The Edmonton Oilers start their post season tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. After a couple years of not making it out of the first round or the play-in rounds. This is a year they have to make it out of the first round. Losing is not an option.
The Kings are a team the Oilers should be able to beat. Going 3-1-0 against Los Angeles Kings in the regular season has proven that the Oilers have to ability to beat them. So if they lose again in the first round there will need to be changes.
If they lose, I don’t see how the franchise cannot stay status quo. Some people in the organize will be getting replaced. Whether it be Ken Holland or even Bob Nicholson. These two people have the most influence in what happens on the ice. They have made the decisions on most of the players and the coaches.
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If the Edmonton Oilers goalies are the main issue, then that is Ken Holland fault. He knew there was a goaltending issue that last two off-season’s, but hasn’t made any changes. Yes he tried to bring in upgrades, but trying isn’t good enough.
This also goes both ways. As a fan if Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen take this team on a run we need to give Holland credit. He stood by his goalies all season, and said that the goalies need to figure out their issues. In the last bit of the season that was the case.
On the player side of things, bringing in veteran defenseman Duncan Keith was questioned by many. If he is able to keep this team focused on a run the extra cap he has will be well worth it if they have a parade through downtown.
We also need to have realistic hopes for this team. Should they beat the LA Kings? Yes they should. The Oilers are the better team. Should they beat the Calgary Flames in the second round? That is a tighter match-up, because most would say Calgary is the better team and its hard to argue that.
That is why in my opinion I don’t need this team to go on a long playoff run. I just need them to win a round. If the Edmonton Oilers can get past the Kings this playoffs would be a success anything else would be a bonus.