Only three games into the season, and Edmonton has been shut out twice. Lack of team chemisty is already starting to become an issue, but I'm hard pressed to find a reason why. This team looked like it had everything going game 1, what happened? Out of the blue its like the whole teams got stone hands or something, this trend cannot keep going... although they didn't play that bad tonight (few turnover's smith in general had a pretty nasty one) they still were not able to score, a full 2 games with out one goal has gotta be depressing for a team just starting this season, and this could turn out to be one of those spirl affects where the whole team is lacking confidence. Secondly, Salo looked shakey... I'm not upset that he let in a goal or anything like that, but there where alot of posts tonight which may show a lack of confidence.... Edmonton needs to get their hands back and fast.. by next game hopefully.
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"You see things and you say "Why?"; but I dream things that never were and I say "Why not?""- George Bernard Shaw
"Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life." - Brigham Young
You hear of a team that is doing well and they say they're firing on all cylinders....well, the Oil are parked on the side of the road since the race has begun...oh sure, they popped the clutch and lurched forward for the first game but have done nothing since then.
I feel the Oil aren't hungry. They have to want it more than the opposing team...they need to play with a sense of desperation....and if all else fails...shoot the damn puck! 19 shots last night and 14 shots in Vancouver = 33 shots in 2 games. That is just not acceptable.
As last season showed, the Oilers are only as good as Ryan Smyth is. He's invisible playing centre! He should be back at left wing stirring things up in front of the net. He's totally useless as a centre! I'd insert Jarret Stoll at centre just to get Smyth back to wing where he belongs.
The power play is pathetic just as it was last season! 0 for 13 in the last two games. Way to go Craig Simpson! Great hiring. :x
As last season showed, the Oilers are only as good as Ryan Smyth is. He's invisible playing centre! He should be back at left wing stirring things up in front of the net. He's totally useless as a centre! I'd insert Jarret Stoll at centre just to get Smyth back to wing where he belongs.
The power play is pathetic just as it was last season! 0 for 13 in the last two games. Way to go Craig Simpson! Great hiring. :x
Wow, jumping off the bandwagon already??? Its 3 games into the season. You could also argue the defence is playing well, which is a good sign because the Oilers have always been weak at giving up cheap goals. Way too soon to get concerned IMO.
The Oilers need Comrie. he's the closest to a 1st line center that the Oilers have right now. York isn't a natural center, and he's playing first line center. Same goes for Smyth, he's been playing wing all his career, and he suddenly goes to his unatural position. Therefore, the chemistry is all messed up, with a whole bunch of new players coming in, and players playing different position. The next few games, the Oilers should try out new combinations.... How about:
Smyth-Horcoff-Hemsky (the line that we can count on for scoring)
Torres-Stoll-Dvorak (Stoll and Torres had chemistry in Hamilton)
Moreau-Reasoner-Chimera (checking line with occasionial scoring)
Isbister-York-Laraque (power line)
The Oilers need Comrie. he's the closest to a 1st line center that the Oilers have right now. York isn't a natural center, and he's playing first line center. Same goes for Smyth, he's been playing wing all his career, and he suddenly goes to his unatural position. Therefore, the chemistry is all messed up, with a whole bunch of new players coming in, and players playing different position. The next few games, the Oilers should try out new combinations.... How about:
Smyth-Horcoff-Hemsky (the line that we can count on for scoring)
Torres-Stoll-Dvorak (Stoll and Torres had chemistry in Hamilton)
Moreau-Reasoner-Chimera (checking line with occasionial scoring)
Isbister-York-Laraque (power line)
I dunno, maybe.... what do you think?
Mac-T mixed up the lines (quite) a few times last season trying to get the most out of them. Maybe that's the way to go - maybe not. I'm kinda against it, however.
I do think you have a valid point about players (Smyth and York) not playing their regular positions, however.
I've never jumped off the Oilers bandwagon. I take exception to that comment as I've been a diehard fan since April 1981. Even during the lean years of 94-96 I stood by them.
My point is that points in October are just as important as points in March!
One of the goals this season was to get off to a quick start so the team wouldn't have to dog fight it for a 7th or 8th playoff spot come April.
Plus, they were 2-straight losses vs teams in the Northwest division. Those are 4-point games!
A loss or tie against Buffalo should trigger a Comrie move one way or the other.
You've gotta be strong down centre to compete in any league.
I've never jumped off the Oilers bandwagon. I take exception to that comment as I've been a diehard fan since April 1981. Even during the lean years of 94-96 I stood by them.
My point is that points in October are just as important as points in March!
One of the goals this season was to get off to a quick start so the team wouldn't have to dog fight it for a 7th or 8th playoff spot come April.
Plus, they were 2-straight losses vs teams in the Northwest division. Those are 4-point games!
A loss or tie against Buffalo should trigger a Comrie move one way or the other.
You've gotta be strong down centre to compete in any league.
I totally agree with all your points, Gramps. Last season, the Oil just barely snuck into the playoffs. The year before they didn't make it even with more than 90 points. Every game counts - especially in the West.
I don't think because a person berates their team means they're wagon-jumpers. Oiler fans have expectations - high ones. Making the playoffs is the minimum level the bar can be set. Of an 84 game season playing at .500 will only garner 84 points. 84 points will not get you into the playoffs. The way the West is this year a team is going to have to play .600 hockey to assure a berth in the playoffs (discounting ties, of course).
The Oil also have a very tough sked. After tonight's game vs Buffalo, they face the AVS twice, the Blues once and the Flames again. That's 5 games in 10 days!
I expect Conklin to get the start tonight. I'd also like to see Semenov and Stoll suit up tonight. Pisani should be scratched. He's doing just what I'd expected after gaining a one-way-deal....NOTHING.
Someone please remind me why Kevin Lowe is the GM?
It's the first three games, so they have been shut out and that by two back up tenders, i bet if we lost the first game (shutout), won the second and lost the third(shutout) people would be happier. I think because not only did we lose the first two games, we were held goaless that the seriousness of the situation has risen. I think they will pull out of the hole tonight. The oilers really have to start trying harder if they want to end up in the post-season at the end of the season.
Dry Spell for the Oilers???
Dry Spell for the Oilers???
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