Team seeks consistency from shaky Brossoit

Laurent Brossoit will get the opportunity to steady his ship Wednesday when he starts against the Philadelphia Flyers.

There had been some online chatter about the Edmonton Oilers going in a different direction after Brossoit gave up four goals in 7:16 (eight shots) in the third period Saturday against Calgary, but that won’t be the case.

Head coach Todd McLellan says Brossoit’s overall performances have been good, it’s just the brief and costly lapses that need to be fixed.

“He’s had some really good stretches,” said McLellan.

“And then some moments, and they’re not very long moments, not a game or two games long, it’s just a fraction of games, where he’s got to remain focused and stay in it and provide us with the ordinary save.

“He’s made some extraordinary saves, particularly against Toronto. Those are very much appreciated because those are severe breakdowns on our behalf. But the ordinary save is the one we’re looking for as well and we have confidence he can do that.”

CONNOR SICKDAVID

Oilers captain Connor McDavid has been felled by illness twice in the last two weeks, but the team says there isn’t any cause for concern.

There is simply a bug going through the team right now and being weakened by the first illness left McDavid more susceptible to this one.

“It was two completely different things,” said McLellan. “The second one has gone through our team.”

McDavid, who didn’t practice on Monday, looks a little thin, but says he’s feeling better.

“Definitely frustrating,” he said. “Nothing you can really do though. I appreciate the training staff and coaching staff giving me a couple of days (off ) to try and feel like myself again.”

HEATING UP

Milan Lucic has been all over the scoresheet lately, putting up eight points in the last eight games.

“He’s been really good,” said McLellan, adding his increased presence extends beyond the ice. “He’s been good on the bench and in the locker-room as well. His leadership skills are coming through right now.”

Lucic went to the first line with McDavid six games ago and hit the ice running.

They’ve been a good fit with Jesse Puljujarvi, who is also trending up.

INJURY UPDATES

While Cam Talbot looks like he’ll be on schedule for a return next week, defenceman Adam Larsson might have taken a step backward.

“(Talbot) will likely get on the ice a little later this week,” said McLellan. “We’ll see how he’s feeling at that point. He’s walking around and feels great, but it’s just some of the movements he has to make (playing goal) that affect him or could slow down the healing process.”

As for Larsson, the Oilers won’t say what his injury is, only that it isn’t progressing as well as they’d hoped. “Lars is going to be longer than we thought,” said McLellan.