THE BRIGHT SIDE

- Shout out to Cam Talbot for getting credit for some of Brossoit’s saves early on in the first period. Nice job, Cam!
- Jordan Eberle scored one of the easiest goals of his career (his 21st) when Connor McDavid set him up for an easy tap in. Beerleague danglers are even putting that one home. It was funny to hear Drew Remenda criticize Connor McDavid’s overpassing almost immediately before he set Eberle up on a tee.
- Connor McDavid’s assist on Eberle’s goal was his 36th point of the season in his 35th game. The kid is a point per game player in the first season of his NHL career. If he loses, the Calder trophy should have a “due to games played” asterisk put on it for this year. McDavid finished the night playing the most minutes of any forward with 23:22.
- I really like Iiro Pakarinen. He’s the kind of player that plays in the bottom six, and can move up in the lineup if need be. I don’t like him as a right wing option with Taylor Hall, but he scored a goal tonight (his fifth) and I guess I’ll just disagree from my couch. That being said, I do like what Pakarinen has to offer and hope Chiarelli keeps him around.
- Speaking of the Pakarinen goal, how about the pass from Leon Draisaitl? The big man has some touch.
- Jordan Oesterle continues to impress since being recalled last month. Who knows if this play is a highlight, or the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but he’s looking good out there. He played 22:10 tonight.
- The Oilers had a good night in the face off circle going 52% (28/24).
THE FACE PALMERS

- I feel like a crazy person complaining about the reffing but I swear to Gord it’s true. There were blatant missed calls on the Oilers throughout the night. That’s not to say that there weren’t any missed calls for the Preds, but it seems like the Oilers should be getting way more calls going their way.
- I know I said I wanted more power plays but the power play is really bad so maybe that’s not the best idea. The Oilers went 0/2 on the night… again.
- Taylor Hall played less than 16 minutes tonight. Maybe a little tough love from McLellan?
- Speaking of the power play, why can’t Andrej Sekera get a shot through to the net? Effing shin pads man. Gregor nails it again.
- James Neal scored three goals tonight, and two of his goals were scored within minutes (and seconds) after the Oilers scored the goal ahead goal. Neal finished the hat trick (and game winner) off in the third period.
- That’s the second time in two starts that Brossoit has had a tough time locking things down on the pushback after a goal. He’ll figure that out going forward, but he’ll need to lock it up now if he wants to keep the backup job next year. Personally, I think that another year in the AHL would be the best bet. LB is still young and playing big minutes would likely be best in the long run. Brossoit finished the night with 20 saves and an .880 save%.
- I liked seeing Yakupov get a chance to play with Hall and Draisaitl in the third period until it was only for one shift. It’s amazing how little leash Yak gets as compared to some other players. I’ll be sad to see him go, but I’ll understand why it’ll be a happy day for Yak. I’ll miss him.
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD | |||
---|---|---|---|
06:48 | EDM | Jordan Eberle (21) Wrist shot – ASST: Connor McDavid (22) | 1 – 0 EDM |
08:04 | NSH | James Neal (24) Wrist shot – ASST: Anthony Bitetto (4), Ryan Johansen (35) | 1 – 1 Tie |
2ND PERIOD | |||
00:31 | EDM | Iiro Pakarinen (5) Wrist shot – ASST: Leon Draisaitl (30), Mark Fayne (4) | 2 – 1 EDM |
00:51 | NSH | James Neal (25) Wrist shot – ASST: Shea Weber (27), Calle Jarnkrok (10) | 2 – 2 Tie |
3RD PERIOD | |||
04:18 | NSH | James Neal (26) Snap shot – ASST: Mattias Ekholm (23), Calle Jarnkrok (11) | 3 – 2 NSH |
BEST OF THE TWEETS
Yak doing tricks with the puck in warmup for the kids. Balances puck on blade and tosses 20 feet in the air. Makes sure the kids get them
— Matt Henderson (@Archaeologuy) March 15, 2016
@OilersNation if someone is wearing a Nikitin jersey they probably need the shirt more than me
— Clay Yourk (@Yourk17) March 15, 2016
Nugent-Hopkins gets the penalty for that scrum? Wow, even the referees don’t notice Yakupov.
— Rob Tychkowski (@Sun_Tychkowski) March 15, 2016
You’re listening to too much @NxNGretz when you read @OilersNation crew staff #Oilers game tweets and hear their voices in your head.
— David Shortt (@AdMan0828) March 15, 2016
@OilersNation not really enjoying the Oilers new “score a goal, give a goal” promotion.
— Lucas Stone (@sarcasticmarmot) March 15, 2016
@OilersNation not really enjoying the Oilers new “score a goal, give a goal” promotion.
— Lucas Stone (@sarcasticmarmot) March 15, 2016
Another full season in the AHL next season should be exactly what the doctor ordered for Laurent Brossoit…ots of potential, let it develop
— Dustin Nielson (@nielsonTSN1260) March 15, 2016
THE NORTH X NORTHGRETZ PODCAST
PREVIOUS EPISODES
- Episode 9 – NxNGretz Holiday Special
- Episode 10 – An NxNGretz New Years
- Episode 11 – Is There A TV Doctor In The House?
- Episode 12 – Making An Interner
- Episode 13 – Guilty Pleasures
- Episode 14 – All Star Weekend
- Episode 15 – Disaster In Jasper
- Episode 16 – Contagious
- Episode 17 – Story time with Pat Hughes
- Episode 18 – The Trade Deadline
- Episode 19 – Clean N’ Jerks