Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers, Game 52 Breakdown

by Derek Zona on Feb 4, 2012 6:00 AM MST in News and Notes

Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers, Feb 4, 2012 8:00 PM MST

Next Game

Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, 8:00 PM MST
Rexall Place

Close the Door, Mr. Conklin - Winging It In Motown
Of course, news broke yesterday that Jimmy Howard is out with the tip of his finger broken. That means it's up to Mr. Conklin to close the door. And while he's played better recently, if Gagner plays like he did last game he might be breaking Darryl Sittler's record of 10 points in a single hockey game.

Shawn Horcoff - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Ales Hemsky
Taylor Hall - Sam Gagner - Jordan Eberle
Ryan Smyth - Eric Belanger - Ryan Jones
Ben Eager - Anton Lander - Lennart Petrell

Ladislav Smid - Jeff Petry
Ryan Whitney - Corey Potter
Cam Barker - Andy Sutton

Oilers vs. Red Wings – Game 52 - Putting on the Foil
With Jimmy Howard out with a broken finger, the Oilers might stand more of a chance too, although backups often kill us, as do former Oilers… so former Oiler backups can’t be good to face… Conklin should play tonight too.

G52 Red Wings at Oilers - Lowetide
This isn’t darkness with Harkness, but if the Oilers don’t start winning games consistently and pushing for the playoffs then bad things will happen. Not signing Ales Hemsky doesn’t do the 12-13 Oilers any favors, and trading him for picks and prospects means you are moving back the wins again. At some point, teenagers grow into young men and agents have the long term view for their clients.

Trading Smyth Isn’t The Plan Right Now - Cult of Hockey
Despite the rumours, this isn’t really a surprise. We all remember the circumstances of this summer’s return to Edmonton, the reports that it was Smyth himself forcing the issue, wanting to return to Alberta and the team that drafted him and that he spent most of his NHL career. We know too that Smyth’s contract includes a no-trade clause, and that he alone has the power to decide if a trade does or does not go through.

Hemsky: "I haven’t really talked to them." - Cult of Hockey
If that’s not writing on the wall, then I don’t know what is. Nothing says, "We’re going to trade you" like having abstained from contract talks with an unrestricted free agent with a little over three weeks to go before the trade deadline.

Today's Frustrated Edmonton Fan: Lowetide_

Complete Coverage >

Detroit Red Wings Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Patrick Eaves	jaw	11/27/2011

Edmonton Oilers Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Theo Peckham	other-excused	02/04/2012

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Tom Gilbert	knee	01/03/2012
Taylor Fedun	femur	10/03/2011
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins	shoulder	01/03/2012

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Comments

Shawn Horcoff – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Ales Hemsky
Taylor Hall – Sam Gagner – Jordan Eberle
Ryan Smyth – Eric Belanger – Ryan Jones
Ben Eager – Anton Lander – Lennart Petrell

Really? Horcoff shifts to wing just so that Lander can play C on the fourth line? I don’t understand why Lander is being accommodated to this extent. Perhaps the idea is for Horcoff to take the faceoffs for RNH, but it still seems a rather contorted lineup.

by Yeti# on Feb 4, 2012 12:49 PM MST reply actions

Would sure be nice if someone in the Edmonton MSM asked why Lander is still up. Or at the very least why he’s never been sent down, despite struggling since opening night.

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

by Derek Zona on Feb 4, 2012 1:18 PM MST up reply actions

Please stop rocking the boat, Derek. I’m getting sea sick.

by Yeti# on Feb 4, 2012 1:25 PM MST up reply actions

Yes M’Lord

The Edmonton Oilers – Rebuilding through character assassination since 1998

by Joe Girth on Feb 6, 2012 9:40 AM MST up reply actions

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Oilers Schedule

Last 5 Games

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@ 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