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50-19-8, 1.402 p/g | Ranks | 27-42-9, .808 p/g |
Western Conference: 2nd | Western Conference: 14th | |
3rd | P/G | 28th |
7th | ST | 26th |
2nd | ES | 29th |
10th | Goal | 30th |
A victory? On the road?
Just 41 ticks remained in regulation time before the Oilers would sulk back onto the plane headed home for the final homestand of the season. A third period goal by Sam Gagner helped propel tie the game at 2 and send the game into overtime. Sam Gagner scored the only shootout goal, and the Oilers emerged from Phoenix with two points. Portions of Oil Country are flipping out because the win puts Edmonton third last in the league, lowering Edmonton's chances at attaining the coveted first round pick. Something about chickens and counting them before they hatch.
A single point from Friday's OT loss to the Oilers puts a slight damper on Phoenix's postseason chances. A victory by Dallas over Tampa Bay yesterday all but demands Phoenix win each of their last four games to have a good shot at the postseason.
The Oilers are saying
"We want to keep climbing the ladder. We've hit the peak and we've gone down the valley a few times, but we want to continue these next four games on a high note"
That's Oilers forward Matt Hendricks on how winning is good, and losing is less good.
Losing sucks a lot. I hope it's 20 years or more until we have another conversation about winning a draft lottery. We're nearly four years since the day Taylor Hall was drafted, and I'd argue that although the team has some flashy pieces in the mix, the complimentary parts to success are still woefully absent. Instead, we're a fanbase divided on whether or not the team should enter tank mode so that the club can be sure to nab Aaron Ekblad in June's draft.
The Oilers can finish no better than 28th overall, and there's a significant chance they'll finish 29th overall. Rest assured that should the team keep their first round pick that they'll draft a fine 18 year old to stick in the lineup come October.
The Opponent is saying
"We haven't been good defensively. That's one aspect of our game that we have to get better at for the playoffs"
- According to Jack Michaels, Andrew Ference (torn pectoral muscle) "might" have played with Anton Belov against Phoenix on Friday. That never panned out, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear something like this again today. Also, if you're waiting to see Nail Yakupov again this season, you're likely going to be waiting for a bit.
- I've got Ben Scrivens (8-10, .916%) in net again tonight for the Oilers. Club might try to stick Fasth in there, but I've got Scrivens because I half-believe the team wants to see Scrivens in several uncomfortable situations to see if he'll lose his mind after being frustrated for a set period of time.
- Anaheim has five games remaining on their season, 108 points and two games in hand over Pacific Division rival San Jose, who has 107 points. If Anaheim takes this evening's game over the Oilers, it'll put the Ducks in the division's front seat with four games to go.
- UNRELATED - Hey there, Winnipeg. I hear you're not happy with Evander Kane. Now listen up, I'll be willing to help you get him off of your hands. I'll be happy to throw in some "character" or "grit" to get this started. We've got that in spades. If you'd like to unload Dustin Byfuglien while you're at it, I'm sure we can come to a deal. But I'm serious about Kane. Here's my number. Call me.
Nick Bonino - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
Patrick Maroon - Mathieu Perreault - Kyle Palmieri
Andrew Cogliano - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne
Matt Beleskey - Rickard Rakell - Daniel Winnik
Stephane Robidas - Francois Beauchemin
Ben Lovejoy - Luca Sbisa
Bryan Allen - Hampus Lindholm
Jonas Hiller
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Les Oilers d'Edmonton
Taylor Hall - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Anton Lander - Sam Gagner - David Perron
Ryan Smyth - Boyd Gordon - Steve Pinizzotto
Matt Hendricks - Will Acton - Philip Larsen
Martin Marincin - Jeff Petry
Oscar Klefbom - Justin Schultz
Mark Fraser - Anton Belov
Ben Scrivens