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10 Reasons to Watch the Oilers/Wild Game |
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Here at Hockeybuzz, we're all about hype. Now watch me hit this drive.
10 Reasons to Watch the Oilers/Wild Game Tonight:
1. Ales Hemsky will likely play. He wants to play. It's a "coach's decision" sort of thing. The Oilers want to move Hemsky, so the sooner he plays, the better. Hard to market a player with a rep for injuries when he is out and injured.
2. Hall/Nuge/Eberle line is the most exciting trio in hockey since Wang Chung.
3. Minnie is finally sucking. Actually, I feel bad for them. I started the season saying how terrible they are, and yet, they made me look dumb by becoming the #1 team statistically in the league. They no longer are, but injuries have derailed the season. Teams should never lose because of injuries. Very unfortunate when it happens.
4. With the Wild's injury situation being what it is, the Oilers actually have a chance at winning. The season series so far is 2-0-3 for the Oilers, which means they have more total standings points...they've been the better team. No longer is Minnie the House of Dread.
5. Ryan Jones. If you can't find a reason to keep cheering for the Oilers this season, cheer for Ryan Jones. Why? Because he's Edmonton's new Ryan Smyth. He isn't big or small; he isn't very talented...he gets the job done, perhaps more than any other Oiler. How? He works his ass off. Jones might be the most popular player in Edmonton right now. If this was a team of 20 Jones's, the Oilers would never lose.
6. The "see them before they are gone" factor - A few players might not be Oilers by the trade deadline. Tonight, Andy Sutton won't be playing due to his suspension, but he'll be dealt by the deadline if the Oilers are out of the playoff race. As I mentioned, Hemsky is as good as gone. I believe Sam Gagner's days are numbered, although he could be shifted this summer. Theo Peckham is another player I think will be dealt soon. Last but not least, Eric Belanger is a player a team going into a playoff race might offer up a decent prospect for, so he's available too. Perhaps it's still six weeks before the Oilers get trade-happy, but if they are well out of the playoff race (and they will be), they could be one of the busiest teams in February.
7. Tom Renney is fun to watch. Why? Because he's a robot. The most he does is sneer. If this was my team, I'd go Mike Keenan behind the bench whenever my players start playing like idiots. Renney is a "player's coach", meaning, the players run the team and he's there to give advice. To be a counsellor. A friend. It makes me ill to watch, yet I can`t turn away.
8. Speaking of Theo Peckham, I can`t wait to see what bonehead play he`ll make to cost the Oilers a goal. Will it be a suicide pass? A horrible penalty? A bad pinch? We all know he`ll screw the game up somehow. He always does.
9. The Oilers powerplay. It`s been a disturbing season in Edmonton, but at least the powerplay is tremendous. Love the cross ice Nuge to Eberle pass and one-timer. Could watch that all day.
10. Nikolai Khabibulin heroics. If the Oilers win, it`s because Khabby has played exceptional. Always love to see goaltenders steal games.
I`ll be blogging after, as usual. Enjoy the game.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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