Game Day "Avalanche"

Can anyone say 'Wowsers'? That is the only way to express how crazy this team played last game. Ok, I can swear and all, but let's face it, it won't make any of us feel better. Ok, it will for some of you. On a serious note though, the Oilers need to make some changes and make them quick before this season goes down the toilet. Yes they started the season on a tear and maybe took teams by surprise early on, but how can you change to be this bad , this quick? Injuries? We have had them all year, so that is no excuse. No Hall? Well, there is enough speed and finesse that this team should be better. If you ask me, it's more about the break out passes we are not getting from the defencemen and the stellar goaltending that no longer exists all game long.

Yes, the Goaltending has been ok and some awesome saves are being made at timely moments in the game, but not ALL game like early season. The defencemen are not all shot blocking now and seem slower and more sluggish. Not to mention the defence are more often either trying to take the puck up the ice on their own and dumping it in, or they are attempting passes up the middle of the ice. Neither is working. If this team is going to dump and chase, they better be winning the battle to the puck, otherwise it is a waste of time.

Renney no longer seems to line match yet still plays the crap out of Horcoff and Smyth in minutes and refuses to take Belanger off the 2nd unit PP and Horcoff onto the 2nd PP instead of the 1st. It has been a embarrassment and a nightmare all in the same wrapped gift the Oilers present these past 10 games or so. Somewhere this insanity has to even out some. Ok, we can handle a few bad games here and there, but this long? Your not a great team on the rise, if you keep falling down and getting up only to fall down again. Insanity? Definition? Doing the same thing over and over, getting the same results.

Time to rev up the engine Oilers! Time to face the music! Time to stand up, and fight, fight, fight!

Go Oil!

 

 

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 9th/11

1. What about that PP? C'mon they have got to score finally on that dreaded PP. 

2. Oilers don't win this one and I say we are in for a long run. Granted Hall may be out right now, but who is next? Tonight they will show some fight, huge win for the oilers!

3. Teubert is back in so I expect him to still be limited in mins. Still should be within a max of 14 min night.

4. Smyth has been held pointless long enough. Ryan Smyth gets back on the scoresheet tonight.

5. Oilers Gagner has been coming on as of late. Time to hit that scoresheet again tonight. If he doesn't get a point with Nuge and Eberle when will he? Gagner will gain a assist or goal tonight

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 62 for 114=54.3%)

What a awful game that last one. Belanger comes up one faceoff to short in my predictions, Whitney plays 50 secs to little in another and I got greedy saying Nuge would have more then a point. 0-5 last game, bad on me.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Hurricanes"

The "Canes" are in town! The "Canes" are in town?

Why is that such exciting news? Mostly because unlike some of the other teams we have been losing to with winning records the Hurricanes are struggling much like the Edmonton Oilers. Finally tonight we have a chance to pick up a win and turn this thing back around.

It's amazing how fast a season can turn around for you, but even more amazing how fast a team can fall back to reality after such a sizzling start. That is our beloved team , the Edmonton Oilers. Before training camp, I picked Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to make this team for the year, and score 50 points or more. I predicted Smyth to chip in 25 goals for the Oilers in a exciting return to Oil Country. I even picked Hall and Eberle to put up between 60-70 points. But in the end, I picked the Oilers to place somewhere between 20th best at seasons end to 27th worst. When the Oilers stormed out of the gate, I was taken by surprise at our goaltending and the stellar defensive play the defence core had bought into. But like many of you, I bought the kool-aid! I started raving how there is no way we finish worse then 20th and could even compete for a playoff spot.

At this stage of the progress I am going to say the playoffs are a distant possibility still but bottom 5 is out of the question. In fact I am going to go on a limb (one I feel comfortable doing) and say should the Oilers not grab more then 2 points out of the next possible 6, this team will be falling out of the playoff run. Why you ask? (or maybe you don't) This team is not learning to be consistent enough soon enough in the season. We are 27% of the way into the season and as Ken Holland has stated in a interview, that is a good indicator as to your team placement for year end. Yes, we have a developing young team, yes we will correct some mistakes and learn as the season goes on. But in all honesty, if we continue to lose to NorthWestern teams in our division and come up short against teams we should beat? I say it's a sign this will not be the season we were hoping it might be after our team shot out of the gate so well.

After such a awful loss as was experienced against the Flames, this team can not afford another poor loss like that at home. It was embarrassing as a fan. (however I do know what that kind of game feels like as a player in my own recreation hockey league) Should we lose tonight to the Hurricanes (after rest and no back to back games) that would be a poor sign that this team is figuring it out.

Time to sharpen the sticks Oilers! Time to play the music, cause it's Hockey Tonight!

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 7th/11

1. PP goal tonight for the Oilers. Can't see them going 3 games with no goal.

2. Oilers need this win badly and don't want to be embarrassed again on home ice. Big win for the Oil!

3. Whitney is struggling still to get out of that pre-season mode but expect to see his game change somewhat tonight. Expect 19+ mins out of him and a factor tonight.

4. Big night for RNH as he is rested and will be flying tonight. (my guess) Multi-point game for RNH

5. Belanger has been failing as of late in the FO dot. That needs to change and I think he see's the urgency as well. 55% or better tonight for Eric in the dot.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 62 for 109=56.8%)

No fights in BOA? Weird. Belanger 2nd game in a row below 50% in the dot? Weird. Was a weird and whacky game, lets hope for my predictions things start looking up.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Oilers 2012 Draft Watch "Filip Forsberg"

REVS 2012 Prospects List (Oct 3rd/11)

1.Nail Yakupov

2.Mikhail Grigorenko

3.Ryan Murray

4.Alex Galchenyuk

5.Morgan Rielly

6.Mathew Dumba

7.Nick Ebert

8.Filip Forsberg

9.Griffin Reinhart

10.Martin Frk

11.Derrick Pouliot

12.Cody Ceci

13.Olli Maatta

14.Zemgus Girgensons

15.Jacob Trouba

Today we examine the #8 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List . Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.

Pos: F

HT:6'1 ft
WT:176lbs(180 possibly)

Born: Ostervala, Sweden

2011/12 SuperElit (J20) Games 6 G 0 A 1 PTS 1

2011/12 Allsvenskan (Elite) Games 22 G 2 A 3 PTS 5

Filip is a dynamic skater with stellar offensive instincts, a star on the rise in Sweden who has an elusive stride that makes him very difficult to contain.  Filip has World class speed for a player so young, he carries the puck poised, can maneuver through tight spaces, has a quick shot, crisp passes and soft hands.  Forsberg can dangle around opposing defencemen and come in on goal very well.

 The Swedish winger, who is playing for Leksand’s top team currently, also had a breakthrough in the under-18s, putting up six points in six games and not surrendering a 5-on-5 goal when he was on the ice. As a 16-year-old on Leksand’s under-20 team this past season, Forsberg led his squad in scoring with 14 goals and 29 points in 26 games, adding a plus-19 rating for good measure. His point total was also good for fifth in the league.Those stats were good but they are not looking so good this year. He is struggling to my eye and to some scouts eyes especially. His ranking was based on what was seen up until this year. As much as some are eyeing him to be a top 10 pick, he is starting to fall and only a resurgence to his scoring prowess may save him now for that elite 10.

No relation to NHL great Peter Forsberg, but Filip is a huge fan of ‘Foppa’ and still watches his videos on YouTube. Filip does not lack confidence going into this season. “I think I’m a great goal-scorer,” Forsberg said. “Great shot, great playmaker…I work hard every day. Especially I would like my skating to get better and the big picture can always be improved.”


He will have a chance to grab some spotlight at the world juniors , here in Alberta .The 6-foot-1, winger has good size and hopefully will use it to his advantage in the world jrs tourney. With his excellent hockey sense and vision,  maturity and knack for scoring goals, there is no questioning the youngsters ability,but the question will be, 'can he play the same against men?'

Some scouts have said he projects to be a strong offensive player who has 30+ goal potential in him.

There was not much video I was able to find but should someone else have some video links, please link in the comments section. It is always nice to be able to see as much of a player as we can at this stage.

(Filip Forsberg in 06 tourney was a standout)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Flames"

Tonight a "Battle" rages on that has enthralled the people of Alberta for years and produced more highlights and hate fisticuffs then Mike Tyson knockouts.

While it has been many years since we have seen both teams playing high end hockey at the same time, there is something about the "Battle of Alberta" that gets the juices going for every hockey fan in the west and every Edmonton or Calgary Hater regardless of their love for the game of hockey or not.

Growing up in the early 80's , I cringe now, knowing I hated the Oilers of that time. One of the best teams to play the game in the history of hockey and I had to grow up in Calgary being brainwashed by friends to be a Calgary Flame fan. But hey, I had 1986 and 1989 right? It's all fun! Every since the last of the great players left for New York, I started taking to the Oilers like a 'Bee to honey'. Only problem is? There has not been a lot of sweetness to the honey, I call the Edmonton Oilers, in a long time.

Other then the great run for Lord Stanley in 2006, our great city of Edmonton has been dying to get back, even putting up with two 30th place finishes, only to land Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Very nice consolation prize if I say so myself. Great drafting by Stu and his crew and the cupboards in the house are looking real full with tons of potential.

3 hours south of us, the Calgary Flames are finding themselves in a familiar spot the Oilers faced a few years ago. They still have more then the Oilers did, when things started to fall apart, but a GM who seems to get offended quite easy just may not be the one who leads them back to the Holy Grail one day. Tanking it doesn't work? Okay, I understand not losing on purpose but c'mon start developing and bringing in younger , newer talent. Calgary has a chance at some nice top end talent of potential superstars in the next two drafts. If they were able say, to grab a combination of Nail Yakupov RW this year and Nathan MacKinnon C the following year? Both are considered generational talents. What about Grigorenko C this year and Monohan the following? The list goes on and on...

Personally, I don't want the Flames to get any of those players, but they are knocking on those doors real close. In the meantime the 'fragile' Flames will do battle with the 'rising' Oilers in a contest that is pretty closely matched in all ways. These two teams are now both at stages that any team could win. Both are at different stages, but both still have the desire and push to win. I say "Let the Games begin!"

Go Oilers!

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 8:00pm CHED630am/CBC

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 3rd/11

1. Will be at least 1 scrap tonight, afterall this is the battle of alberta

2. Oilers will be trying to dominate a weaker , depleted defence core tonight. Big win for the Oil!

3. Was actually a quiet game for RNH in the highlight department. A couple steals, couple blocks, another assist and good sticks in the lanes, ho hum....CBC game last week was a wreck for his stats so I expect him to rise to the bright lights again this week. RNH will continue to help this PP click but most important he continues his point scoring tonight.

4. The Oilers will keep the goals against to no more then 3 allowed tonight.

5. Belanger will top the 55% FO total tonight

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 61 for 104=58.6%)

5 for 5 prediction last night, doubt that will happen too often. Takes alot for that to happen. Maybe when I can nail 5 for 5 , 5 times in a row it will be time for sports select? Think not!

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Blue Jackets"

When the puck drops tonight at Rexall Place, Oilers fans won't have to worry about Hall getting into another scrap like the one pictured above last year.

Hall is still out of the lineup nursing another injury but the show must go on even without their emotional pace setter. Not sure how some of you felt but I really enjoyed the game the other night. Sure it had its lulls, it also had its fights and scrums, its goals and its highlights. Just didn't like the final outcome, but a point is a point.

Some observations from last game I noticed. FO's again. While I know we are not a premier FO team, I really wish the MSM would lay off the FO specialist comments we hear constantly. Is Belanger really a FO specialist? Is Horcoff a FO specialist? Last game (while on the PP) Horcoff lost 3 consecutive offensive zone FO's. Belanger on his turn on the PP in the offensive zone loses his 2 shots. How does that help? As I have ranted in past posts, if were going to lose, let the young guys learn by getting in there. Not to mention, Horcoff should be on the 2nd Unit PP not the first and Belanger should be off the PP entirely. The only exception on a PP would be in the closing of a game and them taking a defensive zone FO.

 Let's look at some overall FO% stats from nhl.com

E. Belanger 55.8%

S. Horcoff 49.1%

A. Lander 38.8%

R. Nugent-Hopkins 37.8%

others in a limited role:

T. Hall 53.7%

R. Smyth 50.0

S. Gagner 47.8%

on the PP these are your leaders in FO%:

E. Belanger 52% (21 attempts)

S. Horcoff 50% (86 attempts)

R. Nugent-Hopkins 42% (13 attempts)

others slotted in:

R. Smyth 75% (15 attempts)

S. Gagner 38% (21 attempts)

T. Hall 100% (3 attempts)

 

I think you can see by the fact Smyth already plays with RNH, that he is the better choice on the PP to take those faceoffs. Maybe, just maybe, Horcoff is starting to struggle again the his FO% is due to the over demand on what he has to do every night? 2nd line Center, starts every game against opponents best line checking them. 1st Unit PP, 2nd unit PK and takes 50% of all faceoffs on this team? I'm not saying, I'm just saying!

On the other hand, it is important to also make mention of the last game in Minnesota where the Oilers won that game 5-2. They were only 28.8% in the FO department and handily won that game. We could play with the math all night and while I think it is a good indicator let's face it, there is math and there is life. Perfect example is looking at RNH. I know some were concerned about his Jr numbers, time on ice, PP to even strength point ratio's, etc...His NHL numbers were to be around 45 this year?

Sometimes math and what you see does not always fit. Regardless of what math says even on the plus side, I see Horcoff out there on the PP and it doesn't look good. Sure he is getting points, but how many missed opportunities have the Oilers missed out on? I say the experiment time is over Renney, please leave Horcoff off the 1st PP unit. Let's develop someone else into that role.

The Blue Jackets are starting to show some promise so the Oilers best be on their toes tonight. I have a feeling this game could be a real barn burner if the game stays open and the referee's allow intensity on the playing field.

Go Oilers!

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-West

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 2nd/11

1.Pretty sure the Oilers will go on the PP a couple more times tonight and should be able to post another goal on the PP.

2. Oilers come out of this night with a win!

3. How can I bet against RNH continuing to put up a min point again? To not say he will, would be betting against the odds. Easy prediction, RNH with a point or more.

4. This game will end with a min 2 goal differential. No 1 goal difference in this one.

5. The Oilers start winning some Faceoffs and win the team battle in the FO% tonight.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 56 for 99 = 56.5%)

Guess it would help if I checked the roster before making predictions. Teubert was not playing, I should have thought as much last game. This should be a dandy of a game. Both teams have a lot to prove.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev