EDMONTON 6
VS.
COLORADO 4
----------------------
After what seemed like forever, we finally got to see the home town crew again tonight. For those not in attendance, rather than absence making the heart grow fonder, the Oilers were welcomed back with quite a bit of listlessness by the crowd up until the latter end of the 2nd period. I'm quite sure that tonight's game was a sellout only because the Oilers would have bought up the remaining tickets, as there were a ton of empty seats and standing room spots to be seen. With the club seriously slumping, the fans didn't seem very excited about the prospect of tonight's game.
But then again, for a period and a half, neither did the Oilers.
We started out as we so often have since the brisk start to the season...taking weak or dumb shots with no chance of even generating a scoring opportunity, skating weakly with the puck in the neutral and offensive zones, making weak dumps and weak passes our chosen method of play. It appeared that this would be another episode of simply muddling through a game rather than playing it.
I almost wonder if it was a blessing in disguise that the Avs managed 4 goals. Deslauriers wasn't very good at this point, but the Oilers D was atrocious. Gilbert missed an easy check on the first goal. Gilbert and Strudwick played "who's the worst down-low defender" on the second, and shooters were left wide open to pick their spot from a clean lane on the third and fourth. Pretty unacceptable.
All the while, the first line short of chugged along, effective and consistent as ever, albeit with the added twist of moving Horcoff to the wing for much of the night (Penner took 15 faceoffs and was playing in the C's lane for much of the second half). The other lines played weak, ineffective hockey for a long time.
Perhaps it took their Captain getting an elbow in the teeth to wake them up. They were certainly more into the game after that and suddenly you almost felt like we could claw our way back in if that goalie just held on for us. Colorado was weak and slow all night; they took advantage of bounces but were tired and/or lazy for a bunch of the time.
So then we started getting players that can shoot (Gagner, Potulny, O'Sullivan) into the slot and working to get them the puck with some open space. What a shocker...they scored goals. Rather than weakly throwing a bunch of useless pucks on net, we used positioning and hard work to create chances and made no mistake. The EN goal was fitting and the topper for a number of reasons, but more on that in PLAYER REPORTS.
-----------------------------
Hemsky
- Easily the best Oiler on the ice tonight. I'm not sure what game 630 CHED called, but Ales was sublime in all ends of the rink. He set up Horcoff's goal with a smart drag-and-shoot move, set up numerous chances with some beautiful passing, continued his defensive clinic from Columbus in terms of things like positioning and skating the puck out of harm's way (beautiful example of this in the third), ran the cycle like a mad man, then, fittingly, skated through about his 100th check of the night and put the game away with the EN goal. It doesn't get much better than his effort tonight even without 4 or 5 points. The guy was excellent. He even logged almost 23 minutes of icetime.
Penner
- He played really solidly everywhere except in front of the net. He probably had 3 chances that were bobbled somewhere in between his feet and stick that he converts on a night when he's hot. Penner was solid on D, controlled the puck beautifully, skated by the opposition D on numerous occasions and just like Hemsky, was awesome on the cycle. The reward could've been much bigger for those two tonight.
Horcoff
- I'll give him credit for improving as the game went on and a solid effort on the LW for the first time in a long time. He was okay. He hustled for his goal and was certainly in the right place. With that said, there's a reason non-stupid people were yelling "don't give it to Horcoff" when the first line was on the ice...he fought the puck hard tonight. We never did get to see a replay of the shot he missed on after Hemsky's setup on the PP in the first, but that must have been close. Horcoff has watched as Penner has stepped up and Hemsky has figured out how to work really well with both Penner and Visnovsky. Horcoff needs to figure out how to be more effective in this new style. I suggest entering the zone with speed on the wide sides without the puck and making sure he's open in the slot (not the faceoff circle) more often.
Brule
- His shot is a lethal weapon and a difference maker on this team. He only needs about 5 feet and a fraction of a second to take it as well. Beauty goal. He worked quite hard and improved his game in the defensive and neutral zones in the third. Before this point he was a little shaky. I've also noticed he tends to pick his spots better with hits than he did before. Great work on the forecheck leading to O'Sullivan's goal. We're going to win that Raffi trade even if off-ice stuff isn't factored in.
O'Sullivan
- Great to see him go to the spot he needs to be in and pot a goal. He was solid and unspectacular for the rest of the game, but did what he needed to do then. Nothing wrong with a nice controlled game from him. He doesn't need to sizzle all the time. Keep in mind that he's also fourth in scoring despite limited time with the premier guys on this team. He's a huge part of our wins this year in terms of being a calming on-ice presence.
Reddox
- Gave what he had and worked really hard. He keeps his game simple even if the junior scorer tries to break out from time to time. He's not quite good enough to manage that at this level, but then again he doesn't really have to. I still hope he turns into Pisani 2.0...but I dunno...
Potulny
- I'm a little perplexed as to what's wrong with this guy to the point where he keeps winding up in the minors. He can skate, shoot, seems to know where to go in the offensive zone, is just fine with the puck...he really looks like a useful offensive depth guy in the 11-14 forward range...maybe it's just our team makeup I don't know. Really liked his game and thought he generated several offensive chances. Good solid finish on his goal.
Cogliano
- Not near visible enough for me. He looked weak on the puck and is just bringing nothing towards the net that I'm able to see. I know he's probably lost some confidence and is struggling, but the guy has the tools to be an offensive threat and is doing nothing. Brule is seriously outclassing him in terms of being able to be a speedy difference-maker.
Gagner
- Great to see him back on the scoresheet, but honestly I expect better from Sam. He was weak on the puck for much of the game tonight and didn't take control at any point. A good example was his net drive in the third that ended in a weak poke check. Sam had them beat, either with a quick shot or a move around the pile, and couldn't do either. Needs to get back on the horse.
Stortini
- Did his job after the elbow, not much time for anything else unfortunately.
Moreau
- Another injury, I'm so shocked. He was actually playing a decent game before getting whacked.
Arsene
- Great story on this guy and he made a lot of solid puck plays tonight after he was asked to step up in light of Tom Gilbert being benched. The sad thing for him is that I think he might be a better hockey player than Strudwick (positioning, skating, passes esp) but he'll still get shipped out when people are healthy. Glad to see him play though.
Strudwick
- If you need an example of how NOT to defend a 5-on-3, watch Strudwick. He spent half his time there on his stomach. Brutal. Just not good enough. Outclassed by Arsene. Made bad passes and basically got Gilbert benched with his horrid work on the Avs second goal.
Gilbert
- We've fallen a long way when Tom is getting benched. Thankfully for both him and us he was able to make a small offensive contribution to outweigh the fact that he is for some strange reason getting manhandled behind and in front of his net this season. It seems like he's not using his body positioning effectively and is panicking because of it. Needless to say, not good. I think the benching will help him out, as Quinn will follow up and tell him what he needs to do. Tom's still an excellent defenceman; he's just lost his way.
Smid-Visnovsky
- I address these 2 as 1 because watching them work together is simply amazing. With this pair and the 1-line on the ice, we're essentially home free. Smid does what he's learned to always do; intimidate the opposition, skate all the pucks he can out of trouble, and just generally stabilize the heck out the back end. Lubomir distributed like a mad man as usual and creates all kinds of offence. The sheer joy of watching a unique premier defenceman like him, even when he starts of a little jumpy and loses some pucks, is worth admission. Simple things make great plays, like the way he jumped up into Hemsky's rush that resulted in a goal. He does them all the time like it's nothing at all. Sliding all the way across and putting a perfect low shot on Budaj's far pad so that if it didn't go in it went straight to Gagner...poetry with a puck.
Staios
- Probably the best I've seen him this year. He took solid shots at the net, played physically, moved the puck well and didn't look slow. He stepped up on an night when we needed it.
Souray
- You can tell he's working himself back in more than anything. It was good to see some nasty play and a couple big hits, but his shot needs A LOT of work right now. It's misfiring and getting blocked (without opposition players going down hurt) all over the place. Simply not good enough. He defensive game was fine, and the drive to the net on Brule's goal was a typical example of how good things happen SO many times when he drives the net, but our ace defender can be much better than this.
Deslauriers
- Despite a weak defensive effort early on that led to the conditions for goals...he really looked off as well. He made a save or two before the 5-on-3's got heated and those saves I believe put him back in a really nice groove. After that he was doing what he does best; making himself as big as possible in correct positioning. After that, while the Avs didn't get a lot of shots, they had many great chances and he turned aside all of them. He held our boys in just long enough and then shut the door to finish. Good enough!
----------------------------
My Three (Oilers) Stars
1. Hemsky
2. Visnovsky
3, Smid
----------------------------
Chicago is sure to be a stern test, but remember, we have a nice long homestand and players that will be filtering back. Sounds like a recipe for a nice little roll for me. If the forwards that scored tonight have truly snapped slumps...we are again quite dangerous.
11/18/09
11/16/09
A Treatise on Shooting
Ever since I could remember, the hockey players I've followed most closely have been the ones who could fire the puck. Why exactly this is I'm not sure; could be from watching my first games as a kid, could be my fond memories of having the best slapper in the league when I was young (using the ultra-whippy Bauer Supreme, it was black and gold and I scored nearly 50 with it one year, only to graduate to XX-flex sticks after the growth spurt hit) or maybe even playing NHL 94 and unleashing the fury of the Bondra-Iafrate-Hatcher Capitals on an unsuspecting opposition. I don't think I ever lost a game as the Capitals and those slappers were my weapon of choice. The ability to strut in over the blue line and blast the puck by a goaltender who has full view of you and knows exactly what's coming is one of the most fulfilling ways to score a goal, and you can usually see that in the joy on the faces of those in the NHL or even in Atom who do it well. We had a guy on my Midget AA team who could do it with such ease. If he'd been 6'2" instead of 5'10" I'm sure he'd still be playing somewhere.
Shooting is one of the single most misunderstood parts of the game. The problem begins in that newcomers and casual observers seem to think it is the most simple part of the game. Gotta shoot to score right? Taking more shots is always better right? Just fire it at the net right?
WRONG.
These sentiments could not be more wrong. Shooting is one of the most complicated arts to master in the game. I've noticed that hockey moms are often the most guilty of the "SHOOT" disease in hockey rinks, but I don't really blame them for this as it does seem simple. The thing about shooting effectively is that it must be done in the midst of the entire fray of the game. With everything else going on, you must find enough physical room to deploy your selected shot, obtain the space to put the puck through, decipher where to put the puck so that it has the best chance of reaching the net (read: net behind the goalie, not "on net"), how to disguise your intentions, and many other internal calculations within the game if you hope to be an effective shooter. Those who do this well are those able to slow the game down in their own minds and see clearly. Shooters are not panicky. They are calculated. Though the shot often comes off in a fraction of an instant with an utterly violent motion, that motion is controlled and decisive. The best shooters have this procedure so programmed in that the process simply looks like an instinctual and savage movement.
I maintain that Wayne Gretzky was the best shooter ever. It's true that there have been many greats including the Hulls, Bossy, Sakic, etc., but the way Gretzky was able to simply beat goalies at will is undeniable. Watch film of him and you will see how he used the entirety of his skill to position and time shots in order that they find the back of the net. See the Vernon goal in 88 over the shoulder. See his 5 goals to get to 50 in 39. See countless times where he intentionally banked point shots off of his own linemates for goals, or saw a goalie out of position and used his pad, back or skate to score. His combination of accuracy and (when he needed it) power are unmatched from my eyes. Some older observers might dispute it, but he's the best I've seen because he understood when, how and where to shoot better than anyone. You didn't see Wayne Gretzky firing off stupid shots into defenders all the time, or getting checked because he was busy trying to shoot from a bad position. Also, from what I've seen, when he truly needed to score, he went to his forehand, which is another thing I've observed that great goal scorers will always do.
Alexander Ovechkin is probably the best shooter playing today. Watching his wrist shot alone is worth the price of admission. He has a really unique approach and release, but I think this often distracts watchers. Ovechkin is a truly great shooter because he uses the entirety of his game to set up his opportunities. Half of the reason he has a lethal shot is his skating speed. Many observers do not understand the impact that skating speed has on shooting power. It's something that you can't really understand until you've done it I suppose, and they don't showcase it in something like the hardest shot competition. Ovechkin is also the very best at moving the puck so slightly as to be able to do what looks like shooting straight through a defenceman. He's not; he's created his own small lane and uses his quickness to unleash devastating wristers before the defenceman can react. There are not many NHLers that can do this, as it is so much more than skating up to a defenceman and shooting it magically by him.
To bring this discussion back to your favorite team and mine, it has been spouted by so many that the cure to what ails the Edmonton Oilers is simply to take more shots. More shots will magically equal more goals and this team will be fine. There are a number of reasons that this simply isn't true, but more on that later.
The fans that attend live games, many of them anyway, do not seem to grasp the intricacies of shooting. They call for shots on the Powerplay most frequently, missing the whole point of the 5-on-4 situation which is not to get more shots but to get BETTER shots that are of higher percentage chance to score. The point of all that passing it to create a lane to another player collapsing the defensive box and creating a situation where a forward (usually) has an opportunity to shoot at an undefended, possibly screened and hopefully out of position goaltender. Simply taking more shots accomplishes none of this and relinquishes the puck control that the 5-on-4 situation affords you. Your goal is not to blast 100 pucks in the general direction of the net and hope that 4 or 5 go in. If your team somehow manages to score 4 or 5 goals in half your games, you'll be a pretty great team in this league. Doing this requires better chances, not more pucks directed at the net.
Directing a puck towards the net accomplishes absolutely nothing in and of itself. It can in fact be a negative because if you do not score, create an offensive rebound or cause an offensive zone faceoff, you've turned the puck over to the opposition who can then break out on you. Odds are you're also out of position at this stage.
If you gave a team a goal, and that was to direct 50 pucks at the net in a given game, I submit to you that this team would not win hockey games. The easiest shots to take are often the ones least likely to go in. An undefended shot from the blue line, even when you're Sheldon Souray, is of relative ease to take, but has a very low chance of success for many reasons. The shooting percentage that teams have is not simply because they direct pucks at the net, but is because they direct some of the right pucks at the net.
The Edmonton Oilers of 09-10 have many problems in the offensive zone right now. The desire to shoot is not one of them despite the howls of the peanut gallery. When this team has been in position to take effective shots, they have not been shy at all about taking them. Gilbert Brule is a great example of a talented shooter who's made a lot of his chances so far this year. I wish we had 3 of him (ideally one that was 6'3", but those kinds of guys go first overall). What has occurred lately is that this team is not getting itself into the positions required to take effective shots, and not corralling rebounds in high percentage areas where goals are had. There have been many games this year where we've had an obscene number of pucks blocked after they were poorly directed at the net. This needs to stop. Our game in the offensive zone has become much less fluid despite our roster which is structured to play a very fluid offensive style. There are teams that can play the table-top hockey style game, stay in place and fire shots. We are not that kind of team. We need rushes (Hemsky, Penner), passing plays (Gagner, Cogliano), players in position for rebounds (Comrie, O'Sullivan), and room to fire shots (Brule, Moreau). We are a perfectly capable offensive team that is more than capable of getting into ideal shooting position and taking advantage. We simply do not create these opportunities on enough occasions.
This process should be the focus of our efforts as a team. Simply focusing on directing pucks will not lead to wins, only to frustration.
Shooting is one of the single most misunderstood parts of the game. The problem begins in that newcomers and casual observers seem to think it is the most simple part of the game. Gotta shoot to score right? Taking more shots is always better right? Just fire it at the net right?
WRONG.
These sentiments could not be more wrong. Shooting is one of the most complicated arts to master in the game. I've noticed that hockey moms are often the most guilty of the "SHOOT" disease in hockey rinks, but I don't really blame them for this as it does seem simple. The thing about shooting effectively is that it must be done in the midst of the entire fray of the game. With everything else going on, you must find enough physical room to deploy your selected shot, obtain the space to put the puck through, decipher where to put the puck so that it has the best chance of reaching the net (read: net behind the goalie, not "on net"), how to disguise your intentions, and many other internal calculations within the game if you hope to be an effective shooter. Those who do this well are those able to slow the game down in their own minds and see clearly. Shooters are not panicky. They are calculated. Though the shot often comes off in a fraction of an instant with an utterly violent motion, that motion is controlled and decisive. The best shooters have this procedure so programmed in that the process simply looks like an instinctual and savage movement.
I maintain that Wayne Gretzky was the best shooter ever. It's true that there have been many greats including the Hulls, Bossy, Sakic, etc., but the way Gretzky was able to simply beat goalies at will is undeniable. Watch film of him and you will see how he used the entirety of his skill to position and time shots in order that they find the back of the net. See the Vernon goal in 88 over the shoulder. See his 5 goals to get to 50 in 39. See countless times where he intentionally banked point shots off of his own linemates for goals, or saw a goalie out of position and used his pad, back or skate to score. His combination of accuracy and (when he needed it) power are unmatched from my eyes. Some older observers might dispute it, but he's the best I've seen because he understood when, how and where to shoot better than anyone. You didn't see Wayne Gretzky firing off stupid shots into defenders all the time, or getting checked because he was busy trying to shoot from a bad position. Also, from what I've seen, when he truly needed to score, he went to his forehand, which is another thing I've observed that great goal scorers will always do.
Alexander Ovechkin is probably the best shooter playing today. Watching his wrist shot alone is worth the price of admission. He has a really unique approach and release, but I think this often distracts watchers. Ovechkin is a truly great shooter because he uses the entirety of his game to set up his opportunities. Half of the reason he has a lethal shot is his skating speed. Many observers do not understand the impact that skating speed has on shooting power. It's something that you can't really understand until you've done it I suppose, and they don't showcase it in something like the hardest shot competition. Ovechkin is also the very best at moving the puck so slightly as to be able to do what looks like shooting straight through a defenceman. He's not; he's created his own small lane and uses his quickness to unleash devastating wristers before the defenceman can react. There are not many NHLers that can do this, as it is so much more than skating up to a defenceman and shooting it magically by him.
To bring this discussion back to your favorite team and mine, it has been spouted by so many that the cure to what ails the Edmonton Oilers is simply to take more shots. More shots will magically equal more goals and this team will be fine. There are a number of reasons that this simply isn't true, but more on that later.
The fans that attend live games, many of them anyway, do not seem to grasp the intricacies of shooting. They call for shots on the Powerplay most frequently, missing the whole point of the 5-on-4 situation which is not to get more shots but to get BETTER shots that are of higher percentage chance to score. The point of all that passing it to create a lane to another player collapsing the defensive box and creating a situation where a forward (usually) has an opportunity to shoot at an undefended, possibly screened and hopefully out of position goaltender. Simply taking more shots accomplishes none of this and relinquishes the puck control that the 5-on-4 situation affords you. Your goal is not to blast 100 pucks in the general direction of the net and hope that 4 or 5 go in. If your team somehow manages to score 4 or 5 goals in half your games, you'll be a pretty great team in this league. Doing this requires better chances, not more pucks directed at the net.
Directing a puck towards the net accomplishes absolutely nothing in and of itself. It can in fact be a negative because if you do not score, create an offensive rebound or cause an offensive zone faceoff, you've turned the puck over to the opposition who can then break out on you. Odds are you're also out of position at this stage.
If you gave a team a goal, and that was to direct 50 pucks at the net in a given game, I submit to you that this team would not win hockey games. The easiest shots to take are often the ones least likely to go in. An undefended shot from the blue line, even when you're Sheldon Souray, is of relative ease to take, but has a very low chance of success for many reasons. The shooting percentage that teams have is not simply because they direct pucks at the net, but is because they direct some of the right pucks at the net.
The Edmonton Oilers of 09-10 have many problems in the offensive zone right now. The desire to shoot is not one of them despite the howls of the peanut gallery. When this team has been in position to take effective shots, they have not been shy at all about taking them. Gilbert Brule is a great example of a talented shooter who's made a lot of his chances so far this year. I wish we had 3 of him (ideally one that was 6'3", but those kinds of guys go first overall). What has occurred lately is that this team is not getting itself into the positions required to take effective shots, and not corralling rebounds in high percentage areas where goals are had. There have been many games this year where we've had an obscene number of pucks blocked after they were poorly directed at the net. This needs to stop. Our game in the offensive zone has become much less fluid despite our roster which is structured to play a very fluid offensive style. There are teams that can play the table-top hockey style game, stay in place and fire shots. We are not that kind of team. We need rushes (Hemsky, Penner), passing plays (Gagner, Cogliano), players in position for rebounds (Comrie, O'Sullivan), and room to fire shots (Brule, Moreau). We are a perfectly capable offensive team that is more than capable of getting into ideal shooting position and taking advantage. We simply do not create these opportunities on enough occasions.
This process should be the focus of our efforts as a team. Simply focusing on directing pucks will not lead to wins, only to frustration.
11/5/09
*ADVISORY* No Game Report #10 tonight
Hello all,
I apologize but there will be no game report this evening as work activity does not permit me the time either tonight or tomorrow to write one up. Sorry guys!
#1
I apologize but there will be no game report this evening as work activity does not permit me the time either tonight or tomorrow to write one up. Sorry guys!
#1
10/29/09
LMHF Game Report #9
EDMONTON 6
VS.
DETROIT 5
In a stinking shootout...
-----------------------------
The thing about a game like this is its often difficult to tell the story because there wasn't one...there were simply too many. In addition to feeling like a long game to begin with as we built our lead, we then had to suffer through tumbling down the other side of the mountain, only to wake up on a ledge rather than in the gorge. That's a good thing.
And as many will say, winning this game regardless of the sequence of events is a good thing and especially with a whole lot of man games and salary from our blue line on the shelf. It's amazing to think that we'd manage to have Souray, Visnovsky and Staios all out in the same game. I'm frankly worried Souray might be DONE done this time. If you had a few dollars, kids in another country and headaches that you might not recover from, I could see you being tempted to pack it up and make sure you don't turn into a vegetable on them.
But back to tonight's game...I think we all expected someone to be putting a hurt on a goalie, and to our early joy, we did it to Jimmy Howard. How exactly a goalie can get himself so far out of position that many times, I'm not exactly sure. He was bad. Very bad. And to our credit we took advantage despite somewhat messing up some of our early chances. Right before Jacques' goal, I'd noted how we blew a great chance and we might need it tonight. Didn't have any idea the game would go like this then.
On the first goal I loved the play O'Sullivan made to force the issue and give himself options...he found Brule and set him up for what should have been an incredibly easy goal...Brule then took one of the worst shots #2 and I can remember while still getting the puck on net, and Jacques seemingly willed the puck in. We got somewhat lucky in that we'd just blown two primo chances and got a third and fourth before scoring. Still, credit to O'Sullivan and credit to the hard work on that shift.
I quite enjoyed the second goal. Hemsky took 2 or 3 hits that shift including the one just before his excellent pass to Horcoff made the goal scoring play start; Horcoff did his job and put the puck on the net where Penner was waiting. That he was able to whack it out of the air was indeed fortunate but also the product of good positioning and some focus.
Hemsky made 2 excellent plays on the Oilers 3rd goal, first making the pass and then stepping in to roof the puck over Howard.
The breakaway goal was pretty simple. Credit to Hemsky for staying out front and controlling the puck as well as credit to Penner for creating the turnover.
Horcoff's goal just had to go in, didn't it? They worked like crazy at that one and should have scored several times right before that finally crossed as well. How Denis missed I'll never know.
It's hard to believe that was all of our goals, but like I said, it was a long road to victory this evening.
Anyway, let's go player-by-player...PLAYER REPORTS
---------------------
Hemsky
How exactly TSN saw fit to give his two linemates a star and not him I'm really not sure. He made 4 excellent plays which resulted in 4 goals. I've described them above. To me, this was the first night Hemsky looked truly healthy as he was able to skate through checks and had an extra gear to his skating. You could see his confidence building out there as the play forged on. Even when they weren't rampaging through the offensive zone later on, you at least knew he and his linemates were going to take care of the puck.
Penner
He kept at his game and was rewarded. His positioning continues to be solid and he's being calm in front of the net. One problem that occurred tonight with Dustin was that he was unable to skate the puck in the neutral zone effectively because Horcoff has not adapted to the way Hemsky and Penner play together yet. The reason that Gagner worked well with them is that he knew when to stay out of the way. I am hopeful Horcoff will learn this because it made Penner less effective than he could be. Penner also ran a little low on fuel at the end of the game, which can be forgiven for certain on a four-point night.
Horcoff
I'm going to do something I haven't done in a while, and slag on Horcoff after a productive game. I don't intend to say that he played badly, but only that he should've played much much better. He was out there with two guys on a complete roll and wouldn't distribute the puck to them. He skated with it too much, and made horrible bouncing passes all night. I'd blame the ice but Penner and Hemsky didn't seem to have the problem. He turned the puck over a bunch and ruined a few very good potential rushes. I'm glad to see him taking draws, working hard and getting a couple bounces, but he's got to be better than this in terms of adapting his game to the offensive drivers out there. I think he'll be able to, but we shall see. Between he and Hemsky the line was solid defensively. I don't get why people play them together in OT though, as that never seems to work.
O'Sullivan
Quietly logged 20 minutes tonight. He really worked hard. I've already commented on his efforts to get his assist, but he also of course sent us home with the W. The guy can just flat release a puck when given some time and space. I think he was quite angry about not playing in OT and I certainly sympathize. Seeing Brule out there instead of O'Sullivan was downright baffling. I almost feel like I don't even have to watch Patrick anymore as I know I'm going to at the very least get a balanced and complete effort. He doesn't slack. He turns on the jets to get all kinds of pucks (watch how he uses this in the corners from a standing position). If he does something crazy in the O-zone I'll notice but it's like he's found high-level autopilot.
Brule
I liked the start of the game a lot from him. He was fast, in great position and making things happen. It really looked like he found where he needed to be with O'Sullivan. I almost wonder though if adding someone like Jacques to his line tones down his physicality though...as he didn't seem to want to hit anyone tonight. I thought his play turned down as the game went on, as he was unable to keep up with the short bench being employed. He did okay however.
Jacques
I suppose he did what he needed to do in that he rattled some cages and drove the net. The goal is just a bonus really. He doesn't necessarily have to do that for this to have been a useful game but he got us going after Brule couldn't and that's excellent.
Moreau
I'd like to echo what everyone's been saying about him playing some damn selfish hockey. It clicked in tonight for me watching him with the puck. Every effort is a solo one; the problem being that there's no howitzer or punishing shoulder on the end of this one. Sad really.
Stortini
I've seen him play better games. He wasn't as physical as he can be and had no "moments" with the puck. I know it is difficult to play a hitting style against DET, but there were guys who needed to be shown the boards early tonight and I expect #46 and #22 to do that. They didn't really.
Cogliano
What has happened to him? Seriously? He's not using his jump for anything and it's like all the puck sense he's been showing and developing has vanished. Nothing changed about that tonight. It took him until way late in OT to show anything offensively at all. I cannot believe a guy's game can fall so far in one particular facet. This is a guy who was stepping up big time and now he's shot through the floor.
Nilsson
So many times he's set up to fire a laser and refuses. A truly sad turn for a truly talented kid. I think he won't make it back, and that's really too bad.
Gagner
Saddled with partners who used to be his equal but have now fallen by the wayside, Sam struggled a bit tonight but I really don't think the blame can fall to him for the large minus sign next to his grouping. He was still solid and showed some offensive game despite how cold #13 and #12 are. He nearly scored a truly excellent goal on a little drive off the RW where he's at his best. I really think that when the D return and you have enough responsible guys to go around he's got to go back up with Penner and Hemsky. He fills the slot the leave empty.
MacIntyre
Again, he only got 2 shifts. Skating is improved. Didn't need to do much.
Strudwick
Ummm...I'm frightened whenever this guy is on the ice now. Which is something that wasn't happening last year even though I didn't like that he played. At least he stayed with the flow of the game and made simple plays. His pylon impression tonight was just ugly. I honestly wonder if we'd be better to call up another defenceman or play a particularly athletic forward back there. This guy is the clear #7 (or 8) for a reason and it showed.
Peckham
Not his best effort, that's certainly true. I saw glimpses of physical play and a couple really solid puck decisions, but also some standing still. I'm not sure how much is Strudwick and how much is him, but still like Theo's style.
Chorney
He busted his butt out there despite being seriously overmatched. There were struggles in behind the net where there haven't been before, but the guy also logged some pretty serious minutes and made some solid decisions in prime time. I hope what he is learning is that he can be confident and solid on the puck crossing the opposition red line. You can see his gifts begging to come out and get some points but he's not quite there mentally yet. It's not his time, but I'm a lot more convinced now that the time will come at some point. Sure wish he was 6'3" though...
Smid
Plain and simple he's holding that group together right now. The guy is shutting down the best winger's we're playing against, outskating them and outworking them in the corners. If you want to see how to get a puck out of a tough spot in a corner, watch Smid go to work. Who do we have to prey to and/or sacrifice a bucket of fried chicken to in order to get this guy a goal however? I feel really bad that he isn't getting rewarded. Also did his part in the physical/pesky department tonight.
Gilbert/Grebeshkov
They were much better when they had to be tonight. Denis did this by getting more involved in the offence and making better passes. I also saw more physical play out of him which is something he brought out last year but that had been missing. Tom simplified his game a little and focused on the basics of defending. This approach served him well. How exactly he didn't end the game, twice? I really don't know. He usually doesn't miss those chances and he did.
Khabibulin
I could tell early on this was going to be an adventurous game for him. If you looked closely he was a little more wobbly and awkward than usual, and also had trouble with early rebounds. He did make an absolute ton of really good saves of course, but he wasn't great. That second DET goal sure was a turning point and an utterly horrible break though...Glad for him that we got the win.
--------------
MY 3 STARS
1. Hemsky
2. Penner
3. Smid
Horcoff for his points and Khabibulin for his big saves get an honorable mention.
I hope we can turn this into a positive somehow and beat Boston in the afternoon, but what this team really needs more than anything right now is some health.
I think we may have to start addressing the prospect of a future without Mr. Souray however...which really REALLY stinks.
VS.
DETROIT 5
In a stinking shootout...
-----------------------------
The thing about a game like this is its often difficult to tell the story because there wasn't one...there were simply too many. In addition to feeling like a long game to begin with as we built our lead, we then had to suffer through tumbling down the other side of the mountain, only to wake up on a ledge rather than in the gorge. That's a good thing.
And as many will say, winning this game regardless of the sequence of events is a good thing and especially with a whole lot of man games and salary from our blue line on the shelf. It's amazing to think that we'd manage to have Souray, Visnovsky and Staios all out in the same game. I'm frankly worried Souray might be DONE done this time. If you had a few dollars, kids in another country and headaches that you might not recover from, I could see you being tempted to pack it up and make sure you don't turn into a vegetable on them.
But back to tonight's game...I think we all expected someone to be putting a hurt on a goalie, and to our early joy, we did it to Jimmy Howard. How exactly a goalie can get himself so far out of position that many times, I'm not exactly sure. He was bad. Very bad. And to our credit we took advantage despite somewhat messing up some of our early chances. Right before Jacques' goal, I'd noted how we blew a great chance and we might need it tonight. Didn't have any idea the game would go like this then.
On the first goal I loved the play O'Sullivan made to force the issue and give himself options...he found Brule and set him up for what should have been an incredibly easy goal...Brule then took one of the worst shots #2 and I can remember while still getting the puck on net, and Jacques seemingly willed the puck in. We got somewhat lucky in that we'd just blown two primo chances and got a third and fourth before scoring. Still, credit to O'Sullivan and credit to the hard work on that shift.
I quite enjoyed the second goal. Hemsky took 2 or 3 hits that shift including the one just before his excellent pass to Horcoff made the goal scoring play start; Horcoff did his job and put the puck on the net where Penner was waiting. That he was able to whack it out of the air was indeed fortunate but also the product of good positioning and some focus.
Hemsky made 2 excellent plays on the Oilers 3rd goal, first making the pass and then stepping in to roof the puck over Howard.
The breakaway goal was pretty simple. Credit to Hemsky for staying out front and controlling the puck as well as credit to Penner for creating the turnover.
Horcoff's goal just had to go in, didn't it? They worked like crazy at that one and should have scored several times right before that finally crossed as well. How Denis missed I'll never know.
It's hard to believe that was all of our goals, but like I said, it was a long road to victory this evening.
Anyway, let's go player-by-player...PLAYER REPORTS
---------------------
Hemsky
How exactly TSN saw fit to give his two linemates a star and not him I'm really not sure. He made 4 excellent plays which resulted in 4 goals. I've described them above. To me, this was the first night Hemsky looked truly healthy as he was able to skate through checks and had an extra gear to his skating. You could see his confidence building out there as the play forged on. Even when they weren't rampaging through the offensive zone later on, you at least knew he and his linemates were going to take care of the puck.
Penner
He kept at his game and was rewarded. His positioning continues to be solid and he's being calm in front of the net. One problem that occurred tonight with Dustin was that he was unable to skate the puck in the neutral zone effectively because Horcoff has not adapted to the way Hemsky and Penner play together yet. The reason that Gagner worked well with them is that he knew when to stay out of the way. I am hopeful Horcoff will learn this because it made Penner less effective than he could be. Penner also ran a little low on fuel at the end of the game, which can be forgiven for certain on a four-point night.
Horcoff
I'm going to do something I haven't done in a while, and slag on Horcoff after a productive game. I don't intend to say that he played badly, but only that he should've played much much better. He was out there with two guys on a complete roll and wouldn't distribute the puck to them. He skated with it too much, and made horrible bouncing passes all night. I'd blame the ice but Penner and Hemsky didn't seem to have the problem. He turned the puck over a bunch and ruined a few very good potential rushes. I'm glad to see him taking draws, working hard and getting a couple bounces, but he's got to be better than this in terms of adapting his game to the offensive drivers out there. I think he'll be able to, but we shall see. Between he and Hemsky the line was solid defensively. I don't get why people play them together in OT though, as that never seems to work.
O'Sullivan
Quietly logged 20 minutes tonight. He really worked hard. I've already commented on his efforts to get his assist, but he also of course sent us home with the W. The guy can just flat release a puck when given some time and space. I think he was quite angry about not playing in OT and I certainly sympathize. Seeing Brule out there instead of O'Sullivan was downright baffling. I almost feel like I don't even have to watch Patrick anymore as I know I'm going to at the very least get a balanced and complete effort. He doesn't slack. He turns on the jets to get all kinds of pucks (watch how he uses this in the corners from a standing position). If he does something crazy in the O-zone I'll notice but it's like he's found high-level autopilot.
Brule
I liked the start of the game a lot from him. He was fast, in great position and making things happen. It really looked like he found where he needed to be with O'Sullivan. I almost wonder though if adding someone like Jacques to his line tones down his physicality though...as he didn't seem to want to hit anyone tonight. I thought his play turned down as the game went on, as he was unable to keep up with the short bench being employed. He did okay however.
Jacques
I suppose he did what he needed to do in that he rattled some cages and drove the net. The goal is just a bonus really. He doesn't necessarily have to do that for this to have been a useful game but he got us going after Brule couldn't and that's excellent.
Moreau
I'd like to echo what everyone's been saying about him playing some damn selfish hockey. It clicked in tonight for me watching him with the puck. Every effort is a solo one; the problem being that there's no howitzer or punishing shoulder on the end of this one. Sad really.
Stortini
I've seen him play better games. He wasn't as physical as he can be and had no "moments" with the puck. I know it is difficult to play a hitting style against DET, but there were guys who needed to be shown the boards early tonight and I expect #46 and #22 to do that. They didn't really.
Cogliano
What has happened to him? Seriously? He's not using his jump for anything and it's like all the puck sense he's been showing and developing has vanished. Nothing changed about that tonight. It took him until way late in OT to show anything offensively at all. I cannot believe a guy's game can fall so far in one particular facet. This is a guy who was stepping up big time and now he's shot through the floor.
Nilsson
So many times he's set up to fire a laser and refuses. A truly sad turn for a truly talented kid. I think he won't make it back, and that's really too bad.
Gagner
Saddled with partners who used to be his equal but have now fallen by the wayside, Sam struggled a bit tonight but I really don't think the blame can fall to him for the large minus sign next to his grouping. He was still solid and showed some offensive game despite how cold #13 and #12 are. He nearly scored a truly excellent goal on a little drive off the RW where he's at his best. I really think that when the D return and you have enough responsible guys to go around he's got to go back up with Penner and Hemsky. He fills the slot the leave empty.
MacIntyre
Again, he only got 2 shifts. Skating is improved. Didn't need to do much.
Strudwick
Ummm...I'm frightened whenever this guy is on the ice now. Which is something that wasn't happening last year even though I didn't like that he played. At least he stayed with the flow of the game and made simple plays. His pylon impression tonight was just ugly. I honestly wonder if we'd be better to call up another defenceman or play a particularly athletic forward back there. This guy is the clear #7 (or 8) for a reason and it showed.
Peckham
Not his best effort, that's certainly true. I saw glimpses of physical play and a couple really solid puck decisions, but also some standing still. I'm not sure how much is Strudwick and how much is him, but still like Theo's style.
Chorney
He busted his butt out there despite being seriously overmatched. There were struggles in behind the net where there haven't been before, but the guy also logged some pretty serious minutes and made some solid decisions in prime time. I hope what he is learning is that he can be confident and solid on the puck crossing the opposition red line. You can see his gifts begging to come out and get some points but he's not quite there mentally yet. It's not his time, but I'm a lot more convinced now that the time will come at some point. Sure wish he was 6'3" though...
Smid
Plain and simple he's holding that group together right now. The guy is shutting down the best winger's we're playing against, outskating them and outworking them in the corners. If you want to see how to get a puck out of a tough spot in a corner, watch Smid go to work. Who do we have to prey to and/or sacrifice a bucket of fried chicken to in order to get this guy a goal however? I feel really bad that he isn't getting rewarded. Also did his part in the physical/pesky department tonight.
Gilbert/Grebeshkov
They were much better when they had to be tonight. Denis did this by getting more involved in the offence and making better passes. I also saw more physical play out of him which is something he brought out last year but that had been missing. Tom simplified his game a little and focused on the basics of defending. This approach served him well. How exactly he didn't end the game, twice? I really don't know. He usually doesn't miss those chances and he did.
Khabibulin
I could tell early on this was going to be an adventurous game for him. If you looked closely he was a little more wobbly and awkward than usual, and also had trouble with early rebounds. He did make an absolute ton of really good saves of course, but he wasn't great. That second DET goal sure was a turning point and an utterly horrible break though...Glad for him that we got the win.
--------------
MY 3 STARS
1. Hemsky
2. Penner
3. Smid
Horcoff for his points and Khabibulin for his big saves get an honorable mention.
I hope we can turn this into a positive somehow and beat Boston in the afternoon, but what this team really needs more than anything right now is some health.
I think we may have to start addressing the prospect of a future without Mr. Souray however...which really REALLY stinks.
10/27/09
LMHF Game Report #8
EDMONTON ZERO
VS.
COLORADO 3
---------------------
It is only out of a feeling of duty to the readers that I post a game report for this evening as the team certainly didn't work hard enough or seem to be focused enough on the game to warrant my efforts in return.
From the very beginning of this one the theme was consistent; we were to be at least one stride behind every chance (and there were plenty, don't let anyone tell you there weren't) all night long. They were there for the taking as the puck bounced and Anderson looked just okay in the nets. There were times when the door was WIDE open and we had nothing...no exceptional individual efforts or team effort to take advantage. I'll give the AVS credit for tracking down loose pucks but they aren't really good positionally, nor do they have incredible speed. They simply wanted it more than we did this evening and were really really focused.
Large errors caused every goal against us. On the first goal Horcoff lost the puck in corner (something happening far too often this year) then screened his own goalie in a feeble block attempt and the puck wound up in our net. On the second goal an overworked Taylor Chorney (who shouldn't have even been in the lineup) made an error playing the puck along the boards and broke the cardinal rule of "man or puck" and allowed an elite scorer in alone (and even then Khabibulin almost robbed him), then Chorney again took himself completely out of the play on the third "goal" into the empty net.
Colorado didn't really generate much exceptional offence; and when they did #35 was there for us. We got enough from him tonight.
We also seemed to be getting enough once again from Lubomir and Ladislav. Watching Smid outskate Duchene behind the net in a relentless effort to keep the puck was simply beautiful as a fellow defenceman. He had many other excellent journeys out of our zone with the puck as well. What happened to Visnovsky? I must've missed it? He was providing the steady hand only a guy like he could provide until he disappeared from the ice.
Our other 4 defencemen all struggled which is completely unacceptable. I'm really losing any and all remaining thoughts I have as to why Gilbert and Grebeshkov are struggling so. They look like they've lost all poise with the puck and it's hampering our breakout and defence. They keep going up the boards when neither should be due to their elite skating and passing skill. It just doesn't make any sense the way they're playing. Chorney and Strudwick are simply overmatched.
Up front, I still like the first line. They struggled with the exact same issues everyone else did; Penner specifically missing two chances he'd have easily scored on last homestand. Every forward tonight seemed to be in this ugly habit of shooting from very low in the zone; every puck missing the goalie and going on by to an Avalanche player who'd clear the zone. Not once did it really generate a chance or wind up as a pass to anyone.
I grow increasingly tired of watching Ethan Moreau think he can still lug a puck somewhere. I've seen him take it up the ice successfully with authority all of once this year, yet he keeps trying. I fear our captain has reached his end of service date and that's really too bad. Even his shooting ability and desire to hit are gone. That continued tonight. Filling he shoes might be Stortini, who is starting to look like a better "hockey player" than Moreau most nights. I don't know if the numbers add up at all yet, but I think the captain is being displaced in terms of on-ice usefulness. Cogliano's got to find a way to get open and let the gifted D get him the puck. Right now he's generating precisely zero offence and that can't stand.
It was good to see Gilbert Brule back in the lineup even if he didn't have a stellar night. I really like the way he's settled into a confident NHL game now and he only really had one gaffe tonight which was more of a mix-up than a screw-up. Too bad he couldn't find some reserve offence in the tank this evening. I agree that Nilsson, while attempting to expand his game, just isn't all that useful right now. He doesn't have the offensive confidence to produce and isn't playing good enough positional hockey. That doesn't work. Give or take with Jacques as he's playing okay but I sure wish we were good enough that we didn't need to use him above the #13/14 slot.
I don't mind the Comrie-Horcoff-O'Sullivan line much at all. Even with Horcoff struggling they very rarely get the team into any kind of a pickle. Comrie knows he should've scored tonight, specifically in the second period at the side of the net. He normally doesn't miss those. O'Sullivan's dynamic offensive game only showed in short spurts which unfortunately only occurred when Comrie or Horcoff wasn't open. None of the passes on this line within 10 feet of the net connected tonight despite generally doing the right thing. That would've changed this game quite drastically.
#35 was excellent again. So very calm, so very consistent.
I'm fairly angry at our squad tonight; though I'm also aware that this type of game happens from time-to-time and it's not always from lack of effort. We had our chances and they weren't jumped on for a myriad of reasons. I'm pretty sure the next effort will be better in this regard.
If not; then we have a problem.
VS.
COLORADO 3
---------------------
It is only out of a feeling of duty to the readers that I post a game report for this evening as the team certainly didn't work hard enough or seem to be focused enough on the game to warrant my efforts in return.
From the very beginning of this one the theme was consistent; we were to be at least one stride behind every chance (and there were plenty, don't let anyone tell you there weren't) all night long. They were there for the taking as the puck bounced and Anderson looked just okay in the nets. There were times when the door was WIDE open and we had nothing...no exceptional individual efforts or team effort to take advantage. I'll give the AVS credit for tracking down loose pucks but they aren't really good positionally, nor do they have incredible speed. They simply wanted it more than we did this evening and were really really focused.
Large errors caused every goal against us. On the first goal Horcoff lost the puck in corner (something happening far too often this year) then screened his own goalie in a feeble block attempt and the puck wound up in our net. On the second goal an overworked Taylor Chorney (who shouldn't have even been in the lineup) made an error playing the puck along the boards and broke the cardinal rule of "man or puck" and allowed an elite scorer in alone (and even then Khabibulin almost robbed him), then Chorney again took himself completely out of the play on the third "goal" into the empty net.
Colorado didn't really generate much exceptional offence; and when they did #35 was there for us. We got enough from him tonight.
We also seemed to be getting enough once again from Lubomir and Ladislav. Watching Smid outskate Duchene behind the net in a relentless effort to keep the puck was simply beautiful as a fellow defenceman. He had many other excellent journeys out of our zone with the puck as well. What happened to Visnovsky? I must've missed it? He was providing the steady hand only a guy like he could provide until he disappeared from the ice.
Our other 4 defencemen all struggled which is completely unacceptable. I'm really losing any and all remaining thoughts I have as to why Gilbert and Grebeshkov are struggling so. They look like they've lost all poise with the puck and it's hampering our breakout and defence. They keep going up the boards when neither should be due to their elite skating and passing skill. It just doesn't make any sense the way they're playing. Chorney and Strudwick are simply overmatched.
Up front, I still like the first line. They struggled with the exact same issues everyone else did; Penner specifically missing two chances he'd have easily scored on last homestand. Every forward tonight seemed to be in this ugly habit of shooting from very low in the zone; every puck missing the goalie and going on by to an Avalanche player who'd clear the zone. Not once did it really generate a chance or wind up as a pass to anyone.
I grow increasingly tired of watching Ethan Moreau think he can still lug a puck somewhere. I've seen him take it up the ice successfully with authority all of once this year, yet he keeps trying. I fear our captain has reached his end of service date and that's really too bad. Even his shooting ability and desire to hit are gone. That continued tonight. Filling he shoes might be Stortini, who is starting to look like a better "hockey player" than Moreau most nights. I don't know if the numbers add up at all yet, but I think the captain is being displaced in terms of on-ice usefulness. Cogliano's got to find a way to get open and let the gifted D get him the puck. Right now he's generating precisely zero offence and that can't stand.
It was good to see Gilbert Brule back in the lineup even if he didn't have a stellar night. I really like the way he's settled into a confident NHL game now and he only really had one gaffe tonight which was more of a mix-up than a screw-up. Too bad he couldn't find some reserve offence in the tank this evening. I agree that Nilsson, while attempting to expand his game, just isn't all that useful right now. He doesn't have the offensive confidence to produce and isn't playing good enough positional hockey. That doesn't work. Give or take with Jacques as he's playing okay but I sure wish we were good enough that we didn't need to use him above the #13/14 slot.
I don't mind the Comrie-Horcoff-O'Sullivan line much at all. Even with Horcoff struggling they very rarely get the team into any kind of a pickle. Comrie knows he should've scored tonight, specifically in the second period at the side of the net. He normally doesn't miss those. O'Sullivan's dynamic offensive game only showed in short spurts which unfortunately only occurred when Comrie or Horcoff wasn't open. None of the passes on this line within 10 feet of the net connected tonight despite generally doing the right thing. That would've changed this game quite drastically.
#35 was excellent again. So very calm, so very consistent.
I'm fairly angry at our squad tonight; though I'm also aware that this type of game happens from time-to-time and it's not always from lack of effort. We had our chances and they weren't jumped on for a myriad of reasons. I'm pretty sure the next effort will be better in this regard.
If not; then we have a problem.
10/22/09
LMHF Game Report #7
EDMONTON 6
VS.
COLUMBUS 4
-----------------------
I had a really strong feeling we'd win tonight for some reason. I make it a practice of trying not to say anything when this happens. Tonight we were not particularly great early and got seriously down. But as I've already said a time or two this year it's becoming quite clear that the one thing this team will not do is quit. There is no lag when the other team scores as has been the practice for several years now.
One thing you should have known heading into this game is that Ales Hemsky was both due, and owns Columbus in a big way. That recipe alone could have led to victory tonight. Some elite Columbus plays early (We got beat by excellent passing and shooting more than anything else) made the hill a little steeper than it should have been.
Then this freight train in an Oilers #27 jersey showed up...#2 and I figured it out though...Dustin Penner just arrived this season. The REAL Dustin Penner, now with a stat line of 7-7-14, was kidnapped by one Brad Isbister, who ate a bunch of cheeseburgers and stole his identity, contract money, and first line LW spot. Isbister couldn't hack it and Penner finally made his way back to life and the Oilers this season.
As for the guy wearing the Isbister jersey elsewhere, I have no idea who the heck that is.
To get those kinds of individual efforts on a team that was utterly suffering from the flu was truly stupendous. They not only survived this game but came back from a defecit and won it. Just incredible. We're watching a team with several emergent talents at the moment which is something that happens for every successful team during a successful season. I'm just mentioning it as a good sign at this point.
PLAYER REPORTS
------------------------
Penner
I'm really not sure if I can adequately add to any of the descriptors that have already been used by others with regards to his game this evening. That was something truly exceptional we all were able to witness. I'd heard it said that was the best game an Oilers forward has played in a long time. The only comparable I can think of was Hemsky against Columbus but I might be missing something. Either way, the fact that we're even having the conversation means it was special. Dustin Penner truly looked like a freight train every time he rolled down the left wing tonight. He barreled through anything in his way, with his head up, the puck on his stick and at the ready, daring anyone to challenge him. No one did all night. I'm not sure anyone could have if they tried. It was more than the goals and the assists, which were bloody excellent. It was throwing people around, jumping into a fray Gagner was in and daring the two Columbus players to try something. He was everywhere, including on the PK. The guy is just a big crazy hockey playing machine right now. His first goal came at the right time and was a simple positioning play which is great on its own. The way he used his large frame and positioning to set up for the second goal, then took Hemsky's pass and fired it laser-quick and laser-accurate for a goal when we needed it so badly was a thing of beauty. His assist were excellent too. I great fake-and-pass to Gagner, an excellent pass to Visnovsky, and a good rush and shoot for a rebound to Visnovsky as well. Scary thing is that he could have had more. He got robbed on a couple great chances and took a ton of shots. I don't think there's anything much more to say besides that it was an utter pleasure to watch.
Hemsky
Lost in the madness and awe over Penner was a truly elite performance from Ales Hemsky. I loved the pass he made on Penner's second goal; he put it through an area where 3 Columbus players could have gotten it, right to Penner's waiting stick. His goal was mainly the result of good positioning and awareness but it takes a steady hand and a level head to finish that play. He made an excellent play in close to his feet to set up Penner's initial goal as well. He was the all-world guy we know he can be tonight. Obviously you're not going to get 5 points every night, but it's amazing when you get other guys finishing the chances you are creating. I noticed one time where moved too slowly into the offensive zone. Early on he wasn't getting past the right side d-man; so they through in some plays down the left wing and crushed Columbus all night long. Suddenly, he went from having 1 puck carrier on his line (himself) to 3 puck carriers. This allows him to be at his most dangerous and he truly made it happen out there tonight.
Gagner
Sam got the point party started early on with a good move into the slot and his trademark leg-drag shot to the back of the net. He really seems to shoot the puck better from this position. It is truly amazing to me that he won his first 7 draws of the evening; that's something to behold. He was a great support for the Hemsky-Penner show, and moved the puck at the same level they did all evening. Though he and Hemsky have never shown much chemistry together, the fact is that both Gagner and Hemsky work well with Penner and this seemed to allow them to play together. When one member of the line had the puck, instead of being able to key on one side of the ice as with the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line, this line punished you if you cheated to any side because you'd leave a legitimate scoring threat open. The fact that all three men can pass the puck excellently really helps out there. The challenge for Sam will be to keep his level of play high; I don't think the other two will have any trouble.
Visnovsky
I didn't even realize how big of a game Lubomir had until I thought about it. He scored an excellent goal to take the lead for us (with that unique slapper only he can do). Penner's second goal rush was started when Visnovsky broke up a Columbus rush in the Edmonton zone. He was on the ice at the end of the game and made the flip play to Nilsson so that he could bat that puck down the ice into the empty net. My favorite play of the night though was his pass to set up the Hemsky goal. That play was downright filthy. With all the boneheads, who seemed to be out in greater quantity tonight, yelling for him to shoot, he rightly and calmly found an open Hemsky who made no mistake. Lubomir was just plain on fire tonight. To any truly insane people out there who believe that we should trade this guy, watch this game. He did several things almost entirely unique to him in this league, and the combination of he and Hemsky on the ice is probably the most potent one we've got.
Smid
I have to say that if I were to hand out a fourth star tonight it would have gone to Ladislav Smid. Many have commented on how this guy is blossoming fast and furious before our eyes. After tonight he is second in the entire league in +/- ahead of Alexander Ovechkin. The guy took on Rick Nash a number of times tonight and plain shut him down. He tried to fight that little chicken Dorsett when he started to cause trouble. The guy is just an incredible, reliable, tough defenceman and is stepping up when we need it big-time. What a player.
Khabibulin
He was beaten by some truly excellent offensive efforts on the part of Columbus, but once again locked the barn and calmed his team down, then provided stellar netminding down the stretch to preserve the win. There's been no question so far that a puck will either have to be almost unstoppable or go in on a goofy play to get by this guy this season. He's solid as a rock. On any night when we get a half decent defensive effort, we have an advantage because of this guy. I read a reference to a Fuhr-type goaltender. Maybe, and I look forward to finding out.
Comrie-Horcoff-O'Sullivan
One thing that really impressed me about these guys is how quickly they cleared their own zone. They were always moving forward, making passes and catching up to loose pucks. I hold out a lot of hope for them. I suspect Comrie was really very ill as he kept getting the puck in his wheelhouse in the offensive slot and was not able to get away those elusive shots he's so good at. Horcoff wasn't anything special most all of the night but I think he played okay. There was only so much he could really do. O'Sullivan continues to shine end-to-end and with a lot of reliability. At the end of the game Moreau took a spot on this line...I really didn't like that. I know what Quinn's doing, but the opposition immediately focuses their attention to his side of the ice and takes advantage of his degraded skating abilities and sudden lack of hitting (though he was slightly better at that tonight.
Moreau-Stortini-MacIntyre
Didn't play much obviously. MacIntyre looks like he's improved his skating some and got around pretty well. He even covered up on defence 2 or 3 times and was indeed effective.
Jacques-Cogliano-Nilsson
Robert certainly made the effort out there tonight. He was okay with the puck but what impressed most was his intention to be physical and make his presence known in some way. He had a couple corner hits and an excellent open-ice job. Wonderful. Jacques was a little quieter but we didn't need anything too exceptional from him tonight. Cogliano's struggles with the puck continue but I hold out hope that he'll be able to get his game on track and start scoring some. He had an empty net and just flat missed on a rush that would have really helped us out.
Gilbert-Grebeshkov
Easily the worst game I've seen this duo play. Both were really really shaky. I don't know what was wrong with Tom but it wouldn't surprise me if he was running a pretty good fever in that game. I recall a shift where he didn't seem to know to play the puck and also another one where he skated in the wrong direction several times. It was a little scary. Thankfully we got through. Grebeshkov wasn't as bad, but not sure why he was so out of it.
Chorney-Strudwick
Taylor played okay, though not so many of his little excellent pieces of work shone through tonight. Strudwick was terrible aside from being slightly physical with guys after the whistle. The way he got burned by Chimera without even looking like he had any clue where to be was just sad. He got caught standing still several times. When you're a bad skater it's even more important to keep your feet moving than with great skaters. He seems to have forgotten that part.
---------------------
What a great win. Just wow. I loved that.
We could have had 6 or 7 stars of the game tonight as we got some truly amazing individual performances that make watching truly a treat. If you know a fan who didn't get to see this one, find a copy of it somewhere and watch. from the second half of the second period on, it sure doesn't get much better.
Verdict on the first line? Yeah, keep that thing. It looked okay.
VS.
COLUMBUS 4
-----------------------
I had a really strong feeling we'd win tonight for some reason. I make it a practice of trying not to say anything when this happens. Tonight we were not particularly great early and got seriously down. But as I've already said a time or two this year it's becoming quite clear that the one thing this team will not do is quit. There is no lag when the other team scores as has been the practice for several years now.
One thing you should have known heading into this game is that Ales Hemsky was both due, and owns Columbus in a big way. That recipe alone could have led to victory tonight. Some elite Columbus plays early (We got beat by excellent passing and shooting more than anything else) made the hill a little steeper than it should have been.
Then this freight train in an Oilers #27 jersey showed up...#2 and I figured it out though...Dustin Penner just arrived this season. The REAL Dustin Penner, now with a stat line of 7-7-14, was kidnapped by one Brad Isbister, who ate a bunch of cheeseburgers and stole his identity, contract money, and first line LW spot. Isbister couldn't hack it and Penner finally made his way back to life and the Oilers this season.
As for the guy wearing the Isbister jersey elsewhere, I have no idea who the heck that is.
To get those kinds of individual efforts on a team that was utterly suffering from the flu was truly stupendous. They not only survived this game but came back from a defecit and won it. Just incredible. We're watching a team with several emergent talents at the moment which is something that happens for every successful team during a successful season. I'm just mentioning it as a good sign at this point.
PLAYER REPORTS
------------------------
Penner
I'm really not sure if I can adequately add to any of the descriptors that have already been used by others with regards to his game this evening. That was something truly exceptional we all were able to witness. I'd heard it said that was the best game an Oilers forward has played in a long time. The only comparable I can think of was Hemsky against Columbus but I might be missing something. Either way, the fact that we're even having the conversation means it was special. Dustin Penner truly looked like a freight train every time he rolled down the left wing tonight. He barreled through anything in his way, with his head up, the puck on his stick and at the ready, daring anyone to challenge him. No one did all night. I'm not sure anyone could have if they tried. It was more than the goals and the assists, which were bloody excellent. It was throwing people around, jumping into a fray Gagner was in and daring the two Columbus players to try something. He was everywhere, including on the PK. The guy is just a big crazy hockey playing machine right now. His first goal came at the right time and was a simple positioning play which is great on its own. The way he used his large frame and positioning to set up for the second goal, then took Hemsky's pass and fired it laser-quick and laser-accurate for a goal when we needed it so badly was a thing of beauty. His assist were excellent too. I great fake-and-pass to Gagner, an excellent pass to Visnovsky, and a good rush and shoot for a rebound to Visnovsky as well. Scary thing is that he could have had more. He got robbed on a couple great chances and took a ton of shots. I don't think there's anything much more to say besides that it was an utter pleasure to watch.
Hemsky
Lost in the madness and awe over Penner was a truly elite performance from Ales Hemsky. I loved the pass he made on Penner's second goal; he put it through an area where 3 Columbus players could have gotten it, right to Penner's waiting stick. His goal was mainly the result of good positioning and awareness but it takes a steady hand and a level head to finish that play. He made an excellent play in close to his feet to set up Penner's initial goal as well. He was the all-world guy we know he can be tonight. Obviously you're not going to get 5 points every night, but it's amazing when you get other guys finishing the chances you are creating. I noticed one time where moved too slowly into the offensive zone. Early on he wasn't getting past the right side d-man; so they through in some plays down the left wing and crushed Columbus all night long. Suddenly, he went from having 1 puck carrier on his line (himself) to 3 puck carriers. This allows him to be at his most dangerous and he truly made it happen out there tonight.
Gagner
Sam got the point party started early on with a good move into the slot and his trademark leg-drag shot to the back of the net. He really seems to shoot the puck better from this position. It is truly amazing to me that he won his first 7 draws of the evening; that's something to behold. He was a great support for the Hemsky-Penner show, and moved the puck at the same level they did all evening. Though he and Hemsky have never shown much chemistry together, the fact is that both Gagner and Hemsky work well with Penner and this seemed to allow them to play together. When one member of the line had the puck, instead of being able to key on one side of the ice as with the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line, this line punished you if you cheated to any side because you'd leave a legitimate scoring threat open. The fact that all three men can pass the puck excellently really helps out there. The challenge for Sam will be to keep his level of play high; I don't think the other two will have any trouble.
Visnovsky
I didn't even realize how big of a game Lubomir had until I thought about it. He scored an excellent goal to take the lead for us (with that unique slapper only he can do). Penner's second goal rush was started when Visnovsky broke up a Columbus rush in the Edmonton zone. He was on the ice at the end of the game and made the flip play to Nilsson so that he could bat that puck down the ice into the empty net. My favorite play of the night though was his pass to set up the Hemsky goal. That play was downright filthy. With all the boneheads, who seemed to be out in greater quantity tonight, yelling for him to shoot, he rightly and calmly found an open Hemsky who made no mistake. Lubomir was just plain on fire tonight. To any truly insane people out there who believe that we should trade this guy, watch this game. He did several things almost entirely unique to him in this league, and the combination of he and Hemsky on the ice is probably the most potent one we've got.
Smid
I have to say that if I were to hand out a fourth star tonight it would have gone to Ladislav Smid. Many have commented on how this guy is blossoming fast and furious before our eyes. After tonight he is second in the entire league in +/- ahead of Alexander Ovechkin. The guy took on Rick Nash a number of times tonight and plain shut him down. He tried to fight that little chicken Dorsett when he started to cause trouble. The guy is just an incredible, reliable, tough defenceman and is stepping up when we need it big-time. What a player.
Khabibulin
He was beaten by some truly excellent offensive efforts on the part of Columbus, but once again locked the barn and calmed his team down, then provided stellar netminding down the stretch to preserve the win. There's been no question so far that a puck will either have to be almost unstoppable or go in on a goofy play to get by this guy this season. He's solid as a rock. On any night when we get a half decent defensive effort, we have an advantage because of this guy. I read a reference to a Fuhr-type goaltender. Maybe, and I look forward to finding out.
Comrie-Horcoff-O'Sullivan
One thing that really impressed me about these guys is how quickly they cleared their own zone. They were always moving forward, making passes and catching up to loose pucks. I hold out a lot of hope for them. I suspect Comrie was really very ill as he kept getting the puck in his wheelhouse in the offensive slot and was not able to get away those elusive shots he's so good at. Horcoff wasn't anything special most all of the night but I think he played okay. There was only so much he could really do. O'Sullivan continues to shine end-to-end and with a lot of reliability. At the end of the game Moreau took a spot on this line...I really didn't like that. I know what Quinn's doing, but the opposition immediately focuses their attention to his side of the ice and takes advantage of his degraded skating abilities and sudden lack of hitting (though he was slightly better at that tonight.
Moreau-Stortini-MacIntyre
Didn't play much obviously. MacIntyre looks like he's improved his skating some and got around pretty well. He even covered up on defence 2 or 3 times and was indeed effective.
Jacques-Cogliano-Nilsson
Robert certainly made the effort out there tonight. He was okay with the puck but what impressed most was his intention to be physical and make his presence known in some way. He had a couple corner hits and an excellent open-ice job. Wonderful. Jacques was a little quieter but we didn't need anything too exceptional from him tonight. Cogliano's struggles with the puck continue but I hold out hope that he'll be able to get his game on track and start scoring some. He had an empty net and just flat missed on a rush that would have really helped us out.
Gilbert-Grebeshkov
Easily the worst game I've seen this duo play. Both were really really shaky. I don't know what was wrong with Tom but it wouldn't surprise me if he was running a pretty good fever in that game. I recall a shift where he didn't seem to know to play the puck and also another one where he skated in the wrong direction several times. It was a little scary. Thankfully we got through. Grebeshkov wasn't as bad, but not sure why he was so out of it.
Chorney-Strudwick
Taylor played okay, though not so many of his little excellent pieces of work shone through tonight. Strudwick was terrible aside from being slightly physical with guys after the whistle. The way he got burned by Chimera without even looking like he had any clue where to be was just sad. He got caught standing still several times. When you're a bad skater it's even more important to keep your feet moving than with great skaters. He seems to have forgotten that part.
---------------------
What a great win. Just wow. I loved that.
We could have had 6 or 7 stars of the game tonight as we got some truly amazing individual performances that make watching truly a treat. If you know a fan who didn't get to see this one, find a copy of it somewhere and watch. from the second half of the second period on, it sure doesn't get much better.
Verdict on the first line? Yeah, keep that thing. It looked okay.
10/19/09
LMHF Game Report #6
EDMONTON 2
VS.
VANCOUVER 1
------------------
Memo to Vancouver fan:
I hate your team. You should too. They are everything that's still wrong with the game. They clutch and grab and hook and hold and whack you in the teeth then cry about it. They make me physically ill. It gave me immense pleasure to see their pathetic and, in the end, stupid final attempt to tie the game (after getting away with yet another penalty).
Also:
The refereeing this year had been fairly consistent and quite good in fact. That changed quite starkly tonight. Kerry Fraser, I hope that you're already embarassed with yourself, and should simply add this game to your pathetic pile of a career. You sat there and made multiple non-calls, in addition to 3 weak calls against Edmonton. On one shift, 2 Oilers were high-sticked in the face and 1 was tripped quite obviously; how many penalties did you call? None. At the end of the game, despite a good defensive effort, a penalty was committed against Ales Hemsky when the Vancouver player purposely caught his skate and knocked him down. You called nothing. Alex Burrows spent the whole evening hanging off of Ladislav Smid and Denis Grebeshkov, constantly falling down intentionally to bring them down. We all know the move, so do you, you didn't call it once. You're a gigantic piece of crap. Then to review that last attempt by the Canucks was just sad. The cherry on your crap sundae of a game.
SO, despite clearly being under the assault of an illness, getting horrid refereeing, starting slowly and having difficulty finding their groove all night....WE WIN.
That's how a team that means business and gives a damn does it. Tonight was ugly; easily our ugliest of the year, but we got the job done and I think it was easily the biggest victory so far this year.
I hope our Oilers hate Vancouver as much as I do. There will be more wins against them like this during this season if that's the case. Well done gentlemen!
PLAYER REPORTS
--------------------------
Khabibulin
I have a feeling I'm going to moving him to the front of the report more often. The guy was amazing AGAIN. He made all the difficult stops look incredibly easy AGAIN. He directed pucks away from his net effectively AGAIN. I knew in my mind that after they gave him that penalty he'd be stone cold, and he was. Nik is great normally, when he's pissed off? Forget about it. This guy just flat-out bars the door. We have a guy who outplayed Luongo. Nuff freaking said.
Hemsky
I've already snooped in the post-game thread and you guys are reacting on instinct and emotion...if you think about what happened on the last play of a game that he probably shouldn't have even been in and in which he busted his butt (and especially in the defensive zone), he did the responsible thing and didn't just whip a puck at the net. He attempted to skate it in and make sure, getting space so he could take a wrist shot. From any closer he could have been stick lifted. I've also seen that the play was legal; not in the new NHL. Whether he hit the puck first is irrelevant because he made sure to take his man down. If you've ever been a d-man or know anything about it, you know that Edler intentionally Hemsky down and made 100% sure he did. Aside from this play, he attempted a ton of shots, hustled like crazy, was in defensive position at nearly all times, and dragged Jacques around the ice all night and came out even. That was an excellent effort after being ill (and showing it quite noticably in the warmup, which you initial reactors wouldn't have seen. He didn't show it in the game). If you see the reverse replay, Luongo just barely robbed him on that breakaway btw.
Horcoff
He didn't have his best night and kind of got owned on the dot, but aside from the total goof-up on the break-away, I thought his play was respectable. I'm still not seeing anything in the offensive zone that makes me think he's going to get 20 goals, but he worked hard down low in the defensive zone. Up top he had some distinct problems moving the puck. Part of this is because he's essentially without one winger. Jacques doesn't provide correct support. It's really that simple.
Jacques
Covered above; I see the effort and it paid off in the one shift down low, but he cannot fill the role of LW with Horcoff and Hemsky. It does not work to create offence for this team. Jacques is also having some problems landing as many effective hits as he did at the beginning of the season. If Quinn is really dedicated to having one of the clubbers on that line, I'd put Stone there at this point. He's playing at a high enough level to contribute to the third or fourth line, but not the first.
Penner
Once again he was excellent and especially on the PK. There were several shifts where he dominated the play down low in the offensive zone with a variety of weapons. He dangled around a couple defencemen, overpowered some others, and skated past the others. He's consistently bringing it on each shift and is playing like his job is to lead his line. This is what we've always needed from him. Tonight when he got in close he consistently tried to make the scoring play, shifting the puck or going upstairs. This is exactly what he needs to do.
Gsgner
He wasn't a particularly effective shooter tonight but he positioned himself very well in the offensive zone and made the most of the best chance he got. I like the pesky element he's added to his game this season, and that's especially important against teams like Vancouver.
O'Sullivan
He continues to step up with his complete play and leadership in all zones. His goal was very nice as it required him to hold off a defender while transitioning the puck and putting it past one of the best goalies in the game. He was also in an excellent offensive position. What I enjoyed though were the saucer passes he makes so easily. There were several tonight threaded perfectly to the stick blade of his teammates through difficult areas. Watch his saucer passing next game; it is truly sublime.
Stone
He appears to have been hurt. That's no good. He could be really important in games like this.
Nilsson
He certainly wasn't anything special tonight. I would rather have had MacIntyre play tonight quite frankly.
Stortini
I didn't see any particular offensive flair in his game tonight. He went to the net, but was usually too late to make a difference and merely stopped in front of Luongo. He also didn't fare too well in that scrap.
Moreau
I thought Ethan looked really bad myself. He skated very slowly with the puck and wasn't able to get the puck when it would pop loose near him. One thing I noticed was particularly alarming however, and that was that he seemed to not be finishing his checks. Everyone on this team, from the shrimps like Comrie and Gagner, to Penner and Jacques are finishing their checks at a high percentage. They're making good positional contact and making the game hard for their opponents. Moreau was not doing this tonight. Being that his offensive game appears to be down the tubes, he needs to make this contribution and certainly didn't tonight.
Comrie
At least two of his penalties were really weak. He got hosed on a night when Quinn seemed to want to play him more than on past nights. He made a lot of responsible decisions with the puck and unfortunately couldn't score on the two nice chances he had in front of the net. A workmanlike effort I'd say.
Cogliano
Unspectacular. He wasn't in position enough to use his skating to his advantage. Also got owned on the dot. We seem to have lost a place for Andrew, as while it is a great luxury to have him as a "fourth line center", that's nowhere near his development curve or ceiling. His story during this year will be one to watch.
Smid
Continues to step up in a big way. He was tough and a plain rock in his offensive zone. If you didn't watch the game, he may also have made the save of the night when he robbed Vancouver in the third period with a sliding save. He is the shutdown guy that many people say we lack. Had the officiating been even reasonable, he also would have drawn at least 2 penalties with his sturdy effort.
Chorney
I can't believe I'm saying this, but he sure made Strudwick look like the rookie out there. Chorney won battle after battle behind his own net at key times using positioning and puck skills while his partner hobbled all over the ice leaving the offensive guy to do all the defensive work. Routinely, Chorney bailed out Strudwick on the PK and in other situations. He's come a long way already this year and is a better hockey player than his veteran partner. I recall one mistake when he attempted to pass off of his back foot and that was about it.
Strudwick
See above. He got his butt dragged around by a rook. He's not a positive aside from filling minutes. We have better in Peckham.
Visnovsky
Took a couple excellent shots that unfortunately didn't go in. He's also been playing with a bit of an edge lately and that's always a plus. I'm hoping he gets more time on the ice with Hemsky but I'm still pretty sure that's not happening. I'd love to know why.
Grebeshkov
The pass to O'Sullivan was simply beautiful. He timed it excellently and executed perfectly in traffic. That's how an offensively gifted guy can make a difference in the zone. Defensively I honestly didn't notice him that much aside from when he was being leg-humped by Burrows.
Gilbert
To me, it looked like he was sick as well. He was sluggish and awkward with the puck, not showing any offensive initiative, skating or strength out there. That's very unusual for Tom, even in his really bad games he usually shows something. Hopefully it's fleeting.
-----------------------------------
By the way, the Sportsnet Connected crew can stick it. That highlight pack and all their pro-Canuck commentary was disgusting.
We really missed Brule tonight. He brings something truly unique to this lineup in terms of talented depth.
MY THREE STARS
Khabibulin
O'Sullivan
Chorney
Looking forward to prolonging your misery all year long Vancouver. Take your parade planning and shove it.
VS.
VANCOUVER 1
------------------
Memo to Vancouver fan:
I hate your team. You should too. They are everything that's still wrong with the game. They clutch and grab and hook and hold and whack you in the teeth then cry about it. They make me physically ill. It gave me immense pleasure to see their pathetic and, in the end, stupid final attempt to tie the game (after getting away with yet another penalty).
Also:
The refereeing this year had been fairly consistent and quite good in fact. That changed quite starkly tonight. Kerry Fraser, I hope that you're already embarassed with yourself, and should simply add this game to your pathetic pile of a career. You sat there and made multiple non-calls, in addition to 3 weak calls against Edmonton. On one shift, 2 Oilers were high-sticked in the face and 1 was tripped quite obviously; how many penalties did you call? None. At the end of the game, despite a good defensive effort, a penalty was committed against Ales Hemsky when the Vancouver player purposely caught his skate and knocked him down. You called nothing. Alex Burrows spent the whole evening hanging off of Ladislav Smid and Denis Grebeshkov, constantly falling down intentionally to bring them down. We all know the move, so do you, you didn't call it once. You're a gigantic piece of crap. Then to review that last attempt by the Canucks was just sad. The cherry on your crap sundae of a game.
SO, despite clearly being under the assault of an illness, getting horrid refereeing, starting slowly and having difficulty finding their groove all night....WE WIN.
That's how a team that means business and gives a damn does it. Tonight was ugly; easily our ugliest of the year, but we got the job done and I think it was easily the biggest victory so far this year.
I hope our Oilers hate Vancouver as much as I do. There will be more wins against them like this during this season if that's the case. Well done gentlemen!
PLAYER REPORTS
--------------------------
Khabibulin
I have a feeling I'm going to moving him to the front of the report more often. The guy was amazing AGAIN. He made all the difficult stops look incredibly easy AGAIN. He directed pucks away from his net effectively AGAIN. I knew in my mind that after they gave him that penalty he'd be stone cold, and he was. Nik is great normally, when he's pissed off? Forget about it. This guy just flat-out bars the door. We have a guy who outplayed Luongo. Nuff freaking said.
Hemsky
I've already snooped in the post-game thread and you guys are reacting on instinct and emotion...if you think about what happened on the last play of a game that he probably shouldn't have even been in and in which he busted his butt (and especially in the defensive zone), he did the responsible thing and didn't just whip a puck at the net. He attempted to skate it in and make sure, getting space so he could take a wrist shot. From any closer he could have been stick lifted. I've also seen that the play was legal; not in the new NHL. Whether he hit the puck first is irrelevant because he made sure to take his man down. If you've ever been a d-man or know anything about it, you know that Edler intentionally Hemsky down and made 100% sure he did. Aside from this play, he attempted a ton of shots, hustled like crazy, was in defensive position at nearly all times, and dragged Jacques around the ice all night and came out even. That was an excellent effort after being ill (and showing it quite noticably in the warmup, which you initial reactors wouldn't have seen. He didn't show it in the game). If you see the reverse replay, Luongo just barely robbed him on that breakaway btw.
Horcoff
He didn't have his best night and kind of got owned on the dot, but aside from the total goof-up on the break-away, I thought his play was respectable. I'm still not seeing anything in the offensive zone that makes me think he's going to get 20 goals, but he worked hard down low in the defensive zone. Up top he had some distinct problems moving the puck. Part of this is because he's essentially without one winger. Jacques doesn't provide correct support. It's really that simple.
Jacques
Covered above; I see the effort and it paid off in the one shift down low, but he cannot fill the role of LW with Horcoff and Hemsky. It does not work to create offence for this team. Jacques is also having some problems landing as many effective hits as he did at the beginning of the season. If Quinn is really dedicated to having one of the clubbers on that line, I'd put Stone there at this point. He's playing at a high enough level to contribute to the third or fourth line, but not the first.
Penner
Once again he was excellent and especially on the PK. There were several shifts where he dominated the play down low in the offensive zone with a variety of weapons. He dangled around a couple defencemen, overpowered some others, and skated past the others. He's consistently bringing it on each shift and is playing like his job is to lead his line. This is what we've always needed from him. Tonight when he got in close he consistently tried to make the scoring play, shifting the puck or going upstairs. This is exactly what he needs to do.
Gsgner
He wasn't a particularly effective shooter tonight but he positioned himself very well in the offensive zone and made the most of the best chance he got. I like the pesky element he's added to his game this season, and that's especially important against teams like Vancouver.
O'Sullivan
He continues to step up with his complete play and leadership in all zones. His goal was very nice as it required him to hold off a defender while transitioning the puck and putting it past one of the best goalies in the game. He was also in an excellent offensive position. What I enjoyed though were the saucer passes he makes so easily. There were several tonight threaded perfectly to the stick blade of his teammates through difficult areas. Watch his saucer passing next game; it is truly sublime.
Stone
He appears to have been hurt. That's no good. He could be really important in games like this.
Nilsson
He certainly wasn't anything special tonight. I would rather have had MacIntyre play tonight quite frankly.
Stortini
I didn't see any particular offensive flair in his game tonight. He went to the net, but was usually too late to make a difference and merely stopped in front of Luongo. He also didn't fare too well in that scrap.
Moreau
I thought Ethan looked really bad myself. He skated very slowly with the puck and wasn't able to get the puck when it would pop loose near him. One thing I noticed was particularly alarming however, and that was that he seemed to not be finishing his checks. Everyone on this team, from the shrimps like Comrie and Gagner, to Penner and Jacques are finishing their checks at a high percentage. They're making good positional contact and making the game hard for their opponents. Moreau was not doing this tonight. Being that his offensive game appears to be down the tubes, he needs to make this contribution and certainly didn't tonight.
Comrie
At least two of his penalties were really weak. He got hosed on a night when Quinn seemed to want to play him more than on past nights. He made a lot of responsible decisions with the puck and unfortunately couldn't score on the two nice chances he had in front of the net. A workmanlike effort I'd say.
Cogliano
Unspectacular. He wasn't in position enough to use his skating to his advantage. Also got owned on the dot. We seem to have lost a place for Andrew, as while it is a great luxury to have him as a "fourth line center", that's nowhere near his development curve or ceiling. His story during this year will be one to watch.
Smid
Continues to step up in a big way. He was tough and a plain rock in his offensive zone. If you didn't watch the game, he may also have made the save of the night when he robbed Vancouver in the third period with a sliding save. He is the shutdown guy that many people say we lack. Had the officiating been even reasonable, he also would have drawn at least 2 penalties with his sturdy effort.
Chorney
I can't believe I'm saying this, but he sure made Strudwick look like the rookie out there. Chorney won battle after battle behind his own net at key times using positioning and puck skills while his partner hobbled all over the ice leaving the offensive guy to do all the defensive work. Routinely, Chorney bailed out Strudwick on the PK and in other situations. He's come a long way already this year and is a better hockey player than his veteran partner. I recall one mistake when he attempted to pass off of his back foot and that was about it.
Strudwick
See above. He got his butt dragged around by a rook. He's not a positive aside from filling minutes. We have better in Peckham.
Visnovsky
Took a couple excellent shots that unfortunately didn't go in. He's also been playing with a bit of an edge lately and that's always a plus. I'm hoping he gets more time on the ice with Hemsky but I'm still pretty sure that's not happening. I'd love to know why.
Grebeshkov
The pass to O'Sullivan was simply beautiful. He timed it excellently and executed perfectly in traffic. That's how an offensively gifted guy can make a difference in the zone. Defensively I honestly didn't notice him that much aside from when he was being leg-humped by Burrows.
Gilbert
To me, it looked like he was sick as well. He was sluggish and awkward with the puck, not showing any offensive initiative, skating or strength out there. That's very unusual for Tom, even in his really bad games he usually shows something. Hopefully it's fleeting.
-----------------------------------
By the way, the Sportsnet Connected crew can stick it. That highlight pack and all their pro-Canuck commentary was disgusting.
We really missed Brule tonight. He brings something truly unique to this lineup in terms of talented depth.
MY THREE STARS
Khabibulin
O'Sullivan
Chorney
Looking forward to prolonging your misery all year long Vancouver. Take your parade planning and shove it.
10/16/09
LMHF Game Report #5
EDMONTON 5
VS.
MINNESOTA 2
--------------------
I must say it was thoroughly refreshing to play against a Minny team that was both missing many of its best and no longer playing the style we suffered against for so very long against our coach who refused to change the way we played hockey against Minnesota (Nashville bugged me the same way too).
There were also at least 2 completely classic hockey plays tonight. I'll cover each before I even get to the player reports. Both involved Dustin Penner of course.
Classic Play #1
Starting out in the defensive zone where O'Sullivan gets whacked by Boogaard on a brutal play as they're leaving the zone. Instead of being intimidated or hurt, O'Sullivan jumps back up, skates into the play where he hits Boogaard to start the play, then grabs the puck, carries it patiently around the net and makes a absolutely beautiful pass through 3 Minny defenders and a goalie to a perfectly positioned Dustin Penner who concludes it with a goal. Were this the only half-decent play that occurred in the entire game, I'd still have been fairly entertained because it was truly exceptional. Boogaard's play had backfired; O'Sullivan not only brought it in a serious way on this play, but was motivated for the rest of the game.
Classic Play #2
Dustin Penner grabs the puck in the Oilers zone and immediately begins barreling down the wing; he makes a perfectly timed pass to Sam Gagner, keeping the play onside while avoiding having to go through the Minny D-line with the puck. He however continues charging right through the D, drawing a penalty in the process, while heading straight to prime scoring territory in front of the net. A money finish from Penner and it looks like we've got an elite power scoring winger on our hands. Amazing play. Just stunningly beautiful for a hockey fan.
Two plays like this in one game is not something you often see. We added to this with some great goals, some near misses, a solid goaltending performance and a big win back at home. Great way to spend a Friday evening despite the fact that the seats seemed to be more empty than usual this night.
PLAYER REPORTS
---------------------
Comrie
He scored an excellent goal on a play that started and ended with him. He showed his athleticism, shifitiness and nose for the net in a matter of several seconds. He also hit a post and had a few near misses the rest of the game. He slid into the spot with Horcoff quite well and they seemed to be very effective in reading off each other. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with Horcoff and Hemsky when Ales is healthy again. This line could work. Comrie didn't make defensive mistakes and even hit some people. I enjoyed his game and he contributed once again.
Horcoff
He played a better game with Comrie on his wing. They support each other fairly well and both take a while to accelerate so they seem to match speeds. Horcoff took a couple of weak shots and I truly don't think he'll ever get his shot back at this stage, but was positionally effective most of the evening. One area he's getting trapped in right now is the offensive corners. He doesn't seem to be using his body effectively. He's either turned away from the play, or paying too much attention to it and leaving the puck loose. Ideally Horcoff is not doing much of the puck-handling along the boards, but sometimes it's just necessary I suppose.
Nilsson
I really felt that he was not at the same level as Comrie and Horcoff early on. He was hanging onto the puck for a long time; and not out of patience but out of fear and indecision. He got a little better towards the end of the game and surely made an excellent play on the Comrie goal, but when Robert is on his game he fires the puck. Tonight I didn't see that instinct from him. Its understandable being that he was just jumping out of the PB, but if he's playing at all going forward, he needs to do this. There are some smaller players on the team right now who are bringing Nilsson's passing and playmaking, but also adding in physicality and/or shooting prowess. This means that even with production, he's likely jobless again quite soon.
Penner
Wow. Just wow. That'd be enough to describe his effort but I'll go into more. My only concern at all with him right now is that I wonder if he's not all that happy. I hope he starts smiling on the ice; maybe he just doesn't but I hope he's feeling it on the inside and realizes the performance he's giving right now. He's driving with the puck, keeping D off with his lead hand, creating separation, taking advantage of his oft-underrated passing ability, and driving to the net like a crazy person, then finishing like a champ. If he can keep this up we are simply on another level as a hockey team. Tonight he even got in Boogaard's face after he was taking liberties. If he'd have dropped them and pounded on the guy, he would've had one of the best nights I've seen anyone have in an Oilers uniform. We may have not only turned the corner with this guy, but ripped around it in a sportscar and hammered on the gas. He's creating a second offensive unit for us (and there also happen to be guys creating a third too!)
Gagner
If anyone had a bit of an off night up front, it might have been him. I just didn't think he was moving or firing the puck like he can. There's no doubt he made an excellent play on Penner's goal, but I thought his effort on the PP was less than inspiring. I'm willing to give him this one because he was statistically productive and we didn't need him tonight, but I know he can be better.
O'Sullivan
Were it not for Penner, I'd be ranting and raving about O'Sullivan's game tonight. The guy was excellent. He got under the skin of Boogaard and the Wild without losing any of his impressive cool; made some absolutely sick plays including a wonderful pass to Penner for a goal, and made an all-world backhand play in the first period that somehow stayed out. He had no room and no angle and somehow beat the goalie flat clean and made it look easy. This guy is just so damn good. Quinn is getting exactly what we need out of him; a complete game with offensive contribution consistently.
Brule
And if I hadn't been bragging about Penner and O'Sullivan, I'd be bragging about the contribution this guy is making. Confidence is absolutely everything in just about any sport. Gilbert Brule is riding high again and providing an amazing effort regardless of where he's lined up. Tonight he was done no particular favors and still managed to drive the net and score two wonderful goals. He kept up his pesky hitting game, looked excellent with the puck, and skated to all the right places. What a player to have in the bottom six. AGAIN, if he keeps this up, boy are we ever laughing. Play him more on the PP! He will keep scoring.
Stone
How exactly he did it aside from driving the net very effectively and positioning his body for ample distraction (especially on Brule's second goal) I really don't know, but he sure got it done. The guy's making simple plays and using his positioning. It's all he's got but he's getting the absolute most out of it. I imagine teams just hate him already. What a beautiful thing to have a guy teams hate to play without him being dirty in the least. The distraction he contributed on Brule's goal was just textbook; can't get over it. Poor guy got his first NHL goal ripped away; but I think he'll get it soon.
Jacques
He did his job and made a couple really excellent power plays using his body. I thought he could've been more physical, but it's okay when he helps his line stay offensively effective. I have a harder time picking up his effective games, so if anyone would like to add I'd really appreciate it here.
Cogliano
He skated very well with the puck until he got to the tops of the circles in the offensive zone. From there he either needed to cut to the middle and shoot, or burn wide and make a great pass. He was going to the middle and giving the puck to Minny. Not a fan. That said, he didn't hurt us.
Stortini
I like that Quinn clearly sent him after the good Minny players after the Boogaard hit. I also liked that he obliged and delivered. He didn't need to do anything crazy, but he helped make the point. No spurts of offence tonight, but that's okay.
Moreau
Honestly, I barely noticed he was playing.
OUR FORWARDS - Just an excellent team effort tonight. Period. Top to bottom. They stepped up with Hemsky ill.
Khabibulin
Again, only really beaten on kind of goofy plays. The guy was excellent when he had any kind of view of the puck. He wasn't overly tested as the shots were not great and in no way indicated that Minnesota was outplaying us (because they were not), but he did his job and again made it look EASY. Love watching this guy play goal.
Chorney
I didn't think he was as good as on the road trip because he didn't make the offensive contribution, but you could certainly have fooled me with regards to him being NHL ready. He skates with absolutely no panic in his stride when being chased. If you're a d-man you know what I'm talking about.
Strudwick
Yuck...out of position leaving his partner attempting to defend two men AGAIN. I think he may have lost a bit in the offseason. Let's hope they keep Chorney when Staios returns. He's better right now. I'm sure Peckham's better too.
Visnovsky
Offensively he was good if unspectacular tonight. What I enjoyed most was that he got really angry at Boogaard and was not afraid to get in his face at all. He's the number 1 right now and he easily asserts it. Very few pucks going the wrong way with him on the ice.
Smid
Covering defensively for Strudwick to the best of his ability. I still cannot believe he can't learn an offensive zone pass or shot to complement his excellent rushing ability. He had a couple great ones tonight and just doesn't know what to do after he gets in the offensive zone. Someone needs to teach him.
Grebeshkov-Gilbert
I honestly didn't notice either much aside from one Grebeshkov messup in the offensive zone. I'm therefore assuming they were pretty solid defensively and overshadowed by a superlative forward effort offensively.
-----------------
What started out as a boring game became incredibly enjoyable. Not something you could say often vs. Minny.
My 3 stars were same as the game. Penner-Brule-O'Sullivan. Great night.
VS.
MINNESOTA 2
--------------------
I must say it was thoroughly refreshing to play against a Minny team that was both missing many of its best and no longer playing the style we suffered against for so very long against our coach who refused to change the way we played hockey against Minnesota (Nashville bugged me the same way too).
There were also at least 2 completely classic hockey plays tonight. I'll cover each before I even get to the player reports. Both involved Dustin Penner of course.
Classic Play #1
Starting out in the defensive zone where O'Sullivan gets whacked by Boogaard on a brutal play as they're leaving the zone. Instead of being intimidated or hurt, O'Sullivan jumps back up, skates into the play where he hits Boogaard to start the play, then grabs the puck, carries it patiently around the net and makes a absolutely beautiful pass through 3 Minny defenders and a goalie to a perfectly positioned Dustin Penner who concludes it with a goal. Were this the only half-decent play that occurred in the entire game, I'd still have been fairly entertained because it was truly exceptional. Boogaard's play had backfired; O'Sullivan not only brought it in a serious way on this play, but was motivated for the rest of the game.
Classic Play #2
Dustin Penner grabs the puck in the Oilers zone and immediately begins barreling down the wing; he makes a perfectly timed pass to Sam Gagner, keeping the play onside while avoiding having to go through the Minny D-line with the puck. He however continues charging right through the D, drawing a penalty in the process, while heading straight to prime scoring territory in front of the net. A money finish from Penner and it looks like we've got an elite power scoring winger on our hands. Amazing play. Just stunningly beautiful for a hockey fan.
Two plays like this in one game is not something you often see. We added to this with some great goals, some near misses, a solid goaltending performance and a big win back at home. Great way to spend a Friday evening despite the fact that the seats seemed to be more empty than usual this night.
PLAYER REPORTS
---------------------
Comrie
He scored an excellent goal on a play that started and ended with him. He showed his athleticism, shifitiness and nose for the net in a matter of several seconds. He also hit a post and had a few near misses the rest of the game. He slid into the spot with Horcoff quite well and they seemed to be very effective in reading off each other. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with Horcoff and Hemsky when Ales is healthy again. This line could work. Comrie didn't make defensive mistakes and even hit some people. I enjoyed his game and he contributed once again.
Horcoff
He played a better game with Comrie on his wing. They support each other fairly well and both take a while to accelerate so they seem to match speeds. Horcoff took a couple of weak shots and I truly don't think he'll ever get his shot back at this stage, but was positionally effective most of the evening. One area he's getting trapped in right now is the offensive corners. He doesn't seem to be using his body effectively. He's either turned away from the play, or paying too much attention to it and leaving the puck loose. Ideally Horcoff is not doing much of the puck-handling along the boards, but sometimes it's just necessary I suppose.
Nilsson
I really felt that he was not at the same level as Comrie and Horcoff early on. He was hanging onto the puck for a long time; and not out of patience but out of fear and indecision. He got a little better towards the end of the game and surely made an excellent play on the Comrie goal, but when Robert is on his game he fires the puck. Tonight I didn't see that instinct from him. Its understandable being that he was just jumping out of the PB, but if he's playing at all going forward, he needs to do this. There are some smaller players on the team right now who are bringing Nilsson's passing and playmaking, but also adding in physicality and/or shooting prowess. This means that even with production, he's likely jobless again quite soon.
Penner
Wow. Just wow. That'd be enough to describe his effort but I'll go into more. My only concern at all with him right now is that I wonder if he's not all that happy. I hope he starts smiling on the ice; maybe he just doesn't but I hope he's feeling it on the inside and realizes the performance he's giving right now. He's driving with the puck, keeping D off with his lead hand, creating separation, taking advantage of his oft-underrated passing ability, and driving to the net like a crazy person, then finishing like a champ. If he can keep this up we are simply on another level as a hockey team. Tonight he even got in Boogaard's face after he was taking liberties. If he'd have dropped them and pounded on the guy, he would've had one of the best nights I've seen anyone have in an Oilers uniform. We may have not only turned the corner with this guy, but ripped around it in a sportscar and hammered on the gas. He's creating a second offensive unit for us (and there also happen to be guys creating a third too!)
Gagner
If anyone had a bit of an off night up front, it might have been him. I just didn't think he was moving or firing the puck like he can. There's no doubt he made an excellent play on Penner's goal, but I thought his effort on the PP was less than inspiring. I'm willing to give him this one because he was statistically productive and we didn't need him tonight, but I know he can be better.
O'Sullivan
Were it not for Penner, I'd be ranting and raving about O'Sullivan's game tonight. The guy was excellent. He got under the skin of Boogaard and the Wild without losing any of his impressive cool; made some absolutely sick plays including a wonderful pass to Penner for a goal, and made an all-world backhand play in the first period that somehow stayed out. He had no room and no angle and somehow beat the goalie flat clean and made it look easy. This guy is just so damn good. Quinn is getting exactly what we need out of him; a complete game with offensive contribution consistently.
Brule
And if I hadn't been bragging about Penner and O'Sullivan, I'd be bragging about the contribution this guy is making. Confidence is absolutely everything in just about any sport. Gilbert Brule is riding high again and providing an amazing effort regardless of where he's lined up. Tonight he was done no particular favors and still managed to drive the net and score two wonderful goals. He kept up his pesky hitting game, looked excellent with the puck, and skated to all the right places. What a player to have in the bottom six. AGAIN, if he keeps this up, boy are we ever laughing. Play him more on the PP! He will keep scoring.
Stone
How exactly he did it aside from driving the net very effectively and positioning his body for ample distraction (especially on Brule's second goal) I really don't know, but he sure got it done. The guy's making simple plays and using his positioning. It's all he's got but he's getting the absolute most out of it. I imagine teams just hate him already. What a beautiful thing to have a guy teams hate to play without him being dirty in the least. The distraction he contributed on Brule's goal was just textbook; can't get over it. Poor guy got his first NHL goal ripped away; but I think he'll get it soon.
Jacques
He did his job and made a couple really excellent power plays using his body. I thought he could've been more physical, but it's okay when he helps his line stay offensively effective. I have a harder time picking up his effective games, so if anyone would like to add I'd really appreciate it here.
Cogliano
He skated very well with the puck until he got to the tops of the circles in the offensive zone. From there he either needed to cut to the middle and shoot, or burn wide and make a great pass. He was going to the middle and giving the puck to Minny. Not a fan. That said, he didn't hurt us.
Stortini
I like that Quinn clearly sent him after the good Minny players after the Boogaard hit. I also liked that he obliged and delivered. He didn't need to do anything crazy, but he helped make the point. No spurts of offence tonight, but that's okay.
Moreau
Honestly, I barely noticed he was playing.
OUR FORWARDS - Just an excellent team effort tonight. Period. Top to bottom. They stepped up with Hemsky ill.
Khabibulin
Again, only really beaten on kind of goofy plays. The guy was excellent when he had any kind of view of the puck. He wasn't overly tested as the shots were not great and in no way indicated that Minnesota was outplaying us (because they were not), but he did his job and again made it look EASY. Love watching this guy play goal.
Chorney
I didn't think he was as good as on the road trip because he didn't make the offensive contribution, but you could certainly have fooled me with regards to him being NHL ready. He skates with absolutely no panic in his stride when being chased. If you're a d-man you know what I'm talking about.
Strudwick
Yuck...out of position leaving his partner attempting to defend two men AGAIN. I think he may have lost a bit in the offseason. Let's hope they keep Chorney when Staios returns. He's better right now. I'm sure Peckham's better too.
Visnovsky
Offensively he was good if unspectacular tonight. What I enjoyed most was that he got really angry at Boogaard and was not afraid to get in his face at all. He's the number 1 right now and he easily asserts it. Very few pucks going the wrong way with him on the ice.
Smid
Covering defensively for Strudwick to the best of his ability. I still cannot believe he can't learn an offensive zone pass or shot to complement his excellent rushing ability. He had a couple great ones tonight and just doesn't know what to do after he gets in the offensive zone. Someone needs to teach him.
Grebeshkov-Gilbert
I honestly didn't notice either much aside from one Grebeshkov messup in the offensive zone. I'm therefore assuming they were pretty solid defensively and overshadowed by a superlative forward effort offensively.
-----------------
What started out as a boring game became incredibly enjoyable. Not something you could say often vs. Minny.
My 3 stars were same as the game. Penner-Brule-O'Sullivan. Great night.
10/10/09
LMHF Game Report #4
EDMONTON 3
VS.
MONTREAL 2
--------------------------
I think the wave of relief washing over the fanbase is justified and appreciated right now. Regardless of whether you believe the Oilers should have come out of this with a better point total (I think at least 7), I think this win should at least leave a positive taste.
This team seems to be starting games fairly strongly. We are not the sleepy-start-squad like last year. This is a relief for me. Starting as we do tends to lead to a lot of victories, especially later in the season.
I'm not sure we're in great condition right now. We seem to be running out of gas before the final buzzer. I'm sure this is something that can be worked through, but I also think it's noticable right now.
I have a couple of criticisms of Pat Quinn, thought I generally like what he's doing with the team. I still don't understand the fascination with the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line. I still don't see it working. I think we're playing the puck up the boards in the defensive zone too much as well. Our strong-skating and passing defencemen need to take a couple steps with the puck to open up the ice and then make a pass. Right now they aren't taking those crucial strides and it seems to be systematic. Perhaps this is just an early-season place-filler for the breakout, but I hope we make it a little more complex. This method of clearing the zone is generating far too many chances for the opposition. I like that Quinn shortens his bench, but shortening it to include a line of Penner-Brule-Moreau (with Moreau on RW) is a huge mistake. It nearly cost us dearly.
A note for Montreal fans - you are the biggest bunch of weirdos ever. At least you're not jerk-Edmonton-based-Vancouver fan; but you are strange.
PLAYER REPORTS
----------------------
Hemsky
- I'd estimate this was his best game of the year so far. It was certainly his best game from the red line back to his own net. Ales was very effective defensively and took away many pucks, blocked a shot, used his body and speed to control the play. It sure looked like he was held up first on his penalty, as he'd actually made a really good effort to get into strong defensive position on what was looking like a dangerous-ish rush. In the offensive zone he was okay. He got a lot of pucks to the net and was far more assertive than he's been thus far. His post-rip was almost a thing of beauty. Really solid passing. At the end of the game he was either fairly tired (he played 20+ BTW) or really angry at himself for missing the EN. He got back to the group very slowly. I hope this game is the beginning of his elevation.
Horcoff
- It was unfortunate what happened on Montreal's second goal; especially after the outstanding save by Khabibulin. That goal is why I always try to block those with my skate facing away from the net rather than a stick which can flex or tip the puck up. Oh well. Aside from that I didn't mind his game. He still hasn't figured out that if he took the passes from Hemsky while moving towards the net instead of away that he would score more...I don't get it. He was responsible defensively though and skated into good positions. He did some great work along the defensive zone boards.
Jacques
- He was better than he's been the first three games. In addition to his tip goal, he spent a bunch more time getting to the front of the net where he's probably most useful. His presence almost resulted in another two goals. He was effective with his his hits as well. Play with the puck wasn't great. He did however position himself a little bit more effectively than last game.
Comrie
- An excellent read to skate hard for the open ice, followed by an excellent shot led to a goal for Mike, who is showing on the stats sheet why I'd call him the Oilers most consistent offensive threat right now. He's generated several chances each game and he did again tonight. He needs to be used more on the powerplay. Away from the puck I thought he was fine; not sublime but he didn't have to be.
Penner
- I thought it was a really up and down game for Dustin. This was as close to last year's version as I've seen, but he was still decently effective. I liked that he dumped the puck and blew by defenders into solid position in the second period. I liked the way he held the puck and killed off time when we had the lead. I didn't like the way he looked dead tired at the end of the game and I didn't like the way he looked unfocused at points during the game.
Brule
- The giveaway at the end of the second that led to a goal I don't think MTL would have got without this specific opportunity was unfortunate. He was in the process of making a responsible transition play and got a little unlucky and perhaps didn't make the safe enough play. Aside from this sequence, I thought he played a pretty solid game and as I've noted before, sure looks like he belongs. Wasn't sure about the cleanliness of the hit on Mara, but I liked that he was being aggressive and went for it. In the end it took a key MTL player out for 17 mins so I think we can certainly count that as a positive. He didn't get as many offensive chances as he has been, but that's okay when he's not making a bunch of mistakes.
O'Sullivan
- Great to see him get his first, which wasn't the most spectacular but they certainly don't have to be. The shot he rang off the post was beautiful and slightly unlucky. He didn't make any big mistakes and was generally a solid player all night.
Gagner
- I really liked the way Sam was being agressive towards the play and the puck for the first two periods. He's already come a long way this season and it's quite evident in his play. The pass to Comrie was absolutely perfect. A thing of beauty.
Stone
- I took OY's words to heart with regards to Stone and made a point of watching him closely tonight. By some happy coincidence Ryan decided to treat all of us including me to a truly superlative effort. I strongly felt that Stone should have been third star and especially over Jacques. Put aside the absolutely excellent power move he made to get the puck to O'Sullivan and generate a goal; Stone used strong positioning all night to supply puck support in both the offensive and defensive zone. He skated the puck either out of trouble or into trouble for MTL several times. I admire smart hockey above most anything else, and Stone played damn smart hockey tonight. He was also a pain in the butt for Montreal which is something he can do consistently. I have a hard time watching guys like Stone with a more open or understanding mind, but he earned some future attention from me with this effort.
Stortini
- I didn't really notice him tonight. I'd like to see a little more driving towards the net.
Cogliano
- He's a very good fourth line center; though I've got to wonder if Quinn was testing him ala Gagner and didn't get what he wanted.
Moreau
- Took a weak penalty, looked out of it at the end and struggled with his skating all night. I don't think he's healthy at all. Why not play Nilsson?
Strudwick
- Steady, but struggled moving the puck in his half of the neutral zone. This isn't surprising. The mission for Jason every night is simply not to get burned. He did a good enough job of that tonight.
Visnovsky
- I thought he was pretty good and made some good, speedy recovery plays. He needs to be our #1 right now, but will likely get a good push from Gilbert.
Gilbert
- Speaking of Tom, I liked his game tonight. I remember one shaky sequence that I believe was late in the first period, but aside from that he was pretty good. He wasn't able to jump into the play effectively like he usually does though. I'd expect a fair amount of effort to be put towards this next game.
Grebeshkov
- I think he looked great tonight. He was supremely confident with the puck and used his skating legs really effectively. I'm not sure how he got caught out of position on the Gionta goal, but it's understandable in that breakout position to be moving ahead of a turnover.
Staios
- To me, it looked like Steve is still shaken up. He was twitchy in pretty much everything he did tonight.
Smid
- Ladislav will have the opportunity to step up with Souray gone. I think he'll do well with that opportunity. He was boring-solid tonight and made an excellent choice in the Brewer-special wrister that resulted in the Jacques goal.
Khabibulin
- I cannot tell you how much joy it gives me to watch a goalie who makes it from post to post faster than the setup passes he's facing; and stops everything but stupid bounces and perfect chances without even looking like he's on fire yet. Khabibulin was good tonight and he made it look very VERY easy. I blame the guy in the row behind me who said "we're gonna get a shutout" twice for the Montreal goals. I almost hit him. His rebound control was sublime tonight.
-----------------
MY 3 STARS
1. Khabibulin
2. Stone
3. Shared by many
----------------
Really great to get this send-off win. I hope they're able to keep improving. They're on the right track...I think...
VS.
MONTREAL 2
--------------------------
I think the wave of relief washing over the fanbase is justified and appreciated right now. Regardless of whether you believe the Oilers should have come out of this with a better point total (I think at least 7), I think this win should at least leave a positive taste.
This team seems to be starting games fairly strongly. We are not the sleepy-start-squad like last year. This is a relief for me. Starting as we do tends to lead to a lot of victories, especially later in the season.
I'm not sure we're in great condition right now. We seem to be running out of gas before the final buzzer. I'm sure this is something that can be worked through, but I also think it's noticable right now.
I have a couple of criticisms of Pat Quinn, thought I generally like what he's doing with the team. I still don't understand the fascination with the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line. I still don't see it working. I think we're playing the puck up the boards in the defensive zone too much as well. Our strong-skating and passing defencemen need to take a couple steps with the puck to open up the ice and then make a pass. Right now they aren't taking those crucial strides and it seems to be systematic. Perhaps this is just an early-season place-filler for the breakout, but I hope we make it a little more complex. This method of clearing the zone is generating far too many chances for the opposition. I like that Quinn shortens his bench, but shortening it to include a line of Penner-Brule-Moreau (with Moreau on RW) is a huge mistake. It nearly cost us dearly.
A note for Montreal fans - you are the biggest bunch of weirdos ever. At least you're not jerk-Edmonton-based-Vancouver fan; but you are strange.
PLAYER REPORTS
----------------------
Hemsky
- I'd estimate this was his best game of the year so far. It was certainly his best game from the red line back to his own net. Ales was very effective defensively and took away many pucks, blocked a shot, used his body and speed to control the play. It sure looked like he was held up first on his penalty, as he'd actually made a really good effort to get into strong defensive position on what was looking like a dangerous-ish rush. In the offensive zone he was okay. He got a lot of pucks to the net and was far more assertive than he's been thus far. His post-rip was almost a thing of beauty. Really solid passing. At the end of the game he was either fairly tired (he played 20+ BTW) or really angry at himself for missing the EN. He got back to the group very slowly. I hope this game is the beginning of his elevation.
Horcoff
- It was unfortunate what happened on Montreal's second goal; especially after the outstanding save by Khabibulin. That goal is why I always try to block those with my skate facing away from the net rather than a stick which can flex or tip the puck up. Oh well. Aside from that I didn't mind his game. He still hasn't figured out that if he took the passes from Hemsky while moving towards the net instead of away that he would score more...I don't get it. He was responsible defensively though and skated into good positions. He did some great work along the defensive zone boards.
Jacques
- He was better than he's been the first three games. In addition to his tip goal, he spent a bunch more time getting to the front of the net where he's probably most useful. His presence almost resulted in another two goals. He was effective with his his hits as well. Play with the puck wasn't great. He did however position himself a little bit more effectively than last game.
Comrie
- An excellent read to skate hard for the open ice, followed by an excellent shot led to a goal for Mike, who is showing on the stats sheet why I'd call him the Oilers most consistent offensive threat right now. He's generated several chances each game and he did again tonight. He needs to be used more on the powerplay. Away from the puck I thought he was fine; not sublime but he didn't have to be.
Penner
- I thought it was a really up and down game for Dustin. This was as close to last year's version as I've seen, but he was still decently effective. I liked that he dumped the puck and blew by defenders into solid position in the second period. I liked the way he held the puck and killed off time when we had the lead. I didn't like the way he looked dead tired at the end of the game and I didn't like the way he looked unfocused at points during the game.
Brule
- The giveaway at the end of the second that led to a goal I don't think MTL would have got without this specific opportunity was unfortunate. He was in the process of making a responsible transition play and got a little unlucky and perhaps didn't make the safe enough play. Aside from this sequence, I thought he played a pretty solid game and as I've noted before, sure looks like he belongs. Wasn't sure about the cleanliness of the hit on Mara, but I liked that he was being aggressive and went for it. In the end it took a key MTL player out for 17 mins so I think we can certainly count that as a positive. He didn't get as many offensive chances as he has been, but that's okay when he's not making a bunch of mistakes.
O'Sullivan
- Great to see him get his first, which wasn't the most spectacular but they certainly don't have to be. The shot he rang off the post was beautiful and slightly unlucky. He didn't make any big mistakes and was generally a solid player all night.
Gagner
- I really liked the way Sam was being agressive towards the play and the puck for the first two periods. He's already come a long way this season and it's quite evident in his play. The pass to Comrie was absolutely perfect. A thing of beauty.
Stone
- I took OY's words to heart with regards to Stone and made a point of watching him closely tonight. By some happy coincidence Ryan decided to treat all of us including me to a truly superlative effort. I strongly felt that Stone should have been third star and especially over Jacques. Put aside the absolutely excellent power move he made to get the puck to O'Sullivan and generate a goal; Stone used strong positioning all night to supply puck support in both the offensive and defensive zone. He skated the puck either out of trouble or into trouble for MTL several times. I admire smart hockey above most anything else, and Stone played damn smart hockey tonight. He was also a pain in the butt for Montreal which is something he can do consistently. I have a hard time watching guys like Stone with a more open or understanding mind, but he earned some future attention from me with this effort.
Stortini
- I didn't really notice him tonight. I'd like to see a little more driving towards the net.
Cogliano
- He's a very good fourth line center; though I've got to wonder if Quinn was testing him ala Gagner and didn't get what he wanted.
Moreau
- Took a weak penalty, looked out of it at the end and struggled with his skating all night. I don't think he's healthy at all. Why not play Nilsson?
Strudwick
- Steady, but struggled moving the puck in his half of the neutral zone. This isn't surprising. The mission for Jason every night is simply not to get burned. He did a good enough job of that tonight.
Visnovsky
- I thought he was pretty good and made some good, speedy recovery plays. He needs to be our #1 right now, but will likely get a good push from Gilbert.
Gilbert
- Speaking of Tom, I liked his game tonight. I remember one shaky sequence that I believe was late in the first period, but aside from that he was pretty good. He wasn't able to jump into the play effectively like he usually does though. I'd expect a fair amount of effort to be put towards this next game.
Grebeshkov
- I think he looked great tonight. He was supremely confident with the puck and used his skating legs really effectively. I'm not sure how he got caught out of position on the Gionta goal, but it's understandable in that breakout position to be moving ahead of a turnover.
Staios
- To me, it looked like Steve is still shaken up. He was twitchy in pretty much everything he did tonight.
Smid
- Ladislav will have the opportunity to step up with Souray gone. I think he'll do well with that opportunity. He was boring-solid tonight and made an excellent choice in the Brewer-special wrister that resulted in the Jacques goal.
Khabibulin
- I cannot tell you how much joy it gives me to watch a goalie who makes it from post to post faster than the setup passes he's facing; and stops everything but stupid bounces and perfect chances without even looking like he's on fire yet. Khabibulin was good tonight and he made it look very VERY easy. I blame the guy in the row behind me who said "we're gonna get a shutout" twice for the Montreal goals. I almost hit him. His rebound control was sublime tonight.
-----------------
MY 3 STARS
1. Khabibulin
2. Stone
3. Shared by many
----------------
Really great to get this send-off win. I hope they're able to keep improving. They're on the right track...I think...
10/8/09
LMHF Game Report #3
EDMONTON 3
VS.
CALGARY 4
In a stinking shootout...
------------------------------------
I cannot believe we're standing here talking about two losses to Calgary. The first game should have resulted in at least a point...and this one, which we clearly controlled up until the Souray injury, could have gone our way on numerous occasions. A few things that happened and were really crummy tonight:
- Botching a 4-on-3 PP in OT (What was O'Sullivan doing taking those short shots that had no chance?)
- A highly questionable goal with 1.5 seconds left in the game (though even then, how do you allow Phaneuf and Bouwmeester to take a shot that late in the game?)
- An SO goal that apparently should not have counted followed by a post
- Souray getting whacked and it only resulting in a 2-minute PP
- A late 2nd period goal when this team had a ton of chances to make it 3 and 4-zip.
I understand there are going to be some growing pains with this team. That happens every time you have turnover like they've had this year. I'm willing to be patient with them as a group. That sentiment doesn't make this type of loss any easier to take. We were very much in control of this game and playing an excellent collapsing defensive style for much of the game. We fought off a BS 5-on-3 and should have scored immediately thereafter.
This is the kind of game where I don't go as in depth with the players individually. I didn't particularly think anyone was a huge star; though Khabibulin sure had his moments and kept this team in it for 1.5 seconds less than was needed. He's got some really bad breaks despite some absolutely stellar saves.
Up front, it's plainly obvious that the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line needs to be put to rest. Sure, they had one good sequence in the third where they wound up scoring a goal, but it just isn't working. Ales didn't have a very good game, Jacques continued his "way behind the play" routine, and Horcoff, though physical, just couldn't get anything done.
I was more annoyed with O'Sullivan tonight because he should have been a lot better than he was. Comrie's not impactful in the way that many guys are, but he sure looks like he's going to keep getting his points. He's the most consistent guy at creating chances for them right now. Stone is Stone. I don't mind him against Calgary but my was he ever bad with the puck.
Penner had it going again until the third. By then he looked just plain wiped and was making defensive zone screwups that wound up costing us. Brule I'm really starting to like. He was a half-step away from 2 or 3 goals tonight. He's using his skills (quickness, shooting, physicality) very well. He also doesn't ever seem to tire near the end of his shifts. Cogliano, once again, I felt all he did was skate around not producing anything in particular. It was nice to see him go to the net in a dynamic way twice late in the game. He used his first-step advantage effectively for a change. I hope that continues.
I didn't really mind the Moreau-Gagner-Stortini crew, but felt Sam got a little too much icetime tonight. He was playing okay but not great. I loved the goal Moreau scored.
Our D flat ran out of gas. Major kudos to Strudwick and Smid for stepping up in Souray's absence and almost keeping us in there. Denis was better...and worse. Tom was fine. Lubo finally showed his elite opposite blue line skill and made a bunch of recovery plays, but also had far too many shots blocked.
The key for us going forward is to keep the effort level high while making the strategic leaps forward that will come with time. It's far from panic mode in that we have a team that honestly looks like once it gets going it will rattle off winning streaks; but let's just hope we don't have to wait that long.
Other than that I'm too frustrated to write much more tonight. This could easily be a 3-0 team right now and it's not. ARGH.
VS.
CALGARY 4
In a stinking shootout...
------------------------------------
I cannot believe we're standing here talking about two losses to Calgary. The first game should have resulted in at least a point...and this one, which we clearly controlled up until the Souray injury, could have gone our way on numerous occasions. A few things that happened and were really crummy tonight:
- Botching a 4-on-3 PP in OT (What was O'Sullivan doing taking those short shots that had no chance?)
- A highly questionable goal with 1.5 seconds left in the game (though even then, how do you allow Phaneuf and Bouwmeester to take a shot that late in the game?)
- An SO goal that apparently should not have counted followed by a post
- Souray getting whacked and it only resulting in a 2-minute PP
- A late 2nd period goal when this team had a ton of chances to make it 3 and 4-zip.
I understand there are going to be some growing pains with this team. That happens every time you have turnover like they've had this year. I'm willing to be patient with them as a group. That sentiment doesn't make this type of loss any easier to take. We were very much in control of this game and playing an excellent collapsing defensive style for much of the game. We fought off a BS 5-on-3 and should have scored immediately thereafter.
This is the kind of game where I don't go as in depth with the players individually. I didn't particularly think anyone was a huge star; though Khabibulin sure had his moments and kept this team in it for 1.5 seconds less than was needed. He's got some really bad breaks despite some absolutely stellar saves.
Up front, it's plainly obvious that the Jacques-Horcoff-Hemsky line needs to be put to rest. Sure, they had one good sequence in the third where they wound up scoring a goal, but it just isn't working. Ales didn't have a very good game, Jacques continued his "way behind the play" routine, and Horcoff, though physical, just couldn't get anything done.
I was more annoyed with O'Sullivan tonight because he should have been a lot better than he was. Comrie's not impactful in the way that many guys are, but he sure looks like he's going to keep getting his points. He's the most consistent guy at creating chances for them right now. Stone is Stone. I don't mind him against Calgary but my was he ever bad with the puck.
Penner had it going again until the third. By then he looked just plain wiped and was making defensive zone screwups that wound up costing us. Brule I'm really starting to like. He was a half-step away from 2 or 3 goals tonight. He's using his skills (quickness, shooting, physicality) very well. He also doesn't ever seem to tire near the end of his shifts. Cogliano, once again, I felt all he did was skate around not producing anything in particular. It was nice to see him go to the net in a dynamic way twice late in the game. He used his first-step advantage effectively for a change. I hope that continues.
I didn't really mind the Moreau-Gagner-Stortini crew, but felt Sam got a little too much icetime tonight. He was playing okay but not great. I loved the goal Moreau scored.
Our D flat ran out of gas. Major kudos to Strudwick and Smid for stepping up in Souray's absence and almost keeping us in there. Denis was better...and worse. Tom was fine. Lubo finally showed his elite opposite blue line skill and made a bunch of recovery plays, but also had far too many shots blocked.
The key for us going forward is to keep the effort level high while making the strategic leaps forward that will come with time. It's far from panic mode in that we have a team that honestly looks like once it gets going it will rattle off winning streaks; but let's just hope we don't have to wait that long.
Other than that I'm too frustrated to write much more tonight. This could easily be a 3-0 team right now and it's not. ARGH.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
