The Copper & Blue - Game 36 Coverage - Edmonton at CalgaryA 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.jpg2014-12-27T16:30:02-07:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/72186242014-12-27T16:30:02-07:002014-12-27T16:30:02-07:00Oilers at Flames - Somebody Has To Win
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<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One win is 20 games versus one win in nine games, who comes out on top?</p> <p>As if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> being all but eliminated from playoff contention in mid November wasn't bad enough, this season fans in Edmonton also had to put up with a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> team that just wouldn't stop winning. That those wins were percentage driven - first goaltending and then shooting - helps take the sting out of a bit, but when you looked at the standings and saw Alberta's two teams at opposite ends it just sucks. Thankfully, the Flames luck seems to have run out of late, and with just one win in their last nine (it's no one in 20 though) games they've slid down the standing and are currently sitting outside of a playoff spot. The Flames playing badly doesn't make the Oilers any better, but it's something that I will always enjoy.</p>
<h4>How To Tune In</h4>
<p>This epic tilt will be broadcast coast to coast on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada starting at 8PM.</p>
<h4>What To Watch For From The Oilers</h4>
<p>Even by the very low bar against which the Oilers are measured, the team's performance in their last game before the Christmas break - a 5-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Coyotes</a> - was bad. <span>Ben Scrivens</span> let in a terrible goal before most fans even got comfortable in their seats, and then let another, this one not his fault, just over three minutes later. And just like that, the game was more or less over and the team's play reflected that. Against a Flames team described by many as hard working, the Oilers' effort will undoubtedly be discussed at length tonight. With effort and heart being the go to topic today, you should probably also expect <span>Luke Gazdic</span> and <span>Steve Pinizzotto</span> to dress to night. Consider it a late Christmas present from the Oilers.</p>
<h4>What To Watch For From The Flames</h4>
<p>At Flames Nation, K<a href="http://flamesnation.ca/2014/12/27/the-8-game-losing-streak-doesn-t-matter">ent Wilson explains that there is a lot more to this season for the Flames than just wins and losses</a>, and more than a couple things to be excited about. I hate that he's right.</p>
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<p>It's not wrong to cheer for wins and hope the Flames somehow make the post-season this year, but let's face it - this is still an organization that has a lot of work to do before they're a legitimate contender. The good news is the club has a lot of arrows pointing in the right direction and are apparently well ahead of where they would seemed to be at the onset of this project.</p>
<p>The cupboards aren't empty anymore. There's established, pillar talent already on the roster. And there's real competition amongst future NHLers in the depths of the organization. For the first time in perhaps a decade, there's opportunity for the Flames to evolve and take real strides forward.</p>
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<h4>Final Thought</h4>
<p>He's not wrong, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQl5aYhkF3E">but</a> ...</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet"> <p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanWillis">@JonathanWillis</a> You know that team in the movie Moneyball didn't actually win the World Series, right?</p>— Jason Lee Norman (@bellyofawhale) <a href="https://twitter.com/bellyofawhale/status/547829971188596736">December 24, 2014</a> </blockquote>
<p><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2014/12/27/7454479/game-thread-oilers-at-flames-somebody-has-to-winryan_batty2014-12-27T07:30:00-07:002014-12-27T07:30:00-07:00Predict the Final Score: Oilers at Flames
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<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The worst geographic region in the NHL faces off tonight in a post-Christmas "anything you can do, I can do worse" matchup</p> <h3>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2"><b>Today's Goaltenders:</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3"><span>Ben Scrivens</span> (1,412 minutes played ESSvPct: .898 SvPct: .890) vs. <span>Jonas Hiller</span><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span> (1,322 minutes played ESSvPct: .932 SvPct: .915)</p>
<h3>Please <b>put your prediction in the subject line</b> like this: Oilers n - <span class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</span> n</h3>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5">Please list the Oilers score first, regardless of the team being home or away.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6">Make your own prediction and do not comment on anyone else's prediction. Any comments that are not in the format above, or in response to someone else's comment will be deleted.</p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph7"><b>Points distributed as follows:</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph8">Predict both teams correctly: <b>5 points</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph9">Predict the Oilers score correctly: <b>2 points</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph10">Predict the opponent's score correctly: <b>1 points</b></p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph11"><i>Your prediction must be submitted by game time. Submissions posted after game time will be deleted.</i></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph12">Points will be tallied throughout the season, and at season's end, we'll award a prize package to the winner. The prize package consists of:</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph13" align="center"><i><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jeff Petry</span></span> autographed puck<br>Edmonton Oilers puck-shaped rug (pictured below)<br> A set of (4) Edmonton Oilers draught glasses<br> Edmonton Oilers reversible knit hat<br> A set of (2) Edmonton Oilers knit can koozies</i></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph14">*Official rules for this contest can be viewed by <a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2332192/The_Copper_n_Blue_Predict_the_Final_Game_Score_Contest.0.pdf" target="_blank">clicking on this link</a>.</p>
<p>Good Luck, Go Oilers!</p>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2014/12/27/7453103/predict-the-final-score-game-36-calgary-flames-edmonton-oilersCopper and Blue Staff2014-12-27T04:30:00-07:002014-12-27T04:30:00-07:00Oilers @ Flames Game 36 Preview
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<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rejuvenated, refreshed, and recharged after the Christmas break, the Oilers look to make some noise tonight in Calgary. We're unsure of what kind of noise yet, but there'll be noise nonetheless.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a></p>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><b>7-21-7, 21 points, .6 p/g</b></td>
<td>Ranks</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>18-15-3 39 points, 1.084 p/g</b></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Western Conference - 14th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Western Conference - 9th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><i><b>30th</b></i></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">20th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">25th</td>
<td>ST</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">27th</td>
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<td>ES</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">15th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">18th</td>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><b>8:00 PM MDT - CBC</b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Scotiabank Saddledome</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">The opposing view: <a href="http://matchsticksandgasoline.com" target="_blank">Matchsticks and Gasoline</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Tickets - <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/tickets/calgary-flames-vs-edmonton-oilers--12-27-2014/12036243057" target="_blank">TiqIQ</a>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://fearthefin.com"></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><font size="4"><b>Futility, Inc.</b></font></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Arizona completed a season sweep of the Edmonton Oilers with a 5-1 victory at Rexall Place on Tuesday. Former Oiler Sam Gagner had a four point night (2G-2A), and save for a <span>Justin Schultz</span> tally in the first period, it never was close. Oiler goaltender <span>Ben Scrivens</span> got the hook just five minutes into the game when he allowed Arizona's second goal on three shots. <span>Viktor Fasth</span> didn't do very much better in relief. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Coyotes</a> have just twelve wins on the season, and five of those came against the Oilers by Christmastime. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This evening, the Oilers will face off in Calgary against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a>, a team they'll play another four times this year including tonight. After a sizzling start, the Flames are starting to hit reality (they're just 2-7-1 over their last ten). More encouraging words to follow.</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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<p style="text-align: left;">"We obviously took a step back tonight. It wasn't the game that we wanted"</p>
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<p>That's Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson after <a target="_blank" href="http://oilers.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014020510">Tuesday's 5-1 debacle against the Coyotes</a></p>
<p>It's getting harder and harder to say that this team isn't very good, but here we are, doing it for the twenty-eighth time in thirty-five games so far this season. Nelson has yet to see a victory as the Oilers head coach, the team has seen one victory since the second week of November, and the wheels just keep on turning in Oil Country. Tonight, they'll face off against a Flames team that's been having a tough go of it in recent weeks, but if Arizona can dustbin the Oilers like they did, that's gotta look mighty good to the Flames.</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">The Opponent is saying</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;">"For all the bad things, luck-wise, that have happened to us lately, I think we deserved a break and we got one."</p>
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<p>That's Flames defenceman <span>Mark Giordano</span> on<a target="_blank" href="http://flames.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2014020525"> his team's come-from-behind 4-3</a> victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Kings</a> on Monday night.</p>
<p>If you've read almost anything that's been put out there about the Flames' play in the last three months, you would think that they are en route to a playoff berth. They've solved the rebuild, guys, you can head home now.</p>
<p>Yeah, about all that.</p>
<p>While Calgary's start to the season looked good on paper (they were a cool 17-8-2 just three weeks ago), they've -gotten just one win since. Wonder what that's all about? Maybe that team shooting percentage of 10+% won't hold on for an entire season? The Oilers have taken more shots on net this season than the Flames, yet the Flames have nearly thirty more goals on the year. Don't worry, Calgary, there's always room for one more at the lottery table.</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">Have some of this</b></p>
<li> <b>UNSUSTAINABLE - </b><span>Jiri Hudler</span> has 33 points for the Flames. More impressive is the near 20% shooting percentage he's got on sixty-six shots. He's on a 4M cap hit with one more season to go. Interested to see if he gets some crazy cash in the next year. </li>
<li> <b>UNSUSTAINABLE, II</b> - The Flames have <i>eleven</i> players with shooting percentages over 10%. Only one of those players (<span>Mason Raymond</span>) has played in less than 20 games so far this year. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Hs2AQwDgA" target="_blank">Earth below us, drifting, falling,..</a> </li>
<li>It's fun to take shots at Calgary, but let's not get away from the Oilers. They're bad. They're on a one-win-in-twenty-games kind of bad. . </li>
<li> <b>WHO SAID IT? </b>"We're just nowhere near where we have to be to compete in this league.". Was it...A) <span>David Perron</span>? B) <span>Andrew Ference</span>? C) <span>Taylor Hall</span>? or D) <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/oilers-supporter-takes-out-ad-apologizing-to-team-for-jersey-tossing-fans-183204246.html" target="_blank">Super Fan Jay Brown</a>? Your <a href="http://flames.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2014020525" target="_blank">answer is here</a>.</li>
<li>Hey, has <span>Martin Marincin</span> been called up yet? No? <span>Brad Hunt</span> is still on the roster? That's cool. Hey, you got the keys to this tank?</li>
<li>Todd Nelson looks for his first win as Oilers coach tonight. He's 0-2-2 since replacing Dallas Eakins.</li>
<li> <b>GOALERS </b>- I'm not sure how Viktor Fasth doesn't get a start here soon. Scrivens had another forgettable start, and if I'm Todd Nelson, I'm kind of interested in seeing the other side of the coin tonight. Could be more of the same, it's quite likely that it's more of the same, but every now and again I want to hear the B-side of the record.</li>
<li> <b>WE ARE HERE FOR YOU</b> - Hey, it's tough being an Oilers fan. Whether you're still at the "I can't believe this team isn't <i>doing</i> anything about this" phase, or whether you're at the third stage of apathy, don't fret. We're all in this boat together. A sad excuse of a boat with a busted mast that's leaking pretty good, but we're all in it. You and me, kid. The moon, the stars. </li>
<li><b>GOILERS</b></li>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2014/12/27/7452783/oilers-flames-game-36-previewJeff Chapman