How the Oilers set the tone of their game in the pre-season

During the Edmonton Oilers’ exhibition game against Vancouver on Sept. 24, Filip Chytil collided with an official below the goal line to the immediate left of Tristan Jarry. In other words, deep in Edmonton’s zone. It was an ugly play, and one I’m surprised doesn’t happen more often. Chytil has a history of injuries in the past calendar year: a broken face from taking a shot in practice, and a series of serious concussions.

Certainly no one is wishing ill will toward the young man, who is trying to keep his career on track with the Canucks. The hometown broadcast team recognized this, and it was clear they felt bad for Chytil.

From their perspective, then, it seemed callous that Oilers head coach Mike Babcock was complaining about the location of the ensuing faceoff. A Canuck was hurt, so the faceoff ought to come outside the zone, according to Babcock.

It’s only preseason, opined the broadcast team. A player got hurt: why are you wasting energy on this?

Because how you do anything is how you do everything.

It shouldn’t matter if it’s an exhibition game in September or a stretch-drive tilt in the........

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