Chicago's Streak Continues But The Oilers Get A Single Point

Despite having the lead after two periods the Oilers were unable to hold off the Blackhawks. The did force the game to overtime though so at least the Bettman point is a small consolation.

Game Thread: Edmonton Oilers @ Chicago Blackhawks - Ending a Streak

Chicago is riding a streak like the league hasn't seen since Mario Lemieux's Penguins. The Oilers have 3 regulation wins in 17 games. It seems unlikely, but the Oilers desperately need points, and tonight works like any other.

Teemu Hartikainen Placed on IR

The stout Finnish winger finds himself on IR.

Nikolai Khabibulin Draws Start Against Blackhawks; Oilers Refuse Tyler Dellow's Advice

The Edmonton Oilers Twitter account announced this afternoon that Nikolai Khabibulin will start against the Chicago Blackhawks:

Khabibulin the first #Oilers goalie off the ice this morning, indicating he'll make the start against the #Blackhawks tonight

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 25, 2013

Khabibulin has started the season well,allowing just 7 goals on 120 shots.

Nikolai Khabibulin

#35 / Goalie / Edmonton Oilers

Height: 6-1

Weight: 206

Born: Jan 13, 1973

The start isn't logical, according to Tyler Dellow:

All of which is to say, I tend to think that it’s not unreasonable to think that Edmonton, which is a fringe playoff team with one goalie who we have every reason to think is significantly better than the other, would start that goalie as much as NHL coaches have deemed wise in the past. Absent injury, that number seems to be north of 40, with the backup goaltender almost exclusively starting in back to back situations.

Edmonton Coach Ralph Krueger is more riverboat gambler than tactian, and will ride his hot hand. The move is certainly drawing rave reviews from Todd Pipella:

@edmontonoilers makes sense to start Khabi!!! Go Oilers!!

— Todd Pipella (@Toddpipella) February 25, 2013

Oilers @ Blackhawks Lines and Pairings

Lines and pairings for the road trip opener in Chicago

Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks Game 18 Preview: Omar Comin.

The Oilers start a nine-game road trip tonight - they get the Blackhawks twice. Ouch.