Edmonton - Minnesota post-game: Backstrom + Nolan = Death

by Bruce McCurdy on Dec 24, 2009 12:47 AM MST in Game Reports

Well that wasn't much to write home about. A decent effort from the Oilers, but for the first time in a dozen games they were held to under 2 goals, wasting a pretty good game from Jeff Deslauriers in the process. Even though they have lit the guy up here in Edmonton a couple of times, Oilers can't score on Niklas Backstrom in Minny. Tonight was more of the same with Backstrom stopping 30 of 31 shots, while another Oiler-killer of long standing, Owen Nolan, notched the winner.

Oilers had the better of the shot clock but gave up far too many odd-man rushes for my liking. The minus machines known as Shawn Horcoff and Patrick O'Sullivan played OK by eye, but were on the ice for all three Minny goals. These guys are just getting killed out there these days, especially when playing together. O'Sullivan was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty shot when slashed on a clear cut breakaway in the third; bad luck seems to be the only kind the former Wild draft pick seems to get.

The Wild have now won the last 11 straight games between the two clubs at the Excel Energy Centre.

A few stats after the jump:

Faceoffs (3 or more)

Penner 2/3 = 67%
Gagner 7/11 = 64%
Stortini 3/8 = 38%
Potulny 5/14 = 36%
Brule 1/5 = 20%
O'Sullivan 1/9 = 11%

Oilers 20/53 = 38%

POS is not the guy to take the extra load while Horcoff's shoulder heals. His seasonal faceoff stats now stand at 58/159 = 36.5%. By way of comparison, Andrew Cogliano stands at 40.1%.

* * *

Corsi by line (listed in order of EV TOI)

Penner +12, Brule +8, Potulny +7
Gagner +2, Cogliano -1, Moreau -4
Horcoff -8, O'Sullivan -10, Jacques -13
Nilsson +4, Stortini +3, Stone +2

Souray +9, Gilbert +9
Visnovsky +3, Smid -3
Grebeshkov -4, Staios -12

Oilers +1

The Horcoff line may have played OK by eye, but the stats tell a different story. These guys are getting owned out there. I know a good deal of it is matchups, but the whole point of a shutdown line is to, you know, shut the other guys down.

* * *

Next up: at Vancouver, 20:00 MST Saturday (Boxing Day)

Not much of a Christmas break for the boys, the minimum time off with a road trip at either end.

Happy holidays, everyone!

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Keep it up

As the playoff possibilities disappear into the darkness, I say fine… if you’re going to lose, at least do that well. Taylor Hall will be a good fit with Jordan Eberle. Look at Chicago right now. That could be the Oilers in a couple years if they play their cards right.

by ajcrocks on Dec 24, 2009 10:37 AM MST reply actions

The Drive for (the Bottom) Five

Yes, we’re done for the season and yes, we’re realistically screwed for at least three years, and that’s IF we gut the team and send the dead weight to the dog food factory.

On the flip side, however, we’re nearly bad enough to be in a position to draft an elite prospect. Given the needs of our team and prospects that are available, I wondering who you guys think might be the best fit for the future Oil?

- Taylor Hall, Left Wing, Windsor Spitfires OHL

- Tyler Seguin, Centre, Plymouth Whalers OHL

- Teemu Pulkkinen, Right Wing, Jokerit Helsinki SM-Liiga

- Cam Fowler, Defence, Windsor OHL

- Kirill Kabanov, Left Wing, Spartak Moscava RSL

- Brett Connely, Left Wing, Prince George WHL

- John McFarland, Left Wing, Sudbury Wolves OHL

- Brandon Gormley, Defence, Moncton QMJHL

Unless something drastically changes and/or we beat some incredible odds to actually win the lottery, however, Carolina is pretty much ready to throw some player jerseys on the girls that shovel the ice between stoppages in play in order to get Taylor Hall.

by TheSizzler on Dec 24, 2009 12:44 PM MST reply actions

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Oilers Schedule

Last 5 Games

@ Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sat 04/07	L 0 - 3
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	Thu 04/05	OT - L 2 - 3
@ Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Mon 04/02	L 0 - 2
@ Anaheim Anaheim Calling	Sun 04/01	W 2 - 1
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Fri 03/30	L 1 - 4