Predators 3, Oilers 2 (SO) – Basement Literature
Every now and again (more now than again) the Oilers roll out a game that’s not fit for human consumption. You know, the Carolina game earlier in the season, and the Ranger game that followed it? You might classify those games as “Games That Edmonton Gets Beaten By Five Or More Goals”. Not much fun. However, when those types of games are played, I usually have lots of angry things to write.
It’s not going to be one of those days. Plus, the Oilers got a point in last night’s 3-2 shootout defeat versus Nashville, not that a point is worth anything at this time of the season. Let’s gush with excitement.
THE GOOD
Jeff Petry, ladies and gentlemen.
What to say about Jeff Petry? The guy eats a ton of clock, he’s not bleeding plus / minus all over the ice, and his name doesn’t leap at you from the headline about horrible mistakes in his game. Solid effort from a guy who has just a dozen games in his young NHL career. Keep an eye out for Petry. If he can chew up clock and be two standard deviations from the Oilers statistical norm at the end of the season, he’d be a great candidate for the blue come opening night 2011.
Devan Dubnyk had himself a solid game, and it could easily have gone his way had the Oilers lent one more in the line of goal support. Dubnyk now sits at 4-4-6 on the season, 2.75 GAA and .920 SV%. Granted he’s only played in 16 games so far (and has had a few bumps along the way), but I’ll bet that you looked twice at that save percentage to make sure I didn’t type it wrong. Dubnyk is making the most of his opportunities to start, and I’d be excited to see what his numbers would look like if he played twelve to fifteen more games this season. And, while Khabibulin isn’t totally stinking up the boat, but his numbers are about what you’d expect on this team (8-21-2, 3.46 GAA and .892 SV%).
While winning games is great and it feels like a holiday weekend when Edmonton wins, evaluation has got to have crept into the minds of management right now. Again. I’m totally for the idea of playing Khabibulin in games if it would help perpetrate interest in a 39 year old goaltender around the trade deadline, I just don’t think that there could be any less interest in Khabibulin right at the moment. Would it be too much to ask for a 50/50 split between Dubnyk / Khabibulin down the line? Dubnyk’s SV% is 22 saves better than Khabibulin’s over 1000 shots on goal. What do you say, management?
When you’re done evaluating, get back to me.
So what else? A slew of near misses, should’ve beens, and “chances” caught up to the Oilers at the shootout.
The two Oiler tallies were quality. A streaking Cogliano had Edmonton’s first goal in the third period off a nice feed from one Liam Reddox, and Taylor Hall kept it interesting by scoring the tying goal with just under four minutes remaining in regulation from Dustin Penner.
FINALLY
There have been some real misadventures throughout history. Crystal Pepsi… the Hindenburg… the Edsel… the Guardian Project…
Let’s hear what you think about this.
Fist bump to tweeps @GillianFoote and @MJForbes for pointing this out.
Edmonton hits the road to Phoenix on Tuesday, where if you’ve got some extra coin, go ahead and make the trek to Phoenix to catch the Oilers take on the Coyotes. But what’s this?!? If I can find eleven of my closest friends, I can get a suite, where they’ll bring me Molson or Labatt Blue? And Canada Dry Ginger Ale? AND POUTINE!??
I could almost…almost…almost see if the Habs were playing in Phoenix, and the Canadiens were pulling a sort of Nordiques Nation style invasion in Phoenix that it would be a nice idea to have a try of poutine. I could almost see how that would be a good idea.
I’ve got to know if any Canadians plan on taking this deal up, and if the ginger ale, one beer per person in a suite and TRAY OF POUTINE were deal clinchers. If you’re one of them, let me hear from you. It’d be real interesting to hear if anyone from the Peg takes this deal up.
Take it home, XTC.
“Ball and Chain” (1982) from the album English Settlement.
Stay warm.