Zack Kassian Good to Go For Oilers on Saturday Night

Count forward Zack Kassian in for the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Back just in time for the Battle of Alberta, the gritty forward is ready to go after taking a nasty fall during a preseason fight where he hit his head on the ice and was knocked unconscious for a few seconds.

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Kassian was asked how he feels after the fall and said he feels good. He said he went through some concussion protocols and did some tests and things look good. He says he woke up pretty quickly after getting knocked out and he says he’s good to play, even if he doesn’t remember anything after hitting the ice. From there, he recalls waking up with everyone around him.

Kassian called it a scary incident and a fluke but says stuff like that happens. He didn’t seem bothered or phased and it sounds like he’s ready to go about his business on the Oilers’ third line, likely alongside Derek Ryan and William Foegele.

When Kassian is most effective for the Oilers, he’s a bottom-six forward looking to be heavy on the forecheck and use his speed and skill against the opposition’s weaker blueliners who don’t go up against stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers have one of the better third lines they’ve deployed in years.

Kassian to Beat the Flames in Another Way

Having Kassian back in the lineup and ready for what could be a physical game against the Flames is a huge plus. That said, a rough game isn’t the best strategy for Edmonton if they want to win. While Calgary ices a much heavier team, the Oilers need to fly and use their skill. Kassian can add to that and while the Flames might be looking to drag him and the Oilers into a trench war, the Oilers should simply try to outplay Calgary and weather the storm.

If they can, the Flames aren’t a match skill-wise for Edmonton.

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