The opposing view: Fear The Fin

Gong Show

The Oilers allowed an eight spot to Calgary on Saturday.  You might be hesitant to use the word 'disaster' in these circumstances. but "unmitigated dumpster fire" is probably a more accurate description.  The team is likely going to finish with fewer than 30 wins on the season, they're headed towards the draft lottery once again,  Oilers broadcasting legend Rod Phillips took to Twitter about how this game was "the low point" of the season,  players are throwing water bottles, and fans are hurling Oiler jerseys to the ice once again.  It's a good thing there are only ten games remaining in this regular season, I don't think anyone can take much more than that.

The Oilers are saying

That's Sharks coach Todd McLellan on the status of Logan Couture, who blocked a shot from Calgary's Mark Giordano in yesterday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Flames.  McLellan went on to say that he's not sure if Couture will be back in today's lineup, but that he'll be "OK" whether he's in tonight or not.

Switch roles with the Flames for a second.  The Flames are coming off two big games.  They defeated the Oilers by a touchdown on Saturday, and they took care of these Sharks 2-1 in a shootout last night.  Their goaltending was spot on, their fans didn't hurl any jerseys over the glass (okay, that's not completely true).

The Flames aren't half bad this year.  They have a legitimate chance at hitting a Bettman .500 this year, something that the Oilers haven't done since 2008-09.  And they didn't have three consecutive number one picks, either.  I hate you, Flames.  I hate you.

• 8 (2-6) in nine games.  Uh-oh, he's a bust.  What an enigma, or something.

• This is the fourth of five meetings between the Sharks and Oilers this season.  The Oilers are 1-2 against the Sharks this year. You'll likely remember the last time these clubs hooked up, as Ben Scrivens stopped each and every shot in a 59 shot onslaught.  The two teams meet once more in April.
• Ben Scrivens (6-7, .927) will start for the Oilers tonight. Please refrain from throwing articles of clothing onto the ice surface during play or otherwise. Ben Scrivens will throw them back at you.
• Expect Antti Niemi (35-14-7, .914) to get the start for San Jose, as Alex Stalock got the start last night in Calgary.
• Nail Yakupov and Jesse Joensuu will again be out with ankle injuries.
• Anton Belov could get in tonight after being out with a torn oblique.
• Per Sharks coach Todd McLellan, Logan Couture is a question mark for the Sharks tonight.