GDB 48: It couldn't possibly get any worse...

Robin Brownlee
January 30 2009 02:44PM

Having had to wear Tuesday's 10-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres like a bad haircut and endure the musical taunting of a smart-ass radio station from The City of Cows since Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers get a chance to redeem themselves, not a minute too soon, when the Minnesota Wild come calling at Rexall Place tonight.

Niklas Backstrom? Pfft. Derek Boogaard? Say hello to my little friend (insert photo of Steve MacIntyre speed-bagging Jimmy Vandermeer or Allan Watt scowling as he works the speed dial here) (ed note: no such photo exists... yet).

After 72 hours of torment, the Oilers get the opportunity to prove that Tuesday's "debacle of monumental proportions" was a fluky, freakish one-off never to be repeated. Same thing for that, ahem, 9-2 starching from the Chicago Blackhawks... never mind.

What better circumstances to do it in than against a Minnesota team that arrives with the exact same record, 24-20-3 for 51 points, and is probably still reeling from Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs... never mind.

That aside, the Oilers come into this HUGE FOUR-POINTER with untold confidence and a flawless 0-10 record against Backstrom after having lit him up like a cheap cigar in a 5-1 loss in Minnesota Jan. 15... never mind.

What could possibly wrong?

Second look for Potulny

Look for Ryan Potulny to be back in the line-up tonight on the second line between Robert Nilsson and Erik Cole. After tallying three assists in four games during his first stint, Potulny is eager to show well again after being recalled from Springfield.

"Hopefully, things can go the same way they did last time," Potulny said of getting another crack alongside Cole.

"I guess there's a little bit of pressure, but it's a good pressure. Any time you come up you’re going to put pressure on yourself. You have to do whatever role you're put in. I'm just going to go out and play hockey."

If coach Craig MacTavish wasn't pulling any fast ones with his lines this morning -- like his little bit of mis-direction over Zack Stortini's readiness to play the last time out -- the line-up should look as follows:

Forwards

Penner – Horcoff - Hemsky

Nilsson – Potulny – Cole

Moreau – Cogliano – Pouliot

Macintyre – Brodziak – Reddox

OUT: Stortini

D-men

Souray – Gilbert

Grebeshkov – Visnovsky

Smid – Staios

OUT: Strudwick

Dwayne Roloson will get the start in goal against his former teammates despite getting yanked after allowing three goals on eight shots against Buffalo.

-- Listen to Robin Brownlee every Thursday from 4 to 6pm on Just A Game with Jason Gregor on TEAM 1260.

A sportswriter since 1983, Brownlee covered the Oilers for The Journal 1989-2000 and The Sun 2000-2007. Brownlee writes for Canadian Press and Oilersnation. More important, he is Sam's dad.

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Reply #151 Smokin' Ray January 30 2009, 08:10PM

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MacT for Mayor!

Just sayin'...

Reply #152 Yakman January 30 2009, 08:10PM

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Backstrom is my goalie... oh well...

Reply #153 Yakman January 30 2009, 08:11PM

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Grebeshkov is goat boy?

Reply #154 Yakman January 30 2009, 08:11PM

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@ Wanye Gretz: Baaaaaaah?

Reply #155 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:12PM

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@ Yakman:

Atta boy. Long time reader, first time poster verification approved.

Reply #156 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:13PM

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Did we steal that sound effect that Ottawa uses before their Power Plays?

Reply #157 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:13PM

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@ Yakman:

Transaction approved!

Smokin' Ray wrote:

MacT for Mayor! Just sayin’…

Does that mean he would no longer be coach in this scenario?

Reply #158 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:13PM

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Which is worse: a 5-3 or a 4-minute 5-4? That's a question that'll keep me up at night.

Reply #159 Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer January 30 2009, 08:14PM

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jeanshorts wrote:

Did we steal that sound effect that Ottawa uses before their Power Plays?

Yes we did.

Much like Vancouver stole that song the Coyotes use when they score a goal.

Reply #160 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:14PM

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@ jeanshorts: Yes, it seems so. Although they do have a good opening theme (minus the Gladiator from last year, or two years ago): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi5nCd1ZVrw

Reply #161 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:15PM

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Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer wrote:

Yes we did. Much like Vancouver stole that song the Coyotes use when they score a goal.

Although so did like 18 other teams in the league. Ugh, I just threw up all over myself at the thought of sticking up for the Canucks. I'm going to go burn all my skin off.

Reply #162 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:17PM

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jeanshorts wrote:

Jack “slacking off at work” Bauer wrote: Yes we did. Much like Vancouver stole that song the Coyotes use when they score a goal. Although so did like 18 other teams in the league. Ugh, I just threw up all over myself at the thought of sticking up for the Canucks. I’m going to go burn all my skin off.

I study with a Canucks fan here at school. Surely I can burn his skin off in your stead...

Reply #163 shakey @ home January 30 2009, 08:18PM

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Someone please pound Clusterfu*k!

Reply #164 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:19PM

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Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer wrote:

Much like Vancouver stole that song the Coyotes use when they score a goal.

Broke as a joke and needing a loan?

Reply #165 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:19PM

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@ I Am The Law:

Haha that Spartan had so much trouble with his mic cutting in and out, AND he couldn't keep his helmet on straight. That's what you get when a bunch of suits try and make something exciting.

Reply #166 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:20PM

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I Am The Law wrote:

@ jeanshorts: Yes, it seems so. Although they do have a good opening theme (minus the Gladiator from last year, or two years ago): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi5nCd1ZVrw

I am of the mind that Offspring song the Oil come out to is garbage

Reply #167 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:21PM

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Wanye Gretz wrote:

am of the mind that Offspring song the Oil come out to is garbage

They should skate out to private eyes. *clap clap*

Reply #168 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:22PM

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Wanye Gretz wrote:

I Am The Law wrote: @ jeanshorts: Yes, it seems so. Although they do have a good opening theme (minus the Gladiator from last year, or two years ago): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi5nCd1ZVrw I am of the mind that Offspring song the Oil come out to is garbage

The Leafs were coming out to Coldplay in their last two home games. When I saw that, I knew how that game was going to turn out.

Reply #169 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:23PM

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Wanye Gretz wrote:

I am of the mind that Offspring song the Oil come out to is garbage

When I first heard that this year I was so dissapointed. And when I was actually there in person it was even worse. They need to play something that makes people want to punch everyone beside them in the face. Not some toe tapping high school garage band jam.

Reply #170 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:24PM

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@ The Towel Boy:

They should come out to live Hall and Oates

@ I Am The Law:

Montreal used to come out to "Fix you" by Coldplay - sounds lame but it was super trippy and cool

Reply #171 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:25PM

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Or they could skate out to this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35uRIN1e5aU

Reply #172 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:25PM

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@ jeanshorts:

Who picks the songs anyway I wonder? IS IT YOU JS??

Reply #173 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:27PM

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@ Wanye Gretz:

The one time they let me and BM work the boom box inside the scoreboard, we ended up breaking the lights and caused a 20 minute delay. And I'm pretty sure some babies died of colic because of it. YOU DO THE MATH!

Reply #174 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:28PM

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Kay, but if I owned a hockey team...I'd make them skate out to this..for reals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4nNj1r4uQ

Reply #175 Dana @ AgileStyle January 30 2009, 08:28PM

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Wanye Gretz wrote:

Is Bud Light considered drinking?

It is when you have 8 of them

Reply #176 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:28PM

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Gorg has the be the worst last name I have ever heard. What nationality is that even? Vulcan?

Reply #177 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:28PM

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jeanshorts wrote:

YOU DO THE MATH!

1 baggedmilk + 1 jeanshorts + 2 wine spritzers = 69

Reply #178 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:29PM

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The Towel Boy wrote:

Kay, but if I owned a hockey team…I’d make them skate out to this..for reals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4nNj1r4uQ

See, there you go. Something that makes you want to go out and protest the G8 Summit and light a building on fire!

Reply #179 Dana @ AgileStyle January 30 2009, 08:29PM

+1 0 props

While you're all here you should shout out requests for new features on the site--then together we can pressure Wanye into making them happen.

Reply #180 RBK January 30 2009, 08:30PM

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jeanshorts wrote:

Gorg has the be the worst last name I have ever heard. What nationality is that even? Vulcan?

haha illogical

Reply #181 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:30PM

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jeanshorts wrote:

See, there you go. Something that makes you want to go out and protest the G8 Summit and light a building on fire!

YAH!

*grabs can of gasoline*

Reply #182 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:31PM

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I think this guy on the Verizon commercial called his family the Gloryholes...Either that, or the Golden Girls theme wrecked my hearing...

Reply #183 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:31PM

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Dana @ AgileStyle wrote:

While you’re all here you should shout out requests for new features on the site–then together we can pressure Wanye into making them happen.

Favicon!

...is that a feature?

Reply #184 RBK January 30 2009, 08:32PM

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I Am The Law wrote:

I think this guy on the Verizon commercial called his family the Gloryholes…Either that, or the Golden Girls theme wrecked my hearing…

The Golden Girls gave Wanye Carpal Tunnel

Reply #185 Tommy January 30 2009, 08:33PM

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I'm sorry, the correct intro song is this:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1BVADNUyDZY

Reply #186 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:33PM

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Dana @ AgileStyle wrote:

While you’re all here you should shout out requests for new features on the site–then together we can pressure Wanye into making them happen.

TAKE OF YOUR SHIRT GRETZ! I guess that has no thing to do with the website, but it's a request none the less.

Wanye Gretz wrote:

1 baggedmilk + 1 jeanshorts + 2 wine spritzers = 69

Still laughing at this.

Reply #187 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:34PM

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Tommy wrote:

I’m sorry, the correct intro song is this: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1BVADNUyDZY

What year is this???????

Reply #188 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:34PM

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What's all this talk on FSN about momentum from beating Toronto? Getting amped over beating Toronto is like getting amped over beating a quadruple amputee at tetherball.

Reply #189 I Am The Law January 30 2009, 08:35PM

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Tommy wrote:

I’m sorry, the correct intro song is this: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1BVADNUyDZY

I support this.

Reply #190 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:35PM

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wooooooooooooooooooo save

Reply #191 Tommy January 30 2009, 08:35PM

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Oohh that was too close.

Reply #192 jeanshorts January 30 2009, 08:36PM

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Watch out for the horseshoes falling out of Rolli's pants.

Reply #193 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:36PM

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I Am The Law wrote:

What’s all this talk on FSN about momentum from beating Toronto? Getting amped over beating Toronto is like getting amped over beating a quadruple amputee at tetherball.

It's hard to use a quadruple amputee as a tetherball. I find they don't swing well and complain too much.

Reply #194 Tommy January 30 2009, 08:37PM

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@ jeanshorts:

Primo 1997 action.

Reply #195 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:38PM

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2 on 1's with zero shots on net make Towel Boy angry.

Reply #196 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:38PM

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I hope Cole doesn't leave at the end of the year. This buddy of mine's neighbor met Mrs Cole at the dog park and she said they are only here for a year.

True story

Reply #197 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:39PM

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The Towel Boy wrote:

2 on 1’s with zero shots on net make Towel Boy angry.

WORD TO THE BIRD

Reply #198 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:40PM

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Wanye Gretz wrote:

It’s hard to use a quadruple amputee as a tetherball. I find they don’t swing well and complain too much.

It's hard to wear high heels, or slip on banana peels...how do they get in and out of tubs?

Reply #199 The Towel Boy January 30 2009, 08:40PM

+1 0 props

Wanye Gretz wrote:

I hope Cole doesn’t leave at the end of the year. This buddy of mine’s neighbor met Mrs Cole at the dog park and she said they are only here for a year. True story

Oh, so a very credible source then. Well. Cole's off my xmas card list.

Reply #200 Wanye Gretz January 30 2009, 08:41PM

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Look at Tencer standing there in the background of the Cogliano interview. What a putz.

AAAAH ROB BROWN

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