GDB 77.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Sharks

8 years ago

Who saw that coming? Final Score: 6-3 Oilers

Are we all on the same page that it was kinda weird for the Sharks to call someone up from the AHL just to get retribution on 21-year old Darnell Nurse? I mean, isn’t Roman Polak a giant human being in his own right? How emasculating is it to have your team call up a guy even smaller than you to come in and defend your honour? I realize that Polak has a broken nose but then wouldn’t it make sense to wait on the fight, step up anyway, or at least have someone fight that was actually there? We all knew that a fight was coming but I think it’s weird that they called someone up to do it.

As for the game itself, it was weird in more than one way and I think most of you would agree with me. The Oilers went from having only four shots total, in the first period, to scoring four goals in the second. We have officially reached that point in the season where it becomes virtually impossible to predict what to expect from the Oilers. Before the game had started, the Oilers actually found themselves in 30th place in the NHL. Since the Leafs had won their game tonight the Oilers had temporarily reclaimed their rightful place on the throne of the tank empire. Many have challenged us, but few have the will to match our dedication to being some variation of horrible despite collecting all of the first overall picks, but that’s beside the point.

I don’t think any of us would have expected the Oilers to beat the Sharks by three goals, but it certainly was a pleasant surprise. After finding themselves down by two goals after the first period Gene was interviewing Logan Couture and he kept taking jabs at the Oilers to the point where it was getting annoying. We already know the Oilers suck and to hear chiclets keep running his mouth was unnecessary. To have the Oilers respond (doubt they would have known what he said) by pumping the Sharks for six goals in the final 40 minutes was the most beautiful screw you, and, as an added bonus, San Jose will have to wait for another day to clinch their playoff spot.

And all of this happens on the night when the Sharks call in the NHL’s version of hitman to beat up a rookie. Well played, San Jose.

The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

The Oilers hit 30 wins on the season for the first time since 2011!
Connor McDavid extended his point streak to six games as he set up Patrick Maroon with a wide open net. McDavid now has 43 points in 40 NHL games and is tied for 4th in rookie scoring. He. Deserves. The. Calder.
Three points tonight for Patrick Maroon as he got a goal (his 7th), two assists, and was mixing it up physically all night long. Not to mention the shade he was throwing in his 2nd intermission interview with Gene. He’s been a huge add (PUN!) since coming over from Anaheim. It’s still early but he seems like a good bet by Chiarelli.
Taylor Hall scored a big goal and added an empty netter for his 24th and 25th goals of the season. He’s been getting chances but the pucks haven’t been going in. Taylor Hall is not part of the problem people, and I can’t believe I have to say that more than once.
Nail Yakupov had a solid night and picked up an assist on Patrick Maroon’s goal. Yak also looked respectable in his own end. If these are his last few games as an Oiler I will certainly miss him.
Jordan Eberle scored his 24th goal of the season by doing some nice puck tracking in the offensive zone. He followed the puck towards the net and fired it home after the initial point shot bounced off Patrick Maroon.
Lauri Korpikoski scored his 10th goal of the season by doing what he does and getting to the front of the net. Mark Letestu stayed hot as he got an assist on the goal which brought the Oilers back to within one, in the second period.
How about Darnell Nurse stepping up to the plate and fighting the Sharks’ ringer even though Haley had no matter of Darryl beating the tar out of Roman Polak? After the fight was over, Darryl went on to have a pretty solid night as both he and Adam Clendening were +4 on the night. I’m no fan of +/- but that’s impressive.
I don’t know that this would be a memorable win for Cam Talbot but he made the saves he needed to make to get his team the win. To see Talbot hit 20 wins after a slow start is a small win on a tough season. Talbot has been a bright spot since December and it was nice to see that the team gave him enough offense to get a win tonight. Talbot finished the night with 23 saves and an .885 save%.

THE FACE PALMERS

The Oilers hit 30 wins on the season for the first time since 2011!
It is pretty stupid that the Sharks called someone up from the minors just to fight 21-year old Darnell Nurse. That organization should reevaluate its priorities because that’s bush league. Wait until Polak can fight for himself or get someone that was actually there to step it. Quite frankly, the Sharks look like huge assholes.
The Oilers only had four shots on the goal in the first period. Four. The Sharks had two goals.
I can’t be the only one that thinks the refs are terrible. I can’t be the only one that thinks the refs are terrible. I can’t be the only one that thinks the refs are terrible. I can’t…
The Oilers allowed two power play goals on four chances and you know that’s something that McLellan will bring up in their next meetings. The Oilers penalty kill has actually been solid all night and I’m sure they can tighten it up for the last few games.
How did the Oilers only get one power play all night? (yes, I know that Maroon scored on a delayed penalty call)
45% in the face off circle tonight. This is something the OIlers will definitely need to improve on going forward, and I’m not sure there’s a secret to it apart from gaining strength and experience.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
03:47	SJS	Tommy Wingels (7) Slapshot – ASST: Roman Polak (14), Nick Spaling (8)	1 – 0 SJS
11:41	SJS	PPG – Joe Pavelski (35) Slapshot – ASST: Joe Thornton (54), Logan Couture (19)	2 – 0 SJS
2ND PERIOD
01:39	EDM	Lauri Korpikoski (10) Tip-in – ASST: Adam Clendening (5), Mark Letestu (14)	2 – 1 SJS
08:18	EDM	Taylor Hall (24) Wrist shot – ASST: NONE	2 – 2 Tie
09:03	EDM	Adam Clendening (1) Wrist shot – ASST: Patrick Maroon (14), Darnell Nurse (7)	3 – 2 EDM
12:26	SJS	PPG – Patrick Marleau (21) Wrist shot – ASST: Joe Thornton (55), Brent Burns (40)	3 – 3 Tie
18:04	EDM	Patrick Maroon (7) Wrist shot – ASST: Connor McDavid (29), Nail Yakupov (13)	4 – 3 EDM
3RD PERIOD
12:54	EDM	Jordan Eberle (24) Wrist shot – ASST: Patrick Maroon (15), Andrej Sekera (22)	5 – 3 EDM
19:54	EDM	EN – Taylor Hall (25) Wrist shot – ASST: Andrej Sekera (23), Leon Draisaitl (31)	6 – 3 EDM

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