The Oilers better without Hemsky?

I don't like to pick on Oilersnation, we are a passionate bunch but sometimes misguided.

The Oilers have won three in a row without Hemsky in the lineup so some in Oilers nation have concluded that the Oilers should trade Hemsky as they are better without him.

I think they have forgotten that injuries to Jacques and Stone left holes in their lineup that left the team completely unbalanced. This team plays much better when Quinn is able to insert some grit and sandpaper.

The Oilers are not better without Hemsky, in reality they are just better with some players that can provide some grit and hitting. Without them the Oilers are too easy to play against.

Can you hear it? Yes it is the sound of Nilsson slowly climbing out of the doghouse. He has been very good since being inserted back in the lineup and Quinn even singled him out for his defensive play. He even got inserted on the second line on occasion last night.

I loved to see him in the defensive zone stripping a forward off the back, and on another occasion deep on the zone helping Smid dig out the puck.

He also quarterbacked the powerplay on the goal and did an excellent job and I was surprised to see him on the bench as the first powerplay unit came on the ice for the next ones. I am not yet convinced that he has turned the corner as Nilsson has been known to play good in stretches and then completely dissapear but when he is on his game he is a delight to watch.

Visnovsky is out of this world right now! What a delight! Watching him completely control the puck in the d-zone, he rarely makes an error. Offensively see him rush up the ice with complete confidence and shoot the puck at will and on target. As soon as he gets the puck and starts rushing up the ice, you know he is going to create something. A perfect pass, a perfectly timed rush, a great shot. Is there a more underrated defenceman around the league than Lubo?