Oilers coach Knoblauch makes gutsy decision to sit two veteran forwards
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers have been battling through a slump since the 4 Nations Faceoff break, and in last night's game Coach Knoblauch started to make some tough choices to sit veterans Corey Perry and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Coach Knoblauch hasn't shied away from bold decisions with his lineups since joining the Oilers, and benching some veterans is certainly one of those bold choices that gets the attention of the team.
Coach Knoblauch benches two Oilers veterans in last night's game
After a few mistakes from the two veteran forwards in last night's game, Coach Knoblauch reduced the ice time of both Perry and Nugent-Hopkins.
Nuge after this giveaway had his minutes peeled back, Corey Perry after his penalty in the third period had his peeled back as well. Coach Knoblauch is coaching a little desperate, but I don't mind the idea of where you're Nuge, whether you're Perry - accountability.
It's a tough decision with well-respected vets, but a message needs to be sent. Any player, including the veterans and the players at the top of the lineup, have to bring their best or they will be held accountable.
Both Nugent-Hopkins and Perry even had great games last night, and actually both had more ice time than their previous games. Nugent-Hopkins had a three point night, and Corey Perry is having an incredible year with 23 points in 66 games.
Still, Knoblauch is sending messages where he can to demand the absolute the best from his lineup, and to coach for a win every game.
Come the playoffs, Knoblauch will need to roll with any player that can give him the best chance of winning a game. It's great to adopt that style of coaching before the playoffs, get the players ready, and get ready for playoff style hockey down the stretch.
| POLL | ||
MARS 17 | 505 ANSWERS Oilers coach Knoblauch makes gutsy decision to sit two veteran forwards Do you think the Oilers shouldn't be afraid to bench any veteran players? | ||
| Yes | 355 | 70.3 % |
| No | 150 | 29.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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