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GDB 69.0 Wrap Up: Sharks @ Oilers

By baggedmilk

Mar 8, 2016, 23:56 ESTUpdated:

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I think the parrot says it all. Final Score: 3-0 Sharks

With the San Jose Sharks playing against Calgary last night, and the “new look” Oilers playing some solid hockey of late, I thought that this was a winnable game for Edmonton. Not only were the Oilers coming in hot after a successful road trip, they also seemed to be playing with a new found sense of swagger. It was an Oilers team that we hadn’t seen for a long time. Unfortunately, even the swaggiest of pimps can lose their vibe when you give up two weird goals in the first period. Despite playing reasonably well, and outshooting the Sharks, Edmonton couldn’t beat Reimer early (or at all) and found themselves in a hole.

Unfortunately for Oilers fans, the hole that the team found themselves in at the end of the first period only kept growing as the game progressed. The home side never could seem to find a way to establish themselves offensively (or at all) against a much better Sharks team. While the Sharks were easily breaking out of their own end, the Oilers were struggling to do the same. While the Sharks were winning puck battles along the boards, the Oilers were struggling to gain position. San Jose won all of the small battles on the ice, and those details led them to the win tonight.

While the Oilers didn’t play well enough to win, I don’t think the score necessarily reflects the game, either. I honestly do think that the Oilers weren’t as bad as a 3-0 score would lead you to believe. I think that the Sharks got a few early bounces and that the Oilers couldn’t recover. I also think that the Sharks were the better hockey team, and they were able to capitalize on what they were given. The Sharks never looked back after they took the early lead, and it forced the Oilers to play catchup. Unfortunately, comebacks aren’t nearly as effective if you don’t score any goals. The offense dried up, and it’s tough to win with nothing up on the scoreboard.

The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Have you watched the parrot video? Seriously. Watch the parrot video.
I’m infatuated with Pat Maroon right now. I don’t know how long this mountain man love fest will go on but he brings something to the Oilers that they haven’t had in a long time. He’s gigantic, has a mean streak, and a little bit of touch. Once we buy the big man some rocket skates he is going to be unstoppable.
Adam Pardy had a solid game. He played a lot of tough minutes and he played them respectively well. He played a team high 21:28. He’s been a nice pickup.
Andrej Sekera is going to have to play a tonne of minutes until Oscar Klefbom comes back. That being said it’s almost a relief to see Sekera out there considering he’s one of the most likely d-men to make good choices.
Griffin Reinhart had a solid game. He was quiet, didn’t make any glaring mistakes, and played a steady hockey game. I know a lot of you have already written him off but the kid hasn’t even played 100 pro games yet. Let’s see where this ride takes us.
Anyone else find it hilarious that Roman Polak got five minutes for fighting when in reality he had his gloves on and got punched in the face?
Darnell Nurse is developing into a warlord. He grabbed Polak and fist kissed his face in defense of fallen teammate Matt Hendricks. I’m not even sure that Polak did anything to deserve that. I think Hendricks hit a rut more so than he was pushed. Maybe I’m wrong. Regardless, atta stick up for your teammate, Darryl.

THE FACE PALMERS

First shutout of the year for James Reimer. Surprised? Me neither.
McLellan started mixing up the lines late in the game and it sure would have been nice to have Nuge in there as another option at centre over Mark Letestu.
Matt Hendricks went crashing into the end boards late in the third period and he didn’t come back.
Everything about Logan Couture’s first goal was annoying. The way no Oiler could communicate to Talbot that the puck had fallen, that the defensemen were both beaten to the puck, and that Talbot catches that puck nine times out of ten – all annoying.
Couture’s second goal of the night also annoyed me. I think he just annoys me.
It was a tough, weird night for Cam Talbot after being red hot for so long. The night started out with a weird goal to Couture after a shot that Talbot would normally catch fell into his feet. That goal was then followed up by a second where the puck was deflected into Talbot’s face before going into the net. That’s a tough way to start the game. I wouldn’t say that Talbot played poorly (he made some huge saves) but he wasn’t as sharp as he has been. I don’t think he was as bad as the stat line says, but Talbot finished the night with 19 saves and an .864 save%.
I really disliked Lauri Korpikoski on Connor McDavid’s line. Yes, he scored the winning goal against Winnipeg, but so what? That doesn’t make him a fit. Saddling him with Korpikoski is like throwing McDavid in the Belanger triangle.
Did the Oilers score on the power play? No. Did the Sharks? Yes. Bad combo.
How was there only four penalties called all night? If the NHL wants to increase scoring maybe they should look at how the refs call the game.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
01:33	SJS	Logan Couture (9) Wrist shot – ASST: Matt Nieto (9), Joonas Donskoi (19)	1 – 0 SJS
15:50	SJS	PPG – Logan Couture (10) Wrist shot – ASST: Brent Burns (36), Joe Pavelski (33)	2 – 0 SJS
2ND PERIOD
14:03	SJS	Joe Pavelski (31) Tip-in – ASST: Paul Martin (14), Joe Thornton (49)	3 – 0 SJS
3RD PERIOD
NONE

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