Saturday, October 29, 2011

Game 10: Edmonton 3 Colorado 1


With Nikolai Khabibulin carrying the load the past ten days, goaltender Devan Dubnyk had been forced to sit and patiently await his next opportunity. That chance came Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche and the big netminder did not disappoint. Dubnyk stopped 40 of 41 shots, in leading the Edmonton Oilers to their fourth consecutive victory, this time by a score of 4 - 1. Ryan Smyth led the way up front with a goal and two assists and defenceman Cam Barker chipped in with his first goal in an Oilers uniform.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Game Day : Oilers vs Avalanche **UPDATE**




Edmonton (5-2-2) vs Colorado (6-3-0)

Time:     7:00pm
Where:   Pepsi Center
Watch:    Sportsnet One
Listen:    630 Ched



Ryan Whitney Likely Too Miss 3 - 4 Weeks


During coach Tom Renney's post game press conference, he gave a quick update on defenceman Ryan Whitney's injury situation. Initially said to be "no big deal", the right knee sprain has gone from a week or so to "three weeks or a little longer". Anyone who witnessed the bad luck collision between Whitney and Corey Potter, knew that the news would not be good. With the team heading into one of the toughest parts of their schedule, it is clear that Steve Tambellini will need to get on his phone and look at bringing in some help on the blueline.

Game 9: Edmonton 2 Washington 1


The Edmonton Oilers continued their early season success by defeating the previously undefeated Washington Capitals by a score of 2-1. Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle both scored on the power play for the home team but it was a heroic performance from goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, that was the difference. The Russian netminder stood tall all night long but was all world in the third period. He withstood a nineteen shot barrage, in the final stanza, and made seven or eight highlight reel saves to preserve the victory.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Game Day : Capitals vs Oilers


Washington (7-0-0) vs Edmonton (4-2-2)
 
Time:     7:30pm
Where:   Rexall Place
Watch:    TSN
Listen:    630 Ched


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Resurgence Of The Bulin Wall


It is early in the 2011-2012 season but you would be hard pressed to find a player that has surprised more people around the NHL, then Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. While the first two seasons in Edmonton have been some of the most disappointing in the Russian netminders career, the current campaign seems to be at the other end of the spectrum.

Game 8: Edmonton 3 Vancouver 2


For the first time in ages, the Edmonton Oilers have shown the ability to make teams pay that visit Rexall Place and that trend continued on Tuesday evening as the Oilers edged the Vacouver Canucks by a score of 3-2. The win moves Edmonton to an impressive 4-1-1 on home ice while the Canucks now sit a game below .500 on the road with a record of 2-3-0. Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin continued his resurgence, with yet another stellar performance in goal, stopping 35 of 37 shots. While Roberto Luongo's October struggles hit a new low, as the netminder was pulled in the second period after allowing three goals on only four shots in the middle stanza.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Game Day : Canucks vs Oilers




Vancouver (4-3-1) vs Edmonton (3-2-2)
 
Time:     7:30pm
Where:   Rexall Place
Watch:   Sportsnet West
Listen:    630 Ched

Monday, October 24, 2011

Talk About Surprises!


When the Edmonton Oilers signed Corey Potter to a one year two-way deal, it was thought of nothing more then a depth signing for the organization. The former fourth round pick of the New York Rangers, was surely being brought in to help the club down in Oklahoma City and possibly be a short term call up, if the injury bug hit. Obviously, no one let Mr.Potter know what was expected of him.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Future of Linus Omark


With Linus Omark being banished to the press box for the second time this young season, it appears the talented Swede may be in jeopardy of losing his spot in the starting  lineup. One can understand the move, as many of  the Oilers forwards are the same in stature and play a similar style of game. That being the case, I would be rather disappointed to see the highly skilled forward moved to a different organization...especially when they would receive very little of value in return.

Game 7: Edmonton 2 New York 0

 
With rumours floating about that the Edmonton Oilers were considering not dressing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, both critics and fans were left scratching their heads. Coach Tom Renney decided to leave the rookie centre in the starting lineup and the kid rewarded him with another dazzling performance, leading Edmonton to a 2-0 victory over New York. Nugent-Hopkins scored his fifth goal of the season and added a helper which earned the youngster his second consecutive first star performance on Hockey Night In Canada.