GDB 47.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Capitals

9 years ago

That game wound up being way better than I expected in the first period. Final Score: 5-4 Oilers in the shootout.

Tonight’s game was the last game until the NHL All Star Break, and once again I think Oilers fans could use a break. From where I sit, I see a bunch of Nation Citizens that are angry and need some time to release a little brain pain. I can’t think of anything that will relieve some Oilers-related sadness quite like a few days of rest and self exploration. You guys deserve it. We all deserve it.

As for the game itself, it started in much the same way as so many that preceded it. The Oilers came out flat, and found themselves down by 2 goals before they had even registered a shot on net. Although, to be fair to the Capitals, the Oilers didn’t get their first shot until the 2nd half of the 1st period (dude, seriously). The difference from all those other games where the Oilers started terribly? Todd Nelson was able to spin some kind of voodoo magic where the Oilers were actually able to complete a two goal comeback. A two goal comeback — when was the last time you could say that?

After the first 10 minutes of the game had passed, the Oilers played like a solid NHL hockey team. In fact, if they had been able to score more than one goal on the power play this game would have ended long before the shootout. Aside from the bad start, the Oilers played a pretty tight road game. Viktor Fasth improved as the game went on, and made the saves he needed to in order to win. Unexpectedly, the Oilers will go into the All Star break on a two game winning streak and be able to feel good about themselves (if only for a few days).

Une petit wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Derek Roy scored his 4th goal of the season, on a nice shot by Nail Yakupov. The goal showed how good things can happen when you shoot and have someone drive to the net. What a concept!
By eye, I think the Pouliot-Roy-Yakupov line provided the most consistent zone pressure. I’m sure someone will tell me I’m wrong mathematically. I love this line, they’ve been good to excellent every night since they’ve been put together.
Teddy Purcell’s goal was scored with a pretty filthy wrist shot. Seeing that wrister, I can’t imagine why in Gord’s name he won’t shoot the puck more.
Nugey ended his 10-game scoring drought. He scored just by putting the puck to the net, and having it deflect off John Carlson’s skate. Point? SHOOOOOOOOOOT!
When was the last time the Oilers were able to complete a 2-goal comeback? That was a ballsy win by a team that hasn’t had many ballsy wins.

THE FACE PALMERS

The Oilers didn’t have a shot on goal 10 minutes into the 1st period.
Ovechkin’s shot is absolutely ridiculous. He scored his 26th on a big clapper from the blue line. His 27th goal was just as good.
I heard Drew Remenda defending Nikitin tonight, AND I heard Jack Michaels and Stauffer defending him as well. Am I missing something? I know he scored tonight, but are they not paying attention to some of the 10 star failures he’s known to have? I don’t get it.
The Capitals have 6 players with 11 goals or more – the Oilers have 3 (Pouliot has 10 goals). That doesn’t sound like a huge difference except for the fact that the Caps goal scoring leader (Ovechkin) has 27 goals and the Oilers goal scoring leaders (Eberle & Nugey) have 12.
The Oilers were 1 for 6 on the power play. The Oilers could have ended the game earlier had they been able to score on the power play.

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SCORING SUMMARY

First Period:

WSH – Alex Ovechkin (26) – Asst: Andre Burakovsky (11), Mike Green (22)
WSH – Alex Oveckin (27) – Asst: Mike Green (23), Troy Brouwer (12)
EDM – Derek Roy (4) – Asst: Nail Yakupov (7), Oscar Klefbom (3)
WSH – Jay Beagle (7) – Asst: John Carlson (28), Tom Wilson (9)

Second Period:

EDM – Nikita Nikitin (3) – Asst: Justin Schultz (16), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (17)

Third Period:

WSH – Nicklas Backstrom (15) – Asst: John Carlson (29), Andre Burakovsky (12)
EDM – Teddy Purcell (6) – Asst: Anton Lander (4), Matt Fraser (2)
EDM – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (12) – Asst: Benoit Pouliot (6), Jordan Eberle (17)

Overtime:

None.

Shootout:

WSH – Evgeny Kutznetsov – Scored
EDM – Nail Yakupov – No goal
WSH – Nicklas Backstrom – No goal
EDM – Jordan Eberle – No goal
WSH – Alex Ovechkin – No goal
EDM – Derek Roy – Scored
WSH – Eric Fehr – No goal
EDM – Teddy Purcell – Scored

PIZZA DID WHAT?!?!

Our friends over at Oodle Noodle seem to have unearthed a controversy so huge that I am shocked that we haven’t heard about this before. For years, I thought that Pocklington’s debts were to blame for his decision to sell Wayne Gretzky to the Kings when in reality it was pizza. OF COURSE! It makes so much sense, when I sit down and think about it. Pizza, your day has come and the justice that follows will be brutal. I’m on to you, pizza.