When you watch this team and can stand it no longer, I think it best to go off to do something else for a while, and then return here after it's over to hear from Ben, Derek, or Lisa, and your other brothers and sisters in the faith who will give you laughter and encouragement so that you won't be completely lost because of these trials. Remember that this time of suffering was destined for us, and in fact, before both of the last two seasons we told you tough times were coming. And that's just how it's turned out, as you well know. That's why I say, when your frustration is overflowing - when even mediocre teams who engage in pathetic California rivalries are beating this team into oblivion - take some time away to relax and breathe deep. Don't, of course, stop caring completely, but don't be a masochist either. I say this for your own good, because I don't want you to push so hard for so long that you become tempted to give up entirely and have all your years of emotional investment be in vain.
Edmonton Oilers (4-10-4) @ Anaheim Ducks (10-9-3)
Honda Center, 6:00 p.m. MST
Television: Sportsnet West
More analysis after the jump...
Visiting Team Scouting Report:
The Anaheim Ducks have been pretty much as expected so far this season. The team really isn't all that good, as evidenced by their goal differential (-10) and shot differential (-6.9 per game). Nevertheless, the team is winning some games thanks to fantastic goaltending from Jonas Hiller. The only surprise has been that Curtis McElhinney has been great when he's had the chance too, which has helped the Ducks stay in playoff contention. As the season goes on, I expect the Ducks to fall back and be sellers by the trade deadline. In some ways, it's easy to look at the Ducks and see that they're "wasting" a season on mediocrity, but boy oh boy, am I ever jealous of those fans at least having hope for the present in November.
Expected Lineups:
Edmonton Oilers (4-10-4):
Hall - Horcoff - Eberle
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Paajarvi - Cogliano - Jones
Jacques - Fraser - Brule
Whitney - Gilbert
Peckham - Foster
Vandermeer - Belle
Dubnyk
Anaheim Ducks (10-9-3)
Ryan - Getzlaf - Perry
Blake - Koivu - Selanne
Sexton - Marchant - Bonino
Green - Carter - Parros
Visnovsky - Lydman
Fowler - Mara
Sbisa - Brookbank
Hiller
By the Numbers:
- The Oilers have now lost six consecutive games for the second time this season. This is also the sixth time in the last calendar year that the Oilers have dropped at least five straight. In their last 82 regular season games, they've amassed a total of only 56 points with a -98 goal differential.
- After a three-year absence, Josh Green is back in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. For those who don't know, Green was a part of Kevin Lowe's first (major) transaction after being hired as general manager of the Oilers in June of 2000. He came to the Oilers from Long Island along with Eric Brewer and a second round draft pick. The Oilers gave up Roman Hamrlik in the deal.
- In tonight's game, Shawn Horcoff will tie Ethan Moreau for the 12th most regular season games played as an Oiler with 653. If Horcoff plays in every single game left on his contract with the Oilers, he'll pass Kevin Lowe for top spot with seven to spare. It's not all that likely to happen - at least on this contract - but Horcoff could become a pretty important figure in Oilers' history.
- So far this season the Ducks have three fo the thirty most penalized forwards in the NHL. Both Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry are tied with 10 minor penalties, and Saku Koivu is right behind with nine.
- In terms of goal differential per sixty minutes while penalty killing (four-on-five only), the Oilers have six of the worst fifteen regular penalty killers in the league (min. 1:00 per game and 10 GP): Jordan Eberle, Ladislav Smid, Shawn Horcoff, Tom Gilbert, Colin Fraser, and Jim Vandermeer. The qualifying Oilers not on that list? Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, Theo Peckham, Ales Hemsky, Jason Strudwick, and Ryan Whitney.