Since we last saw the Edmonton Oilers…
IN: Ryan Smyth, Eric Belanger, Ben Eager, Darcy Hordichuk, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Cam Barker, Andy Sutton
OUT: Andrew Cogliano, Kurtis Foster, Colin Fraser, J.F. Jacques, Steve MacIntyre, Sheldon Souray, Zack Stortini, Jim Vandermeer
Oilers Lineup:
Hall-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle
Smyth-Horcoff-Jones
Paajarvi-Belanger-Gagner
Eager-Lander-Petrell
Smid-Gilbert
Petry-Potter
Peckham-Teubert
Khabibulin
Kings Lineup:
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Parse-Richards-Brown
Penner-Stoll-Richardson
Clifford-Lewis-Moreau
Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Martinez-Greene
Quick
Oh, the memes are swirling thick and fast out there today! Let me sum up: Dustin Penner is motivated but will never score again, Colten Teubert is mad for no reason, Ryan Smyth is good this October like every October but this time it’s different, the trade that the fans demanded is embraced by GM like it was his idea, goaltending outliers that no one is looking at too closely for either team are helping rabble rabble.
Is that clear?
Kings fans are angsting about goals per game, but the Oilers are ranked even lower. (Now watch this be a high scoring affair.)
The Oilers have played many games at home, and Renney has taken every opportunity to give Smyth’s line the toughest assignments and shelter the everloving heck out of Hall and RNH. Will Terry Murray be able to exploit this, or will he just send out the fourth line? Watch the matchups tonight.
Lord deliver us from the narratives. Amen.