Game Reports

Word of the Game: Collapse

The Avalanche out play the Oilers and score short handed to win the game 4-2.

By OilFanInYYC Dec 20, 2013, 11:55am MST

Dallas Eakins showing some love for the referees

Pronunciation: /kəˈlaps/
verb:
1. suddenly fall down or give way.
2. fail suddenly and completely.

The Oilers headed into Colorado looking to break a 4 game losing streak and trying to get at least a point out of their 4 game road trip. Right from the start of the game it didn't look like that was going to happen. The Oilers got completely outplayed even though they had the lead twice in the game. What made it worse was how the game was won. A F**KING SHORT HANDED GOAL!!!

The Oilers are like a cheating girlfriend. You know they're gonna break your heart over and over again but you just can't resist coming back because you hold onto the hope that maybe you'll get lucky or she'll stop cheating. But every time your hopes get crushed and all you are left with is disappointment.

Highlights

The Short Handed Game Winner

Have the Oilers ever had such a bad season of giving up this many short handed goals? This version of the Oilers power play is like the diamond penalty kill from a few seasons back. Every team knows what their power play is going to do and they seem to capitalize on it over and over again. Anyway here is the clip.

After Jordan Eberle passes the puck to Justin Schultz, Marc-Andre Cliche gets his stick out between Shultz and Eberle so Schultz holds onto the puck. Shultz waits for Hall to get back but he misreads where Hall is going and Cliche intercepts the pass easily. Meanwhile Maxime Talbot has moved up to take away the point shot. This simple move by Talbot leads to the 2 on 1. Hall is headed in the wrong direction and can't catch Talbot in time. Devan Dubnyk seems to have the angle on the shot but Talbot changes the direction of the puck at the last moment.

What Could Have Been Done Differently?

Um maybe score on the power play? Not make a stupid pass? Sit Justin Schultz for a game or two or three? Maybe put a more defensive defenseman out on the PP to stop the bleeding? Go back to the 5 forward power play to get some scoring chances on the power play? I don't know these are just a few ideas.

Tweets of the Night

These tweets are coming from some people you probably know and follow but they are important to note none the less.

The #Oilers have allowed 14 shorthanded scoring chances in the last 13 games. They have 11 shorthanded chances themselves all year.
— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) December 20, 2013

In last year's lockout-shortened season, #Oilers gave up only one shorthanded goal. So far this year, eight given up in 37 games.
— Ryan Dittrick (@ryandittrick) December 20, 2013

Our 4th line was 0% Corsi vs the Avs 4th line.
— Michael Parkatti (@mparkatti) December 20, 2013

Just reading those Tweets brings a tear to my eye. This team is worse than the 2009-10 & 2010-11 versions of this team.

Thoughts

Linus Omark

The news broke right before the puck dropped the Oilers had traded Linus Omark for another bag of magical beans and on top of that the Oilers may never get those beans because they are conditional. I am not sure what the exact conditions are on the 6th round pick the Oilers recieved but I'm guessing it has to do with games played. Can someone confirm for me?

Taylor Hall

I feel bad for a guy like Hall. He plays hard almost every game and is given the shaft. The team plays like crap around him and because of that he's not going to make the Olympic team. Instead he'll stay home or go on a trip but ultimately he'll wont have the chance of knowing what winning feels like. Ya I get how it's hard to feel bad for a millionaire but he needs to be on a team that actually has a chance. The remaining 7 years for Hall are going to be wasted and then he'll go to a team where he'll win the Hart Trophy and a Cup.

Sam Gagner

Tonight Sam Gagner will get the number one star. Why? Because Dallas Eakins for some reason has refused to bench him so Gagner had to do it himself. I truly hope Gagner goes on a tear for a while to up his trade value so Craig MacTavish can actually get something in return for him but I doubt that's going to happen.

Power Play

The NHL needs to introduce the same rule that football has and allow teams to decline penalties? This power play is horrible and just leaks chances against every game. At least if they could decline a penalty then the opposition would only score 5v5 or 5v4 or 5v3. What a joke.

Three Stars

Sam Gagner (for taking himself out of the game)
Taylor Hall
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins