Game 32: Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues - Scottrade Center - December 11, 2009 - 6:00 pm MT SNET
The Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues have each gone 6-3-1 over their past ten games. While the Oilers have won four consecutive games, the Blues are on a single game win streak. For the Oilers, they're one point ahead of the Blues in the standings, yet the Blues have 2 games in hand. These circumstances make this a somewhat pivotal game for the Oilers.
Should the Oilers win tonight, they will complete the nickle on this road trip. It sounds like Denis Grebeshkov will return to the lineup tonight to be paired with Steve Staios. Hey, as Oiler fans we can probably breathe a sigh of relief if we won't be subjected to the Staios/Strudwick pairing tonight. I'm sure that Deslauriers probably has a panic attack every time he sees Strudwick jump over the boards--I know that I do. Grebs has missed 12 games this season with a knee injury.
Scottrade Center - Five and Ten for the Oil Drop?
Pre-game Rant:
Well, four games ago many Oiler fans were reading to blow up the team... some still are. It's been a frustrating season as an Oilers fan. We witnessed the Oilers get off to a quick start which gave hope of some playoff hockey. After that the plague swept through Oil country ultimately claiming victims like Mike Comrie among others. With Stone and Jacques out of the lineup, our little Tambo Smurfs weren't getting pushed around and playing in the perimeter--all the while going a one hell of a losing skid. Since Stones returned with Jacques in the lineup, we've won four straight improving Stones record in the lineup to 9-2-1.
Nikolai Khabibulin's now missed 8 games in what was described as a back spasm. His last game was November 16th... Can someone get the guy some F*&%ing Robaxacet already??? It starting to sound like it's probably something a little more ominous. Has anyone heard an update on this? Fortunately, Jeff Deslauriers has settled down and is playing fairly well with a .917 SV% and 2.57 GAA.
Pre-game Stats:
Looking at special teams, the Blues are currently last in the entire league with an atrocious 12.3% power play while the Oiers are ranked 12th at 20.2%. Credit to Wayne Fleming for improving the Oilers power play. Conversely, the Oilers have a poor penalty kill which is 22nd in the league at 78.7% while the Blues are 5th with at 84.9%. Both teams have negative shot and goal differentials. The Oilers are 2nd last in the league at faceoffs while the Blues are in the middle of the pack. Who would have ever imagined in their wildest dreams that the Oilers penalty kill and faceoff win % would be problems this year? Oh wait, we didn't make many changes except dumping Brodziak who's been good this year at both while these were both problems for the Oilers last season.
Has anyone else noticed that Cogliano's on pace for ten goals and 21 points this season? Oh yeah, let's put him on the first line instead of Brule which is something I've read on a few forums. I like Cogliano, but he's got to start producing more... Every time that Cogliano touched the puck last game, the announcers added "with speed" to pretty much everything that he did. Hopefully, he can turn some of that "with speed" into some goals. I would rather hear, Cogliano "with an assist" or "with a goal" than just "with speed."
Sydor - Johnson Jackman - Pollak Colaiacovd - Weaver
Mason Conklin
It's been nearly a month since we've seen Mike Comrie. Here's a video of Mike Comrie and Hilary Duff... He looks pretty healthy to me--oh, it's an old video...
I know. I'm so excited. Either way I'm happy with this road trip. But what would everyone say if they broke their own record? Does that make them not shitty?
+0
... written by Jay-, December 11, 2009
Hey Smokin' Ray, yeah four straight wins has been good to see. We're finally on the right side of some close games. It would be amazing to see them break the record. It's hard to believe that even the '80s Oilers had never won five consecutive road games.
+0
... written by Jay-, December 11, 2009
Uggh, I just checked Dan Tencer's Twitter... Grebs is confirmed, but one of Souray/Gilbert won't play which means that Strudwick will be playing. I was looking forward to a Strudwick-free d corps.
+0
... written by Jay-, December 11, 2009
Wow!!!
What a game... Five goals in the third. Dustin Penner - 4 points and a plus/minus of four on the night. He missed the empty netter by about two or three feet too.
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The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!