Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks, Game 38

Edmonton Oilers
@ Chicago Blackhawks

Monday, Jan 2, 2012, 6:30 PM MST
United Center

Second City Hockey

Atop the Sugar Pile - Second City Hockey
Stals may have been a minus last night, but over the past six games, he has been lighting up the ice like Leroy Green. Vik Rattlehead has potted four goals and added three helpers, averaging better than a point a game. Stalberg’s CORSI numbers are equally impressive and his recent surge has made the checking line offensively relevant again. He is better using his size to create space to make plays in the offensive zone, but the root of his success is his speed, which causes matchup problems for bottom-pair D-men. If Q can manage to keep him on that line, his current success may be more than just a streak.

New Year’s Solutions and Resolutions - Cheer The Anthem
The Chicago Blackhawks currently sit atop the NHL with 52 points. In their last 10 games the hawks have an 8-2-0 record with the one loss coming on the road to the Pittsburgh Penguins the other against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. After Friday’s win over the hated Red Wings, there is plenty to be happy about as a Hawks fan right now.

Lopsided loss to Oilers helped Blackhawks turn season around - Chris Kuc
"We've definitely played better hockey since that game," Patrick Sharp said after Sunday's practice in Chicago. "It's something we'll remember. You never want to be beat that bad. Maybe it was a wake-up call."

Frolik searching for scoring prowess - Chris Kuc
"I'm not happy with my play," Frolik said. "I'm sure I can be better. It's not easy when you're not scoring. I try to work hard in practice and try to play easier, don't think too much and just play the game."

Quenneville on preparing for the Oilers - Chris Kuc

Jimmy Hayes gets the call from the Blackhawks; Brandon Pirri sent back down to Rockford - Chicago Sun-Times
Jimmy Hayes is next line. The 6-6, 221-pound rookie winger was called up by the Blackhawks on Thursday as center Brandon Pirri was sent back down to the Rockford IceHogs.

Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle
Ryan Smyth – Shawn Horcoff – Ales Hemsky
Sam Gagner – Eric Belanger – Ryan Jones
Teemu Hartikainen – Anton Lander – Darcy Hordichuk

Ladislav Smid – Tom Gilbert
Corey Potter – Andy Sutton
Theo Peckham – Jeff Petry

Nikolai Khabibulin

Edmonton Calls On Teemu Hartikainen - The Copper & Blue
Ryan Jones is limping on a swollen ankle and Edmonton is struggling to score goals. The Oilers could call on Magnus Paajarvi, the guy scoring a point-per-game in Oklahoma City since his demotion, but the power play is streaky and the team lacks a consistent physical presence in either zone outside of Ryan Smyth. So the team went with the guy best suited to dish out punishment in front and dig out pucks along the boards.

G38 Oilers at Hawks - Lowetide
The Oilers finally made a roster move, and it makes sense. Lennart Petrell offered this team a solid PK option early, but the 4th line is beyond bad. Adding Teemu Hartikainen is at least recognition that sending Anton Lander out with extreme role players Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk is not a plan.

Game Day "Oilers vs Blackhawks" - Oilers Jambalaya
RNH has been quite average as of the last couple weeks (hence not being selected rookie of the month) but the pressure, travel, wear and tear of players top end defencemen, banging and fighting for the puck night in and night out, must take its toll on his smaller frame.

Today's Frustrated Edmonton Fan: TroyAdams23

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