Saturday, October 31, 2009

Boston Bruins




So this should be an interesting game. Against Colorado the Oil played like they were scared to make a play. And against Detroit they looked like they had gotten over that fear for the first half, yet like when the lights go out for a child they forgot that there was nothing to be afraid of and started playing sketchy hockey for the second half. (Small miracles for the shootout, a part of the game the Oilers have no problem with)

I am looking to see the Oilers play this afternoon like they NEED a win. Not desperate hockey, but good solid playmaking. The record isnt doing too bad. (Although I would like to see more than 1-2 games over .500) But I would like to see progress more than anything. They seemed to be making strides at the start of the season, and they were winning games they didnt nessesarily deserve to win, so everyone was happy. Lately on the other hand, they havent made any more progress and a couple players have even looked like they were regressing back into the defensive/scared to make a play hockey.

If the Oil can bring a solid effort, and make some plays they can come out of this with 2 points and maybe some confidence.


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Injury thoughts.

Shelden Souray is expected to be out considerably longer than anyone had hoped. With no personal experience with post concussion syndrome I cant say what I think the timeline would be like. All we can hope for is for him to wake up one morning and feel better. Concussions can work that way. It is evident that missing Souray has been hurting the Oil very badly.

I think it can be said now that Staios has been replaced. If Souray and Visnovsky make it back, there is very little reason to reinstate Staios. I like the old dog, dont get me wrong. And the veteran presence is always a good thing....But with Chorney and Peckham playing as well as they have been, with cheaper contracts I see no reason to keep him around. This is a very mobile defence core, and Staios is just getting older and slower. I'm sure there will be a trade if there is one to make. I have a hard time believing that they will send him on waivers. He has been a warrior for this team for a long time, and if there is one thing the Oil are good at, is showing loyalty to their players.

Visnovsky. Come on man. Get some ColdFX in you and get back in there. We NEED you to play like you were last season for this team to be confident in making plays. Visnovsky, although quiet lately has the ability to be a second PP quarterback, a solid shutdown D and he can move the puck 5v5 as good as anyone out there. With all the discredit Lowe has taken over his team, he DID build a very respectible D-core with Vissy as a large piece of it. I think I speak for everyone when I say: WE MISS YOU VIS, COME HOME!!

Well, games about to start. Sadly I'm going to miss at least a period of it (halloween and all, there is still costumes to finish for the kiddies) Here's to hoping they arent afraid of the goblins and ghouls today, and put in a solid effort.

Cheers.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Redwings In Town




Well now. The Oilers are facing off against one of the best teams in the league tonight and they are missing some key players to boot. I'ts nice to know that for whatever reason Detroit has been struggling as of late, but not nearly as bad as the Oil, and that has me scared. One consolation might be that the Oilers have an easier time with detroit at home. And they are DUE for that bouncback game. I just keep seeing how they played against an inexperienced although very hot Avalance and thinking about how much worse the Wings are going to make them look. One mistake can and probably will cost a goal. A few mistakes will cost the game.


A good showing will help the Oilers retail a respectable record so lets all don the jersey, grab a wobbly pop and cheer the Oil on tonight. ( I have a feeling they are going to need it )

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

OUCH!!!!




So the Oilers were shutout 2 games in a row and to rub salt in that festering wound it was confirmed today that luongo shut them out with a fractured rib none the less. It sounds like he will be out for about a week.

Why were they shut out? Well the MSM seems to be explaining it as a product of the flu that blasted through the locker room and is still making its rounds. I would be inclined to agree. In a recent article I stated who was sick, but mentioned that there were probably several more that were either not as bad off, or simply manning up and playing through it. Although it's a good trait to have work ethic, I think it is a little different than going to the office. It really is too bad that the league decided that the Oilers were not in a bad enough situation to allow them an emergency callup of Gilbert Brule last week, as that would have gone a long way to alleviate the offensive woes while the go to guys were under the weather. (It also would have been nice to see him a little longer while we had the chance)

I still have a feeling this is going to take some time to work itself out, so the fans have to relax a bit and do as Bob Stauffer stated and "Ride the wave" It is a long season and this is just a few games. The record isnt exactly falling apart and if the statements that Quinn made at the season start hold true, they will battle back night after night until they have the results we all crave.

*side note* It was also stated today that Penner has been feeling the effects of the flu, and he STILL looked good last night. no points to show for it of course, but still looked effective in doing what he does. also, I still feel that the new "top line" isnt going to stick around too much longer. Flu or no flu, if they dont piss a drop in 2 games, Quinn is going to have to look at it again and re-evaluate.

I'm off to get a new surfboard..... this is going to be a rough ride.