THE PANIC ROOM

Edmonton Oiler fans have suffered more than any other NHL fangroup since 2006 spring, and we’ll bitch and moan when we want to, thank you very much. It is however important to look before we leap, to assess before coming up with a new slogan or sign. In regard to the Dube, patience is the key.

Devan Dubnyk has played 141 NHL games (that’s about three seasons for a "regular" and has a .912 career save percentage.In the last two seasons before this one (2011-12 and 2012-13), Dubnyk ranks 15th among 38 goalies in save percentage

I don’t think it’s reasonable to suggest that Dubnyk (at .917) is less likely to post a strong SP in this season than most of the goaltenders in his range, or even several spots above. Whatever else we know about goalies, predicting consistency is fickle, borderline insane. Devan Dubnyk has a track record of stopping pucks, has his fingers and toes, and is not 50.

Beyond that, what honestly do we really know? Do we KNOW that Pekka Rinne is going to have a .919 SP this season? Of the 47 goalies who’ve played at least one minute this season, 20 of them have a SP under .900. Do equipment changes mean we’ll see a lower average SP this year? I don’t know, but it might be a factor.

Me either. God I hate them. Either you did or you didn’t. And goalies drive me nuts. Stop the puck! You know what’s worse than staying with your goalie when he’s struggling? NOT staying with your goalie when he’s struggling. Because if you go chasing goaltender rainbows, you’re the Philadelphia Flyers and we all know where that gets you.

The best route? Give Dubnyk the start, pat him on the ass, say nice things, get his mind off things. Send him to a movie, re-shoot that commercial he did that everyone loved (remember, we’re helping Dubnyk here) last season.

I will bet Jonathan Willis’ paycheck that Devan Dubnyk will be inside the top 15 among regular goaltenders in the SP category this season. Why would I say that?

Because despite appearances, Devan Dubnyk did not forget his job. Sht happens, and then you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

Do me a favor: watch this 10 times. If you can tell me this puck didn’t change directions (this Zapruder angle is really pretty good) then I’ll buy in to the Dubnyk panic.

Otherwise, I’m onside with the Dube.