GDB 39: Canucks have Sundin, we have Brule
Jason Gregor
January 07 2009 12:20PM
While everyone is focusing on the debut of Mats Sundin tonight, Oilers fans will see Gilbert Brule on the first line for the first time. Brule and Reddox took turns on the RW at the morning skate today, but Brule tipped me off that he will be on the wing tonight.
For Brule this is the first opportunity to play in a true offensive role in the NHL and he is excited.
“It’s a great chance to think offence. I know that I just have to play a simple game and focus more on getting into spaces where I can score,” said Brule.
The other aspect about Brule’s game that should come in handy tonight against the pesky Canucks is his willingness to play gritty. With disturbers and pests like Kesler and Burrows, if Brule can bring that element tonight that could go a long way for him staying in the line-up, at least until Hemsky returns.
Jacques skates
JF Jacques skated with his teammates for the first time this season, but he is still a long ways away from playing. Jacques’ back is still sore from the surgery and he is looking at getting in a game sometime in February. But that will be in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and it is very doubtful that he will play with the Oilers this season.
Steve MacIntyre saw the doctor yesterday and it looks like he will be cleared to play in ten days, but the way the fourth line is playing right now it will be hard for him to get in the line-up. Expect him to get a two-week conditioning stint in Springfield to try and get in game shape.
Dwayne Roloson will start in goal tonight for the Oilers. Shawn Horcoff said his back is feeling much better today, and it shouldn’t give him any trouble tonight.
Mats Sundin will skate with Kyle Wellwood and former Camrose Kodiak Mason Raymond tonight, while Pavol Demitra will skate with the Sedin sisters.
The Canucks long term plan is to use Demitra and Sundin as a pair, with the Sisters on the other line, and the other winger will be on a rotation basis, based on who is playing well and which guy has chemistry with the specific pair.
Hell of a play by Strudwick.
I've picked on him before, but that's exactly how to handle Demitra.
That was funny, what more could be expected from those three on a 3 on 1
Hoopty hoooo
Man that 4th line is auxilrating
Stortini looks like me when I was in pee-wee and I had a breakaway...tripped over the blue line
Just a question. What is the best way to attack an aggressive pk such as Vancouvers?
Agreeing with J dub, Nilsson is flying tonight. We just need Gags to get back to the form he's recently had and that line will get 5 points each
R-DAWG wrote:
I remember being about fifteen, and I had the break-away, went top corner; somehow the puck didn't go there, it just dribbled along towards the five-hole.
Unfortunately for the goaltender, he figured I'd make my shot, and it slipped between his pads.
I love bad goaltenders.
@ R-DAWG: 2 words....voodoo dolls
At least you guys got break aways, I was in the other corner shooting a tennis ball against the boards.
Hockey Gods wrote:
At least you got tennis balls. I had to use rocks. And my bare feet. In the middle of winter. Up hill both ways.
@ R-DAWG: I would think more and faster puck movement and quick shots. Their box moves around so much we should be able sneak someone into the slot.
Wayne, insert your "thats what she said" now.
@ OilersNinja: Exactly, so with that being said why have we struggled with a passive pk when everybody else has one that attacks you at every turn...I realize that the last few games we have done ok but why does it take a coaching staff 40 games to see it and the Nation see's it almost immediately???
@ jeanshorts: So then I bet your gay dad didn't buy you the gay Jofa helmet like my gay dad did.
... crying myself to sleep.
@ Hockey Gods:
Where I come from we don't celebrate Christmas. We celebrate our dads letting us live for one more day.
@ jeanshorts: Where is that exactly??? I want to raise my kids there!!
Principe: Where did you hurt first?
Gilbert: Well how about I smash you into the glass of the Bell Media Center at 30 miles/hour and you tell me wher eyou hurt first... idiot.
Gene Principe's so much fun. He's got that unique ability to ask the really tough questions.
"So tell me, Sheldon, do you have the hardest shot in the NHL, or the hardest shot in NHL history?"
@ Jonathan Willis:
How Principe is not in the hall of fame as we speak boggles my mind. And not just the Hockey Hall Of Fame, EVERY Hall Of Fame.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
Sheldon: Well Gene I have never been hit by my own shot. Ask Roli he is old enough that he has probaly faced a shot from everyone who has ever played in an NHL game.
Why is Vigneault giving Sundin only 3 minutes of icetime a period?
He's ruining him.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I remember my first goal in Atom. Goalie made a glove save, I skated up and chopped him in the glove. The glove fell off, the puck went into the net and it counted. I celebreated with a canoe ride.
Later on the bench my coack told me "Enjoy it son, but you won't get too many that way."
I also love bad goaltenders and worse referees.
wooooooooo!!! Souray!!1
Holy crap. Nice fight!
OH BIG SEXY!!!!
What a right hand on that guy! And he can throw punches with it too!
OMG, You got knocked the f*ck out Ohlund.
Sheldon Souray he so sexy
Swoon
If Souray keeps this up they should make him Captain. No offense to Moreau but if they can take it away from Modano in Dallas and keep him on the team...
Forget MacIntyre - Souray and Penner from here on out for the goon work.
Next up Burrows vs Strudwick!! please,please, please,please
Wow Stortini you are slow
@ Jonathan Willis: No sh!t
@ Jonathan Willis: But what if Souray disfigures his beautiful face. The post oiler game drive to pleasure town will take so much longer.
OilersNinja wrote:
Yeah but once he builds up a head of steam....
he's still pretty slow. So. Yeah.
@ Hockey Gods:
As long as Souray throws the first punch, it won't be a problem.
@ Hockey Gods:
Also, where's the concern for Zack Stortini's beautiful face?
jeanshorts wrote:
YEah but once he his a corner and starts his crossovers...
He slows down even more... huh, he is slow.
@ Jonathan Willis: He has that healthy head of hair to camoflauge his crooked nose and scars.
Hockey Gods wrote:
Can he even do crossovers? Can anyone confirm or deny this rumor?
Christ, if Debrusk talks anymore about the "edge" of this game I'm going to...continue watching the game.
Stortini just killed Jaffray. He's not that slow.
@ Hockey Gods: Those power skating lessons Mac-T enrolled him in are really paying off!!
Man I am scared we may have to rely on the 4th line for our offense again tonight. That is not a recommended way to win hockey games and make the playoffs.
Well it's been a period and a half and Sundin still hasn't scored, nor have the Canucks won the Stanley Cup.
BUST!!!
@ Hockey Gods:
Penner and Souray will handle the thuggery. Stortini and Strudwick will take care of the scoring.
No problem.
"An owly mood" Quinn? Seriously?
Hoot hoot hoot
@ jeanshorts: Yup he busted, trade him to a contender... oh but wait he won't do that, he doesn't want to be a rental player.
The ice is horrible tonite!
@ Jonathan Willis: MacT is writing up that new gameplan as we speak.
Vigneault snuck the Sedins on against Brodziak and Co. Fortunately for MacTavish, the whistle blew.