When Tired Meets Broken - Tired Wins 5-0

This version of the Edmonton Oilers, similar to the 2009-10 version, has once again been plagued with injuries. Right now the top 9 is missing Ryan Smyth (groin), Taylor Hall (knee), Jesse Joensuu (back) and David Perron (concussion indigestion neck); believe me it gets worse. The Oilers have yet to dress a full NHL line-up this year, even if they were 100% its doubtful they'd be able to ice a full NHL line-up, and it has had a definite effect on the team. In an effort to bring some life to the first line, similar to how Dr. Frankenstein brought life to his monster, Dallas Eakins decided it was time to promote J.F. Jacques Ryan Jones to play along side Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle.

The Red Wings helped the Flames last night by forcing them to waive their "de facto number one" goalie, Joey MacDonald, this morning. On the heels of what should have been a loss to the Flames the Red Wings were able to score 4 goals on 22 shots. Coming into Edmonton everyone expected the Red Wings to be tired and it was a chance for the Oilers to take advantage of the team... or at least one would think.

Highlights

The Red Wings walked into Edmonton and beat the living crap out of the Oilers.

First Period

The Maple Leafs and Canucks started the period with the Leafs on the power play down 4-0 with less than a minute left in the game. After the Leafs/Canucks game, CBC decided to go to commercial instead of airing the western game right away, they joined the Oilers/Red Wings game 53 seconds into the first period with the Oilers going to the power play. As you'd expect a power play with Ryan Jones on the number one unit to go the Oilers were unable to generate much of anything.

After a rebound from a shot by Jeff Petry ended up on Daniel Alfredsson's stick he was able to get the puck up to a wide open Darren Helm at centre ice for an easy break away and a goal. Only 27 seconds later Bachman kicked a rebound right onto Tomas Tatar's stick and the Red Wings lead 2-0.

If the hockey gods weren't already smiling on the Oilers, at 13:52 Richard Bachman moved awkwardly and injured his groin and would not return to the game. Enter Jason LaBarbera.

Second Period

Edmonton got the first shot of the period when Arcobello took a wrist shot on Mrazek two minutes into the period and that was about it from the Oilers for 10 minutes.

Kindl scored his first of the year on a shot that even Pokey Reddick could've stopped.

The second period was pretty much done after that. Oh did I mention that Boyd Gordon had to leave the bench after blocking a shot and didn't return for the rest of the period but I guess that was kind of expected; so no surprise.

Third Period

Boyd Gordon returned for the third so that was good.

Ryan Jones took a stupid penalty when he couldn't keep pace with Justin Abdelkater but thankfully because Jones was in the box the Oilers were able to kill off the penalty.

As it goes on nights like this the Red Wings would add two goals in the third and coast to a 5-0 victory over the lifeless Oilers.

But wait! The night wasn't done. If it wasn't enough that the Oilers had already lost Bachman to injury Arcobello tripped over Belov and as luck would have Belov suffered an ankle injury.

Take Aways

The Power Play - When Ryan Jones is on your number one power play you have issues. The desperation that Eakins was looking for did not appear because Jones is barely a NHL player!

The Game In General - This game was probably Edmonton's worst game of the season. They couldn't come back from being down by a goal, then two, then three... It was horrible.

Linus Omark - Its time for the Oilers to give him a chance. Why not? Obviously Jones isn't working in the top 6, we are at least a week away from Hall's return. Give this guy a chance.

Copper & Blue - 3 Stars

1. Sam Gagner
2. Jordan Eberle
3. Jeff Petry