Oilers Defender Makes Case to Start Playoffs
Philip Broberg made a big impression in his first game back for the Edmonton Oilers.
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports - Oilers Defender Makes Case to Start PlayoffsEDMONTON -- It was a night to remember.
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For the Edmonton Oilers, they got to participate in a little slice of history. They got to be the last team to play against this version of the Arizona Coyotes. The 5-2 result was certainly disappointing for the Oilers. Credit to the Coyotes for giving their home crowd something to cheer for - and ending their season on a high note.
Warren Foegele and Sam Carrick scored the only goals for the Oilers. Carrick scored his 10th of the season - one away from tying his career high.
Foegele on the other hand, has had a fantastic campaign. In the last year of his current three year $2.75-million deal. At this point of the year he is simply adding onto a career season.
Last night he scored his 20th goal of the season, on a splendid play from fresh call up Philip Broberg.
Broberg collects the puck off of the boards in the defensive zone, takes a few strides up the boards - slightly moving to center, and fires an outlet pass straight to Foegele's stick. Foegele took it from there, carrying it into the zone, cutting to the middle and firing the puck on net.
As you can also see, Broberg stayed with the play - crossing the blueline at the same time as Foegele, and skates towards the net. That play is a good summation of his game. He can make good defensive plays and contribute to the offense of the team.
Kris Knoblauch said as much about Broberg in his post game comments (to the media present at Mullet Arena). He liked a lot of the details in Broberg's game, "he moved the puck well, a few times he skated the puck out - which is great [that] he has the confidence to do that."
"And then defensively - with his long reach and good skating - he broke up a lot of plays. He hasn't played in the NHL for quite some time but I thought it was a very good game."
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Broberg finished the night with the lone assist and one shot in 16:50 of ice time. Last night was the most ice time he's had in a game since February 19th of last season - when he played 18:05 against the Colorado Avalanche.
With nothing to lose tonight against the aforementioned Avalanche - it doesn't hurt to give Broberg another game before the playoffs begin in earnest.
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