WHAT WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH?
Listening to TSN radio this morning I heard someone (I think it was Dustin Neilson) ask about the Oilers, “What do they need to do tonight for you to be happy with the game?… The segment went on to talk about owning the space in front of the net and other important aspects of the game but never really touched on probably the only thing that should matter. Would you like to know what the Oilers need to do for me to be happy with the game? Win. That’s all. How they do it is up to them. They could bring out the lasso like it’s a Mighty Ducks movie for all I care.
Is that a lot to ask against the Blues? Yes, yes it is. But I’m past the point where I’m happy with a good effort, and I think it’s a joke that after being out of the playoffs since the 2006-2007 we are just aiming for baby steps against the St Louis Blues in 2014. I call malarkey on that nonsense. The Oilers are way too happy just trying to be better, and newsflash it isn’t helping them. Despite their recent string of wins this team is woefully being outplayed, and that’s going to happen when your goals are set as low as they have been here.
Look at us! We’re happy if the team shows a little pushback! Other teams care about wins and losses, points, and the standings. What a sad state of affairs.
MYERS MISMATCH?
Elliotte Friedman wrote this in his 30 Thoughts about the Oilers and Tyler Myers.
22. Heard a couple times now that Edmonton took a long look at Buffalo's Tyler Myers. That's getting shot down. Think the name came up, but it was decided pretty quickly there wasn't a match.
It’s a quick thought but it’s interesting for Oiler fans who are forced to watch Fraser play with Justin Schultz. My question would be “what wasn’t a match? Myers, or Buffalo and Edmonton as trading partners?… I hope this is a case of the Oilers and Sabres not being a match, because if we’re forced to watch Larsen, Belov, and Fraser because we’re holding out for the right fit then I need to get my game face ready for the next 7 years that we’ll be out of the playoffs.
I’m sorry but I thought this team could have used a 6’8… 219 pound Defenseman who was 24 years old. I guess we’re so deep with right handed defensemen that we’re better off with what we have. My mistake.
If this management group decides anything about a Defenseman “really quickly… it should only be “Yes he’s currently an upgrade over what we have.… Not a fit? After building a the worst ever assembled group of Defensemen THEN making it worse by trading away Smid and Schultz (and replacing them with nothing but empty promises and McDonalds Halloween coupons) how are we supposed to trust the Oiler Brass has a clue about what makes someone the right fit to play here?
PERRON COMES HOME
In the summer MacT made an incredible move trading Paajarvi and a 2nd to the Blues for David Perron. DP is on pace for a career season personally and has been just what the doctor ordered in the Oilers' top 6. He gets to play tonight where it all started for him and he'll be excited to show his old club what they gave up on.
There aren't enough positive words to describe what Perron has done here. He's physically engaged, talented, a true pest, and he isn't shy to interact with the fans (or media). I don't know how he gained a reputation in St Louis but here in Edmonton he has been spectacular.
LINEUPS
Coach Eakins says it’s the same group as last time but Scrivens is in net. Lander was recalled on an emergency basis in the event that Gagner isnt ready come game time. It will be a last minute decision. Arcobello is getting no love from the Oilers despite playing solid hockey while with the big club then ripping the AHL a new one after he was sent back. It makes sense to me that the Oilers want to give Lander a chance, but that’s for real callups, not emergency ones. Whatever.
Hall Gagner Perron Yak RNH Eberle Hendricks Gordon Joensuu Gazdic Smyth Jones
Fraser Schultz Marincin Petry Klefbom Ference
Scrivens
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Bring Your Lunch Pail. This team doesn’t work hard, not out of the gates at least. I don’t care what the coach says about their compete level at the end of games, the Oilers are flat out lazy in the first half of games. There I said it. The Blues do not suffer that affliction. They play a hardworking, in your face brand of hockey and the Oilers don’t match up because they arent willing to work. I’m glad the Oilers are finding ways to win games coming from behind, but that doesn’t excuse their lackluster 1st periods.
2) Miller Time. Assuming the Oilers actually face the Blues’ starting netminder the task of beating him will be difficult. Miller is a damn fined goalie but he is beatable. He has already posted 2 games with the Blues with a sv% of .900 or lower. What he DOESN’T do very often though is have back to back subpar performances. His last game he had a .900 sv% so look for him to shut the door tonight.
3) Klefbom Klimbing. The kid picked up his first NHL point in his first NHL game and now gets to see what it’s like playing one of the West’s best teams. He was exposed a few times in the last game, let’s see how quickly he can adjust to the NHL.
Puck drops tonight at 6:08PM Mountain Time on TSN. Game On!
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