The Vancouver Canucks are coming off their most convincing win last night as they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-1. They will have one more game on their road trip against the Los Angeles Kings before returning home for a six-game home stand but have tonight off. That means we turn to the three-game slate tonight, involving two teams that made headlines this morning to get our hockey fix.

The Edmonton Oilers were shaking in their boots when Connor McDavid got tripped and awkwardly fell into the boards feet first. That shift would last just 37 seconds, and McDavid did not return to the game.

The worries continued as McDavid was sent back to Edmonton the next day instead of continuing to travel with the team for the final two games of their road trip. Luckily for the Oilers, he looked to avoid serious injury, and his initial timeline to return was three weeks. However, after missing just three games, McDavid will make his return tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

For the second straight season, McDavid and the Oilers struggled out of the gate. They dropped their first three games, being outscored 3-15, losing to the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames. However, once McDavid went out, they actually won their following two games against the Nashville Predators and Flames.

The Oilers now hope to continue with their refound game with their superstar centreman in the lineup against the Golden Knights team they’ve defeated in three of their last four regular season matches.

With his initial timeline, the Vancouver Canucks were slated to dodge McDavid this Saturday in Rogers Arena as they seek their playoff revenge against the Oilers. That doesn’t look to be the case with his return tonight. However, with McDavid in the lineup last season, the Canucks were able to contain him and the Oilers, outscoring them 21-7, holding the Oiler captain to three points and a minus-four rating.

The team that made all of the headlines this offseason is struggling out of the gate. The Predators made huge splashes by signing three of the biggest fishes in free agency: Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. However, that hasn’t worked as well as they imagined, as the team currently sits last in the Central division with a 4-7-1 record and a minus-12 goal differential.

Well, apparently, general manager Barry Trotz has had enough. In a radio interview on Tuesday, Trotz said, “If we don’t get it going, then I’m going to have to start our rebuild plan.”

That’s a big statement after they pushed all their chips in this summer. This roster is far too talented to start selling off assets not even halfway through November, but it might just be the kick in the behind this Predators team needs to turn their season around.

Last season, the team had planned a night out in Vegas to go see the U2 concert at the Sphere. However, after an embarrassing 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, Trotz was fed up with his teams efforts and cancelled their concert plans. How did the Predators respond? They rattled off 16 wins in their next 18 games.

The Predators look to bounce back for their GM tonight as they face off against the 8-3 Washington Capitals.

If the Predators are to continue struggling and these aren’t just hollow threats from the Predators GM, would any players be available that the Canucks might have interest in?

Looking at the forward group, Vancouver is pretty deep as is. Plus, the Predators already gave the Canucks the gift of not signing Kiefer Sherwood this summer so he could sign in Vancouver. However, defensively, especially on the right side, the Canucks need help. And the Predators might have two options up for grabs.

We spoke about Coquitlam native Dante Fabbro as a potential option as he continues to struggle to find a consistent spot in this Predators lineup. However, they also have ex-Canuck Luke Schenn on their defence corps. Now, he’s very much a defensive defenceman and less of a puck-mover, but he’s shown the ability to play with an edge and act as a protector on a pairing with Quinn Hughes. This would also allow Filip Hronek to move down and help what’s been a very much struggling Carson Soucy to start the season.

Who knows if Trotz’s words actually have legs, but if they do, the Canucks have a few options that fit the bill they’re looking for.