The Edmonton Oilers have proven this season that they play higher when pressured to be extra bodily. Living proof was Thursday’s win over the Nashville Predators which took the staff’s file to an ideal 5-0 file once they’ve engaged in fights. With veterans like Darnell Nurse and Corey Perry main the cost, it’s clear the Oilers have some keen combatants, however not many. One participant who stepped up in that regard and certain stunned just a few followers in Thursday’s win was Vasily Podkolzin. He laid out Jeremy Lauzon in a fiery tilt that has many asking if he can step into a job related previously crammed by the injured Evander Kane.
Podkolzin’s latest showdown towards Lauzon definitely caught some consideration. Louie DeBrusk mentioned throughout the broadcast of the sport that the Oilers’ ahead doubtless scared off 90 % of the NHL as most gamers don’t wish to step as much as somebody who can play and throw fists like Podkolzin proved he can. It’s the type of popularity Kane carried round with him and partially what made him so efficient for the Oilers.
Podkolzin Shocked the Hockey World
Lauzon, a seasoned fighter, challenged Podkolzin after a hard-hitting shift, anticipating a fast victory. As an alternative, Podkolzin stood his floor, touchdown a strong punch that floored Lauzon. Social media rapidly lit up, with followers drawing comparisons to former Oiler Klim Kostin. However Podkolzin doubtlessly has a better offensive ceiling. Can he discover a lane on this staff someplace between Kostin and Kane?
In different phrases, is Podkolzin extra apt to attain and produce offense than Kostin, however possibly not fairly as a lot as Kane? All whereas, will his capacity to be bodily give him extra space and confidence to chip in somewhat extra. And, if he can do all of this at his team-friendly wage, Podkolzin turns into a really helpful asset.
The Oilers Want Podkolzin to Be Kane-esque
Podkolzin’s capacity to deliver depth, top-six minutes, and a bodily presence is making him a fan favourite. So too, at simply $1 million, he’s on monitor to be an essential and reasonably priced factor of the roster the Oilers are missing. He’s acquired velocity, he can forecheck and he’s began to mesh with the staff’s prime gamers, particularly discovering some chemistry on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson. Podkolzin leads the Oilers in xGF% at 65.5% and has discovered a house within the prime six.
Till Kane is able to return, may Podkolzin fill the void left whereas Kane is out of motion? With every high-energy shift and each punch landed, Podkolzin is proving he has the potential to be Edmonton’s subsequent expert enforcer.
Subsequent: Draisaitl Leads Oilers to Gritty 5-1 Win Over the Predators
