What a game that was!
I was absolutely blown away that this team lost yet another game after winning nearly the entire game. I'm not going to pick apart the game (there is enough blogs that do that already), but I am going to talk about what I liked.
- The kid line has been a thrill to watch. They buzz all over and created chances like no other. As they get older and wiser, these three are going to score at will. Oiler fans are lucky to have them wear the blue and orange.
- The crowd was buzzing right from the get go. Every play, every pass, they were on the edge of their seats and were loud. That was one of the best crowd responses I have heard in a long time. Well, except for the booing of Dany Heatley. That was rather annoying.
- Belanger and Horcoff were once again studs on the faceoffs. Horcoff was 50% and Belanger was 67%. Lander was also pretty good too at 46%.
- Andy Sutton and Ladislav Smid had 4 hits each. Big bodies banging the opposition is never a bad thing.
- Paajarvi, Smyth and Eberle each took 4 shots on goal.
- Ryan Jones scored the only goal for the Oil and was setup by Ryan Smyth. Beauty pass for a nice tip in goal or as I called it, 'the give and flow'. I didn't think those two would have chemistry. I was wrong. Now only if they could convince Horcoff to grow a mullet.
- Smid blocked 5 shots. FIVE! That was the team high tonight.
-Horcoff was a takeaway machine. He did it three times.
- Anton Lander impressed me. He took a beating and kept on going. He was on his game for sure. He played like he wants to stay.
MY STARS OF THE GAME
Ladislav Smid
Ryan Smyth
Nik Khabibulin (up until the tying goal)
Tom Gilbert
Shawn Horcoff
Ryan Jones
The kid line
Anton Lander
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-
Friday, October 21, 2011
A Real Wild One! The Oilers Lose In Fashion. Again
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Ryan Keller Has Been Recalled?
Dan Tencer is reporting that Ryan Keller is listed on the Oilers game notes. So one would assume that he's been recalled.
I'll report more on this as we find out.
Interesting.
EDIT: Keller has been recalled for precautionary measures. Not for an emergency.
RIGHT BEFORE THE PUCK DROPPED, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE DIDN'T GET RECALLED AFTER ALL.
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-
Game Night "Wild"
I will be at Rexall Place for this game myself and not too bad of seats I must say. For what it is worth, I just have this feeling we may see more goals scored tonight that will send Oiler Fan into a frenzy! The Wild may not be the defensive team they used to be, but they still do know how to play with a lead, so it's important the Oilers get out to the lead first and don't look back. Here is hoping we get to see the Hall/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle line back at work tonight.
1. For 2 straight games I have said at least 3 goals will be scored on the Oilers. I was wrong both times and won't let that happen again. Tonight the Oilers will give up no more then 2 goals in the game.
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will once again get a point tonight. After the Flames pushed him around somewhat, Ryan will be wanting to play even harder to show he needs to stay up (Just in case there was any doubt)
3. With Horcoff getting all kinds of ice time each game (including PP time) I am predicting he will pick up yet another point tonight when they play the Wild.
4. Lander will be the only player on the 4th line to see more then 7 Mins total ice time. Last game, I said no one on the 4th line would see more. My mistake? Not realizing we were down a forward and Eager ended up getting a 10 min penalty so Lander got bumped up in mins and played in a few other spots. Won't make that same mistake again.
5. Belanger was a easy prediction (or so I thought) to shine in the faceoff dot and record at least 60% average in faceoff wins against the Flames. That did not happen, and he caused a bad prediction. I was wrong. However, I am going to give him a chance to redeem himself and once again make the same prediction. 60% or better in the faceoff dot for Belanger against the Wild.
(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 4 FOR 10)
As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)
GAME ON!!! Oilers vs Wild Tonight At 7:30pm MT
Tonight brings us another game to be excited for. Or does it?
The Oilers take on the Minnesota Wild tonight at 7:30pm MT and it should be a boring game to watch. It's painful for me when I watch the Wild play. It's like going to the dentist. But hockey.
But there might be some good things that come from this game.
- At least we know we can beat them in our arena. No stupid records to try and stop this go around. Rexall is our place. We can win here.
- Sam Gagner might return to the lineup tonight. If he doesn't play tonight, it sounds like he will by Saturday.
-Ryan Whitney will play his second game today. Watch for him to improve this game. He's just getting his legs under him.
-Nik Khabibulin should get the start going by the way Renney has started his goalies. I know it's only been 2 games, but he's looked solid so far.
- Is Theo Peckham the odd man out again? Or does one of the other guys like Cam Barker take a turn watching from up above?
- Jason Gregor talked about Lander possibly playing on the wing when Gagner returns. Will that happen tonight, or does Sam take a turn on the wing? This might be Lander's last time to impress.
Don't forget to join me on twitter tonight for the usual Oilers banter.
Enjoy your day... cause it's GAME DAY!!!
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Jeff Petry Is Assigned To The OKC Barons
Moments ago the Edmonton Oilers have assigned Jeff Petry to the Oklahoma City Barons. He's going to get good ice time down there and it's not going to help him develop playing with the Oilers as the 7th guy.
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-
Two Guys & Hockey Talk NHL News (CLICK PIC FOR LINK)