Rob Brown

Well, I think Euler management and players will feel that the first unit of Ekholm and Bouchard, I mean, you know what you're getting every night with them.

Bouchard has got his detractors, but come playoff time, he's been excellent and so has Ekholm.

So their first unit, their first pairing has been fantastic.

The problem in the past is they've had rollercoaster rides with pairings two and three.

They traded for Murphy, and I don't know if he's become the Darnell nurse whisperer, but they have become so steady.

And so you know what you're getting every time they step on the ice.

There's nothing pretty about their game.

They're not rushing the puck up, but it's just consistent.

So now you've got your top four has been very good.

And when you add Murphy, a Wallman moved back down to your third pairing.

So Wallman, who was in the Oilers' top four last year, is now anchoring their third pairing.

So the Oilers are deeper now with the addition of Connor Murphy.

That was a very strong and subtle move that the Oilers made at the deadline.

The Oilers penalty killing is better now because of Connor Murphy and their second pairing paired with Darnell Nurse has become much, much stronger and consistent.

Then that's go a long way.

I mean, the Oilers are going to score.

They got Connor and they got Leon and they got a power play that is unstoppable at times.

But can they stop the opposition from scoring?

And right now, over the last 10 games, defensively, the Oilers have been very, very good.

And that is the biggest test for Anaheim.