Saturday, October 17, 2009

Next Up

Vancouver Canucks



Well the Oilers have shaken off the beating they took in Chicago. And after taking two points against the Wild, they are looking like they are ready to lay a beating on the Canucks no? Well I see a small problem with this. That problem is on the shotclock. Again they were outshot pretty badly. 19 shots total again for the Oilers when the visitors got 31. Khabibulin is working overtime proving that he is the real deal and worth his rather large contract. If he wasnt, they would have been blown out or at the very least they would have lost the game by a goal or so.

The Oilers have to find a way to fix the shot problem. They know what to do with it when it DOES get to the net. The goal totals have reflected that. But if they want to sustain that, they simply have to throw more rubber at the net. That or prevent the opposition from getting that much towards Khabi.

Vancouver has lost some of it's bite lately, and are ripe for the picking. But if the Oilers cant test Luongo early AND often this will be a low scoring game and I hate to say it, but the Canucks could come out on top. They are looking for a rebound game, and they always seem to play well against the Oilers. If the Oilers underestimate the Canucks, or cant pull the trigger at least ten more times this game, they are going to be hanging their heads tomorrow night.

I have faith that the Oilers will continue to get better and I really hope they pound another nail into the Canucks coffin, but if they play the same game against Vancouver as they have for the last few games it wont be tomrrow that the nail gets set.


And I Missed A Good One




So of course my own req team had to have its yearly fundraiser on a night where the Oilers took the Wild to school. And although I have yet to see the box scores or any real game breakdown, one thing I am noticing, is: A- Mr Dustin Penner ( AKA Donair express ) is showing no signs of slowing down. And: B-  Brule is adjusting back into the NHL like a real pro should. I am really liking the progress this team has been making in terms of the system and compeditivness. Now if only they can get Hemsky to show a little interest and this team would start flying. Im not sure what Hemmers problem has been so far this year. He is doing a decent job producing, and yet he looks like he could give so much more. I know he usually starts slow and based on what he has done so far he will damn near hit the 80 point mark, which he has not done since 05/06 and given a few great multi point games he MAY even hit 90. But something seems off in him. Disinterest? Undisclosed injury? Or maybe system adjustment (although I recently wrote about how he seems to be buying in lately) It is just so hard to pinpoint it.

In any case, there is alot to be happy about right now with the oilers. they are middle of the NW division and look like they are just getting their feet under them. to me that means that by the end of the year they may actually be able to at least compete for that top spot in the NW. And THAT is something to celebrate. Even if they dont capture another banner to hang in the rafters, they are still going to make the playoffs regardless of the rankings they recieved before the year started. The kids can finally get a taste of the post season and that alone will make wonders for the team. That is the type of experience I want to see this team get so they can have something to aim for. A focus for the season. (IMO the main reason they had so many problems in the past couple years.) It doesnt seem so bad to lose something you have never had. But once you have tasted success it is hard to sit back and just let it slip ever again.

I just hope Quinn can hold them all together for the full season so they DO feel thatt success. "Keep them motivated and give them something to shoot for" should be the mantra the Oiler brass should be chanting.

In the meantime I'll continue to ride the rollercoaster that is the Oiler season and take pleasure in watching them mature as a team.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

It's On It's Way.....I Swear!



There has been alot of adjustment to the Oilers this year, and the poor play to start the year clearly shows it.
There is a lack of dicipline, and cohesivness that stares them down every night. But there is one thing I can say about them, They are getting better.  There is a whole new system to learn. The players that felt they were "safe" had to actually show up to obtain their roster spots. There is actual accountability on this team. Those are large adjustments. Especially for the long serving vets on this team. But there is a turn around coming. When we see things like Hemsky laying down to block shots. And Stortini potting two goals in one night. It is a clear indication that everyone is starting to get on the same page. I think everyone would be in agreement that Storts got lucky and that is all. But bottom line is he was in the right place because he was playing the role he was asked to play. Just like Hemsky laying down to block shots. He is starting to buy into the system, even if we wont see him doing the blocking often.

I love how Quinn has them using the natural speed they have to constantly pressure the puck. they have the ability to two man another player, and still get back in time to cover the play. There has been alot of adjustments along the way. Many players have been caught out of position. I even noticed a couple plays where both men went to cover the same area "defensivly" only to leave the middle wide open for the opposition to walk right in. But just like "Garbagekov" from last season, they are starting to stink less and less as they put some polish on this new system.

All in all I think they Oilers are going to flounder a bit, soon before they take off. Unless of course they fix some of the problems before lady luck takes a steamer on them. I see it coming though. Slowly they are begining to wake up and make use of the system the way they are supposed to. The chances last night were farther and fewer than most people would wish but it is coming around. At least they know what to do with it when the opportunity arrises.

Monday, October 12, 2009

JDD & Zack Stortini



What can I say about the performance out of JDD tonight? Spectacular is a good start. 40 Saves in a game that the Preds really took it to the Oilers in stretches, and even when they were up by 5 goals he wasnt holding anything back. Did anyone else notice just how well he moves for a big man? A very active goalie tonight and he is really showing that he deserves to be here. (I know there were contractual reasons that he stayed with the club and Dubnik went down for another year. but with how well Dubnik played in the preseason and based on how well he is playing right now in the AHL, he is making a case for himself aswell, and the Oilers are going to have to make a decision on who to keep.)

JDD is the real deal. He may not steal the starter from Khabi, but he is going to push him for every game. And now I`m not so concerned that Khabi wont be playing a full season, and they would have to rely on JDD for stretches during the season. I am alot more confident that the Oilers can survive a few games with Khabi out, if they are going to get the game's from JDD that they got tonight.





Zack Attack

Now I`m sure  it would be unfair to ask Storts to get 2 goals a period again. :P But I am extatic that he was rewarded for the hard work he puts in every night. If the hockey gods would have smiled on him a little more often in the past, maybe the rest of the team would have bought into the same work ethic.

A fight under 2 minutes in slowed the preds down from a very good start, and watching him pot 2 goals in the first period was priceless. If JDD hadnt made 40 saves, Storts would have had first star for sure. Good on ya Zack, not many people thought you would have stuck with the team, never mind making an impact most nights and having a game like this once in a while.