It does not take a genius to determine the Edmonton Oilers are in a heap of trouble.
About the only thing the tenth-place Oilers have had going for them lately has been the stellar play of netminder Dwayne Roloson, who has started 32 consecutive games, and even that wavered on Sunday night in Edmonton's loss to the Minnesota Wild.
If someone other than Roloson doesn't step up for the Oilers, and step up now, it's all over, because the teams directly ahead of Edmonton in the standings are getting some extraordinary individual efforts.
Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller, who is expected to be in net for the Ducks on Tuesday night in Edmonton, has been outstanding in keeping the Ducks in the playoff race.
And St. Louis rookie T.J. Oshie has been phenomenal for the Blues, with the emphasis on “phenom.” Oshie has taken the city of St. Louis by storm, scoring a highlight reel goal against Vancouver last week and following that up with remarkable efforts in huge back-to-back weekend wins over Columbus.
Oshie scored one goal and had three points in Saturday's win, not to mention a bone-rattling highlight hit on Blue Jacket star Rick Nash. On Sunday, with Columbus fans welcoming him with threatening catcalls, Oshie answered the bell, and then some, when Nash sought to even the score with a big hit.
Oshie has become an overnight sensation in St. Louis, a kid stepping up with extraordinary effort at an extraordinary time and the Oilers could desperately use some of the same -- from someone other than Roloson.
For TSN.ca, I'm Bob McKenzie.