Edmonton Oilers Pay Back Leafs For HNIC Whipping
By Kurt Leavins
Revenge, as they say, is sweet.
The Edmonton Oilers were clearly the best team on the ice, Monday night, although with thee greatest of respect to the Oilers, that wouldn’t have taken much. It has been a long time since I have witnessed such an un-inspired professional hockey team as this edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs. At least the Buffalo Sabres, with no talent whatsoever, appear to care. With that off my chest, lots of good to discuss for Edmonton. 9 Things;
9. Matt Fraser left Rexall Place under his own power, Monday night, after taking a terrible cheap shot to the head from Nazem Kadri. The NHL will look at the video for about 4 seconds before handing him a suspension for a wicked elbow, thrown at full speed, with his feet off the ice. How did BOTH referees miss that? I did love the response from Andrew Ference. That’s why he’s Captain.
8. When you make 28 saves and only allow one goal in an NHL game, usually you get a Star. Enough Edmonton Oilers were really good tonight, that Ben Scrivens was not rewarded in that way. But his play in the 2nd Period, in particular, held the Leafs at bay when they pushed back. It is what good goaltenders do. Yes, he’s an adventure behind his own net. But so long as he stops the puck…
7. Honestly, I admire (most) Leafs fans. It is a real testament to the loyalty that franchise demands that so many of them would show up in Rexall Place on a Monday evening in March, in a game that means nothing to nobody. Would you not want that for your franchise? Damn Straight. But that does not mean I didn’t thoroughly enjoy being in the rink as they watched their team get spanked.
6. I hope the day never comes when we take Boyd Gordon for granted. One of the best 4th Line centers in the NHL, he played 14 (mostly) hard minutes on the night, provided a little offence (3 shots), but was 15-5 in the face-off circle. That is spectacular. I’ve often said that it is hard to win games when you are constantly in retrieval mode. I’ll sleep well this summer, knowing he will be back in September.
5. I have two consistent criticisms of Martin Marincin. One, he does not play his gaps particularly well. Two, he does not use his size it’s full advantage against the cycle. Tonight, he did both really well. I hope the coaches spent a good chunk of time in the video room with him after this one, because this is how he needs to play, all of the time, to stay in the NHL.
4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had 2 assists and 2 shots in 19:01 of TOI. He is the “eyes” of what has become the best power play in the league since the All Star Break. He sees the entire ice incredibly well. But what I have really grown to appreciate is his 2-way skill. Nugent-Hopkins has become so adept at the “I’m-Just-Behind-You” stick lift. He probably does not get the credit for half of his takeaways.
3. In the early going on this season, Craig MacTavish came under a lot of criticism for his off-season acquisitions and their relative lack of success. But it’s hard to say that, today, about Benoit Pouliot. With his 2 goals tonight, he has 16 on the season. That is a career high. The Edmonton Oilers have not hit the 70-game mark yet, and Pouliot has missed 24 games due to injury. The G.M. wins this one.
2. Oscar Klefbom and Justin Schultz looked like a top pairing duo tonight. Schultz was very good, had an assist and was sound in his own end, logging 26:25 TOI. But his partner absolutely sparkled. Klefbom had a hit, 3 shots, and broke up one Leafs cycle after another. He moved the puck smartly and confidently, and tracked down Phil Kessel on a partial break like he wasn’t even trying. Klefbom, that is.
1. Jordan Eberle was the best player on the ice. He reminded me of that kid at pond hockey who is just so much better than everyone else. Eberle created constantly, and gave Leafs defenders fits all night long. His pass to Lander on the 4th goal was sublime, and I suspect Jonathan Bernier is still looking over his shoulder from the bullet Ebs beat him on for his 19th of the year. For all of you who would like to trade Jordan Eberle, keep in mind is Top 3 in scoring since the All Star Break. I guess offensive players like him just grow on trees in these parts?
At the risk of over-stating the results of a nothing game between two non-playoff teams, that was an important win for the Edmonton Oilers franchise. Having been embarrassed by the Buds on Hockey Night in Canada earlier this season, there was pride at stake. And to be able to exact a little revenge is what gave this game tonight some real meaning.
Finally, I know some of you bemoan the fact that a win like that may cost the Oilers a spot in the draft lottery. You have a right to feel that way. But there is not a player in that dressing room that gives a you-know-what about that.
And neither do I.