Edmonton Oilers rookie defenceman Matt Benning impressed in the team’s 7-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday to force Game 7.
With Oscar Klefbom and Andrej Sekera out of the lineup, Benning moved up to the second defensive pairing and afirst power-play unit for Game 6. The 22-year-old played a team-high 23:38 against the Ducks in Game 6 and set up Mark Letestu for his second goal of the game.
Head Coach Todd McLellan said Benning made a smooth transition from the NCAA to the NHL during the regular season. That strong play has carried his strong play over into the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
“Benning has been tremendous,” McLellan told Oilers TV following practice Tuesday. “He’s a young fellow who has learned a lot this season. Not only about the game and how to play the position. He was very good at that to begin with, but just the ups and downs of a long year.”
When the Oilers signed Benning as a college free-= agent in August, it was generally viewed as a depth signing. It would just give the Bakersfield Condors some help on the blueline. However, Benning spent just two games in the AHL before being recalled to Edmonton and has been a regular in the lineup ever since.
Benning had three goals and 15 points with a plus-8 rating in 62 games this year. The Alberta native can make excellent tape-to-tape stretch passes up to the forwards and gets shots through from the point, which could see him supplant Sekera on the second power-play unit in the future.
At 6-foot, 200-pounds, Benning isn’t a big player, but he’s not afraid to play physical. He can be a punishing hitter and has caught several players around the league off guard this season with his ability to deliver a punishing open ice body check.
Benning has only scratched the surface as an NHL defenceman and appears to have top-four potential. The son of former Oiler Brian Benning, he knows the team’s history and his role in the organization. And he will go to work with the team Wednesday to help bring them a step closer to the Cup.