GDB 37.0 Wrap Up: Kings @ Oilers
By baggedmilk
9 years agoYou may want to sit down… The Oilers actually beat a Western Conference team. Final Score: 3-2 Oilers in the shootout.
Tonight’s game was the first of back to back games, against the Kings and Flames, that will end 2014 for the Oilers. The Kings played (and lost to) the Flames last night, and the Oilers were rested so normally you would think that we had a chance here. This is the Oilers, though, and you never really know what to expect when you watch a game. It seems like the entire month of December was dedicated to giving wins to every other team in the National Hockey League. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting much from the Oilers tonight. Much to my surprise, the Oilers that we got were playing hockey like an NHL team! Honest, a real life NHL team.
Despite the game, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the “news” that Leon Draisaitl will be sent back to junior by Saturday. If true, it’s the right move, but it also shouldn’t have come to this in the first place. Leon Draisaitl should have STARTED the season in junior, but Craig MacTavish didn’t get any help at centre. The Oilers were stuck playing another 18 year old that wasn’t ready for the NHL. Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if Draisaitl stayed either, Derek Roy looked like he got stepped on and missed most of the 1st period. Roy did come back, but it definitely would have thrown a wrench in the “send Draisaitl to junior” game plan.
Overall, this game was surprisingly entertaining. Not so surprising: spirits weren’t so high around the Nation today. We all assumed that playing the Kings would surely continue the losing streak. I don’t think any of us would have expected the Oilers to beat the Kings for Todd Nelson’s first NHL win. Regardless, that’s what happened, and the Oilers almost deserved it. For 40 minutes, the Oilers played very well. In fact, you could argue that they were playing step-in-step with the Kings. In the 3rd period, the wheels fell off again. If not for Ben Scrivens, this game would have been another night of wasted points. Instead, Ben Scrivens stopped everything in overtime, and he stopped everything he faced in the shootout. Rather than the expected loss, the Oilers come out of this game with 2 points. A pleasant surprise indeed.
We wrap.
THE BRIGHT SIDE
- Derek Roy picks up his first assist, as an Oiler, on Matt Hendricks’ goal in the first period.
- Either the Oilers had a solid start, or the Kings did not. The Oilers scored first, and to mark the occasion I spent my mortgage money on scratch tickets. It has to be a sign.
- The power play has actually been shooting the puck. One day it will score and I’ll say “I told you so.”
- Nuge continues to engage #MegaNuge. He scored another beauty goal on a nice feed from Taylor Hall. The kid has a hell of a shot.
- Ben Scrivens played very well tonight. He stopped 35 of 37 shots and finished the game with a .946save%.
THE FACE PALMERS
- They said on the Sportsnet broadcast that the Oilers are keeping #25 for Darnell Nurse. I really like Nurse as a prospect (and future staple on the blueline), but I find it odd that they’re already reserving a jersey number for him. I know he’s played NHL games with that number, but… I don’t know. It’s odd. Maybe it’s just me? It’s probably me.
- Derek Roy got hurt in the first period, but did return. It looked like his leg got stepped on. Kevlar socks, people. Make them happen.
- Another third period collapse. A lead is the Oilers kryptonite, and there are no apparent solutions to be found.
- The Oilers were outshot 15-1 in the 3rd period. Where did the team from the first 40 minutes go?
BEST OF THE TWEETS
Want to be included in Best of the Tweets? Show me why you’re the funniest human on Twitter. Tweet your shenanigans to @OilersNation and @jsbmbaggedmilk for your shot at Internet glory.*
*Life will not change in any way. Thank you.
THE #NATIONLIMO
When you have tickets to the game, head to the Pint Downtown and you could win a ride to, and from, the game in a limo. On top of that, we’ll hook you up with some Nation swag and an Oodle Noodle GC. All you have to do is let the bartenders know that you want your name on the list. You should also note that this isn’t some special event, this is happening every home game. Write that down, take a screep cap, or lock it in your mind locker. It’s a good time, and you should be there.
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