Questions that need answers
Jason Gregor
October 31 2008 06:46PM
The MacBlender is out again, although this time it’s on low rather than high. At practice this morning the lines were the same as the third period in Nashville.
Penner – Horcoff – Hemsky Nilsson – Cogliano – Gagner Moreau – Pisani – Cole MacIntyre – Brodziak– Pouliot
MacTavish has to be wondering what is going on with this team.
We wonder about much more than that...
Why has Gagner, who is still playing 18 minutes a night, been so ineffective offensively?
Why can’t the Oilers win a key draw in their own zone?
Why can they only score in the second period? They’ve only tickled the twine three times in the first and third periods this season. They have 12 goals during the middle frame.
Did Dustin Penner scare the hands out of his teammates in Jasper?
Will Ales Hemsky ever become a great player? Not just a talented player, but become one who can lead and carry a team?
Do the Oiler forwards realize that hitting is allowed? Outside of Cole (20) and Moreau (22) none of them have more than seven.
MacIntyre: 7 Stortini: 7 Nilsson: 6 Brodziak: 5 Penner: 5 Cogliano: 4 Hemsky: 4 Pisani: 4 Pouliot: 3 Gagner: 2 Horcoff: 1
One hit in nine games for Horcoff; he should have more just by accidentally running into the opposition.
If they aren’t scoring shouldn’t they at least be physical?
I wonder if any girls are dressing up as Selene from Underworld tonight (A good thought is required now and then).
How long before Steve Tambellini has to shake things up?
Will MacTavish bench one of his top players to send a message? If so, who is the most (least?) worthy?
Who would have thought the Oilers would miss Reasoner or Stoll as much as they do?
Why is Roloson wearing Fuhr’s retro gear while Garon is honouring Ranford? shouldn’t it be the other way around based on their glove hands?
If some of these questions don’t get answered soon, the Oilers will have to make a major move before they get home.
—Listen to Gregor weekdays from 3 to 6pm on the TEAM 1260 or online at www.justagame.ca.
I wonder how long Horcs will be the lock on the Nunber one line. They have to break up Hemmer and Horcs if they don't start producing. I know it's hemmers preference to play with Horcoff but they aren't scoring goals.
There is an old adage around hockey that sometimes you win games when are you playing badly and sometimes you loose games when you are playing well. It is my opinion that although the record says differently, the Oilers have actually gotten better as time has passed. To me the bottom was that brutal preseason game at home against Calgary. There is no way that they should have been 4-0 after 4 games. At best they should have been 1-3. On the other hand, the 0-4-1 in the next five games should have been 2-2-1. They outplayed Vancouver until Cole got tossed, they played even or better with Boston and outplayed Nashville. Last night could very well have been a 6-2 game with the great scoring chances they had. I still pick this team to win the division with Mac T as the coach.!!!
Maybe the last 9 games were our Halloween trick or treats. The treat? 4-0, the trick losing the next five...oh you Dustin Penner always the prankster!
Hey home town boy Darryl Sydor is available. Could be like Strudwick, Veteran hometown guy looking to make a good impression and have a great final few seasons playing with the team he grew up watching. He knows how to move the puck and is bigger than Steve Staios. Just a thought.
ummm apparently I am the only one without Halloween plans......(sigh).....happy halloween.....maybe I should make some real friends....or get a job...or something.....(sigh)
I'd say, 7 hits for MacIntyre isn't all that bad considering the ice time he's getting...
I had wondered the same about the Fuhr Ranford thing. My 1st thought was.. "What the hell?" I mean, it only makes sense. Right? Lefty lefty, righty righty.
But... Fuhr was the #1 for the Oilers and Ranford (God bless him *** My fav goalie of all time***) was lucky enough that Fuhr went down and was able to step in and be the man.
SOooooo.... Garon is our #1 goalie = Fuhr and Roli is the lucky backup (Ranford) that is waiting for his chance again.
the end
Oh yeah...
When the blender was in full speed a game ago he came up with a line that i thought was grrrrreat. (Think Tony the Tiger)
Nilsson Gagner Hemsky
This is quite possibly the 1st line in a year or two. But why not try it now?
the end.
Jason,
please send these stats on to MacT as he clearly hasn't seen them. That is disturbing. 1 hit for Horcs????? wow. Thats all there is to say. wow.
Gregor:
Can you ask MacT why he continues to let 34 take draws and also why he's ignoring the fact that 78 and 34 have some real chem?
I'm heartened that 27 is back with 83-10 and I don't mind the kids staying together but 34 should not be a pivot and if that means 18 gets the bump to the 4th line, then so be it.
Also, break up the 37-77 pairing and move 24 up with one of them and drop the other down with Smidwick.
"I wonder if any girls are dressing up as Selene from Underworld tonight"
A lot of slutty cats and bunnies or just chicks with short skirts. Not a whole lot of originality but who's complaining.
Scratching Stortini in favour of MacIntyre? I don't know if that's necessary in Carolina.
Scratching Stortini in favour of MacIntyre? I don’t know if that’s necessary in Carolina.
Obviously MacT thinks that MacI is more effective than Storts. i would imagine it has more tot do with getting Storts pissed off to play better. Redundant?
We need to unload that extra goalie...sooner than later. Tough to send messages if you think you're playing every night.
anyone dogging storts should give thier head a shake, if he's the problem, we're still winning hockey games, maybe losing fights, but winning games.
an afternoon game + a hangover = a whole lot of couch time today! I'm desperate for a win, I hope the boys are too.
that is not a good start.
Is this game available in Hi Def or what?
I thought they were all avaiable in Hi Def this year! WTF?
We need Cole to have a statement game today - looking good so far.
MacI vs Brookbank would make my day too.
Top line looking good too, where's the defense?
please kill this off!
Short bench now w Moreau out. MacI won't see much more ice.
Brophy nailed it - instigator penalty is a joke, along with the sweater we've been fuct twice this year by the rules.
Chopper only gets a 10 min misconduct for the instigator, he'll be back late in the 2nd. No need to panic here.
Agreed though the instigator is a dumb rule.
Who cares about the leafs - more oiler talk Brophy & Falds.
Thanks hoceygod, I cannot figure out why they put Moreau out for that shift. Of course he's going to fight, I would rather have our slugger sitting in the box. Not one of our best players this year so far.
Garon would've saved whitney's break away.....just so u know.
Roli thought Bergeron was going to trip Whitney & take out his knee again.
These afternoon games always throw me off...I just can't get used to being this wasted and pissed off at this team so early in the day. Although they seem to be playing pretty well so far.
I think the game is on ppv in Raleigh, no network would pick up a hockey game on college football day.
All HD cameras watching football.
Nice safe promotion by Jayman's regarding $75 a hit...not going to cost them a lot most games... Feel free to hit someone Oilers.
That is why Horcoff is on the PP instead of Gagner...at least he can shoot.
did he just say Colorado Avalanche?
he reads exactly whats on the teleprompter :)
shat.
On the bright side Moreau back to kill penalty...
Did he just say Edmonron Owners?
lol. He is wacked out tonight.
HOLY SHIT!!! GUESS WHO DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A MATINEE GAME???
Can someone provide me with a brief update? I'm 45 kinds of hung over from Halloween and trying to piece my life back togeether.
Its 1-1 wanye Horcoff scored an unassisted goal and former stick boy Ray Whitney scored the other
Wow how was that unassisted?
whitney's goal was a long bomb to burn the Oil on a bad change.
Still taking brutal penalties.
Horcoff scored in the exact same spot as his other goals this year.
Decent effort at times. Typical bad breaks and bad defensive zone faceoff loses.
PK has been effective though. Nice pressure.
STEEEEVEN STAIOS
(typing makes my eyes hurt)
Lol - 45 kinds of hung over. That is me 2morrow.
These penalties are gonna get us today.
I have some vague recollection of these two teams playing before...
Looks like Peckham will be playimg 2morrow AFTERNOON, if the goat not playing.
What's wrong with Gagner?
Attaboy Penner! Backcheck you mess!
I'm still paying credit card bills from watching all 3 losses in Carolina.
Bad memories of Bergeron & Rick Flair playing after goals - WHOOO!
5 on 3!! Here's our chance!
I guarantee a goal on this 5 on 3