A question: If the Oilers play on Valentine’s Day, on PPV, during the Olympics and when they are in 30th place, will anyone watch?

Of course the diehards will, many of them haven’t seen a girl in years. 

If you are planning on switching between the Olympics and the Game, note that the pairs short program is on at 5:30 and the Men’s moguls final is at 6:30, so some of you might channel surf for the latter, although Wanye is a huge figure skating fan, so he’ll won’t risk a minute of missing all the pretty skaters jumping. Unless he has a Valentine’s Date. Which he doesn’t.

Besides fellas, is there anything more romantic that cuddling up on the couch on V-Day with your special lady and watching to see if Ryan Getzlaf has healed enough to play in the Olympics? No. No there isn’t.

Let’s be honest, that is the story line for tonight’s rare 5:00 p.m. start. Getzlaf took the pre-game skate in Calgary last night, but didn’t play and word is he wanted one more day of rest before testing his ankle. Getzlaf will dress tonight, because if he doesn’t, I doubt Steve Yzerman will keep him on the roster. Two people close to the team told me this morning that he is feeling better and is confident his ankle is strong enough to play.

If the Ducks training staff says he’ll be ready to go in four days, would Steve Yzerman roll the dice and keep him on the roster instead of adding Jeff Carter? Canada plays Norway on Tuesday and Switzerland on Thursday, so realistically they probably don’t need Getzlaf until next Sunday when they face the United States . If Getzlaf is able to practice at a high tempo by Wednesday, I’d keep him over Carter. Strength down the middle is a must, and Getzlaf has an element of skill, size and toughness that no other centre has. Eric Staal would be close, but I’m not sure even he is at Getzlaf’s level.

Getzlaf would have to re-injure himself tonight, if he plays, to keep him off the roster in my mind. Canada has to submit their Olympic roster by noon tomorrow, so we won’t know for sure until then.

The Ducks’ 3-1 loss last night in Calgary pushed them four points back of the 8th place Flames, so the Ducks will be hungry to get a win and move within two before taking two weeks off. If the Preds lose to Pittsburgh this afternoon, (they were losing 1-0 when we posted this) and the Ducks win they’ll be two back of both the Flames and the Predators.

Tonight could be the final home game for Ethan Moreau, Steve Staios and Fernando Pisani in Oiler silks. The Oilers play in Nashville and Chicago prior to the March 3rd trade deadline, so look for an inspired effort from these three. None of them are oblivious to their situation, and I’d expect them to compete hard tonight, try to get a win and increase their trade value if that is at all possible.

I was taking part in the Chief’s 25-year alumni dinner last night, but I slipped out to the hotel lounge at 8:30 to watch Jennifer Heil in the women’s moguls. What a great event, and in the driving sleet Heil performed exceptionally well, only to lose to Hannah Kearney. She lost by five one-hundredth of a second.

Many of us were hoping for Gold, and until an athlete wins gold at these Olympics all we will hear is how we are the only country to not win a gold medal on home soil. It is getting old. Heil was obviously disappointed by not winning but she was very classy in defeat and that is what impressed me most. Of course other’s think Heil choked. If you think that I question if you actually watched the event.

At the bleacher report  Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter had this convoluted assessment of Heil’s performance. Side note: Who calls themselves the Hard Hitter? Really?

Whatchu talkin ’bout Hard Hitter? You contradict yourself in your own article!

The Americans seem to shine, he says and then points out how Kearney didn’t just disappoint; she flat out choked in 2006 and finished 22nd despite being ranked number one. Heil was ranked number one and won a silver medal yesterday. Is that really not getting it done? I think “Hard Hitter” should find better examples of a choking or realize that hundredths of seconds is what makes the Olympics so special.

Final note: Happy Valentine’s Day to all the ladies, and gentlemen remember to remind her that March 14th is your day.