GDB 72.0 Wrap Up: Predators @ Oilers

8 years ago

I hope James Neal eats a rotten pistachio. Final Score: 3-2 Predators

Coming into tonight’s game the Oilers had been shut out in back-to-back home games. Can a stat get much uglier than that? In two straight games, at home, the Edmonton Oilers could not score a goal. Let that sink in for a minute. I mean, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that scoring zero goals will generally make winning games damned near impossible. And to do it at home? Twice in row? That’s dirty. Like, eating at a urinal dirty. On the bright side, the Oilers scored some NHL goals tonight, and scoring even one goal meant a massive improvement over what has been happening around here lately. Scoring multiple goals? That’s living the good life, son.

With goals in the bank, it goes without saying that the Oilers played better tonight than they did against the Coyotes. As it turns out, goals are kind of a thing in the NHL. Not only did the Oilers score some goals, they looked more like the team that had won three straight games only a week ago. They looked like they cared. Now, that’s not to say that there weren’t frustrating elements to this hockey game. Like what you ask? How about the (MULTIPLE!) times when the Oilers scored the go-ahead goal only to allow the Preds to counter within minutes/seconds. I don’t know about you guys but I’m not really into this whole give and take/swap goals kind of relationship. I guess I’m selfish like that.

At the end of the night, it was those bounce back goals that ended up being the story. For as important as it was for the Oilers to score goals on home ice, it was equally as important to make sure that the puck stayed out of their own net. Tonight’s game was a winnable one, but the Oilers made some glaring mistakes and their goaltender couldn’t bail them out. The most frustrating part of this game has to be how the Oilers gave up two leads within a matter of minutes. They would score a go-ahead goal only to have James Neal tie the game up on his next shift. It’s maddening. I guess you have to give the Oilers credit for finding new and creative ways to leave points on the board.

The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Shout out to Cam Talbot for getting credit for some of Brossoit’s saves early on in the first period. Nice job, Cam!
Jordan Eberle scored one of the easiest goals of his career (his 21st) when Connor McDavid set him up for an easy tap in. Beerleague danglers are even putting that one home. It was funny to hear Drew Remenda criticize Connor McDavid’s overpassing almost immediately before he set Eberle up on a tee.
Connor McDavid’s assist on Eberle’s goal was his 36th point of the season in his 35th game. The kid is a point per game player in the first season of his NHL career. If he loses, the Calder trophy should have a “due to games played” asterisk put on it for this year. McDavid finished the night playing the most minutes of any forward with 23:22.
I really like Iiro Pakarinen. He’s the kind of player that plays in the bottom six, and can move up in the lineup if need be. I don’t like him as a right wing option with Taylor Hall, but he scored a goal tonight (his fifth) and I guess I’ll just disagree from my couch. That being said, I do like what Pakarinen has to offer and hope Chiarelli keeps him around.
Speaking of the Pakarinen goal, how about the pass from Leon Draisaitl? The big man has some touch.
Jordan Oesterle continues to impress since being recalled last month. Who knows if this play is a highlight, or the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but he’s looking good out there. He played 22:10 tonight.
The Oilers had a good night in the face off circle going 52% (28/24).

THE FACE PALMERS

I feel like a crazy person complaining about the reffing but I swear to Gord it’s true. There were blatant missed calls on the Oilers throughout the night. That’s not to say that there weren’t any missed calls for the Preds, but it seems like the Oilers should be getting way more calls going their way.
I know I said I wanted more power plays but the power play is really bad so maybe that’s not the best idea. The Oilers went 0/2 on the night… again.
Taylor Hall played less than 16 minutes tonight. Maybe a little tough love from McLellan?
Speaking of the power play, why can’t Andrej Sekera get a shot through to the net? Effing shin pads man. Gregor nails it again.
James Neal scored three goals tonight, and two of his goals were scored within minutes (and seconds) after the Oilers scored the goal ahead goal. Neal finished the hat trick (and game winner) off in the third period.
That’s the second time in two starts that Brossoit has had a tough time locking things down on the pushback after a goal. He’ll figure that out going forward, but he’ll need to lock it up now if he wants to keep the backup job next year. Personally, I think that another year in the AHL would be the best bet. LB is still young and playing big minutes would likely be best in the long run. Brossoit finished the night with 20 saves and an .880 save%.
I liked seeing Yakupov get a chance to play with Hall and Draisaitl in the third period until it was only for one shift. It’s amazing how little leash Yak gets as compared to some other players. I’ll be sad to see him go, but I’ll understand why it’ll be a happy day for Yak. I’ll miss him.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
06:48	EDM	Jordan Eberle (21) Wrist shot – ASST: Connor McDavid (22)	1 – 0 EDM
08:04	NSH	James Neal (24) Wrist shot – ASST: Anthony Bitetto (4), Ryan Johansen (35)	1 – 1 Tie
2ND PERIOD
00:31	EDM	Iiro Pakarinen (5) Wrist shot – ASST: Leon Draisaitl (30), Mark Fayne (4)	2 – 1 EDM
00:51	NSH	James Neal (25) Wrist shot – ASST: Shea Weber (27), Calle Jarnkrok (10)	2 – 2 Tie
3RD PERIOD
04:18	NSH	James Neal (26) Snap shot – ASST: Mattias Ekholm (23), Calle Jarnkrok (11)	3 – 2 NSH

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