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Eakins: No point trying to match Bruins physically

Edmonton Oilers v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Dallas Eakins of the Edmonton Oilers watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on October 26, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 5-4. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Edmonton Oilers have no desire to prove they’re not afraid of the big, bad Boston Bruins. Instead of trying to stand up physically to the Eastern Conference brutes, coach Dallas Eakins wants his players to use their speed and skill tonight at Rexall Place.

“I think it might not be the smartest game plan to try and match them physically,” Eakins said, per NHL.com. “If you don’t match up that way, there’s no use trying to do it. I want to use more of our speed and our smarts against them.

“I’m not sure if they’re as big as they have been in the past. They still have some heavy guys, but I want to get into a game where we’re playing quick with really good puck support, and if we do have to give up the puck, then we’re going to be first to it. To go in and try to match a team like this physically, I don’t think it gives us a chance to win the game.”

The Bruins don’t have a long list of weaknesses, but they have at times had trouble against fast teams. (See: last year’s playoffs, when they nearly lost to the Leafs.)

After a disastrous 4-15-2 start to the season, Edmonton is 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.

Related: The Oilers are doing that thing where they show their vast potential again