Deslauriers Does it Again!

Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers stopped 40 shots and all 3 shootout attempts to help the Oilers hang on to a 3-2 SO win. That's 77 shots in 2 nights for those keeping track. Deslauriers improved his starting record to a perfect 3-0 this season, with all 4 of his appearances coming on the road. If the Oilers sneak into the playoffs, remember these 4 points late on a seemingly doomed road trip.

Deslauriers has been nothing short of spectacular since an average NHL debut against Calgary. 3 goals allowed in his last 84 shots has boosted Deslauriers save % to an eye opening 0.951 and it has dropped his GAA to a very respectable 1.71. What's most important is that he is tied for the team lead in wins (3) with Mathieu Garon while starting in 4 less games and leads Roloson in wins by 1 with 2 starts in hand.

While Deslauriers may not be able to carry the mail all season long, the doubt that Deslauriers couldn't be at least an adequate back-up this season should've been gagged, bound up, and shot.

As for the other guys on the ice tonight, Stortini showed some real guts in taking on Colton Orr until he looked like a deer in headlights when Orr escaped from Stortini's grip after the 2 traded some solid punches. He also drew a key penalty that the Oilers failed to convert on. He did his job, it wasn't his fault that the skill boys didn't convert.

Sheldon Souray continues to be a man amongst boys and Ales Hemsky has continued his elevated level of play. Lubomir Visnovsky? Not so much. Penalties, same mistakes carrying the puck out of the zone, IMO he has fallen below Gilbert as our worst d-man this season.

There was a Shawn Horcoff sighting as well! Too bad that MacTavish took that to mean that Penner had to be booted off the top PP unit. If this team had a coach that could read the pulse of the team we'd be in business and maybe not even go into "pray that we don't blow the lead mode".

The road trip ended on a real positive note, hopefully some home cooking can lift the boys over the Leafs, because I would hate to have my wife rub in a TML win after watching the Oilers coddle a lead like a newborn bunny only to see that bunny dropped and ravaged by wolves in blue and white attire.