Oilers v. Capitals - 1 Kings 7:13-22
by Scott Reynolds on Dec 19, 2009 5:30 PM MST
in Game-Day Threads
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PrintWashington Capitals at Edmonton Oilers, Dec 19, 2009 8:00 PM MST
King Leonsis sent to Washington and brought George McPhee, whose mother was a hamster and whose father smelt of elderberries. McPhee was skilled in all different kinds of hockey management but in this case Leonsis demanded a rebuild. So McPhee came to King Leonsis and did all the work assigned to him.
He began by drafting two Russian forwards, each with the ability to score many goals - the presence of either individual on a line instantly made it a viable option to score. On the day each was drafted McPhee had the player pull on the jersey of the Capitals, making them pillars of his team. A network of players were then brought in around these two Russians. He brought in a veteran player and first round pick to play with each of them. He did this for each one. The Captials who played with the two Russian pillars almost always look good and will eventually profit accordingly. Whenever these pillars are sent out to the ice in Washington's Temple there is now always about 20,000 present to take in their glory. The first pillar was named Ovechkin and the second was named Semin. The Capitals were soon at the top of their division, the rebuild flowering. And so the pillars of the rebuild were complete.
Washington Capitals (21-8-6) @ Edmonton Oilers (15-15-4)
Rexall Place, 8:00 P.M. MST
Television: CBC
Visiting Team Scouting Report: It's not like you need me to tell you this but the Washington Capitals are a fantastic hockey team. They have the most exciting player in the game. They play in a division that doesn't have a lot of good teams or teams that play a really physical style (though Henrik Zetterberg might disagree). Pretty much every player on the team can skate well and they almost all have good size to boot. The club has a plethora of support players who can play hockey and don't have any major concerns with regard to the cap. I think everybody except for Rod Brind'Amour picked them to finish first in the Southeast division this season and everyone except for Rod Brind'Amour has been correct. It's been a tough year for Rod.
Expected Lineups:
Edmonton Oilers (15-15-4):
Penner - Gagner - Brule
Nilsson - Horcoff - Stone
Moreau - Potulny - Cogliano
Jacques - Stortini - O'Sullivan
Gilbert - Souray
Smid - Visnovsky
Grebeshkov - Staios
Deslauriers
Washington Capitals (21-8-6)
Ovechkin - Backstrom - Knuble
Semin - Morrison - Laich
Fleischmann - Wilson - Fehr
Bradley - Steckel - Clark
Green - Schultz
Poti - Morrisonn
Alzner - Erskine
Theodore
Behind the Numbers:
- Alexander Ovechkin is tied for third in the league with 21 goals on the season but his goals per game rate is tops among the top thirty at 0.78. Marian Gaborik is second at 0.73.
- The Capitals are one of six teams with two of the top twenty-five goal-scorers (Ovechkin and Semin). The others are San Jose (Marleau and Heatley), Tampa Bay (Stamkos and Malone), Anaheim (Perry and Ryan), Ottawa (Fisher and Michalek) and Long Island (Tavares and Moulson).
- The Capitals have eight of the top twenty-eight players players in the NHL for +/-. The Oilers are one of only five other teams with at least two. The others are New Jersey, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
- I'm a big believer in looking at a team's record in a games decided by more than one goal as a measure of team quality. The Capitals record? 13-5. The Oilers? 8-11.
- The fact that this game is the second of a back-to-back for the Capitals bodes well for the Oilers pulling out a win this evening but bodes poorly for those excited to see Ovechkin have an incredible offensive performance.
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Cogs said:
“It could go either of two ways: you could lose the game by eight or win a close one.”
Weird quote. Not often that athletes are this candid about just how much better their competition is.
Ladi Smid is bewildered by that quote.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 6:25 PM MST up reply actions
And yet…that’s pretty much what I’m thinking, too. Either the Oilers get bent over like Northlands is a prison shower, and it’s all over but the fighting after one, or they weather the storm, take advantage of a tired team late, and squeak one out they probably don’t deserve.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
I just found out…I am going to the game………I hope its a close win!!!!!
section 114….row 18th….sweeeeeeet >…I have never watched the game from so close
Good luck. Toss up a fanpost about it when you get back!
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 6:25 PM MST up reply actions
I’ve never watched a bear maul a person up close either. Doesn’t mean I’d want to.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
What part of Alberta are you allegedly from again?
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 6:37 PM MST up reply actions
Staples thinks I’m from Prince Albert.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
No Dustin Penner listed as a forward candidate for Team Canada? No gold medal for us.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 6:55 PM MST reply actions
I’m a bit biased, but how is he not among the 4 best Canadian left wings right now?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Montreal beats the Islanders 3-0, the Leafs beat the Bruins 2-0. A good sign for the Canadian teams on Hockey Night in Canada.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 7:41 PM MST reply actions
If the hysteria over the fifth-best forward in the NHL is anything like what Wayne Gretzky got when he visited Washington, I apologize on behalf of all Oiler fans everywhere.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 8:07 PM MST reply actions
You know, at a certain point in the anthem, I still expect Laurieau to stop singing and hold up the mic to the crowd. Weird.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
JASON STRUDWICK MOTHEREFFERS!
So it begins…
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Looking forward to see him rolled against Ovechkin and company.
Also, I wonder if it’s this blue at the actual arena. Maybe it’s just Pat Quinn swearing.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 8:11 PM MST up reply actions
roll out the pairings!
we’ll have a barrel of fun.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
You can tell Washington respects the Oilers because they’re playing this German guy from the AHL.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Oh yeah. Shitty classic rock covers from the SkyRex music guys. I missed watching Oilers games.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
“Coast-to-coast, heads-up play by Tom Poti.” Don’t think I’ve ever heard that phrase before.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 8:16 PM MST reply actions
Nice to see O’Sullivan brought his regular game tonight.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Sully and Grebs so far...
bad start for two guys that Quinn can’t be too happy with at the moment.
He has absolutely no interest in contact. None.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
The puck wouldn’t be bobbling if the Oilers had a new arena.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Did we go back to the hurry-up faceoff rule without anyone telling me?
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Go ahead and rest up that back, Khabibulin. Take your time. We’re good, buddy.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 8:41 PM MST reply actions
I’m always leery when someone shits themselves because a goalie flashes the leather, regardless of whether it was an improbable or routine save, but man, 16 saves in a period is nothing to sneeze at.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
And a couple of beauties. He’s much more aware tonight. He’s not freaking out trying to find the puck.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
He’s definitely looked solid from the bits I’ve seen while looking up from my studying.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Martin Brodeur’s just keeping the goalie records warm for Jeff Deslauriers.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 9:02 PM MST up reply actions
Somebody mentioned 71's warts a few days ago
He missed an assignment pretty bad on the last sequence, didn’t he? With Morrison banging away in front of the net.
Smid and Staios are the only d I haven’t seen make a really poor decision or play this period.
Watched it again on DVR and I can’t figure out who is supposed to have Morrison.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Three times in three games that Moreau can’t get the puck deep.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Apparently, this is the only referee in the NHL that thinks the stiff arm is a penalty
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
With the Dirty Russian finishing it off.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
That only happened because Lanterns didn’t have to make bodily contact.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
See, that play where Deslauriers slid across the entire crease to stome Semin yet again was much better than the flashy glove.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 9:13 PM MST reply actions
Agreed. Very nice.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Gagner got beat on the wall, caused Smid to leave his post, came low and took a hooking call. Horrendous sequence for the kid.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
This is suffocating hockey right here.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Suffocating? Please. This is amazing. This is thilling. This is awesome. This is metal.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 9:31 PM MST up reply actions
I mean the Caps are suffocating the Oilers in their own end.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Wow – Moreau was so hard and fast coming back on the puck to backcheck Ovechkin that I thought he was Horcoff.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Souray’s little pats on the head were funny.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Moreau’s line has been suffocated the most so far and they get the goal.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Nilsson
he’s looks much better on the 4th line.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
There’s nothing wrong with a guy who can slaughter lesser players.
There’s more wrong with paying him Nilsson’s money, but if we’re stuck with him we may as well play him right.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 9:48 PM MST up reply actions
Couldn’t agree more. Actually, if you can trade for a winger to work with Horcov and they can draw – Nilsson crushing the softs isn’t a bad thing. It might drastically increase Stortini’s contract though…
I wonder why two coaches have now decided to glue Cogliano to Moreau’s hip?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
How many times do you think Deslauriers is going to get beat like that before he makes a change?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Swinging his stick with both hands into Tom Gilbert’s neck?
You’ve got to be harder on the puck than that and you can’t dilly-daddle behind the net with a guy who hasn’t actually got the puck.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:05 PM MST up reply actions
No disagreement here, but Deslauriers gets beat on the post regularly.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Lanterns…three on two and he shoots into Alzners legs and sticks.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Error: Staios. “Dur de dur, Alex Ovechkin is coming down my wing and his shot was saved. Dur de dur, I guess I can kinda jerk off and OH MY GOD THERE WAS A REBOUND ON A PAD SAVE IMPOSSIBLE”
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:10 PM MST reply actions
What the hell was Gagner doing on that shift?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Well, good to see the Oilers are getting all the breaks like always.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:16 PM MST reply actions
That’s two tonight – the Penner call and the delay call. Both were complete crap.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Jesus that was a quick whistle. This is some bonafide refereeing tonight.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
The Spirit of 2006 on that penalty kill. That’s exactly how you do that
That was even more metal than the second goal was.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:20 PM MST reply actions
That’s exactly how you do that
Get in the way?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Adventures in puck play by Jeff Deslauriers. Souray was disgusted.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Well, fuck this Deslauriers kid. He’s a stinker and I’ve always said so.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:25 PM MST reply actions
el oh el for putting the third pairing out in the defensive zone in a tie game in the third.
Keep rollin them Pat!
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Anybody know an Edmontonian with a grow-op? Because it looks like defensive pairings aren’t the only things Quinn is rolling…
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:29 PM MST up reply actions
Deslauriers
Terrible attempted pass to Smid to start that crap.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
If Derek and I are talking at each other for an entire period, you know it was a depressing one.
by Benjamin Massey on Dec 19, 2009 10:41 PM MST reply actions
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