Post & Pre-Game Thoughts

POST GAME - VANCOUVER...

So we lost another game. We now have a 3-5-2 record for 8 pts. I have a few thoughts on why...

1) Show up and play in the first, like we did in the third.
2) As Tom Renney put it..."Stay out of the bloody penalty box!"
3) Special Teams was weak again.

In the first period we were an AHL team at best. I'm trying not to dis-respect the AHL here. The Oilers could not complete a pass, could not keep possession of the puck, and did not answer the physicality of the Canucks at all.

Laddy Smid took a delay of game penalty in the first, putting the puck over the glass and out of play. I think this was a by product of our inability to pass the puck up and out of our own zone. Daniel Sedin Scores to make it 1-0 on the PP. Tom Gilbert took an interference penalty, and then Raffi Torres scores on the ensuing PP. This was Raffi's second goal of the period and this makes it 3-0. We took 4 penalties in total and allowed 2 goals.

50% on the PK just doesn't cut it in this league. I am starting to think, that in 10 games only, I have written about the PK 3 or 4 times already. This is starting to become a theme. If we don't get this turned around, the term "last place exciting hockey" is definitely what we will get this year.

When Raffi Torres is your best player on any given night, that doesn't bode well for your team. He got his first NHL hat trick during the game. This indicates to me that the Vancouver Canucks are not as strong as all the media types would have us believe. I mean let's be honest...we caught up and tied the game in third period for the third time this season. We didn't get a point like we did in the previous 2 come from behind rallies, but it shows, that Vancouver doesn't play for 60 mins either.

It was reported on 630 Ched on the way to the game that Cory Schneider was going to play Goal for Vancouver. At the last minute, it was changed to Luongo. This tells me that teams are starting to realize that even though we are damn near last place in the standings, that we are offensively dangerous. I like that!

The officiating in this game, in my mind, was less than desirable. There were several missed calls on both sides of the puck that could've led to more PP's for both teams. I'm not sure why some nights are inconsistent when it comes to the referee's. I really hope that the coach's challenge that Dale Tallon tabled as an agenda item at the upcoming GM meeting, will get some serious thought!

PRE-GAME - DETROIT...

It was reported today, that the line of Hall-Horcoff-Hemsky will be seen again tonight. The Oilers tried this in Pre-Season and haven't tried it since (that I can recall). Personally, I don't want to see Horcoff playing on a different line than Eberle. These two have great chemistry and Horcoff seems to look way better playing with Eberle than he ever did with Hemsky, in my opinion.

The second line will be Paajarvi-Gagner-Eberle. I don't mind this line, a lot of skill but, not enough grit. Jordan is the best two-way guy in my mind for this line. Gagner has been a little chippy lately so hopefully that will be enough. My guess is you will see Peckham and Foster on the ice with these kids.

I assume that Khabibulin will be in net for the Oil tonight, although I have not heard who it will be for sure. It better be, if we hope to have a chance to win this game. No dis-respect to Dubnyck, but personally I feel that with all the high-power offense from the Wings, we will need our number on tender tonight.

We really need to pound the Wings if we hope to win. They are not the same team as they used to be with several of their veteran fore checkers gone, they are ripe for a good physical game. If we can hit hard and often, I truly believe we can wear this team down and squeak out the win. I'm calling a 3-2 victory for the Oilers tonight!

RIDICULOUS STORY...

So...I was reading twitter yesterday and saw this tweet that referenced a story about Taylor Hall, Kevin Lowe, & the number 4. The writer of this story was Mark Seidel. he alleges in the story that Hall tried to apply pressure to the Oilers and Kevin Lowe to get the number 4 on his sweater. This is the link to the story fro Seidel.

Now, I'm not sure what the motives for Seidel were, to write this nonsense, but Kevin Lowe vehemently denied this on both the Team 1260 Radio and 630 Ched. I believe Hall will be asked about it today, but i have not heard if he has commented yet or not. The follwing link will take you to 630 ched to hear the interview with Lowe. http://www.630ched.com/insidesports/episodes.aspx

If the story is untrue (which I believe it is) what possible reason would Seidel have for writing a fabrication? It doesn't seem to make any sense. Seidel doesn't back up his story with any credible evidence, such as a source of some kind. He just seems to give you an opinion, with out any facts. The unfortunate part of the story is that people now have to answer questions about it. Kevin Lowe said to Dan Tencer on Ched last night..."I would rather be watching hockey right now, than answering these questions quite frankly." And to pull Hall's family into it too? Not very professional at all.

Anyways...GO Oilers GO!