EDIT: Oilers down a captain, Horcoff will play

Jason Gregor
October 06 2009 10:54AM

The Oilers will be without their captain and possibly one of their assistants as they look for their first win of the season, against the 0-0-1 Dallas Stars.

The Stars dominated the Predators on Saturday, but couldn’t beat Dan Ellis, so it could be a good test for Nikolai Khabibulin to see if he can rebound.

Ethan Moreau wasn’t on the ice at the morning skate this morning and neither was Shawn Horcoff. Andrew Cogliano took his spot alongside Sam Gagner and Zack Stortini. Robert Nilsson skated with Gilbert Brule and Dustin Penner. Horcoff skated yesterday, so it is strange not to see him on the ice.

Marc Pouliot skated with J.F Jacques and Ales Hemsky, and if he plays there tonight then this coaching staff really wants to give every guy a clean slate. If Pouliot, after sitting out for two weeks, actually plays all game with Hemsky, then Hemsky either needs to carry the line or he we shouldn’t expect much from him offensively.

The Oilers swept the Stars at home last year winning 5-2 and 4-1. The Stars won both games in Dallas by scores of 4-3 and 4-2.

The Oilers PK was actually good against Dallas allowing only three goals on 20 chances for 85%, while the Oilers scored three PP goals on 16 chances for 18.8 %.

Last year was the first time since 1992/1993 that the Oilers swept the Stars in Edmonton.

Both the Oilers and Stars lost their first game even though they out shot the opposition. The Stars outshot the Predators 40-26, with James Neal potting both goals for the Stars.

Update

Just spoke with Horcoff, and he will play. He says it isn’t a big deal, and that he has a small tweak but he is just resting it.

Robert Nilsson admitted that he has to cut down on his risky plays in the defensive and neutral zones if he wants to stay in the lineup. Look for Nilsson to simplify his game in those zones, but he feels that he should generate more offence by not giving the puck away as often as he has.

Quinn explained the reason why he inserted Nilsson on the RW, and moved Cogliano on the left side with Gagner.

“I like Nilsson’s game on the right side, he generates more from that wing, and I know that Cogliano and Gagner have played together before, and played well, so this should give them both a better chance to produce.”

Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m., on the TEAM 1260. He also does play-by-play for the Edmonton Rush and colour commentary on HDNET Fights. He thinks the Instigator rule is the stupid, Bettman is narrow-minded, +/- is overrated, goaltending equipment is a joke and that every team should have ice girls. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

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Reply #201 RossCreek October 06 2009, 08:45PM

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I see Jacques scored~

Reply #202 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 08:51PM

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So did Huddy sell his old mustache to Tom Tucker, the news anchor from Family Guy???

Reply #203 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 08:54PM

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Tretiak just looks BAD, doesn't he?

Reply #204 R-DAWG October 06 2009, 08:55PM

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Khabby is Khrappy. Him and Luongo are horrible to start the year!!

Reply #205 Gunner October 06 2009, 08:56PM

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Willis - I'm on your team now. Our f/o and pk need to be addressed.

Reply #206 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 08:58PM

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Habiboblin is looking Luongoesque

Reply #207 Hemmertime October 06 2009, 08:59PM

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R-DAWG wrote:

Khabby is Khrappy. Him and Luongo are horrible to start the year!!

Except there isnt multiple crappy years in the recent ones for Luongo. Last year was "Oh God JDD is starting, Roli must be dehydrated from playing 34 straight games" This year its "Oh GOOD JDD is starting, Khabby must be dehydrated from playing 34 straight minutes". I know its early, but if Khabby is this poor the whole season I have no faith in Tambo doing anything to help

Reply #208 RossCreek October 06 2009, 08:59PM

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Hat-trick from my hero Nystrom... whats goin on with the Oil?

Reply #209 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:02PM

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Well look at that.... My star is shining again

Reply #210 TonyT October 06 2009, 09:03PM

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Penner!!!!!!!!

Reply #211 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:03PM

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HUZZAH! Fatty Donair on pace for 82 goals! (hey Willis, what's that you said about sample size???)

Reply #212 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:07PM

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How was the tilt. Just turned on Rod & Bod

Reply #213 Harlie October 06 2009, 09:08PM

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Sick numbers...

.................................................GP G A P 1995-1996 Edm. SSAC-AMHL..33 51 52 103 1996-1997 St. Albert-AJHL .....63 37 41 78 1997-1998 St. Albert-AJHL .....58 60 78 138

Reply #214 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:09PM

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wow Horcoff.... Uh... wow. Um... So Hemsky was taking off there. Your job is to give him the puck. Turning back is not smart.

Reply #215 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:10PM

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Harlie wrote:

Sick numbers...
.................................................GP G A P 1995-1996 Edm. SSAC-AMHL..33 51 52 103 1996-1997 St. Albert-AJHL .....63 37 41 78 1997-1998 St. Albert-AJHL .....58 60 78 138

What the hell are you talking about?

Reply #216 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:11PM

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@Travis Dakin

I'm guessing something to do with Comrie, given the St. Albert AJ stats.

Reply #217 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:12PM

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@Travis Dakin

Is this like that crappy Jim Carrey movie where he goes nuts with numbers?

Reply #218 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:12PM

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@Travis Dakin

So give me an honest wrap up of tonights fight card thus far. Haven't seen or heard any.

Reply #219 VicOiler October 06 2009, 09:17PM

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Wow, there is work to do, but I like how this team is playing.You can't knock them around, and they won't be kept down. Now just need to get a lead.

Reply #220 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:18PM

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@Harlie

You know what's sicker? Those were as a 15, 16, 17 year old. 103 pts as an underage midget, and then 2 years in the AJ as a midget. And you know whats sicker... Jamie Lundmark was nearly as good. Now he's in Abbotsford, although I'm sure he could play on a half dozen teams in the bigs.

Reply #221 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:19PM

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@RossCreek

Ok, Souray rag dolled what's his puss. It will be on all the highlights. pretty funny really. Stone got into it with Ott after Stone creamed some dude. It was a tight hug fest with a couple of rabbit punches. A draw.

Reply #222 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:21PM

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@Travis Dakin

Stortini? Did he fight Sutherby or something?

Reply #223 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:21PM

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RossCreek wrote:

You know what's sicker? Those were as a 15, 16, 17 year old. 103 pts as an underage midget, and then 2 years in the AJ as a midget. And you know whats sicker... Jamie Lundmark was nearly as good. Now he's in Abbotsford, although I'm sure he could play on a half dozen teams in the bigs.

check out his stats from the WHL after he left college. insane.

Reply #224 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:22PM

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So when can we anticipate MacT interviewing the Flying Donair on TSN? Now THAT would warrant a pay-per-view.

Reply #225 Travis Dakin October 06 2009, 09:24PM

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RossCreek wrote:

Stortini? Did he fight Sutherby or something?

Not that I recall.... He tried to.

Reply #226 jeanshorts October 06 2009, 09:25PM

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RossCreek wrote:

Stortini? Did he fight Sutherby or something?

They were just face washing and chirping in the corner. Gagner of all people started that brew ha-ha.

Reply #227 Harlie October 06 2009, 09:25PM

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@Travis Dakin

the formatting didn't work. It's MC's numbers.

Reply #228 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:28PM

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Morrow? Really?!? When the hell are all these Stars just gonna retire and stop killing this team over and over and over again?!?!?

Reply #229 Harlie October 06 2009, 09:29PM

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the BOOlin Wall?

Reply #230 BarryS October 06 2009, 09:30PM

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If we're playing zone defence we're playing the wrong zones. How was Morrow so open?

Reply #231 RossCreek October 06 2009, 09:30PM

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@Travis Dakin

I was a young Ft. Sask. Traders "prospect" the one spring they played the Saints in the Finals (or north finals, I forget). I watched from the stands and oh boy did he put on a show that series. Building was jam-packed, over the limit and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he never got hit. I HATED him. I HATED him as an Oiler the 1st time around, but that hate has turned into RESPECK over the last 5 years.

Reply #232 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:35PM

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GARBAGE-COUGH!!!

Reply #233 Heatly October 06 2009, 09:35PM

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I still believe!

Reply #234 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:36PM

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He called the shin-bank shot, right?

Reply #235 Heatly October 06 2009, 09:38PM

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Better than JFJ foot on the first goal.

Reply #236 ronaldo October 06 2009, 09:39PM

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If Garbagov and Khabbi could have a child, that child would be Lord of the Goats, Megagoatov.

Reply #237 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:41PM

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ronaldo wrote:

If Garbagov and Khabbi could have a child, that child would be Lord of the Goats, Megagoatov.

And that evil child would look exactly like JDD. Le Baaaaaaaa...

Reply #238 Heatly October 06 2009, 09:48PM

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I'm calling Sully for the winner.

Reply #239 Harlie October 06 2009, 09:48PM

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yes! The Souray and Barf fight is on youtube already. Souray rag dolls him.

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjezDhMQyk0

Reply #240 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:49PM

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@Harlie

God Bless the Internet!

Reply #241 Colin October 06 2009, 09:52PM

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I need the linky please.

Reply #242 Harlie October 06 2009, 09:53PM

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See Souray tell Barf to wait while he leisurely takes off his wrist brace? haha PWNED!

Reply #243 Salvo October 06 2009, 09:56PM

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A POINT!

Reply #244 Colin October 06 2009, 09:56PM

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4-4? so what did I miss?

Reply #245 Poo Czar October 06 2009, 09:57PM

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Oh crap that was too close. I hereby submit that Khabibulin should not be in net for the final minute of the third period. Is Mike Morrison still in the bullpen?