Since we’re not in team elimination territory just yet, let’s talk about the potential headlines for tonight’s game.
As of 10:30 this morning, you could say it’s Stuart Skinner’s return to the net and Calvin Pickard’s subsequent day-to-day injury. Or — and let’s be bold here — you could say there’s something else brewing in this Edmonton Oilers lineup.
Something all hockey fans — home or away — can appreciate.
A Trent Frederic-sized redemption over Nicolas Roy’s apparently unsuspendable cross-check to the face.
I say “apparently unsuspendable” because a hearing is typically followed by a few games out. But not today.
Enter the debate:
Roy was playing the puck (or trying to).
Victor Arvidsson didn’t get called, and now Brayden McNabb is out. Meanwhile, Frederic remains ready for Game Three.
It’s playoffs.
But the most interesting one yet — a missed call on the Vegas Golden Knights six years ago that still gets brought up as an “even the score” type scenario.
While battling it out in Game Seven of Round One, Cody Eakin wrongly took a five-minute major for cross-checking San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski in the head — it was really just his chest. The Sharks then scored four goals in that five-minute window, effectively eliminating a 3–0 Vegas lead.
Game over, season ended, grudge still to be had.
Thing is, I doubt the Oilers care.
Instead, what likely would’ve been a suspendable offence two months ago is now deemed ok based on the defence of “hey man, I was just trying to play the puck.”
“Obviously, just looking at the play, I think the puck kind of went in the air there,” argued Roy post-morning skate. “It happens so quick, right? The puck was head-high, and I was trying to put it back in the corner.
“Never had the intention of even cross-checking him. I’m happy to see he’s not injured, but again, I think it’s just an accident, an unfortunate play. I never intended to cross-check him.”
And if you believe that, then alright. What matters tonight, though, is that the Oilers — particularly the Evander Kanes, Corey Perrys, and even Frederics of the group — might not.
And if they don’t, fans could (should) expect some Josh Anderson/Tom Wilson-type stuff.
An “even the score” type of game. But not the actual score — the Oilers still have to play some serious hockey to keep Vegas on their toes.
Still, there are ways to make a quick play that might have otherwise been forgone under different circumstances.
Anyone remember a Quinn Hughes pancake dished by Perry after Connor McDavid’s suspension?
The team played it cool, and they’ll play it cool now — especially to us media.
“Like, anything, you just get hit,” added Frederic in a very nonchalant manner. “It’s a quick little thing. And I’m all good. My face is pretty good, so I got lucky there.”
How lucky, exactly?
“(It) just caught me right between the nose and the teeth. So I’m either missing my front row or my nose. I got lucky.”
Lucky or not, this is still the NHL, and those plays don’t stand. Should we be expecting some fallout?
Edmonton Oilers Expected Lines
Draisaitl – McDavid – Perry
Kane – RNH – Hyman
Frederic – Henrique – Brown
Podkolzin – Janmark – Arvidsson
Nurse – Bouchard
Walman – Klingberg
Kulak – Emberson
S. Skinner
Rodrigue
Pickard is labelled as day-to-day per Kris Knoblauch.
