GDB8: Roli to take on the Bruins
Jason Gregor
October 27 2008 01:33PM
Dwayne Roloson will get his second start of the season tonight. What does this mean?
This is more about Coach MacTavish being frustrated with Mathieu Garon, than it is the Oilers showcasing Roloson. Garon didn’t look good in Vancouver, and he let in a soft third goal in Colorado. The Oilers need him to be better if he’s to be their everyday #1 goalie.
Starting Roloson also is a sign that the coach doesn’t have confidence in young Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers just yet. If he did, tonight would be an ideal time to start the 24-year-old.
This is a huge game for the Oilers. A win puts them two games over .500 before their longest road trip of the season. Then all they would have to do is go 2-4-1 on the road trip and return home .500 after 15 games. If the Oilers are .500 or better after 15 games, with 12 of them on the road they will be ecstatic.
If Roloson plays well, this will muddy the goaltending picture even more, and it will also push Garon to be better. When asked what has been the difference in the last three losses compared to the first four games MacTavish was quick with a response, “Goaltending and special teams, plain and simple.”
That sounds like a coach who is expecting more out of his goalies, and his decision to start Roloson proves that.
Pisani back in
After missing two games with a sore back, Fernando Pisani draws back in centering Ethan Moreau and Eric Cole. Pisani tweaked his back on a snapshot in the morning skate in Chicago, and has been getting treatment for the past four days. He says he feels fine and it shouldn’t be a reoccurring problem.
It looks like Zack Stortini will sit out tonight, as he was the last player on the ice at practice this morning. And Jason Strudwick won’t play due to a sore shoulder.
October and November games matter
After 20 games last season, only one western team that wasn’t in the playoffs at that time (Anaheim) was able to make it in. The Oilers need to be in the playoff race come the first 20 games, or it will be much harder to make up ground. The Oilers schedule could make it easier to make up ground, but they have to be close after 20 games.
—Listen to Gregor weekdays from 3 to 6 pm on the TEAM 1260 or online at www.justagame.ca.
Gregor, good news that goggles is back in the line up tonight. I'm still waiting for Gatorade to release the Pisani formula that tastes exactly like meat balls. Tonight could be the night that finally convinces them.
"man, who saw this coming?"
I dunno meatball flavored gatorade has always made sense to me.
Jason,
Do you know if the Oil are looking to change the defensive pairings at all? Will Smid play alongside Staios when he draws into the lineup?
Both of you know you'd drink it. Let's not kid ourselves.
goggles Pisan presents MEATORADE!® Finally meat balls and a sport drink together!
Moony,
Smid will play with Staios. I don't see the other pairings being split up any time soon.
I think Mac T is giving Roli a chance because he spent a lot of $$$$ for the Fuhr replica pads. Might as well let the guy wear them at least on before he is traded.
With Deslaures at 1-0. Don't you think he should get another shot at starting? I do. But I'm not there at practice so I dunno.
And Big Mac is in and Stortini is out. Mac T is starting to show his preference. I like it.
Hopefully Cole ties down tonight and Grebs limits the shitanusly® bad giveaways.
Freeze-
As one of Wayne's new hired Goons, I am obliged to tell you, you now owe Wayne 25¢ for use of the"S"® word.
Pay up or Dr. Randy Greggggg and I will personally taunt you from the street...oh and what a taunting it will be.
It's a little scary that goaltending would be considered a problem right now.
Roli going into this game seems like a worse bet than Garon. He's morphed into a Conklin style goalie. Good positionally but horrible side to side and has a slow glove.
Is Mac sending him a message?
I think Mac T is giving Roli a chance because he spent a lot of $$$$ for the Fuhr replica pads. Might as well let the guy wear them at least on before he is traded.
It make you wonder what the eff is going on when Roli (your back-up # 3?) is starting one of the most important games of the young season.
Classic MacT - hopefully that's gut feeling isn't an ulcer acting up.
Roli better show up tonight, or I think we might have a bigger goalie problem than us minnions want to think.
Lest we forget that while the Oilers played possibly their worst game of the season in Chicago, Roloson didn't play THAT bad. He had a lot of rubber fired at him and virtually no one to help him out. So I'd like to think that if at least 4 dmen show up tonight, then we might not be bad off with him between the pipes.
Well Smid is in, Gagne is on the first line Power Play unit and Old man Roli is tending the pipes. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I can only think of one more thing that can be done and that is applying the OilersNinja personal guarantee the Oil win tonight. This carries more clout then any "lock of the week" or "shoe in"
Oilers win 6-2 Gagne with 3 points
I also predict SmacIntyre delivering one of his famous beat downs on Mr. Thorton
Dear God,
Please protect Milan Lucic tonight. Don't let him score any goals and get any helpers, but don't allow him to do something stupid like putting his face in front of Smac's fists. I would like to continue to watch him put Leafs through the glass for years to come.
Big ups.
Anyone who is giving bigups to God one hour and fourteen minutes before gametime is on the side of victory.
I want everyone to relax, the Oilers WILL WIN TONIGHT. I know this because i am NOT getting the PPV, and the last time I didn't get a PPV the Oil won in a shootout in St. Louis.
It will be tough not to watch, but it is for the good of the team...go Oilers!!!
we are notorious for not doing well when the game is on PPV. And i think we lost to boston the last two times we played them. Nevertheless, go oil.
I'm going to watch the game at my brothers house. So, me not paying for the game is like it isn't a PPV right? That's the way I am approaching this.
Oh great the PPV telecast just started and it has no sound.
I better get a $0.02 refund
May the October 27th Justice League Rise
RISE AND TAKE ARMS JUSTICE LEAGUE
I have no sound either Wanye. For once in my life I actually want to hear what Gene is saying.
So this is what Helen Keller half feels like
Is anyone else's PPV broadcast from NESN...the Bahstin people?
Why am I ALWAYS disapointed with the PPV? Can they EVER GET ONE RIGHT????
Oh, and TB...Present and armed.
rage consumes me... where is the sound?
Q: Who is taller Chara or Shaq?
A: Shaq
Q: Who is better from the freethrow line?
A: Chara
Q: Who is a better rapper Chara or Shaq?
A: Chara
Q: Who dons the icy hot patch better?
A: Shaq
Come on Gagner I predicted three points for you!
Q: Who looks better in a Genie costume?
A: Neither
hahahahah chara
I disagree Shaq as a genie looks quite fetching
http://juvenileclothing.com/kidsunderwear/briefs/kazaam.jpg
While you guys are watching my beloved Gene Principe, I'm watching an internet streaming version of the game that is in Russian. Contrary to my prior beliefs I don't understand as much Russian as I thought.
What are they saying about the goat?...in russian..
I am tired of everyone talking about Hemsky...he doesnt shot, he shoots to much, He is missing a tooth..
stop it
i know
bah bah niet sminoff goat karl marx
he got stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle...
As far as I can tell his favorite kind of ice cream is cookie dough and he has a rash that resembles continental Australia.
yikes
Anyone here who is watching this on the PPV that can give an honest assessment of how they're playing after the 1st period would be much appreciated. You never really know with Rod.
he also once walked his dog as if it was a vacuum cleaner ...............
There's an oilers symbol on Roli's mask... weird.
I told you not to bother me when I'm cleaning my room.
no sound on the ppv..yikes
Here is a recap
Chara Big
Souray pretty
I hope Cole remembered to tie his jersey done.
nice eye
Kessel's one nut gives him an unfair advantage in the aerodynamics department.
arrrgghhhhh Gagner. >:\
Gagner..I said 3 points...burry that shizzzzzz