GDB 34.0: THE FLATLANDERS

9 years ago

For an Oilers fan, Dallas is about great joy (Joseph and Marchant) and great pain (Mike Keane scores two middle frame heartbreak ’99 and Mike freaking Modano). These long years of this century have beaten down the rivalry but today two teams trying to chase glory to match their history meet on Rexall ice.

I’VE BEEN BAD, I’VE BEEN GOOD, DALLAS TEXAS…..

The Stars have won 14 of their past 17 games against the Oilers and are 5-0-0 in their past five games at Edmonton. They acquired Tyler Seguin and he’s threatening to win the scoring title, while Taylor Hall seems a shadow of his former self and mired in 30th spot. The hockey Gods are dinks.

Both teams give up a lot of goals (via NHL.com):

Dallas is scoring more per game but the shots for-against has this as a closer game. I don’t think you should pick Edmonton to win any NHL game these days, but there’s reason to have some confidence that they can win against the Stars today.

DRIVING EDMONTON

You’ll get all kinds of reasons (injury to indifference) but for now this isn’t really Taylor Hall’s team. Edmonton’s driver appears to have a denver boot these days, leaving baby Nuge to push the river. Todd Nelson is Edmonton’s new coach and he’s working hard to find a second scoring line.

Nelson on Draisaitl: “Leon’s been a bit tired as of late. I think it’s always
good if the player can sit out and get to watch the game from above to
get a different perspective.” Source

Anton Lander has been recalled and it looks like he’ll play 3C with Nail Yakupov and Tyler Pitlick—that’s a nice spot for the Swede. He’ll also get some power-play time today and has the advantage of knowing Nelson’s system. The new coach seems to have simplified the power play and it did show some good jump on the road.

OILERS SCORING LAST 10

This is a good way to see Hall’s struggles, no goals in 10 games. I’m not sure why they’re trying different wingers (Pitlick, Purcell) but never land on Perron. Weird, real weird. You can see Leon isn’t getting much done, but Mr. Arco is guilty too—he might be the next HS. Nail Yakupov: Where are you, sir?

LINEUPS…..

The projected lines (may be updated later):

QUICK HITS…..

Credit to Todd Nelson for elevating Boyd Gordon to an offensive line. Along with being the best defensive option, he is currently the second best offensive one at center. Craig MacTavish had a bad summer addressing center.
I hope we get to see Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff today. Two old soldiers from the 2006 run, fabulous memories for me.
Ben Scrivens has a .907 save percentage over the last 10 Oilers games (he has been in eight). Viktor Fasth has played in three games and his SP is .857. Lordy.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING….

Brad Gardner, Defending Big D: So they (Oilers) roll on, having scored
just 31 times in those 18 games (well-under two per), and having been
pummeled by Western Conference competition (in the last couple of weeks-
Two losses to Anaheim, two losses to Arizona, two losses to San
Jose…) Source

TODAY….

GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers come out like a fast train and leave those Dallas Stars huffing and wheezing. 5-1 Oilers and a sunshine Sunday evening for Oilers Nation.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Anton Lander scores a power play goal.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: In the post-game haze, Craig MacTavish hints about Jeff Petry’s contract getting done early in the new year.