Two coaches were victims of firings today before many of us out west were even awake. The Washington Capitals have fired Bruce Boudreau, and the Carolina Hurricanes have axed Paul Maurice. Dale Hunter will take over coaching duties in Washington, while Kirk Muller will head things in Carolina. Maurice was the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1000 NHL games. The Hurricanes, however, sit 2nd last in the NHL right now, after missing the playoffs two years in a row under Maurice. The Capitals are still in a good spot, but evidently are attempting to stop the bleeding before it gets too serious.
| -={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- |
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| 12-8-2 |
Record |
9-12-1 |
| Location: Pepsi Center |
| Date: Movember 26, 2011 @ 5:00 MST |
| TV: CBC |
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PRE-GAME RANT
The Oilers have won 2 of 3 games on this road trip so far (4-1 loss to Dallas, 6-2 win against Nashville, and 5-2 win vs. Minnesota). They’ve also seemed to have found their scoring touch, having scored 12 goals in those 3 games. I expect that we’ll see another good game tonight. The Oilers took the only meeting of the season between these two (also in Colorado) by a score of 3-1. The Nuge also seems to bring out his A game most when on CBC. I assume that is just blind luck, however.
Speaking of the Nuge, he’s still tied for first in team points and is on a point-per-game pace. His 24 points in 22 games puts him 8 points ahead of the closest rookie, Craig Smith of the Nashville Predators. I know the pace will have to slow down eventually, this season, but it doesn’t seem like it ever will. He’s looking better out there both offensively and defensively (despite being stripped of the puck on one of the Wild’s goals last night). This kid was the right choice.
Other “heroes” on the season… Ladislav Smid is still leading the league in shots blocked, while Nikolai Khabibulin is 4th in GAA and 2nd in SV%. Peckham is still trying to find his stride, and so is Whitney. I am anxious to see what happens once those two are back to their peak form.
Dubnyk should play this one tonight, although I don’t predict any other roster changes tonight.
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| 11-8-2 |
Record |
13-5-3 |
| Location: Xcel Lack-of-energy-for-the-Oilers Center |
| Date: Movember 25, 2011 @ 2:00 MST |
| TV: SNETW |
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PRE-GAME RANT
So back to the building where the Oilers haven’t won in 17 straight games. No curse there, folks.. no curse. WE GOT THIS. It’s an early one today too. Who the hell plays hockey at 2PM?? The unemployed don’t even play hockey at that time. This is ridiculous. I’ll be missing this one while I’m stuck working. Maybe I can sneak away to a neighboring pub.
Anyways, I don’t see the Oilers breaking the streak against a team that is currently hot, but that sure would be nice and do wonders for our road confidence.
Alex Plante has been returned to Oklahoma City, as Ryan Whitney returns tonight. Lineup will be edited when I find out what is happening. Also returning tonight is Oil Change Season 2. Episode 2 airs tonight at 8pm on CityTV, then again on Sunday at 9pm on Sportsnet West.
No prediction today again, as we seem to be doing well when I’m not jinxing us.
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| -={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- |
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| 10-8-2 |
Record |
10-5-4 |
| Location: Bridgestone Arena |
| Date: Movember 22, 2011 @ 6:00 MST |
| TV: SNETW |
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PRE-GAME RANT
When will these road horrors endddd? November sucks. Another reason to look forward to the new arena is we won’t have to add to our road woes in November by default with the CFR-induced road trip. It kills us yearly, I’m sure. Yes, the CFR is over, but I’m just saying that it just makes the month more grueling when we start off with 6, off the bat. Now we’re one game into a 4 game road trip again (to which the CFR can’t be blamed however). This November schedule just plain sucks.
Anyways, let’s hope that the Oilers can at least take A game on this road trip. Tonight sounds like a good enough one to take.
Taylor Chorney has been returned back to Oklahoma City. Alex Plante has been recalled. Aside from that, only a change in goalies marks this lineup as being any different tonight (so far… no word on Paajarvi returning to the lineup, for example).
No prediction again tonight…. win damn it!
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| 10-7-2 |
Record |
11-8-0 |
| Location: American Airlines Center |
| Date: Movember 21, 2011 @ 6:30 MST |
| TV: SNET OILERS |
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PRE-GAME RANT
The Oilers are fresh off their best win in recent years, with a 9-2 victory over the Blackhawks. I don’t think anyone saw that coming. I can’t see them following that up tonight, but hopefully they can at least make a game of it. This team IS good and has some superb offensive weapons. They just needed a blowout like that to get some confidence back. A hattrick for Taylor Hall hopefully opens up the floodgates for him – that was much needed.
One guy that didn’t score a point at all that night was Magnus Paajarvi. His struggles continue. It’s upsetting because I know he’s in the quicksand right now. Nothing he does seems to improve things for him. The chances have been there at times. I think he’ll get it, but I hate seeing players struggle.. for their sake. Anyways, he will sit out again tonight. It might be worth considering sending him to Oklahoma City for a bit to find some confidence. Ben Eager will also sit. Replacing these two will be Lennart Petrell and Darcy Hordichuk. Hordichuk hasn’t won over everyone, I know, but before he was hurt many fans here were loving him. So I hope he can get back to that form again.
Khabibulin gets the start again tonight. It seems that he is our official starter from here on out, until he slips long term.
I’ll be missing this one tonight, unfortunately, but I’ll PVR it. Hoping that it’s a good one.
Prediction 4-3 Stars
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Around the NHL | Racki November 28, 2011 | 
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