Clutch

Websters defines it as:

adj. Informal
Being or occurring in a tense or critical situation OR
Tending to be successful in tense or critical situations


This is what the Oilers do not possess. and apparently never will.

I spent the earlier part of the night watching my Flyers face off against the Bruins. At about the 15 minute mark of the 3rd period in a 2-1 game, the Flyers were mounting a comeback. Pitkanen coughed the puck up and Thornton scored. Less than 5 minutes to go.... most fans would change the channel. But the Flyers under Hitchcock have that one quality:

Clutch.

Pitkanen fed a pass to Simon Gagne, who went in alone and scored. 3-2. Then about a minute later, Forsberg fed Pitkanen in front - goal. 3-3. OT comes on, Gagne and Forsberg feed Pitkanen again in front - goal. 4-3 win. The Flyers have that attitude there is no score they can't overcome.

The Oilers on the otherhand, had a 1-0 lead into period 3, and can't hold it. NOT CLUTCH. Eventually go down 2-1. NOT CLUTCH. But by some miracle score the game tying goal with 60 seconds to go.

At this moment fans should assume we get one point, in OT.... at least. I watched the Flyers down by 2 and never once doubted they could win. Tie game with 30 seconds to go, I never held the same belief, sure enough.... Nashville scores. Edmonton loses without a point.

Where's the blame?

Can you honestly remember the last "CLUTCH" moment in Oiler history? It was 1997, almost 10 years ago, when Marchant scored in OT.

Think about that for a second. Marchant is gone, and so is the coach, since then, the Oilers blow every critical moment. Who's been constant? Craig MacTavish - someone with no experience coaching, yet a former Oiler we appoint.

Disgusting.