Coach Dallas Eakins spoke yesterday about turning up the volume in games. He wasn’t talking about fans getting louder, he was talking about the team showing more intensity, tenacity, and intelligence. It was about making better decisions with authority. In a statement I completely agree with he said that last year the volume was at roughly a “2” and they needed to get to “8” in order to win. Now the team is at a “6” or perhaps a “7” so the task of reaching the desired level isn’t nearly as hopeless.

It’s an interesting metaphor and I think some media guys missed the boat by not asking if Oiler Amps go to 11, but that’s a side point. I find it difficult to disagree with the coach’s assessment here. The Oilers have been close in many games but fell just short of the mark too often. The Oilers have played 18 games, lost 12 of them, and have made it to OT just twice. They cant seem to find a way to extend games and get the extra point. That’s probably just some bad luck, but sometimes you just need to make your own luck out there.

Eakins was pretty close to saying “the guys need to show more compete” but he did clarify that turning up the volume can be a bunch of little things. From my perspective that statement is realized when Justin Schultz takes a hit to make a better breakout pass, Teddy Purcell stops at the front of the net instead of swooping by, Jordan Eberle hits another gear getting back defensively, or David Perron stands too close to the goalie after a whistle for 1 second longer. It’s about everybody making the right decision one more time a game each. At this point that’s the difference between winning and losing for the Oilers skaters.

The way Edmonton is playing now means they arent being dominated in the possession game. What’s left is goaltending and individual plays. For many seasons including last year, the Oilers were overwhelmed in games. They were holding on for dear life and praying for a great goaltending performance one way and a bad one the other. Now they arent being overwhelmed and the focus is about smaller changes, little adjustments.

That said, some good goaltending wouldn’t hurt either. The Coyotes game is the perfect example of getting solid enough goaltending to win or at least grab a point but falling short. That’s the kind of game the Oilers need to find a way to either win or take beyond regulation time. When the Oilers get the goaltending they have to capitalize on it. Fittingly for this conversation, a team that capitalizes on good starts from their goalie has been the Canucks.

Ryan Miller only has a .902 sv% this year but the Canucks are a perfect 9-0 when he has a .900 or better sv% in a game. 2 of those wins came against the Oilers no less which sank Scrivens record this year with .900 or better to 4W-3L. Yes, Scrivens has only been greater than or equal to .900 7 times in 12 starts. Combined, Scrivens and Fasth have only given Edmonton .900 or better starts 10 times in 18 games and the team is 6-3-1 in those matches.

LINEUP

The Oilers are throwing Scrivens back out there against the Canucks and I think that’s a good decision. He wasn’t to fault for the loss even though I didn’t like the 1st goal against. Pinizzotto looks to be inserted on the 4th line in Joensuu’s spot. I liked Pinizzotto in preseason and he made a great case to be here, but the incumbent won the job. I wrote yesterday that the 4th line gets hammered in zone starts so this isn’t an easy assignment for the new guy. It looks like Yak is off of Draisaitl’s wing and up with Arco so that should mean more ice, hopefully.

Hall RNH Eberle
Perron Arcobello Yak
Pouliot Drasiatl Purcell
Hendricks Gordon Pinizzotto

Ference Petry
Aulie Schultz
Nikitin Fayne

Scrivens

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

1) Knock Some Of That Pretty Off. Normally in a statement like that I might be referring to the OTHER team, but in this case I’m saying the Oilers need to quit trying to be so cutesie and just head to the dirty areas. Go to the front of the net, take crosscheck or two to get to that “home plate” or “Red Zone” or whatever other sports term we want to use to talk about the dangerous scoring areas. I don’t often harp on Yak but one criticism is that he is taking too many shots from long distance and its something I agree with. His shot is deadly fast so I get that it’s a weapon at any range, but NHL players are still going to get the majority of their goals from in close. Even the ones with wicked shots.

2) He Isn’t Invincible. Ryan Miller is not that great. There, I said it. He has a .902 sv% on the year and hasn’t had a particularly good start since November 6th against the Sharks. His record against the Oilers is unblemished and freakishly good, but we arent talking about Dominik Hasek here. Miller is good to OK at best this season and the Canucks are out-performing him. The Oilers cant let his record get in their heads.

3) Those Darned Sedins. Back from the dead (or Tortorella era) the Sedins are back to being point per game players. Daniel and Radim Vrbata have over 100 shots between just the 2 of them and Henrik is doing the dishing. This is a head game with actual substance behind it, the Sedins always find ways to score against the Oilers. I don’t know how they propose to stop them. If I had that answer I would be working in hockey instead of writing about it.

Puck drops tonight at 6:08 (!) PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet. Game On!

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