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By Racki, April 6, 2013 9:05 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- at 16-14-7 Record 21-13-3 Location: Staples Center Date: April 6, 2013 @ 2:00PM MST TV: SNETW

PRE-GAME RANT

Today’s game is an early one. I always hated the early games. Aside from screwing up my afternoon plans, it seems like we lose these more often than not, but I’m sure that this is more related to how poor this team has been the last few years, more than anything else.

Not sure if we’ll finally get to see Jerred Smithson for this one. There was some media talk that he might be available for it. The Smithsons had their new baby, Hunter, a couple of days ago. So that may make him available for this one. I’d like to see him in the lineup soon. From what I’ve seen, he’s a big body that uses his size well, and is very reliable defensively. Plus he’s a faceoff wizard, so it’ll be like having Eric Belanger back, but with some edge to his game. I’m not sure that is really all that much of a good thing though, but we’ll see. I’d imagine that Ryan Smyth will do some sitting if we see Smithson.

I also think it is long overdue for some Mark Fistric time. Ditto, for Theo Peckham, but there is some weirdness going on there that keeps him out of our lineup, and I’m not sure what it is. But in his debut game, I thought he looked quite decent. Right now, I’m worried that Peckham is just going to disappear off the planet.

Last night’s games did not go well for the Oilers. Detroit gained a couple points on the Oilers (the Oilers really need to win today and at least try and keep pace until the Wings slip up). The Blues also won, increasing their gap. They are 3 points ahead of the Oilers with a game in hand (2 after today). The Stars moved up a bit as well and are now 2 points back of the Oilers. It goes without saying, but a win today is very important.
Continue reading 'Oilers 1, Kings 4 – Game 38 – 2013-04-06 @ 2:00 PM MST – SNETW'»

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By Racki, February 19, 2013 4:20 pm

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- at 6-5-3 Record 5-6-2 Location: Rexall Place Date: February 19, 2013 @ 8:00PM MST TV: TSN

PRE-GAME RANT

Lines look like the same lines as last game. Only difference is Khabibulin will start this one rather than coming in part way. He’s been looking pretty damn good so far, so might as well ride this before he burns out. But I’d imagine that Dubnyk is still the #1 here.

So for those with short memories, the last time we played the Kings was the shit show in Edmonton. The game was memorable for a couple reasons. One, outraged fans (of which I was one of them at the game) littered the ice with drinks and whatever else they had on hand (I didn’t do that, however, but only because my angle was bad ). Two, this game went to overtime courtesy of a beautiful goal in the dying seconds by Nail Yakupov who batted it into the net then booked it down the ice to do his now famous / heinous knee slide. During the game I had an official cameraman sitting behind me and he showed me the shots. The look on Nail’s face was priceless and he hopped past his teammates and then sped down ice.Darryl Sutter quote-worthy as always had this to say about the Yakupov celebration: “You score a goal you get to celebrate. I had no problem with it.”

I also recall Jonathan Quick and Mike Richards trying to intimidate Yakupov because he shot the puck into the net maybe a second after the whistle. It was pretty close and not at all a big deal, but those two got their panties all up in a bunch over it. Later in the game, Taylor Hall intentionally pulled the puck out from underneath Quick after a whistle, did a small juke then flipped it into the net. This was all intentional (unlike Yakupov’s slightly late shot) for the shit Quick gave Yakupov, and it gave me a good laugh to see him do that. I’m surprised he didn’t get an unsportsmanlike penalty though given all the other poor calls that night (that would have been deserved though).

Anyways, hopefully the Oilers come out flying and teach these assholes a lesson to put their canes away when they come into Rexall. Bitch about shit in your own building, not ours. If you don’t like it, do something about it on the scoreboard, much like the Oilers did that night. I say this often, but with the Kings struggling this year, this is a game the Oilers have to win if they want to look like a real hockey team.

Continue reading 'Oilers 1, Kings 3 – Game 15 – 2013-02-19 @ 8:00 PM MST – TSN'»

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By Racki, January 24, 2013 7:49 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- vs 1-1-0 Record 0-2-0 Location: Rexall Place Date: January 24, 2013 @ 7:30PM MST TV: TSN

PRE-GAME RANT

Tonight the Edmonton Oilers face the defending Stanley Cup Champions – the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings would probably like to use their Stanley Cup hangover as an excuse, but in a lockout season, that won’t fly too well. They’re off to an 0-2 start so far with a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks on opening night, and a 3-1 loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday night. The Oilers narrowly squeaked out a 3-2 shootout, comeback win vs. the Canucks on Sunday and had their asses handed to them vs. the Sharks on Tuesday (6-3).

I think the Oilers let their reputation of being a much improved, solid team play the first period for them on Tuesday as the Sharks racked up 6 goals in the period. Brutal. They seemed to wake up in the 2nd and 3rd, but by then it was too late. The Oilers got into some early penalty trouble (including a 3-on-5), and the Sharks capitalized. They scored on every (3) powerplay in the 1st period.

The Oilers are going to need a much better start tonight vs. the Kings, and will need to keep it going. To be cliche, they will need to play a complete 60+ minutes. Waiting on news from Twitter as to any lineup changes, but hopefully we finally see Mark Fistric. I’ll be watching this one in person tonight, by the way… so I hope it’s a big win.

Continue reading 'Oilers 2, Kings 1 (in OT thanks to SHIT refs) – Game 3 – 2013-01-24 @ 7:30 PM MST – TSN'»

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By Racki, April 2, 2012 12:36 pm

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 32-38-9 Record 39-27-13 Location: Staples Center Date: April 2, 2012 @ 8:30PM MST TV: SNETW

PRE-GAME RANT

The Oilers recalled Bryan Rodney today from OKC. He was the one acquired in the trade that sent Ryan O’Marra packing to Anaheim. Corey Potter is feeling “off” after being clocked by Bobby Ryan up high last night. So, Rodney may slot into that D spot. It’ll be a pretty scary defense tonight, if that is the case. Not a lot of NHL talent in there.

Other than that, I suspect the lineups to remain pretty much the same.

Edit: Lines have been juggled a bit.. see below.
Continue reading 'Oilers 0, Kings 2 – Game 80 – 2012-04-02 @ 8:30 PM MST – SNETW'»

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By Racki, March 30, 2012 11:39 am

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- vs. 31-37-9 Record 38-27-12 Location: Rexall Place Date: March 30, 2012 @ 7:30PM MST TV: SNETW

PRE-GAME RANT

First off, let’s congratulate the good hockey team in Edmonton… the Oil Kings… on winning their first ever playoff round! They swept the Kootenay Ice. Round 2 will get going on April 6.

Good quote from Tom Renney today on Ryan Nuuuuuuugent-Hopkins vs. Gabriel Landeskog: “Without your centreman it’s like playing Scrabble without any vowels.”.

Magnus Paajarvi has been recalled by the Oilers. Renney hinted that it’s possible that Paajarvi could play alongside Nuge and Eberle. Looks like Chris Vande Velde will slot into Eric Belanger’s place… Belanger is a healthy scratch tonight (apparently the first time that’s happened to him this year). Not sure the D-pairings, but I assume the usual suspects, plus Sutton in, Peckham and Barker out.

Khabibulin gets the start in net.

EDIT: Embarrassing situation for the Oilers… the NHL rejected the recall of Paajarvi because this is not an emergency recall. Teams are allowed 4 recalls after the trade deadline. They already bounced Paajarvi on waivers once to make him eligible for the OKC playoffs, they recalled Linus Omark, they recalled Chris Vande Velde, and they recalled Teemu Hartikainen (counting for 4 transactions).
Continue reading 'Oilers 1, Kings 4 – Game 78 – 2012-03-30 @ 7:30 PM MST – SNETW'»