WILL THE OILERS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?

Jason Gregor
January 18 2013 02:23PM

On the eve of another lockout-shortened season, there are many questions surrounding the Edmonton Oilers. How good will Justin Schultz be in the NHL? Is Devan Dubnyk ready to be an everyday starting goalie? Can Ales Hemsky and Ryan Whitney have bounce back seasons? Who will lead the Oilers in scoring: Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? How much of an impact will new head coach Ralph Krueger have?

All great questions, but the most important one is, will the Oilers make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons?
Predictions can be difficult at the best of times, but in a short season there seems to be even more variables in play.

Will the Oilers capitalize on the perceived advantage of having all of their two top-line forwards in game shape? In theory they should, but with their starting goalie and only two of six defenders (I have Potter #7)in game-shape does that negate that advantage?

Thankfully we will finally see the answers unfold on the ice starting Sunday night in Vancouver.

But before we see some games, we need to look into our crystal ball and find out where the Oilers will finish.

Predictions are in interesting animal, and sometimes they seem to contradict themselves.

Earlier this week TSN submitted a list of the top-50 players in the NHL. The Oilers had three on the list, with Jordan Eberle ranked the highest at 25th. He was ranked 19th amongst forwards, so you'd think when TSN released their projections for the top-300 scoring leaders that he'd be ranked between 15-30.

There is some miscommunication going on at TSN, because Scott Cullen clearly disagrees with the rest of his TSN colleagues and had Eberle finishing 55th overall in scoring, and 54th amongst NHL forwards. 

#  PLAYER  TEAM  POS  GP  G  A  PTS  +/-  PIM  PPP
1 Evgeni Malkin  Pittsburgh  C  43 25 38 63 7 41 19
2 Sidney Crosby  Pittsburgh  C  42 21 40 61 10 26 23
3 Steven Stamkos  Tampa Bay  C  48 32 23 55 2 37 20
4 Henrik Sedin  Vancouver  C  48 11 42 53 15 27 17
5 Alex Ovechkin  Washington  LW  45 25 26 51 7 25 17
6 Joe Thornton  San Jose  C  47 12 37 49 8 23 18
7 Ilya Kovalchuk  New Jersey  LW  46 22 26 48 -7 20 15
8 Claude Giroux  Philadelphia  C  47 15 33 48 5 20 15
9 Daniel Sedin  Vancouver  LW  43 20 27 47 13 21 18
10 Martin St. Louis  Tampa Bay  LW  47 15 30 45 -2 8 17
11 Corey Perry  Anaheim  RW  47 23 21 44 -1 68 15
12 Tyler Seguin  Boston  RW  46 18 25 43 12 15 10
13 Eric Staal  Carolina  C  47 18 25 43 1 34 14
14 John Tavares  N.Y. Islanders  C  47 18 25 43 -6 20 15
15 Brad Richards  N.Y. Rangers  C  46 15 28 43 -1 13 17
16 Nicklas Backstrom  Washington  C  43 12 31 43 10 21 17
17 Phil Kessel  Toronto  RW  47 20 22 42 -8 13 12
18 Jonathan Toews  Chicago  C  41 19 23 42 12 19 12
19 Loui Eriksson  Dallas  LW  47 16 26 42 6 8 9
20 Ryan Getzlaf  Anaheim  C  44 11 31 42 -1 36 14
21 Marian Gaborik  N.Y. Rangers  RW  44 20 21 41 8 20 14
22 Jason Spezza  Ottawa  C  42 16 25 41 2 18 13
23 Pavel Datsyuk  Detroit  C  42 14 27 41 11 10 13
24 Rick Nash  N.Y. Rangers  LW  46 20 20 40 -1 25 13
25 James Neal  Pittsburgh  RW  46 20 20 40 3 44 13
26 Zach Parise  Minnesota  LW  47 19 21 40 6 18 12
27 Patrick Marleau  San Jose  LW  48 19 21 40 4 13 15
28 Henrik Zetterberg  Detroit  LW  47 14 26 40 6 25 13
29 Jarome Iginla  Calgary  RW  48 19 20 39 -3 26 13
30 Teemu Selanne  Anaheim  RW  43 16 23 39 1 21 18
31 Patrick Kane  Chicago  RW  47 14 25 39 5 18 12
32 Logan Couture  San Jose  C  45 19 19 38 4 12 13
33 Thomas Vanek  Buffalo  LW  45 18 20 38 -1 20 14
34 Jamie Benn  Dallas  C  43 16 22 38 4 31 7
35 David Krejci  Boston  C  46 12 26 38 5 16 8
36 Bobby Ryan  Anaheim  LW  47 19 18 37 4 38 8
37 Patrick Sharp  Chicago  LW  44 18 19 37 11 21 11
38 Tomas Plekanec  Montreal  C  47 15 22 37 -2 33 11
39 Mike Ribeiro  Washington  C  44 11 26 37 -1 28 11
40 Dany Heatley  Minnesota  RW  47 16 20 36 4 25 15
41 Joe Pavelski  San Jose  RW  45 15 21 36 7 16 12
42 Jason Pominville  Buffalo  RW  47 15 21 36 -1 9 12
43 Mike Richards  Los Angeles  C  46 14 22 36 4 42 12
44 Marian Hossa  Chicago  RW  41 14 22 36 9 14 11
45 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins  Edmonton  C  43 13 23 36 -2 13 16
46 Patrik Elias  New Jersey  LW  45 12 24 36 -1 11 13
47 PA Parenteau  Colorado  RW  47 11 25 36 -5 42 11
48 Matt Duchene  Colorado  C  43 15 20 35 -5 11 11
49 Gabriel Landeskog  Colorado  LW  47 15 20 35 6 33 8
50 Patrice Bergeron  Boston  C  46 12 23 35 15 14 8
51 Ray Whitney  Dallas  LW  46 12 23 35 -2 15 13
52 Erik Karlsson  Ottawa  D  46 9 26 35 -2 25 13
53 Matt Moulson  N.Y. Islanders  LW  48 19 15 34 -2 8 12
54 Milan Lucic  Boston  LW  44 16 18 34 7 67 7
55 Jordan Eberle  Edmonton  RW  44 15 19 34 -2 8 11
56 Vladimir Tarasenko  St. Louis  RW  44 15 19 34 5 14 6
57 Paul Stastny  Colorado  C  46 12 22 34 -4 26 12
58 Anze Kopitar  Los Angeles  C  37 12 22 34 7 9 12
59 Jakub Voracek  Philadelphia  RW  46 11 23 34 2 18 6
60 Alexander Semin  Carolina  LW  42 17 16 33 7 34 11
61 Alex Burrows  Vancouver  RW  46 17 16 33 14 53 3
62 Scott Hartnell  Philadelphia  LW  48 17 16 33 8 82 9
63 Taylor Hall  Edmonton  LW  43 16 17 33 -4 19 11
64 Jeff Skinner  Carolina  RW  42 15 18 33 -2 30 11
65 David Backes  St. Louis  C  47 15 18 33 11 58 9
66 Damien Brunner  Detroit  RW  44 13 20 33 5 22 7
67 Jaromir Jagr  Dallas  RW  41 12 21 33 4 25 11
68 Max Pacioretty  Montreal  LW  43 16 16 32 -1 30 6
69 Jordan Staal  Carolina  C  41 15 17 32 6 21 7
80 Evander Kane  Winnipeg  LW  43 15 16 31 2 35 5
81 Nail Yakupov  Edmonton  LW  46 15 16 31 2 20 7
122 Justin Schultz  Edmonton  D  46 9 19 28 1 9 8
142 Sam Gagner  Edmonton  C  42 10 16 26 -3 20 7
145 Ales Hemsky  Edmonton  RW  35 9 17 26 -2 15 9
164 Ryan Smyth  Edmonton  LW  46 11 13 24 -1 35 4
250 Shawn Horcoff  Edmonton  C  40 7 12 19 -8 21 6
295 Ryan Whitney  Edmonton  D  30 2 14 16 -2 19 5

It's also interesting to note that he had Eberle dropping from 16th in goals down to 45th. Cullen is evidently in the camp of those who feel Eberle won't be able to produce at a rate similar to last season. I've said before it would be a major accomplishment for Eberle to score 46 points this year, (pro-rated to equal last season), since very few players have back-to-back 76+ point seasons, but I don't expect him to fall as much as Cullen or others do. I see Eberle scoring 40-43 points if he plays the majority of games.

HAVE TO SCORE AT EV

If the Oilers want to make the playoffs they need to score more 5-on-5. The Oilers were 22nd in goals for/goals against ratio. It is no surprise that the excluding a few exceptions, LA and Florida and New Jersey, the teams who made the playoffs scored goals EV than they gave up. 

1 DETROIT 181 126 55
2 BOSTON 193 146 47
3 PITTSBURGH 190 162 28
4 VANCOUVER 160 135 25
5 ST LOUIS 137 102 25
6 PHILADELPHIA 168 149 19
7 NY RANGERS 150 132 18
8 PHOENIX 159 143 16
9 SAN JOSE 147 134 13
10 OTTAWA 166 158 8
11 NASHVILLE 158 150 8
12 BUFFALO 154 150 4
13 CHICAGO 172 170 2
14 WASHINGTON 152 150 2
15 WINNIPEG 158 160 -2
16 DALLAS 149 152 -3
17 LOS ANGELES 118 121 -3
18 MONTREAL 143 150 -7
19 NEW JERSEY 140 150 -10
20 COLORADO 138 149 -11
21 TAMPA BAY 173 186 -13
22 EDMONTON 139 153 -14
23 ANAHEIM 142 157 -15
24 CALGARY 134 151 -17
25 FLORIDA 127 144 -17
26 TORONTO 156 182 -26
27 CAROLINA 140 166 -26
28 COLUMBUS 132 166 -34
29 MINNESOTA 112 148 -36
30 NY ISLANDERS 133 179 -46

Florida is the exception based on a few blowouts, 7-0 and 8-0 losses, but also because they had a whopping 18 OTL. They only won 32 games in regulation last year, yet the made the playoffs. They weren't that good, but when you look at the best and worst teams in the league EV gives you a good indication of where teams stand, with a few exceptions of course.

OILERS PP WILL WIN THEM GAMES

It seems many people feel the Oilers PP will be carry them to the playoffs, but that is only true if they take fewer penalties and their PK improves.

I'm not sure the Oilers PP can get much better.

They had the 3rd best PP, 20.6%, and scored the 5th most PP goals with 54. Their PP was good, and likely should be in the top-7 again this year, but can they be better than 23%?

If they Oilers have as many powerplays as last season, 262, they will have 153 this year. And in order to click at 24% they'd need to score 37 PP goals. It is possible, but if they scored 31 they'd sit at 20.4%, which is almost identical to last season.

If you told Krueger right now that he could have a 20% PP he'd take it in a heartbeat. Last season only 3 teams cracked the 20% mark with the man advantage.

As good as their powerplay was last year, it was basically negated by their penalty kill.

The Oilers were shorthanded 296 times last year, good for 5th most in the NHL. And it's not like the Oilers were an aggressive team, they took too many obstruction and sticking penalties.

The Oilers surrendered 52 goals when down a man last year, so essentially they needed a 20.6% PP just to be +2 on special teams. The Oilers were 14th in PK efficiency at 82.4%, but when you take that many penalties it impacts your ability to win the special teams battle.

The Oilers have a lot of areas to improve on, but if they improve their EV play they will have an excellent shot at making the playoffs.

NATION WRITERS CHIME IN...

I asked fellow Nation contributors, Brownlee, Wayne, Lowetide, Willis and Strudwick to close their eyes and pick give me their informed opinions on who makes it in the western conference, who plays in the Cup final and a brief explanation of why they slotted the Oilers where they did.

BROWNLEE

1. St. Louis

2. Vancouver

3. Los Angeles

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Minnesota

7. Nashville

8. Edmonton

9. Detroit

10. Dallas

11. Colorado

12. Phoenix

13. Calgary

14. Anaheim

15. Columbus

A lot of people think picking the Oilers to make the playoffs is taking a big flyer.

It is, but when I look at Edmonton's top-six forwards and the defense with a full year of Nick Schultz and the additions of Justin Schultz and Mark Fistric, I see a playoff team IF -- isn't there always at least one? -- Devan Dubnyk doesn't implode as the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender and IF Ryan Whitney stays healthy.

Rangers down the Hawks and sip from the Stanley Cup.

WANYE

1. Los Angeles
2. St. Louis
3. Vancouver
4. Minnesota
5. Chicago
6. San Jose
7. Edmonton
8. Detroit
9. Nashville
10. Phoenix
11. Anaheim
12. Colorado
13. Dallas
14. Calgary
15. Columbus

"The Edmonton Oilers are my favourite hockey team and I think they are great and will make the playoffs and I love recess." - Wanye, Age 8

There is only one option for the Cup...Oilers crush Sidney and the Penguins.

LOWETIDE

1.      1. LAK: Continuation of last season, too much talent, very balanced.

2.      2. VAN: Despite the injuries, strong club with depth on defense and quality goaltending.

3.      3. STL: Remind me of LAK of one year ago.

4.      4. CHI: Possibly the strongest line-up in the conference, goaltending puts them here

5.      5. NAS: Amazing hockey club, seem to have a plug and play for every need.

6.      6. PHX: Lots of turnover but similar to Nashville in that they’ll get it done.

7.      7. MIN: Off-season dream additions and young talent carry the day.

8.      8. EDM: There’s just too much offense to keep them from making the second season, and Dubnyk is better than many believe.

9.      9. DET: Retirements and defections heavily outweigh additions.

10.  10. SJS: This is the year they begin to fade.

11.  11. DAL: Some nice things, but a bizarre off-season leaves them outside the playoffs.

12.  12. COL: Strong young team has enough holes and will struggle.

13.  13. ANA: A team in transition.

14.  14. CAL: The bottom falls out.

15.  15. CBJ: Defense and goaltending remain a mess.

Cup finalists will be Vancouver and the Rangers, with Vancouver winning their 1st Stanley. I know. I’m already mad at myself.

WILLIS

1. Los Angeles

2. Vancouver

3. St. Louis

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Detroit

7. Phoenix

8. Colorado

9. Minnesota

10. Edmonton

11. Dallas

12. Nashville

13. Anaheim

14. Calgary

15. Columbus

On Edmonton: For the first time in a long time I see them as a legitimate playoff contender. I think one team besides Vancouver will make the post-season, and Colorado/Minnesota/Edmonton are all neck-and-neck-and-neck at this point. An injury or an unexpected absence - such as Ryan O'Reilly staying in the KHL - could change the balance of power, as could a sharp move by any of the general managers in charge of those clubs. I see the Oilers falling just short but staying in the mix until the bitter end.

Stanley Cup Finals: Pittsburgh over Vancouver.

STRUDWICK

1. St. Louis

2. Minnesota

3. Los Angeles

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Vancouver

7. Detroit

8. Phoenix

9. Nashville

10. Dallas

11. Edmonton

12. Calgary

13. Anaheim

14. Colorado

15. Columbus

The Oilers will improve in the standings, but there are still questions they need to answer before they become a playoff team. 

1. Can the team stay healthy?

2. Can their goaltending become playoff calibre?

3. Are they a hard enough team to play against?

Rangers beat the Kings and win the Cup.

GREGOR

1. St. Louis

2. Los Angeles

3. Minnesota

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Edmonton

7. Vancouver

8. Anaheim

9. Detroit

10. Dallas

11. Columbus

12. Nashville

13. Phoenix

14. Colorado

15. Calgary

My brain says the Oilers won't make the playoffs, I say they actually finish 13th because they aren't that good, but the Nation has never experienced a playoff run and the Oilers luck has to change eventually. Injuries are my main concern, because the Oilers aren't a big team. Many of their skilled players like Hall, Hemsky and Yakupov will get hit often since they don't play on the perimeter.

The Oilers have a mixture of young, hungry players and some veterans in Hemsky, Whitney, Dubnyk and Whitney with lots to prove. Krueger says they won't play a passive game, and the Oilers will be better defensively, but my biggest concern is that this team isn't tough enough. They don't know how to compete hard enough every night, yet. I'm not talking fighting or hitting, because they don't have many bangers, but just being battled tested. If they can learn that this year, I think they have the skill to make a serious run for the playoffs, but I don't expect them to. However, since you had to endure no hockey for four months, I'm going positive and picking them to make the playoffs.

But if the Oilers don't improve, I don't see any reason why GM Steve Tambellini keeps his job. They don't have to make the playoffs, but they need to show significant improvement. If they don't, then ownership has to look at the architect of the team, Tambellini.

I haven't picked them to make the playoffs in six years, so it's time for a change. And speaking of change the Detroit Red Wings won't enjoy life without Nick Lidstrom.

The Rangers defeat the Blues in six to win the Cup.

WHAT SAY YE...

What do you think Nation? Let's see who ends up with the closest prediction on April 27th.

PAY ATTENTION

Bianca Beauchamps just adds to the Positive Friday vibe. At around 12:00 this morning we will unveil the Nation's 2013 hockey draft. First place will win a $5,000 shopping spree. It costs only $20 bucks to enter and a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, because it's the right thing to do. We will have over 100 prizes. It will be awesome.

Do you want to go to the Home Opener on Tuesday?

If you LIKE the Jason Gregor Show fan page you can win. It is the easiest way to track people down. If you don't want to that is fine, just don't complain that I should give tickets away on here. It's a hassle tracking down people. On facebook I can direct message the person right away. It is simple.

I'll give away tickets to the home opener on Monday. Good luck.

RECENTLY BY JASON GREGOR

Ddf3e2ba09069c465299f3c416e43eae
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
Sort comments by date
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Reply #1 Archaeologuy January 18 2013, 10:53AM
+1 6 props

I finished the article but I cant remember anything it said and now I have the craziest urge to Raid Tombs...

Avatar
Reply #2 Zed January 18 2013, 11:30AM
+1 3 props

I think the Oilers have a very good chance of BOOBS!

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Reply #3 A-Mc January 18 2013, 12:21PM
+1 2 props

1. dont care
2. dont know
3. some stupid team
4. you'll fail anyway
5. suck
6. lame
7. Almost had you!
8. King Jordan of Eberle and his Mighty OIL!
9. HAH VANCOUVER
10. loser
11. loser
12. loser
13. Almost made it! .. NOT. LOSER
14. Columbus
15. Calgary

Avatar
Reply #4 Mark-LW January 18 2013, 05:53PM
+1 2 props

1. Oilers
2. Kings
3. Hawks
4. Blues
5. Canucks
6. Phoenix
7. Nashville
8. Detroit

9. Dallas
10. Colorado
11. San Jose
12. Minnesota
13. Anaheim
14. Calgary
15. Columbus

You can take that to the bank.. The blood bank.

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Reply #5 Johe January 18 2013, 08:32PM
+1 2 props

@DSF

Well they play Vancouver twice. So that's two wins right there. :)

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Reply #6 Clyde Frog January 18 2013, 09:14PM
+1 2 props
DSF wrote:

Recent history would seem to indicate there is a much higher chance that those are two losses.

Yeah, then they "bolstered" their defense with Vandemeer AND Barker....

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Reply #7 Mark-LW January 19 2013, 01:49AM
+1 2 props
DSF wrote:

Phhhttt...

Booth

Hamhuis

Garrison

Tanev

Higgins

Malhotra

Weise

Kassian

He's finished in the playoffs every season, won the President's Trophy twice and gone to the SC finals.

Tambellini?

30th, 30th, 29th.

You are an absolute idiot.

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Reply #8 OilClog January 18 2013, 12:05PM
+1 1 props

Phoenix also doesn't exist.

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Reply #9 DieHard January 18 2013, 12:28PM
+1 1 props
A-Mc wrote:

1. dont care
2. dont know
3. some stupid team
4. you'll fail anyway
5. suck
6. lame
7. Almost had you!
8. King Jordan of Eberle and his Mighty OIL!
9. HAH VANCOUVER
10. loser
11. loser
12. loser
13. Almost made it! .. NOT. LOSER
14. Columbus
15. Calgary

My thoughts exactly.

Avatar
Reply #10 ItsTheBGB January 18 2013, 01:49PM
+1 1 props

"The Edmonton Oilers are my favourite hockey team and I think they are great and will make the playoffs and I love recess." - Wanye, Age 25*

*fixed

1. VAN 2. LA 3. STL 4. CHI 5. DET 6. EDM 7. DAL 8. MIN 9. SJS 10. NSH 11. PHX 12. COL 13. ANA 14. CLB 100000000000. CAL

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Reply #11 Romulus' Apotheosis January 18 2013, 02:04PM
+1 1 props

in other news:

http://deadspin.com/5977024/oilers-rookies-nail-yakupov-and-justin-schultz-have-a-friendly-put+the+puck+in+the+crate-competition

Avatar
Reply #12 cableguy - 2nd Tier Fan January 19 2013, 09:44AM
+1 1 props
DSF wrote:

Phhhttt...

Booth

Hamhuis

Garrison

Tanev

Higgins

Malhotra

Weise

Kassian

He's finished in the playoffs every season, won the President's Trophy twice and gone to the SC finals.

Tambellini?

30th, 30th, 29th.

thats true. the canucks should hang another regular season banner up in the rafters with all the rest. it is an excellent reminder of their yearly bed shatting that has resulted in 0 cups.

Avatar
Reply #13 db7db7db7 January 18 2013, 10:51AM
+1 0 props

1. Los Angeles

2. St. Louis

3. Edmonton

4. Minny

5. Chicago

6. Vancouver

7. San Jose

8. Nashville

9. Phoenix

10. Dallas

11. Colorado

12. Anaheim

13. Detroit

14. Calgary

15. Columbus

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Reply #14 Dave January 18 2013, 11:06AM
+1 0 props

On the plus side, the new coach will not make bone head decisions on the shoot out. The defence will be better and the goal tending will be adequate.

I worry that our smaller players will get injured. Nuge, Hall and Eberly are going to be under great pressure this year. Nail seems to be fairly sturdy.

If Edmonton could have traded some players for a large reliable centre I would have put them on the 8th spot . As things stand I say 10th.

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Reply #15 Orville January 18 2013, 11:17AM
+1 0 props

1. Blues 2. Kings 3. Canucks 4. Blackhawks 5. Red Wings 6. Predators 7. Oilers 8. Sharks 9. Stars 10. Coyotes 11. Wild 12. Avalanche 13. Ducks 14. Flames 15. Blue Jackets

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Reply #16 Oil Kings 'n' Pretty Things January 18 2013, 11:20AM
+1 0 props
Dave wrote:

On the plus side, the new coach will not make bone head decisions on the shoot out. The defence will be better and the goal tending will be adequate.

I worry that our smaller players will get injured. Nuge, Hall and Eberly are going to be under great pressure this year. Nail seems to be fairly sturdy.

If Edmonton could have traded some players for a large reliable centre I would have put them on the 8th spot . As things stand I say 10th.

I agree. I think the best thing that can happen to our top line (production-wise and injury-wise) would be a breakout year for Gagner, which should serve to pump Hemksy's production a little bit.

It would definitely force opposition coaches to make some tough decisions when it comes to D pairings.

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Reply #17 T__Bone88 January 18 2013, 11:20AM
+1 0 props

I find it's getting old when analysers keep mentioning Oilers suspect goaltending and defense. It's not like PHX,SJ,CHI have elite goaltenders either and all could regress (Smith in PHX I feel was a flash in the pan). I know Edm doesn't have the greatest of defenders but if everyone is healthy it should be average. Dubnyk I have trust in, besides of all available goaltenders besides Luongo who is better?

Predicted West Standings

1.LA 2.CHI 3.MIN 4.STL 5.VAN 6.EDM 7.COL 8.SJ 9.NSH 10.DET 11.CAL12.PHX 13.DAL 14.COL 15.ANA

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Reply #18 Mantastic January 18 2013, 11:22AM
+1 0 props

I can't see Van being 2nd place in the conference if you have both Edm and Minny in the playoffs.

1. STL 2. LA 3. Van 4. Chi 5. Min 6. Edm 7. Dal 8. Nsh 9. Det 10. SJ 11. Phx 12. Cgy 13. Ana 14. Col 15. CBJ

NYR to win the cup

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Reply #19 Menacer January 18 2013, 11:24AM
+1 0 props

I just can't wait to see Wanye's super-secret Nation Playoff layout. I've dreamed about what that might look like for years.

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Reply #20 Khalid Fazal January 18 2013, 11:24AM
+1 0 props

West: 1. LA 2. Vancouver 3. St.Louis 4. Chicago 5. Minnesota 6. Detroit 7. San Jose 8. Anaheim 9. Edmonton 10.Nashville 11.Phoenix 12.Colorado 13.Dallas 14.Calgary 15. Columbus

East: 1.New York Rangers 2.Boston 3.Washington 4.Pittsburgh 5.Philadelphia 6.Buffalo 7.Carolina 8.Tampa Bay 9.Florida 10.New Jersey 11.Winnipeg 12.Montreal 13.Ottawa 14.New York Islanders 15.Toronto

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Reply #21 Reg Dunlop January 18 2013, 11:25AM
+1 0 props

Love them oilers! But...

Calgary and Cbus finish below us. Exciting 13th place hockey. We're moving on up, wait till next year sports fans.

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Reply #22 Rick January 18 2013, 11:27AM
+1 0 props

1. St. Louis

2. Vancouver

3. Los Angeles

4. Detroit

5. San Jose

6. Minnesota

7. Chicago

8. Nashville

9. Phoenix

10. Colorado

11. Edmonton

12. Anaheim

13. Calgary

14. Dallas

15. Columbus

On Edmonton; The players they have been waiting for during this rebuild are here and ready to take the team to the next level but management's refusal to address the rest of the roster is holding them back.

Goaltending won't hold out for 48 games, defence still isn't close to playoff calibre - both in the top 6 but moreso in the 7,8,9 position and the team is waaay too soft - both upfront and on the back end.

Pittsburgh over San Jose in the finals.

(tough year to pick the standings in the west, for the first time in a long time there doesn't seem to be any real dominant teams that seem real untouchable - the east on the other hand has some scary good teams to look out for)

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Reply #23 geoilersgist - Команда РОССИЯ кулак!!! January 18 2013, 11:30AM
+1 0 props

OF COURSE THEY WILL THEY ARE THE OILERS!!! LORD JORDAN OF EBERLE IS GOING TO LEAD THEM TO THE PROMISED LANDZZZZZ!!!!!!!!

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Reply #24 master of my domain January 18 2013, 11:31AM
+1 0 props

I think they'll be somewhere in that 7-11 mix. my heart says 7th with a 1st round against the canucks, but my head says 10th and just missing out.

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Reply #25 b.oilers January 18 2013, 11:31AM
+1 0 props

1 LA 2 Vancouver 3 Minnesota 4 St Louis 5 Chicago 6 San Jose 7 Edmonton 8 Nashville 9 Detroit 10 Dallas 11 Phoenix 12 Calgary 13 Colorado 14 Anaheim 15 Columbus

Pittsburgh wins cup

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Reply #26 Thinker January 18 2013, 11:50AM
+1 0 props

I don't think as many points will be needed to make the playoffs, as its only vs. western conference teams. Expect a tight race. 1 chicago- great players, goaltending will hold 2 SJS- consider it a last hurrah 3 edmonton-i think they will have a quick start, and can topple vancouver in the NW 4 Nashville- don't miss suter a bit 5 La- great team, but i think last seasons problems resurface a little bit 6minnesota- suter and parise don't have good years, but add enough to secure a playoff berth 7 phoenix- don't know how they do it, but they make if 8 colorado -squeak in past vancouver 9 dallas-additions won't be able to recreate successes of last year 10 st.louis- i predict a fall back to reality 11vancouver- second line weakness forces sedins to play good players, and the results will be horrendous. 12 anaheim- good, but not good enough 13 detroit- the loss of linstrom will be drastic 14 calgary- good riddance. Flames fans deserve what they're about to get for ragging on us. 15 columbus- lost best player, and were already horrid

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Reply #27 smiliegirl15 January 18 2013, 11:50AM
+1 0 props

If they do make it into the playoffs, it's by the skin of their teeth in 8th. I think they've got the roster this year to do it - IF they stay healthy. Hemsky and Whitney will be a factor here. I like the new additions to the team of Schultz and Fistric.

Nail Yakupov will be the Oilers first Calder winner.

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Reply #28 Will January 18 2013, 11:52AM
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Every prediction everywhere has the Hawks in 4th. I think this is insane. Look at the Oilers v Hawks last year, we ran their show. I know they have a good roster, but for whatever reason, they just can't seem to put it together.

Plus their division, minus Columbus, is not an easy one. I think they make the playoffs, but just, not a lock at fourth.

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Reply #29 Time Travelling Sean January 18 2013, 11:59AM
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Why is Columbus always 15th?

The Flames have never drafted top 5, so I think they'll finish 11th-12th.

Dallas falls off a cliff, older team will start the first 20 games .500 and then nose dive.

Oilers need too many goood things to happen, and what's with the Canucks finishing 7th? When Kesler was invisible for good stretches last year they still won most of their games, and if they trade Luongo they'll have an extra 5M cap to play with.

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Reply #30 OilClog January 18 2013, 12:05PM
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1.Blues 2.Kings 3.Oilers 4.Hawks 5.Stars 6.Nucks 7.Wild 8.Wings 9.Sharks 10.Avs 11.Flames 12. Preds 13. Ducks 14. Jackets

Oilers - Penguins

Oil in 6.

Right?

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Reply #31 treevojo January 18 2013, 12:10PM
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1. St. Louis 2. L.A 3. Minnesota 4. Chicago 5. Edmonton 6. Detroit 7. San Jose 8. Colorado 9. Phoenix 10. Nashville 11. Dallas 12. Anaheim 13. Columbus 14. Calgary 14. Vancouver Oilers make playoffs. Calgary and Vancouver split last place. Life is good!

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Reply #32 The 'Real' Ron Burgundy January 18 2013, 12:14PM
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WEST:

1)STL 2)LAK 3)VAN 4)CHI 5)MIN 6)SJ 7)EDM 8)DET 9)PHX 10)NSH 11)DAL 12)ANH 13)COL 14)CGY 15)CBJ

EAST:

1)PIT 2)BOS 3)TBY 4)PHI 5)NYR 6)WSH 7)BUF 8)CAR 9)OTT 10)FLD 11)NJD 12)WPG 13)TOR 14)NYI 15)MTL

"You stay classy, San Diego. I'm Ron Burgundy?"

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Reply #33 db7db7db7 January 18 2013, 12:22PM
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Schultz will win both Calder and Norris. Ebs take the Rocket, and Hall the Hart. Oh, and Nuge the Conn Smythe.

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Reply #34 rob January 18 2013, 12:25PM
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Oilers are much better,adding fistric,a healthy witney and hemskey help.Yakapov will light the lamp and help Ganger break out.the big factor is not health or goaltending or defence,it is team toughness.Fistric will help but we need eager of old and hordichuck to make us hard to play against,deliver crushing hits and stay out of the box,if we can play run and gun(what this team is built for)and make other teams pay attention to the hits coming there way this is not only a playoff team,its a CONTENDING team.if eager and hordichuck blow and Fistric is a bust we are 10th placae at best!

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Reply #35 spence January 18 2013, 12:40PM
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Gregor i had to unlike your page just to like it again just for a chance to win tickets , so for all the hassel you should give me the tickets

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Reply #36 Hayek January 18 2013, 12:42PM
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So shocked people think the Wild will make the playoffs. They were a bottom 2 team in the NHL last year.

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Reply #37 Bucknuck January 18 2013, 12:42PM
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If Whitney plays like he has in the past and Dubnyk plays like he did in 2012, then the Oilers will be in the playoffs.

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Reply #38 Phixieus666 January 18 2013, 12:48PM
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How does on get involved in this 2013 draft????

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Reply #39 Phixieus666 January 18 2013, 12:50PM
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rob wrote:

Oilers are much better,adding fistric,a healthy witney and hemskey help.Yakapov will light the lamp and help Ganger break out.the big factor is not health or goaltending or defence,it is team toughness.Fistric will help but we need eager of old and hordichuck to make us hard to play against,deliver crushing hits and stay out of the box,if we can play run and gun(what this team is built for)and make other teams pay attention to the hits coming there way this is not only a playoff team,its a CONTENDING team.if eager and hordichuck blow and Fistric is a bust we are 10th placae at best!

Hall can lay some guys out as well. And Harti should make a difference

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Reply #40 Phixieus666 January 18 2013, 12:56PM
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Still would like to see that Dirty Finn in the lineup sometime

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Reply #41 Finsfan January 18 2013, 12:59PM
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1)St.Louis 2)Minn 3)LA 4)Chi 5)Van 6)Edm 7)Pho 8)Det 9)Col 10)SJ 11)Dal 12)Anh 13)Nash 14)Clb 15)Cgy

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Reply #42 DSF January 18 2013, 01:03PM
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MIN

STL

LAK

VCR

CHI

DET

SJS

COL

DAL

COL

EDM

PHX

NSH

ANA

CAL

CLB

Book it!

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Reply #43 striatic January 18 2013, 01:17PM
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if hall "lays" anyone "out" using his rubber band repaired shoulder, it would be a stupid decision on his part.

i agree with strudwick. Oilers finish 11th in the west.

Oilers are certainly better than Columbus and Calgary. Two other teams will slip and Anahiem and Colorado are good candidates.

Dubnyk is great but with this schedule either he will tire or Khabibulin and Danis will get a lot of starts. This alone will keep the Oilers from contending a playoff spot.

I believe the Oilers will open the season hot, beating Vancouver on Sunday on the Road, but will lose 2/3rds of their Brier road trip games and fade from that point out.

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Reply #44 Dangerous Neil January 18 2013, 01:20PM
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1. Los Angeles 2. Vancouver 3. St. Louis 4. Chicago 5. Nashville 6. Detroit 7. Anaheim 8. Phoenix 9. San Jose 10. Minnesota 11. Edmonton 12. Calgary 13. Colorado 14. Dallas 15. Columbus

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Reply #45 Phixieus666 January 18 2013, 01:30PM
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striatic wrote:

if hall "lays" anyone "out" using his rubber band repaired shoulder, it would be a stupid decision on his part.

i agree with strudwick. Oilers finish 11th in the west.

Oilers are certainly better than Columbus and Calgary. Two other teams will slip and Anahiem and Colorado are good candidates.

Dubnyk is great but with this schedule either he will tire or Khabibulin and Danis will get a lot of starts. This alone will keep the Oilers from contending a playoff spot.

I believe the Oilers will open the season hot, beating Vancouver on Sunday on the Road, but will lose 2/3rds of their Brier road trip games and fade from that point out.

His first game in the AHL he completely destroyed a guy and got up fine. I'm sure he'll be okay.

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Reply #46 Darrell January 18 2013, 01:43PM
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@Dangerous Neil

If the Oilers miss the playoff there better be a lot of 7-5 losses. I can't handle another crappy off season of picking high with no poitive momentum ....

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Reply #47 druds January 18 2013, 01:46PM
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1. mmm boobs 2. boobies 3...4....5...

BOOBS..... 7..

nevermind

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Reply #48 Old Retired Guy January 18 2013, 01:53PM
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Injuries BIG.......Oilers 13th in West

Injuries SMALL.....Oilers 8th in the West.

For now ONE GAME AT A TIME....ONE SHIFT AT A TIME..... Oilers 4 Nucks 2

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Reply #49 Cowbell_Feva January 18 2013, 02:11PM
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Too much Oiler Kool-Aid being slurped. Love them, but realize that outside of our top 6 forwards, things get ugly quick. As is always the case, the injuries will pile up. Too much for this team to overcome:

1.STL 2.SJS 3.VAN 4.LA 5.CHI 6.MIN 7.NSH 8.DET 9.COL 10.CAL 11.PHX 12.EDM 13.DAL 14.ANA 15.CLB

NYR take out the Big BlackHawks to the chorus of Boo's to the little smug f*ck Bettman.

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Reply #50 db7db7db7 January 18 2013, 02:21PM
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Cowbell_Feva wrote:

Too much Oiler Kool-Aid being slurped. Love them, but realize that outside of our top 6 forwards, things get ugly quick. As is always the case, the injuries will pile up. Too much for this team to overcome:

1.STL 2.SJS 3.VAN 4.LA 5.CHI 6.MIN 7.NSH 8.DET 9.COL 10.CAL 11.PHX 12.EDM 13.DAL 14.ANA 15.CLB

NYR take out the Big BlackHawks to the chorus of Boo's to the little smug f*ck Bettman.

Hmmmm. Name one team with a better 3rd line. Horcoff, Smyth, Harti/PRV. Difference this year, team is 100% healthy. This team has wayyyyy more depth than the 2006 cup final team.

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