Oilers Lines For Tonight's Game vs Winnipeg Jets (Young Stars)

The lines have changed slightly for tonight's game against the Jets.  The only forward line that stays the same is the RNH line.

The defence looks a little different too with Teubert, Marincin and Musil out of the lineup. Should be interesting to see how the fresh faces look.

Tyler Bunz will start in goal.

Game time: 8:30pm MT

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Nugent-Hopkins, Hamilton, Pitlick, Rajala, Davidson, Gernat, Fedun, Bunz


TONIGHTS FORWARD LINES
Hamilton-Nugent-Hopkins-Pelss
Ferguson-Pitlick-Reider
Czerwonka-Smith-Rajala
Tyrvainen-Schaber-Martindale

DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Davidson-Blain
Vannieuwenhuizen-Lowery
Gernat-Fedun

GOALIES
Bunz
Roy

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Hockey Faceoff 101

101

I think its time to head back to school, faceoff school! How many years are the Edmonton Oilers going to take to fix this problem? I know, I know. We all have heard it a million times. We have discussed it a million times. Question is, when will it start changing? Maybe the problem is, they are not sure what a hockey faceoff is. Let's see...hmm..I got it!

Wikipedia: Hockey faceoff
"When two teams line up in opposition to each other, and the opposing centres attempt to gain control of the puck after it is dropped between their sticks by an official."

Not sure the definition will help the Oilers either. I do have another thought however. What if they were to learn from some of the best in the business?  The Washington Capitals center David Steckel has won 64.5% of his faceoffs a year ago ; no one has finished the season with a percentage that high since the NHL lockout in 2004-05. Center Boyd Gordon was 58% with Washington as well. Those are some high numbers. In fact because I care so much, I personally went out and had the faceoff teaching from these fabulous faceoff players brought to the Oilers via our website here at @oilerjambalaya.com

Here is the Video:

On second thought, maybe this may be a little too complicated at this point in time. Maybe we could start smaller? Perhaps it is possible to start by learning the art of winning a faceoff in "Air Hockey" first. After all you know what they say (practice makes perfect)

 If worse comes to worse, we could always considering paying off the referee's to drop the puck a little more to our side.

ok, enough with the stupid talk. I know the Edmonton Oilers work on their faceoffs in practice. They take the centers and work on techniques and drills several times. Because we don't hear of the Oilers doing this in practice, it would be ignorant of us to believe they wouldn't take time to hone this part of their game. In  fact during their 2011 Development Camp in July, I personally sat and watched Coach Sillinger working on faceoffs with Lander, Nugent-Hopkins and Pitlick.

What was sweet, was to see RNH put those new skills into practice in the World Jr development camp, red and white scrimmage games. In fact Nugent-Hopkins won 75% of his faceoffs the first game in Edmonton and about 60% the next night. His main opponents were Ryan Johanson and Ryan Strome. They may not be veterans but they are known to be pretty decent faceoff guys.

I was pretty excited to see this. I knew RNH was average in the WHL playoffs, but I held out hope. I knew Lander (thanks to Lowetide) was averaging almost 50% against men in the SEL. So to say last night's rookie game caused some disappointment is a understatement. I recorded as best as I could, faceoff winning percentage by player. I thought the Oilers website would have this statistic, so decided to stop following by the 50 minute mark of the game. Turns out, they didn't record FO%. My statistic may be off a 2% but is pretty accurate. I found the following for faceoff % by individual player.

Ryan Martindale 50% 
(He started by winning 25%  in first half but then won 75% the last half )

Anton Lander 50%
(was pretty consistant by winning a couple, then losing a couple)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 40%
(went 4 for 6 at start but then started losing most the draws)

I know this can be worked on, but Lander is considered good at faceoffs and 50% is not good against a rookie team from Vancouver. Martindale got stronger as the game went on. RNH was a concern for me. Maybe there was other factors in play, I am not sure. All I know is, RNH will need to be better should he actually be considered a possibility to play the year with the Edmonton Oilers. This is a huge concern (faceoffs) with the veterans on the team already, the last thing we need is to have a development system that is weak in this department as well.

Is there cause for alarm? I doubt it. I am probably just over reacting as most of us fans do. After all, I can't see the Oilers sitting still and not helping improve the development of their players in this area of weakness. Everything I said earlier was just in good humour but you have to be praying this will be a area that is addressed soon, and sooner then later.

In the meantime I will be watching Tuesday night's game in anticipation of seeing the Oilers FO% improving, even if by 3%. That all being said, still pumped for another Oilers game. My prediction is a closer tilt. Maybe a 5-3 win? less then 24 hours til puck drop.

you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter/revingev

Colten Teubert Concussed??? Curtis Hamilton Injured???

Colten Teubert isn't practicing with the Oilers this moring in Penticton, BC. He took a hard punch last night vs the Canucks (see video below) and it's possible he now has a concussion.  His nose was bleeding bad after the fight and it is possible he just has a broken nose and not a concussion. Either way, he's not skating today.

We will post updates right here as they are released.

EDIT: He suffered a broken nose. No talk of a concussion. He says he will not play in the last two Young Stars games. 

Here is the video of the incident.

CURTIS HAMILTON

Jason Gregor is reporting that Curtis Hamilton left the ice early during practice today. It appears he tweaked his leg in last night's game and was seen going off the ice and was bending or flexing his leg.

We will also keep you posted on this.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Oilers vs Canucks YoungStars Game / Watch The Entire Game Replay Here

"Roy steals the show"

Saturday and Sunday, Oiler players were tweeting and awe struck by the beauty that is called beaches. Was the way they played the result of being so relaxed, they just went out and played? I doubt it. These guys have done this before. Sure there are butterflies, but after the first 5 minutes it became a game. It wasn't til the 2nd period that the Oilers took over control of this game.

Olivier Roy was solid in net tonight. Early on he looked poised and solid. Not at all the goalie who was shaken up at last years world Jr's. Roy has been known to get rattled in his confidence. Not tonight! Later in the game when called upon, Roy stood his ground once again, even on a partial breakaway. He would continue the stellar play through to the third period. With very few shots on him early on, Roy was later be called upon to come up big again.

The two goals he let in , he could not be faulted for. On a night when you will probably read several articles on the other players, I wanted to bring attention and give credit where it was due. Roy stood strong throughout the night and that has to go a long way, as Olivier prepares to move on to the pro game of hockey. I know some may think he only made a few stellar plays, but otherwise he was just ok. Something that is missed often with a goaltender is when it looks easy....it's usually because they played well enough to make it look that way.

Before I forget, did you see his new cage? Loved it! I looked for a pic of it online but could not find one. Anyone that can locate a picture, send it my way. I need it for my computer wallpaper.

Lots of excitement to gain from last night's game, but none more then a win. Yes, I said win! We Oiler fans will take any win we can get, in any form, in any fashion. Even a rookie game. Good win for the boys. What I really liked most last night was the chemistry I was seeing as a team. I'm not going to rate any players or break down the play of each player. I am waiting til the end of the tourney before giving my evaluation and take on it as a whole. As for last night, I am going to take the next 48 hours to enjoy every moment of it.

A couple notes when we are evaluating that may be important to look at. Some of the players are older and should look much better out there playing against younger guys. Also RNH should look good, he is a #1 NHL pick. What they did last night should be expected, as well as Roy should shine. I would also add, Lander and RNH are not going to be looked and evaluated as much right now as main training camp. The Oilers just want these two young guys to get their legs under them before heading back to Edmonton to compete for a roster spot with the Oilers main squad. This tourney is a great time to evaluate the other players who could be a part of the future but seldom we get to see.

What's your impression's of last night's game? Who stood out to you? Do you have any concerns about RNH's game or maybe one of the other forwards or even a defenceman? What rookie are you most excited to see at main training camp? All I can say is, I am jacked OIL hockey is BACK!

you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter/revingev