GDB 60: V-v-v-v-v-v-v Vinny and the Bolts

Jason Gregor
February 24 2009 01:01PM

vbolts

Vinny, Vinny, Vinny and the Bolts. Or maybe it is Marty, Marty, Marty and the Bolts because after those two, the Bolts don’t have much. The Bolts have scored the fourth fewest goals in the league, with 152, but 43% of their goals come from three players in Lecavalier, St. Louis and Ryan Malone.

Tampa gets basically no goals from their D-men. They have a league-low 11 goals from the backend, while the Oilers have 33 from the rearguards, the fifth most in the NHL.

The Bolts have also given up the fourth most goals, 191, so they don’t score much, they don’t defend very well and their goaltending is suspect. This should be guaranteed-win night for the Oilers, but this is a home game for the Oilers and nothing has come easy at home.

The Oil have 30 points in 28 home games, and are tied with LA for the fewest home wins in the Western Conference. What’s even worse for the Oilers is that they have been outscored 75-81 on home ice.

Yes, their offence has been inconsistent, but the biggest reason the Oilers find themselves out of the playoffs today, is because they have no identity at Rexall Place. This isn’t a tough rink for the opposition to come into right now. The Oilers don’t amp up their physical play at home; in fact, they are much more aggressive on the road.

Tonight is the first of three straight home games, against teams that are beatable. Tampa, Columbus and Minnesota are not world beaters, and when you look at key stretches of a season, tonight starts an important three games.

Currently the Oilers are on pace for 87 points, which would leave them outside the playoffs. Columbus, Dallas and Minnesota are all on pace for 90 points. Granted those projections can change quickly with a two-game winning or losing streak, but today they are outside the playoffs. It looks like they will need 92 points to ensure they get in, so they will need to go 13-7-3, or 14-8-1 or 12-6-5 or some combination of that to make the dance.

Tonight is a must-win for the Oilers, and the line-up will be the same as Saturday.

27-10-83
12-89-26
18-13-46
85-51-33

Same D and Roloson will start again. The drive to the playoffs begins tonight, and the Oilers can’t afford to hit the ditch against the lowly Lightning.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on the TEAM 1260. He writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal and appears every Sunday on Global TV. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

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Reply #51 SeanS February 24 2009, 07:12PM

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COLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #52 Charlie February 24 2009, 07:12PM

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YYYYYEAAAAAAHHHHH Cole!!!!

Reply #53 David S February 24 2009, 07:12PM

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jdrevenge wrote:

if they’re looking for second line scoring why isnt Cogliano moved up to the second line

Our second line is at best a compromise for a guy that's used to being surrounded by actual NHL'ers. Take Cogs and put him on the second line, maybe you might have something. But put Cole on the black hole third line and you've wasted a highly paid player.

I feel bad for Cole because there's not really an optimum place for him right now. If Nilsson and Gagner were on fire maybe, but they're struggling this year. I think Sam's ankle is worse than we know and he's the set-up guy for the two finishers.

Cole again! Yeah. We should trade him right now.

Reply #54 Chris February 24 2009, 07:15PM

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Chris wrote:

I’ll be watching Cole closely… If he just “mails it in” the next three games we’ll all have a pretty good idea about how Cole likes playing in Edmonton.

Question answered?

Reply #55 SeanS February 24 2009, 07:15PM

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Fan wise could we ask for a better start? Fast paced (so far) good goal, good fight!!!

Reply #56 treblecharger February 24 2009, 07:18PM

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Nice goal! If Cole wanted to stay here he would have signed already, right?

Reply #57 Charlie February 24 2009, 07:19PM

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YEAH STRUDS!!!!!!!

Reply #58 SeanS February 24 2009, 07:19PM

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Weeeeeeeew!!!!! What a start....

Reply #59 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:19PM

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IT'S KNUCKLE PUCK TIME!!!

Holy crap we are already up 2-0? This is what I like to come home to.

This, and a BJ.

So I'm 1 for 2 so far.

Reply #60 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:21PM

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That's why I had my bottom ribs surgically removed, ao I always go 2 for 2

Reply #61 NoPantsTuesday February 24 2009, 07:21PM

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The expression on the face of MacT after that last goal was priceless.

Reply #62 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:22PM

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@ NoPantsTuesday:

I missed it. Was he shaking his head with his mouth open in disgust? Thats the only face I've ever seen him make behind the bench.

That and pants shittingly scared.

Reply #63 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:22PM

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Hoodlum wrote:

That’s why I had my bottom ribs surgically removed, ao I always go 2 for 2

That... is.... AWESOME!!!

Reply #64 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:23PM

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Was it exubarance like he was thinking "maybe they'll stop following thier comments with fmnf"?

Reply #65 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:24PM

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@ Hoodlum: you got this on CH 211?

Reply #66 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:25PM

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yup

Reply #67 David S February 24 2009, 07:25PM

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For all the yap about how great Edmonton fans are, they sure sit on their hands at RX1 alot.

Reply #68 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:28PM

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David S wrote:

For all the yap about how great Edmonton fans are, they sure sit on their hands at RX1 alot.

We expect more. plain and simple. It takes so much more to impress. Youtube the 06 playoffs... tell me we aren't loud. Give us something to cheer about consistently and they will get their cheers.

Reply #69 Smokin' Ray February 24 2009, 07:28PM

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I missed that. What did they say about Cole's contract?

Reply #70 SeanS February 24 2009, 07:28PM

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did Penner just have 2 hits in 1 shift???

Reply #71 SeanS February 24 2009, 07:29PM

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Smokin' Ray wrote:

I missed that. What did they say about Cole’s contract?

They have not had any talks with him about it

Reply #72 David S February 24 2009, 07:29PM

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Travis Dakin wrote:

We expect more. plain and simple. It takes so much more to impress. Youtube the 06 playoffs… tell me we aren’t loud. Give us something to cheer about consistently and they will get their cheers.

Wow. Tough room. Anyways, I'll be at the game on Saturday against Minnie. That one should be a bloodbath. Heh heh.

Reply #73 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:30PM

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Smokin' Ray wrote:

I missed that. What did they say about Cole’s contract?

They said he wants too much so he can go f*ck himself.

Reply #74 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:32PM

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Now that I know Stamkos drove a car when he was 3, my life is complete. Thank you Gene for that breathtaking journalism

Reply #75 Smokin' Ray February 24 2009, 07:32PM

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SeanS wrote:

Smokin’ Ray wrote: I missed that. What did they say about Cole’s contract? They have not had any talks with him about it

Thanks man.

I don't understand why not? How do you know until you ask?

Reply #76 David S February 24 2009, 07:32PM

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Way to sell it Red Ox!

Reply #77 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:33PM

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nice dive Reddox. you pussy.

Reply #78 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:33PM

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GIVE IT TO SOURAY!!!! GIVE IT TO SOURAY!!!!!!!

Reply #79 David S February 24 2009, 07:35PM

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I can hear a Towel Boy "Who saw that coming?®" with that cross-ice to Horcoff. The answer of course would "everybody".

Reply #80 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:37PM

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The Bolts suck... I just can't understand why Vinny and St. Louis would want to stay there, besides the obvious reasons but wouldn't you want to play hockey during your short career, in front of fans... Your own?

Reply #81 W.T. February 24 2009, 07:38PM

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Pyramid Power

Reply #82 David S February 24 2009, 07:40PM

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W.T. wrote:

Pyramid Power

Idiot.

Reply #83 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:41PM

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I think south beach bikinis are sexier than Edmonton parkas@ Travis Dakin:

Reply #84 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:41PM

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Dustin Penner- 295 pounds of useless.

Reply #85 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:43PM

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I can't believe how terrible Tampa is. They are making Edmonton look like a well prepared team that actually knows how to play their systems properly, and puts forth effort.

Reply #86 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:44PM

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Cole has played the last handful of games like he doesn't wanna go anywhere, at least he's boosting his trade value at the right time

Reply #87 David S February 24 2009, 07:45PM

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Man, what I wouldn't give for Ray Ferraro's words of wisdom.

Reply #88 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:47PM

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Hoodlum wrote:

I think south beach bikinis are sexier than Edmonton parkas

Yeah but in Edmonton there would be a lot more girls ready to show you what's under the parka just for the chance to hook up with a pro hockey player. The reality is that they will usually be done their career by the mid to late 30's. Take that fat chash and live the life down there when you retire. I'd want to be living in one of the big markets where there is a plethora of ladies ready and waiting after every game to ..... be my friend.

Reply #89 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:48PM

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Hoodlum wrote:

Cole has played the last handful of games like he doesn’t wanna go anywhere, at least he’s boosting his trade value at the right time

Or keeping his value high enough that Tambellini will be too stupid to trade him and we will lose him for nothing.

Reply #90 socaldave February 24 2009, 07:50PM

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@ jeanshorts:

Ferraro went to TSN

Reply #91 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:51PM

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@ Travis Dakin: true that my friend

Reply #92 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:52PM

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@ socaldave:

I know. But I haven't seen him on there for a while.

Then again I don't watch too many TSN games unless the Oilers are playing, but still. It's been a steady flow of Mr. Monster himself.

Reply #93 David S February 24 2009, 07:54PM

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Travis Dakin wrote:

I think south beach bikinis are sexier than Edmonton parkas Yeah but in Edmonton there would be a lot more girls ready to show you what’s under the parka just for the chance to hook up with a pro hockey player.

It's incredible here. I've seen Pisani get swarmed and he's married. It's sure easy pickings for his brother though.

Reply #94 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:55PM

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@ David S: Was that with his '06 hutterite beard?

Reply #95 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 07:57PM

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I tell girls I'm a hockey player, apparently they are wise to my obesity though....oh, I'm so lonely

Reply #96 jeanshorts February 24 2009, 07:58PM

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@ Hoodlum:

Girls seem to always find a way to look past my obesity.

Because I'm paying them.

*weeps uncontrollably into his half eaten bowl of corn flakes and water*

Reply #97 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 07:58PM

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David S wrote:

It’s incredible here. I’ve seen Pisani get swarmed and he’s married. It’s sure easy pickings for his brother though.

Why would any professional athlete be married? Unless they have a really "cool" wife. But you gotta take advantage of that. It is definately one of the major perks of being a pro.

Reply #98 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 08:00PM

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@ jeanshorts: So this is what it's like when doves cry

Reply #99 Travis Dakin February 24 2009, 08:02PM

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Hoodlum wrote:

I tell girls I’m a hockey player, apparently they are wise to my obesity though….oh, I’m so lonely

Shut the f*ck up! I have no idea how you do it but you have ladies falling out of your pockets.

Reply #100 Hoodlum February 24 2009, 08:02PM

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I wonder is Tochett bet on the Oilers

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GDB 60: V-v-v-v-v-v-v Vinny and the Bolts