The Copper & Blue - Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild Game 21 CoverageA 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.jpg2015-02-24T22:33:42-07:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/38242032015-02-24T22:33:42-07:002015-02-24T22:33:42-07:00Pouliot and Scrivens carry Oilers to 2-1 win
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<img alt="Benoit Pouliot celebrates after scoring 100% of the goals against Deven Dubnyk in the past two Oilers games against him." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cGEeuldElJbhIgS6ohzQqLTUzks=/0x57:3269x2236/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45768492/usa-today-8402946.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Benoit Pouliot celebrates after scoring 100% of the goals against Deven Dubnyk in the past two Oilers games against him. | Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Pouliot nets both Oilers goals against the Wild while Scrivens holds them in for a 2-1 win. </p> <p>It was a record setting night for the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Edmonton Oilers</a>. They scored a club record of two goals against <span>Devan Dubnyk</span> in one game.</p>
<p>The Oilers played an absolutely splendid five minutes at the end of the first period. Particularly the first line of <span>Benoit Pouliot</span>, <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span>, and Jordan Eberle. The first line eventually got their mojo working for two Pouliot goals, both assisted by Eberle.</p>
<p>Then came the grind. As the game wore on it grew more and more into the <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wild</a> battering at <span>Ben Scrivens</span>, who managed to hang on through 28 shots throughout the second and third periods for the win. The Wild doubled the Oilers total shots 34-19 this game.</p>
<p>The absence of <span>Nail Yakupov</span> was evident. Yakupov was placed on the Oilers’ Injured Reserve carousel earlier today. Every time the Pouliot-Nuge-Eberle line returned to the bench, the remaining Oilers lines became virtually invisible and the Wild were able to glide into the zone unimpeded. As shown by the good <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/game4.html?seasongcode=2014201520901">war-on-ice</a> folks here, the higher position of the Minnesota players (right) has them collectively spraying pucks at the lower positioned Oilers (left).</p>
<p><img title="Screenshot 2015-02-24 at 9.43.29 PM.png" alt="enter image description here" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SW8pT_5mhnY/VO1YzupcX9I/AAAAAAAAB1c/WwRxnE1jXPk/s0/Screenshot+2015-02-24+at+9.43.29+PM.png"></p>
<p>Midway through the second period Pouliot-Nuge-Eberle formed a little island higher up in the For Minus Against while the rest of the Oilers formed a dark shadow far below the zero line.</p>
<p>This could have been an entirely different game if the Wild showed up ready to go. Thankfully both teams spent the first ten minutes of the game holding hands and skating around like family night at the city centre outdoor rink. This will likely lead to another <a href="http://youtu.be/87JVHaqTg9g">viral video of Wild coach Mike Yeo</a> losing his noodle during practice again. Yeo strikes me as the kind of guy who has no sense of humour and will methodically explain to you why a joke doesn’t make sense.</p>
<p>Not our problem Yeo can’t take a joke. Oilers win!</p>
<h1 id="highlights">Highlights</h1>
<p><iframe height="395" width="640" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020901-X-h"></iframe></p>
<h1 id="first-period">First period</h1>
<p>…. zzzzzzz … <br> 13:21 There’s a stick on the ice! Watch out! <br> 11:53 <strong>PENALTY</strong> <span>Zach Parise</span> hooking, drawn by Justin Schultz. Both Parise and Schultz chase after the puck behind the net. Schultz kind of falls down. "Well, I’m bored," says the ref. 5 on 4 for the Oilers. <br> 11:00 short handed breakaway shot for <span>Erik Haula</span> <br> 9:48 <strong>GOAL</strong> <span>Benoit Pouliot</span> assisted by Jordan Eberle. An uncalled high touch by Pouliot in the slot brings the puck down. Passes to Eberle by the boards, he passes it back to Pouliot next to the net and in. <strong>1-0 Oilers.</strong> <br> 4:46 <strong>GOAL</strong> <span>Thomas Vanek</span> assisted by <span>Jordan Schroeder</span>. A shot into the crease. Schroeder picks it up and hangs on as the Oilers scramble after him. He skates around the net and puts it back to Vanek in the crease who jams it in. <strong>1-1 tie.</strong> <br> 4:14 <strong>GOAL</strong> Benoit Pouliot assisted by Jordan Eberle. Quick response as Nuge to Pouliot to Eberle back to Pouliot and in. <strong>2-1 Oilers</strong> <br> 2:25 PENALTY Zach Parise, drawn by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.</p>
<h1 id="second-period">Second Period</h1>
<p>19:30 <strong>PENALTY</strong> <span>Jeff Petry</span> tripping, drawn by <span>Jason Pominville</span>. <br> Pouliot comes on the ice and immediately breaks up an almost sure goal by Thomas Vanek. <br> 10:40 <strong>TIMEOUT</strong> Todd Nelson calls a timeout as Wild have been pouring on the pressure. After the timeout, the Wild continue to bring the heat. <br> 3:06 <strong>BREAKAWAY</strong> Thomas Vanek picks up a giveaway by Eberle, tries to go five-hole and Scrivens makes the save.</p>
<h1 id="third-period">Third period</h1>
<p>17:22 <strong>PENALTY</strong> Eberle slashing, drawn by Stephane Veilleux. After a big hit on the boards, Eberle retaliates with a slash. <br> 11:05 <strong>PENALTY</strong> <span>Boyd Gordon</span>, delay of game. Flips the puck over the glass.</p>
<h2 id="coming-up-next">Coming up next…</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Blues</a> visit Edmonton on Saturday February 28.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2015/2/24/8106015/pouliot-and-scrivens-carry-oilers-to-2-1-leadKen.Price2013-03-03T21:18:58-07:002013-03-03T21:18:58-07:00Oilers Lose Again
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<img alt="Different game but same same." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FHEkwTWhDQUazD_wDueWHqmLfQ4=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9036105/162942170.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Different game but same same. | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Oilers continued their spiral to the bottom with a horrific "effort" in Minnesota.</p> <p><object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R1rSzslEKGs?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0">
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<p>Want to get your possession numbers back on track? Play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a>:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>For the first time this road trip, Oilers out shot-attempt the opposition in a period, 19-14. Still lose for 19th time in 21 games 50-42.</p>
— Michael Parkatti (@mparkatti) <a href="https://twitter.com/mparkatti/status/308420876469157888">March 4, 2013</a>
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<p>With <span>Taylor Hall</span> out of the lineup and Ralph Krueger's bizarre indifference to line matching, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> ran roughshod over the Oilers, encapsulated by a second period in which the Wild outshot the Oilers 18-0. There were so few bright spots for the Oilers in this game, I thought of bringing back Ben Massey's reverse three stars.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Eberle was +10, Schultz pairing was +7, Gagner/PRV +6. Eager lowest at -12, Petrell/Peckham -10, Whitney -9.</p>
— Michael Parkatti (@mparkatti) <a href="https://twitter.com/mparkatti/status/308421246599704576">March 4, 2013</a>
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<p align="center"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.boysonthebus.com/2013/03/03/game-notes-oilerswild-mar-3/">Possession Report</a></b><font color="#cc6600"><b> via Boys on the Bus</b> </font></p>
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<td class="xl583" style="height: 30.0pt; width: 116pt;" align="center" height="40" width="154"><b><font color="#000066" size="5">The Good</font></b></td>
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<p>The <span>Magnus Paajarvi</span> - Sam Gagner - <span>Jordan Eberle</span> wasn't bad tonight. Paajarvi played his typical high-speed game bursting all over the ice and creating scoring chances for his line. He was especially good down low battling for pucks. Gagner was again strong defensively, covering for <span>Justin Schultz</span> on pinches and generally playing a more cautious game in transition. Eberle was creative and came up with a chance or three.</p>
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<td class="xl583" style="height: 30.0pt; width: 116pt;" align="center" height="40" width="154"><b><font size="5">The Bad</font></b></td>
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<p>I asked the participants in the GDT what happens if <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> doesn't have a shoulder injury? Everyone in the fanbase is banking on a rumored shoulder injury as the source behind the problems in his game. He can't shoot, can't battle for pucks, and tonight was swept under on the rush over and over again. If this isn't a shoulder injury, someone has to address his play.</p>
<p><span>Ladislav Smid</span> and <span>Jeff Petry</span> are playing defense like the Keystone Cops. Smid was caught pinching twice tonight and Petry looked confused and out of sorts throughout. This team could use a huge minutes top-pairing defender who can play with anyone, sort of like <span>Tom Gilbert</span>, to calm these two down.</p>
<p><span>Ryan Jones</span> is torture to watch. In the GDT I dubbed him "The Accountant" for his continued demonstration of Last In First Out play. He's the last man back into the defensive zone and the first man out. In the neutral zone he watches as others engage around him. We can only hope Edmonton can get back what they paid for Jones at the trade deadline and I can't wait until I don't have to see 28 Jones on the ice for the Oilers.</p>
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<td class="xl583" style="height: 30.0pt; width: 116pt;" align="center" height="40" width="154"><b><font color="red" size="5">The Ugly</font></b></td>
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<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">When Ben Eager was off the ice, the Oilers actually won the Corsi battle tonight 41-37. <span></span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.boysonthebus.com/2013/03/03/game-notes-oilerswild-mar-3/">Michael Parkatti, Boys on the Bus</a>
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<p><span>Ben Eager</span> came into the game with the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2012/new_5_on_5.php?sort=27&section=corsi&mingp=10&mintoi=9&team=ALL&pos=F">worst Corsi and ZS Adjusted Corsi in the league</a> for any forward averaging at least 9 minutes per game and it got worse. Eager came in with a Corsi of -36.55 (the next lowest is <span>Dave Bolland</span> at -24.88 and Bolland plays the toughest minutes the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a> have to give him) and was posted a -12 in 7:29 for a Corsi On of -96. He's the worst forward in the league and Krueger keeps feeding him minutes. Ben Eager doesn't make the roster of a good team, let alone dress, let alone play 9 minutes per game.</p>
<p>Alan took Ralph Krueger to task in the last postgame, so it's my turn now. Not only is he putting Ben Eager on the ice far too often, not only has he failed to shelter Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and his hopefully-injured shoulder, he seems to be indifferent to matchups. Nowhere was it more evident that tonight when he came back from a TV timeout with his fourth line on the ice. It's a television timeout - the opposing coach is going to have all of his lines ready. There is one line that shouldn't be called upon in this situation and it's the one Krueger put on the ice.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font color="#cc6600"><b>The Copper & Blue Three <span class="sbn-auto-link">Star</span><span class="sbn-auto-link">s</span>:</b></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★★★ - Sam Gagner</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★★ - Jordan Eberle</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★ - Magnus Paajarvi</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/3/3/4061662/oilers-lose-4-2-in-minnesota-after-barely-going-through-the-motionsDerek Zona2013-03-03T16:56:31-07:002013-03-03T16:56:31-07:00Game Thread: Oilers @ Wild
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<img alt="This is the closest Ryan Jones ever gets to playing defense." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y0b2_V912dVjdxQbNmJvAYxi0Ro=/0x75:4000x2742/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9026795/162671537.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This is the closest Ryan Jones ever gets to playing defense. | Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>A win in Minnesota is a salve for a ton of ailments</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a> need 9 more points in the next 6 games, preferably against Detroit, Nashville, and Minnesota. Tonight's 4-point game fixes a bunch of ills - but they're down their best player and have a coach that isn't keen on matching lines.</p>
<h3>Team Reports</h3>
<p><strong>Oilers Report:</strong> The Oilers had a number of passengers against St. Louis, and one of them, Ryan Jones has been demoted. We can only hope Ralph Krueger sticks to the morning skate lines and keeps Jones' toxic possession ability away from the top 6.<span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></p>
<p><strong><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wild</a></span> </span></span></span>Report:</strong> The Wild are a cork in the ocean at this point. Their fate is tied to the other teams competing against them in the conference.</p>
<h3>Expected Line Combinations</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Nail Yakupov</span></span></span></span></span></span> - <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> - <span>Ales Hemsky</span><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span><span style="color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span style="color: #292929;"></span> </span><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Magnus Paajarvi</span></span></font></span></span> </span></span></font>- <font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span>Sam Gagner</span></span></font> - <span>Jordan Eberle</span><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></span></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Smyth</span></span></span></span></font> - <font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span>Eric Belanger</span></span></font> - <span>Ryan Jones</span><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ben Eager</span></span></span></span> <font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></span></font></span></span></font>- <span>Chris VandeVelde</span> -<span style="color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"> <span>Lennart Petrell</span></span></font></span></span><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></span></span></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>Justin Schultz</span> - <font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span>Nick Schultz</span></span></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ladislav Smid</span></span></span></font> - <span>Jeff Petry</span></p>
<p align="justify" style="text-align: center;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Theo Peckham</span></span></span> - <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Whitney</span></span><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Devan Dubnyk</span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Scratches</strong>: <span>Taylor Hall</span>, <span>Mark Fistric</span><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"></span></font>, <span>Corey Potter</span></p>
<h3>Broadcast Information</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">XCel Energy Center, 7:00 pm MST</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">TV - Sportsnet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Radio - 630 CHED</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers-tickets/?brandid=sbnation_coppernblue" target="_blank">Tickets</a></div>
<h3>By The Numbers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Assuming shot rates remain generally the same, Jordan Eberle needs to score 24 goals on his next 91 shots to duplicate his 2011-12 shooting percentage. <br>Assuming shot rates remain generally the same, Jordan Eberle needs to score 18 goals on his next 91 shots to move his shooting percentage up to 15%.</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2012/8/7/3224457/oilers-top-25-under-25-4-jordan-eberle">After being significantly boastful and confident (borderline arrogant), ALL of the critics in this comments section are strangely quiet on the topic of Jordan Eberle's shooting percentage. All of them</a>.</li>
<li>Mike Yeo is 45-57 through a season-and-a-quarter, yet is still considered a prodigy in some corners and a tactical genius in others.</li>
<li>Edmonton is 4-4-2 both home and away. </li>
<li>Vancouver is the only team in the Northwest division with a positive goal differential.</li>
</ul>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/3/3/4060920/game-thread-edmonton-oilers-minnesota-wild-oh-boyDerek Zona2013-03-03T13:56:46-07:002013-03-03T13:56:46-07:00Oilers @ Wild Lines & Pairings
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N81lYOMjaeymCOxv4-dT_zF4dvM=/0x1066:2800x2933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9018571/162880038.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Matchups for the tilt in St. Paul</p> <p>Check back throughout the day as we'll post updates when they become available.</p>
<p>The Oilers expected lineup based on recent practices and team updates:</p>
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<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> Lineup</h3>
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<h4>FORWARDS</h4>
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<th class="td-first">LW</th> <th>C</th> <th>RW</th>
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<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Nail Yakupov</span><br></span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span><br></span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ales Hemsky</span><br></span></td>
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<td class="td-first">
<span>Magnus Paajarvi</span><br>
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<td class="td-first"><span>Sam Gagner</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jordan Eberle</span><br></span></td>
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<td class="td-first"><span>Ryan Smyth</span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Eric Belanger</span></span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Jones</span></span><br></span></td>
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<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ben Eager</span><br></span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Chris VandeVelde</span><br></span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Lennart Petrell</span></span><br></span></td>
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<h4>DEFENSE</h4>
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<th class="td-first">LD</th> <th>RD</th>
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<td class="td-first"><span>Ladislav Smid</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jeff Petry</span></span><br></span></td>
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<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Nick Schultz</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Justin Schultz</span></td>
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<td class="td-first"><span>Theo Peckham</span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Whitney</span></span><br></span></td>
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<h4>GOALTENDER</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first"><br></th> <th>G</th> <th><br></th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody><tr>
<td class="td-first"><br></td>
<td class="td-first"><span>Devan Dubnyk</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><br></td>
</tr></tbody>
</table>
<h4>SCRATCHES</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first"><br></th> <th><br></th> <th><br></th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Taylor Hall</span><br></span></span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Mark Fistric</span></span><br></span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Corey Potter</span><br></span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">D</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p> </p>
<p>The Wild expected lineup based on recent practices and team updates:</p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget injuries clearfix">
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> Lineup</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<h4>FORWARDS</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first">LW</th> <th>C</th> <th>RW</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Zach Parise</span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span>Mikko Koivu</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Dany Heatley</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Jason Zucker</span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span>Matt Cullen</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Devin Setoguchi</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Pierre-Marc Bouchard</span></span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span>Kyle Brodziak</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Cal Clutterbuck</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Zenon Konopka</span><br></span></td>
<td class="td-first"><span>Torrey Mitchell</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Mike Rupp</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>DEFENSE</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first">LD</th> <th><br></th> <th>RD</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Clayton Stoner</span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Tom Gilbert</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Ryan Suter</span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Jared Spurgeon</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Jonas Brodin</span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last"><span>Nate Prosser</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>GOALTENDER</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first"><br></th> <th>G</th> <th><br></th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody><tr>
<td class="td-first"><br></td>
<td><span>Niklas Backstrom</span></td>
<td class="td-last"><br></td>
</tr></tbody>
</table>
<h4>SCRATCHES</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first"><br></th> <th><br></th> <th><br></th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Mikael Granlund</span><br></span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Johan Larsson</span><br></span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Justin Falk</span></td>
<td><br></td>
<td class="td-last">D</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/3/3/4060336/oilers-wild-lines-pairingsCopper and Blue Staff2013-03-03T12:49:20-07:002013-03-03T12:49:20-07:00Hall Won't Go, Paajarvi Steps In
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xYKb2REClYdX1Fy69gb8wb4QRQs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828215/large_coppernblue.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> Twitter account announced today that Taylor Hall will not play tonight</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Coach Krueger says Taylor Hall is "still feeling a strain in his leg" and is day-to-day but will not play against <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23mnwild">#mnwild</a> today</p>
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/308274259728416768">March 3, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>The morning skate saw <span>Magnus Paajarvi</span> take <span>Taylor Hall's</span> place on the left wing with <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> and <span>Jordan Eberle</span>.</p>
<p>Hall's absence is a huge hit to Edmonton, as the Oilers are already struggling to hang with opponents at even strength and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/2/13/3985812/jordan-eberle-ryan-nugent-hopkins-depend-on-taylor-hall">Hall means so much to the Hopkins-Eberle duo</a>:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>Hall's underlying numbers, when isolated by this WOWY are ridiculous. The Oilers might have a true top line, but it's a line that hinges on Hall.</blockquote>
<p>Paajarvi was able to help <span>Sam Gagner</span> and <span>Ales Hemsky</span> break even <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boysonthebus.com/2013/02/28/game-notes-oilersavs-feb-28/">in his last audition in the top six</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But who put up the best Corsi rate? Can you believe it — it was the Gagner line, with MPS, Hemsky, and Gagner ending the night 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Corsi per minute. Paajarvi was, in fact, the only player on the entire team to end the night in positives vs the Hawks. His play has been very solid for quite some time now, and he should be allowed to stay in the NHL to hone his craft. He looked perfectly fine on the 2nd line — in fact, he might be the best fit I’ve seen so far. He’s able to think quickly and complete short, direct passes to Hemsky while not getting in his way and providing some support to keep the zone. His positioning is excellent, and gives that line a bit more breathing room to finish their work offensively by how aware he is getting back.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/3/3/4060248/taylor-hall-ruled-out-of-wild-gameCopper and Blue Staff2013-03-03T08:00:00-07:002013-03-03T08:00:00-07:00Oilers @ Wild Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3IsIYPPcICGcQ1KG6S23YloKUuo=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9002931/20130214_jrc_ah7_138.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Forget St. Louis, forget Chicago. Minnesota is the second four-point game on the trip.</p> <center>
<table style="text-align: center;" align="center" border="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2208891/EDMFLYERS.gif"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2208891/EDMFLYERS.gif" alt="Edmonton Flyers" height="125" width="237"></a></td>
<td><center> <b></b>
<h1 align="center">@</h1>
</center></td>
<td><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2208899/MNSaints.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2208899/MNSaints.jpg" alt="Minnesota Fighting Saints" height="125" width="136"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>8-8-4, 1.0 p/g</b></td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>10-8-2, 1.1 p/g<br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Western Conf: 12th</td>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Western Conf: 8th</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><b><b>7:00 p.m. MST</b><b> | Sportsnet</b></b>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>Xcel Energy Center</b></b><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers-tickets/?brandid=sbnation_coppernblue">Tickets</a><br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The opposing view</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://hashtaghockey.com/">Hashtag Hockey</a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
<p><b>Top Story:</b> <span class="sbn-auto-link">And so it goes</span>. The Oilers were badly outplayed in St. Louis, with <span>Ladislav Smid</span> playing like he was concussed and <span>Ryan Jones</span> playing like a fan who got an on-ice ticket for the game. The Wild aren't a good team, so the Oilers have a chance with or without Hall, but only if Ralph Krueger manages his matchups. If the Oilers are in for another night of their 4th line vs. the Wild's 1st, if could be a long evening.</p>
<p>The Oilers now have 3 points through 3 games on the 9-game road trip and it's looking <a target="_blank" href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/2/25/4027190/edmonton-oilers-road-trip-Brier">less likely that they'll grab 12 points.</a></p>
<p>The Wild are slowly closing their shot margins, but they're still a mess when the game is close with a sub .450 Fenwick %. They are one of the 5 teams in a race for the 7th and 8th spot in the West and the shortened season can help them get in, but they certainly aren't a favorite to make the playoffs amongst those teams.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CIMLsj0TUxQ" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe></p>
<p><b>The Oilers are saying</b>:</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I hope I can play. I hope that on Sunday it’s good."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>--Taylor Hall on his prospects of <a target="_blank" href="http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Edmonton/2013/03/02/pf-20622881.html">playing today</a>.</p>
<p><b>The Opponent is saying</b>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"No one inside the Wild organization has publicly uttered a single syllable about Mike Yeo's job being in jeopardy. "</p>
</blockquote>
<p>--<a target="_blank" href="http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22676529/minnesota-wilds-ot-win-has-mike-yeo-breathing">Bruce Brothers writing about Mike Yeo's job</a><span class="sbn-auto-link"> being on the line early in the season. </span></p>
<p>Hard to fathom Yeo's job is on the line, considering how much everyone believes in him.</p>
<p><b>Key matchup:</b> If Hall is available, the key matchup is the Hall line vs. whoever Yeo chooses to put on the ice against him, given Ralph Krueger doesn't care about matching. If Hall can't go, hopefully Magnus Paaajrvi is placed back on a line with <span>Sam Gagner</span> and <span>Ales Hemsky</span> and Ryan Jones is placed elsewhere. The Paajarvi - Gagner - Hemsky line would give the Oilers a chance.</p>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget injuries clearfix">
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> Injuries</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<h4>Questionable</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first">Player</th> <th>Injury Type</th> <th>Injury Date</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Corey Potter</span></td>
<td>head</td>
<td class="td-last">03/02/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Taylor Hall</span></td>
<td>knee</td>
<td class="td-last">03/02/2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first">Player</th> <th>Injury Type</th> <th>Injury Date</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Andy Sutton</span></td>
<td>knee</td>
<td class="td-last">01/16/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Nikolai Khabibulin</span></td>
<td>undisclosed</td>
<td class="td-last">02/27/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Shawn Horcoff</span></td>
<td>other-excused</td>
<td class="td-last">02/05/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Teemu Hartikainen</span></td>
<td>shoulder</td>
<td class="td-last">02/24/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Anton Lander</span></td>
<td>foot</td>
<td class="td-last">02/07/2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget injuries clearfix">
<h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> Injuries</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<h4>Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)</h4>
<table class="zebra" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first">Player</th> <th>Injury Type</th> <th>Injury Date</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Cal Clutterbuck</span></td>
<td>thigh</td>
<td class="td-last">02/22/2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-first"><span>Josh Harding</span></td>
<td>other-illness</td>
<td class="td-last">02/12/2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
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<p><br id="1361001004183"></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/3/3/4058854/oh-boy-minnesota-wild-at-edmonton-oilers-game-21-previewDerek Zona