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By Racki, March 17, 2011 10:03 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 37-23-11 Record 23-38-9 Location: Rexall Place Date: March 17, 2011 @ 7:00 PM MST TV:SNETW

PRE-GAME RANT

The picture above is of Chris Vande Velde, who makes his official NHL debut tonight. He was called up, along with centre Ryan O’Marra and winger Alex Giroux. Also previously called up was Teemu Hartikainen, who will also make his NHL debut tonight. By my count, Vande Velde and Hartikainen join a list that is now 8 7 players long of players who have made their NHL debut with the Oilers this year: Jeff Petry, Magnus Paajarvi, Taylor Hall, Linus Omark, Jordan Eberle, Shawn Belle, (snipped Belle because he actually played a few games in Minny and Montreal) Vande Velde, and Hartikainen. That also makes 11 different players that the Oilers have called up from the Barons (8 of them currently sitting on the Oilers team). Trogdor also reminds me that several ladies made their NHL debut with the Oilers this year as well: Octane.

I would not expect a pretty one, but it will be nice to get a closer look at Teemu Hartikainen, who has played quite well for the Barons this year. Chris Vande Velde has had his struggles, although his focus has been on the defensive aspects of his game. It will be good to get a close look at him too.

So now with these 3 call ups, the Oilers have an average of a shade over ONE whole full season played per player on their forward group (just over 2.5 for all skaters). Yikes. Sounds like Theo Peckham is close to a return, at least.

On to the fun stuff… the Coyotes are a mere 4-4-2 in their last 10, however 3 of those 4 wins came all in a row recently, as they’re on a 3-game winning streak. The Oilers are 4-5-1 in their last 10, looking at times like a team that wants to compete hard on one night, and a team that has no place in the NHL (mainly because it’s composed of AHLers) on other nights. We’ll see which one we get to watch tonight!

With any luck, this will also be the last time the Oilers ever play the Phoenix Coyotes (sorry Phoenixonians… Phoenixites… Phoenixers… whatever).

Prediction: 4-0 Coyotes

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Continue reading 'GDT Oilers 1, Coyotes 3 – Game 71 – 2011-03-17 @ 7:00 PM MST – SNETW'»

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By Racki, January 25, 2011 8:56 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 14-25-8 Record 24-16-9 Location: Jobing.com Arena Date: January 25, 2011 @ 7:00 PM MST TV: SNETW

PRE-GAME RANT

The Oilers head on a short road trip with stops in Phoenix and Dallas before the Hemsky/Eberle-less All-star break. The Oilers have been on a horrible skid, allowing the Devils to catch up in standings. We currently sit 1 point higher in the standings (albeit with 1 game in hand). The Oilers are 2-7-1 in their last 10 while the Coyotes are 6-3-1 in their last 10. The Oilers have been playing some better hockey than their record would suggest, but when you’re a team this young, it’s hard to get over that hump that is the difference between a loss and a win in most games in today’s NHL. I think they’ll win this one though

Prediction: 4-2 Oilers

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Continue reading 'GDT Oilers 4, Coyotes 3 – Game 48 – 2011-01-25 @ 7:00 PM – SNET W'»

Comments (9)

By Trogdor, November 23, 2010 11:44 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 5-10-4 Record 10-5-5 Location:Jobing.com Arena Date: November 23, 2010 @ 7:00 PM MST TV: TSN

PRE-GAME RANT

After the desert dogs stole a win in our house, the Oil look to return the favor. Less than a week ago the Oilers led at home 3-0 by the Coyotes clawed their way back with 3 unanswered goals of their own to force overtime and eventually take the win in a shootout. Many Oilers have had their fathers accompanying the team on the short road trip and it seems to have worked so far after a road win in Ananheim. Another win, and they may have to hire them on permanently.
Continue reading 'GDT: Oilers 0, Coyotes 5 – Game 20 – 2010-11-23 @ 7:00 PM – TSN'»

Comments (21)

By Racki, November 19, 2010 10:23 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 8-5-5 Record 4-10-3 Location:Rexall Place Date: November 19, 2010 @ 7:00 PM MST TV: Sportsnet

PRE-GAME RANT

Tonight the Oil face the Coyotes at Rexall. The Coyotes come in fairly hot, with a 4 game winning streak. The Oilers are winless in 5 and are 2nd last in the league (since they have a game in hand on the Islanders). So there’s a good guess how this one will go.

The Oilers had a fun day yesterday in practice. They came out jerseyless, threw the sticks in the middle and then had an old school pond hockey game. They also has a strip-down shootout. The season so far hasn’t been fun at all for this team. I actually don’t Continue reading 'GDT: Oilers 3, Coyotes 4 (SO) – Game 18 – 2010-11-19 @ 7:00 PM – SNET'»

Comments (10)

By Racki, September 29, 2010 10:31 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- vs. 3-0-0 Pre-season Record 4-2-0 Location: Rexall Place Date: September 29, 2010 @ 7:00 PM MST TV: SNET1

PRE-GAME RANT

So the Oilers are 3-0 so far, heading into this one. Can they keep their record perfect tonight? I sure as hell hope so, as Trogdor and I are going to the game tonight (thank you, OG77). Tonight we’ll get our first pre-season taste of Magnus Paajarvi on the top line with Ales Hemsky, and Sam Gagner. I have to admit… I’m pretty excited about this. Both of these guys play a pretty similar game, but from what I’ve seen, Paajarvi also brings a good ability to snipe as well. I thought the two would make a great powerplay complement for that reason, so let’s see how things work for them over an entire game.

Liam Reddox and Ryan Jones seem to be in a battle for that last slot on the wing with Colin Fraser and Zack Stortini, and tonight they’ll have a bit of a tête-à-tête. My money is on Reddox to come out on top by the start of the season. Word is, Tom Renney is pretty keen on Reddox, however management has a lot of love for Jones. In the end, the player that Renney wants is the player that stays. I just think it’s impossible to deny the heart Liam has shown right now along with an incomprehensible sudden ability to bowl people over with that small frame.

The second line of Penner-Cogliano-Brule has quietly been good as well, so look for a strong game from the trio.

I haven’t seen the Coyotes line-up just yet, but they are 4-2 so far this pre-season (they are coming off 2 straight losses, however). I really hope that they give the Oilers a run for their money, as amidst all the optimism and flash of these young kids, this team has barely been tested. Even the normally sweaty Khabibulin barely sipped one of his sweat beads in the last game.

This one is a tough one to call, but being that I’m at the game and I’m hoping for a good one, I’ll say 4-3 Oil in OT.

POST-GAME RANT

It’s a different experience being at the game. You catch things you don’t see on TV, but you miss a lot of other stuff. It looked like a game where the bubble guys came out to play. In particular Giroux and Jones stood out a bit for me. Jones was a thorn in the Coyotes side and drew a penalty playing that way. Giroux looked good for most of the night, at least in the offensive zone. He isn’t a guy that can seemingly do much aside from shoot pucks in the net, however… although that is definitely a good talent to have. But the NHL game requires more from all players.

Paajarvi seemed to turn over the puck quite a bit tonight from what I saw, trying too much. But from what I understand, he also drew several penalties with his shiftiness and quickness.

Petiot again seemed to have a stand out game, and even wallpapered someone just in front of Trogdor and I. I loved seeing Plante drop Kyle Turris, even though he took a penalty.. but it was a nice show of strength there anyways. Chorney probably shocked all of us with his big open ice hit and then fighting the first person he saw after being blind-sided.

Gerber.. well, I thought he was scary to watch. Wanders too much for me, and didn’t really inspire confidence as I hoped he would. Speculation, BTW, is that the Oilers have now made their choice for backup. Guys like Rishaug and Gregor figure we won’t see more JDD or Dubnyk this pre-season as they don’t want to showcase them for a waiver claim. I’m not sure if they meant Deslauriers in particular only, or what. But we’ll see.

Next up, Calgary on Friday. The game is at 7:00 on Sportsnet One and I will be there again.

LIVE GAME CHAT

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