Oilers v. Blackhawks - Ezekiel 34:20-24

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 4:30 PM MST in Game-Day Threads

Thus says Tambellini: I myself will judge which sheep are fat and which are emaciated. Just because some are feasting on the weak, don't think that I will declare them fat. For there is a lot more to judging sheep than which ones eat the most. I have set over these sheep a shepherd, my servant Renney, and he is caring for them as best he can. But not all sheep should be judged in the same way, and I Tambellini, am the ultimate judge of fatness.

Edmonton Oilers (9-5-2) @ Chicago Blackhawks (10-4-3)

United Center, 5:00 p.m. MST
Television: Sportsnet Oilers

More analysis after the jump...

Home Team Scouting Report:

The Blackhawks have had a great start to this season, which shouldn't come as a huge surprise. After all, the team won the Stanley Cup in 2009-10, and they were much better than their record indicated last season. When they rid themselves of Brian Campbell('s contract) during the summer, it allowed them to beef up their forward ranks, and the Blackhawks now boast one of the deepest groups in the NHL. When the club adds a capable center and a depth defender at the deadline, they'll be a formidable test for any team. And unlike last season, it doesn't look like they're going to need help from the Minnesota Wild to get in.

Expected Lineups:

Edmonton Oilers (9-5-2):

Smyth - Horcoff - Hemsky
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
Paajarvi - Gagner - Jones
Eager - Belanger - Petrell

Smid - Gilbert
Sutton - Potter
Peckham - Petry

Khabibulin

Chicago Blackhawks (10-4-3):

Stalberg - Toews - Hossa
Carcillo - Kane - Sharp
Bickell - Kruger - Frolik
Brunette - Mayers - Olesz

Keith - Seabrook
Hjalmarsson - Leddy
Scott - Montador

Crawford

By the Numbers:

Through sixteen games, the Oilers have outshot their opponents six times, or 37.5% of the time. Last season, the Oilers outshot their opponents just twenty-two times over the whole season, or just 26.8% of the time. When you consider how often the Oilers were trailing last season, and how often they've led this season, that's a solid improvement.
Chicago is one of fourteen teams that has yet to lose in regulation when they have the lead after the first period (they're 7-0-1). The Oilers are not in that group with a record of just 1-2-2 when leading after one period of play.
Ryan Smyth is one of just thirty players in the NHL who has played in at least ten games and averaged a point per game. There also three former Oilers on that list: Ray Whitney, Marc-Andre Bergeron, and Joffrey Lupul. And if we take out the games played minimum, we can add current Oiler, Alex Plante.
Even after getting roughed up a little bit by the Red Wings, Nikolai Khabibulin continues to lead NHL starters in both goals against average (1.18) and save percentage (.957). He's been good enough for long enough now that it'll take either a couple of real stinkers or another month to bring those back to reality.
The line of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been getting walloped in the last three games, but they're far from alone. Using Dennis King's scoring chance, no defender is better than Jeff Petry at 45.5% (+10 -12). The guys bringing up the rear? Andy Sutton (+2 -6 for 25.0%), Cam Barker (+5 -14 for 26.3%) and Corey Potter (+8 -21 for 27.6%).

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Comments

Slight lineup change according to Tencer

Hall – RNH – Hemsky
Smyth – Horcoff – Eberle
Paajarvi – Gagner – Jones
Eager – Belanger – Petrell

In theory, there is little difference between practice and theory, but in practice there is!

Tactical contributor to the Copper & Blue and just as boring on the twitters... @dawgbone98

by dawgbone98 on Nov 13, 2011 4:43 PM MST reply actions

That’s what I had already!

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 4:46 PM MST up reply actions

Whoops. Nope. It’s not. My bad.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 4:47 PM MST up reply actions

Lines will fall flat on their face. Don’t like it at all.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:04 PM MST reply actions

I suspect that Renney will quick to produce the blender tonight, if things aren’t going the Oilers’ way. He did mix things up a bit late last game.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:07 PM MST up reply actions

I just don’t like that all the puck transporters are on one line. How is line 2 supposed to get through the neutral zone? Pick it up and throw it in?

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:08 PM MST up reply actions

Bold prediction from the radio guys: the Oilers will score more than 4 tonight! I don’t know that I share their optimism, although Chicago’s GA/G and SA/G are only mid-tablish.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:05 PM MST reply actions

I think this prediction should revisited after the game.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:06 PM MST up reply actions

Oh yes. I’ll be wanting my money back if it doesn’t come true! :)

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:08 PM MST up reply actions

With one small change, this prediction is looking awfully good!

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:02 PM MST up reply actions

Swapping Hemsky and Eberle will make the Oilers more difficult to match up against. Giving Hemsky some offensive zone starts may help ignite some offense (and possibly raise his trade value).

by Oiltank on Nov 13, 2011 5:07 PM MST reply actions

Hemsky with some curious passes in his own zone

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:14 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Petrell getting schooled

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:16 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Petrell has an awful shift on the 2nd goal.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:18 PM MST up reply actions

Looked awful getting beat by Montador, but I didn’t notice anything particularly bad apart from that. Was there something else?

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

The fact that he tried to push a blackhawks player in front of the net instead of just simply putting his stick on a loose puck was bothersome.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Well, the Hawks player did have his skate right in front of the puck.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:23 PM MST up reply actions

Perhaps, but there wan’t much between puck and net. If he would have jammed his stick in there, he may have had a freebie.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:25 PM MST up reply actions

I don’t like this very much so far. :P

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:18 PM MST reply actions

Well this is going well…

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:18 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Beautiful shot by Toews on the Hawks’ first goal. For the Oilers, I did like the one explosive play toward net by Hall, but other than that, it’s been ugly again.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:20 PM MST reply actions

Hello

visiting Leafs fan here.

Get well soon Sid, Army, Z, TK, canoli, Reim and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed PM of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit and blogger.

by Leafer87 on Nov 13, 2011 5:22 PM MST reply actions

/waves

I do tweets sometimes

by leaflover4ever on Nov 13, 2011 5:23 PM MST up reply actions

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:27 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

HELLO. GOAL!

Get well soon Sid, Army, Z, TK, canoli, Reim and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed PM of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit and blogger.

by Leafer87 on Nov 13, 2011 5:28 PM MST up reply actions

Gilbert has been beaten badly by Toews on a couple of occasions already. Which isn’t really to rag on Gilbert. Toews is fantastic.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:24 PM MST reply actions

Hello friends and fellow Cannot's haters to the north!

looking forward to the rest of this one, and wish the best of luck to the Oil (of course, that is, after they’re done playing the Men of Four Feathers.

Am I paranoid? I don't know. I went to a therapist once, but I left before he gave me the diagnosis, cause he had it out for me.

by Detroit Must Die on Nov 13, 2011 5:27 PM MST reply actions

Thankfully Ryan Smyth hasn’t forgot how to score.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:27 PM MST reply actions

Crawford has looked poor so far. Good on Smyth for capitalizing.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:28 PM MST up reply actions

Thank god for smyth.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:28 PM MST via mobile reply actions

We really needed that one.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:29 PM MST reply actions

From the sounds of it, the Oilers are actually getting a fair amount of pressure here.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:31 PM MST reply actions

And just like that, we’re shorthanded. I should have known better than to make comments like that!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:32 PM MST up reply actions

Crawford is having a tough time finding the puck in his crease.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:32 PM MST via mobile reply actions

He is, I just hope the Oilers can get the puck down there enough to make it matter.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:32 PM MST up reply actions

I’m thinking I should just load up Starship Troopers again.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 5:36 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

You know it’s bad when…

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:37 PM MST up reply actions

great chance by Hall

Get well soon Sid, Army, Z, TK, canoli, Reim and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed PM of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit and blogger.

by Leafer87 on Nov 13, 2011 5:38 PM MST reply actions

What an awful play by Kruger. Reminiscent of Eager’s gaffe against the Bruins, except that the Oilers didn’t make it count.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:39 PM MST reply actions

So… Is our goaltending an issue again.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:39 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I don’t think that Khabibulin’s been particularly bad on any of the goals. Maybe the first one, but it was a great shot by Toews. His puckhandling has been awful, but that’s nothing new.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:43 PM MST up reply actions

Wasn’t watching too intently on the last 2 goals. Any glaring mistakes?

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 5:46 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Not from Khabibulin. The second one made Petrell look silly. He stood and swung his stick as Montador went around him and put a deke on Khabibulin. The third one was a PP goal. Montador scored again off a nice tip from the front of the net. I’d need to watch again to see what the Oilers could have done differently.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 5:56 PM MST up reply actions

On the goal 3rd goal, Jones lost his point man and Peckham and unknown dman were too wide apart allowing Montador an unabated tip.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

The entire defensive scheme start with the centers, they help the dmen angle players into less hostile territory allowing the goaltender to only play half the net. If the cneters are lalte getting back into the defensive zone, it leaves the dnen exposed on this team and then all of the sudden Khabibulin is facing point blank shots.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:48 PM MST up reply actions

The second period has me revisiting my original answer.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:12 PM MST up reply actions

The center support on the defensive end isn’t as tight as it was earlier in the year. It’s probably due to the fact they are pushing harder for offense.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:40 PM MST reply actions

Well, down by two, but the chances have been there at least. Our PKing is heading the wrong way though, and that’s a bit of a concern.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:43 PM MST reply actions

Nice period from 89.

How bad was Keith’s defending on that Smyth goal? Just lazy and awful. Good on Smyth to take advantage of it, but that should never happen at the NHL level.

Also, Sutton or Barker? It’s this year’s Douche vs. Turd Sandwich choice.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 5:45 PM MST via mobile reply actions

OKC’s down 3-1 as well against Milwaukee, and getting seriously outshot. Cornet with the Barons’ goal.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 5:56 PM MST reply actions

Tom Gilbert is having a real tough road trip.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 5:59 PM MST reply actions

Definitely not having his best game tonight.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:00 PM MST up reply actions

Toews-Hossa isn't exactly among the easier checking assignments he'll recieve

Am I paranoid? I don't know. I went to a therapist once, but I left before he gave me the diagnosis, cause he had it out for me.

by Detroit Must Die on Nov 13, 2011 6:01 PM MST up reply actions

No sir! And Toews is having an excellent game.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:09 PM MST up reply actions

Toews is flying tonight. The Oilers have no answer for that.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 6:14 PM MST up reply actions

A bit of redemption for Eberle there, after two minor penalties.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 6:08 PM MST reply actions

Indeed. Beautiful move once he got clear of the Hawks defense.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:09 PM MST up reply actions

And again we give it right back, dammit.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 6:11 PM MST reply actions

I get the feeling that Eberle must have been really late coming back. Horcoff tapped it to the point like he was expecting someone to be there and Eberle wasn’t even close. Or it could just have been a brutal giveaway.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:12 PM MST reply actions

Ugh, Horcoff was too cute...

…with the clearance and Khabibulin can’t seem to take away the bottom of the net.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 6:12 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

The Oilers need to reorganize the power play, get the right personnel together. They need a good power play if they want to make any hay.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 6:17 PM MST reply actions

True that, and I think the personnel is there – it’s just a matter of getting the right combination.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 6:27 PM MST up reply actions

And there you go! :)

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 6:32 PM MST up reply actions

I still don’t like Belanger on the point, but at least he’ll shoot from there, although he doesn’t shoot much 5v5 so I’m not sure where thats coming from.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 6:33 PM MST up reply actions

Great play by Keith to hold the line on Petrell’s clearing attempt. The Hawks have some really tremendous players.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:28 PM MST reply actions

They’ve looked awful sharp this game. We’ve had some less-sharp moment, but I’m not taking anything away from Chicago this game. They’re earning it.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 6:31 PM MST up reply actions

I'm not sure about that

This team doesn’t really have good pointmen. I don’t mean they lack Studly Wonderbombs either although they do.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 6:30 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

Man, is Crawford ever having a tough time when the puck is in the crease.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:31 PM MST reply actions

he's too used to having Keith et al. babysitting the crease for him

Am I paranoid? I don't know. I went to a therapist once, but I left before he gave me the diagnosis, cause he had it out for me.

by Detroit Must Die on Nov 13, 2011 6:32 PM MST up reply actions

Keith has been terrible tonight

Really soft down low. Smyth has abused him a few times now.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 6:34 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Huh. Haven’t noticed him much in the defensive zone. I’ve noticed him positively in the offensive zone, though.

The biggest fanana of the Havana Bananas.

by Scott Reynolds on Nov 13, 2011 6:35 PM MST up reply actions

Hey, maybe the Oilers do get their 4 goals tonight.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 6:32 PM MST reply actions

Lots of time left, lots of time…

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 6:33 PM MST up reply actions

Wow I missed the second period and it’s now 5-3. Hey Tambellini, about that top 4 defenseman you were talking about earlier…

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 6:47 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Art imitating life here – nothing happening in the hockey game, nothing happening in the comments thread!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:03 PM MST reply actions

We’re all just staring at Toews and Kane, thinking “shiny!”

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:06 PM MST up reply actions

Toews seems to be scary every time he gets the puck.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:09 PM MST up reply actions

He’s got an amazing sense of what’s going on around him.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:13 PM MST up reply actions

Shrug, just waiting for something to happen. Looking at this team trying to figure out how the lines would have a chance of working.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:05 PM MST reply actions

Finding a different opponent might be an idea… That said, by ear we’ve had some chances.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:10 PM MST up reply actions

The lines don't really matter here

The Hawks are just better and deeper.

I don’t think the changes were bad although they strike me as half measures. If you expect 93 to face some tougher matchups on the road against a deep team, why not run 94 and 83 as his wingers? Then put 10 between 4 and 14.

But it doesn’t matter that much here methinks.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 7:12 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Yeah, we’re just outmatched here. I’ve seen some flashes of brilliance, but if we get something going offensively, it (mostly) doesn’t last past the first chance. Chicago walks through the neutral zone like it’s full of daisies, and our D is overwhelmed.*

indicates completely uninformed opinion, formed while making bread. What’s faster then Ben Eager? Yeast!

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:15 PM MST up reply actions

I’m not sure whats up with Ben Eager but the fact that he is totally allergic to throwing a hit is rendering him useless out there. No sense in him conserving energy out there.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:17 PM MST up reply actions

It’s what I’m thinking too, 4-10-83, and then 91-93-83 because as long as 4 and 93 are on the same line, other teams are going to check the jebus out of it. They need to find a way to win a matchup somewhere in the lineup.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:16 PM MST up reply actions

What do you think of Belanger? I don’t know who you’d replace him with, but I’m wondering if he couldn’t handle a tougher assignment.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:18 PM MST up reply actions

I’d be willing to give it a try especially if he isn’t going to create much offense. Go back with a 94-20-28 checking line, like they did before except that Horcoff is there. I don’t think its much of a dropoff in defense

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:20 PM MST up reply actions

Uh, what?

Where’s 94 and why do you have 83 there twice? And why would 91 play in the top six right now?

Anyway, 94-10-XX have done a pretty good job of winning matchups this year.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 7:19 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Oops

I’d go like this next game

4-10-14
91-93-83
94-20-28
37 or 55-57-89

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:22 PM MST up reply actions

There's no way on Earth...

…I would play 91 ahead of Smyth right now. 94 is the best winger on the team right now and it’s by a significant margin IMHO.

by RiversQ on Nov 13, 2011 7:24 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

94 is part of the checking line so likely to get more minutes anyway. Sorry I’m old school EASports when it comes to lines.

4-10-14 (Sc1)
94-20-28 (Chk)
91-93-83 (Sc2)
37/55-57-89 (Eng)

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:30 PM MST up reply actions

Peckham against Toews was never going to end well. Ever.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:11 PM MST reply actions

Bye bye Peckham

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:15 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Renney can’t seriously keep on trotting Peckham and Barker on a nightly basis, can he?

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:19 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

I wouldn’t mind taking a longer look at Teubert. I’m not sure that he’s NHL ready yet, but he didn’t do too badly in his limited opportunity last week.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:24 PM MST up reply actions

Teubert to replace Barker and ??? To replace Peckham

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:35 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

That was all kinds of weak.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:20 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I’m not quite ready to write Peckham off yet. He’s not had the best start to this season, but we’re not exactly swimming in D-men.

Barker. Well, there’s that.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:21 PM MST reply actions

I’m not either, he still brings something to this club, but having Peckham and Sutton both in the lineup and neither one is gonna be physical is just useless.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:24 PM MST up reply actions

Well we can’t keep 3 pylons masquerading as d man all year.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:28 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Sutton will only be here for the year I’m sure. Once Whitney gets back, I’m hoping one gets moved back up to the Pressbox.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:31 PM MST up reply actions

Can’t count on Whitney. Planning on Whitney being in the lineup is a dangerous thing. I consider him an extra defenseman that can be slotted into the line up at a later date, not one that is supposed be one of the pillars on the back end.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:44 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Planning on Whitney not being in the lineup is what you get now. It cuts both ways. The good news is the Oilers are at the point where they need a big fish on the backend. Getting another 5-6 dman bandaid won’t help this team long term. Its the road games is where Whitney is missed because he is a big minute eater.

I’m still not convinced that Smid and Gilbert can handle the big minutes over the long haul.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:52 PM MST up reply actions

Well he needs to sit for an extended period of time, we’re 17 games in and he hasn’t improved at all.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:30 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Depth d can be traded for or signed relatively easily.

The Edmonton Oilers - All we do is win!!

by OilLeak on Nov 13, 2011 7:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Ah, well. Still time for Starship Troopers tonight.

by eddy the lip on Nov 13, 2011 7:24 PM MST reply actions

So, 2-4 on the big road trip and really, given the buzzsaw that the Oil ran into for the last part of it, that’s not a big surprise. I’m glad they get a few days off now. Time, one can hope, for them to remember what they were doing earlier in the season!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:31 PM MST reply actions

Welp, they don’t play til Thursday now. Time to rest up and sharpen things up. They play Ottawa in a very winable game, so hopefully they’ll have their stuff together at that point. Home game = back to a full fledge checking line. I think scoring goals has taken up a lot of their thought process that its causing other parts of their game to suffer.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:36 PM MST up reply actions

Good points. I’ll be very interested to see the lineup on Thursday!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:48 PM MST up reply actions

Ditto.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:53 PM MST up reply actions

Boooo, radio guys and your predictions of 5 goals for the Oilers!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 7:47 PM MST reply actions

As much as everyone seems to rag on Peckham, he managed to be the ontly plus player on the Oilers tonight. I wonder if people are angry because he doesn’t do more. I agree he needs to make more of an impact physically on a game to game basis, but he is what he is, a hard nosed dman that is limited offensively.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 7:56 PM MST reply actions

I’d like to see him better positionally, which should lead to fewer clutch-and-grab penalties, and a little more comfortable with the puck, just making the simple out plays instead of relying on his partner to do it for him. That said, we all know that a defenceman’s development path is neither short nor straight, and I haven’t given up on Peckham by any means. I do think he’s likely to see the press box a few more times this season, though.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 8:04 PM MST up reply actions

On-ice scoring chances for D

Peckham +7/-4
Petry +7/-7
Sutton +2/-4
Potter +3/-8
Gilbert +2/-9
Smid +3/-12

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Nov 13, 2011 8:31 PM MST reply actions

Goes to show the dangers of the “heard him good/bad” argument – I swear that the only times tonight when I registered Peckham’s name was when he was being made to look foolish by Toews, and here it turns out he came out ahead on chances..

What happened to Gilbert and Smid tonight? Just a bad night, or bad luck, or what?

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 8:37 PM MST up reply actions

It looked like fatigue to me. They were chasing their men all over the ice tonight. Very poor positionally.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 8:41 PM MST up reply actions

Ah. Hopefully the few days off will be good for them then!

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 8:49 PM MST up reply actions

Smid and Gilbert really got taken to school by the Toews line tonight. I’d like to give them a break but there is no other viable options right now. They are just going to have to battle through it until a better option comes around.

by Dan Lizee on Nov 13, 2011 8:37 PM MST up reply actions

One small bright spot in the darkness that was tonight’s game: RNH went 9-for-13 on faceoffs, per TSN.

by Chunklets on Nov 13, 2011 9:59 PM MST reply actions

there was more than one bright spot...

believe me when I tell you most of us in the United Center we’re praying the hawks scored their sixth goal before the Oilers scored their fourth. The Oilers are my second favorite team in the league. I thought they might make the playoffs last year, and told people when they spanked us twice on home ice last year, it wasn’t a fluke – as Roger daltry sings " the kids are allright."

Eberle seemed to have tons of space last night – Hall narrowly missed a few great chances and thank you all for keeping the “Nuge” with the big club. What a great assist to Horcoff. Do you recall who he won most of those face offs against – Kruger?

The similarities between the Hawks of Toews and Kanes rookie year and the Oilers are rather apparent. We didn’t make the playoffs that year – still needed to learn what it takes to win night in and night out at the NHL level.

By the way, I’ll take a slumping Taylor Hall over about 95% of the players in the NHL. Ebb and flow, it’s a long season. take it easy on our “aging” team next Saturday.

By the way, someone dogged my favorite player on the hawks, Duncan Keith when Smith got around him. I didn’t really see what happenned on that play. However, one play that sticks out in my mind was in the first when taylor Hall seemed to have two steps on Keith. Hall was flying down the right side and Keith put on a burst of speed and manged to fend him off. Those plays never show up on the score sheet – but there are not many d-men in the league that can make that play.

by wardrums on Nov 14, 2011 8:25 AM MST reply actions

Do you recall who he won most of those face offs against – Kruger?

I confess that I don’t recall exactly. RNH’s faceoffs have been listed under “Needs Improvement” on his report card so far, so it was a bit of a pleasant surprise to have him do so well last night.

By the way, I’ll take a slumping Taylor Hall over about 95% of the players in the NHL. Ebb and flow, it’s a long season. take it easy on our "aging" team next Saturday.

Agree on Hall. He’s unquestionably going through a rough patch, but he’s a special player, and things will get better for him. And while your ‘Hawks may be grizzled veterans compared to the Oilers’ up-and-comers, I think they’ve a few good seasons left in them yet! So there will be no mercy on Saturday! :)

One question for you: going by the radio commentary last night, Crawford was fighting the puck a bit, especially early. Has that been a “thing” with him this season, or was he just having a bit of an off-night?

by Chunklets on Nov 14, 2011 10:05 AM MST up reply actions

RNH on the dot

vs. Kruger 5/6
vs. Mayers 1/3
vs. Frolik 2/2
vs. Kane 1/1
vs. Toews 0/1

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Nov 14, 2011 11:09 AM MST up reply actions

Ah, so it was Kruger who bore the brunt of it!

by Chunklets on Nov 14, 2011 11:29 AM MST up reply actions

Could well have been a different story vs. Bolland. We may see some of that on Saturday, even in our barn.

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Nov 14, 2011 12:36 PM MST up reply actions

bollands not all that hot at the dot either.

By the way, it was obvious you guys were a little low on “Oil” after playing the Wings and Bruins before us, all in the course of 3 days. That’s a brutal schedule. Hard to get sky high for all 3 of those games. You’ll be our third game in four nights next Saturday. It will be interesting to see if it makes a difference. Just hoping Kaner and Carcillo stay out of limo’s.

’

by wardrums on Nov 14, 2011 1:25 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for that info - I'll pass it along to Q

and we’ll make sure Frolik or Kane face off against him on Saturday. It scares me to think how good RNH might become. Hall is still the man on the Oilers though.

by wardrums on Nov 14, 2011 1:17 PM MST up reply actions

i didn't notice that in particular, but i'd go by what the announcers saw...

I guess it’s no secret that goalies are at there best when absorbing pucks, rather than coughing up juicy rebounds. All in all, Crows puck control has been better than average. Corey’s a great young goaltender and lately I’ve seen more and more hockey sites start saying he’s “good enough to win.” Personally, I think he’s a lot better than that. hawks have been funny this year. Sometimes it the offense that’s bailed us out, sometimes the defense and sometimes the goaltender. Like my golf game, it’s hard to get everything working in the same round.

Eberle made a great play on his goal and had all of the width of a puck to get by our Mr. Big. It reminded me a lot of Bollands goal when he came out of the penalty box in the playoffs against San Jose two years ago. Nabokov did everything he could and Bolland slid it through a very tiny opening. Sometimes the other guy just beats you. Horcoffs goal was on a pretty sick feed. Can’t blame Cory on that one.

The Oilers, like Ottawa, still are being looked at with circumspect eyes. I mentioned on one of the Hawk blog sites, “Was anyone else hoping that we scored our 6th goal before Edmonton got their 4th last night?” there was a moment with about 7 minutes left in the third when the hawks iced the puck and we had either our 3rd or 4th line and Leddy and Fluffy (Scott), out on the ice. Before the ref even blew the whistle, Hall/RNH/Eberle all jumped over the boards like they were shot out of a cannon, I believe they were all drooling. It definitely was a hold your breath moment for Hawk fans.

There were definitely some rebounds there for the picking last night – fortunately, the puck bounced the right way for us.

by wardrums on Nov 14, 2011 1:15 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the answer! I will be watching Crawford with some interest.

And how did Scott end up with the nickname “Fluffy”?

by Chunklets on Nov 14, 2011 8:15 PM MST up reply actions

I'm not sure on the nickname...

i’ll ask tomorrow on the secondcityhockey website. I think it’s because he’s like a great big stuffed bear. He’s actually very likable, despite the the incessant criticism from the fans.

He also goes by “Murdersaurus” although he’s having a very hard time this year finding willing dance partners. He’s basically the type of guy you need around to police players like Lucic.

This is the second year in a row I’ve had Crawford on my Fantasy Team. he hasn’t been quite as solid as he was last year, but there’s a lot of hockey left to be played this season. I still play him with confidence.

Wednesday night against the much hated Canucks will be a good test. Hopeflly we’ll stay out of the box this time. There isn’t anything much worse than watching the sedin’s and Burrows celebrate a goal.

by wardrums on Nov 14, 2011 9:20 PM MST up reply actions

There was a clip on blackhawks tv, where the team said he was like a teddy bear

and it kind of grew out of that. Scott is awesome as a person, just don’t love him on the ice.

"I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me." - Harry Potter

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams

by justforkicks on Nov 15, 2011 9:42 PM MST up reply actions

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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