Post Game: Game #7 Sharks 3 Oilers 2 (SO)

1ST PERIOD
No Scoring

2ND PERIOD
SJ Couture 5 (Unassisted) 7:32
SJ Pavelski 4 (Unassisted) 8:11
EDM Gagner 3 (Fistric, Yakupov) 10:56

3RD PERIOD
EDM Hall 2 (Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins) 0:51

OT
No Scoring

Shootout:
Edmonton
Sam Gagner Miss
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Miss

San Jose
Michal Handzus Goal
Joe Pavelski Miss
Dan Boyle Goal


Edmonton
Devan Dubnyk 36/38

San Jose
Antti Niemi 26/28

Game Notes:
- The Oilers are learning to love the drama this season and this game was no different. Oilers battled to a stalemate after one period, had a woeful 2nd period on two clear path goals by San Jose on some ugly execution, but to the Oilers credit, they battled back to get the game into overtime to salvage a point out of this one. Ultimately, the overtime and shootout were not kind to the Oilers as it looked like the fatigue caught up to them. The Oilers base structure of their game looks rock solid right now. No missed assignments in the defensive zone, they made the Sharks work for every inch of ice. What's needed now is to get more flow out of the forwards. Too many one and dones and no cohesiveness on the line rushes. Hockey is about adjustments and right now Ralph Krueger needs to tweak forward lines to get the well-oiled machine running a little more smoothly. All in all, a solid game from the Oilers. This was a point I wasn't expecting the Oilers to get, but its one they can put in the bank, and who knows, maybe that point is the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.

Player Of The Game:
Devan Dubnyk G - For the 2nd night in a row, Dubnyk was outstanding again. He had no chance on either of the goals, as both goals came off of egregious plays by the Oilers. The Oilers played well in front him but there were moments in the first and second periods, and again in overtime where Dubnyk was left to his own devices. I'm starting to become a Dubnyk believer. His 3rd game in four nights and they were all stellar. Especially at a time when the Oilers goals for have dried up.

Goat Of The Game:
Ryan Whitney D - I guess I could make this co-goats of the game but since Whitney started the mess, I'll stick him with the horns. Whitney was making a modest rush up the ice, but ran right into the teeth of the Sharks' pressure. The right play would have been to either flip to safety or even take an icing. Instead Whitney handed a greande to Ales Hemsky, in turn, Hemsky attempted to hand the grenade back to Whitney, all which resulted in a breakaway goal from Logan Couture. There were a few plays like this tonight that need to be ironed out, but all in all, it was largely a clean game by the Oilers, but they struggled to stay in the game at the end due to the heavy legs from a back to back.

Next Game:  Saturday February 2 vs. Avalanche @ Colorado 1 PM MT

Pre-Game: Game #7 Oilers vs. Sharks

The Oilers are streaking heading into San Jose. With the Oilers home opener still fresh in their minds, a 6-3 beatdown from the Sharks on Oilers ice, the Oilers are looking to repay the favor tonight. The Oilers coming of an odd 2-1 overtime win last night in Phoenix, the Oilers will be looking to continue to add to the win total. The Sharks come into this game 6-0 and looking to keep that streak alive. The Oilers are coming into San Jose on 2nd half of a back to back facing an undefeated club is the tall task that faces them tonight. Win or lose, each game is a building block for the Oilers. They have to take something from each game. Last night, the Oilers took the fact that the game is never over until its over. The Oilers could have folded after giving up that backbreaking tying goal. But they kept playing away, chiselling at the mental will of the Coyotes, which ultimately lead to the game winner from Nail Yakupov. This test will be a lot in the same as it was last night. The Oilers will have to navigate through the bigger bodies of the Sharks, much like Coyotes from last night. The difference lies in the potent scoring ability the Sharks possess. The Sharks are rolling, so trying to derail them is going require the Oilers draining the energy tank tonight. Shawn Horcoff got his bell rung by Shane Doan last night. Reinforcements may be on the way from Oklahoma City.

Forwards Sharks
- Patrick Marleau is an early favorite for MVP and Joe Thornton has been Joe Thornton. The kids will have to find a way to produce offense as they were effictively shutdown last night.
Defense Sharks
- Sharks have an excellent blend of offensive and defensive defensemen. To go along with most of them being veterans. Oilers D is slowly starting to find its way with some consistancy.
Goaltending Sharks
- As much as I want to believe in Dubnyk in this spot, its hard to go against Antti Niemi's 1.97 GAA and .933 S% early on this season.
Special Teams Sharks
- Oilers have the 2nd best powerplay in the NHL, so how I can I go against them? The Sharks have the best powerplay in the NHL.
Coaching Sharks
- The addition of Larry Robinson to Todd McLellan's staff looks to be paying immediate dividends. Oilers' Ralph Krueger is doing well with the mix he has.
Intangibles Sharks
- A clean sweep for the Sharks and this is going to be a tough game to win for the Oilers when they played in Phoenix last night while the Sharks had the night off.

Oilers:
Hall-NugentHopkins-Eberle
Yakupov-Gagner-Hemsky
Smyth-Horcoff-Petrell
Hartikainen-Belanger-Paajarvi

Smid-Petry
N.Schultz-J.Schultz
Whitney-Potter

Dubnyk
Khabibulin

Sharks:
Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski
Havlat-Couture-Clowe
Galiardi-Handzus-Wingels
Sheppard-Gomez-Burish

Boyle-Vlasic
Stuart-Braun
Murray-Irwin

Niemi
Greiss

Game Time - 8:30 PM MT @ San Jose on Sportsnet West

Post-Game: Game #6 Oilers 2 Coyotes 1 (OT)

1ST PERIOD
EDM Petrell 1 (Smyth, Gagner) 4:51

2ND PERIOD
NO SCORING

3RD PERIOD
PHX N.Johnson 2 (Moss, Vrbata) 19:49

OT
EDM Yakupov 4 (Hall, Hemsky) 3:52 PP

Edmonton
Devan Dubnyk 27/28

Phoenix
Chad Johnson 19/21

Game Notes:
- What a bizarre game. For 59 minutes this game looked like is was being played in the frozen tundra of Commonwealth Stadium. Not a lot of flow, not many chances. As a coach, this game was played perfectly. The Oilers battle level was high and they gave the Coyotes very little in terms of time and space. And when the Coyotes did have time and space, Dubnyk was there to make the saves. What's more impressive is that the Oilers essentially beat the Coyotes at their own game, which for Oilers fans should be the best news they could have out of this game. All I can say about this win, is that it was ugly, but I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty. It's time for the Oilers to build on this win and go for 3 in a row in San Jose. In recent history, the Oilers have always had a tough time winning in Phoenix against a team that clogs up the neutral zone. So the fact they played patient and ultimately outwaited the Coyotes is a big time sign that things are looking up.

Player Of The Game:
Devan Dubnyk G - It's easy to give POTGs to goalies when the team wins, but in this case its a no brainer. The Oilers played with a 1-0 for 55 minutes of the game. A lot of that was sound positioning, some was a high battle level at the moment of impact, and the rest was Devan Dubnyk. The Oilers played well tonight, it may not have looked like it but they did. Back to back solid starts for Dubnyk. Will they let him go back to back and play in his 6th straight tomorrow night in San Jose? I know I would. He's in the zone and you gotta ride the hot hand.

Goat Of The Game:
Sam Gagner C - For the 2nd game in a row, its tough to pick the POTG. Sam Gagner gets it for taking a questionable penalty, and by questionable I mean it could have easily gone to the Phoenix player as he and Gagner were fighting for ice chasing a puck. Gagner's penalty lead to the tying goal by the Coyotes with 19 seconds left in the 3rd period. But in all honesty, everyone played a role and battled hard tonight. 2nd game in a row with no passengers in it.

Next Game - vs. Sharks @ San Jose 8:30 PM MT on Sportsnet West

Pre-Game: Game #6 Oilers vs. Coyotes

Every year some bottom feeding team has a set off demons that need to be exercised in order to move up the standings and become a playoff team. That game is tonight for the Oilers. The Oilers have always had issues with the Coyotes strength, length and guile. The Coyotes essentially play opportunistic hockey, The Coyotes will wait for the Oilers to turnover the puck (which they will) and turn those odd man rushes into scoring chances. How the Oilers combat this is how many times they do this and how they will bust backside to retrieve pucks. The Oilers need to play an energy/controlled game tonight. If the game gets passive at all, they will get eaten alive by the Coyotes. The Oilers are coming off of a somewhat convincing 4-1 win against the Avalanche. I say somewhat because the Oilers defense went into prevent defense mode forcing Dubnyk to be a little more busy than he otherwise should have been. I know I like to throw the "statement game" around pretty librally, but this is a statement game. The Oilers need to find a way to beat these teams that force them to play patient hocky by playing patient hockey themselves. The Oilers need to learn that they can't score four goals on one rush or all the goals count the same no matter the style they come in. I know around these parts, people love the "pretty" goals but if you want to be a successful hockey team, you need at minimum an equal part grit. Wary game for the Oilers as the Coyotes are off to a slow start, starting 2-4, so you know they will be ready.

Forwards Coyotes
- This is a tough call. While the Oilers have better pure skill, the Coyotes have the bigger experienced bodies that will make life tough on the Oilers. Who wins out here will likely win the game.
Defense Oilers
- Close call here too. While the Coyotes have a more proven top end, their depth will get tested tonight by the Oilers. Oilers are getting spotty production from many of the defense members.
Goaltending Oilers
- Giving the edge to Dubnyk and his inconsistent ways. Only because Mike Smith is out with injury and they will roll with the Labarbera/Johnson combo. Be wary of Sean Burke's genius ways.
Special Teams Oilers
- Oilers powerplay is hotter than a two dollar pistol accounting for all four goals scored against the Avalanche. Coyotes have a decent Pk but will have their hands full.
Coaching Coyotes
- Dave Tippett always seems to get the most out of his clubs even if they are underskilled. Ralph Krueger is finding a good mix with his hand but its still a tough matchup for the Oilers.
Intangibles Coyotes
- The Coyotes have been tough at home under the tenure of Dave Tippett. He'll dictate the matchups which means some of the Oilers will have to adjust and play out of their comfort zone.

Oilers:
Hall-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle
Yakupov-Gagner-Hemsky
Smyth-Horcoff-Petrell
Paajarvi-Belanger-Hartikainen

Smid-Petry
N.Schultz-J.Schultz
Whitney-Potter

Dubnyk
Khabibulin

Coyotes:
Boedker-Vermette-Doan
Sullivan-Hanzal-Vrbata
Korpikoski-Gordon-Moss
Bissonnette-Chipchura-N.Johnson

EkmanLarsson-Yandle
Michaluk-Morris
Schlemko-Stone

Labarbera
C.Johnson

Game Time - 7:30 PM MT @ Phoenix on Sportsnet West

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.

Pre-Game: Game #5 Avalanche vs. Oilers

Oilers are 2-2 to start to the season, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Flames on Saturday. Avalanche are the next up on the agenda. The Oilers have all the signs of a young team, look like world beaters one night then can't beat the bottom feeders the next night. The Oilers have been the bottom feeders for awhile now so I guess looking at the small steps is what should matter. I've mentioned for awhile that the Oilers have fundamental flaws when it comes to building the team. Weak center play, lack of depth on defense, inconsitant goaltending all have been a part of the issue. The Oilers have burned 1st round draft picks on wingers 4 out of the last 5 seasons, not a recipe for success, at least not immediately. While the Oilers may have the most skilled group of wingers in the league they are still young and they largely help out with offense. What wingers don't do is control flow or pace of the game, and they don't help defend much 5v5 other than watching their point man and making sure the slot is clean on occasion. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is an excellent offensive talent, Sam Gagner is a useful NHLer, Shawn Horcoff is overpaid but still relied upon with veteran experience, Eric Belanger is useful down the order NHL center. Problem is they collectively don't win enough of the matchup battles game in, game out in order to win games, game in, game out. So when someone like myself says, "Sam Gagner should be moved along, and the search for another RH shooting 2nd line center should be pursued", that shouldn't be mistaken for "Sam Gagner is bad at hockey lulz!!!" The Oilers have procured the talent, but the next phase is to take the scalpel and start to build the team collectively, even it means one of the young stars might have to be sacrificed for the greater good. Tonight is another night of teaching and learning for the young Oilers. The biggest thing for them is to not let the highs get too high and the lows get too low. I know, ol' hockey cliche, but in this case, I couldn't speak more truth. This is another winnable game for the Oilers much like the Flames game was.


Forwards Oilers
- Both teams are filled with young, high potential talent. The Oilers have a couple more of them at this stage. Both teams are battling consistancy issues.
Defense Oilers
- Avalanche have too many defensive defensemen types for my liking. A lot of the offense from the backend falls on Erik Johnson. Justin Schultz has played well in his role to start the season.
Goaltending Avalanche
- More of a tossup here. I have no idea what to expect from Dubnyk game in, game out. The fact that all the Oilers have to lean on after Dubnyk is Danis is where the Oilers lose the matchup.
Special Teams Oilers
- Oilers powerplay has been keeping them in games. 5 on 5 they haven't pissed a drop. Avalanche PK has been middle of the pack over the last season and a half.
Coaching Oilers
- Ralph Krueger is still trying to get feel for his club. He's figured out the powerplay, the rest is still a work in progress. I feel Joe Sacco should no longer be coach of the Avalanche.
Intangibles Oilers
- With both teams being such young enigmas, its difficult to gauge the "human element" in this game. I get the feeling one team will "crap the bed" while the other team rolls. Oilers are at home, looking to bounce back.

Oilers: (my version)
Hall-NugentHopkins-Yakupov
Eberle-Gagner-Hemsky
Smyth-Horcoff-Paajarvi
Hartikainen-Belanger-Petrell

Smid-Petry
Whitney-J.Schultz
Fistric-N.Schultz

Dubnyk
Danis

Avalanche:
Landeskog-Stastny-Parenteau
McGinn-Duchene-Jones
McLeod-Mitchell-Hejduk
Bordeleau-Olver-Kobasew

Hejda-Johnson
Wilson-O'Byrne
Zanon-Barrie

Varlamov
Giguere

Game Time - 7:30 PM MT @ Rexall Place on Sportsnet West