Oilers v. Blues - Zechariah 5:5-11
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 3:30 PM MDT
in Game-Day Threads
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PrintEdmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues, Mar 28, 2010 4:00 PM MDT
Then the angel who was speaking to me came closer and said, "Look up, do you see those numbers floating in the sky?" And so I asked, "What do the numbers mean?" Then the angel of Yahweh replied saying, "They are wins and losses and near-losses all counted and assigned to the Oilers as payment for their sins." Then all of the numbers came together and formed one large number and that number was eighteen. And the angel said, "This number is the number of wickedness!" and I understood the meaning of the large number. The angel swatted at it and all the smaller numbers dissipated back into the air. Then I looked up and I saw that the numbers had come together again, but this time in two groups. I saw the numbers two and seven flying in the air. And so I asked the angel, "What do these numbers mean?" And the angel said, "Do you not remember the sign of the Flying Fridge? Twenty-seven will be the number of Oiler victories this season. But it is also a number of hope, for the Fridge will root out all wickedness so that this team might be prepared when the appointed time arrives for its deliverance."
Edmonton Oilers (24-43-7) @ St. Louis Blues (35-30-9)
Scottrade Center, 4:00 P.M. MDT
Television: Sportsnet West
More analysis after the jump...
Visiting Team Scouting Report:
Much like the Anaheim Ducks, the St. Louis Blues are basically just playing out the string. They are technically still alive - which is more than you can say for the Oilers - but 10 points back with eight games to go isn't a good spot. They'll need to win out to have any chance at the post-season and even then, they'd need the Colorado Avalanche to get five points or less in their last eight games. The last half of that equation is unlikely but by no means impossible. But eight straight? Well, the Blues did have one stretch this season where they won seven of eight games. The only loss in that stretch was... to the Avs. Whoops. The other team that they might think about catching is Nashville. The Predators only have six games left in the season and two are against St. Louis. If the Blues can win those two in regulation they'll need the Preds to be 1-3 in their other four games. And St. Louis would, again, need to win out. So basically, I'm telling you there's a chance.
Expected Lineups
Edmonton Oilers (24-43-7):
Moreau - Horcoff - Pisani
Penner - Cogliano - Brule
Comrie - Pouliot - Stortini
Nilsson - Potulny - O'Sullivan
Gilbert - Whitney
Strudwick - Chorney
Johnson - Arsene
Dubnyk
St. Louis Blues (35-30-9)
Perron - McDonald - Boyes
Oshie - Tkachuk - Backes
Kariya - McClement - Crombeen
Winchester - Berglund - Janssen
Jackman - Polak
Colaiacovo - Johnson
Brewer - Weaver
Mason
Behind the Numbers:
- Since we last checked in the Oilers lost and the Maple Leafs won which puts the Oilers' tragic number at four. We've almost clinched!
- Today's game will feature four of the six most difficult zone-starts ratios among defenders in the entire league: Roman Polak (230 OZ and 424 DZ = 35.2%), Barret Jackman (227 OZ and 368 DZ = 38.2%), Mike Weaver (187 OZ and 282 DZ = 39.9%) and Taylor Chorney (95 OZ and 158 DZ = 37.5%). Taylor. Chorney. The third most difficult zone-start ratio in the NHL.
- The Corsi numbers of those four defenders? Polak is at -2.14 per 60 minutes, Jackman -2.04 and Weaver -2.92. Polak and Jackman are also taking on the most difficult competition. Beasts. Chorney is at -25.27 per sixty minutes. But he has to play with Strudwick most of the time.
- Polak and Jackman are both signed for next season, Jackman for two more seasons at 3.625M and Polak for one more at 1.1M. The Blues also have Paul Kariya's 6M coming off the books, as well as Chris Mason's 3M (Ty Conklin has been just fine for the Blues and is signed for next year at 1.3M). They don't have any real mill-stones to look after either (possible exceptions: Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald but neither is crippling). With some intelligent spending this off-season the Blues could be in very good shape.
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Chorney is at -25.27 per sixty minutes. But he has to play with Strudwick most of the time.
Chorney’s scoring chances are so brutal.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Oh, it’s so true. But he really isn’t getting any favours from the coaching staff either. Starting with Strudwick in the defensive zone is about as bad as it gets.
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 4:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Agreed, but he’s a mess out there. I watched him specifically over the last two games and his decision-making is still so slow and he’s still not learning from mistakes.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I should make clear that I absolutely do think that Chorney is awful. I’m just astounded by the combination of his play and the way he’s used. You’d think that if you were inclined to play him that you’d try to give him something to work with.
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 4:20 PM MDT up reply actions
You’d think that if you were inclined to play him that you’d try to give him something to work with.
The underlying assumption there is that Quinn still knows what he’s doing.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
No, the underlying assumption is that Quinn should know what he’s doing.
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 Mar 28, 2010 5:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Well, given what we now know, we need to rework the assumptions.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
And Johnson is hurt now. I think the franchise needs to sacrifice Kevin Lowe to break this curse.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
That might be taking fired a wee bit literally.
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 4:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Johnson took a bit of a shot in the head there. Petry might be up by the next game. I’d actually like to see him and compare him to Chorney.
He would come up and immediately blow a knee.
Somehow, only Tom Gilbert and Jason effing Strudwick have managed to stay healthy over the last two seasons.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Chorney's rush
Interesting no-call on that rush. I thought he had a good step on him and the stick was certainly horizontal.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Cogliano wasn’t tossed, McClement was.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
O’Sullivan looked just shocked that Arsene got him the puck there. Brutal lag between the pass and the shot.
Eh, I dunno. That’s standard fare for O’Sullivan, surprised or not.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I had to turn off a really good Brazilian soccer game to watch this?
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:19 PM MDT reply actions
The best soccer game is about as good as the worst bantams game.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Apparently my web feed provider agrees with you, as he switched over to an AHL game. Now I’m not watching this at all!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:21 PM MDT up reply actions
For god’s sake, this AHL game is 5-0. So I’m stuck with 630 CHED. Good times!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Rod Phillips insisted that Patrick O’Sullivan just stripped the puck at centre ice, got a breakaway, and scored on it. Some mistake, I’m sure. He’s pretty senile. We have any confirmation?
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:25 PM MDT reply actions
Remember the Nilsson steal from Thornton and breakaway then deke then goal against the Sharks ?
Same thing except he stole a pass instead of a strip.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Darren Pang said that Chorney is “great at closing gaps and reading plays.” I haven’t noticed this so far. Would any of you descibe either of those things as a strength in Chorney’s game?
Chorney’s strengths:
1) He still really looks like a hockey player.
2) He actually is a good skater.
3) In NHL 10 he’s Bobby Orr.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:29 PM MDT up reply actions
The only discernable strength (other than skating) that I’ve been able to find in his game is very good stick work on defense. He’s good at flipping the puck and blocking shots with his stick.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
So, I’m listening to the hockey game and playing the Brazilian soccer game with the sound off on my second monitor while commenting on the game thread over here.
Why haven’t I always been doing this? Oh, right, I only hear about the game through the neutral and well-informed voice of Rod Phillips. Even so!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:33 PM MDT reply actions
It would be really nice if the Oilers had players like Jay McClement and David Backes
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I take it that Backes is how you’re hoping Hartikainen turns out. Tell that boy to grow!
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 4:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I’m hoping that Harski is somewhere north of Niemenen. Anything after that is gravy.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
It’s interesting that a team filled with small “skilled” forwards is so horrendous on the power play.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
The Blues are very good on the PK but your point nonetheless stands.
by Scott Reynolds on Mar 28, 2010 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Rod has pronounced “Arsene”, like, six different ways already.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:41 PM MDT reply actions
I’ve been really impressed by Ryan Whitney the last while. I was humming and hawing over that Visnovsky trade for a long while but after seeing Whitney play some I can see why the Oilers decided it was worth it. And the age thing is a big one. Dare I say… good trade.
I still don’t think it was enough return and it was prompted by Souray’s hand infection.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I’m real happy with that trade.
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 Mar 28, 2010 5:23 PM MDT up reply actions
SAO PAULO HAS TIED IT! SAO PAOLO HAS TIED IT! FROM 3-1 DOWN! DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:46 PM MDT reply actions
4-3 CORINTHIANS! DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE FAVOURITE WINNING AFTER A SERIOUS SCARE? YES!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Well, I’m out for the rest of the game but the first period was pretty enjoyable. I hope you guys have a good second and third.
Watching Brazilian soccer, I assume. Can’t say I blame you.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 4:49 PM MDT up reply actions
I still like Eric Brewer. Good player.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
But never as good as people seemed to think he was.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 5:08 PM MDT up reply actions
Bobby Nilsson blows a breakaway and we promptly take a too-many-men call. FALL FOR HALL! FALL FOR HALL!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 5:08 PM MDT reply actions
Yeah – that was a complete mess. But I think it’s Quinn’s fault. He probably rolls a die to figure out the next line combo and change
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Terrible decision by Dubnyk ...
… to play the puck when it came right to him on a platter. The fourth line had already iced it once, had cleared it once but couldn’t get off, and had been out there for more than a full shift. A smart goalie has to read that and take the whistle when it’s handed him on a platter, Instead, Devan whacks it with his paddle and keeps it in play, and of course it just stays in our end for another 20+ seconds. No harm done, but I hope Monsieur Chabot is all over that.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Looked it up, Pouliot played 1:44 on that shift, Stortini 2:11, Comrie 2:21. Dubnyk kept the puck alive a good 1:30 into their shift. That’s a real good way for a goalie to make life tough on himself.
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 Mar 28, 2010 5:40 PM MDT up reply actions
And yet he’s better with the puck than Khabibulin
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I’d guess Khabi would’ve frozen it that time for sure. Experience has got to be good for something.
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 Mar 28, 2010 6:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Give the zebra the HUA on that non-call.
Especially after all the cheap crap they been calling on us.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Chorney with the flat-out dreadful neutral zone turnover in the last 10 seconds of the period. Not sure why he’s within 1000 feet of the ice at that point, but they had justr switched him out there just a few seconds earlier.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Craig MacTavish, in a CHED interview, calls finishing last “the absolute best thing for the organization”.
I’m reading into that all I want, dammit!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 5:48 PM MDT reply actions
There’s a guy with a future in management, not coaching.
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 Mar 28, 2010 5:56 PM MDT up reply actions
This is one of the uglier games of the year, if you can believe it
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Should I be sad I’m only listening to it, or excited?
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:04 PM MDT up reply actions
You’d be more excited if you were listening to the women’s curling instead.
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 Mar 28, 2010 6:05 PM MDT up reply actions
But you can’t chant "FLAGGIN’ FOR SEGUIN’.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Of course not – that doesn’t even rhyme.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
That Winchester is a good player. Big, strong, cheap, gives all his effort every shift. Why can’t we ever get a player like that?
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:07 PM MDT reply actions
Your description sounds exactly like Zack Stortini.
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 Mar 28, 2010 6:08 PM MDT up reply actions
Stortini’s just a goon. And not even a good one! Witness Marc Pouliot having to stand up for himself against heavyweight Carlo Colaiacovo!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions
If Robert Nilsson stuffed his head any further up his hole it would come back out his mouth.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Tonight.
He was pretty good against the Sharks
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Yes, exactly. I’m just talking about tonight. But he had a real tough one tonight. My favourite was when he had the breakaway, screwed himself into the ice, then whipped a perfect pass back to the bench for a too-many-men penalty. But that wasn’t the only example, unfortunately.
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 Mar 28, 2010 7:08 PM MDT up reply actions
Carlo Colaiacovo and Marc Pouliot! Will they both suffer career-ending injuries? ONLY TIME WILL TELL!
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:13 PM MDT reply actions
Both guys are getting calls from their agents tonight
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Their insurance agents?
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 Mar 28, 2010 7:15 PM MDT up reply actions
The Oilers are “just capitulating”.
Is this what it was like to listen to radio reports from France in 1940?
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:15 PM MDT reply actions
They had a really nice desperate stretch for four minutes
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
I’m beginning to think the Oilers’ ineptitude in faceoffs may be causing them problems.
by Benjamin Massey on Mar 28, 2010 6:31 PM MDT reply actions
Brule won two in the last minute, so Quinn took him off and replaced him with Potulny.
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 Mar 28, 2010 7:09 PM MDT up reply actions
I really enjoyed that decision – right after a timeout too.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
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