The set-up: Many feel as if Connor McDavid is Sidney Crosby,'s "successor," as the NHL's best and biggest star. McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy (most points) plus is the NHL's reigning MVP (Hart Trophy), although Crosby's Penguins won a second straight Stanley Cup title last year, with Crosby winning a second straight Conn Smyther Trophy, as well. Crosby (30) and McDavid (20) will be the clear headliners Tuesday night when the (2-5-0) Oilers meet the 5-3-1 Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. However, Edmonton comes in having dropped five of its last six since an opening night win, while ranking last in the Western Conference in scoring with an average of 2.00 goals per game. The two-time defending champion Penguins are last in goals allowed (4.33) and are coming off a 7-1 beating at Tampa Bay, prompting coach Mike Sullivan to call his team "flawed."

Edmonton: McDavid has three goals and eight points in the first seven games but after opening the season with a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Calgary, he has not scored since and Edmonton managed just two goals or fewer five times in the past six games. After squeezing out a 2-1 overtime win at Chicago on Thursday, the Oilers lost in Philadelphia by an identical score two days later after coughing up the winning goal with just over two minutes to play. "We're cleaning up the defensive part of our game, which is a start for us," head coach Todd McLellan told reporters. "But now we've got to get the offensive part going." Edmonton could get a boost with the potential return of center Leon Draisaitl (concussion) and winger Drake Caggiula (undisclosed injury). Both practiced yesterday but still need medical clearance to play.

Pittsburgh: Crosby is tied with Evgeni Malkin for the team scoring lead with 10 points but was held off the scoresheet for the second time in Saturday's 7-1 drubbing by the Lightning. Pittsburgh had won three in a row, all by one goal, before getting thumped in Tampa. The team's defensive woes are real, as that loss marked the fifth straight time and seventh in nine games Pittsburgh has allowed at least three goals. The Penguins have seen enough of back-up goalie Antti Niemi nd he was placed on waivers after he fell to 0-3-0 with a 7.49 goals-against average. The Penguins could dress freshly recalled rookie Casey DeSmith as the backup to goaltender Matt Murray.

The pick: Each team comes in with issues but a McDavid/Crosby showdown somewhat overshadows it all. That duo could "put on a show," or we could have a dud! My bet says Pittsburgh rises to the challenge, as a team. Make the Penguins a 10* play.