Don’t worry, it was all part of the plan. The Oilers were always going to call up Lander for 1 game then send him back down no matter how he played. That’s just the spirit of internal competition, you see. The Oilers wanted to let everybody know they’ve been complacent by making sure there was no way the guy they recalled could possibly take the place of those who struggled.
Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Hmmm.
In any event, the bizarre treatment of Anton Lander who was recalled, played well –leading the team in shots on net, then sent back to OKC before the sweat could dry is all by design. That should apparently make everyone stop questioning the decision. “It was the plan all along.… Says the team who have masterminded the genius plan of rebuilding for the past 8 years with absolutely no sign of success.
Sure. All part of the plan.
One of the problems with keeping Lander down on the farm is that the Oilers are left with essentially just Luke Gazdic if someone were to fall ill, like say Hendricks. And look at that, this morning Hendricks woke up ill and won’t be playing in the game. In his stead will be Gazdic, and not the superior Lander. So far it has been reported that Hendricks’ illness is NOT the Mumps, but then again Sidney Crosby didn’t have the Mumps according to the Penguins and his face was mumpier than all heck.
Also part of this master plan: Getting Scrivens into a rhythm by playing the snot out of him. Ben Scrivens will be back in goal tonight despite his game breaking and soul-crushing performance against the Stars where he categorically blew the game for his team after they gave him 5 goals to work with. I believe this also flies in the face of Nelson’s bit about internal competition, but what do I know.
Ben Scrivens has appeared in 25 games this year, started 22 of them. He is 5-12-5 with an .893 save percentage. In his last 2 games his has been below .890 and pumped for 9 goals against. In total he has allowed 74 goals against. As teams, having played 32 and 34 games respectively, the Predators and the Blackhawks have allowed fewer goals against than Ben Scrivens has all by himself in 25.
The Oilers are going to get him into a rhythm and dance to that tune all the way through the McDavid sweepstakes. They’re scarcely making an effort to hide it now.
LINEUP
Hendricks out, Gazdic in, Scrivens in, Draisaitl in. The rookie needed the game off to collect his wits and see the game from above. He spoke briefly about his lack of man strength the fact that he was feeling a little fatigued but he did so in a way that didn’t sound like he was trying to find excuses. He is running out of time before the clock starts running on when he becomes a UFA and he needs to prove he belongs. I like his game and feel like a lot of the things he’s done just haven’t gone rewarded, but there’s a very good argument for sending him back to Jr.
Hall RNH Purcell Perron Gordon Eberle Yak Drasaitl Pitlick Gazdic Arco Pinizzotto
Ference Petry Klefbom Fayne Hunt Schultz
Scrivens
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Rookie Blues. As mentioned above Leon needs to get it headed in the right direction. He only has 7 points in 33 games. His shooting percentage is just 4.5% and we expect a player with his skill to be double that at least so he’s been snake bitten for sure. Draisaitl’s strengths are his passing game and his ability to protect the puck. He needs to translate those things this the offensive zone and when he does Nail Yakupov, who has also struggled greatly, needs to capitalize.
2) Keep The Ball Rolling. Offensively the Oilers were getting results (mind you against an incompetent goalie) by going hard to the net. My favourite Nelson quote was “There is no pot of gold behind the net. There is one in front though.… It’s obvious that swoop behind the net play is not among Nelson’s preferred and I’m a fan of beating that out of the team.
3) 17. That’s the number of times the Oilers have played the Coyotes this year (probably) and by now Shane Doan, the filthiest player beloved by all in the NHL, has gone home with 17 wins against the Oilers (probably). By now Arizona has to be taking the Oilers lightly and that’s just where Edmonton wants them (because taking them seriously will obviously result in another loss). Yes, Arizona, relax. Sit back and fall asleep to the sweet sounds of Jultz Jultzing. That’s it. That’s it. Shhhhhhhh.
Puck drops tonight at 6:08 PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet West. Tank On!
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