I thought the Oilers started the game on the wrong foot but there was no need to panic because that par for the course with this team. Other things that are par for the course include giving up a lot of goals in the 2nd period and flukey goals against. So when all of those things happened in the game versus the Lightning on Friday, I was “shocked” to say the least. The hockey gods know that demi-god Connor McDavid is about to return and have decided that they’re going to make it has hard as possible for his Oilers to make it out alive.
With all the shenanigans aside, the Oilers didn’t really play an amazing game. Draisaitl, Hall, and Nuge stood out as shakers and movers and Justin Schultz actually scored a goal but everyone else seemed flat. I wasn’t a fan of Eberle’s game (ended with zero shots on goal) and what happened to Rob Klinkhammer? He gets four shifts for a total of 3:38 and his night ends half way through the second period… Why not waive him and keep Khaira up and play him if that is the fourth line’s MO?
It’s been a while since the Hall/Draisaitl/Purcell line really lit it up. You’d have to go back all the way to Dec.22nd versus the Jets to find the last time they dominated the scoresheet. With McDavid coming back do you think we could see a shake-up in the line combos?
Where they lost the plot was with all the missed scoring chances. The two on one between Hall and Draisaitl where no shot was taken, the Victor Hedman goal line save, the Mark Letestu pinger, the Teddy Purcell breakaway, etc. We could go on but these chances have to be capitalized upon. Essentially what all those missed scoring chances did was keep Tampa in the game and ultimately it started moving the momentum in their favor.
Going into the third period Cam Talbot was sporting a .955 SV% and when the game ended it was down to .885. He can’t be held responsible for any of the goals against on the evening and in my mind should be in net when the team plays the red-hot Florida Panthers on Sunday.
Brrrr. Must be cold in Edmonton. Pick up a sweet hoodie by clicking the pic!
15 Oct 2015: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Cam Talbot (33) [7933] during pre game warm ups and playing his first home game against the St. Louis Blues at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Photo Credit: Chris LaFranceI
n this holiday edition of the Beerleagueheroes.com weekly recap, our Edmonton Oilers had only two games on the docket where they finished 1-0-1 with a win over Winnipeg and an overtime loss against Vancouver.
However, don’t let the record fool you: The Edmonton Oilers did not play great hockey in those two games, especially last night where it was a stinker. Last night’s game in particular was a lifeless effort where they played a solid first period and forgot there was a game going on.
Edmonton Oilers Three Stars:
3. Teddy Purcell: Right now, he’s the best Right Wing on the Edmonton Oilers. Against Winnipeg, he tallied two goals with help from Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. The one goal included was an awesome one timer. He’s a much better player compared to last year and there’s not many people who are complaining about his play. If it were me who was General Manager, I’d keep Purcell. I said it last year too: I actually like Teddy Purcell. I think he’s playing well enough for a short term contract (2 years, 2.5-3 million per) but that’s just me spit balling.
2. Taylor Hall: The best Edmonton Oiler makes another appearance in the top three list for the week, almost like he’s a permanent fixture for this weekly list. Against Winnipeg, Hall had three helpers. Ho hum. Against Vancouver he was held pointless but he was the most dangerous Edmonton Oiler out there: every time he touched the puck he was creating chances and was the driver of his line. He’s a dangerous forward, which is not a shocker to fans in Edmonton.
1. Cam Talbot: Taking the top spot this week is Cam Talbot who went 1-0-1 this week and was the MVP for the Oilers and the main reason why they got points. Talbot faced 69 shots in those two games combined, including a career high 45 against Winnipeg, and stopped 66 of those shots. While the overtime goal is probably one he would like back, he is rocking a combined save percentage of 0.956. Which is great. I see Talbot slowly moving towards taking the starting goaltender spot, although I doubt he plays tonight against Calgary (back to back games)
Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumours:
There was an interesting Rumour that has some major smoke to it:
We had a post breaking down the potential rumor right here which is definitely worth a read.
However, since that post, there have been some updates such as goaltender Eetu Laurikainen coming back from Europe to rejoin the Condors. Signalling the end of Ben Scrivens with the Edmonton Oilers organization, considering he was held out of last night’s game against Stockton.
I went from “oh HELL NO” to “I’ll consider it” in less than a day. Kassian is a crazy player. Nobody will ever forget the time he taunted Sam Gagner when Kassian broke Gagner’s jaw. He’s despised by Oilers fans since then. He has his demons; he recently completed a stint in rehab.
Now there is a trade freeze that lifts at midnight (or 10 pm EST), so it’ll be interesting to see if it happens.
Another piece of news from the Edmonton Sun has Connor McDavid returning after the All Star Break. Which is too bad, because I miss watching 97 on the ice. Still, better safe than sorry.
Welcome back to the Beer League Heroes Sunday Night Pint! Now, if you’ve never experienced the SNP then you’re in for a treat tonight. It’s Ladies Night and we’re talking puck with three of the brightest and best female bloggers in the the whole Oilogosphere! Jackie Dawson (@jackiedee16) and Meg Fowler (@mig14) from The Oilers Rig as well as Oil On Whyte‘s Sammi Silber (@sammisilber)!
So without further adieu, let’s get this SNP Ladies Night Edition started!
WHICH TEAMS WILL MAKE THE STANLEY CUP FINAL AND WHO’LL WIN IT ALL?
JD: First off…anyone who says the Oilers are going there is nuts. I’m an Oilers fan, and I’d love to see it but I’m also a realist. They’ll improve but they’re still going to have growing pains so don’t expect the world from them this year.
From the West, I think you’ll see Chicago in the mix again…they’re just a well oiled machine. St. Louis had such a great season last year it will be hard to count them out as well. However, I think we might see Anaheim pull it all together this year so I’m predicting the Ducks to come out of the West.
In the East…the Rangers and the Habs will likely be contenders, but never count out a team like Detroit… They somehow manage to make the impossible possible every now and then. In saying that though, I think this year belongs to Tampa Bay.
So I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a Ducks/Lightning final with Tampa taking home the Cup.
SS: The Capitals and the Blackhawks will be in the finals. I think the Caps can win it in seven games. Their team looks ready to take it all this year.
MF: SInce I can’t even jokingly say the Oilers without running the risk of being booed off the internet, I’m going to say that we’ll see a SCF between Montreal and *shudder* Anaheim. the Ducks have made some moves this offseason, and have long been competitive in a very competitive Western Conference. There’s only so long a team with a goalie like Price and a pretty strong D can go without winning it all; changes they’ve made up front will also help take them over the hump and into the finals.
I’m taking Montreal in 6.
WHO’LL BE THE FINALISTS FOR THE CALDER TROPHY FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?
JD: There’s a very good rookie class this year, and I’d be crazy not to think Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel will be candidates…I mean, it kind of goes without saying.
Although I don’t think they’ll have these kinds of numbers, I hope it’s similar to the Crosby/Ovechkin battle of the rookies. When it comes to throwing in a 3rd choice…I’m going to go with Arizona’s Max Domi. The kid was a superstar at the World Juniors and I think he will have a seamless transition into the NHL.
SS: For the Calder trophy, it’ll be Eichel, McDavid and I’m going to throw Domi’s name in there.
MF: At the risk of coming across like a total homer, I’m going to guess McDavid, Eichel and some other guy. Honestly, unless one of those two has a season-ending injury early in the year, I can’t see the conversation going beyond them. Obviously, I’d like to think that McDavid will win, not necessarily because he’s the best rookie (even though he clearly will be) but because he will add the most to the team. (Apparently that’s how things are decided… remember the 2011-12 season, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins not winning the Calder despite being the better player AND doing more in 20 fewer games? I do too.)
WHAT DOES THIS YEAR’S BATTLE OF ALBERTA HAVE IN STORE FOR OILERS FANS?
JD: It may be safe to say that the Battle of Alberta will be an actual battle this season. The Oilers have made so many changes in coaching and lineup and have looked like they fixed their give-a-damn, which means an actual work ethic!
The Flames are a relentless hard working team that has a compete level that took them to the playoffs last year, so I think we’ll see an all out war between the two teams.
SS: The Oilers are going to SLAY the Flames in every game in this year’s Battle(s) of Alberta. In fact, Oilers will win em all, but not by a dominant score. Two games to overtime. The rest? Regulation wins.
MF: Hopefully more wins. they’ve been woefully outplayed for the last hundred or so games against the Flames. I’m hoping they take their split squad preseason results to heart when they play the Flames this year. I think the teams are markedly different from years past, with a ton more talent on the ice. I’m expecting fast-paced, hopefully high-scoring games that will all end with Oilers Ws. There’s not much I enjoy more than watching the Flames get beat by the Oilers, so hopefully I’ll get to see that at least once. Or twice.
MUSICAL GUILTY PLEASURES
JD: I’m fairly eclectic but hands down Maroon 5 is my favorite band and has been for years. I will literally listen to anything by them!
I’m also a big fan of CCR, Metallica, Def Leppard, Daughtry and Bon Jovi when I need to rock out.
When it’s time to dance, Katy Perry, 80’s Madonna (not new Madonna) and Michael Jackson always get me on my feet. Basically any 80’s tune will do that really.
SS: I love Florence + The Machine. I can’t name a time when I’m NOT listening to them.
MF: I have Ace of Base – The Sign on my phone. I listen to it once in a while, totally shame free. I also REALLY love Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” because it’s the most singable country song ever (besides Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson), even if the subject matter is horrifyingly, well, horrifying.
Thanks for joining us this week! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below on today’s topics! And if you’re not following Jackie, Meg, or Sammi on Twitter then you’re a fool! Just kidding but I highly recommend giving them a follow, as you can see; they know their puck!
One more thing before I let you go though. This February on the 26th there’ll be the bestest Oilers shindig of the month at least. It’s The Oilers Rig’s 3rd Annual OilersRig Live4MS Charity Auction! The swag they get at these charity auctions is UNREAL! Not only that but you get to hang out with fine folks from the Rig and watch a hockey game together, maybe get on their live podcast and contribute to a worthy cause. Keep an eye over at The Oilers Rig’s website or their Twitter for more info as there should be some more on this by the end of the month!
