GDB 65.0: WHILE I SHOVEL THE SNOW

7 years ago

The change in the weather in our northern town today reflects perfectly the position of the Edmonton Oilers—it has been a dynamic winter for the young lions who wear the Oildrop. For the citizens of this city we know and love, it has changed our world, even to the point of making shovelling snow happy work. There was a time when a visit from the Red Wings meant certain doom, but this version of the Oilers holds the hammer. Rain down blows up the winged wheel, young Oilers. The fan base is ready to make some noise! Goodbye sadness, step off melancholy, let the good times roll. We want 10! Before the third period!

CURRENT STANDINGS

The key, friends, is not to look at Calgary, who (credit where due) have remained hot for a very long time. If they can keep this up. the Flames may win the division. I have my doubts, and their schedule is more difficult than Edmonton’s (the Blues have the easiest schedule of all), but that’s why we have a schedule.

The key team remains Los Angeles, because the St. Louis schedule is crazy easy. LAK have 18 games left, and let’s say they have a nice run, grabbing 22 points (they would fetch only 19 based on their own record this year) and finishing with 90 points. In order for Edmonton to reach 91 points, and beat LAK, they would need to go 6-9-3, 15 points. I think the Oilers are a solid bet to cover that number.

Edmonton is unlikely to win the division, although it is possible. Finishing second is slightly better than 50/50 based on difficulty of schedule and that is one reason these March games are going to be so compelling.

In a way, this is an important year for Calgary. Beating the McDavid Oilers this season in the Pacific may give them a fond memory while they watch him romp through the division for the rest of the decade. I cannot wait for these games during March!

LINEUPS

Oilers

Red Wings

Lineups (subject to change) are courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com

NOTES

Detroit played last night and I am kidding about 10 goals in two periods, but this is going to be a challenge for the visitors. These young Oilers have proven to be surprisingly sturdy when it comes to challenges from teams below them this season.
Connor McDavid remains the top scorer in the NHL with 72 points, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane close behind. McDavid’s recent inactivity is good and bad news: Good, because other teams have now caught up to EDM in games played, bad in that this is really close now. Do not be surprised to see 97 go off with a big game in the next seven days.
Leon Draisaitl has fallen to No. 22 in league scoring, the layoff being a contributor. He remains a fantastic power-play scorer, along with Mark Letestu.
Oscar Klefbom is tied for fourth in goals by a defenseman, an exciting turn in that he appears to be a substantial offensive contributor who can also play defense. A very valuable player.
Edmonton’s goals for share at 5×5 is 52.4 percent. Last year? 44.3 percent.
David Desharnais has had some injury troubles this season and his boxcars do not look fabulous. It looks like Todd McLellan is going to put him alongside Zack Kassian and Anton Slepyshev. The line is likely to face the soft parade and I think we will see this new trio have some success.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

From WingsNation.com

The “selling” is over and now the Red Wings shift their focus to their final 20 games of the season. The playoffs are out of reach as they sit last in the Eastern Conference with 61 points—10 back of the Islanders for the final Wild Card spot. They need to go 14-3-3 down the stretch to even have a chance, but Jeff Blashill apparently thinks they can still get in because of their captain.

TONIGHT

(Photoshop: @TomKostiuk)

GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers look surprisingly fresh after the long layoff, running counter to their own established past. However, it is Detroit who scores the only goal of the first period.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The second period sees Edmonton find their legs and the net—twice. New hire David Desharnais picks up a power-play assist and the home fans cheer him with enthusiasm.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The third period belongs to the home team, with two more goals fired into the Detroit net. A 4-1 final, fans leave Rogers and find a chinook has taken all of the snow away.

THE NATION/APOLLO COLLABORATION

Head down to Crash Hotel tonight from 5:30-8pm to score an exclusive sneak peek at our latest NationGear collaboration with Apollo Originals. All remaining inventory will go up at NationGear.ca at 12:01AM.