GDB 30.0: Fishing for Five (8pm MT, HNIC)
By baggedmilk
3 years agoWelcome, dear Internet friends, to a brand new GDB that will help us all get prepared for the second half of a back-to-back set where our beloved Edmonton Oilers will take on the Vancouver Canucks for the fifth time this season.
Coming into the fifth installment of the season series against Vancouver, the Oilers have the chance to punctuate a stellar week for themselves, which is a stark contrast from where we were at only a week ago. Now, before you jump on me to say that the Oilers only beat the Flames and Senators and that it doesn’t count because they’re both terrible, the boys were still able to add eight much-needed points to the bank and this run basically washed away all of the doom and gloom that had accumulated at this same point a week ago. If you don’t think that counts for something then I honestly feel sad for you — get out of your head, man, it’s nice out here. Smell the flowers from time to time, ya know? I think it’s cool to be happy that the Oilers took care of business when it came to the Senators, and that goes even more so when you consider what’s coming in the weeks ahead (Calgary x2, Winnipeg x2, Montreal x3, Toronto x2). Besides, who doesn’t love found money?
As for the task at hand, the Canucks have struggled to live up to the hype that followed last summer’s bubble appearance and while I’ll happily admit to how funny I think their situation is, nothing would make me happier than to see the Oilers throw some salt in the wound. The Canucks haven’t played since Wednesday and to have them lose to a team on the second half of a back-to-back weekend would be hilariously wonderful. It won’t be easy, though. Over their last four games, Vancouver split their series with Montreal and swept the Leafs immediately after Toronto steamrolled through our barn, which tells you that the Canucks can burn you just as easily as they can roll over and show their tummies. The inconsistency is oddly familiar, ya know? Regardless of what’s going on with the Canucks right now, our boys are looking to wrap up a very good week and there would be no better punctuation mark than wrapping up their weekend with four more points. Is it doable? I say yes.
Let’s see what the numbers say…
THE NUMBERS
| OILERS | CANUCKS | |
| RECORD | 18-11-0 | 12-16-2 |
| WIN/LOSS STREAK | W4 | L1 |
| LAST 10 GAMES | 7-3-0 | 4-5-1 |
| GOALS FOR | 99 | 84 |
| GOALS AGAINST | 85 | 99 |
| POWER PLAY% | 26.5 | 20.0 |
| PENALTY KILL% | 76.1 | 80.4 |
| AVG. SHOTS/FOR | 31.4 | 30.8 |
| AVG. SHOTS/AGAINST | 31.4 | 33.3 |
| TEAM SAVE% | .917 | .913 |
| CORSI FOR% | 49.53 | 47.61 |
| PDO | 1.009 | 0.990 |
| TEAM SHOOTING% | 9.21 | 7.69 |
| EXPECTED GOALS FOR% | 51.16 | 47.02 |
Numbers courtesy of Natural Stat Trick (fancies at 5×5)
LINEUPS…
Oilers
Draisaitl – McDavid – Yamamoto
Ennis – RNH – Puljujarvi
Shore – Khaira – P. Russell
Neal – Haas – Chiasson
Ennis – RNH – Puljujarvi
Shore – Khaira – P. Russell
Neal – Haas – Chiasson
Nurse – Barrie
Lagesson – Larsson
Jones – Bear
Lagesson – Larsson
Jones – Bear
Koskinen
Since the Oilers played last night, I’m not sure whether or not we’ll get any lineup updates before closer to puck drop so I’ve only included the combos from last night with the exception of Mikko Koskinen getting the start. Seeing as the taxi squad is a thing this year, I could see some guys in the bottom six getting swapped in or out depending on if anyone is banged up or not. As always, I’ll be sure to jump back in the article to update things as news comes out.
Canucks
Pearson – Horvat – Virtanen
Hoglander – Miller – Boeser
Michaelis – Sutter – Gaudette
Roussel – Beagle – Hawryluk
Hoglander – Miller – Boeser
Michaelis – Sutter – Gaudette
Roussel – Beagle – Hawryluk
Edler – Schmidt
Hughes – Hamonic
Benn – Myers
Hughes – Hamonic
Benn – Myers
Demko
Before the season started, there were so many people out west suggesting that Vancouver’s rebuild was over so to seem them plummet to the near the bottom of the North Division standings has been pretty funny. Not only that, only Ottawa gives up more goals than Vancouver, making their decision to let some of their key veteran UFAs walk away in the offseason all the more entertaining. Run with the youth whether they’re ready or not? Where have we seen that movie before?
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
If you were concerned about the Canucks’ chances of making the playoffs before, tonight’s game will be the ultimate test. No Elias Pettersson, no Jay Beagle, no Brandon Sutter, and no Antoine Roussel at Friday practice. Now, that was yesterday and by game time, Vancouver might be fortunate enough to see at least one of those centres back.The alternative is Ashton Sautner or Brogan Rafferty on RW (oh joy!). Loui Eriksson looks like he’s back in the lineup, Zack MacEwen is too! Tanner Pearson will need to boost his trade value because anything in the bottom-six will be a non-event.Here’s the catch: the Canucks face the Edmonton Oilers tonight. Edmonton dismantled the Senators last night so maybe lightning will strike twice and the Canucks can repeat the Leafs’ effort from a week ago to beat Connor McDavid and Co?Good thought.Did I mention that a defenceman might play forward for the Canucks? The construction of the taxi squad and this roster has been exposed. The slogan “We Are All Canucks” is very close to becoming true: with no more healthy bodies, Jeff Paterson might be the EBUG this evening.
TONIGHT…
Photoshop: Tom Kostiuk
Game Day Prediction: The Canucks suck and the Oilers remind them with a 4-2 victory.
Obvious Game Day Prediction: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both get a point.
Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: Many Canucks fans decide to watch the game to see Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl rather than the horrible club they’ve chosen to cheer for.
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