Hendricks gives new voice to ailing Oilers

Gritty forward settles easily into leadership role

His is a game of persistence, which is certainly something the Edmonton Oilers can use. But Matt Hendricks has also brought a new voice to the room, something else that the team can, and has, put to use.

“He’s not a guy who just talks the talk,” said Taylor Hall. “He’s going to do what he says.”

Acquired from the Nashville Predators on Jan. 15, in exchange for goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Hendricks has settled into a third-line role, alongside Boyd Gordon and Ryan Smyth — a trio which was extremely effective in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

He’s now six games into his tenure with the club, as is goaltender Ben Scrivens, who joined the team in a deal that saw the Oilers flip a thirdround draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings on the same day as the Hendricks trade.

“Right from the moment that they got there, they’ve instilled a good attitude. They’ve reiterated that there are a lot of positives here,” Hall said, “and it’s nice to have a breath of fresh air like that.”

The 29th place Oilers, on a rare two-game win streak, host the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday in what will be their final home game before the Olympic break.

Following Wednesday’s game, they roll out for a fourgame Eastern road swing that starts Saturday in Boston.

The Sharks had a six-game win streak snapped by the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, dropping a 1-0 decision to their state rivals, but have twice beaten the Oilers this season, by a combined score of 8-2.

Hendricks wasn’t around for either.