Game 60 Preview:  Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings - February 11, 2010 - 8:30 PM - SNET

One of my friends today commented how much free time he has now that he doesn't have to watch the Oilers play anymore this season.  If you've stopped watching like him, what are you doing with all of that extra free time?

Tonight, the Los Angeles Kings (36-20-3) host the Edmonton Oilers (18-35-6) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The Oilers have lost four consecutive games heading into this one while the Kings are 9-1-0 with a single loss preceding this game.  In terms of the season series, the Kings have won both previous games.

There's an NHL trade rumor floating around that there might be a possible upcoming trade involving Andrew Cogliano and Peter Mueller of the Phoenix Coyotes.  Other than that, it's been pretty quiet lately on the trade rumor front for the Oilers.

7/11 - The Oilers are seven points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and 11 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.

Game 59 Preview:  Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks - February 10. 2010 - 8:00 PM - TSN

After a very slow start to this season, the Anaheim Ducks are just four points out of a playoff spot.  Ryan Getzlaf has a sprained ankle and is listed as day-to-day.  It's likely that he won't play tonight vs. the Oilers, but hopefully this injury won't affect him playing for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.  However, Getzlaf had a recent MRI which suggest didn't show any significant injury and expects to join Team Canada on Monday.

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks (28-24-7) hots the Edmonton Oilers (18-34-6) at the Honda Center tonight.  Currently, the Oilers seven point cushion on the Toronto Maple Leafs and a nine point cushion n the Carolina Hurricanes in the fall for hall.  With three straight losses heading into this game, the Oilers are in the midst of another losing streak.

In other news, the Oilers announced that their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, will be playing in Oklahoma City next season.  At this point, the team does not yet have a new name though it's expected that fans will be providing input in the decision.

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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