific Division standings after defeating the Seattle Kraken 4-2 at Rogers Place on Monday (Jan. 27). Mattias Ekholm, Mattias Janmark, Connor McDavid and Corey Perry scored for Edmonton.

The Pacific Division is fun this season. A new leader in the Pacific Division has emerged, as the Edmonton Oilers have a 32-15-3 record with 67 points.

Shots on Goal_Seattle 12-8-8_28. Edmonton 12-11-8_31. Power-play opportunities_Seattle 0 of 4; Edmonton 0 of 1. Goalies_Seattle, Daccord 17-12-2 (30 shots-27 saves). Edmonton, Pickard 13-4-0 (28-26).

The game at Rogers Place in Edmonton begins at 6:30 p.m. PT. It will be broadcast on KONG. KONG is available for streaming through DirecTV Stream and Fubo, as well as via antenna, cable, and satellite. The game will also be broadcast on the Kraken Hockey Network. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m.

They put four important points in the bank, but those were some sloppy wins. Such is life when a team hits the dog days of January. It’s just human nature. All teams go through it.

The Oilers signed University of Alberta Golden Bear goalie Tyler Palmer to an amateur tryout so he could serve as their backup. The last time something like this happened, January 2023, the Oilers had a 7-3 win over Chicago comfortably in hand so they gave Bears goalie Matt Berlin the thrill of a lifetime and put him in the game for the final 2:26.

However, one rivalry that a couple of the Oilers' best players enjoy is against the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken haven't been in the league for a long time, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have enjoyed much success against them.

Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nathan Pilling has committed to St. Thomas, it was announced earlier this week. Pilling, who is in his first full season with the Thunderbirds, has appeared in 42 games in 2024-25,