Preview: Oilers at Penguins PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Two teams looking to climb out of early-season holes will meet when Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. Both clubs enter with sub-.500 records. The Oilers (15-17-0) have shown recent signs of life, while the Penguins (14-17-0) are mired in a prolonged slump. Edmonton arrives after a decisive 6-3 road victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. McDavid led the charge with two goals and an assist, continuing a torrid offensive stretch. The Oilers captain has recorded 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in his last 10 games, powering an offense that has scored four or more goals in five of its last six contests. “When he’s playing like that, he drives everything for us,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said of McDavid. “We’re feeding off that energy.” In contrast, Pittsburgh has lost five straight (0-4-1), including a 5-4 overtime defeat to Utah on Sunday. The Penguins have struggled to close out games, with three of those losses coming in overtime or a shootout. “We’re finding ways to not win right now,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. “The effort is there, but the details and the finish have to be better.” A bright spot during the slide has been the play of forward Justin Brazeau. He scored twice in the loss to Utah and has emerged as a physical presence on the Penguins’ bottom six. The matchup features a stark contrast in momentum. Edmonton has won four of its last five, averaging 5.2 goals per game in that span. Pittsburgh has secured just one standings point in its last five outings and has been outscored 22-14 during the skid. Goaltending will be a key factor. The Oilers’ surge has coincided with improved defensive play, while the Penguins have allowed four or more goals in four consecutive games. Historically, games between these teams have been high-scoring affairs, and with McDavid in peak form and Pittsburgh desperate for a win, another offensive showcase is anticipated. The Penguins will need to contain Edmonton’s top line, centered by McDavid with Leon Draisaitl, to snap their losing streak. The Oilers continue a four-game road trip, while the Penguins open a brief two-game homestand before heading back on the road. Game time is 7 p.m. EST.