BREAKING: Oilers better prepare to face Ducks' improved defensive squad in crucial game 7

The Edmonton Oilers blew apart the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6, a powerful response to the last-minute collapse that cost Edmonton Game 5. McDavid and his Oilers will be looking to do so again in Game 7, but the Ducks will likely get a defensive boost to help them stem Edmonton’s scoring tide.

Veteran two-way center Nate Thompson and defenseman Kevin Bieksa should both be in the lineup for Game 7 in Anaheim.

Bieksa has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since May 9^th, costing him all but the first game of this series against the Oilers. The right-shooting 35-year-old was skating in practice this morning, and is expected to return to the lineup for tonight’s elimination game.

Thompson hasn’t missed any time so far, logging about 10 minutes of ice time per night. When he missed Tuesday’s skate, there was much speculation that the 32-year-old was injured, especially with young AHL center Sam Carrick skating with the Ducks. Thompson was back on the ice today however, and could suit up again for the Ducks.

Edmonton was allowed to run and gun unchecked throughout all of Game 6, and most of Game 5 to be honest, so the Ducks need to find a way to silence the Oilers' big guns. It's hard to say if veteran defensive players will be able to keep up with Edmonton's speedy young scorers however.

Bieksa and Thompson will do their best to keep tabs on the Oilers offence, a solid defensive game from the Ducks will be required if they want to try and keep the upstarts in Edmonton from advancing to the Western Conference Finals.