UP 2-1, OILERS WILL NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR GAME 4
McLellan’s motivational skills tested as Edmonton tries to stave off complacency
A pat on the back or kick in the arse? Carrot or stick? United Airlines-style re-accommodation or gentle reaffirmation?
Just three ways to consider the one choice the Oilers coaching staff will make on erstwhile offensive winger Jordan Eberle as they head into Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
Some upset fans would opt for the harshest treatment. It’s easy to do from where they sit.
The coaches have to tailor their approach to the individual so it benefits the team. Eberle is a goal-scorer, and they come in handy when offence is at a premium. Sounds like a carrot.
But they can’t be thinking longterm in the playoffs, even with a 2-1 series lead. That’s a luxury only the regular season affords them. Sounds like a kick in the butt.
But they don’t want to show any signs of panic and rush a bunch of Black Aces into the lineup. At 2-1, there isn’t supposed to be a dark cloud over their heads. Sounds like a pat on the back.
So, yes, it’s a dance, and we don’t know yet who will partner with whom because the Oilers didn’t practise Monday. We do know there will be changes to the depth chart.
“It’s about getting them the next win. So will we move players around in a motivational way, trying to get something out of them? Yes, we’ll do that,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “We’re looking for responses probably from three or four different guys. And if we can get those, we’ll be in good shape.”
Eberle is most certainly one of those players. Another would be Milan Lucic. They struggled defensively in Game 3, along with Connor McDavid. They were all on the ice for two late goals from the Ryan Kesler line, which has hounded McDavid on and off through three games. Those soul-crushing snipes salted away the 6-3 win for Anaheim.
“It’s frustrating that we didn’t capitalize on our chances; we each had a couple of good looks,” said Eberle. “The biggest thing is the other side of the puck and we got scored on twice at the end. We can’t have that.”
When poor defence is married with a lack of offence, and it permeates the lineup, a loss can certainly be expected. Given that McLellan is looking for a response from three or four Oilers in Game 4, and assuming most are forwards, it’s easy to add names beneath those of Eberle and Lucic.
Benoit Pouliot is pointless. In nine playoff games. He kills penalties and wins the odd faceoff. Not enough. Zack Kassian doesn’t have a point in this series. David Desharnais has one assist. Those are veteran players with previous post-season experience. They have to be better.
So, what to do? It makes some sense and fits with past behaviour for the Oilers to put McDavid back with Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon to start Game 4. It’s what they did after some desperation tinkering in the 7-0 humiliation in San Jose in the first round and it worked out.
Something should be done to reward the improving play of fourth-line right-winger Anton Slepyshev. He created all kinds of chances in Game 1, was quieter in Game 2 and scored a big goal during the Game 3 comeback. The risks are obvious, since Slepyshev is a 22-year-old playoff rookie, but he’s making a case for more ice time. If that means promotion for him and demotion for Eberle, it’s worth a try early in Game 4.
And that would mean changes for the second line, where centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is getting stronger, with two assists, an even rating and seven shots this series, all while trying to check Ryan Getzlaf.
His wingers are another story. After a big opening game, Lucic has just one assist in the last eight. That’s hard to imagine for a solid NHL veteran who sees plenty of power play time.
Eberle has one assist, four shots and is minus-four in this series. He’s a playoff rookie who is trying to find his way through the maze, and has been struggling mightily to produce offence while playing against the Sharks’ and now the Ducks’ best offensive units. When the Oilers win, it’s easy to look elsewhere. When they lose as horribly as they did Sunday, it’s impossible to hide his lack of production.
“It’s frustrating when you’re not putting the puck in the net, but we’re winning hockey games,” he said after Game 3. “We’re doing something right. Obviously, you want to contribute in that area, and I know it will come.”
He has 17 shots on goal in the playoffs. Another one caromed off Maroon’s skate and then Anaheim goalie John Gibson’s stick for the winning goal in Game 2.
To change his fortunes, Eberle needs to win more one-on-one battles on the boards and head more often for the dirty areas of the ice. And we all know how unpleasant that can be, especially in the playoffs.
But getting the stick from Anaheim defenceman Josh Manson would surely beat the alternative.
It’s frustrating when you’re not putting the puck in the net, but we’re winning hockey games. We’re doing something right.