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GDB 63.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Ducks **UPDATE**

By baggedmilk

Feb 27, 2016, 00:48 ESTUpdated:

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I’ll tip my hat to Rickard Rackell but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it. Final Score: 2-1 Ducks in OT

Still no trades? Really? C’mon, man. Here we were sitting around Nation HQ staring at Twitter all day. I even got caught by a fake trade on Twitter, as we were recording the podcast, and I announced it like a douche (you can hear it below). What can I say, I get excited? Trade or no trade, it goes without saying that the next six months will be a crazy time for the Edmonton Oilers. I plan on spending the next 20 games committing the “core” to memory because there are some fine hockey players there, and I don’t think all of them will be back next year.

Trade watch aside, there was a hockey game to play and the Oilers were going up against a very good Ducks team one night after losing a tough one last night against Los Angeles. As far as back-to-backs go, a Kings/Ducks weekend is about as tough as it gets and it’s not like the Oilers have been world beaters over the last month. To their credit, Edmonton played another solid hockey game against a much better hockey team. After starting out slowly, the Oilers found their legs and were actually able to keep the Ducks on their toes, especially in the second period.

I guess what I’m saying is that this wasn’t one of those games where the Oilers were embarrassed by a more experienced team, and it was refreshing to watching. They were in this game. Loss or not, this was a better road game from the Oilers than we’ve seen in a while (last night excluded). Frankly, I was surprised that the Oilers were even able to keep themselves in the game considering they played last night and the Ducks are red hot. Once again the Oilers defend their heavyweight title in the moral victory category of NHL lore, and I know how much you guys love that.

Getting a point out of the Anaheim is no small feat, but an overtime loss isn’t the win that everyone wants either. At the end of the night, when Rickard Rackell scores a winning goal like that how mad can you really be? Still mad? I get it. The winds of change are coming, my friends.

Wrap it like it’s hawt.

ANDERS NILSSON TRADED?

If you believe Bob McKenzie then you’ll believe that Anders Nilsson has been traded to the St. Louis Blues for a mid-round pick. Details haven’t been confirmed yet, and I’m guessing we won’t find out what’s coming back until the morning. That being said, I’d guess that another magic bean is coming back our way and who doesn’t love beans!?

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Connor McDavid is already playing tough minutes as a 19-year old and handles it better than most veterans. It really is amazing to watch him play hockey even when he’s quiet. I wonder what life looks like inside the Matrix.
Jordan Eberle absolutely roofed his 20th goal of the season off of a quick little pass from Benoit Pouliot. This is the fourth time that Jordan Eberle has hit the 20 goal mark in his career. Lastly, props to Cam Talbot for getting his first assist of the season.
I like seeing Zack Kassian mixing it up. He really does add an element to the Oilers that the don’t have anywhere else.
Cam Talbot played great even though he expected to back up Nilsson tonight. After announcing that Nilsson would start the Oilers quickly retracted and went with Cam Talbot as the starter. A few minutes ago, Elliotte Friedman wondered if there might be a trade fit between the Oilers and Blues, who just lost a goalie. What is Chiarelli up to? Anyway… Talbot finished the night with 32 saves and a .941 save%. Advanced stats wouldn’t have called that one.
I like the way Jordan Oesterle has played since being recalled. He looks more comfortable moving the puck than he did in his last recall. He and Davidson have made a solid pair over the past two nights.
It will be a good day when the Oilers announce that they’ve re-signed Brandon Davidson. He’s been great this year, and I hope he keeps getting better. I will bet $2 million over three years. You? Leave your guesses on money and term for his next contract in the comments.
The Oilers went 60% in the face off circle.

THE FACE PALMERS

After twenty minutes the Oilers only had five (FIVE!) shots on goal. To make matters worse they had two (TWO!) power plays during that time. Shocking.
The Oilers really didn’t get much in the way of offense from any of the lines aside from McDavid’s which has been the trend of late. Even Connor himself was more quiet and I’d guess that that’s more a product of the Ducks only having one line to shut down rather than Connor struggling.
Quiet night for both Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. We could use another hot streak soon.
The Oilers got absolutely nothing done in the third period, registering only three shots.
This probably won’t be a surprise to you but the Oilers were terrible on the power play again. Edmonton went 0/3 with the “man advantage” tonight.
The Oilers allowed a goal on the penalty kill which gave them a clean sweep in special teams losses.
Rickard Rakell’s game winner will be on highlight reals for a while. I hate re-watching these moments. It’s upsetting and I don’t need it.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
NONE
2ND PERIOD
NONE
3RD PERIOD
00:42	ANA	PPG – Ryan Getzlaf (9) Wrist shot – ASST: David Perron (21), Cam Fowler (16)	1 – 0 ANA
01:53	EDM	Jordan Eberle (20) Wrist shot – ASST: Benoit Pouliot (22), Cam Talbot (1)	1 – 1 Tie
OT PERIOD
01:24	ANA	Rickard Rakell (16) Backhand shot – ASST: Sami Vatanen (23), Ryan Getzlaf (41)	2 – 1 ANA

BEST OF THE TWEETS

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THE NORTH X NORTHGRETZ PODCAST

In today’s podcast, the boys take a look at what will happen with the Oilers on deadline day and whether or not Connor McDavid should be given the captaincy. Chris also forces Jeanshorts and Baggedmilk to play a game that he put together only minutes before recording.

As always you can follow North x NorthGretz on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!