The Edmonton Oilers expressed complete confidence in both Jussi Markkanen and Ty Conklin, but after Wednesday’s Game 2, the question should be: How much confidence does Markkanen have in the Oilers?
Markkanen got the surprise start in place of the injured Dwayne Roloson and did all anyone could ask of him. It was his teammates who took the night off in a 5-0 rout.
Markkanen was the only Oiler who showed up, inexcusable for a Stanley Cup final game. Carolina played well, no question, but the Oilers were horrible.
Ryan Smyth and Sergei Samsonov, the Oilers’ two best offensive players, have been non-factors, and Smyth in particular has been MIA the last couple of weeks.
Edmonton dropped the first two games to San Jose in the second round only to rally and win four straight. Perhaps it can do so again.
Or the Oilers can feel sorry for themselves over Roloson’s injury and the series will be over Monday. NBC would be very thankful.
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ON THE NET
– Read more from Bob Foltman at www.chicagosports.com/nhl
