GDB 23.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Red Wings

8 years ago

I guess that ended up better than I thought it would? Final Score: 4-3 Red Wings in OT.

Coming into tonight’s game we kept hearing about the Oilers’ losing streak in Detroit. Aside from it being an irritation, does it really matter that the Oilers haven’t won a game in Detroit since 2009? What did that have to do with tonight? Nothing, apart from trying to embarrass the fans for still watching this mess. That being said, the Oilers did extend the steak so, at least, they’re consistent. For me, the most important take away from tonight’s game was seeing whether or not Cam Talbot could turn around his recent run of shitacular® hockey.

As it turns out Cam Talbot was one of the few highlights in this game. Frankly, if it weren’t for Talbot the Oilers would have been laughed out of the rink before the game was even halfway through being finished. If it had gotten any worse we probably would have seen the Red Wings stuffing Oilers into their lockers, one by one. While Edmonton was able to battle back, even bringing the game to overtime, the effort was far too sporadic and not nearly good enough. For long stretches, the Red Wings were able to impose their will and do as they pleased within the Oilers’ defensive end. Some of tonight’s game was tough to watch. You can disagree with me all you want but it’s amazing that they were able to steal a point.

I guess we should be happy that the Oilers managed to get this thing into overtime, but no one can really be satisfied with that game. This season sucks enough as it is and getting your ass kicked in back to back games is like a kick to the nuts. At least when Connor McDavid was in the lineup watching him play made the losses tolerable. It’s heartbreaking that it will still be a while until he can brighten up this shit show again. These are dark times, my friends. Think of this: If Edmonton played that poorly tonight, I can’t wait to see what happens in the second game of a back-to-back tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. Happy day.

Le wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Shout out to Iiro “Don’t Call Me Little Buttcheeks” Pakarinen for his second goal of the season. Pakarinen pounced on a loose puck in the slot and banged it home. He followed that up with his third goal of the season after absolutely robbing Kronwall deep in their zone. Quick steal. Quick shot. Pakarinen was a highlight to say the least.
Lander got a point? LANDER GOT A POINT! His first assist came in the 23rd game of the season.
Darnell Nurse’s breakout passes are likely the best of any defender the Oilers have right now. His ability to skate and pass the puck out of trouble are skills that are sorely lacking on this roster. Darryl is coming into his own, and sooner than I would have expected.
Great start by Talbot tonight and it looked like he was motivated to shut us all up. Talbot kept the Oilers in this game long after they should have been out of it. Some may disagree with me but I think he stole a point for the Oilers tonight. Talbot finished the night with 28 saves and a .875 save%.
The power play went 1 for 2.
The penalty till was perfect again, killing off both Detroit attempts.

THE FACE PALMERS

For the third time (that I can remember) this month the Oilers were held at five shots or under in the first period.
The Oilers had seven shots through 30 minutes of hockey. Thats as bad as it gets.
How could anyone have thought a Ference/Gryba pairing would be a good idea? Anyone? No?
As much as I love Andrew Ference as person he just can’t keep up anymore. Ference had 4:24 for ice time tonight. At least he had the best seat in the house.
After a bad pinch at the blue line Mark Fayne got outskated on the back check for Larkin’s goal. Larkin had some nice finish, but he should never have been that wide open. Did I mention that this was another late-in-the-period goal?
Is it just me or did the Oilers get a bum deal with the refs again? In the last few minutes of the game Taylor Hall took a puck to the mush, Datsyuk slashed a stick from a player’s hands, Nugey got pinned in OT, and Detroit got away with it all. Am I crazy? Can’t be.
It was a tough night for Jordan Eberle. He still doesn’t look the same after coming back from that shoulder injury. He had three shots and a -2 in just under 20 minutes of ice.
Jimmy Howard has a 13 game winning streak against the Oilers. That’s just annoying to me. How have the Oilers not accidentally beat him during that span of time? This rebuild is taking it’s toll on everyone.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
NONE
2ND PERIOD
05:11	DET	Gustav Nyquist (8) Wrist shot – ASST: Mike Green (7), Tomas Tatar (9)	1 – 0 DET
12:07	DET	Tomas Tatar (8) Snap shot – ASST: Gustav Nyquist (6), Jonathan Ericsson (1)	2 – 0 DET
15:17	EDM	Iiro Pakarinen (2) Snap shot – ASST: Anton Lander (1), Teddy Purcell (8)	2 – 1 DET
17:44	EDM	PPG – Andrej Sekera (2) Slapshot – ASST: Mark Letestu (3), Benoit Pouliot (7)	2 – 2 Tie
19:24	DET	Dylan Larkin (9) Backhand shot – ASST: Henrik Zetterberg (15)	3 – 2 DET
3RD PERIOD
08:45	EDM	Iiro Pakarinen (3) Snap shot – ASST: NONE	3 – 3 Tie
OT PERIOD
00:26	DET	Niklas Kronwall (1) Wrist shot – ASST: Dylan Larkin (8), Henrik Zetterberg (16)	4 – 3 DET

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THE FIRST ATB #HOMEICEHERO

Our friends at ATB are rewarding fine folks that help to keep hockey alive in our communities. This week they announced the first winner – Shauna Bandura.

For the past five years, Shauna Bandura has been a jersey washer for both of her boys’ minor hockey teams in Sherwood Park. It’s a big time commitment: showing up early and staying late for every game, and then washing the jerseys at home—it takes 3 loads! Shauna is ATB’s first Home Ice Hero. Watch us surprise her with her $5,000 prize, and nominate your own hero at atb.com/homeice.