Edmonton Oilers
@ Vancouver Canucks

Saturday, Apr 7, 2012, 8:00 PM MDT
Rogers Arena

Game #82 Preview: This is the End - CanucksArmy
Obviously with the Oilers it's a different story. They're positioned yet again to pick in the draft lottery, where they're likely to take a defenseman who won't be ready to help the team win games until the Nuge, Hall and Eberle are making a combined 20 million per year. Edmonton's club is icing an AHL quality defensive group, and has consistently mismanaged several of their blue-chip young assets in Linas Omark and Magnus Paajarvi. Yep, same old Oilers.

Game 82! Oilers At Canucks Preview: Finally! - Nucks Misconduct
Oilers are 49-119 in their last 168 vs. Western Conference.

Canuck Brunch - The End Complete - Nucks Misconduct
82 games. Where the hell has it gone? It's hard to believe 6 months have gone by so quickly, let alone the 10 since the Finals. Yet here the Canucks stand, ready for the playoffs and a possible second straight President's Trophy win, as long as they get at least 1 point, they'll defeat St. Louis for the Western Conference title, and one more than the Rangers earn tonight gets them 1st overall.

G82 Oilers at Canucks - Lowetide
It all comes down to Mr. Katz. I don’t think we should be surprised if the Oilers give another contract to Steve Tambellini and decide to retain Tom Renney too. But I don’t think it’s a certainty those things happen this summer.

Oilers at Canucks, Game 82 – Putting on the Foil
So it’s the last game of the season. It seems to me like it got here pretty quickly. Maybe because almost nothing happened in the last few months – another dud of a season. But there are positives to look to.

Edmonton @ Vancouver - Oil On Whyte
Welcome to the last game preview for the next five months. It’s been another interesting season. The team’s gotten a little bit better in the standings, but they’re still a far cry away from the second season. With a win today, the Oilers would finish with 76 points on the season. Again, it’s better, but not really good.

Linus Omark will not play. Again. Well done, Oilers.

Complete Coverage >

Anaheim Ducks
@ Edmonton Oilers

Thursday, Apr 5, 2012, 7:30 PM MDT
Rexall Place

Anaheim Calling

Ducks Gameday -- Of Lesser Importance... - Battle of California
...Drawception! -- a real time-killer for your average internet cartoonist. I've been on it for five days, participated in 111 games (probably 108 by cartoon), and have a score somewhere in the 700s. So yeah, I've been putting in some time into it. :)

Seriously, Vote for Jonas Hiller for NHL13 Cover - Anaheim Calling
Jonas Hiller (and Corey Perry) are in the running to be on the cover of NHL12. The somewhat quiet goalie has made three videos showing why you should vote for him. VOTE FOR JONAS!

Because We Have No Right to Joke ... (i.e. We Hate the Kings) - Anaheim Calling
As you probably already know, the NHL has launched a new ad campaign for the playoffs this year titled "Because It's The Cup." The generic version above is truly atrocious. "Because hockey has two half times." SERIOUSLY!?!? What does that even MEAN?!

Quite possibly the best Oilers-related tweet of the year: TheCityOfChamps

Or maybe this one: TheCityOfChamps

Nah, this on: TheCityOfChamps

Or this: TheCityOfChamps

Or: TheCityOfChamps

Complete Coverage >

Edmonton Oilers
@ Los Angeles Kings

Monday, Apr 2, 2012, 8:30 PM MDT
Staples Center

Jewels From The Crown

Why the Kings Need to Blow Out Edmonton - MCSORLEY'S STICK
Usually, running up the score is considered bad sportsmanship. And just winning the game against Edmonton is going to be tough enough. But listen: there’s a not insignificant chance the whole season could come down to goal-differential. The Kings are one standings point and one ROW (regulation or OT win) ahead of the Sharks right now. They each have three games left, two against each other. And in the season series, the Kings are up by a single point.

The Other Half of All The Kings Men: Edmonton - All The Kings Men
Here's a quick preview of the Edmonton Oilers featuring Scott Reynolds from The Copper & Blue. Hope you enjoy.

Kings Expected Lines (courtesy Left Wing Lock)

Dustin Brown - Anze Kopitar - Brad Richardson
Dustin Penner - Jarret Stoll - Trevor Lewis
Dwight King - Mike Richards - Justin Williams
Kyle Clifford - Colin Fraser - Jordan Nolan

Rob Scuderi - Drew Doughty
Slava Voynov - Willie Mitchell
Matt Greene - Alec Martinez

Bullet Points: Cleaning Out My Locker - Jewels From The Crown
I'm returning to my little self-run blog. Some of you might remember it.

G80 Oilers at Kings - Lowetide
The Edmonton Oilers are adding about three kids a year–I know it seems like more than that–each season. In 10-11, Hall, Eberle and Dubnyk joined the band and this season it’s Nugent-Hopkins, Anton Lander and perhaps a late entry in Teemu Hartikainen. Paajarvi? Pending. We shouldn’t dismiss the value of a late round addition to the rebuild, and Hartikainen seems as good a bet as any to join the group.

Oilers Expected Lines (courtesy Oilers.NHL.com)

Ryan Smyth - Shawn Horcoff - Ryan Jones
Eric Belanger - Sam Gagner - Ales Hemsky
Teemu Hartikainen - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Darcy Hordichuk - Chris VandeVelde - Ben Eager

Ryan Whitney – Nick Schultz
Andy Sutton – Colten Teubert
Cam Barker – Bryan Rodney

Oilers at Kings – Game 80 – Putting on the Foil
The Oilers recalled Bryan Rodney today from OKC. He was the one acquired in the trade that sent Ryan O’Marra packing to Anaheim. Corey Potter is feeling "off" after being clocked by Bobby Ryan up high last night. So, Rodney may slot into that D spot. It’ll be a pretty scary defense tonight, if that is the case. Not a lot of NHL talent in there.

Kings Gameday: Here's What You Need To Know - Battle of California
Prediction: Kings win, 4-2. Goals by Richards, Richardson, Kopitar, and Kopitarson.

Today's Frustrated Edmonton Fan: OilFanInYYC

Complete Coverage >

Edmonton Oilers
@ Columbus Blue Jackets

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012, 1:00 PM MDT
Nationwide Arena

The Cannon

Falcons Game 67: Points Lost and a Look Around the "A" - The Cannon
Points in the standings count as much in October as they do in March. When points slip away this time of year though, it stings just a little more. The Falcons got stung Saturday night, dropping a 3-1 verdict to the Adirondack Phantoms in Glens Falls, NY. Coming away with no points opened the gap to three points in the battle for the eighth playoff spot in the AHL's Eastern Conference.

Sanford Done, Wiz Concussed - The Cannon
The injury trail continues for the Jackets, as head coach Todd Richards has announced that Curtis Sanford has a "torn muscle" in his leg (almost certainly his quad) that will end his season. Allen York has, not surprisingly, been recalled once again. Look for him to get at least one or two starts as we stare down the final ten games of the regular season.

Game 74 Recap: Hats Off to (Roy) Harper (and/or RJ Umberger) - The Cannon
R.J. Umberger been mistreated, babe, by his game this season. But tonight, he shook 'em on down.

Oilers Recall Chris Vande Velde - Oil On Whyte
Vande Velde’s call-up is likely to help replace Shawn Horcoff in tomorrow’s game versus the Blue Jackets. Horcoff is said to be suffering from back spasms suffered late last game.

G76 Oilers at Blue Jackets - Lowetide
Ryan Whitney is once again the key. IF he’s healthy and mobile, then the Oilers top 4 should be good enough and Sutton as a depth option is fine.

Complete Coverage >

Edmonton Oilers
@ Florida Panthers

Friday, Mar 23, 2012, 5:30 PM MDT
BankAtlantic Center

Litter Box Cats

Panthers Postseason Possibilities: Florida Finds a Finisher - Litter Box Cats
Have the Florida Panthers ever had downright terrible goaltending?

Florida Panthers Ups & Downs: Week 23 - Litter Box Cats
Brian Campbell assisted on both Panther goals against the Flyers, giving him 45 assists for the season, tying his career high (with a single team). He also blocked seven shots, reaching the century mark for the second season in a row with 105 (101 last year).

Friday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers GameDay Open Forum - Litter Box Cats
Since the (latest) NHL lockout was lifted, the Florida Panthers have had plenty of difficulty when facing off against Edmonton: in five games since 2005-06, the Oilers have skated away with four victories - two in the shootout - while sporting a 14-10 goal differential. The Cats haven't defeated their Western Conference counterpart at home since March 8, 2002 - 5-4 in regulation - but don't fret too seriously over that gaping decade span: they've only played three times from Sunrise in the years hence.

Your Top Ten Memory Of 2011-12 - Oil On Whyte - An Edmonton Oilers blog
Rather, we’re going to take a look ten stories that mattered this year. Yes, missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons sucks, but think about some of the finer things that have happened for the Oilers this year. Think about…

G75 Oilers at Panthers - Lowetide
In the American south this week, a young Finnish hockey player is making some important steps in his efforts to become a legit NHL player. If there’s room for Teemu, does that mean Linus is on the outside looking in next season?

Today's Frustrated Edmonton Fan: EtownHudj

Complete Coverage >

Edmonton Oilers
@ Tampa Bay Lightning

Thursday, Mar 22, 2012, 5:30 PM MDT
Tampa Bay Times Forum

Raw Charge

The Wall; Tampa Bay Lightning versus Edmonton Oilers preview - Raw Charge
Spring of 2001 introduced former Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to the Tampa Bay area. General Manager Rick Dudley had been in pursuit of Khabibulin's services - an elite, yet idle, goaltender - during the 2000-01 campaign. I remember reading Ira Kaufman at the Tampa Tribune mentioning things over and over again leading up to the 2001 NHL trade deadline. Khabibulin had been holding out with the Phoenix Coyotes. He hadn't played in almost two full seasons, sans for playing time with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League.

Six Stats: Injured players have specific roles that are hard to fill - Raw Charge
We all know what Martin St. Louis brings to the team, and at the risk of igniting old debates, Vincent Lecavalier's abilities ought to be obvious as well. Between them, they have missed 18 games, and Vinny's still out with a broken hand. These two are the leadership core of this team, and their absence was notable for that reason alone. And I think everyone understands what the loss of Mathieu Garon, the only reliable NHL goaltender on the roster, means to the team.

Victor Hedman visits the Mt. Vernon fourth-grade class - Raw Charge
In case you need something to feel better about after last night's loss, check out this photo and more importantly this photo of Victor Hedman's visit to Mt. Vernon Elementary School this morning, where fourth-grader Andrew White got to take him to school. I'm a grown adult and I'm a little jealous.

Tampa Bay Lightning sign Alex Killorn to two-year deal - Raw Charge
Today adds another prospect to the Lightning table, as 2007 draft pick Alex Killorn was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Bolts. Killorn, who has played the last four years with the Harvard Crimson of the ECAC, was a Hobey Baker nominee (not a finalist) this season with his 46 point effort in 34 games this season (23 goals, 23 assists).

Is Sam Gagner The Expendable Man For The Edmonton Oilers? - Cult of Hockey
Where would Sam Gagner be now if he hadn’t picked up eight points against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 2nd?

Oilers at Lightning – Game 74 - Putting on the Foil
Taylor Hall didn’t skate in today’s practice. "Bottom line it’s a concussion. He isn’t available to play tonight. I’m not sure if he’ll skate tomorrow but it’s day to day," Renney stated on Hall.

G74 Oilers at Lightning - Lowetide
Does Hartikainen have what it takes to play that tough, physical style? Can he pass and take a pass? Can his shot beat an NHL goalie?

Complete Coverage >

Edmonton Oilers
@ Nashville Predators

Tuesday, Mar 20, 2012, 6:00 PM MDT
Bridgestone Arena

On the Forecheck

Here Comes Radulov, Here Comes Radulov... - On the Forecheck
Assuming he makes it here in time for tonight's game against Edmonton, what kind of reception do you think he'll receive at Bridgestone Arena?

How good will Alexander Radulov be in the NHL? - On the Forecheck
With Alexander Radulov possibly joining the Nashville Predators lineup as early as Thursday at Pittsburgh, Preds fans are buzzing over how he'll fit into the lineup, and what this all means for the team's playoff hopes. Radulov comes back to the NHL after having won a host of awards in Russia over the last few years. He's a two-time KHL MVP, won the Gagarin Cup last season, and just led the league in scoring for the second consecutive year.

Hockey experts around the NHL putting the spotlight on Nashville - On the Forecheck
The Nashville Predators have certainly expressed some lofty goals this season, and now that they've proven to be the most aggressive team in the NHL at adding talent for the playoff run, writers around North America are talking about the Preds as one of the prime contenders to win it all this spring.

Is Radulov's return to Nashville a short one? - On the Forecheck
Dmitry Chesnokov (who often serves as our gateway into the world of Russian hockey journalism) passes along reports from Pavel Lysenkov of Sovietsky Sport this afternoon, indicating that the bargain which has allowed Alexander Radulov's return to Nashville may be a short-term one:

Martin Erat named NHL's 3rd Star of the Week - On the Forecheck
As if being named OTF Hero Of The Week wasn't enough, the accolades are continuing to pour in for our man Marty. The NHL just released the following:

G73 Oilers at Predators - Lowetide
The young group of forwards currently in the Oilers employ should probably ask for asylum at the Grand Ole Opry after tonight’s game. All that jazz up front added to that Nashville sound would make for beautiful music into June every year.

Complete Coverage >

Phoenix Coyotes
@ Edmonton Oilers

Sunday, Mar 18, 2012, 6:00 PM MDT
Rexall Place

Five For Howling

TICKETS

Sweeping The Oilers - Five For Howling
Tomorrow the Phoenix Coyotes will be looking to get their third win over the Edmonton Oilers this season, fifth in a row, at the Rexall Place. This may be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Desert Dogs, who have yet to gain the momentum in March that they had when they were dominating the month of February. If the Yotes can get the win tonight they will be tied with the Dallas Stars for the Pacific Division lead, which will make Tuesday's game all the more interesting, Coyotes and Stars, winner leads the division.

Coyotes Expected Lines (courtesy Left Wing Lock)

Ray Whitney - Antoine Vermette - Shane Doan
Mikkel Boedker - Daymond Langkow - Raffi Torres
Lauri Korpikoski - Boyd Gordon - Taylor Pyatt
Paul Bissonnette - Gilbert Brule - Marc-Antoine Pouliot

Rostislav Klesla - Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Keith Yandle - Michal Rozsival
David Schlemko - Derek Morris

What The Final Twelve Games Mean - Oil On Whyte
It might be the last 12 games with Mr. Dithers at the helm. After word got out in January that a contract extension was in the works, all talk on that front has been completely silent. Now it could just be stuck on details like term and money, or it could have been signed months ago and the Oilers are simply waiting for some positives to occur on the ice to help mitigate some of the backlash when they announce it. Or there is still the faint hope pipe dream chance that the Oilers let Tambellini go at the end of the year. As was pointed out in this article on Oilers Nation, the Oilers have yet to open talks with Ryan Smyth about an extension. Could this be a sign that Tambellini is now a lame duck GM?

Rake - Oil Acumen
Despite their impressive collection of young talent, the Oilers are still a long shot to land Suter, and that might be putting it mildly. However, there is little doubt that the team should have interest in this player, based on the range of skills he possesses, and his ability to be a minute-muncher than can handle himself against anyone.

Oilers Expected Lines (courtesy Oilers.NHL.com)

Ryan Smyth - Shawn Horcoff - Teemu Hartikainen
Ben Eager - Sam Gagner - Ales Hemsky
Ryan Jones - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Darcy Hordichuk - Eric Belanger - Lennart Petrell

Ladislav Smid – Jeff Petry
Ryan Whitney – Nick Schultz
Theo Peckham – Corey Potter

G72 Coyotes at Oilers - Lowetide
There’s a window of opportunity here for Hartikainen. With Paajarvi struggling with his sideburns and Linus Omark refusing to get taller, Harski the Finn finally has 11 games of blacktop and perhaps a chance to show some things to management (as he did one year ago).

Today's Frustrated Edmonton Fan: DanTencerBlows

Complete Coverage >

Columbus Blue Jackets
@ Edmonton Oilers

Wednesday, Mar 14, 2012, 8:00 PM MDT
Rexall Place

GAME THREAD

Falcons Game 62: Sideshow Antics Overshadow Good Game - The Cannon
Today, I am sorry to say that I witnessed a real life version of that kind of crazed behavior. Steve MacIntyre of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins singlehandedly earned the title "Biggest Piece of Trash to Play The Game In the Past 40 Years". The behemoth degenerate, all 6'5" of him, when he couldn't thug it up with an obviously more intelligent Falcon, decided it was his best possible career move to attack 5'10" goalie Paul Dainton. Dainton's teammates were not amused and predictably, all hell broke loose for several minutes at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. More after the jump:

Today in the "A": MacIntyre Suspended - The Cannon
Steve MacIntyre of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was suspended by the AHL for 4 games today, based on his deplorable actions against Paul Dainton and the Springfield Falcons on Sunday afternoon at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Despite MacIntyre's antics, the Falcons were unable to cash in on an eight minute power play, eventually dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to the Penguins. The suspension announcement from TheAHL.com:

Clockgate Returns: NHL Still Silent on Drew Doughty's Controversial GWG Vs. Jackets - The Cannon
Review of video evidence shows the clock at the Staples center "paused" on 1.8 seconds for well over 3 actual seconds, extending the final period of regulation past when it should have ended. Video review saw it. The team saw it. Fans saw it. But the game went into the record books regardless despite protests from the Blue Jackets coaches and front office.

The GM Meetings: What's In It For Us? - The Cannon
With the NHL GMs getting away from snow, rain, and what little winter weather you can find in this unseasonably warm March in Florida this week (though it appears the weather report for Boca Raton is rather overcast and rainy - tough luck!), one has to wonder what Scott Howson might bring home to offer both his team and the fans.

Game Preview 70: Fail Off: Who Wants it *Less*? - The Cannon
Playoff implications? Nope. Bragging rights? Maybe. Rivalry? Not really. Two teams out of the playoffs, 13 games to go in the season... what's the draw?

Help me believe in anything - mc79hockey.com
I had some doubts about that as an explanation for his shooting percentage. As always, I think it’s helpful to break these things down into ES/PP/PK. At 5v5 before last year, Jones had taken 97 career shots, scoring 10. Last year, he took 98 shots and scored 15. This year, he’s taken 95 shots and scored 7. Less than half as effective as he was before. He basically invented a whole narrative for himself, on the basis of a single season, that didn’t even match with his past history.

What Ice Time Tells Us - Oil Acumen
Tom Renney made some pointed comments after the Oilers' 3-2 loss to San Jose on Monday. What he didn't do is indicate exactly what players he wants more from. The one currency that a coach has is ice time, so what does the way it's being distributed tell us about the favor of the coach?

Bickering Amongst Teammates Leads To - Oilers Jambalaya
It's been reported that there was some bickering on the Oilers bench the other night. Captain Shawn Horcoff fully admitted this and it should be no surprise that this happened. Losing sucks. I'd be pissed off too.

Oilers vs. Blue Jackets – Putting on the Foil
It would appear that Eager is a scratch tonight with back spasms. Might be cause for concern, as he’s had troubles with that throughout the year. Teemu Hartikainen has been called up. I’m curious as to where they play him. Just simply in Eager’s spot? Probably, but I could see him making a decent impression higher up in the lineup. Problem is, he hasn’t arrived yet. So he might not even suit up for this one. Peckham is in for Sutton. Doobie gets the start.

G70 Blue Jackets at Oilers - Lowetide
Providing the Oilers have a genuine interest in competing for a playoff spot in 12-13, the summer should see multiple additions of NHL players. However, even if they devote all of their energy to turning this ragtag group into something useful, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to improve more than the Ohio players.

SOMEBODY'S GOT TO WIN TONIGHT - Oil On Whyte
The Oilers come into tonight’s game as the team bearing the riches (they’re 29th overall) while the Blue Jackets trail the Oilers by eights points in the standings. There are no playoff implications. No one is going to play spoiler. The Oilers haven’t won at home in three weeks. The Blue Jackets have dealt everything from their team that isn’t Rick Nash.

Complete Coverage >