For the first two periods it seemed that Oilers streak would die a painful death but with 10.9 seconds left the Oilers made it 3-1 and the third period was completely dominated by the Oilers first line.
Penner looked unstoppable and gave Kevin Lowe and Steve Yzerman something to think about. I still think it is a longshot for Penner to be selected but he is making it difficult to leave him off the team. The only way to stop him when he moves his feet and skates like he can is to take a penalty. Really fun to watch him dominate every team's best dman.
Gagner really has not looked like he deserved to be on that line, he has looked uncomfortable and not very confident but last night he had one of his best games of the season as he was helping cycle, making very good passes, including a perfect pass to Brule on the second goal. A goal scorers goal, one timer, howitzer in the top part of the net, just under the crossbar.
I want to add a new feature after wins, it is the unsung hero. The guy that didn't get the star but probably should have been or just had a great game.
The winner this game. Shawn Horcoff. Completely dominated the faceoff dot, was on for almost the whole last few minutes, scored the winning goal and really dominated the shift by stealing the puck making a nice pass and beating the defender to get the shot into the net.
Now, it is back to Edmonton. This team has to guard against complacency. All Pat Quinn has to do is show them the standings. The five wins has been great but the Oilers are still in 12th place, 3 points out of a playoff spot. Lots of work still to do!
Go Oilers Go!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
5 in a row?
According to the Sports Bureau, Edmonton has never swept a 5 game road trip. If they win tonight it would be the first time in history. Now I hate to nitpick (ok maybe I don't) but in reality this is a six game road trip, though the Oilers came home after losing to the Canuckleheads 7-3 but I digress.
This should be a good game, both teams have identical records in the last 10 games,
(6-3-0-1) they are only a point apart in the standings, albeit the Blues have two games in hand. Interestingly the Blues have not been that great at home 5-9-1-1.
St. Louis doesn't score a lot of goals, in fact no team has scored less (71) but they excellent defensively with only 77 goals allowed.
This is a winnable game, but I have some worries after a third period where the Oilers looked very lackadadaisical against Tampa Bay. Lets hope they bend and don't break.
It would be great for the Oil to come home on a 5 game winning streak!
Go Oilers Go!
This should be a good game, both teams have identical records in the last 10 games,
(6-3-0-1) they are only a point apart in the standings, albeit the Blues have two games in hand. Interestingly the Blues have not been that great at home 5-9-1-1.
St. Louis doesn't score a lot of goals, in fact no team has scored less (71) but they excellent defensively with only 77 goals allowed.
This is a winnable game, but I have some worries after a third period where the Oilers looked very lackadadaisical against Tampa Bay. Lets hope they bend and don't break.
It would be great for the Oil to come home on a 5 game winning streak!
Go Oilers Go!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Total negativity a byproduct of a bad team.
It is interesing to note fans reactions in Oilers nation to a four game winning streak. The majority are happy that the Oilers have at least given them a chance to compete for the playoffs, many are just happy that they are more entertaining.
But.... there is a very vocal minority that will find things to complain about no matter what the result.
Why? I find that an interesting question. My conclusion.
Those fans are not less of an Oiler fan, or fake fans for the most part. They are as passionate as anyone but I submit they are sick of being dissapointed and want to be right. Better not to get your hopes up and then have them dashed, better to complain and be able to say I told you!
It is the byproduct of at team that has missed the playoffs for three years in a row. That attitude for those fans won't change until the Oilers consistently start winning and then they will gladly just say we were glad to be wrong!
It is impossible for that vocal minority, to be dissapointed, hurt or wrong. It is like having a relative that constantly dissapoints you, you have no expectations and when they do something that looks positive you are automatically suspicious and look for the negatives in anything positive as you just know that is the way it will turn out.
I do not think it the funnest way to enjoy the sport and always looking for the negative has got to be taxing! What I hate is that the Oilers make that type of fan look right more than wrong.
But those fans aren't silent in their attitude, they make sure all of us know how they feel and it makes it hard to be an Oiler fan in Oilers Nation! All we can hope is the Oilers can finally shut them up and make them say "I was glad to be proven wrong"
That would be beautiful!
Go Oilers Go!
But.... there is a very vocal minority that will find things to complain about no matter what the result.
Why? I find that an interesting question. My conclusion.
Those fans are not less of an Oiler fan, or fake fans for the most part. They are as passionate as anyone but I submit they are sick of being dissapointed and want to be right. Better not to get your hopes up and then have them dashed, better to complain and be able to say I told you!
It is the byproduct of at team that has missed the playoffs for three years in a row. That attitude for those fans won't change until the Oilers consistently start winning and then they will gladly just say we were glad to be wrong!
It is impossible for that vocal minority, to be dissapointed, hurt or wrong. It is like having a relative that constantly dissapoints you, you have no expectations and when they do something that looks positive you are automatically suspicious and look for the negatives in anything positive as you just know that is the way it will turn out.
I do not think it the funnest way to enjoy the sport and always looking for the negative has got to be taxing! What I hate is that the Oilers make that type of fan look right more than wrong.
But those fans aren't silent in their attitude, they make sure all of us know how they feel and it makes it hard to be an Oiler fan in Oilers Nation! All we can hope is the Oilers can finally shut them up and make them say "I was glad to be proven wrong"
That would be beautiful!
Go Oilers Go!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
4 wins in a row!
This is surely much more fun that hoping for a lottery pick!
Is there any player that gives more and works harder than Zack Stortini. Tonight he earns first star with the Gordie Howe had trick? Looked like a sniper on the wrap around, finding the far corner.
Every time he scores you cheer just a little louder! I am sure his goals have the same effect on his teammates.
Word comes out tonight that Dustin Penner is under consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. I still think he is a long shot but it is a compliment to even be mentioned in the same breath as the players that will make roster. Canada could field two medal contenders.
Deslauriers is now looking more comfortable, still too easy to score on him high (not considering the Hedman goal tonight as that was just a great shot) but he is looking confident.
Everybody seems to now be buying into Quinn's system, a much more simpler game. Bend but don't break, it's ok to dump the puck out or lose it but you better work hard to get it back.
Still a lot of work to do to fight themselves back into playoff contention but this team is battling, competing and working hard every night. Great to see.
Go Oilers go!
Is there any player that gives more and works harder than Zack Stortini. Tonight he earns first star with the Gordie Howe had trick? Looked like a sniper on the wrap around, finding the far corner.
Every time he scores you cheer just a little louder! I am sure his goals have the same effect on his teammates.
Word comes out tonight that Dustin Penner is under consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. I still think he is a long shot but it is a compliment to even be mentioned in the same breath as the players that will make roster. Canada could field two medal contenders.
Deslauriers is now looking more comfortable, still too easy to score on him high (not considering the Hedman goal tonight as that was just a great shot) but he is looking confident.
Everybody seems to now be buying into Quinn's system, a much more simpler game. Bend but don't break, it's ok to dump the puck out or lose it but you better work hard to get it back.
Still a lot of work to do to fight themselves back into playoff contention but this team is battling, competing and working hard every night. Great to see.
Go Oilers go!
Oilers at lightning.
Good news for Oiler fans as both Bell and Shaw are having free previews of Centre Ice and the NHL and the Oilers have lifted the blackout for tonight's game. The game is also available on the Oilers website.
Quinn has warned this team not to let complacency set it. You would think a warning like that would not be necessary for a team that is in 12th place but this team seems to settle in and get comfortable when they have a little bit of success.
I will be watching Robert Nilsson closely tonight, he has come back with a renewed sense of try and compete but if past history is any indication it won't last.
Tampa Bay has struggled, had team meetings, spirited practices. They will be ready tonight and the Oilers may have to weather an early storm. If they can get past the first 10 to 15 minutes without too much damage they will most likely win this one.
Go Oilers Go!
Quinn has warned this team not to let complacency set it. You would think a warning like that would not be necessary for a team that is in 12th place but this team seems to settle in and get comfortable when they have a little bit of success.
I will be watching Robert Nilsson closely tonight, he has come back with a renewed sense of try and compete but if past history is any indication it won't last.
Tampa Bay has struggled, had team meetings, spirited practices. They will be ready tonight and the Oilers may have to weather an early storm. If they can get past the first 10 to 15 minutes without too much damage they will most likely win this one.
Go Oilers Go!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Oilers better without Hemsky?
I don't like to pick on Oilersnation, we are a passionate bunch but sometimes misguided.
The Oilers have won three in a row without Hemsky in the lineup so some in Oilers nation have concluded that the Oilers should trade Hemsky as they are better without him.
I think they have forgotten that injuries to Jacques and Stone left holes in their lineup that left the team completely unbalanced. This team plays much better when Quinn is able to insert some grit and sandpaper.
The Oilers are not better without Hemsky, in reality they are just better with some players that can provide some grit and hitting. Without them the Oilers are too easy to play against.
Can you hear it? Yes it is the sound of Nilsson slowly climbing out of the doghouse. He has been very good since being inserted back in the lineup and Quinn even singled him out for his defensive play. He even got inserted on the second line on occasion last night.
I loved to see him in the defensive zone stripping a forward off the back, and on another occasion deep on the zone helping Smid dig out the puck.
He also quarterbacked the powerplay on the goal and did an excellent job and I was surprised to see him on the bench as the first powerplay unit came on the ice for the next ones. I am not yet convinced that he has turned the corner as Nilsson has been known to play good in stretches and then completely dissapear but when he is on his game he is a delight to watch.
Visnovsky is out of this world right now! What a delight! Watching him completely control the puck in the d-zone, he rarely makes an error. Offensively see him rush up the ice with complete confidence and shoot the puck at will and on target. As soon as he gets the puck and starts rushing up the ice, you know he is going to create something. A perfect pass, a perfectly timed rush, a great shot. Is there a more underrated defenceman around the league than Lubo?
The Oilers have won three in a row without Hemsky in the lineup so some in Oilers nation have concluded that the Oilers should trade Hemsky as they are better without him.
I think they have forgotten that injuries to Jacques and Stone left holes in their lineup that left the team completely unbalanced. This team plays much better when Quinn is able to insert some grit and sandpaper.
The Oilers are not better without Hemsky, in reality they are just better with some players that can provide some grit and hitting. Without them the Oilers are too easy to play against.
Can you hear it? Yes it is the sound of Nilsson slowly climbing out of the doghouse. He has been very good since being inserted back in the lineup and Quinn even singled him out for his defensive play. He even got inserted on the second line on occasion last night.
I loved to see him in the defensive zone stripping a forward off the back, and on another occasion deep on the zone helping Smid dig out the puck.
He also quarterbacked the powerplay on the goal and did an excellent job and I was surprised to see him on the bench as the first powerplay unit came on the ice for the next ones. I am not yet convinced that he has turned the corner as Nilsson has been known to play good in stretches and then completely dissapear but when he is on his game he is a delight to watch.
Visnovsky is out of this world right now! What a delight! Watching him completely control the puck in the d-zone, he rarely makes an error. Offensively see him rush up the ice with complete confidence and shoot the puck at will and on target. As soon as he gets the puck and starts rushing up the ice, you know he is going to create something. A perfect pass, a perfectly timed rush, a great shot. Is there a more underrated defenceman around the league than Lubo?
Monday, December 7, 2009
trade rumours...
Since the summer and off and on we have heard the rumours about Sheldon Souray.
Is it possible? First we have to preface any trade of Souray with the qualification that he has a no trade clause and he would have to approve any trade.
Do I think it is possible that the Oilers are shopping Sheldon Souray? I don't know if they are actively shopping him but it would make sense that the Oilers may be having discussions about trading a defenceman due to the contracts and depth at that position.
I am not sure any trade will happen right now, more likely at the trade deadline but I would think that the Oilers are starting to have discussions about a trade of a defenceman.
Who they trade and what they get may be more determined by where they are or close to the deadline.
Is it possible? First we have to preface any trade of Souray with the qualification that he has a no trade clause and he would have to approve any trade.
Do I think it is possible that the Oilers are shopping Sheldon Souray? I don't know if they are actively shopping him but it would make sense that the Oilers may be having discussions about trading a defenceman due to the contracts and depth at that position.
I am not sure any trade will happen right now, more likely at the trade deadline but I would think that the Oilers are starting to have discussions about a trade of a defenceman.
Who they trade and what they get may be more determined by where they are or close to the deadline.
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