Based on the way things went against the Kings I’d say it was a solid decision to wait one more game before giving Klefbom and Fasth their first starts in Oiler uniforms. Getting completely dominated by LA is definitely not the first memory the club wants Oscar to have of his time as an Oiler. Normally games against the Wild are best forgotten but I think the young Swede will remember this one for a while.
We hope that long term Klefbom can be a big part of the solution in Edmonton but those hopes being pinned on such a young player is incredibly unfair. Despite the hype on this player he hasn’t shown much offense even at the American League level and he really only turned a corner after Christmas. I want to believe he’s the real deal but I’ve been burned enough times by young defensemen to know the expectations I already have for him are too high.
The Oilers will do their best to make his landing in the NHL as soft as possible and that means pairing him with the most experienced blueliner they have, the Captain. So Ference will play the right side of the ice and Klefbom will take his natural left side. I don’t know what kind of assignments they can expect but since they are on the Road it will be difficult to avoid whomever the Wild want to match them up with.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LOSING
As Oiler fans, we know a little bit about the topic of losing. At first it was difficult to take. I was fired up between 2007 and 2010 but I’ve gotten used to it. I really have. I’m not happy with the state of the Oilers and sometimes I lose my cool but on the whole I’m much calmer about the subject.
That said, watching others go through the pains of seeing their favourite teams lose (I mean really lose) still brings me great joy. Seeing Toronto collapse in playoffs was amazing but I think you have to live outside of the center of the Universe to really understand why that is. However, nothing will scratch the itch better than watching the Canucks transition into the train wreck they are becoming. The descent has been so much more satisfying than I ever imagined it could be.
If you want to get your daily dose of Schadenfreude then please give
this post a good read. The passion there is incredible and it really reminds me of how I felt when losing as often as the Oilers have was still new.
LINEUPS
The coach confirmed it, Fasth and Klefbom will make their debuts tonight. You might have been wondering when you read above that Ference would be playing the right side, “But who will Schulz play with?” Well all indications, and I think you may want to sit down for this, point to Fraser being Justin Schultz’ partner.
I’ll give you a minute to pick up the pieces of the monitor or mobile device you just threw against the wall.
Yes. THAT Fraser will apparently be playing with Justin Schultz. What does that mean? It means we’re in for a long night of wondering “Why would they do that?”
Hall Gagner Perron
Yak RNH Eberle
Hendricks Gordon Joensuu
Gazdic Smyth Jones
Fraser Schultz
Marincin Petry
Klefbom Ference
Fasth
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Simple Defense. I direct that comment at the pairing of Schultz and Fraser. Fraser is incapable of handling the assignment of playing on the top pair. He is overmatched by the opposition, can’t play the number of minutes required, and is too slow to support a freewheeling Justin Schultz. The only way that pairing isn’t a disaster is if they try to do as little as possible beyond simple defense. Schultz pinches and leaves Fraser alone? Goal against. Fraser decides to wander 40 feet to make a hit? Goal against.
2) Fasth Start. I had to write it. You knew that was coming. He hasn’t played well in the games he appeared in this year but he was injured and apparently completely healthy now. So let’s see what this guy is all about. There’s good reason to believe he can push for the starting job if he’s on his game.
3) Be Leaders. I agree with the basics of what Hemsky said the other day. It’s time for the kids to lead this team to the playoffs. Ok, the Playoffs are dead, but you get the drift. It’s time for Hall, Eberle, and RNH to put the pressure of winning and losing right on their backs. There’s too much floating, not enough fighting going on.
Puck drops at 6:08PM Mountain Time on TSN. Game On!
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