[News Roundup] Shutting down Ovie, 1st game after a long trip, Garrioch rumors, Oilers foibles

[transplant99]

"The plan was to not allow him to basically get the puck,” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. “We knew the only place in the game that it would be tough was on the powerplay, He’s so skilled and playing on the far side, he’s basically impossible to cover. But Karri Ramo gave us a couple of big saves on him and I thought that five-on-five, the five-man effort, (Matt) Stajan’s line and whoever was playing on D against Ovi, did quite a job.”

“I congratulated the boys because I’ve rarely saw a first period like tonight after coming back from a five-game road swing,” Hartley said. “That’s pretty unbelievable and very unusual, so our guys deserve lots of credit.”

“We needed to get back to the basics. That’s why we were successful earlier,” said Russell, also a plus-five on this night

“We did a better job tonight of, throughout our lineup, coming in waves. Every shift, we kinda had momentum, or if we lost it, the next shift had the task of getting it back, and I thought we did a really good job of that.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/10/25...ngton-capitals

“It was nice for us to come out with a high energy start,’’ said two-goal Michael Cammalleri. “We’d just come off a long, nine- or 10-day road trip, quite a bit of travel, so I thought it was a testament to the group’s will to win to be able to get going off the start.

“It’s tough when a team does that to you in their home building if you’re an opponent. So I commend the group for that.’’

“We actually talked about it,’’ said Cammalleri of his second tally. “Colby (Joe Colborne) did a great job on the faceoff and I was trying to get the puck to the net for those guys to bang in. They were both driving net and that makes it dangerous for the goalie. He’s worried about big Colby coming to the net and Gally (T.J. Galiardi)’s speed coming to the net, and the puck winds up behind him.’’

“We knew,’’ said Russell, “that we had to have a bigger night. I thought we weren’t as good as we should’ve been the last few nights. We knew we had to be better as a team. As a D pairing I thought we did a good job (Saturday).

“We knew we weren’t happy with the way we came out to start in the previous games. We were kind of behind the 8-ball and you can’t have that happening, especially against a team like this. When they get ahead, they’re really dangerous. So I thought we did a really good job of making sure we were focused at the start.’’

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...662/story.html

If Avalanche GM Joe Sakic does decide to move UFA C Paul Statsny, there will be plenty of suitors. The Canucks and Leafs are both looking for help in the middle and would certainly have interest in Statsny. There have been no contract talks between Statsny's camp and the Avs. The club has been pleased with the way he has fit in this season ... Confirm or deny: The Oilers took one look at St. Louis backup G Brian Elliott and then decided he wasn't the answer especially with a $1.8 million pricetag? I know the answer.

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is getting plenty of calls from his counterparts who are "willing to help" with his club struggling. Several teams have shown interest in RW Jakub Voracek and RW Wayne Simmonds but it's highly doubtful either of those players will be dealt. The two guys the Flyers want to move the most: D Andrej Meszaros and D Nicklas Grossman. Both have been immovable objects for the Flyers

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/10/2...ood-trade-bait

“In my mind, the next few games are must-wins,” said Eberle. “But as weird as it is to say, it’s an almost an opportunity. When it’s this early in the season, with 71 games left and your backs are already against the wall, maybe that’s a good thing.

“Maybe it will bring the best out of our team.”

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/touch...ml?rel=1662628

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Oh Eberle. That was the most eloquent loser talk I've heard in ages. Thanks a bunch.

[TurnedTheCorner]

It seems to me that Garrioch has about the same track record as Eklund.

[Resolute 14]

Based on that snippet, Eberle is right. Not only are they already nine point out of a playoff spot, they have played fewer games against the West than even most Eastern Conference teams have. Edmonton is losing the easy matchups, and it will kill them.

As far as controlling Ovechkin goes, the Flames did a good job of it, but he made it very easy. He stood around as if his Xbox controller was disconnected again, which made it trivial for the Flames to get into the passing lanes. The one time he did manage a decent shot on goal though, Ramo came across nicely to block it.

[Redrum]

Actually the Flames basically shut Ovechkin down in the first game, anyone can get a couple flukey deflection goals.

[killer_carlson]

At some point this season Edmonton will o on a 10 or 20 game run. It will result in an official proclamation of the next dynasty.

For the other 60 or 70 games they will be wildly inconsistant and a joy for flames fans.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Based on that snippet, Eberle is right. Not only are they already nine point out of a playoff spot, they have played fewer games against the West than even most Eastern Conference teams have. Edmonton is losing the easy matchups, and it will kill them.

As they say you can't make the playoffs in October, but you can certainly miss them.

The Oilers at 3-8-1 are in some serious, serious trouble. They will need to go something like 41-25-4 to be on the bubble if they target is 93 points which is a .614 clip or a 100 point team for the majority of the season.

Not likely.

Hell even over .500 the Flames will need to be .570 the rest of the way to get in which is tough.

What will that be in Edmonton? 8 straight?

[Resolute 14]

Given how the West is dominating the East, you're probably going to have to target 96 or 97 this year. Especially since somebody ahead of both Edmonton and Calgary is going to be gaining points every night once we get out of interconference play and into divisional.

[Jacks]

When it’s this early in the season, with 71 games left and your backs are already against the wall, maybe that’s a good thing.

“Maybe it will bring the best out of our team.”

Any hey, if it doesn't bring out the best in the team at least you get another top draft pick right? Win win.

[Heavy Jack]

The Oilers are laughable at this point. It's truly embarrassing. So happy they are proving to the point that its not always best to go "full-rebuild" like they have. For every Pitt and Chicago there is an Edmonton Oilers x 3. I had a fedex driver who is an Oilers fan come in the other day and ask me if he could trade rebuilds with us and we haven't even really begun.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

As they say you can't make the playoffs in October, but you can certainly miss them.

The Oilers at 3-8-1 are in some serious, serious trouble. They will need to go something like 41-25-4 to be on the bubble if they target is 93 points which is a .614 clip or a 100 point team for the majority of the season.

Not likely.

Hell even over .500 the Flames will need to be .570 the rest of the way to get in which is tough.

What will that be in Edmonton? 8 straight?

If Elliott Friedman's math holds up with the new conference seeding (which it should), the Oilers have a 7 percent chance of making the playoffs.

[Resolute 14]

Close. 6.3% according to that playoff chance site: http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/W.../Edmonton.html

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

not always best to go "full-rebuild"

everyone but the oilers know you never go full rebuild

Anyone got time to photoshop simple jack into an oilers team photo

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Brendone

everyone but the oilers know you never go full rebuild

Anyone got time to photoshop simple jack into an oilers team photo

Ya, this is so true.

I wonder if the Oilers would be where they now if didn't hire ex-oilers as GMs or coaches.

[landshark]

I read about that Washington game - wow! That got the attention of the lower 48. The Caps have been rolling and the Flames have been 'overachieving' and are 1000s of miles from home - should be an easy win for the Caps.

hahaha...

While I still don't expect the Flames to waltz right into a playoff spot, they are the fun story of the year imo. The media had universally dismissed the Flames. It so fun watching them squrim.

[SuperMatt18]

Wonder what the Flyers are looking for in return for Grossmann. Flames could use a big, defensive defenseman if he is available on the cheap.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Brendone

everyone but the oilers know you never go full rebuild

Anyone got time to photoshop simple jack into an oilers team photo

What do you mean? It's only year 8... oh sorry, year 3 of their rebuild, give them some time!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

At some point this season Edmonton will o on a 10 or 20 game run.

I can't wait for that run. Everyone, from fans to management, will be back on the hype wagon, erasing any need to make any significant changes personnel wise. Then the Oilers will go back to their sucking ways, forcing them into the purgatory of NHL standings...not good enough to make the playoffs, but not crappy enough to get a decent pick. You know, where we usually end up in.

[The Yen Man]

Remember folks, it's not a question of if the Oilers win the cup, just a matter of when, and how many. We can thank Healy for that gem on national television.

[flames_fan_down_under]

That quote by Eberle basically confirms the notion that the Oilers locker room came into this season believing they had already proven they were a playoff team.

Shouldn't they have this "back against the wall" mentality in game 1, aren't they trying to prove themselves still?