Insider calls out Darnell Nurse for his inconsistent performance
The NHL preseason is finally over, and the Edmonton Oilers can now look ahead to the season opener on October 9th.
The Edmonton Oilers took on the Vancouver Canucks last night for a last preseason showdown. Both teams iced their starting projected rosters, and the Oilers were hoping for a slightly stronger effort. They lost by a score of 4-1 in a sleepy performance.
The team also got a decent look at what's to come regarding the Oilers second defensive pairing. Ty Emberson and Darnell Nurse are the projected starters for the season, and David Staples had some words about Darnell's play last night.
As per David Staples, his defence pairing with Ty Emberson was inconsistent. Strong start with solid puck-moving and a hard power play point slapper on net. But a moment later he was caught puck-watching and gave up too much gap to Brock Boeser, who took a pass and ripped a shot off the post. Next a step slow again to shut down a Boeser slot tip that almost beat Stuart Skinner. With the Oilers down 3-0 and their eyes half open, Nurse tried to wake them up, charging across the ice to blast Kiefer Sherwood into the boards with a hellacious hit. He was caught flat-footed late in the game as Hughes rushed it on net.
Ty Emberson, more good than bad, but some bad. Looked sharp on his first shift, moving the puck well. He won an n-zone battle to send in Podkolzin for a shot in the first. Put a shot on net early in the second that Arvidsson almost cashed in off the rebound. He was a bit loose in the zone, giving up too much gap on his check Daniel Sprong, on two early third period Grade A shots.
I think fans can cut Darnell Nurse a little bit of slack considering he's still fresh off his injury. Regardless, the Oilers will need the second defensive pairing to tighten up, or the home opener could be a gong-show.
source: Edmonton Journal
Are Edmonton Oilers hooked on the 'snooze' button? Sleepy loss to Vancouver to end pre-season
