Oilers VS Flames 2.0

Well the game against the Wild was a disapointment to say the least. More sloppy play and an ineffective special teams was the killer. More than anything I am worried that the lack of confidence is going to show up in this game. Confidence is going to be the driving force both for the wins and for development of the youngsters. The game tonight could be a saving force. They learned early what it was going to take to beat the Flames and if they can use the confidence they earned against them on the 7th to help propel them back into a winning mode.

I expect to see Macintyre back in the lineup tonight, I hate to say it because I really do like the guy but Stortini is really not the nuke they need to open up some room on the ice. If they are going to win tonight they are going to have to match the toughness of Calgary and Big Mac is the best option for them.  

I am still waiting to see two things. The first is for Renney to change up the lines. (yes I will harp on this until I get to see the line jigged so the players are played to their strengths.) and second I would like to see some consistancy. It is my belief that the team will have a hard time growing until they are consistant. Once they have nailed down their style and system, then they can start working on the little things to get better.

Well, lets see how the game goes. Time to head out to the beer store, call/txt/email/smoke signal your buddies and get ready to settle in for another edition of the Battle of Alberta.

until next time.

Oilers VS Minny GDB

Thursday October 14th. Edmonton is in Minnesota to take on the Wild. The last meeting between these teams on March 16 2010 ended in yet another disappointment that was just another notch in the year full of disappointment. The game ended 4-2 and as usual the Oil were unable to answer a determined forecheck, they shrunk away from any physicality and mailed in one more game.

My hope for tonight is redemption. I would like to see the Oilers showcase their young talent, but more than that I want to see some solid systems play. I want to see well timed breakouts and a killer instinct. And of course a fight or two to show that they wont be pushed around anymore would be nice. I would expect the systems play should be better than we saw the other night against Florida. They have had 3 days off to practice and I would imagine Renney was not happy with the performance his team choked up last time.

So we shall see if running drills and tweaking the plays will have any effect on how things go. I suspect they will.

Now, last GDB I predicted that Hall was going to have his break out game. I think I jinxed him (and yet he still managed an assist in such a horrible game) and who would have known that the Panthers of all teams was going to take the play to the Oilers as hard as they had? So for tonight I'm not making any predictions. I'm going to sit back and simply see who (if anyone) impresses me. I'm looking forward to it.

until next time.

10/10/10 aganist panthers

Well that was a horrible display of hockey. Outshot, out played, out muscled yet the Oilers manage to pull out a win.

The first period was a snoozer at best. After being outshot 11-3 one would think that the team would have come out with fire in their bellies and turned things up. Instead they were out shot and the game basicly went the same as the first period did. Yes they managed to get three goals in that time. (one that could have easily been called back) but overall they didnt seem to generate much.

I am going to chalk this up to growing pains. It was well expected that the team was going to take time before they could play consistantly solid hockey. One note, I noticed that Hall was all over the ice again. Is this because he is trying to do too much again? Or is this a product of not understanding his role in the system? Renney really needs to get them to regroup and he has to define some roles for these guys.

The 3rd period was a bit of a weird one. Why did the 4th line recieve so much extra time? the Mantra of the team has to be "get another goal" not "sit back and try to hold onto a lead" yet thats exactly what it seemed they tried to do.

I hope they come out alot more crip in the next game. There is no room for baby steps on this team, they have to make strides to ensure they are competing all year long.


until next time.

Oilers VS Panthers GDB

So the Florida Panthers are in town for game #2. This should be an interesting game to watch. Both Hall and MPS had a hard time making things happen the other night against the Flames and I am thinking that they are going to try for some fireworks tonight. My predictions tonight are that Hall gets one goal and two assists while MPS looks dangerous all night.

I am still hoping they jigg up the lines and change a few things. I wrote a while back what I thought the prefered line structures should be. To elaborate, I would prefer to see a playmaker, shooter, and a power forward type on every line. Yes even the shutdown/energy lines should be built this way. It helps with development and allows for the turnover model. In any case, what I would like to see for the top three lines are as follows.

Eberle - Gagner - Penner
Hall - Brule - Hemsky
MPS - Horcoff - Cogliano

This allows for the playmaker/shooter/power forward style. it also allows the two most defensive forwards they have to play together and HOPEFULLY bring Cogliano along so he can finally turn into the defensive forward that the Oilers need. If he doesnt "come along" like they would hope, it would be time to move him for a 3rd line specialist. Someone with speed and the ability to drive the net.

I like the combination of abilities, the speed that can be generated and if the third line was to embrace a defensive role, they can use their speed to capitalize on turnovers night after night. Hall will be paired with the best playmaker on this team which in my opinion will allow him much more opportunity to have success.

I will try to put up a post after the game, but I will be tweeting the highlights as the game goes.

until next time.