Oilers Game 10: Nashville Predators

Well, I can’t give the usual rant I have about the Oilers losing due to a lack of effort. They were the better team on Thursday, just really unlucky. Evan Bouchard had a hat trick of goalposts hit, and too many fluky bounces didn’t find their way into the net. But they couldn’t get a timely save, and the Stars were able to capitalize on bad on-ice decisions. You can’t ask for more than 49 shots, but the voodoo of playing against a backup goalie doomed the Oilers again. Sam Gagner at least made it a game in his second career return to Edmonton. They were down 4-1 with half a period left to play, and he scored two goals to get them within one. He was pumped to get on the board, and it looked like he was turning his “eight game point night” mode on for a moment. He even threw a couple of hits. When you watch a 5′ 11″ forward coming back from double hip surgery play a physical game and score a pair of goals by driving the net, there is no excuse for any player over 6′ playing well below his size. No one expects Gagner to score in every game, but he might be the spark their bottom six needs. They’ve been missing it without Klim Kostin.

Saturday would’ve been Connor Brown’s tenth game of the season, activating the ten game bonus he signed during the offseason. It hasn’t been said he’ll be out long-term. So when he inevitably plays his tenth game this year, the Oilers will have an extra $3.25M count against the cap next season. As bitter as Oilers fans have been about this team’s start, Brown is probably the only forward who has warranted patience. He only played the first four games of last season due to injury. Of course, he needed time to settle in. Hopefully, when he comes back, he’ll have no problem producing. His injury does mean that Philip Broberg has been sent down to the AHL, and Raphael Lavoie has been brought up. The last game of Edmonton’s four game homestand is an afternoon game, another Oilers voodoo. The keys to the game are…

Bounce Back Between The Pipes: We know Edmonton plays their best hockey against Nashville. Juuse Saros especially would like a few meetings back. But I don’t expect him to be as bad as the first meeting this season. He’s still one of the best goalies in the league. The Oilers need to attack as much as they did on Thursday. They also need some more luck on their side around the net.

Limit Mistakes: In the first period against Dallas, a lousy pinch by a veteran defenseman led to a goal against. Then, in the second period, a bad line change by a much younger defenseman led to a goal against. Yes, you need your goalie to make a save, and I don’t exempt criticism of Edmonton’s goalies right now. But untimely plays have had a habit of killing this team, too.

First NHL Game: Fans have wanted Raphael Lavoie on the team since training camp. He’s had a great start in Bakersfield with 7 points in his first five games. He should at least see third line minutes with Ryan McLeod and Dylan Holloway.