Sam Gagner's Rout Continues, Oilers Down Red Wings in Shootout

by Derek Zona on Feb 5, 2012 12:30 AM MST in Game Reports

Sam Gagner's NHL takeover is in full swing and neither the Chicago Blackhawks nor the Detroit Red Wings, two of the best teams in the league, have been able to stop it. His name is now appearing on walls in Islington and it's only a matter of time before he leaves Cream.

The Edmonton Oilers have scored 15 goals in their last 3 games - Sam Gagner has been on the ice for 14 of them, including the last 12 in a row. Gagner has 12 points in the last three games, 11 in the last two. Even strength, power play, shootout -- it doesn't matter -- to say Gagner is on fire is to underestimate how hot Gagner is burning.

Corsi / Fenwick

Scoring Chances
Shift Chart
H2H Ice Time

Zonestarts

Fenwick Game Chart

Devan Dubnyk stopped 35 of 39 shots against the Wings and has stopped 186 of 199 in the last five games for a .935 save percentage. There are two reasons the Oilers have points in their last five games and three straight wins - Sam Gagner and Devan Dubnyk.

Fans who have turned against Gagner over the last two seasons and have demanded a trade this season must be annoyed by the fact that Gagner is scoring like he's playing in the 1980s.

Fans who have turned against Ales Hemsky and have demanded a trade must be annoyed by the fact that Hemsky was obliterated by Nicklas Kronwall, yet returned to set up the game-tying goal.

Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff again took another tough matchup - Henrik Zetterberg's line. They didn't give up a point.

Gagner even won the possession war against the Red Wings tonight, the only Oiler to do so and he didn't have the luxury of zonestarts, though he did have the luxury of 3rd-toughs.

Gagner must be on top of the world - he's got 13 shots on goal in the last two games.

If you didn't think Gagner was a top-line or second-line centre before the last two games, but now think he is based on 34:27 of ice time, close this window now.

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Must admit hadn’t heard about Islington – would have thought that was a bit upmarket for Oilers fans ….

by southampton viking on Feb 5, 2012 1:06 AM MST reply actions

Well there are plenty of wealthy hipsters there. Just the kind of people to support a team that’s come dead last two years in a row.

by WhatWouldBurishDo on Feb 5, 2012 4:36 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Baker and Bruce carried Clapton, just like Hall and Eberle are carrying Gagner. Once Gagner goes solo it will really show up what a mediocre player he is. And that’s when the drink and drugs addictions will set in.

by Yeti# on Feb 5, 2012 8:10 AM MST reply actions 3 recs

Drink and drugs addictions?

And your expertise is what?

by drydenlorieau on Feb 5, 2012 3:15 PM MST up reply actions

Not to ruin Yeti's subtle joke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton#Solo_career

Kids these days.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Robertson's Rants - Exceedingly occasional, lengthy ramblings on hockey topics, hosted at Puck Podcast. And no, my name's not Doug.

by Doogie2K on Feb 6, 2012 11:03 AM MST up reply actions

Great players raise the play of this around them. These are the elite players. gagner is not one of them. But very good players can be made by being able to play up to the players around you. Gagner may be the latter and that’s still very valuable.

This draft will be very interesting for Sam. Assumiung the Oilers pick in the top 2, a selection of Grigorenko puts Sam at risk of dropping to number 3 on the centre depth chart, and at risk of playing with much lower quality line mates, and he struggles when that happens. But if they draft Yakupov, then at least he plays with Eberle or Yakupov as his wingers for years. In that scenario Gagner should excel.

Hence my belief the Oilers should not trade Gagner until they know who they get in the draft.

by gcw_rocks on Feb 5, 2012 4:51 PM MST up reply actions

I’m really, really sorry that nobody gets you.

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

by Derek Zona on Feb 5, 2012 6:07 PM MST up reply actions

He’s a little hard to understand through the drink and the drugs.

by eddy the lip on Feb 5, 2012 6:50 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I think I’m far more coherent when I’m stoned and pissed.

by Yeti# on Feb 6, 2012 6:55 AM MST up reply actions

Sadly that’s the case for most Oiler fans.

by DarrenV on Feb 6, 2012 8:50 AM MST up reply actions

Cute celebration from Samwise after the tying goal last night – he looked like a little kid! Clip (Gagner’s celebration is at about the 1:50 mark)

by Chunklets on Feb 5, 2012 3:40 PM MST reply actions

I think it was more along the lines of

“Finally you fuckers scored without relying on me!”

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 Feb 6, 2012 8:18 AM MST up reply actions

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