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Curtis Lazar sat out, and Kris Knoblauch suddenly felt what the Edmonton Oilers bottom six looks like without him.
Because this isn’t about scoring.
Oilers missing quiet consistency in lineup
Edmonton has been dealing with injuries across the lineup.
Trent Frederic unavailable. Mattias Janmark missing time. And others rotating in and out. That kind of stretch tests depth.
And Lazar has been part of the answer.
Not a headline player. Not a top-six option. But someone who brings the same game every night. That’s what was missing.
When he’s in, shifts are clean.
Pucks get out. Forecheck stays consistent.
It’s small details. But those add up over 60 minutes.
Without him, those details slip. That’s where games get harder.
“It’s crazy to say, but he’s been one of the most consistent players in the Oilers lineup. He’s not flashy, but the Oilers are clearly feeling his impact every night…What looked like a depth signing is turning into something much bigger.
Especially late in the season. Lazar wasn’t expected to be this important. When Edmonton signed him, it looked like a depth move.
Extra forward. Fill-in role. Nothing more. But he’s carved out a real spot.
That happens when a player earns trust. Coaches rely on predictability. And Lazar gives them that.
Shift after shift. Now, with him out, it’s noticeable.
That’s usually the best indicator of value. Not what happens when you play.
What happens when you don’t. For the Oilers, this stretch is about managing injuries and staying structured. They still have their stars.
But they need the rest of the lineup to hold. That’s where Lazar fits. And that’s why his absence matters more than it looks on paper.
Previously on Edmonton Hockey Daily
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