2-0

[earl2]

Oilers beat the Flyers 5-3. Didn't catch the game (damn PPV), but Sanderson scored two, including the empty netter. Pitkanen got the game winner early in the third. Penner and Staois added the others, and Brodziak, Horcoff and Hemsky all had two assists.

Two in a row. Nothing wrong with that...

[PDO]

Re: 2-0

Oilers beat the Flyers 5-3. Didn't catch the game (damn PPV), but Sanderson scored two, including the empty netter. Pitkanen got the game winner early in the third. Penner and Staois added the others, and Brodziak, Horcoff and Hemsky all had two assists.

Two in a row. Nothing wrong with that...

Certainly not. I was given some tickets and it was a very good time.

First, I would like to thank the goalpost gods. We're 5-0 in that regard this year

Did they show a better angle at home on the Flyers first goal? All of the angles they showed at Rexall had the puck conclusively above the crossbar. It was a ridiculously bad call....

Outside of that, the team had a very good game. The first period was completely dominant. After that the Flyers clawed back in a little bit, but had a lot of trouble generating any sort of pressure, outside of a few spurts in the second and late in the third. The Oilers probably spent close to 40 minutes in the Flyers offensive zone, if not more.

That said... the Oilers had several bad turnovers. Of the really dumb variety. Specifically at the bluelines. Too many guys are being too cute with the puck, I think pretty much every forward outside of Stoll, Cogs, Reasoner and Gagner was guilty of this tonight. Torres was far and away the worst in this regard, including a ridiculous turnover that led to the Briere (wow, that was pretty) goal. His physical game was fantastic, but he has to stop being so bloody cute with the puck and make sure it gets past the blueline every time, ditto Nilsson.

The big line was very good, scored two goals (I'm sure Penner tipped that...) and definitely won the puck possession battles. The chemistry is starting to show, and I love how Penner finishes every check. I do worry about his conditioning though, because he seems to be done after a big burst of energy relatively quickly. Horcoff and Hemsky both had solid games as well, though, like I said... too cute with the puck too often, especially by the bluelines. Loved the "fight" .

The kids were all good, though I have no idea how Cogs didn't score in the first period there... outside of that though, a very good outing for all of them, including Brodziak. Sanderson had a very nice night as well...

... but what the hell is up with stealing Brodziaks goal? That was very, very, weak. Especially from a veteran.

On the D...

Tarnstrom had some problems, as did Greene. I'm chalking Tarnstroms problems up to acclimatizing to the NA game again, but Greene continues to be wildly inconsistent. The breakout pass to Pouliot in the second period that resulted in an odd man rush for the Flyers and Pouliot nearly getting killed was something you'd see in a Pee Wee game. He just seems to completely lose focus about 3-4 times a game and just do something that makes my teeth itch. Still a pretty good game from him, but I'd feel a helluva better if he was on the bottom pairing.

Souray had a very, very good game outside of the two muffed breakout passes. His skating looks noticeably better this year (how many 31 year olds improve their skating? Honestly?) and there's a huge buzz in Rexall every time he winds up. That shot is nasty.

Garon played well and should be a good 1B option, I've always liked him and it's nice to see him do well.

... it was really nice to boo Joffrey again

[Nanookster]

Re: 2-0

I was at the game as well and I felt the stick and puck was below the crossbar.

The Oilers are going to have a great year. The team is full of speed, grit, and determination.

[56Parkies]

Re: 2-0

... but what the hell is up with stealing Brodziaks goal? That was very, very, weak. Especially from a veteran.

On TV, Sanderson looked very apologetic, saying "I'm sorry, man" to Brodziak on the ice and again on the bench. Looks like he was making sure it didn't spin off to the ice, and he TRIED to avoid contacting it at the last second, but if THAT is the only kind of brain cramp he has this season, I can live with that.

The most important thing was the 2 points, IMHO. I don't expect us to dominate this year, but an Edmonton win coupled with a Flame loss (even if they did get a loser point) sits well with me for now.

[TurfToe]

Re: 2-0

2-0... Plan the parade!


This is the time of year that I totally HATE hockey. So many years I've seen teams go on early season rampages only to sputter and fail and ultimately miss the playoffs. I mean we've all seem the Oilers have a great 1st half of the season to the point of being top 3 in the conf... only to eventually miss the playoffs. And vice versa, we've seen teams slow to ramp up effectively being out of the race early, only to come on late and make it through several rounds of the playoffs. So 2-0.... I say Meh.

[earl2]

Re: 2-0

So 2-0.... I say Meh.

It's still better than 0-2.

[56Parkies]

Re: 2-0

I don't think many are predicting a Stanley Cup win by the Oil this year. Personally, I see us ending the season in around 10th or 11th in the conference -- and that's fine by me. Let's see some building for the future. We didn't win the Cup back in 1981 or 1982.. but we sure saw some progress. I'm enjoying that we're seeing some exciting hockey.. win or lose, I'm entertained, at least. Especially when WE win.. and Calgary loses.

[Numberz]

Re: 2-0

ya, I think the Oilers will be mid-pack...but I expect them to be competitive and to be able to play with the big teams.

[earl2]

Re: 2-0

I don't think many are predicting a Stanley Cup win by the Oil this year. Personally, I see us ending the season in around 10th or 11th in the conference -- and that's fine by me. Let's see some building for the future. We didn't win the Cup back in 1981 or 1982.. but we sure saw some progress. I'm enjoying that we're seeing some exciting hockey.. win or lose, I'm entertained, at least. Especially when WE win.. and Calgary loses.

Honestly, I don't think anyone could accurately predict where the Oilers will finish. They have too many kids who could burn out after 20 games, or maybe they'll hold their own.
I'd guess anywhere from 7th to 12th.
But I agree that the buzz seems to be back around Oilers hockey.

[Muley69]

Re: 2-0

So many years I've seen teams go on early season rampages only to sputter and fail and ultimately miss the playoffs.

See Edmonton Oilers, 2006 - 07 campaign.

Led the division after the first couple of months, only to lose 19 out of 20 down the stretch.

[earl2]

Re: 2-0

Led the division after the first couple of months, only to lose 19 out of 20 down the stretch.

Yeah, but they were able to manage that with a ECHL roster...

[Diesel]

Re: 2-0

Wonder if this team understands that points in the first month of the season are just as important as ones in the last month of the season, except they are a lot tougher to get in March?

[Nanookster]

Re: 2-0

See Edmonton Oilers, 2006 - 07 campaign.

Led the division after the first couple of months, only to lose 19 out of 20 down the stretch.

With 15 players out to injury, you forgot that part. But I guess injury had nothing to do with it.

[PDO]

Re: 2-0

Wonder if this team understands that points in the first month of the season are just as important as ones in the last month of the season, except they are a lot tougher to get in March?

Given their age...

I'm just going to hope they remain oblivious to everything related to how tough this league is and just keep believing in themselves and winning.

The officiating is going to make teeth itch in Edmonton though... young teams do not get calls, and it'll be a whole new level of bad this year I think.

[PDO]

Re: 2-0

See Edmonton Oilers, 2006 - 07 campaign.

Led the division after the first couple of months, only to lose 19 out of 20 down the stretch.

Look Nookster said... that was injuries. Honestly, it generally is injuries and luck evening out that results in skids like that.

The first month is a great indicator, but you have to look at more than the W/L column. It's the GF/GA columns, posts for and against, shooting %/sv% and injuries that will be the biggest indicators for future W's/L's.