Music: {allcanada} Smyth a surprising scratch for Oilers

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The big surprise coming out of the Edmonton Oilers' morning skate is that forward Ryan Smyth will be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars.

Smyth, second all-time on the Oilers' list of games played (864) and fifth in goals (285), has just two points in 12 games, and has 22 penalty minutes in his last four, including three minor penalties Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His ice time also has gone down, as he's played fewer than 15 minutes in three of the last four, including just 11:25 on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Smyth, who has spent 14 of his 18 NHL seasons with the Oilers, chose not to talk to reporters after the team's morning skate.

Oilers coach Ralph Krueger said sitting Smyth out isn't a decision he made lightly.

"It's extremely difficult," Krueger said. "But whether it's popular or not is not the driving force."

In Smyth's absence, Chris VandeVelde will play his second game.

Here are the lineups the Oilers and Stars likely will use when they meet Tuesday at Rexall Place:

OILERS

Taylor Hall - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle

Nail Yakupov - Sam Gagner - Ales Hemsky

Magnus Paajarvi - Eric Belanger - Teemu Hartikainen

Ben Eager - Chris VandeVelde - Lennart Petrell

Nick Schultz - Justin Schultz

Ladislav Smid - Corey Potter