Game Day "Capitals"

Tonight is a BIG night for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. According to this pic taken by Jordon Eberle, it looks like the 'Nuge' has put on some weight. What do you all expect? Everyone wanted him to weigh more, did they not? Well, looks like he did his best in the buffet line to do his part and make sure the other team's couldn't just push him around. (haha!) Ok, enough with the silly talk, we all know this pic was just another example of what we are loving about this team.

It's so fresh to see this youthfulness in display. There is nothing worse then that feeling that everything has to appear as perfect. I love to see the guys relaxing, enjoying their job of playing hockey and just being 'good ol boys playing hockey'.

(ie: Ryan Whitney ribbing Eberle on spelling)

ryanwhitney6Ryan Whitney

by ebs_14 Everyone give a warm welcome to the gap toothed Canadien world junior legend Jordan Eberle who finally gave in to twitter

followed by a response from Jordon Eberle

ebs_14Jordan Eberle

@ryanwhitney6 dude u chirp me and @hallsy04 about our hangman game and u can't even spell Canadian

Anyway, I love the fact we get to see the authenticity of this team. Real people who are hockey players with great skill playing the game in front of millions of viewers worldwide. So let's continue to enjoy this ride for all it's worth. These guys WILL have some bad nights but they also will have nights that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout most of the game. And if were lucky? Maybe standing in our seats come playoff time in a year or two?

 

My predictions for tonight's game at Rexall Place. Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Oct 27th/11

1. RNH will make the most of his 9 games and finish this game with at least 1 more point.
2. Hall will be a beast out there and be driving the puck so hard we should definitely look at a point from him as well.
3. Belanger will school the Capitals in the faceoff dot with yet another 57% or better % when the game is done.
4. The Oilers will slow the Capitals down tonight on offense to no more then a max of 3 goals allowed in regulation time. (Let's hope even less)
5. Potter will continue to play higher minutes and be above 23 minutes ice time tonight yet again.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 11 FOR 20)
not bad. I am batting 55% on my predictions but to be a true predictions guru I need to see that around the 75% mark.

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)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Canucks"

 

As much as we want to make this game and next about the Oilers playing a team game and winning, is it not more about how well Ryan Nugent-Hopkins plays? As much as the Oilers try to take the spotlight off of RNH, it continues to shine and the question looms. Maybe 10% of people actually believe it is in the best Interest of Nugent-Hopkins to go back to Jr and maybe 10% that believe it is in the best interest of the Oilers to send him back to Jrs based on ELC. Bottom line? Does he continue to shine or does he start to find it harder getting to the open ice as these last two games play out? I tend to be the believer that he will be fine. Time will tell, and that time continues tonight at Rexall Place against the Vancouver Canucks.

 

Not sure how I am feeling about tonight's game against those hated rivals to the west. The difference between Vacouver and the other teams we have played is there potent offence. Tonight will be a true test to see where the Oilers are at in regards to goaltending and defence. In order to hold the Canucks to 2 goals or less will be a accomplishment worth bragging about. (besides , I need the Sedins shut down, so my hockey pool doesn't get hit as bad from those dreaded Sedin Sisters)

 

I expect a pretty good game will be taking place tonight, you won't want to miss this one. If you can not catch the game live, make sure to record it, or have a buddy do so, cause it will be a high speed game of thrills. (Are the hockey gods going to curse me and now have them play a slow and uninspiring game?)

 

 

My predictions for tonight's game at Rexall Place. Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-West

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Oct 25th/11

1. The Oilers will create more chances tonight and the puck will find the back of the net more then usual (3 goals or more tonight)
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins knows his 9 games are closing in and will be near the top of his game tonight. RNH will at least be on the ice for 1 goal that is scored for the Oilers
3. Hall will be gunning for some goals tonight to break out of this funk he is in. (He is in a funk? Not really but he thinks he is) I expect to see Hall on the scoresheet once again tonight.
4. I expect to see a fight of some short tonight , let's just hope it's not another staged fight that the NHL has come to be known for
5. Belanger has been a beast in the faceoff dot. That won't change and he will be over 55% tonight again but against a much tougher team who does win faceoffs.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 7 FOR 15)
Unfortunately I was unable to blog the last game day predictions for the Rangers game, however I was 5 for 5 on my predictions (haha!) Of course I can't prove it, so my % is still needing a comeback as I can not include that in my numbers. As long as the Oilers continue to win, no problem.

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)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

Oilers 2012 Draft Watch "Ryan Murray"

Today we examine the #3 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List . Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.

2.Ryan Murray

Pos: D
HT:6'1 ft
WT: 195 lbs
Born: White City, SK


Season:

2011-12	Everett Silvertips	Games 10	G 3	A 3	Pts 6
2010-11	Everett Silvertips	Games 70	G 6	A 40	Pts 46
2009-10	Everett Silvertips	Games 52	G 5	A 22	Pts 27

WHL fight video

Without question Murray is considered the top defenseman available for selection in the 2012 NHL Draft. Ryan is an impact player who plays for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. At times in his rookie season he even averaged over 30 minutes in ice time a game. Quite the workload for such a young player.Ryan is noted for his great puck moving ability, and has been considered as a player in the mold of Scott Niedermayer.  Murray is not as much about being a point maker but rather has a bigger future as a two-way defenseman in the NHL.

Could you imagine a incredible all around defenceman manning our blueline in a couple years who can play like this guy? Another defenceman may move up the ranks by draft time, but hands down he is the best all around defenceman available that is a genuine puck mover. The concern at this moment has to be the injury he sustained recently.

'Dreaming'
-- Whitney/Murray
-- Gilbert/Smid
-- Petry/Potter

Of course that is only putting Murray into the lineup with players that are currently playing or have been playing on the roster. With other prospects that could be ready to go soon enough from the minors or Jrs in the next years you may have a far different look. My point is, I like that first pairing we could actually call a potential top defensive pairing in the NHL

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

Nikolai Khabibulin / Old Balls Is Good

I have been openly critical of Khabibulin since his time with the Oilers began. Not only have I been critical of his "trouble" off the ice, but I've also been on him for his shoddy play on the ice as well. Outside of a few stretches where he's played well, he hasn't been that good as an Oiler.

Now before I praise the hell out of old balls (I call him that cause he's old for a hockey player at 38 years old), I'm reminded of those longer stretches of bad play and I kind of want to hold my tongue.

But I can't. Right now after 4 games played, he has a goal against average of 0.72 and a .969 save percentage. His last game played resulted in a shutout. Overall so far, those are pretty damn good numbers. He's currently one of the top goalies in the NHL. Wow! How is that not impressive?

But, all good things come to an end at some point. When is his time ending? Hopefully for Oiler fans, not too soon. We need him to play well this year.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Gagner To Play Tonight On The Wing / Tonight's Line Combos

It's getting reported right now that Sam Gagner will be back in the lineup tonight vs the NYR. It sounds like he will replace Linus Omark and Gagner will play on the wing. Should be interesting to see how he does. It's been a few years since I seen him on the wing. If I remember right, he played wing occasionally with Cogliano and Nilsson.

OTHER OILERS NEWS:

Nik Khabibulin will get his second consecutive start tonight. It appears the goalie rotation is over. For now...

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play tonight. There was a loud out cry from fans yesterday complaining that he was going to sit out. Ok, ok. It was just me bitching about it.

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Smyth-Horcoff-Jones
Paajarvi-Belanger-Gagner
Eager-Lander-Petrell

Whitney-Potter
Smid-Gilbert
Barker-Sutton

GOILERS!!!

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-