Shutdown in the Shootout

Mike Sciarpelletti ♦

Physicality Found in First
Ryan Jones and Eric Johnson started the game off with a good fight that saw Jones connect with some vicious punches only 11 seconds into regulation. I was impressed that Jones was able to take Colorado’s best defensemen (in my opinion) out of the game for five minutes with the early bout.

With Theo Peckham back in the line-up the Oilers were able to play some strong defense, forcing Colorado to the outside early and playing patient defense. Jim Vandermeer then got a screwjob of a call as he was slashed by Daniel Winnik who broke his stick on the play. The refs assumed Vandermeer was at fault for the busted lumber and sent him off for a slash that was in actuality committed against him.

A Ryan O’Reilly snap shot on the powerplay rang off the post, and Khabibulin looked very shaky early on but the blue and orange were able to kill the penalty by forcing the play to the outside and taking the body at every possible opportunity.

Offensive rushes for the Oilers were few and far between and the reluctance of the Oilers to get too deep into the zone was an acknowledgment of the disparity in speed between the two clubs. For the first time in quite a few games the Oilers were playing to their skill level instead of trying to beat their opponent at their own game.

Matt Duchene found himself out against the 4th unit and used Big Mac as a pylon on route to the first goal of the game, a softy that Khabibulin should have had. It was the first time this year that I can truly say that Tom Renney was out-coached as there is no way you should have your fourth unit out against the other team’s best offensive weapon.

A positive to draw from the 1-0 deficit was that the Oilers came out strong after the goal, attacking harder as opposed to relenting and feeling sorry for themselves.

After good shifts from Ryan Jones and Sam Gagner the Oilers got into a good rhythm and Linus Omark was able to draw a tripping penalty off of Brandon Yip to give the Oilers their first powerplay of the game. After seeing their powerplay slip to 30th in the league after an abysmal one for nine mark against Phoenix the Oilers were able to sustain pressure for the 57 seconds they had a powerplay. Eberle took a high-sticking penalty to even the score.

There is no doubt in my mind that Ryan Jones was the Oilers best player in the first, making a series of strong plays with Liam Reddox during the subsequent penalty kill that seemed to give the Oilers an extra boost. Jones’ hard body checks and responsible defense were a great example for the team who followed suit.

The speed of #28 was a huge factor in acquiring the second power play of the night for the Oil, as his speed against Wilson had the young Colorado defensemen slightly panicked just before his stick caught the Oilers forward in the face. The play was called roughing, but regardless Brian Wilson was in the sin bin.

Things then got a little hairy in front of Brian Elliot and the scrum resulted in Eberle jamming the Avs goalie into the net before Ryan Jones put the puck in the net. The goal was immediately waved off, then reviewed, after which it was again waved off. With their second powerplay of the night stopped the Oilers seemed content to let the clock run out on the first, which nearly resulted in a goal against as the Avs continued to attack.

Shots were 10-6 after the first in favor of the Avalanche.

Khabby Handicap
Despite the rantings of certain talking heads on certain television broadcasts Khabibulin continued to look shaky in the second. I disagree with the notion that he was “a bright spot” in the Oilers game, but he certainly was tested more often as the home team decided to attack with long cross ice passes that were picked off consistently and used against them forcefully.

Around the 14:00 mark things really opened up, and the end to end action resulted in good opportunities both ways that neither team could convert.

Linus Omark continued his strong play in the second, never panicking with the puck and making responsible decisions that almost resulted in his countrymen Magnus Paajarvi tying the game on a couple of plays. If Omark’s game grows and develops like this the Oilers will have no shortage of secondary scoring in the future.

Cody McLeod then high-sticked Teemu Hartikainen, resulting in a double minor that the Oilers needed to convert. Finally, after developing consistent sustained pressure on the power-play the Oilers were rewarded as Jordan Eberle waltzed into the slot and deposited a beautiful back-hander past Brian Elliot to tie the game.

With another two minutes of powerplay time available to them the Oilers continued their attack. The second unit of the Oilers saw little success and by the time the first unit returned to the ice the secondary minor was killed and even strength play resumed.

Rookie Chris VandeVelde centered a line featuring Hartikainen and Alex Giroux, which played well in the offensive zone but was not defensively responsible enough resulting in a goal against on a sloppy play by Khabibulin and his defense. With the score 2-1 the Avs went for the killing strike seconds later but were stopped on a desperate save by the veteran Russian netminder.

Shots in the second were 10-7 for the Avs, 21-13 overall.

Playing to Win
Both teams had defensive miscues to start the third. The Oilers had the most vulgar one, allowing Winnik a free shot at the Oilers net that Khabibulin was just barely able to stop.

Linus Omark continued to impress in this period as well, with a very interesting play behind the net in which he hit the side of the net with his stick to distract Brian Elliot, retrieved the puck, and then because of his distraction was able to walk out front of the net and attempt to pick the corner. He missed, but the creativity and confidence he is playing with is really starting to make me a believer.

After that, the game fell into a bit of a lull. There were some opportunities for goals, but most were kept to the outside. The Oilers seem to be having trouble deciding when a shooting lane is available, as they continue to have their shots blocked in grotesque numbers.

Paajarvi had a nice dangle with about 5:30 left but was stopped, his speed creating the play for him.

Omark protects the puck like someone twice his size. He did it again to perfection before pulling off a fantastic spin-o-rama pass that connected with Foster who potted his 6th of the year and tied the game at twos with four minutes left. Foster made a tremendous read on the play, with a huge pinch that might have been costly had the Oil not scored.

After tying the game the Oilers appeared content with the prospect of overtime, and got just that.

OKC in OT
Many MacTavish detractors often sneered about perceived overuse of Oilers foward Liam Reddox. Renney used him off the bat with Paajarvi in OT, perhaps now some of you can admit that there was more in MacT’s logic than just favoritism.

I liked that the Oklahoma call-ups were not stapled to the bench, as almost all of them were used in the extra frame. Linus Omark was able to draw a penalty late in the overtime frame as he was hooked by Jonas Holos. The Oilers wisely used their time-out with 1:27 remaining. Kelly Buchberger took the white-board out and the Oilers brought Foster, Eberle, Omark, and Cogliano on to the ice for the win.

However, a series of terrible miscues by that line resulted in them being pulled off in favor of three OKC call-ups. Hartikainen and O’Marra came within inches of ending it but some fantastic defense / goaltending got the visiting team out of the kitchen and into the shootout.

Eberle was the first shooter, trying a tight toe drag to forehand to top corner. Elliot made a brilliant glove save.

Matt Duchene was second, he faked out Khabibulin but nailed the post instead of the twine.

Omark shoveled the puck ahead of himself and provided some interesting foot work before racing in and attempting a five-hole shot that was stopped.

Kevin Porter drew the puck wide and tried to drop it through Khabibulin’s five hole but was stopped.

Alex Giroux then made a brilliant move with the puck on a string but strung it right into the post.

David Jones had a chance to win it, but missed the net entirely.

Magnus Paajarvi, on his second career shoot-out attempt, went backhand to forehand but Brian Elliot looked like a gymnast and gave him absolutely nothing to shoot at low.

David Stoa then made a fool of Khabibulin and shelved the puck top corner, ending the shoot-out and giving the Avs their first win in 10 tries.

Oilverse Player of the Game
Linus Omark played with the confidence of a five year NHL veteran and seemed to really inspire the Oilers to not be intimidated. Honorable mention to Ryan Jones who played a very strong game. The Oilers play Nashville on Tuesday, hopefully we will see more of the same.