GDB 58.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Jets

9 years ago

ELPH is alive and well! Final Score: 5-4 Jets in the shootout.

It’s always interesting to see how the Oilers bounce back after getting absolutely pummelled the game before. Even further, how will the Oilers react to getting spanked while on the last game of their road trip? Tonight’s game was the difference between a 3-3 record, and a 2-4 record on this road trip. As usual, the Oilers didn’t get the start they would have wanted, and they spotted the Jets a one goal lead early in the first period.

Despite the slow start, the Oilers were able to pull themselves back into the game and keep themselves in it. Nail Yakupov scored a nice goal on the power play to tie the game up in the second half of the first period. From there, this game had about as much ELPH as any draft position loving Oiler fan could hope for. There were leads, lost leads, and all the ridiculous giveaways that you’ve come to expect as Oilers fans. This was pond hockey at the most expensive level.

As a credit to the lacklustre defence on both sides, this wound up being a pretty entertaining hockey game. Tonight wasn’t one of those games where the Oilers got pinned in their own zone – the play went end to end all night. Even though the Oilers lost in the shootout, the game was exciting. After watching that miserable Senators game on Saturday, any effort was appreciated (the bar has never been lower).

Even though the score was close, the Jets probably deserved to win. They outshot the Oilers (46-22) but Viktor Fasth stood tall in net. It’s a shame that Fasth got hurt in the shootout, because he played a hell of a game. Bachman had to come in to relieve Fasth in the shootout having not played a single minute of regulation or overtime. Even though Bachman stopped the two shootout attempts he faced, the Oilers couldn’t score and the Jets secured the second point in the standings.

We wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Completely unrelated but Leon Draisaitl was named the WHL player of the week on the back of his seven points in two games weekend.
Nail Yakupov scored a beauty goal (his 7th) in the first period to extend his point streak to five games. He scored another (8th) on the power play in the third to give the Oilers the lead temporarily. Don’t give up on this kid. Obviously he’s feeling good about his game for the first time in a long time, and I’m excited to see where this can go.
Anton Lander scored his fourth goal of the year on a nice little feed from Jordan Eberle (his 23rd assist). I’m pulling for Lander. He was rushed to the NHL and people seemed to give up on him, but he seems to have figured things out. You’ve got to respect the hustle.
Jeff Petry made a gorgeous pass to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who scored his 15th on a partiial break.
Viktor Fasth has a nice bounce back game after letting in two goals in less than a minute against Ottawa. Tonight, he finished with 26 saves and a .929 save%.
Great tilt, in the first period, between Luke Gazdic and Anthony Peluso. Here it is, courtesy of HockeyFights.com.
ELPH is alive and well!

THE FACE PALMERS

The Oilers took an early penalty and the Jets made them pay for it. The Jets took the lead less than 10 minutes in to take an early lead.
Jeff Petry is on his last legs as an Oiler, and trading him for picks (which is likely) is only going to set the Oilers back. They need to find and keep good players rather than trade them away.
Of course Tyler Myers scores his first goal (his fifth) as a Jet against the Oilers. Of course he does.
Can someone explain how your get “Bufflin” out of “Byfuglien?”
These points in the standings aren’t helping us catching Buffalo here, Nelly.
Speaking of Nelly. I think Craig MacTavish should go ahead and remove the interim tag from his Head Coaching tenure now. It’s obvious that the team is responding to either his message or his tan, so why delay the inevitable? At some point, the Oilers coaching circus has to settle down and they need to get some better players. Give Todd Nelson a year, if only because two coaches in three years sounds better than three in three. It’s a stupid reason, but that’s all I’ve got at this point.

SCORING SUMMARY

From TSN.ca

BEST OF THE TWEETS

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THEOILERSRIG.COM MS FUNDRAISER

Another shout out goes to the Oilers Rig for the fundraiser they’re holding at Brewsters on Saturday, February 21st to help raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. Last year, they raised over $2000 for MS research and with the auction items they’ve got this year I’m hoping we can help launch them past that. I’m hoping that a bunch of you guys can make it out and bid on the great auction items they have.

What are the auction items? How about a signed Connor McDavid team Canada jersey, a Ryan Smyth autographed farewell canvas, a Warren Moon autographed photos, and a lot more? The point is, they put together a really collection of items to be auctioned off for a great cause. They’ll also have trivia and prizes to keep everyone entertained and alert while the event is happening.

If you don’t have plans set for February 21st, you do now. Shout out to our friends at the Oilers Rig for raising money for such a great cause. If you’re looking for more details on the event, the article explaining everything you need to know is here. You can also hit up any of the writers at the Oilers Rig for details, and I’m sure they’d be happy to help.