GDB 77: This is it
Jason Gregor
March 31 2009 12:03PM
Tonight is do or die for the Oilers. I know they have five more games, but if they lose in regulation tonight they won't make playoffs. We all know this but let's go on record saying: a loss puts them three back of the Ducks, and possibly five back of Nashville if they beat Columbus. Five games remaining won't be enough time to make up those points.
Unfortunately a win doesn't guarantee they make the playoffs, but for their psyche they need a win tonight. The players had another closed door meeting before practice yesterday. Having another one after a loss tonight becomes redundant, and if the message didn't sink in after yesterday's session it never will.
Rather than be upset, frustrated, annoyed, pissed off or scared, Oiler fans should embrace tonight's game. It will be the most intense game you have witnessed all season. You will race home, kiss the wife, play with the kids for a few minutes but YOU know that come 7:30 you will be planted firmly on the coach, bevy in hand, chips in the bowl, leaning forward towards the TV with your hands clenched waiting for the puck to drop.
And you know you will be filled with nervous anticipation. There will be at least two dust ups tonight, four or five big hits and hopefully many goals. Rexall Place will be loud, because even though the masses are pissed and ready to hang MacT, most of you can't bring yourself not to cheer for your team in such a meaningful game. That's being an Oilers fan folks.
Games like tonight are what make sports great. All those dud games in Nov, Dec and Sunday against the Wild are a distant memory now. Tonight all you care about is seeing a win, because at least that keeps the dream alive for a few more games.
A loss tonight and the dream is over for another season. No possible drunk chicks flashing you on Whyte, no chance the wife watches the game in just an Oiler jersey and no house parties or nights out watching the playoffs with the Boys.
It is excruciatingly simple for the Oilers: Win and you stay alive. Lose and you play out the string.
Good to see it's the Ducks
The Ducks are the perfect opponent for a game of this magnitude. They play tough, physical and have loads of top-end skill. If the Oilers dont show up tonight they will not only lose, but get humiliated at home. The Ducks bring out the emotion of the Oilers. The Oilers actually play with a pulse when the Human Rake and company come to town.
More often than not this year the Oilers have looked as prepared as your drunk Uncle emceeing a family wedding. You know the guy who thinks he is funny at the family summer picnic, yet when he gets on the mic at the wedding his stories suck, his jokes are stolen from some lame website, and the program rolls as smoothly as the Best Man's toast about the groom and his past conquests.
The Oilers will be ready to play tonight. I dont know if they will win, but tonight's effort will be one of the few times this year that they are prepared. There was a playoff energy in the locker room this morning. Players smiled when asked about the intensity, and expected physical play tonight.
Last December when the Ducks came to town the Oilers played their best home game of the year even though they lost in a SO. They out shot the Ducks 53-36, they killed off seven of eight powerplays and engaged the Ducks physically at every turn. In fact, the Ducks are only 2 for 19 on the PP against the Oilers this year. I cant explain why when you look at the Ducks firepower, but the Oilers PK is actually good against them.
The Oilers won both games in Anaheim, despite being outshot in both. Expect the trend of the home team getting more shots to continue this evening.
The Oilers just wrapped up a crisp morning skate. There wasnt much standing around, passes were on the tape, they actually scored some goals in practice and to a man they looked ready. The only concern is that even in practice, it looked like Horcoff was still struggling to finish.
The most frustrating thing to watch today was Grebeshkov in a shooting drill. He scored on three consecutive slap shots, two from the high slot and another from blueline. Why he doesn't shoot during the game remains a mystery. Though he did have three shots on goal the last time the Ducks were in town, so he might actually take a shot tonight. He has a measly 53 shots on net this year.
They didnt do any line rushes, but there wont be any lineup changes, outside of Peckham drawing in for Smid.
COLOSSAL FOSSIL SETS RECORD
Tonight Dwayne Roloson will become the oldest goalie to play in 60 games in a season. The CF will start his start his 33rd consecutive game tonight, and like most games during the previous 32 he will need to be one of their top three players if the Oilers hope to stay in the playoff race.
Enjoy the afternoon planning your playoff experience tonight, hopefully for Oiler fans you get a few more opportunities to feel the anticipation and excitement this April.
Maybe not talking about the game will somehow have voodoo magic and make them score.
Gents, Mr. 17 wants a new TV. minimum 50 inches. Any suggestions?
Ya pretty scarry
Aughhh! You know, for some teams a 4 on 3 is an automatic.
Season over.
F*ck off.
hey hey goodbye
fat lady? anyone? anyone?
Well, might as well give JDD a shot at standing on his head in the third. Roli is out of gas.
Well. I don't mean to be a downer. But. It looks like we may just have to call this one. Unless some kind of miracle happens in the dressing room in between periods and Pronger, Smyth, Gretzky and Messier all dress for the third.
@ 17: I'm sporting a 58" sony bravia. It pleases pretty good
Wow. Can't win a game when they get help on the OOT scoreboard, and can't win when they don't get help.
What a disgusting period.
It's so quiet in there you can hear individuals' conversations through the TV.
@ jeanshorts: The good news is Pronger is dressing for the third. Do I really need to tell you the bad news
Hoodlum wrote:
i've got a 60" pioneer kuro in the ment' and a 40" bravia upstairs for the wifey
jeanshorts wrote:
There's more than a few guys on our team who are dam lucky Messier isn't in the locker room. They'd be on stretchers by now.
@ Harlie Chuddy: Nice...ahem...unit. *looking at the ground hoping no one sees his envious tears*
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Just trying to make up for not being able to do it at RX1
@ Hoodlum:
I shall pass that along. I think he's trying to stay away from LG for sure, I don't think he's really taken a look at any Sony's.
Wow, on the Futureshop website they list a 70" Bravia for 20k. Wow.
@ David S:
David S wrote:
your damn rights! now our captain goes *clap clap*. what a change 20 years makes
@17 I'd go sony xbr6 or 7 if you've got the skrill.
Harlie Chuddy wrote:
Excellent, what wa the price tag on the Pioneer?
I say sign Mess to an NBA-style one week contract to smash skulls and make Gilbert eat his shoes.
The Towel Boy (mobile) wrote:
I don't think price is an issue, just wants something of excellent quality that'll make the neighbours jealous. (you men and your one upping)
Oilers stars are no where to be seen, while the Ducks' are all over the score sheet. At least Stortini is playing well.
@ 17: size matters
At least if this were the KHL, MacT could resign (or get pushed) in the intermission. Be the most noteworthy thing to happen in this game. Apart from our groundbreaking 4 on 3
I checked in on the game during a break an hour or so ago, and we're up 1-0. Then I just got home and saw the score...what the crap?
17 wrote:
4600 cdn
the sportsnet add just tried to pump up the sharks game. I trust that ad was created before this game...
As much as these guys were saying different the last two days, I really believe they were mentally broken after Phoenix.
Brownlee's next article here is gonna be a doozy.
How bout those Edmonton Capitals?
Fitting way for it to shake out thus far.
@ Harlie Chuddy: that is a pretty good price
If I am Mac, I go out with a bang. Bench half the team and play Stortini Brodder and Jacques 15 of the 20 remaining minutes...
Everyday the oilers drop one I die a little inside. Fricken Pronger! why didn't you just divorce your wife and stay you bastard.
17 wrote:
my panel gets lots of oohs and ahhs when I have family and friends. Many say that this is the best picture they have ever seen. I'm hard to please and I find the picture incredible. Plus it's a cool lookin panel.
SOMEBODY PULL THE 'CHUTE
Hoodlum wrote:
yep and it was brand new and bought from a legit company.
So other than Brownlee's next sizzler, I guess all we can look forward to now is counting down to post #50,000. Who will it be? Who will it be....?
Harlie Chuddy wrote:
Well aren't you special. Well I have a 13 inch schlong. I bet it would look great on your cool panel. Shut up about your cool TV already. Although it is more enriching than the game...
will he keep Rolli in?...
Archaeologuy wrote:
*pulls cord, nothing happens. pulls backup cord, anvil comes out.*
@ FMNF:
blow me.
Prediction: If the Ducks score 3 more goals in the third, MacT's going into the crowd.
HERE WE GO BOYS! 1 period left, down by 3. This is the usual time that they decide to push the effort level to 6 or 7
Harlie Chuddy wrote:
not unless you got 14 inches
I'm having my "farewell cheers" with the Old Man right now.
He comes into the TV room, poors me a beer and says to me as we cheers, "To the poor, poor Oilers... to the season." with a thick Polish accent.
If you guys saw it, it would make you sad and angry at the same time.
@ FMNF:
dibs out.
@ Harlie Chuddy: FMNF apparently already has a bitter taste in his mouth
@ Harlie Chuddy: fair play
Archaeologuy wrote:
you sir, are EN FUEGO today!!