The Copper & Blue - Game 45 Coverage: Oilers at Sharks - Swimming With SharksA site for fans of the Edmonton Oilers. Someday we'll get to write about an Oilers playoff game. Hopefully sooner than later.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/13253/copper-fave.jpg2016-01-15T00:47:31-07:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/105315672016-01-15T00:47:31-07:002016-01-15T00:47:31-07:00A Point is a Point, I Guess
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<img alt="A Point is a Point I Guess" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aFSMqD7yRIZY2RDKK6LKNUMTqNY=/0x142:2850x2042/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48570091/usa-today-9058070.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A Point is a Point I Guess | Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Oilers fall 2-1 to the Sharks in the shootout</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a> decided that they’d return to their old ways after playing three strong games that resulted in 1 point. Unfortunately for the Oilers <span>Nail Yakupov</span>, who was just activated off of IR, didn’t get the memo. The easiest way to describe the game is the Oilers hung on and got a point.</p>
<h2 id="highlights">
<a name="highlights" href="#highlights"></a>Highlights</h2>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2015020653-X-a&site=oilers" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<h3 id="the-good">
<a name="the-good" href="#the-good"></a>The Good</h3>
<p>Unless you live under a rock or don’t really follow hockey but stumbled upon this post because of a love for oily sharks, you know that Nail Yakupov was activated off of IR and played his first game in almost 2 months. Yakupov had a hell of a game, I don’t think I’ve seen him play like this since his rookie season. He was fired up, tried to make plays, scored a goal and almost scored a second. He was a real joy to watch. Maybe allowing players to fully heal after an injury is a good idea.</p>
<p>I have to add one more player to the good and that’s <span>Zack Kassian</span>. Kassian didn’t have a great game but he wasn’t the steaming pile of crap I was expecting. He kept up with the play for the most part and made some good decisions with the puck. I’m not sure that his puck over the glass penalty really was a penalty but that's the breaks when you have a stupid rule like that.</p>
<h3 id="the-bad">
<a name="the-bad" href="#the-bad"></a>The Bad</h3>
<p>The shootout. So as I mentioned, Yakupov was on fire today but he didn’t get a chance in the shootout. The first two shooters for the Oilers were <span>Jordan Eberle</span> (which is fine but he didn’t score) and the other was <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span>. Nugent-Hopkins has one move in the shootout, shoot the puck from about 5 feet out. I can’t remember the last time I saw Nugent-Hopkins try something different.</p>
<p>If the choice in shooters for the Oilers wasn’t bad enough for you then re-watch <span>Joonas Donskoi</span> completely own <span>Cam Talbot</span>. The Oilers site hasn’t posted it yet but <a href="http://oilers.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2015020653">here is the link to where it should be available</a>. Talbot was owed by Donskoi!</p>
<h3 id="the-ugly">
<a name="the-ugly" href="#the-ugly"></a>The Ugly</h3>
<p>A shout out to Drew Remenda and his horrible colour commentary but tonight he had an especially bad Drew moment. At the end of OT Brent Burns scored but time had already run out in the period and it got waived off immediately. Burns missed the goal by approximately a 1.5 seconds which doesn’t really matter one way or another. The gaff came when Remenda asked the camera crew to replay the goal in slow motion with clock in the corner. It is very important that you understand it was in slow motion. As soon as the clock hit 0 Remenda started to count, One - One Thousand, Two - One Thousand, Three - One Thousand… He got to 5 by the time Burns finally scored. As I mentioned the problem was that this whole thing was in slow motion.</p>
<p>Something like this would be forgiveable if it was Remenda’s first season or if it was the first time he did this but it wasn’t either of those. Remenda’s been doing to colour commentary for many years now and he’s done this same thing in games past. I don’t know if Remenda realizes that he’s doing this but someone needs to tell him. It embarrassing for him and the SportsNet product in general.</p>
<h2 id="up-next">
<a name="up-next" href="#up-next"></a>Up Next</h2>
<p>The Oilers are back at Rexall for the Battle of Alberta. It is the late game on Hockey Night in Canada so it starts at 8PM MT. As is the case with all Oilers vs <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</a> games I will not be doing the post game because my wife will kill me. Not sure who is gonna do the post game by stand by.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2016/1/15/10774328/a-point-is-a-point-i-guessOilFanInYYC2016-01-14T20:02:41-07:002016-01-14T20:02:41-07:00Game Thread: The Return of Todd
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<figcaption>Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Todd McLellan returns to San Jose for the the first time.</p> <p>After seven seasons the <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Jose Sharks</a> and Todd McLellan decided to go their separate ways last spring when the Sharks missed the playoffs for the first time since McLellan took over prior to the 2008/09 season. During his time in San Jose McLellan coached the Sharks to 311 regular season wins and another 31 in the playoffs. At his current pace with the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a> it'll take McLellan 10 years to match that win total behind the Edmonton bench. And if you win 31 games a season you never make the playoffs so those 31 wins playoff victories would forever remain unmatched.</p>
<p>And let's be honest the Oilers aren't making the playoffs this season, extending their drought to ten seasons, matching the <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> for the longest in NHL history. For a while, there was the faintest of hope that the Oilers could squeak into the playoffs, but with the team now seven games on the wrong side of the NHL's version of .500, six points out a playoff spot, and with almost every team in their division having played fewer games, the hope is all but gone now. Perhaps if <span>Connor McDavid</span> had been able to return a month earlier things might have been different for the Oilers, we'll never know though.</p>
<p>Even if McDavid is still a few weeks away from a return, the Oilers will have a couple of new faces in the line-up tonight. <span>Zack Kassian</span> will dress for the Oilers for the first time after being recalled yesterday. Since being traded to the Oilers from Montreal at the end of 2015, Kassian played in four games scoring a goal for the Condors. His job with the Oilers will be relatively simple: play aggressive hockey, be a pain in the ass, stay out of the box. One of those three he can do in his sleep, the other two will dictate how successful his time with the Oilers will be.</p>
<p>Joining Kassian in the Oilers' line-up tonight will be <span>Nail Yakupov</span>, not new face but not one that Oilers fans have seen since late November when he sprained his ankle in one of the most bizarre sequences I've ever seen in a hockey game. Yakupov's season started out wonderfully when paired with McDavid, he could do almost no wrong, after McDavid's injury though things cooled off for Yakupov, and then he got hurt because that's how things go for Yakupov. If he could recapture some of that early season magic right now, even with McDavid still on the injured reserve, it would likely go a long way towards kick starting a struggling Oilers team that is currently watching another season slip away.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2016/1/14/10773574/game-thread-oilers-at-san-jose-the-return-of-toddryan_batty2016-01-14T15:37:35-07:002016-01-14T15:37:35-07:00We're getting closer to three scoring lines
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<figcaption>James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kassian and Yakupov bring scoring help, but there were better demotion options than Klinkhammer.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> finally look like they're going to have 3 scoring lines. Recently acquired <span>Zack Kassian</span> makes his Oilers debut tonight, after a short stint in Bakersfield. Meanwhile, <span>Nail Yakupov</span> is finally healthy enough to play tonight, after suffering a freak injury, because he got horse-collared by a linesman 22 games ago.</p>
<p>The Oilers' top 2 lines, centred by <span>Leon Draisaitl</span> and <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span>, have made for a very effective top six this season. However, the Oilers have been lacking in contributions from their bottom six forwards. If everything goes as planned, the insertion of Kassian and Yakupov into the lineup should change that. Yakupov had been playing some of the best hockey of his career prior to his injury. Other than <span>Taylor Hall</span>, no other Oiler shoots more frequently than Yakupov, who is averaging 9.23 shots on goal per hour this season. Kassian is a reclamation project, but he definitely has the skill to be a major contributor on the Oilers. Over the course of his 198 career games, Kassian has produced 1.56 even strength points per hour. For the sake of determining a point of reference, Kassian's even strength point production rate from 2011-2015 was slightly higher than Derek Roy's.</p>
<p>Obviously the impending return of <span>Connor McDavid</span> will be the real beginning of the Oilers' 3 scoring lines era, but it appears that today's call-ups give the Oilers the wingers necessary to roll three lines in offensive situations. But as the Oilers' forward depth is improving, a spot on the roster is naturally becoming more exclusive. <span>Rob Klinkhammer</span> was sent down to Bakersfield today. But, in my estimation, there are two other veteran 4th line wing options who were more deserving of the demotion.</p>
<table width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="center"></th> <th align="center">2015-16 CF60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2015-16 CA60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2015-16 CF%RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 CF60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 CA60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 CF%RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 GF60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 GA60 RelTM</th> <th align="center">2012-16 GF%RelTM</th>
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<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="center">Lauri Korpikoski</td>
<td align="center">-11.8</td>
<td align="center">10.18</td>
<td align="center">-10.2</td>
<td align="center">-3.66</td>
<td align="center">6.64</td>
<td align="center">-4.6</td>
<td align="center">-0.76</td>
<td align="center">-0.11</td>
<td align="center">-9.7</td>
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<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="center">Luke Gazdic</td>
<td align="center">5.51</td>
<td align="center">4.05</td>
<td align="center">0.8</td>
<td align="center">-6.87</td>
<td align="center">4.48</td>
<td align="center">-5.4</td>
<td align="center">-0.69</td>
<td align="center">-0.24</td>
<td align="center">-8.9</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="center">Rob Klinkhammer</td>
<td align="center">-10.77</td>
<td align="center">-2.34</td>
<td align="center">-4.5</td>
<td align="center">0.82</td>
<td align="center">-4.78</td>
<td align="center">2.6</td>
<td align="center">-0.18</td>
<td align="center">-0.54</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
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<p>I've compiled on-ice stats for Klinkhammer, Gazdic, and Korpikoski. For CF/GF stats a positive number means that the player generally has a positive impact on the players he most commonly shares the ice with. For CA/GA a negative number means that the player suppresses shot attempts against and goals against more effectively than his usual teammates.</p>
<p>Interestingly, whether we're looking a recent results, or a larger sample size, Klinkhammer ranks above Korpikoski in every category. Gazdic's possession results are surprisingly not terrible this season. That being said, he's played fewer than 200 minutes this year, and when he has played, it's mostly been against inferior possession teams. Gazdic's OppCF% is the lowest among all Oilers forwards. The gap between the quality of opposition of Gazdic and Korpikoski isn't nearly big enough to account for their huge gap in possession this year, but I'm going to defer to the larger, and therefore more reliable sample size, and conclude that Gazdic is every bit as shabby. Plus he hasn't shown the ability to kill penalties. But then again, the numbers don't suggest that Korpikoski can do that effectively either.</p>
<p>Overall, today's moves should be considered good news for Oilers fans. We're two steps closer to having three legitimate scoring lines, and Korpikoski is being pushed down the depth chart. But as long as he and Gazdic remain on the roster, the Oilers won't be all they could be.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/statistical-analysis/2016/1/14/10772302/the-oilers-forward-group-is-improving-but-they-just-sent-the-wrongctravers2016-01-14T13:05:41-07:002016-01-14T13:05:41-07:00Line-up Notes: Yakupov and Kassian Are In
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<figcaption>James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One new face and one familiar face.</p> <h4>Yakupov and Kassian Play Tonight</h4>
<p>A day after being recalled from the Bakersfield Condors, <span>Zack Kassian</span> will play his first game with the Oilers and his first game of the season. He won't be the only new face to the line-up though, <span>Nail Yakupov</span> will also be back after missing the last 22 games with a sprained ankle. There's been no word yet on who gets sent to Bakersfield to open a spot for Yakupov but during his show this afternoon Bob Stauffer mentioned <span>Brad Hunt</span> a half dozen times, so the smart money is probably on him.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" data-conversation="none" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Yakupov & Kassian will play." Coach McLellan on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash">#Oilers</a> lineup for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EDMvsSJS?src=hash">#EDMvsSJS</a> tonight, adds they'll dress 6 d-men rather than 7 again</p>
— <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/687722794419793921">January 14, 2016</a>
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<h4>Cam Talbot Back Between the Pipes</h4>
<p>Nothing surprising here, after getting the night off on Tuesday night, <span>Cam Talbot</span> will be back in net for the Oilers tonight. In his last ten starts Talbot has posted a 0.925 save percentage.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Between the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash">#Oilers</a> pipes tonight: <a href="https://twitter.com/ctalbot33">@ctalbot33</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EDMvsSJS?src=hash">#EDMvsSJS</a> <a href="https://t.co/1ELazYOux1">pic.twitter.com/1ELazYOux1</a></p>
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/687714591464292352">January 14, 2016</a>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/oil-spills/2016/1/14/10771614/oilers-lineup-kassian-yakupov-injury-talbot-starting-goalie-sharksryan_batty2016-01-14T12:46:37-07:002016-01-14T12:46:37-07:00January 14, 2006: MAB Scores Three In A 5-3 Loss
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<figcaption>Tim Smith/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Ottawa Senators 5 - Marc-Andre Bergeron 3</p> <p>January 14, 2006 - For the second time in a week an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> player records his first career NHL hat-trick. <span>Shawn Horcoff</span> was the first, scoring all three Oilers goals in a 3-1 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a>. On this night <span>Marc-Andre Bergeron</span> did all the scoring for the Oilers but it wasn’t enough, as the Oilers fell 5-3 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a>.</p>
<p>On this night a goal from Vaclav Varada would give the Senators the early elad, but Bergeron’s 10th and 11th goals of the season, the second coming on the power play, would put the Oilers ahead by one after the first period. The Senators would respond to the two two Oilers goals with three of their own in the first twelve minutes of the second period. Two minutes later, again on the power play, Bergeron would complete the hat-trick and get the Oilers within one. Varada’s second goal would complete the scoring on this night, securing the win for the Senators.</p>
<p>Bergeron’s final line on this night: 3 goals, 4 penalty minutes, 3 shots on goal, 24:08 minutes played.</p>
<p>For Bergeron this was both the first three goal and three point game of his career and would remain career highs. Before finishing his NHL career with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a> in 2012/13, Bergeron would have eight more three point games but never reached the four point mark. Similarly he’d have seven more multi goal games; the hat-trick goal remained elusive though.</p>
<p>Today, Bergeron plays for the ZSC Lions in the Swiss League where he’s scored 18 goals and 55 assists in 126 games since leaving the NHL.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/oilers-history/2016/1/13/10766116/oilers-bernie-nicholls-devils-zdeno-ciger-mark-messier-trade"><b><i>Yesterday in Oilers history ...</i></b></a></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/oilers-history/2016/1/14/10771494/today-in-edmonton-oilers-history-january-14-2006-marc-andre-bergeronryan_batty2016-01-14T11:23:51-07:002016-01-14T11:23:51-07:00Game 45 Preview: Oilers at Sharks
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<img alt="Zack Kassian likely to make his Oiler debut tonight versus San Jose" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TE-YKufOlex6Xz4WCC7BJ3vSs_U=/0x153:786x677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48562245/usa-today-8920670.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Zack Kassian likely to make his Oiler debut tonight versus San Jose | Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Oilers finish quick 2 game road trip with visit to San Jose</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a></p>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><b>17-23-4, 38 points, .863 p/g</b></td>
<td>Ranks</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>21-18-2, 43 points, 1.049 p/g</b></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Pacific Division - 7th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Pacific Division - 3rd</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">29th</td>
<td>P/G</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">17th</td>
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<td>ST</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">13th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">26th</td>
<td>Goal</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">23rd</td>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>8:30 PM MDT</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">The opposing view: <a href="http://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Fear The Fin</a>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">When A Two Goal Lead Isn't Enough</h3>
<p style="text-align: left; "><span>The Oilers led by two goals on two separate occasions on Tuesday night against the <a href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Coyotes</a>. Somehow, they found a way to get this game sent to overtime, and because you're here, you know how that ended. <span>Leon Draisaitl</span> got the party started late in the first period when he scored his tenth of the season. <span>Justin Schultz</span> made it 2-0 Oilers six minutes into the second period when he received a feed from Draisaitl and Eberle on the power play. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; "><span><i>The Oilers don't score power play goals! Justin Schultz is scoring power play goals? What's happening? Is this really going to happen? Two points? </i> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">Yeah, no. <span>Max Domi</span> scored the first of his <i>three </i>goals with just over seven minutes remaining in the second (obnoxious coyote howl). <span>Benoit Pouliot</span> would score Edmonton's second power play goal of the game early on in the third to make it 3-1 Oilers, but Max Domi would continue to crush his goal scoring drought with two power play goals within three minutes (obnoxious coyote howl) (obnoxious coyote howl) to make it 3-all.</p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">The two teams would go to overtime. <span>Taylor Hall</span> would take a high-sticking penalty with thirty seconds remaining. <span>Oliver Ekman-Larsson</span> <a href="http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=2015020641-698-a" target="_blank">would do this with nine seconds remaining in overtime</a>, (obnoxious coyote howl) and the Oilers turn a game that they really could've used to help get out of the Western Conference basement into half of that. They could've gotten blown out, I suppose.</p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">(obnoxious coyote howl)</p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">(obnoxious coyote howl)</p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">(obnoxious coyote howl)</p>
<p style="text-align: left; ">Edmonton travels to San Jose to take on a <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sharks</a> team who thumped the <a href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a> in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Let's see how this plays out.</p>
<p style="text-align: left; "><span></span><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">The Oilers are saying</b></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: left;">"I think the first time coming back is always a little bit different, it feels a little different...But we've got work to do. We're going to play against a team that's on fire right now; they're playing really well. Like most nights, we'll have our work cut out for us."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://oilers.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2015020653&navid=DL%7CEDM%7Chome" target="_blank">Source</a></p>
</blockquote>
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<p>That's Oilers coach Todd McLellan on coming back as a visitor to the Shark Tank in San Jose.</p>
<p>Like McLellan says, the Oilers will have their work cut out for them. Sharks are winners of their last three, <span>Joe Thornton</span> has scored in every game save for one dating back a month (4-10-14), <span>Brent Burns</span> has fared even better (8-8-16) over that same time period. Pack a lunch.</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">The opponents are saying</b></p>
<blockquote>"We know Raffi can be a very effective player for our team, and this assignment will allow him to get back into game shape." <a style="line-height: 16px;" href="http://oilers.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2015020653&navid=DL%7CEDM%7Chome" target="_blank">Source</a>
</blockquote>
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<div><a target="_blank" href="http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=648509&catid=4">
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</a></div>
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<a href="http://oilers.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2014020123"></a>
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<div>That's Sharks coach Pete DeBoeur on forward <span>Raffi Torres</span>. Torres was suspended for an illegal hit to Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg during a preseason game in early October.</div>
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<div><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">Have some of this</b></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash">#Oilers</a> have placed forward <span>Rob Klinkhammer</span> on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the AHL's <a href="https://twitter.com/Condors">@Condors</a>.</p>
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/687683416305733632">January 14, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
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<li>Klinkhammer will make it to Bakersfield. He's got one goal in thirteen games this season, one that's been fraught with injuries so far.</li>
<li> <span>Nail Yakupov</span> is expected to play in tonight's game. The Oilers will have to make one more roster move between now and then. My guess is that <span>Brad Hunt</span> gets sent to the AHL, but <span>Iiro Pakarinen</span> could also be shipped. </li>
<li>This is <span>Matt Hendricks</span>' second of three games he'll be sitting out for a boarding call to <span>Aaron Ekblad</span> on Sunday.</li>
<li>The Oilers will likely start <span>Cam Talbot</span> (7-13-1, .908 SV% / 2.75 GAA / 1 SO) as <span>Anders Nilsson</span> was in net for Edmonton in Tuesday's OTL versus Arizona. The Sharks will likely counter with <span>Martin Jones</span> (18-13-2, .912 SV% / 2.47 GAA / 4 SO). </li>
<li> <b>PACIFIC WATCH / SHOOTING FOR SIXTH</b>: The Oilers trail San Jose by six points for third place in the Pacific Division. San Jose's got a few games in hand, but Edmonton could at least make it somewhat interesting for everyone involved (that's a stretch) with a victory tonight. It would also give them 3 of 4 points on a short road trip, which is also a nice touch. The <a href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Predators</a> hold the second wild card spot with 45 points. I'll get back to you if the Oilers are within breathing distance of either.</li>
<li> <span>Connor McDavid</span> (clavicle), <span>Andrew Ference</span> (undisclosed), Matt Hendricks (suspension) and <span>Oscar Klefbom</span> (hand), are out for the Oilers. For the Sharks, Dainus Zubrus (upper body) has been placed on injured reserve and will be unavailable.</li>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2016/1/14/10767244/preview-game-45-oilers-sharksJeff Chapman2016-01-14T10:11:53-07:002016-01-14T10:11:53-07:00Oilers Place Rob Klinkhammer on Waivers<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/687681644925480960">Oilers Place Rob Klinkhammer on&nbsp;Waivers</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Some roster news from the Oilers this morning, the team has placed Rob Klinkhammer on waivers. In 13 games this season Klinkhammer has scored one goal, has four penalty minutes, and is -6. </p>
<br /><p>Because Klinkhammer won't clear waivers (assuming he clears) until tomorrow morning, if the team plans to play Nail Yakupov tonight they will have to send another player down to make room.</p></p></div>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2016/1/14/10768888/oilers-place-rob-klinkhammer-on-waiversryan_batty2016-01-14T08:00:03-07:002016-01-14T08:00:03-07:00Predict the Score: Oilers at Sharks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uoIx-GHY-FI6rX1cCd0Ok2vOzOI=/0x93:3117x2171/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48562541/usa-today-8363439.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Play our predict the score contest and you could win.</p> <p>After two months on guessing who would score first it's time to for a new contest, rather than guessing who will score, we're just asking you to predict what the score will be. It's a contest so simple that even a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> fan could do it.</p>
<p><b>How Do I Play?</b> Please put your prediction in the subject line with Edmonton listed first. <b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> x - <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sharks</a> y</b></p>
<p><b>How Points Will Be Awarded? </b>5 points for a correct prediction. 2 points if you only get the Oilers' score right. And 1 point if you only get the opposition's score correct.</p>
<p><b>What You're Playing For?</b> A <a href="https://nhlshop.775j.net/c/482924/587269/9674?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.nhl.com%2FTaylor_Hall_Edmonton_Oilers_Men_T-Shirts%2FMens_Edmonton_Oilers_Taylor_Hall_Reebok_Orange_Name_And_Number_T-Shirt&sharedid=sbnation.com" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Taylor Hall jersey shirt</a>.</p>
<p><b>Who's In First Place?</b> <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/oil-spills/2016/1/8/10737914/predict-the-score-standings-through-january-4">Standings as of January 4 can be found here.</a> Updated standing will be available later today.</p>
<p><b>When Does The Contest End?</b> After the last game in January.</p>
<p><b>Tonight's Matchup:</b></p>
<div align="center" id="Book1_3586" x:publishsource="Excel">
<table border="0" width="345" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center; width: 258pt; border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed;">
<colgroup> <col width="115" span="3" style="width: 86pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4205;" class="xl633586"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td width="115" height="20" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 86pt;" class="xl633586"></td>
<td width="115" style="text-align: center; width: 86pt;" class="xl633586">Edmonton</td>
<td width="115" style="text-align: center; width: 86pt;" class="xl633586">San Jose</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td height="20" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl633586">Overall Record</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586">17-23-4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl643586">21-18-2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td height="20" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl633586">Last 10 Games</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586">3-5-2</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl643586">5-4-1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td height="20" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl633586">Goal Differential</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586">-23</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586">+5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td height="20" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl633586">Expected Starters</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586"><span>Cam Talbot</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl633586"><span>Martin Jones</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p><b> Line-up Notes:</b> <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/oil-spills/2016/1/14/10771614/oilers-lineup-kassian-yakupov-injury-talbot-starting-goalie-sharks">Now available</a>.</p>
<p><i>Your prediction must be submitted by game time. Submissions posted after game time will be deleted.</i></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/oil-spills/2016/1/14/10767490/oilers-sharks-predict-score-costestryan_batty