Oil Spills: Wednesday Links - Another Loss in Minnesota

About Last Night

Frustrating -- The Copper & Blue
Oilers lose 4-3 to the Wild.

Wild strike twice in 3rd period to beat Oilers 4-3 -- Hockey Wilderness
Minnesota fell behind early in the third period but Ryan Suter and Charlie Coyle scored 43 seconds apart to re-gain the lead for the victory.

Player grades: Darnell Nurse scores first career goal to cap Oilers’ comeback, but Wild have other ideas - Bruce McCurdy -- Cult of Hockey
It was a strange, back-and-forth game in Minnesota which saw the Edmonton Oilers score three consecutive goals at one point but give up deuces at both ends of the night to fall short to the Wild, 4-3 in regulation.

Nurse a bright spot against Wild for consistently inconsistent Oilers - Jim Matheson -- Edmonton Journal
Darnell Nurse was what the doctor ordered — cool, calm and collecting his first NHL goal with a .44 Magnum bullet that almost tore off Devan Dubnyk’s left arm.

Oilers to get good look at defensive prospect Darnell Nurse - Derek Van Diest -- Edmonton Sun
For Nurse, the early-season call-up is an opportunity to make a good impression on the coaching staff. During training camp, the highly touted defenceman may have been guilty of trying to do too much in an effort to make the team.

Goalie Devan Dubnyk turns page on struggles from ‘a different lifetime’ - JIm Matheson -- Edmonton Journal
Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk didn’t have anything scribbled on paper for a victory speech as one of the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy at the NHL awards gala in Las Vegas in June.

Wild coach Mike Yeo sees similarities between Oilers centre Conner McDavid and other NHL elite players - Derek Van Diest -- Edmonton Sun
Just 10 games into his NHL career, Connor McDavid is drawing comparisons with one of the best offensive players in the game today.

Around the NHL

30 Thoughts: Flames willing to deal, but is anyone else? -- Sportsnet.ca
In this week's 30 Thoughts, Elliotte looks at some possible moves the Flames and Ducks could make to shake up their struggling teams, and he takes a look at a potential new AHL contract model.

The Babcock Effect (in Detroit) -- TSN
The general consensus at the time of his departure was that the Red Wings organization would mostly be fine – it hurts to lose a great coach, but the system has relentlessly turned out talent at every single level, coaching included. Jeff Blashill would steer the ship towards a 25th consecutive postseason appearance, rendering the turnover little but a memory.

At least 31 NHL players returned to games in 2010-11 after concussion: court papers -- TSN
Greene, Cormier and Slater were three of 31 NHL players who returned to action in the same game they suffered a concussion during the 2010-11 season, according to newly disclosed league statistics. In all, 31 of 86 players who suffered a concussion that season, or 36 per cent, returned to play in the same game they suffered their head injury.

Keith Yandle Is Not The Problem -- Blueshirt Banter
Yandle is getting a lot of criticism he doesn't deserve.

Let Semin be -- Eyes On The Prize
Why (almost) everything you’ve been told about the Russian winger is flat out wrong

Blues invite veteran forwards Havlat, Zubrus to pro tryouts -- Sportsnet.ca
The NHL careers of Martin Havlat and Dainius Zubrus might not be over just yet. The St. Louis Blues have invited the veteran forwards to join the team on professional tryouts.

Capitals' Carlson may be NHL's best-kept secret -- TSN
Carlson, 25, does not generate the attention or buzz that Roman Josi or Kevin Shattenkirk or Oliver Ekman-Larsson do. Carlson didn't make the cut in TSN's Top 50 player poll, which has input from experts and general managers. He finished at No. 64 - behind the usual suspects such as Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith, but also newcomers Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh.