Upset, and hoping for an upset

 
(Naslund and Luongo kiss)

Tonight’s game doesn’t much matter to the Oil. They’re out of the playoffs no matter how you slice it. But the Oil could do to the Canucks tonight what the Flames did on Tuesday. And while it might sound like a petty thing, the Oil can upset the Canucks. It’s a terrible thing to say, but I know I’d experience some satisfaction knowing those hemp-weaving hippies won’t have anything to cheer about post-season either, thanks in part to the Oil.

If the Oilers have proven anything in their last 18 games—of which they’ve won 13—it’s that they still have that winning, go-get-‘em spirit. The Canucks, meanwhile, aren’t the guns-blazing team they were a month ago.

I don’t know if the Oil are going to phone this one in. I suspect they aren’t, since this game will very much have an impact on the fortunes of the Canucks. Granted the Oil’s record against Vancouver doesn’t provide much hope—we’ve dropped four out of seven games and the three we have won were all shootout wins—but the last month has been nothing if not completely bizarre.

So here’s what’ll happen: the Oilers will steal this one from the Canucks 3–2. Look for Glencross to start the scoring off.