Oilers vs. Red Wings Recap 2.8.2012
Home winning streak extended to 18 games. For a while there I thought Detroit's bad luck would add up and cost them the game, but they stuck with it and got the 4-1 win.
Full recap after the jump:
The power play strikes again, but still needs a lot of work. Not enough good looks at the net and when the looks happen, Detroit is fanning on the puck or just missing the net. Nice to still be winning during this slump, but the power play must improve before April.
The PK was great tonight. Edmonton got one goal on how many power plays? A billion? And not even a scoring chance on the 5 on 3. Way to go, PK. Who was our best penalty killer tonight? My vote is for Stuart. He almost always finds a way to clear the puck. Always finds the open lane.
Our third and fourth lines continue to impress. I get the feeling that Miller brings it a little extra when he plays against his old Spartan buddies. Either way, great to see him and Abdelkader have big nights.
Holmstrom's penalty was a joke. Nothing else really needs to be said about it, but I'll go on anyways. Does the NHL not show video of the penalties these refs call? Because if they do, they have to see how many times he gets called unjustly. So, maybe he doesn't have a reputation for interfering with goalies? Maybe, just maybe, the NHL has a reputation for making bad calls against him? Yeah...
Pavel is snake bitten.
Great to see Hank bury one. Typical Zetterberg goal, too. Using time and space to make the goalie commit, then scoring like it's easy. He's too awesome to be held in check forever.
Ericsson had a great night, but I do have to mention the first goal against. Eager's hit was clean. It was the open door that hurt Cleary. Ericsson fell into the "you can't hit my friends clean" trap and was way out of position. It doesn't erase another strong performance, but I can't help but notice that he's making at least one horrible mistake per game these days. Only playing with Commie seems to stop those mistakes.
By the way, it sounds like Cleary will be out a few games. We'll keep you posted.
How many teams have a third string goalie that can give up 4 goals in 2 starts? (Hint: Not Chicago)
NOHS Three Stars of the Game:
First Star: Justin Abdelkader. He went face first towards the net twice, recorded 2 assists and got into another fight. I could get used to that.
Second Star: Drew Miller: Another GWG for Miller against the Oilers. Could Miller be an Oiler killer? I'd prefer a Blackhawk killer or a Penguin killer, but for that can hit, he can kill whatever team he wants.
Third Star: Joey MacDonald. He wasn't spectacular, but he didn't need to be. He was just good. All we need is good.
NOHS Favorite Moment of the Game: Abdelkader's big hit on Hall. Hall was like a squirrel caught in the middle of the road. Do I go left? Right? Left? Right? Le-- SPLAT.
Next game is Friday against the Ducks. Puck drops at 7:30 EST. Wings will be looking for their 19th straight at home. You don't disgrace the number 19, folks. You just don't do it.
LGRW!
I actually thought Ericsson was one of our best penalty killers. Did great work during the 5on3. Also, he's taking a lot of flack for his challenge immediately after the Cleary hit, but what no one is asking is where the other defensman was. I think the other defenesman should have been back since Ericsson was across the redline, but again, because he's our whipping boy, it sort of goes un-noticed. In any event, I'm glad it didn't cost us the game.
@brendanksullivan Don't know about one of the best on the PK, I mean one clear he made was by pure fluke, falling into the guy. But yeah he's a lot better, but definitely still making those ridiculous mistakes at least once a game. He's the whipping boy because he's not living up to his contract, he shoots when he should pass (which is always since his shots just contribute to goalie stats) and is generally very, very average. The other D could have been back but thats not really an excuse for E not doing his job. He shouldn't be starting crap after clean hits regardless.
When he uses his size as he should, he's very effective. And he did that several times to get good clears on the PK and good coverage on some 5 on 5 shifts. And again, blaming him for the first goal against is a bit too "I need a whipping boy" for me and I think a 5-person failure on the ice isn't worth blaming on one person. But that's just me.
And talk about not living up to his contract, there are much, much worse athletes out there that don't so I can live with Jonny for now. Besides, his flashes of brilliance only make him more marketable on the trading bloc if you want to look at the brightside.
Haha it's great for me to discuss other people's E-fifty-twophobias. It's like spreading Error-Awareness, or starting an EFG (Ericsson Focus Group). And no, just because other people aren't failing doesn't mean you should, but that's ridiculous. My point wasn't complacency, it was about optimism. Totally different. "Not living up to the contract" is different for Jon-E than it is for Scott Gomez, per se. Again, neither is okay but one isn't as big a deal as the other, and certainly neither allow others to follow suit.
I didn't say anything about him and the first goal.
I'm really not seeing the flashes of brilliance, more flashes of acceptability. He doesn't use his size enough, though he's improving. Just because there are other athletes not living up to their contracts doesn't make it ok that he isn't living up to his. Just because there are other people failing university doesn't mean it's ok for me to fail. Either he's good and should be trying harder, or the talent isn't there.
I think we need to start giving Cory Emmerton some props. He's doing all the right things and seems to be keeping his game really simply and it's paying off. He cycles, grindes on the boards, goes to the net and shoots the puck. At first, I just thought he was getting lucky, being in the right spot at the right time without having too much of an impact on the game but now, i'm actually noticing him out there. He's improving each day.
He strikes me as a giant douchebag, just by his twitter account and the interviews in which I've seen him...so I'm going to refuse to acknowledge the fact that he has more goals than Helmer in fewer games on the fourth line. It makes me way, way too angry to think about.
This one had me a bit nervous. I was not 100% optimistic at puck drop, but I steeled my nerves and knew we were in for a fight. I'm glad the guys found a way to win this one. I hope that one referee, Chris Lee, had to have security escort him to his car after the game. Does anyone know anything about the post on the NHL site about a big announcement being made tomorrow at Comerica Park? It's going to be covered on the NHL network at 10:30 am. I wonder if it's about the WInter Classic...
@Twig@brandik1313 I don't know why the NHL tries to create media hype about things everyone already knows. Cryptic entry on the website, really? Hmmmmm, wonder what it might be about? Starts in Detroit and ends at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. C'mon, the person running this league must be a fan of fanfare, gimmicks, and propaganda. Glad to see it there, but this cryptic crap reminds me of 1st Grade. Lil' Gary needs to stop with the finger painting and start leading a hockey league.
That's okay, it was just a misunderstanding on my behalf. I can understand your frustrations with the NHL. In no way is this statement condoning Bettman or his plans for the NHL, but I see what he and the league are doing. First and foremost, Bettman is a businessman. They are doing all this publicity to get media atention for the NHL. Media coverage leads to corporate investors which leads to revenue. Babcock said it himself in his interviews following the announcement, they're trying to sell the sport of hockey. Right or wrong, professional sports is a major business and it's very easy to see that the NHL is least in popularity, which translates to not making very much money (in comparison to other sports). Do I think Bettman has his priorities out of whack? Absolutely. But sadly, for most businessmen, their heart lies with money, not love of the game.
@Reddy@brandik1313 Oh yes. Sorry if you took that directed at you. I have been in a pissed off mood at the NHL going on... idk how long. When did they hire Gary? Stupid cryptic posts causing confusion among people who want to know what's going on in hockey. Instead of "Major Announcement..." it should have been "NHL to Officially Announce WC between Detroit and Toronto at the Big House in 2013."
@brandik1313 You didn't seem to get any crap for your post :S @ThroatShot is clearly ranting about the NHL.
@brandik1313@ThroatShot@Twig Everyone gets bit by the PR bug on occasion, even TNOHS did on the Amway announcement in the off season last year. No shame in it.
@brandik1313@ThroatShot@Twig you're just a noob. it happens, just don't let the scrubbines get in the way again!
Wow, I post something I was genuinely curious about and this is what I get...I apologize if I "offended" anyone by not knowing what is going on in the NHL minute by minute.
