The Oilers for a change weren't terrible, but on Monday, Devan Dubnyk was responsible for the team's victory over the San Jose Sharks. Perhaps we could play Dubnyk more often, Mr. Renney? Sounds good.
A few notes from the game:
- Taylor Frankenhall scored the shootout winner for the Oilers. A gutsy game by Hall, who flew around recklessly throughout the game as he always does. Near the end of the game, Hall took a high stick off the face mask exactly in the spot where his 30 stitches are, and watching it happen make me cringe. I'm still not sure I'd be letting him play yet. What color was his face today, mustard green? Do you know what's worse than seeing how beat up he looks? I came to the realization the other day that Hall looks like Justin Bieber's older brother. Sorry, but you do.
- Jordan Eberle scored the Oilers only real goal of the game. Eberle is God right now in Oil Country. We love him so much, we might even watch the All-Star game now that he's been added to the roster. He had five shots and looked shifty and dangerous a few times.
- Ales Hemsky got 5 and a game for a little knee-on-knee action with Brent Burns. I'm not sure if it was a bogus call or not. Hemsky certainly wasn't trying to take out Burns, who left the game with what could be a serious injury. Looked like a blown-out knee to me, which is a huge loss for San Jose. Hemsky, who had no points in the game and looked limp and lifeless, is not helping Oilers management when it comes to dealing him.
- As mentioned, Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk was the 1st star. He made 43 games and looked very solid and poised throughout. Usually goalies don't start back-to-backs, but I won't be surprised at all to see Dubey in net tomorrow against the Canucks.
- The fact the Oil won sorta distracts attention from the fact that outside of Dubnyk, the team didn't play a very good game. It's the usual stuff going wrong, folks. Oilers get stuck in their own end; the D can't complete a pass to save their lives; and the Oilers get out-muscled in the offensive zone. A win was a very flattering result for the out-played Oilers.
- The call-ups played and they did okay. I liked the way Taylor Chorney looked. Teemu Hartikainen has serious size, and Lennart Petrell was useful on the PK. These three won't win you games, but they didn't cost a win either, so I liked them.
As mentioned, the Oilers next action is on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Can the boys make it two wins in a row? If Dubey is in and if everyone shows up ready to play, you never know.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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