The Oilers prepare to take on the Florida Panthers tonight for the 2nd time this month, but they best not be looking at old tape or taking this team lightly because things have changed since they last met. After the loss to the Oilers the Panthers underwent wholesale changes at the coaching position (losing to the Oilers is apparently unacceptable). Since that point they’ve got themselves onto a bit of a roll and now they’ve won 3 of their last 4 games. Tonight, like the Oil, they can make it 3 in a row.
Yes, this Panthers squad has taken Wins from the Ducks, Colorado, and most recently Vancouver. Between the new coaching Philosophy and the return of Tim Thomas these sun cats have found a way to be competitive against much better teams than the Oilers, so let’s hope that the good guys don’t take them lightly. The 7-0 game against Columbus also sets this team up for some false confidence and lowered guards. They need to remember that fast legs and determination won them that game against the Blue Jackets.
It’s no surprise to any regular reader that I disagree with the decision to keep Arcobello off the roster in favour of Will Acton, but a performance by the team like we just saw punches Acton’s ticket to the next game. The Coach has said that the same lineup will dress again tonight, barring injury, as he sees no reason to mess with a good thing. Generally, I would say that a team can always get better and tweaks can always be made, but winning 7-0 and limiting the opposition to just 14 shots deserves a reward, and that prize will be keeping the same lineup.
The same goes for Dubnyk. I don’t have faith in Devan Dubnyk as the future #1 of the Oilers in 2014-2015 and onward, but a Shutout is a shutout. It’s a free pass to the next start no matter what the plan was going to be. Yes, it messes things up and means that the next available start for Bryzgalov is against the Blackhawks, but that’s Mr. Universe’s problem. And I would play Bryz against the Blackhawks if not for anything but to continue to challenge Dubnyk to be better. It’s obvious that he needs someone to challenge him for starts. It’s a shame, but it’s obvious.
While we’re on the topic of rising to the challenge, how about the play of Nail Yakupov? He was put/put himself under the gun because of comments to the media about his ice time and was forced to answer questions about it at a time when he probably wasn’t doing enough on the ice to warrant more ice time. Since then he’s started to play the way he is capable of playing and with the passion we all knew was there. David Perron had 4 points in the Columbus game but I thought that Yak was the most electric player on the ice. When this young man skates the way he can it is a real pleasure to watch. Adding him to the 5 forward Power Play was the smartest/easiest move Eakins has made so far.
LINEUPS
The Oilers have placed big man and nuclear deterrent Steve MacIntyre on waivers today. He hurt himself in his first pre-season game action with the team and was promptly replaced with Luke Gazdic who has proven to be able to play a regular shift on the 4th line. He may be picked up, and I hope he does because the Oilers don’t need to waste a contract on a fighter who will never get to play. The team on the ice will be the same one that played against the Blue Jackets.
Hall RNH Eberle
Yak Gagner Hemsky
Smyth Gordon Perron
Gazdic Acton Joensuu
Belov J. Schultz
Ference Petry
N. Schultz Potter
Dubnyk
As mentioned above, the Panthers are surging a bit and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Brad Boyes has 8 goals on the season to lead them in that department and Brian Campbell leads them in scoring in general. He continues to provide excellent play from the backend. I never think he gets enough recognition for the good hockey he plays because he’s doing it in Florida, but he is a good player. I would love to see him in Oiler silks. Huberdeau has outscored Yakupov in their short careers by a total of 3 points, 42 to Yak’s 39. The difference? Huberdeau is averaging 17:45 a night with the Panthers and Yakupov is averaging just 15:24.
Upshall Barkov Boyes
Fleischmann Bjugstad Huberdeau
Winchester Goc Kopecky
Hayes Mathias Barch
Campbell Gilbert
Kulikov Gudbranson
Gilroy Mottau
Thomas
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Don’t Let Your Guard Down. The Panthers have played well as of late and this is not “Guaranteed Win Night.” They cant allow a big win from a couple of days ago turn into lazy play tonight. Much like Canucks coach John Tortorella said, it’s about Respect. You have to respect Florida if you want to beat them.
2) Move Those Feet. It’s one of the things they did well against Columbus. They were constantly moving their feet. When the Oilers skate with the 3 offensive lines that they have, there are few teams that can keep up. That’s what this skilled team was assembled to do. It’s how they will win games.
3) Support The Defense. This is not just about getting back to help defend against the rush, this is about supporting the D when it’s time to break out too. The forwards cant get too far ahead of the defense on the breakouts because the team just doesn’t have the horses back there to keep up. More support on the breakouts mean faster cleaner zone exits.
Puck drops tonight at 7:38PM Mountain time on Sportsnet. Game On!
MOVEMBER UPDATE
The stache is coming in better now. Someone actually told me that in a few weeks it might even seem “Normal”. Doubtful. Check out my page at
www.mobro.co/MattHendersonHB
Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy 
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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