Game recap:  Oilers lose 6-1 to Phoenix Coyotes

The Edmonton Oilers lost tonight again narrowly avoiding a shutout against the Phoenix Coyotes.  Zack Stortini was a healthy scratch from the game while Sam Gagner missed the game due to a recent knee injury.

Shawn Horcoff finished the night at a minus 3 which gives him a healthy lead of -4 over the next worst +/- in the NHL, Pat O'Sullivan.  Now at -31, Shawn Horcoff is -5 worse than the worst non-Oiler in the NHL, Rod Brind'Amor.  Only Ethan Moreau finished the night worse than Horcoff at -4.  On the same line, Fernando Pisani himself was -3.  The trio was recently assembled by coach Pat Quinn in an attempt to create a veteran shutdown line for the team.

At the other end of the rink, Mathew Lombardi finished the night with two goals, three assists, and a +/- of +5 for the Phoenix Coyotes.  Shane Doan who had 2 assists, left the game with an apparent leg injury after playing just over 11 minutes.  For the Coyotes, scoring game by committee tonight with two goals from Lombardi along with goals from Jovanovsky, Vrbata, Vandermeer, and Lang.  Ilya Bryzgalov made 33 saves on 34 shots only getting beat by Dustin Penner in the third period.

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Game 58 Preview:  Edmonton Oilers at Phoenix Coyotes - February 8, 2010 - 7:30 PM SNET WEST

The Phoenix Coyotes (35-19-5) host the Edmonton Oilers (18-33-6)  at Jobing.com arena tonight.  Though the Coyotes were predicted by most to finish at or near the bottom of the Western Conference, instead they're currently 5th in the West.  The Oilers are still at the bottom of both the West while also  having a 7-point cushion behind both Toronto and Carolina in the Fall 4 Hall.

The last time these teams played was Game 43 in which the Oilers lost 5-4 in overtime.  Fernando Pisani took was called on a tripping call in the offensive zone which lead to Shane Doan's power play goal in overtime.

Both Alex Plante and Taylor Chorney were sent back down to Springfield on Sunday which suggests that Ladislav Smid and Steve Staios are expected to return to the Oilers lineup.  Sam Gagner injured his knee and left after playing ten minutes in the recent Oilers game vs. Colorado.  I'm not certain if Gagner will be playing tonight yet.  Both Gilbert Brule and Robert Nilsson were healthy scratches for the last two games, so it's possible that they might get a chance to play tonight as well.

The Oilers have been pretty quiet heading into the March 3rd trade deadline.  Lately, there have been many rumors other than the Oilers shopping players that lack trade value like Ethan Moreau or Steve Staios.  I myself don't anticipate Steve Tambellini doing much if anything prior to the deadline.

Tyler Seguin is still just 3 points ahead of Taylor Hall in OHL scoring.  He's also played three more games with Hall missing time to play for Team Canada at the WJC.  They currently have 86 and 83 points respectively.

Oilers lose game and Sam Gagner to injury

Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche got his third shutout against the Edmonton Oilers this season.  In total, Craig Anderson now has six shutouts this season.  Speaking of shutouts, the Oilers have scored exactly zero goals in their past two games against the Avalanche now while allowing nine goals against.

The Oilers managed to not only lose this game, but they've also lost Sam Gagner who injured his knee during the game.  Sam Gagner played just under ten minutes before leaving the game due to injury.  Marc Pouliot moved up to center the Oilers top line in his absence.

The shot clock for this game provides a very accurate reflection of the game itself.  In total, the Oilers were outshot 42-20 during the game.  In the first two period alone, Jeff Deslauriers faced 29 shots while the Oilers only managed to generate 12 shots themselves.  Not many would find much flattering about a 3-0 score, but tonight the score was very flattering to the Oilers squad which was completely dominated by the Avalanche. Yet again, the Oilers found away to completely embarrass themselves on Hockey Night in Canada.

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2010 Olympic Preview:  Team Canada Olympic Hockey Team Roster Evaluation - February 2010

Team Canada's Olympic hockey team is a power house with expectations set high.  In fact, if Team Canada does not win the gold medal in Vancouver, it will be a disappointment for fans across this country.  The opening game for Team Canada is set at February 16th vs. Norway.  With an NHL equivalent team salary cap of $127,966,666, Team Canada has the most expensive roster heading into these Olympic games.

Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks is the official team captain with Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, and Chris Pronger named as alternate captains.  With his team struggling this season, is Scott Niedermayer the proverbial equivalent of dead wood on this team?  Follow the jump to see how the players on this roster rank in terms of goals, assists, points, +/-, and goals vs. threshold.

Game 57 Preview:  Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche - Denver Pepsi Center - February 6, 2010 - 8:00 PM - CBC

The Colorado Avalanche (31-19-6) are currently in a slump having lost four of their past five games.  As we all know, the Edmonton Oilers (18-32-6) are last in both the Western Conference and the league.  With the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Buffalo Sabres last night by a score of 4-3, the Oilers are now 5 points behind both the Canes and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for the season series, it's currently split at two games for each team though the Oilers were shutout in both of their losses including a 6-0 loss in their most recent game against Colorado.

Around the NHL, the pre-Olympic trade deadline trades have been heating up.  Most recently, the Detroit Red Wings have traded Ville Leino to Phildelphia for a 5th round pick in 2011 and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.  The Tampa Bay Lightening have officially been sold to Jeffrey Vinik, A Boston hedge fund manager.  Of course, we all know that the Atlanta Thrashers made a deal with the Devils.  It looks like the Devils may have gotten the best of it too.  How much will Ilya Kovalchuk's presence tilt the current balance of power in the Eastern Conference?