Clogging up the ice -- an NHL directive; Gameday: Oilers @ Red Wings

Oil Droppings: Clogging up the ice -- an NHL directive

An insightful post by Bruce.



It's time for the Stortini to take a step up and exert his physical play on the Detroit Red Wings. Yes, you Stortini.

Boulerice wasn't particularly effective against Colorado the other night, but then again, he didn't exactly play a whole lot of minutes either. He looked good with Stortini but I would bet Stortini would still continue to play well without him in the lineup - the Red Wings don't have and don't need an enforcer and Boulerice has demonstrated in the past that he doesn't know how to throw a bodycheck so he will be useless against the wings. Stortini forechecks and backchecks and has decent footspeed so I expect Brodziak will draw into the lineup.

Tonight the ability to roll 4 lines will be key to not being tired out by a relentless Red Wings team that dosen't take the pedal off the metal. The Red Wigns can easily roll 4 lines every night - 4 effective lines the Oilers will have to neutralize.

That being said, we usually lose stinkers to teams like Toronto but for some reason we always perform well in contests against the Red Wings and Rangers... of all teams. I expect it to be a close game but I can't guarantee that I feel good about our chances of winning.

We'll have to see.

If the hockey gods are on his side, Stortini will score a goal tonight. Another guy I will be watching is Liam Reddox, to see if he will keep bringing the blood and vinegar to the lineup.

Ty Conklin starts for Detroit and Dwayne Roloson for Edmonton.