Tag Archives: Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Zach Laing

Oilers vs Red Wings Preview – The Injury Bug Blues

Screen Shot 2015-11-27 at 2.46.43 PM

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Game: Edmonton Oilers (7-14-1) vs Detroit Red Wings (11-8-3)

Location: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

Time: 5:30 PM MT

Where to find it: TV: Sportsnet West – Radio: 630 CHED

Edmonton Oilers Preview:

It’s been a busy few days in Oil Country. Two nights ago, the Oilers lost a stinker against a team that they should’ve really beat. The Hurricanes suck, and too many Oilers took the night off.

None the less, the true story came when Nail Yakupov got RKO’d by linesman Mike McPherson:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyPIkB1nT4k]

Fortunately, the injury isn’t major and Nail will only be out for 2-4 weeks with what is being called a sprained ankle. A certain sigh of relief as that could’ve been an injury that was much, much more serious.

In lieu of Yakupov’s injury, the Oilers made the move to recall 21-year old Jujhar Khaira. The 2012 3rd round draft pick is in the midst of his 2nd season in the AHL. Last year with the OKC Barons, he scored 10 points in 51 games. However this year he is off to a great start scoring 7 points in the teams first 16 games. At 6’3, 215 lbs I hope that his progression continues, and I think there is a good chance we could see him as a regular in the Oilers lineup as soon as next season. It is unknown if we will see Kharia draw into the lineup tonight against the Wings.

Khaira had another strong game against Texas, playing a simple power hockey game: get the puck, dump it in, go hard after it, win it, protect it, try to make a play.

Khaira’s linemate, the massive Russian Bogdan Yakimov, would be wise to adopt this simple strategy. Too often Yakimov loses the puck trying to stickhandle it into the zone. He’ll never make the NHL that way. He’s got to make it as a grinder with some skill, not as a skill guy who grinds occasionally, just like Khaira evidently intends to make it. – David Staples, Oct. 30th

Last time the two teams met was on October 22nd of this year and the Oilers scored two in the 2nd period to win 3-1. The team will look to replicate that success again tonight at the Joe Louis Arena.

This Oiler group has been a little bit all over the place. Connor McDavid, Justin Schultz, Rob Klinkhammer and Nail Yakupov all are suffering from a variety of ailments, and this season is starting to look a lot like seasons past. According to Man Games Lost, the Oilers are facing the greatest cumulative impact of injured players in the NHL. We are cursed I tell you, CURSED!

Tonight, Cam Talbot gets the start.

The Otherside:

Pavel Datsyuk scored his 300th NHL goal during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins Wednesday. He has been playing on a line with Brad Richards and Teemu Pulkkinen. “You know Richards is a good player; he can just handle a pass, the puck, and he can shoot and make a play,” Datsyuk said. “Same with Pulkkinen … when you use him as a shooter, it’s kind of make it happen.” The Red Wings (3-0-2), who will play the second of a five-game homestand, have earned at least a point in each of their past five games. Goalies Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard alternated for 10 games between Oct. 27 and Nov. 16, but Mrazek has started three of the past four games. Mrazek made saves on 19 of 22 shots Wednesday. –nhl.com

 

Line Combos and Starting Goalies c/o Daily Faceoff:

Oilers (Cam Talbot):

 
Red Wings (Jimmy Howard):

Any ideas on how to improve my game previews? Send me an email at zjlaing@gmail.com.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFbaiMS73Ec]

 

NHL, Zach Laing

Game Seven Preview – Oilers vs Red Wings: An Age Old Story

GAME SEVEN VS DETROIT

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Game: Edmonton Oilers (2-4-0) @ Detroit Red Wings (3-2-0)

Location: Rexall Place, Edmonton

Time: 7:30 PM MT

Where to find it: TV: Sportsnet One, Radio: 630 CHED

Edmonton Oilers Preview:
Aaah, another game against Detroit. For me, I love watching the Oilers play Detroit even though they have gone 63-36-13-11 all time against us. Strange, I know.

I always remember back in 2006 when I first began watching the eighth seeded Oilers play the President Trophy winning first seeded Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs. We won the series 4-2 after a remarkable game six comeback, and the rest was history.

Tonight begins a new era in the Red Wings – Oilers series as rookies Dylan Larkin and Connor McDavid are set to go head to head for the first time ever. Recently, I have been doing new gameday posts at Copper and Blue where I ask opposing team’s blogs three questions. I spoke with Graham Hathway, a writer for SB Nation’s Winging It In Motown and this is what he had to say about Larkin:

Larkin had a strong season last year at every level he played at, and in camp and the preseason was a very noticeable player. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing that Larkin did that ultimately earned him his spot. He’s a fantastic skater, has good hands, and is praised by teammates for his work ethic, something I’m sure the coaches noticed.

Connor McDavid certainly has his work cut out for him to win the Calder Trophy this year. Tonight, he could gain an early leg if he has an impressive performance and Larkin has an off night. That could go both ways though.

Building off of the weekend’s success will be key for the Oilers who have had a few days without any game action. Andrew Miller was called up the other day, and will slide in on the first line beside Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The 27-year old Miller has one goal and two assists in four games with the Bakersfield Condors this season.

The Otherside:

Detroit begins a three-game trip to Western Canada and will try to improve its special teams. The Red Wings ranked 20th on the power play (15.4 percent) and their penalty kill ranks 22nd (80 percent). “I think we need to be a little more dangerous [on the power play],” forward Justin Abdelkader said Tuesday after practice, according to the Red Wings web site. “[We need] better zone time, execution off face-offs, winning face-offs [and] trying to keep the puck in their zone as much as possible. It can’t be just one and done.” Petr Mrazek will start against the Oilers and again Saturday at the Vancouver Canucks. Jimmy Howard will start Friday at the Calgary Flames. – nhl.com

Line Combos c/o Daily Faceoff:

Oilers:

Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Andrew Miller
Benoit Pouliot – Connor McDavid – Nail Yakupov
Lauri Korpikoski – Anton Lander – Teddy Purcell
Rob Klinkhammer – Mark Letestu – Anton Slepyshev

Oscar Klefbom – Justin Schultz
Andrej Sekera – Mark Fayne
Andrew Ference – Eric Gryba

Cam Talbot

Red Wings:

Dylan Larkin – Henrik Zetterberg – Justin Abdelkader
Tomas Tatar – Riley Sheahan – Gustav Nyquist
Darren Helm – Brad Richards – Teemu Pulkkinen
Drew Miller – Luke Glendening – Landon Ferraro

Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson
Danny DeKeyser – Mike Green
Kyle Quincey – Jakub Kindl

Petr Mrazek

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjojPX1SCjQ]

Jack Gruninger, NHL

Beer League Heroes NHL Season Primers 2015/16: The Detroit Red Wings

As usual, the Detroit Red Wings had another good season, making the playoffs for the 24th time in a row, but were eliminated in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Red Wings may have suffered the biggest loss this offseason, losing head coach Mike Babcock to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Babcock has been replaced by Jeff Blashill, who previously coached Detroit’s AHL affiliate. He is a good coach who has had success at other levels and has coached many of Detroit’s current players before, so he will fit in well.

Key Additions: C Brad Richards, RD Mike Green, RD Robbie Russo

Key Subtractions: C Stephen Weiss, LW Erik Cole, RW Daniel Cleary, RD Marek Zidlicky, G Jonas Gustavsson

The Red Wings didn’t add a lot of significant players this offseason, nor did they need to, with a lot of young talent coming up from the minors ready to take on bigger roles. They have made upgrades in certain positions. Stephen Weiss was bought out, which allowed the Wings to bring in Brad Richards, an obvious upgrade. Marek Zidlicky, acquired at the trade deadline, has been replaced by Mike Green, another upgrade.

Projected Lines (All Players Healthy):
Henrik Zetterberg – Pavel Datsyuk – Justin Abdelkader
Johan Franzen – Brad Richards – Gustav Nyquist
Tomas Tatar – Riley Sheahan – Teemu Pulkkinen
Darren Helm – Luke Glendening – Tomas Jurco
Drew Miller

Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson
Danny DeKeyser – Mike Green
Kyle Quincey – Brendan Smith
Jakub Kindl

Petr Mrazek
Jimmy Howard

Roster Contenders: C Joakim Andersson, C Landon Ferraro, C Andy Miele, C Dylan Larkin, LW Eric Tangradi, LW Tomas Nosek, RW Anthony Mantha, RW Mitch Callahan, LD Xavier Ouellet, LD Brian Lashoff, RD Alexey Marchenko, RD Ryan Sproul, RD Nick Jensen, RD Robbie Russo, G Tom McCollum, G Jared Coreau

A big advantage Detroit has with their roster is superb depth, mostly due to tremendous drafting and development. In addition to great depth on the current roster, there is tremendous depth in the system in all positions.

One concern I have about Detroit is the aging of key players. Datsyuk’s play hasn’t necessarily declined, but he is often injured. Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, and Niklas Kronwall have all shown signs of decline. Eventually, these players will have to be replaced.

All in all, there aren’t any glaring weaknesses in Detroit’s roster. An interesting thing is the progress of Petr Mrazek, and many have him penciled in as the starter for Detroit this season. Jimmy Howard could eventually be put on the trade block.

As usual, I fully anticipate that Detroit will make the playoffs this season. This is a team that has a very good roster in all positions and could cause some damage this season and in the playoffs.

**Hey Everyone, BLH here. We’ve got some good news and bad news. The bad news is that our famed writer Jack Gruninger is going on hiatus as he attends university. The good news is the rest of the Beer League Heroes crew is going to pick up where he left off with the Season Primer Series. Best wishes to Jack and we can’t wait for his return!**

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL

Todd Nelson To Join Red Wings Organization

As many expected, Todd Nelson has left the Oilers and is expected to be named the new head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, as per Elliotte Friedman.

Nelson’s coaching career started in 2001 when he became an assistant coach for the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League. Following a 1 year stint there, he became an assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins for 1 year, before returning to the Fury as head coach until 2006, winning two championships. He then became an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves until 2008, where he won a Calder Cup.

On July 25th, 2008, Nelson was named an assistant coach of the Atlanta Thrashers, and remained there until July 15th, 2010 when he joined the Oilers organization as head coach of the Barons. After Dallas Eakins was fired in December, Nelson was named interim head coach and remained in that position until Todd McClellan was hired as head coach on May 19th, 2015.

In Grand Rapids, Nelson replaces Jeff Blashill, who became the new head coach of the Red Wings after Babcock’s departure. Detroit is obviously well known for their prospect development, and Nelson will become a key piece in ensuring that model continues.