EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers have talked amongst themselves and in the media about fixing their slow starts. Edmonton has given up a goal in the opening two minutes of a game in four of their last six games and in two straight losses.
"We addressed it yesterday again, it's been addressed in the past," said Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot. "Hopefully, this time we can come out at the drop of the puck and be ready. We've given up some grade-A chances and have put ourselves behind the eight ball and seem to have to battle back. We'd be in much better business if we can start the game off on the right foot and not have to battle back after the first couple of minutes."
Despite the early lapses in games, Edmonton has shown an ability, throughout much of the season, to come back from those early goals.
"We find ways to get back in games and that's a good thing," said Oilers Captain Connor McDavid. "I think what you get past the first two minutes or the first five minutes, we generally play pretty well. I think that's a good sign. If we can cut out those first five minutes and play the full 20 in the opening period we'll set ourselves up for the rest of the game."'
FAST AND FURIOUS
The Oilers are a fast team, and so are the Rangers. It makes for a challenge against a team that has won six of their last seven and eight of their last 10.
"I think you just realize how fast they are," said McDavid. "They play that long-pass kind of game, blowing the zone and looking for that homerun pass. They're one of the best offensive teams in the game, if not the best one. I think we definitely have to watch out for that."
"We have to be ready to play," added forward Anton Lander. "We know the Rangers play a really fast game. They have really fast players and they try to get behind us. If we can focus to be ready when they're coming we might catch a puck and get back into it. We have to be ready to play."
ZACK ATTACK IS BACK
The Oilers get an energy boost to their lineup with Zack Kassian expected to make his return from energy. Kassian feels like he will be well rested and ready to go with no limitations.
"I'm completely healthy," said Kassian. "I only missed a week or so, so if anything I should be more rested then the guys in here and I should bring a lot of energy."
Head Coach Todd McLellan says Kassian provides a veteran, physical presence.
"He can skate. He gets up and down the ice quickly, he's a little unpredictable when he's coming at you," said McLellan. "He can be a wrecking ball, a little like Pitlick, and he has an unpredictable reputation as well. In that sense, I think he can get in and create turnovers and forecheck. He's become a better penalty killer so we missed him there. We are down to five or six penalty killers where we normally have seven. And he provides us with energy, a little get-up-and-go on the bench and we missed that a little as well."
-- Chris Wescott, edmontonoilers.com
