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| 19-6-5, 43 points, 1.434 p/g | Ranks | 7-17-5, 19 points, .656 p/g |
| Western Conference - 1st | Western Conference - 14th | |
| 2nd | P/G | 30th |
| 15th | ST | 24th |
| 15th | ES | 28th |
| 13th | Goal | 29th |
7:30 PM MDT - SNW
Rexall Place
The opposing view: Anaheim Calling
What We Do Is What We Do
Viktor Fasth turned in a good campaign on Wednesday when he turned aside 32 of 34 Anaheim shots, but the Oilers were able to notch just one goal by way of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. As you may have heard, one is the loneliest number, and it was plenty lonely enough to earn the Oilers their thirteenth loss in fourteen games. The Oilers still have just one victory against the Western Conference, and it doesn't get much easier as they get to face those very same Ducks tonight at Rexall Place.
The Oilers are saying
"I'm really happy, but I would have been a little happier if we could have gotten two points"
That's Oilers defenceman Brandon Davidson, who made his NHL debut on Wednesday. Davidson had just over 13 minutes of ice time. Trust me, Brandon. We all would've liked to see two points.
Davidson's story is remarkable. A little more than two years ago, Davidson was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Twenty five months later, he's playing in his first career NHL game. Davidson's story is a bright moment in season that can only be compared to a leaf bag filled with angry hornets, toenails and dog crap. Good on you, Brandon Davidson.
The Opponent is saying
"We don't let much define us in here when we deal with adversity. We just keep battling"
That's Ducks foward Ryan Kesler on how the Ducks deal with adversity.
How much adversity do the Ducks have to deal with? I can't imagine a whole lot. Granted, they've got a significant portion of their roster on the injured reserve list, but when you're 19-6-5, how much adversity do you see on your plate?
Have some of this
- The Ducks have activated Jason LaBarbera off of injured reserve. You might remember LaBarbera's ten minute tenure with the Oilers last year. LaBarbera hasn't played since November 29th, and there's a fair chance he starts tonight.
- Viktor Fasth gets his second consecutive start for the Oilers. He turned aside 32 of 34 on Wednesday, perhaps tonight he'll get some goal support.
- It's game 30! There's only 52 more games to go! A loss tonight would put the Oilers at 7 wins in 30 games. That's a win percentage of 23.3! That's less than one win in four games. Over the course of a season, that's 19 or 20 wins. *drinks*
- JESSE JOENSUU HAS ESCAPED: Lucky bastard. Instead of playing in OKC, Joensuu has opted to go to the Swiss League. The shackles are off. Be free.
- QUESTIONABLE LINES: Matt Hendricks is still 4C between Luke Gazdic and Steve Pinizzotto. If you don't think they've already mailed it in, hit the refresh button on your browser and try again. Unsure if Pitlick is in a top six role again tonight.
- GOILERS
Eakins on Joensuu: "With where we are in the standings, they are going to be more people getting looks."
— Reid Wilkins (@ReidWilkins) December 12, 2014