Smyth Ends it with a Win

Tonight's title was going to be "It's Finally Over!" but the retirement of Ryan Smyth changed the tone of the post. The Oilers played a bad game with only a 39% Corsi but thanks to some inspiration from Ryan Smyth and some goaltending magic from a goalie that grew up watching Smyth the Oilers were able to pull out a win for their one game captain.

Game Notes

Before the game the Oilers announced that Ryan Smyth would finally wear the C that he has deserved for such a ling time. There was a heart felt introduction for the Oilers great with his son joining him in his pre-game skate. It was a touching moment for all Oilers fans as Smyth skated around the ice for his last game.

First Period

17:46 Goal - The fourth line, filled with something other than face punchers facing another team's fourth line, was able to capitalize and score as recent call up Roman Horak scored his first goal of the season from Steve Pinizzotto and Will Acton.

13:54 - Anton Lander gets a great chance from Ryan Smyth but is unable to get it past Jacob Markstom

13:41 - Shawn Matias beats Justing Schultz and gets a couple scoring chances but Ben Scrivens makes some great stops and keeps the Oilers up 1-0

11:28 - Nicklas Jensen hooks Lander (Oilers PP). The Oilers try to get the puck to Ryan Smyth but he is unable to convert.

6:43 Goal - Jeff Petry sneaks in from the point into the slot and gets a pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and scores.

6:19 - Daniel Sedin gets a good shot off but again Scrivens is there to make the stop

5:08 - Michael Zalewski gets a scoring chance but Scrivens makes the stop

4:13 - David Perron gets called for boarding on Alex Edler (Oilers PK)

3:35 - Jason Garrison's shot from the blue line almost gets tipped by Ryan Kesler but Scrivens stops it

3:01 - Right off the face off Daniel Sedin uncovered walks in and gets another good scoring chance

Notes

The first period was pretty bad for the Oilers they were outshot 18-5 but er still able to score 2 goals. Maple Leafs hockey was in full effect for the Oilers.

Second Period

17:46 Goal - Will Acton gets a pass from Philip Larsen and buries it to put the Oilers up 3-0

15:30 - Petry with the puck stops a the half boards and gets a pass to Jordan Eberle. Eberle puts it between his legs to Taylor Hall who gets gets a phenomenal chance but can't beat Markstrom. Hall gets highsticked on the play but no penalty is called.

14:35 Goal - Shawn Matthias scores on after he is allowed to walk in unchecked. Scrivens poke check Matthias but the puck hits him in the leg and trickles into the net.

12:09 - Ryan Stanton gets called for hooking on David Perron (Oilers PP)

10:57 - Larsen gets a good chance in close but it's stopped by Markstrom

10:33 - Edler is called for highsticking on Ryan Smyth (Oilers PP 5v3 and a 4 min double minor)

6:55 - Hall's pass to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goes wide on a 2 on 1

4:06 - Garrison gets a penalty for a highstick on Ryan Smyth (Oilers PP)

3:54 Goal - Eberle scores on a play that at first glance looks like Smyth's goal but it's off of Edler and in

3:54 - After the goal both Smyth and Kesler get coincidental minors for roughing (4v4)

3:39 - Nugent-Hopkins gets called for slashing (Oilers PK 4v3)

0:11 - Jensen gets a good chance but again Scrivens makes the stop

Third Period

15:15 Goal - Nugent-Hopkins scored from Martin Marincin and Hall

11:22 - Zalewski gets another chance but again Scrivens makes the stop

11:16 - Once again Hall and Nugent-Hopkins have a 2 on 1 and once again Nugent-Hopkins can't handle the pass

10:14 - A scoring chance for Zack Kassian

6:40 - Pinizzotto gets a pass out Oscar Klefbom but he shoots wide

3:02  - The Canucks get in close and get a couple chances but Scrivens keeps the puck out of the net

0:12 Goal - Kassian scores after he beats Hall to the puck that Scrivens poked into the slot

Game Review

Game Rating: 5 out 10

The Oilers played behind pretty much all game.  They weren't behind in the score but that was due to some poor goaltending on the part of Jacob Markstrom but they were behind in shots and in Corsi. It wasn't a good game but they won and moved themselves into 28th spot in the league after the Florida Panthers lost tonight.

Momentum Driver

The driver in this game was Ryan Smyth. The Oilers were playing for him and although he didn't surpass Old Man Anderson in power play goals he is still tied for first which is an accomplishment in and of itself. Just think about it, if the Oilers wouldn't have traded him back in 2007 he would've had that record hands down.

Up Next

The Stanley Cup Playoffs NHL Entry Draft Lottery. The Oilers will hope to win the draft lottery for the 4th time in 5 years. Here is hoping that we can at least look forward to something this season.