Tom Renney Loses To The Sabres 4-0, Oilers Win 3-0

by Derek Zona on Jan 3, 2012 10:00 PM MST in Game Reports

One of the great thing about the Oilers' "little teams that could" on the late 90's and early aughts was how hard they played, even when they were severely outmanned from the opening drop. They had good coaches, great speed and played with more desperation than a drunken fat man looking for a diner. Even though fans knew they weren't cup contenders, those teams were easy to love. They had one line that was a bonafide threat and a whole bunch of role players capable of playing NHL minutes, though not always well.

Tonight was like 1998 all over again. The little team that could was in Buffalo and they were playing their butts off. They had one line (Hall - Gagner - Hemsky) doing all of the offensive work and a whole of role players playing with tired desperation. Even though they played in Chicago last night, the Oilers came out and dominated play in the first period. Their legs seemed fresh and when they weren't, they put their heads down and plowed through anyway. The forecheck was so good, Buffalo intermission panelist Mike Robitaille called Edmonton the best forechecking team the Sabres have seen. Even though they were missing Tom Gilbert, Ryan Whitney, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, it didn't matter. Jeff Petry was handling the puck as much or more than Gilbert and was doing so effectively. Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner were flying in open ice and every one of their shifts ended in the Sabres zone. Taylor Hall was his typical Cannonball self, exploding into the offensive zone, swooping around the neutral zone, waiting for his chance to create a scoring chance.

It was fun to root for these Oilers. Then Tom Renney happened.

Corsi / Fenwick

Scoring Chances
Shift Chart
H2H Ice Time

Fenwick Game Chart

Sabres Start New Year With Win

The Good

The entire Oilers team. They skated hard, they put in an honest effort and damn near pulled it off. They were led by Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky who took 10 of the Oilers 26 shots on goal. They were dominant in the first, outchancing Buffalo 4-2 and were rewarded with a goal at the half-way point in the first. Hall's lightning release mystified Ryan Miller, who never had a chance on the play. Though Tom Renney allowed the Sabres to tie it and take the lead, the Oilers overcame their coach with Gagner scoring on the power play on a perfectly placed one-timer from the point helped by a perfectly timed Jones flyby in Miller's line of sight. The power play ran through Jeff Petry, rather than the common sidewall power play the Oilers have employed and it was successful. There may be a lesson in there.After Renney allowed the Sabres to take a two goal lead, the Oilers got back into the game on a Corey Potter wrister through traffic. They couldn't cash in a fourth time to overcome the coach, but the effort was outstanding.

Jim Matheson noted on Twitter that Shawn Horcoff was playing left rather than taking faceoffs and speculated that he may be nursing a shoulder injury suffered when he went off against the Blackhawks. It's great insight, but as we've seen with the Ryan Whitney story, the possibility that the media is withholding information is very real.

The Bad

Ales Hemsky was whistled for goaltender interference in the second period, but it wasn't even close. Hemsky was skating around the top of the crease and may, or may not have allowed his sweater to brush Ryan Miller, who dove to the ice like he was shot in the achilles. The refs bought it and blew the whistle, much to the consternation of a confused Ales Hemsky. If all a goaltender needs to get calls for the rest of the season is to is get run by Milan Lucic, sign Khabibulin up.

The Ugly

Tom Renney single-handedly lost this game for the Oilers. His line-matching decisions were inept, to put it lightly. After the Oilers took the lead on the Hall goal, the Sabres tied it up on a goal by Jason Pominville. Opposing the Sabres second line was Josh Green, Shawn Horcoff and Teemu Hartikainen. Renney inexplicably threw his fourth line over the wall without the Sabres fourth line on the ice. But of course mistakes happen, so we can give him a break. Five minutes into the second period, the Sabres took the lead on a goal by Jordan Leopold, assisted by Drew Stafford with Derek Roy on the ice. Opposing the Sabres top line was Josh Green, Taylor Hall and Teemu Hartikainen. Renney inexplicably threw his fourth line over the wall without the Sabres fourth line on the ice. Why?

After the Oilers tied it on Gagner's goal, in the second, the Sabres went ahead with five minutes to go on a goal by Drew Stafford. Opposing the Sabres top line was Josh Green, Ryan Jones and Shawn Horcoff. Renney put Josh Green out as the center (remember, Horcoff can't take faceoffs) against the Sabres top line with five minutes to go in the third period. The same Josh Green that just arrived in from the AHL. Two minutes later, the Sabres extended the lead to two goals on a Nathan Gerbe goal. Opposing the Sabres top line was Josh Green, Ryan Jones and Shawn Horcoff. Again.

Now, I have no idea if any of these goals were Hartikainen or Green's fault, and I don't care. What I do care about is that Renney is back to his 2010-11 ways. He isn't matching lines and he doesn't care if his fourth line is getting skewered. This isn't the first occasion that he's had his fourth line on the ice in the third period of a close game, either. I can understand why Shawn Horcoff couldn't take a faceoff tonight - he's got another shoulder issue. What is Tom Renney's excuse for getting his fourth line out against top six competition on a regular basis? Does he have a sprained frontal lobe?

The Copper & Blue Three Stars:

★★★ - Ales Hemsky

★★ - Sam Gagner

★ - Taylor Hall

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Comments

yup, all Rennys fault. Nothing to do with playing 2 games inside 22 hours. Or massive injuries still plaguing the club.

Also isn’t it a little difficult to get the matchups you want on the road? and On the 2nd night of a btb wouldn’t you have to spread the minutes around a little more?

I have a hard time placing this loss solely on Mr Renney.

by BusDriver on Jan 4, 2012 12:01 AM MST reply actions

I think Ive seen this “second of a back to back” excuse used more this season than the last 5 year combined. Not to single you out, there are a lot of people talking about it. But why is it an issue this year more than last? Is it just a convenient scapegoat so we dont have to admit we are as crappy as we are?

And before you call me out, yes, I know it makes a difference to play 2 nights in a row. Especially when travelling. I;m just pointing out the fact that it seems its being used a lot more than usual is all.

Insert Witty Comment Here

by VanillaAcid on Jan 4, 2012 12:22 AM MST up reply actions

Shots by period:
EDM 14 + 5 + 7 = 26
BUF 8 + 12 + 13 = 33

Scoring chances by period:
EDM 9 + 4 + 4 = 17
BUF 2 + 4 + 11 = 17

It’s at least suggestive that Oilers really did run out of gas.

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 12:29 AM MST up reply actions

Perhaps the Oilers’ ran out of gas.
But – Renney had the nozzle in his hand and when it came time to choose, — he pressed the Green button.
Hopeless! What the heck was that guy doing on the ice in the third period?

by Fred Furlong on Jan 4, 2012 6:03 AM MST up reply actions

Crazy (ES h2h charts are fun!)

Of Green’s 11 minutes of ice time, five of them were against Roy, Stafford, and Gerbe.

Not only that, Lindy Ruff managed to get the recently recalled TJ Brennan out against Green for 8 of those minutes.

Now Tom Renney managed to get Taylor Hall on the ice for 7 of the 10 minutes played by the Sabres ‘fourth’ line, but this was because Ruff was sheltering Adam and Kassian (who likely had a 100% ozstart), who played 7 of their 11 minutes against the bottom two Oilers lines.

Mike Weber Pressbox Incarceration Status: Free to roam the blueline.
"Ville Leino may stink but he’s still way better than Matt Ellis."

by Ubiquitous on Jan 4, 2012 9:15 AM MST up reply actions

If they were out of gas, why was he using the guy who played the most over the last 5 days?

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

by Derek Zona on Jan 4, 2012 10:05 AM MST up reply actions

In addition to flying like 3000km in that same time frame.

by Joe Girth on Jan 4, 2012 12:12 PM MST up reply actions

If they were out of gas, why was he using the guy who played the most over the last 5 days?

That one I can’t answer – I was just addressing Vanilla Acid’s comment. They really did hit the wall, Teemu probably more than anyone.

Maybe Renney should have dressed Hordichuk instead? < ducks … runs >

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 12:40 PM MST up reply actions

HA! Only if it was to play for Buffalo

by Joe Girth on Jan 4, 2012 12:56 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe this is less overt evidence that the Fail for Nail is a managerial directive

by Jeremywilhelm on Jan 4, 2012 1:09 AM MST via mobile reply actions

You’re probably right. I’m not sure if Renney is legitimately capable of outcoaching the other team … although it appeared that he did early in the season, but he is proving that he is capable of being outcoached.

There was a quote from early this season where he mentioned how last year they were playing green (lower case) guys in all situations. Perhaps management has surmized where we sit in the standings and are acknowledging that it’s better to finish in the lottery than to compete for 8th and come up short.

Who’s got the stomach for another half-season of this? If that’s the case it had better be the last time. I was all on board the Fall for Hall and for ELPH, but the team’s early-season success makes this year’s architected failure all the more putrid.

by John Chambers on Jan 4, 2012 9:47 AM MST up reply actions

We do realize that last night Renney was missing his top (two) defenceman and his top offensive centre, and that his top defensive centre was playing wing with call-ups and couldn’t take a draw, right?

Tough gig.

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 12:48 PM MST up reply actions

"Dude, you know #12 isn't Brandon Dubinsky, right?"

Doh! I thought I was sending Dave Hunter over the boards.

by Fred Furlong on Jan 4, 2012 6:07 AM MST reply actions

Since when is any line with Horcoff on it considered the 4th line? Signed Mac T and Mac T v2.0

by Jayamania on Jan 4, 2012 11:05 AM MST reply actions

Not Renney, not last night

EV TOI
-———-
Hall 17:59 + Gagner 17:48 + Hemsky 17:16 = 53:03
Smyth 13:48 + Lander 12:20 + Eberle 11:38 = 37:46
Hartikainen 12:43 + Horcoff 11:40 + Green 11:17 = 35:40
Jones 9:53 + Belanger 9:19 + Eager 8:31 = 27:43

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 12:45 PM MST up reply actions

Facts and numbers may work as proof in a court of law, Bruce, but in the court of public opinion Renney is the hatchetman in this grim conspiracy. If you don’t agree you can go post witht the other rubes on tsn.ca

by John Chambers on Jan 4, 2012 12:57 PM MST up reply actions

Actually, my now public opinion is that HGH2 should have been the 4th line, & ice time says they weren’t.

An obvious fix would have been Horcoff-Belanger-Jones down the stretch, gonging Eager and the two call-ups. Didn’t happen.

I blame Renney. There, can I stay in the club now?

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 2:27 PM MST up reply actions

All of the Above

B2B games, bad line matching and out of gas…and a bad call on Hemsky…another game that they have to learn how to win, instead they lose. But anybody that doesn’t think this is more exciting to watch than the last few years is drunk.

Maybe I am the ultimate optimist but a centreman who can win draws and put up some points, two NHL 3-4 D-men and a steady goaltender and this team contends…interesting how Hitchcock can take an average team and change its losing ways (of course they won’t win anything).

But the Oilers could lose 30 of the last 42 games and I’ll still watch…so what do I know??

by Otiepitotie on Jan 4, 2012 11:22 AM MST reply actions

Great… ELPH Is making a comeback.

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 Jan 4, 2012 1:41 PM MST up reply actions

ELPH

Execrable Lottery Pick Hockey

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 4, 2012 2:27 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Oh, I thought it was Edmonton Loses Playoff Hopes… again.

by Joe Girth on Jan 4, 2012 4:28 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Well that certainly works too. Rec’d

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

by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 5, 2012 12:05 AM MST up reply actions

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