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The Blues have been the team the Oilers should be for a few years. They're going to dominate the Oilers at even strength and the special teams might be a draw, but the Oilers have a significant edge in goaltending. They might steal one.
Team Reports
As a fan, I hate it. I hate it I hate it I hate it. Hey, I’m in my 50′s here people, can we possibly get some freaking urgency at some point? I don’t have forever!
--Lowetide
Oilers Report: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has dysentery and is likely out of the lineup for this one. Eric Belanger is somewhat healthy and will draw back in. This leaves Ryan Smyth on the 4th line between Lennart Petrell and Mike Brown, AKA the "Late game shutdown line"
More disconcerting are the leaks from the team that they're considering hanging on to their gaggle of free agents to make a run at the playoffs. If the Oilers can get anything, even the Mike Brown pick back, for Ryan Whitney, they need to take it and run. As for Smid - the Oilers have to sign him before the deadline or trade him. If they go to the off-season with Smid unsigned, his agent must realize how shallow the UFA pool is for defense and up his asking price. I do like the idea of getting Mike Weaver for a 2nd round pick and giving up Smid for a 1st round pick.
Blues Report: The Blues' skaters are dominant at even strength and on special teams, but coach Ken Hitchcock has been unexpectedly let down by Jaroslav Halak and expectedly let down by Brian Elliott in goal. Vladimir Tarasenko has appeared in two games since returning from a concussion and had an assist in each game. Hitchcock has used Tarasenko in a sheltered role and the tactic has been a great success. Another more subtle tactic has been Hitchcock's use of Chris Stewart as a tag-along on a line with David Backes and Alex Steen. The two can drive play and have done so - the result is Stewart becoming a highly valuable trade asset.
Expected Line Combinations
Taylor Hall - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky
Magnus Paajarvi - Sam Gagner - Nail Yakupov
Ryan Jones - Ryan Smyth - Jordan Eberle
Mike Brown - Eric Belanger - Lennart Petrell
Ladislav Smid - Jeff Petry
Nick Schultz - Mark Fistric
Ryan Whitney - Justin Schultz
Nikolai Khabibulin
Scratches: Theo Peckham, Teemu Hartikainen, Corey Potter
Broadcast Information
By The Numbers
Edmonton and St. Louis are tied for 4th in the league in STE.
Edmonton is 8th in EV save percentage, St. Louis is 28th.
St. Louis is 2nd in Fenwick close, Edmonton is 27th.
Based on the above, it should go to a shootout.