Richard Cloutier: Oilers Lose The Most Oiler Game of the Season

All I know is that it is tough to win games when after 40 minutes in a penalty free game your players leading in ice time are Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. I know that the didn't end up leading, but when you have a line playing as well as Hall/Gags/Ebs, they should be on the ice much more, damn the match ups.

Eberle and Hall did a great job of taking advantage of the Leafs sluggish start. But let's be honest here, after the first period, the leafs did a great job keeping the line to the perimeter, limiting the line to just 4 SOG for the last 50 mins. That's how they were generally able to keep Malkin and Tavares quiet the last couple weeks.

Nice analysis.
It was a bit of a shinny game last night. Fun to watch... damn fast game with no penalties.
Eberle is awesome. Oilers are definitely gifted offensively but need a lot of work done on defense. They need to get bigger, tougher up front and back.

Schenn is not worth a 1st round (top 5 pick)... Mid 1st rounder yes but not top 5... Tambo should be fired if he does that trade when we can simply draft Murray... If you get a great offer for Gags or any player you take it... Same goes for Hemsky - he makes cute passes but the results remain the same

Eberle and Hall did a great job of taking advantage of the Leafs sluggish start. But let's be honest here, after the first period, the leafs did a great job keeping the line to the perimeter, limiting the line to just 4 SOG for the last 50 mins. That's how they were generally able to keep Malkin and Tavares quiet the last couple weeks.
- p_zub

Keep in mind the NYR did the same to the Leafs a couple of weeks ago. NYR's defense is pretty solid. Kessel, Loops and Grabo couldn't get a clean rush in their end.

All I know is that it is tough to win games when after 40 minutes in a penalty free game your players leading in ice time are Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. I know that the didn't end up leading, but when you have a line playing as well as Hall/Gags/Ebs, they should be on the ice much more, damn the match ups.
- Ben37

Precisely make TO make the changes... you do not cut your top line's ice time to win games...

Watch pieces of the game. Curious if we are going to contain this run and gun style that we've been playing as of late.

Eberle and Hall did a great job of taking advantage of the Leafs sluggish start. But let's be honest here, after the first period, the leafs did a great job keeping the line to the perimeter, limiting the line to just 4 SOG for the last 50 mins. That's how they were generally able to keep Malkin and Tavares quiet the last couple weeks.
- p_zub

The Leafs were getting pwned during the first 10 minutes of the third period.

Nice analysis.
It was a bit of a shinny game last night. Fun to watch... damn fast game with no penalties.
Eberle is awesome. Oilers are definitely gifted offensively but need a lot of work done on defense. They need to get bigger, tougher up front and back.
- bleedingblu

If hockey fans still believe that Eberle is thriving off of his linemates they need to pull their heads out of their asses... he is the key ingredient to that line... he makes others better what is it now 24 goals? I bet now that he broke the 43pt curse could finish near 40 goals this year... That line has to be considered one of the most exciting lines in the game right now or at least top 5...

All I know is that it is tough to win games when after 40 minutes in a penalty free game your players leading in ice time are Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. I know that the didn't end up leading, but when you have a line playing as well as Hall/Gags/Ebs, they should be on the ice much more, damn the match ups.
- Ben37

+1

I have no idea where Damian Cox comes from, but he's the biggest idiot in hockey broadcasting. Is his appeal his big mouth, of the fact that the stupid stuff he says makes the rest of the panel look better by comparison?

You sure you're not from Toronto Richard? You sound like everyone here...

The Leafs were getting pwned during the first 10 minutes of the third period.
- Reveen

True, When the score was already 5-3, but they also outshot the oilers in that period. At the end of the day, lots of buzzing and movement, but little to show for it.

Damien Cox has to be one of the worst analysts (if you can call him that) on TV. Say there should only be one assist per goal? Is he on glue? Trying to explain that only one pass makes a goal happen. Terrible. He needs to worry about the Davis Cup and stop talking about hockey because he is oblivious to it.

All I know is that it is tough to win games when after 40 minutes in a penalty free game your players leading in ice time are Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. I know that the didn't end up leading, but when you have a line playing as well as Hall/Gags/Ebs, they should be on the ice much more, damn the match ups.
- Ben37

Agreed...but I think considering the Edmonton oilers are going to be sellers very shortly, they have to play the guys they plan on dealing. The reps from the 28 teams didn't go to watch Gagner/Eberle/hall because there's no way they're getting any of them.

True, When the score was already 5-3, but they also outshot the oilers in that period. At the end of the day, lots of buzzing and movement, but little to show for it.
- p_zub

should have been 3-2 after the first. just sayin.

Damien Cox has to be one of the worst analysts (if you can call him that) on TV. Say there should only be one assist per goal? Is he on glue? Trying to explain that only one pass makes a goal happen. Terrible. He needs to worry about the Davis Cup and stop talking about hockey because he is oblivious to it.
- agold2

Dont mind him, He's running out of ammo for his Kessel-bashing.

Agreed...but I think considering the Edmonton oilers are going to be sellers very shortly, they have to play the guys they plan on dealing. The reps from the 28 teams didn't go to watch Gagner/Eberle/hall because there's no way they're getting any of them.
- p_zub

Good point. Its to bad they are trying to showcase rather then playing to win though...

Dont mind him, He's running out of ammo for his Kessel-bashing.
- p_zub

Cox really is an idiot. He and Simmons are two of the biggest female genitalias Ive ever listened to. They make me actually like Scott Oake and John Garrett. Thats bad.

should have been 3-2 after the first. just sayin.
- GuyLaDouche

We said the same thing against Pittsburgh, and we still managed to score 4 goals against them before letting the wheels fall off. When you're Smyth, and you know goalie contact is a touchy issue, these kind of calls will happen.

should have been 3-2 after the first. just sayin.
- GuyLaDouche

That would have likely changed the game a fair bit... but its ok... I look forward to the Feb 15 game...

Dont mind him, He's running out of ammo for his Kessel-bashing.
- p_zub

Thats the thing with him. You cant call him a Leafs homer because he is just negative about everything. He cant let anyone have a moment without nit picking anything.

Schenn is not worth a 1st round (top 5 pick)... Mid 1st rounder yes but not top 5... Tambo should be fired if he does that trade when we can simply draft Murray... If you get a great offer for Gags or any player you take it... Same goes for Hemsky - he makes cute passes but the results remain the same
- saskoil21

Sure u can draft but u have to wait for Murray to develop...Some players have big paydays coming in a hurry...

Can the Oilers afford to take the time to draft and develop a D....Maybe it's time for Tambo to look at trading for help...

Damien Cox has to be one of the worst analysts (if you can call him that) on TV. Say there should only be one assist per goal? Is he on glue? Trying to explain that only one pass makes a goal happen. Terrible. He needs to worry about the Davis Cup and stop talking about hockey because he is oblivious to it.
- agold2

HE very well could be the dumbest, least respected reporter/analyst in all of sports.

Dont mind him, He's running out of ammo for his Kessel-bashing.
- p_zub

Cox really is an idiot. He and Simmons are two of the biggest female genitalias Ive ever listened to. They make me actually like Scott Oake and John Garrett. Thats bad.