It is hard to imagine that it is actually possible, but the Oilers could end up tied with or even ahead of the Flames in the standings by the end of next week, but they will need to finish the year strong. Edmonton is actually 6 points behind the Flames, who have been in a total freefall, losing their last 7 games.

Tonight’s game will be the final installment of the Battle of Alberta for the season. The Oilers have won 3 of the 4 meetings between these two clubs in 2017-2018. It’s always special when these teams meet, even when the two clubs are already eliminated from the post-season. The meeting of these clubs gives us a reason to care late in a lost season. I’ll take it.

Calgary’s last win was the 1-0 victory over Edmonton. Since then, the Flames have been outscored 33-8 in these past 7 games, having been shut out 3 times in that span. Gulutzan’s Flames are in a world of hurt right now and they would love nothing more than getting back on track by sticking it to the Oilers.

For Edmonton, the biggest hurdle for this team to overcome will be their Head Coach, Todd McLellan, intentionally tanking the season. McLellan tipped his hand in the last game when he removed Puljujarvi late in the game and replaced him with Caggiula then put Lucic on the ice with the net empty. The Oilers head coach has no intention of winning games.

It’s really the only conclusion we can come to if we remove the possibility that McLellan is a simpering idiot. Frankly, the NHL should be punishing teams that play Milan Lucic with the net empty. The NBA wont even let you talk about tanking, let alone actually throwing games like that.

Milan Lucic has just a single goal in his last 42 games (since Christmas). In fact, he has just 8 points, which is actually less then ADAM LARSSON in that same time. Yes. The Oilers would be better served playing stay-at-home defender and stick optional player Adam Larsson with the net empty than Milan Lucic.

Lucic since Christmas has produced 0.63 P/60 over 560+ minutes of 5v5 hockey. 153 forwards have played at least 500 minutes of hockey since Christmas – Milan Lucic has been the worst offensively out of them all and it’s not even that close. Playing him in any offensive situation is McLellan spitting on the face of the fans and making a mockery of the league.

That alone is more than enough for any coach to be fired, fined, tarred, and feathered, but his continued bizarre treatment of Puljujarvi compared to Drake Caggiula is added fuel to this raging fire. Let’s keep looking at the team since Christmas. In these past 42 games Drake Caggiula has fewer points, fewer points per 60 minutes, and significantly worse outcomes than Jesse Puljujarvi in almost every possible metric. And that’s while Caggiula has been gifted top 6 ice time and Puljujarvi has been strapped to Lucic and Strome.

And don’t give me any garbage about Strome being good now. He’s a 35 point 3C, no different than he was at the beginning of the year.

Caggiula has a pretty wide lead on the rest of the Oilers for the worst possession forward on the team. He’s also objectively worse of an offensive threat than Puljujarvi, Kassian, and Khaira. And yet the coach loves his pet and continues to throw NHL games by playing him ahead of all the aforementioned skaters.

I don’t mind watching losing hockey. I am and Oilers fan, after all. However, I don’t enjoy seeing a 4th overall pick who should be part of the future of this team getting railroaded by a coach who would rather play someone who ought to be in the AHL.

Fire McLellan.

LINEUP

Bear was scratched before the last game but indications are that he will return tonight. RNH missed practice, but I’m sure he will be in the game.

RNH McDavid Rattie
Caggiula Draisaitl Aberg
Lucic Strome Puljujarvi
Slepyshev Khaira Kassian

Nurse Larsson
Sekera Benning
Russell Bear

Talbot

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

1) Bear Back. The Oilers sat their young defender after they thought he needed a break from the rigor of an NHL schedule and could use the opportunity to see the game from up top. As much as I dislike the game being played by a couple current Oiler defenders, I don’t disagree with the need for Bear to reset himself. He was getting killed in the possession game, even if he was showing his own offensive abilities. That’s going to get cleaned up as he works on his speed and positioning. He can make a pass and play with offensive players. They are skills he already possesses. We should see him geeked up for his return to the lineup.

2) Uneven Secondary. Edmonton’s weird and uneven secondary scoring burned them against Vancouver. Milan Lucic had a few chances but his cursed season continues and the big man failed to convert. Leon Draisiatl is on a deserted island with Aberg and Caggiula as his wingers. Aberg has just 2 settings: Fantastic and Invisible. Caggiula is the worst forward on the team not named Lucic. Fair or not, the pressure is on the Draisaitl line to accomplish something every night. It’s why he’s getting paid $8.5M per season. He’s 2 away from 70 points. I think he’ll get there.

3) BOA. Let’s see these teams leave it all on the ice tonight. Blood, sweat, and tears are the name of the game. Connor McDavid is still within spitting distance of the Rocket Richard race, which is incredible since he didn’t even start to try for that until February. He’s going to be moving at full speed. The team is desperate for a few players to wake up and finish on a positive note. The Flames are looking to end this embarrassing streak of failure. There’s one last week left in the year. Everyone wants to end strong.

Puck drops tonight at 8Pm Mountain Time on HNIC. Game On!

Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy

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