Monday, January 28, 2013

Post Game: Game #5 Oilers 4 Avalanche 1

1ST PERIOD
EDM Hemsky 2 (Hartikainen, Gagner) 15:23 PP
EDM Eberle 3 (Hall, Whitney) 18:05 PP

2ND PERIOD
EDM Horcoff 1 (Hall, Nugent-Hopkins) 9:40 PP

3RD PERIOD
COL Parenteau 3 (Duchene, McGinn) 7:43
EDM Yakupov 3 (Gagner) 19:27 PP EN

Colorado
Semyon Varlamov 23/26

Edmonton
Devan Dubnyk 37/38

Game Notes:
- Oilers improve to 3-2 with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Avalanche. Oilers powerplay ate up the Avalanche penalty kill, scoring 4 goals on the powerplay and the Avalanche having no answer for it. It marks the first time the Oilers have had the lead this season, having the lead for most of this game and coasting to victory. It was a good bounce back game. It was also a game where the Oilers go the bounces but also worked hard for position in order to get the bounces. It's a positive win but it's difficult to say it was a statement win. The Oilers need to start putting together consecutive wins in order for anyone to be considering playoffs this season. Oilers have a tough couple of games coming up in Phoenix and in San Jose. After those two games, we can evaluate where the Oilers are at, and where they are headed. The Avalanche were undermanned tonight and came out very slow, but bounced back to have a 22 shot 3rd period. The Oilers still have some work to do 5 on 5, some 5v5 line shakeups could be forthcoming. If the Oilers rely strictly on their powerplay to get things done, they will continue to be inconsistent. A positive win for the Oilers, and one they needed to have, but the work is only beginning.

Player Of The Game:
- Devan Dubnyk G - If  I could put the entire Oilers powerplay in here I would. But since this exercise is for acknowledging individual players, I'm going to give the nod Devan Dubnyk, largely for his 3rd period play. The Avalanche peppered Dubnyk with 22 shots in the 3rd period when the Oilers went into prevent defense to protect the 3 goal lead. The Oilers are going to be that great at protecting leads this season since a lot of the defensive aspect of the club is inconsistent and in other cases subpar. Dubnyk gave up one cheapie when the puck got jammed through his legs when the shooter really had nowhere else to go. But other than that he was rock solid. Stayed really square to the shooter, sealing up those leaks. When he plays like that, it takes perfect shots to beat him clean. A strong bounce back game for him after having a subpar outing in Calgary. Like the rest of the team, he needs to build off of a win.

Goat Of The Game:
- Ryan Whitney D - Tough GOTG to give out tonight. I gave it to Ryan Whitney because he failed to tie up the stick of PA Parenteau when he beat Dubnyk five hole. It was just as much Dubnyk's fault as it was Whitney's. Its tough to give this out when Whitney had one of his better games of the year. He showed an affinity for shooting the puck tonight and played a very stable game with Corey Potter who also looked better than he has in previous games. Essentially, what I'm saying is the Oilers played an excellent team game with no passengers tonight. Everyone had a role and executed.


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