slapshot™

The 'Canes roll into Rexall Place (it's still weird saying that) with a road record of 2-8-3. The Oil are on a one game winning streak (yippee!) and are desperate to build on that. I'm guessing that Tommy Salo will get the nod for tonight's game. As we all know, the Oiler "special" teams are anything but special. Here's a breakdown:

PP - Oilers - 11.3% (29th)
PP - Canes - 11.7% (27th)

PK - Oilers - 73.1% (30th...frickin' dead LAST)
PK - Canes - 83.4% (18th)

Salo has to prove to the nay-sayers that he has what it takes and the Oil special teams have to improve. The Oil have been getting shots ON the net (last 3 games) but they have to get then IN the net to make them count. The Oil cannot afford to come out flat. They need this win.

flyerfan2

Well slappy i think this is a game the oil should win and have to win in order to start making up some ground in the west.I'm not convinced that Salo should get this start as his play before he got injured doesn't warrent him starting over Conklin.The oilers goaltending well Salo was out was not the oilers problem it was like you said the special teams play and their lack of scoring.Untill Conklin has a few bad games the oilers shouldn't be in any hurry to replace him with of all goalies Salo.

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slapshot™

No doubt Conklin has played well (6-6-1 since Salo went down) and none of the losses are a result of him. I'm just thinking you have to get your starter back out there. Basically, it's a fresh start for Tommy. If he can get some good games under his belt it won't be long and he can bring his save % back to a somewhat respectable point. IMHO, you pay the guy big bucks therefore you gotta play him hard.

flyerfan2

Right now i'm not convinced Salo is the Oilers # 1 guy as Conklin for the most part has played a more steady and reliable game than Salo in his starts.I'm just wondering at what point the oilers cut their loss's with Salo and go with the guy{Conklin } that has provided the oilers with the steadier goaltending.I think that MacT has to go with the goaltender that gives the Oilers the best chance at winning no matter what price tag either goalie comes with because in the end it comes down to winning.Now having said this Salo will get some starts weather it be tonight or down the road but i have to wonder how long the oilers will stick with him if his play doesn't get some consistancey to it??and at what point does he lose his starting job to Conklin or another goalie via the trade route?I know it's early in the season still but in order for the Oilers to get back into a playoff possition goaltending will play a key roll in weather or not they can and i'm not convinced Salo can offer that to this team.

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The Gloves are off wanna go?

slapshot™

Conklin has proved he can carry the team. That puts additional pressure on Salo as he knows there is someone right there that can steal his starting position. That in itself should (I would think) make Salo elevate his game. I don't think the Oil would contemplate skidding Salo but rather Oiler brass are more assured that if he isn't playing up to par they have Conklin to step in.

Salo is in the last year of his contract ($3.9M this season). If he continues to struggle the Oil are going to have a difficult time to deal him to another team. It's not like good netminders are a scarce commodity these days. I think the Oil have to get Salo back into the fire and see how he performs. He has been laid up long enough. They are going to see if he is worth the money.

hockeykid11

Edmonton should win this game. The new line of Smyth-York-Hemsky should be very productive as weel as Torres-Oates-Dvorak. As FF2 said, Salo does not want to give up his job. My Prediction: 4-1 Oil

scottthegame

WOW! I didn't think that the Oilers PK was THAT bad! Fortunately, the Canes PP is pretty bad too, so :? Also, will we see the pre Olympics Salo? 3-2 Oil.

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slapshot™

So much for a winning streak. The Oil dropped this game 3-2 and both teams each managed a PP goal. Semenov and Hemskey (PP) scored the goals for Edmonton while Vrbata (PP) got one and Murray potted two for the 'Canes.

Oiler highlight - Heskey had a team high of 5 shots on net.
Oiler lowlight - Oilers won 42% of the draws

bigbigjim

Did the Canes have a good game or was Salo off? I noticed it was 3-0 at one point so at least the Oil made a game of it.

Is Oates starting to get his timing back?

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slapshot™

I missed the game as I too had a game last night. I heard a bit of the second period on the radio and at one point Oates had a golden opportunity on an open net but missed. Oates faceoff % was a laclustre 45% (10 won and 12 lost).

Again the Oil had to play from behind. Their PP goal was scored with less than 30 seconds left in the third. Too little, too late.