GDB 7.0 Wrap Up: Red Wings @ Oilers

8 years ago

Kick rocks, Detroit. Final Score: 3-1 Oilers

Today I found out that the Detroit Red Wings have earned a point in 29 of the last 30 games they’ve played against the Oilers. Normally I don’t pay much attention to those kind of stats, but that is an alarming level of dominance. I choose to attribute those points to Mike Babcock. Obviously, that’s stupid and untrue but I needed to give a reason for why the Wings crushed the Oilers apart from the fact that they were awful. I guess that’s just a way of me hoping the Oilers will be more effective against Blashill’s Wings than they were against Babcock’s Wings.

With the way this game played out, I’m convinced that my ludicrous theory about the Blashill era is coming true. The fact that they were able to prevent Detroit from even registering a shot until the first period was halfway through would have been the high point in any game last year. The Oilers were ready to play, limited their mistakes, and kept Detroit’s attacks at bay. Equally as important as the good start, the Oilers were able to cash in on the power play as Mark Letestu scored his first goal as an Oiler. From there, the home side were mostly in control straight through until the final buzzer.

For years the Red Wings have run the show around here and it was nice to see the Oilers return the favour. With the way the last three games have gone it’s almost funny to think that the Oilers weren’t able to produce any offense. The Wings are not the same team they were when Yzerman and Fedorov dominated the league, but it’s not as though they’re some slouch either. Tonight, the Oilers found a way to beat a good hockey team and maintain a lead for most of the night. Around here that counts as two points on the board and a moral victory on the bedpost.

We wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Mark Letestu scored his first (power play) goal as an Oiler tonight. That alone is a great thing. Unfortunately, I also had to give credit to Gregor about absolutely nailing his GDB prediction this morning. He will now hold it over my head for the rest of time.
Nail Yakupov extended his point streak with a slick assist on Mark Letestu’s power play goal and another on Connor McDavid’s goal. Yakupov has five points in his last three games. Where the Yak haters at?
Connor McDavid’s hands are a gift like we may never have seen before. His puck skills are at an elite level at 18 years old. The moves he can make in tight/at full speed/everywhere else are amazing, and his goal was a reflection of that. How many guys would even try that in the shootout?
Shout out to Teddy Purcell for scoring without actually shooting it in the net. After Mrazek stopped Purcell’s initial shot the puck bounced back in off the backchecking defender. Physics, man. Theyre crazy.
Cam Talbot was solid once again, and it’s such a relief to know that the goaltending will be solid on any given night. Talbot stopped 28 of 29 shots and finished with a .966 save%. Talbot gave the Oilers a chance to win, and they rewarded him for the effort.
The power play has seemed infinitely better since Todd McLellan shuffled the lines. The Oilers now have two solid scoring threats and I couldn’t even tell you the last time that that happened. The power play went 1/3 on the night.
The penalty kill was rock solid again tonight. Detroit couldn’t get anything done in their six tries, and the Oilers continue to look good with a man down.
Be sure to drop by Nation HQ (Little Brick Cafe – 10004 90th street), Elm Cafe, District Coffee Co, Burrow Central Station, and ATB Place on Friday to score a free piece of cake courtesy of our friends at ATB Financial!

THE FACE PALMERS

The Oilers were puck watching on Tomas Tatar’s goal. He was driving the net, and potted a rebound, without so much as a bump on the way. I’m sure Todd McLellan will (already has) address this with the team.
I like Rob Klinkhammer, I think he’s a solid player, but I don’t like seeing him play with Hall and Nuge. Excuse me while I pray for Eberle.
I heard Benoit Pouliot call Connor McDavid “Davey” in his post game interview. I’m not surprised at the lack of creativity when coming up with a nickname.
I was hoping that the pigeon that was flying around Rexall would become more of a story. I was hoping for some kind of Randy Johnson moment where the pigeon flies in to stop a slapper from the point. That didn’t happen. We didn’t get anything apart from a few pictures on Twitter. Not even an ice turd. Try harder, Rexall pigeon.
Where are all of those people that said Connor McDavid was a bust when he didn’t have a goal in his first two games? It’s amazing how quickly they’ve disappeared. I assume it’s back to FlamesNation where they belong.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
12:32	EDM	PPG – Mark Letestu (1) Tip-in – ASST: Nail Yakupov (3), Justin Schultz (1)	1 – 0 EDM
2ND PERIOD
06:34	EDM	Connor McDavid (4) Wrist shot – ASST: Benoit Pouliot (3), Nail Yakupov (4)	2 – 0 EDM
07:04	EDM	Teddy Purcell (1) Wrist shot – ASST: Lauri Korpikoski (1), Mark Fayne (1)	3 – 0 EDM
3RD PERIOD
06:49	DET	Tomas Tatar (1) Backhand shot – ASST: Gustav Nyquist (2), Riley Sheahan (1)	3 – 1 EDM

BEST OF THE TWEETS

Where you at Twitter? Hit me up at @jsbmbaggedmilk and @OilersNation for your chance at Internet glory in the GDB Wrap Up.

THE STREET STORE

What is the Street Store? Street Store will be hosting, in partnership with Boyle Street Community Services,
a one-day pop-up shop for the homeless community in Edmonton. The event takes places on Saturday,
October 24, 2015 from 12-5pm with the goal of collecting warm clothing for those in need in our community. The store is intended to give community members a dignified shopping experience while
providing them with warm winter clothing.

How can you help?

You can greatly assist this event by donating undergarments or basic hygiene items. These necessary items will be handed out to homeless individuals visiting the store alongside the donated clothing available at the store. Items may include (but are not limited to):

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, shampoo, deodorant, lipbalm, feminine hygiene products, underwear, warm socks, razors, shaving cream, and soap.

Want to help but don’t have clothes to donate? Tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $50.