Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Post Game: Game #2 Sharks 6 Oilers 3

1ST PERIOD
SJ Boyle 2 (Pavelski, Thornton) 3:17 PP
SJ Couture 1 (Marleau, Pavelski) 4:30 PP
EDM Yakupov 1 (Gagner, Hemsky) 8:25 PP
SJ Marleau 3 (Thornton, Stuart) 10:02
SJ Marleau 4 (Thornton, Couture) 11:07 PP
SJ Couture 2 (Havlat, Galiardi) 18:09
SJ Vlasic 1 (Wingels, Galiardi) 19:20

2ND PERIOD
EDM J.Schultz 1 (Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle) 14:25 PP

3RD PERIOD
EDM Hall 1 (Eberle, Smid) 3:34

San Jose
Antti Niemi 26/29

Edmonton
Devan Dubnyk 11/17
Yann Danis 14/14

Game Notes:
- The more things change, the more they stay the same. We all know the Oilers are a work in progress, but that 1st period had to be the worst period of hockey I have ever seen the Oilers play. Blown coverages, turning away from the puck, Sharks having free reign to do whatever they wanted in the Oilers slot, it was a disgusting display. The Oilers patched things up in the 2nd and 3rd periods, but the Sharks did their damage and were half way to the airport when the 2nd period started. The same things plagued the Oilers as they have in the past, shaky defense and center play, less than stellar goaltending, not enough muscle, and a lack experience all hurt the Oilers at some point in this game. Sharks biggest strength is working the puck down low and the Oilers had no answer for it as the goals came fast and furious. On the bright side the Oilers got some firsts tonight. Newcomers Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz tallied their first NHL goals, a highlight mired in an ugly game. Next game offers new hope and hopefully a different result but the Oilers need to look how the structure of their team and start cutting down on the weaknesses. I feel like a broken record.

Player Of The Game:
Yann Danis - Not because he necessarily played well but everyone else was so bad in that first period that there was no escaping that. It's hard to pick out someone and say they played well after everyone was culpable for being down 6-1 after the 1st period. Yann Danis played alright in mop up. Sharks didn't mount much pressure after the 1st period. Dubnyk actaully faced more shots in the 1st period than Danis faced in the 2nd and 3rd periods. So take it all with a grain of salt. Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz provided some fleeting feel good moments in an otherwise ugly game.

Goat Of The Game:
Sam Gagner - I feel the urge to say everyone, but for the sake of consistancy, I have singled out Sam Gagner in this one. A disturbing trend I have noticed through 2 games is Sam Gagner's defensive zone coverage. To say that it is lacking is an understatement. Gagner far too often turns his back to the player he is covering, essentially taking himself out of the play. And since he covers the slot most of the time, bad things will continue to happen for the Oilers. The defensive slot should be sacred ground for the Oilers that should be battled for on a continuous basis. Tonight, the Sharks had free reign and free looks in the slot tonight and the result was inevitable. Patrick Marleau had free looks in the slot tonight and with the way he shoots, thats just asking for trouble. Gagner NEEDS to clean up this facet of his game, otherwise the Oilers are looking for a 2nd line center.

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