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Around SBN: NFL Week One: Previews and Predictions for all 15 games

Oilers v. Coyotes - Hosea 6:4-6

Edmonton Oilers at Phoenix Coyotes, Feb 8, 2010 6:30 PM PST


"What can I do with you Mr. Manager?
And what about you Mr. Dithers?
Your savvy is like a morning mist,
present in the early hours and then quickly gone forever!"

"And so the prophets of the Oilogosphere have torn you to shreds!
Outwitted by jerks behind computers!  How embarassing!
Like a pack of Coyotes with fresh meat, they have pounced on your incompetence!"

"I want to show you mercy, not receive a 'righteous' sacrifice,
I need an acknowledgment of your failings, not more make-believe assessment."

 

Edmonton Oilers (18-33-6) @ Phoenix Coyotes (35-19-5)

Jobing.com Arena, 7:30 P.M. MST
Television: Sportsnet West

More analysis after the jump...

Star-divide

Visiting Team Scouting Report: The Phoenix Coyotes are a good team this year and I don't know anyone who predicted it.  They're outperforming their goal differential at the moment thanks to a very strong record in one-goal games, so they may not be as good as they're record suggests, but they've also been able to outshoot opponents on the year so it's not like their success is a mirage.  I don't know how much credit goes to Dave Tippett on turning this club around but at the moment I'm going to say A LOT. 

The man that changed in the off-season was not the general manager.  Dave Tippett was hired on September 24th 2009.  On September 29th the Coyotes signed center Robert Lang who was a sign of thigns to come.  Last year's "promising" rookies were sent down to the farm.  Mikkel Boedker, Kyle Turris, Viktor Tikhonov, Kevin Porter...  Last year, those four played a total of 236 games.  This year? 16.  Maybe it was Tippett that decided that youth shouldn't be served, maybe it was Maloney.  I imagine it was a decision they made together and it has certainly worked out for the better.

Tippett has also been very aggressive on the bench, moving certain players into clear "defensive" roles (Fiddler, Winnik, Hanzal, Michalek, Jovanovski) and other into clear "offensive" and/or "protected" roles (Mueller, Lang, Lombardi, Yandle, Lepisto).  Certain players have been better than expected (Jovanovski) but I think a lot of credit should go to Dave Tippett for finding roles for his players.  The majority of them are finding ways to succeed.

 

Expected Lineups:

Edmonton Oilers (18-33-6):

Penner - Pouliot - Nilsson
M(ake room in the pressbox)? - H(ave a seat)? - Pi(sitting)? - Co(uld be out)?
O'Sullivan - Potulny - Brule

Jacques - Cogliano - Stortini

Acid - Chloroform

Czecho - Slovakia
Steady - Steadier


Shoving it up Backsides

 

Phoenix Coyotes (35-19-5)

Mueller - Lombardi - Doan
Vrbata - Hanzal - Prucha
Pyatt - Lang - Korpikoski
Winnik - Fiddler - Bissonnette

Michalek - Jovanovski
Yandle - Lepisto
Vandermeer - Aucoin

Bryzgalov

 

Behind the Numbers:

  • The Coyotes just had a six-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night against the Dallas Stars.  Coming into tonight they've won three in a row at home and have a very strong record at home overall (21-8-2).  the Oilers, meanwhile, have won fewer road games than any team in the NHL with a total of seven.  And this team won five road games in a row.  Aside from that streak the Oilers are 2-17-2 on the road.
  • Ladislav Smid will play in his 250th career NHL game tonight, all for the Edmonton Oilers.  Smid's 34 points is the lowest total among players who have played that many games as an Oiler.
  • The Phoenix Coyotes have a record of 15-15 in games decided by more than one goal, not an especially impressive total.  On the bright side, they're very likely going to be able to improve on that total tonight.
  • There has been some talk that Peter Mueller is a better player than he's shown so far this season.  The argument is that he's being destroyed by the percentages (PDO of 97.3) despite doing well in terms of possession (Corsi of +8.20/60).  And there's some truth to that.  However, among forwards (min. 40 GP) he's also received the sixth best OZ to DZ ratio in the entire league (187 OZ to 102 DZ).  His Corsi and Relative Corsi?  They're not close to that high and he's not exactly facing the vaunt either.  Gabe Desjardins has three measures for Quality of Competition and Mueller ranks dead last, dead last and third last among Coyotes forwards in each of them.  He is -4 5-on-5.  It's true that the percentages are hurting him but it looks to me like "not being very good at hockey this year" is hurting him more.

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Ladislav Smid will play in his 250th career NHL game tonight, all for the Edmonton Oilers. Smid’s 34 points is the lowest total among players who have played that many games as an Oiler.

He’s Jim Schoenfeld without the anger and crease-clearing ability. Hm, so he’s not really Jim Schoenfeld.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 4:59 PM PST reply actions  

Under “Things that make Bruce unhappy” it looks like Zack Stortini is the scratch tonight. I wonder if his “previous commitment” is flying to Phoenix to chew out the coach (he’s one of those hockey parents).

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:36 PM PST reply actions  

Quinn has been on Stortini (if scratches and bag skates are to be believed) lately, but I’m not sure I’ve been able to determine why.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Torres and Stoll have been making fun of Quinn for having Stortini in the lineup.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Newcastle Brown

Newcastle drinks like Iced Tea. Is this a good or bad thing?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:39 PM PST reply actions  

ggod thing…mmm, I like that beer…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:39 PM PST up reply actions  

The "big line"

Penner – Potulny – Nilsson

oof.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:39 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah… the first line is “Penner and whoever” and then it’s “Horcoff and whoever” taking the toughs with two fourth lines filling out the rest of the lineup.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:44 PM PST up reply actions  

I miss real players.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:45 PM PST up reply actions  

The Oilers definitely have more jump tonight. At least that’s good to see.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:43 PM PST reply actions  

Half of the team hasn’t played in weeks.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Moreau

What in the world was Moreay doing on that last shift in his zone? He stood there looking at Gilbert instead of you know, moving.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:47 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah, that was a pretty uneven shift by Moreau. Looked lost when there was a scramble in front but made a nice pass cross-ice to Staios to clear the zone later in the sequence.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:50 PM PST up reply actions  

His last shift he decided to skate backwards down the ice facing the puck carrier rather than turning towards the offensive zone. I coached a kid like that and if they are the same, Moreau was saying “here here here here”

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Not a very smart play by Bissonnette. He can blame Strudwick but there was really no reason for him to be skating through the crease there.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:48 PM PST reply actions  

5 on 3

and the first power play is gassed. Call the timeout!

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Has Quinn ever called a timeout with more than 2:00 left in the third? Serious question.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:52 PM PST up reply actions  

Sounds like a question for Dan Tencer

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions  

You wouldn’t think it would be possible for the 2009-10 Edmonton Oilers to show less offensive creativity, then Sam Gagner got hurt and by god…

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 6:50 PM PST reply actions  

Announcers

If we could combine Strader and Debrusk and drop Quinn and Nash, we might have something here.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:51 PM PST reply actions  

I feel like something just got shoved up my backside.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 6:53 PM PST reply actions  

Jo! Vo! Cop! At this point I need to admit cheering when Gelinas scored the OT winner for the Flames in G7 against the Canucks in 2004. Jovo was in the box and his sullen look was pretty amazing.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Robin Brownlee? It was Robin Brownlee, right?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:58 PM PST up reply actions  

Now, I don’t think the goal was his fault, but Ethan Moreau looked like he was playing center for that whole sequence. Pouliot was up at the left point and Moreau was all over the place, including the right corner. Is that normal?

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 6:54 PM PST reply actions  

Normally that happens when Jacques is on the ice. I don’t believe the defensive system is supposed to work that way.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions  

From a STH at the Thrashers townhall meeting:

“This franchise can’t retain top guys. Going way back we let Staios, Brunette, and Savard depart, when are we going to keep our stars?”

Maybe we could pay that guy to guilt Waddell into taking Staios back.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:00 PM PST reply actions  

Staios, Nilsson and Jacques for the rights to Colby Armstrong.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:01 PM PST up reply actions  

If you juice it with something better than Nilsson and Jacques it might work, but I doubt Armstrong stays here so juicing it might not be such a good move.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:03 PM PST up reply actions  

You’re getting $4.7 million in cap space if Armstrong walks ;)

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Why, that’s Chris Neil money!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:09 PM PST up reply actions  

I know, I mean the package isn’t good enough to get him. You may need to replace Nilsson with Cogs and at that point it’s probably not a good idea.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:16 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m not talking a deadline deal. I’m talking a post-season rights trade.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions  

It would be a great deal for the Oilers in that case too but it’s more plausible. That said, I think Armstrong is out of Atlanta by the deadline.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:25 PM PST up reply actions  

Nilsson and Comrie have both had a couple of pretty good chances tonight but Bryzgalov is taking away the bottom of the net. They just haven’t yet been able to get the puck up in close. Getting some good chances though.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:08 PM PST reply actions  

I like the idea of Cogliano with Pouliot if they had a real winger.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:12 PM PST reply actions  

Ow! What the hell is this thing being shoved up my backside? This is the second time in the period!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:14 PM PST reply actions  

JDD going down like a broken elevator.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Both D below the goal-line is usually not a good idea. Matt Lombardi demonstrates why.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:16 PM PST reply actions  

Carter hit

I can’t believe all three panelists are defending that hit.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:23 PM PST reply actions  

It’s a physical game, lemme tell ya, kid, keep your head up!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Blatant blindside hit. Predatory for sure. Terrible stuff. Clearly intent to injure and it’s the kind of thing that should come with a severe punishment but I don’t expect any discipline from the league.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Everyone is defending this too.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:33 PM PST up reply actions  

So, pretend you’re in Jeff Carter’s position. You need to stop Anssi Salmela from cutting across the middle and scoring. What do you do other than “check him”?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Hit him someone other than the head?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:36 PM PST up reply actions  

With your shoulder against a guy who’s crouching?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Marc Pouliot is easily good enough to make the Canadian national soccer team.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:32 PM PST reply actions  

Jeff Deslauriers can forget bad goals, which explains why he still hasn’t learned to cover the fucking short side.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:34 PM PST reply actions  

HEY LOOK I’M PSYCHIC.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:35 PM PST up reply actions  

How…I don’t…how is it possible for a goalie to get this far and..

I give up.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:36 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m hoping for another quick goal from the Coyotes. I want Pitton!

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Joaquin Gage is crossing his fingers that he’ll no longer be the worst goaltender in Oilers NHL history.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Based on what I’ve seen of Deslauriers, he can uncross those fingers.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions  

I thought that was Mike Morrison…or that Shtalenkov guy

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:41 PM PST up reply actions  

Hey, MoMo’s nickname was “Good Goal Tending”! How can someone like that be crappy?

Shtalenkov was pretty awful, though.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:42 PM PST up reply actions  

I don’t know, that .884 sv% Morrison had with the oil was pretty stellar, compared to his .790 MoMo had with the yotes…
Shatlenkov, .896

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:47 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m stunned that Deslauriers stops any pucks at all with that strange hourglass shape.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:49 PM PST up reply actions  

never mind, gage is going to take something really awful to beat as worst oiler goalie ever, especially based on career numbers. So far DD, not ADD, is on the way to covering that spread. I really hope the kid comes back up for a couple games and gets a win or three

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:51 PM PST up reply actions  

This song tells me they’re showing highlights of “Raw” in the building right now.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:39 PM PST reply actions  

Wait… was that the song Derek?

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions  

No. It’s an 80’s pop song with a crowd response, I’m now certain that it’s European as well.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:44 PM PST up reply actions  

Neither Hall nor Oates is European

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:46 PM PST up reply actions  

With that moustache, you could have fooled me.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:47 PM PST up reply actions  

My faith in pro wrestling having the answer to everything is now shattered.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:45 PM PST up reply actions  

I wonder what Bryan Pitton’s music is?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Bah – I was watching the Blues game, what song?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 7:41 PM PST up reply actions  

ouch

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:42 PM PST reply actions  

I declare a Dive for Five!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:42 PM PST reply actions  

goals aginst before Pitton?

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Shittin’ for Pitton?

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:43 PM PST up reply actions  

against… sorry, spelling fail…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:43 PM PST reply actions  

So apropos of nothing, Mass Effect 2 is pretty neat. You should look into it, Ben, if you haven’t already.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Feb 8, 2010 7:48 PM PST reply actions  

I have, in fact, beaten it one and three-quarters times. It beats watching the fucking Oilers.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:49 PM PST up reply actions  

I’ve had too much homework. I’m still on the first world, for crying out loud. That being said…yeah, pretty much.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Feb 8, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions  

Is it cool if I don’t do the reverse three stars tonight on the grounds that they’re all just so awful?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:48 PM PST reply actions  

Solid shift by Pouliot-Brule-O’Sullivan there… And the whole team looks better than they did on Saturday (Backsides excepted)

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions  

won’t last…the yotes have a 4 minute pp…this is going to get ugly(er)

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 7:55 PM PST up reply actions  

No, even if they’re dreadful from here on in they’ll be better than they were on Saturday. Not score-wise of course, but play-wise.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 7:58 PM PST up reply actions  

fair enough. I couldn’t watch that game, I remembered the last time we were in denver and decided to go out and get drunk. A great band from montreal was in town that seemed much better than the oilers…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Here’s the scoring chance report. 25-6 through two and 33-11 by the end. I’m confident this won’t be that bad.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:02 PM PST up reply actions  

mother of god… Yeah, drinking and rocking out was a far better call. I needed that after two presentations and a paper last week.

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Throw everyone off – talk about the positives.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Two and a half minutes killed! Moral victories are still victories!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:58 PM PST reply actions  

A Penner goal there would have been spectacular.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Jovanovski simply can’t believe that Deslauriers stopped him on the short side. He was staring at his stick like Joe Nieuwendyk.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 7:59 PM PST reply actions  

What’s that thing Bryzgalov did where he put his body in front of the puck and it didn’t go in the net? Do we have any guys who can do that?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:03 PM PST reply actions  

we have two guys who are big enough to cover the whole net, but that doesn’t mean they can stop pucks…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:05 PM PST up reply actions  

Perhaps if we fattened them up a bit.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:06 PM PST up reply actions  

or tied them together

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:09 PM PST up reply actions  

We aren’t the Mighty Ducks

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:11 PM PST up reply actions  

Good grief, Bryzgalov. They even got the puck up a bit that time. But another good shift from Brule-Pouliot-O’Sullivan.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:04 PM PST reply actions  

Does anyone else find it a bit concerning that MAP is the best player out there?

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:04 PM PST reply actions  

MAP has been an Oilers mancrush of mine forever.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:05 PM PST up reply actions  

I like MAP too, but I can think of at least 3 guys that need to be better then him: Lubo, Penner, Horcoff

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Penner is getting Hanzal’s line with…a junior and a bantam. At some point you have to play Penner with someone that can play the game at the NHL level if he’s going to play power versus power or against the top checking line.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:08 PM PST up reply actions  

I entirely agree, he just appears disinterested. I am far more worried about Lubo and Horc then Penner.

At least Penner has played well along side Gagner.

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Horcoff will be okay. His most common linemates are Jacques and Moreau. And his qualcomp is silliness.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:14 PM PST up reply actions  

That’s a disastrous combo right there.

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:16 PM PST up reply actions  

From the beginning of the season, the team had 1 LW that could play toughs or seconds. They had 1 RW that could play toughs or seconds. They had 1 C that could play toughs and 1 C that could play seconds.

Nothing has changed except for Hemsky’s injury. They’re still missing an entire second line.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:19 PM PST up reply actions  

On a positive note, it looks like Gagner is turning the corner and might be ready for some toughs

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:21 PM PST up reply actions  

He’s not ready for toughs. Seconds I think, but to ask more of a 21 year old is too much.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:27 PM PST up reply actions  

True, but there’s a reason he’s on the first line and not Horcoff

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Because Pat Quinn rolls lines like a homeless man rolls cigarettes?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:30 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m actually not totally convinced of this. This season had been really, really terrible for him. A lot of it is bad percentages and bad linemates but some of it is poor play. The injuries are becoming a too-regular feature and he’ll be 32 next season. His best years are likely behind him.

He’s not a disaster but I think he may have trouble covering that deal going forward.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I don’t know how we can even begin to figure it out. There are too many layers of crap to overcome to see what he’s really about right now.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:25 PM PST up reply actions  

I can take that for this year to some extent but even in his very best season he was a PvP guy who broke even at about 1PPG. That’s good stuff and would be earning his contract and then some. It was also in 2005-06 when he was 27 years old.

He hasn’t been bad since then (far from it) but he’s never put that whole package together again. In 2006-07 he was pretty poor, 2007-08 saw him shift away from the defensive assignments somewhat and he scored well (imagine that!) and 2008-09 saw a fantastic season but with less offence. This year is more like 2006-07. Even with level %s he’d be a minus player and the offence still wouldn’t be up to snuff given the paycheque. I guess I’m most worried about career trajectory given his age. If he was 27 today with five more years I wouldn’t be nearly as worried.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Not really – he’s good.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:06 PM PST up reply actions  

no, seriously, Poo is having a really good game, and has been awesome since he’s been back. I think it’s actually been the most consistent I’ve ever seen him play

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:30 PM PST up reply actions  

I take it you missed the Colorado game.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 9, 2010 9:27 AM PST up reply actions  

see above…I was drinking instead. I had finished a paper and two presentations. I needed a celebration, not another sad saturday alone

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 9, 2010 9:52 AM PST up reply actions  

It was a pretty sad Saturday for MAP also. He played on two different lines (moved up after Gagner went down), and on the night he was on for 0 shots for, 12 against. It was the only bad game he’s played, but it was bad.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 9, 2010 10:58 AM PST up reply actions  

Hits

Not that I’m a believer in hits, but when was the last time an Oiler hit someone?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:05 PM PST reply actions  

Oh. Thanks Pouliot, nice hit on that goon.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:07 PM PST up reply actions  

could someone explain to me, a life-long hockey fan and occasional bad hockey player, what the hell “head-man” means? Let’s be honest, it actually makes zero grammatical sense in the slightest yet every commentator uses the term… just putting something entirely irrelevant out there because the game has bored me to the point of asking inane questions when Pouliot isn’t on the ice

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:08 PM PST reply actions  

It sounds less quaint than “forward pass?”

I don’t know, either, actually.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Feb 8, 2010 8:11 PM PST up reply actions  

truthfully, it sounds more quaint…like something that a man with an onion belt would say.

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

I think it means moving the puck to the guy furthest up the ice, that guy being the “head man.” Thus giving him the puck is “head-manning” it. Or at least that’s been my understanding.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

head man or lead man? Either way, that has to be the meaning, but it still makes very little sense in terms of actual grammar. I’ve been marking papers tonight, in case you were wondering why I am actually caring about such things

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:17 PM PST up reply actions  

I guess. It doesn’t seem grammatically out of place to me but maybe I’m just familiar with the usage so it looks correct. But if you’re considering your net the “bottom” and the opponents the “top” of the ice, it seems like a pretty natural metaphor.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:23 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m being picky, but it’s always just sounded wrong to me

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Old-timers

It’s old-timers day at intermission. They rolled out the crazy old guy to say crazy stuff.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:16 PM PST reply actions  

old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

I don’t know if I can make it through the third. there’s some bad tv that seems more appealing right now then watching this team, despite my paying for gamecenter and stealing the tv from ninjavideo. And that makes me sad

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:16 PM PST reply actions  

I’m counting the minutes to the new 24 episode, this is brutal

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m openly working on travel itineraries for this summer.

Can anyone recommend a cheap hotel/hostel in Toronto?

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:23 PM PST up reply actions  

black dog’s place

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:23 PM PST up reply actions  

in all seriousness though, there isn’t much in the way of cheap hotels in Toronto that are near anything fun, or conversely near the airport. I’ll get back to you on that ASAP. Passing through Toronto on the way out of Canada or just heading in this direction for a while?

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:25 PM PST up reply actions  

Going to be there from May 28-ish to June 3-ish.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:26 PM PST up reply actions  

That will be right around the time I get back from Europe. We should plan to meet and get real drunk. I’ll see what I can do about finding you a cheap hotel

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:28 PM PST up reply actions  

http://www.canadianalodging.com/prices.php
http://www.hostellingtoronto.com/648/RATES.hostel
http://www.globalbackpackers.com/ratesanddeals.aspx
All three are in the heart of downtown, either on queen or front near younge. Decent rates…hope this helps

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Thanks for the protips, shepso!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:41 PM PST up reply actions  

no problem. It’s not every day there’s talk from any of you to come out my way, I’m happy to help when I can

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:45 PM PST up reply actions  

I’ve never actually been to Toronto before, so all I know is that sleeping in the airport is bad because it’s so far away from everywhere.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:46 PM PST up reply actions  

I love it… The city is alive. SO much to do, great music, lots of culture. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but there’s so much cool (non-touristy) stuff to do that you can just get lost in that city for days at a time. As I said, I’ll come down and find you…maybe I’ll convince BCB to come up from London too

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:50 PM PST up reply actions  

Pitton! Pitton! Pitton!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:32 PM PST reply actions  

he can’t be any worse, can he?

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Nice job by Pouliot to draw the penalty. Too bad the other team scored.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:33 PM PST reply actions   1 recs

I like that Staios just turned and watched.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:36 PM PST up reply actions  

You know when things are getting bad when...

Quinn and Debrusk are finding ways to justify playing Bryon Pitton

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:38 PM PST reply actions  

Boooooo to the justifications for not playing Pitton. He could allow three goals in ten minutes and still be a very happy guy.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:38 PM PST reply actions  

When kids dream about making their NHL debuts, they dream about making it in a very specific positive mental situation.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:39 PM PST up reply actions  

And have the same sv pct. as Deslauriers

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Who needs Zorg when we have Struds? Oh, wait, we do…

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:41 PM PST reply actions  

St. Louis losing to Colorado this evening is no good for us. They’re likely sellers at this point which brings the total of “sure” sellers to six.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:44 PM PST reply actions  

Grebeshkov looks good tonight, at least he’s another bright spot

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:44 PM PST reply actions  

But he was one of the goats on Vrbata’s breakaway.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Eh. That’s Staios. He dogged that keep in and then just watched the play happen instead of trying to get back in.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

To an extent, when you’re playing with Steve Staios, you have to accommodate for his crazy uselessness. Ladislav Smid, for one, got awfully good at that.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:49 PM PST up reply actions  

But you can’t be blamed for the others mistakes. That’s like saying MAP is to blame because JDD sucked tonight.

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:51 PM PST up reply actions  

That’s an excellent point. Grebs should have been playing sweeper.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 9:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Going to agree with Derek on this one, but I am a little biased

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Okay now… COME! ON! That needs to be it!

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:46 PM PST reply actions  

PITTON! PITTON! PITTON! PITTON!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:46 PM PST up reply actions  

time to put JDD down for the night…Poor bastard

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Pat Quinn is heartless.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

time to put him out to pasture as well. The old coot might actually be done. What a shame

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 8:51 PM PST up reply actions  

Petr Prucha is not the first soft forward to forget that, back in his junior days, Mike Comrie could chuck ’em.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:50 PM PST reply actions  

I think that’s three fights for him on the year. Is that more than Laraque?

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:51 PM PST up reply actions  

If Prucha doesn’t hit the deck, he might get KO’ed.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 8, 2010 9:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Whats that? We score?

by AdR23 on Feb 8, 2010 8:55 PM PST reply actions  

FATSO! FATSO! FATSO! FATSO!

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 8:56 PM PST reply actions  

A goal! A goal! We scored a goal!

We’re like “the bad team” in the community soccer league for U8’s. I expect the Phoenix fans are all like, “Hey, good for you guys, you’re kids are really getting better.”

We might also end the game with more shots than Phoenix. Go figure.

by Scott Reynolds on Feb 8, 2010 8:57 PM PST reply actions  

The Oilers are positively buzzing now. I sense a comeback.

by Benjamin Massey on Feb 8, 2010 9:00 PM PST up reply actions  

alright… that’s it for me. Goodnight everyone.

that other regular writer for bringing back the glory...

by shepso on Feb 8, 2010 9:00 PM PST reply actions  

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Northwest Standings

GP W L OTL PT
Vancouver 82 49 28 5 103
Colorado 82 43 30 9 95
Calgary 82 40 32 10 90
Minnesota 82 38 36 8 84
Edmonton 82 27 47 8 62

(updated 4.12.2010 at 6:21 AM PDT)

Oilers Stats Leaders

Stat

Forwards

Defense

TOI/G:

Horcoff (19:23)

Gilbert (22:24)

ESTOI/G:

Horcoff (14:24)

Visnovsky (17:14)

Points:

Penner (63)

Visnovsky (32)

Goals:

Penner (32)

Visnovsky (10)

Assists:

Penner (31)

Gilbert (23)

EV+/- /15

Penner (.152)

Smid (.090)

Shots:

Penner (203)

Gilbert (96)

Corsi/15:

Penner(.405)

Visnovsky (.460)

SCF/15:

Penner (5.241)

Visnovsky (4.517)

SCA/15:

Stortini (3.850)

Gilbert (4.360)

SCDiff/15:

Penner (.448)

Visnovsky (.122)

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