GDT Edm @ Van (12/21)

[slapshot™]

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VS.

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Edmonton Oilers (19-11-4) at Vancouver Canucks (20-9-4).
TIME: Wednesday, 7 p.m. Pacific - aired on TSN HD

Now is not the best time for the Vancouver Canucks to start losing games at home. (it is, if you're an Oiler fan!)

Vancouver begins a stretch of three straight contests against Northwest Division opponents when it continues its season-high six-game homestand with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

After winning 13 of their first 14 at home, the Canucks have lost two straight at GM Place. In both games, Vancouver blew a two-goal lead and gave up a short-handed goal to tie the contest.

The division-leading Canucks face Edmonton Wednesday before back-to-back games with Calgary on Friday and Monday. The Oilers and Flames are both two points behind Vancouver in the Northwest, and are a combined 5-0 against the Canucks this season.

STANDINGS: Oilers - 42 points, 2nd place (tied), 2 PB, Northwest Division. Canucks - 44 points, 1st place, Northwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Oilers - Ryan Smyth, 14 goals; Horcoff and Hemsky, 24 assists and 31 points; Moreau, 51 PIM. Canucks - Markus Naslund, 18 goals and 37 points; Henrik Sedin, 22 assists; Wade Brookbank, 63 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Oilers - Power play: 17.8 percent (37 for 207), 14th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.9 percent (170 for 205), 14th. Canucks - Power play: 16.5 percent (37 for 223), 16th (tied). Penalty killing: 82.5 percent (166 for 201), 17th (tied).

GOALTENDERS: Oilers - Jussi Markkanen (12-9-3, 2.96 GAA); Mike Morrison (5-1-0, 2.35). Canucks - Alex Auld (12-6-2, 2.66); Maxime Ouellet (0-0-1, 4.69).

SEASON SERIES: Oilers, 3-0.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Oilers - 11-7-2 on the road; Canucks - 13-1-2 at home.

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Vancouver still has their 'above average' home record and it is nothing short of spectacular. However, as proved during the last meeting between these clubs, it does not guarantee a win for the Wet Coast 'nucks.

Edmonton is going to have to come out of the gate firing on ALL cylinders and dictate the tempo of the game from the first faceoff. The Oil can't afford to play from behind as they did in the last game and against the Flames - they have to come out with a lead and preserve it for the full game.

[KB in Kelowna]

Edmonton is going to have to come out of the gate firing on ALL cylinders and dictate the tempo of the game from the first faceoff. - they have to come out with a lead and preserve it for the full game.

You can substitute Canucks into most of that statement. I hope for another high intensity entertaining game.

[slapshot™]

I hope for another high intensity entertaining game.

I do too, Mark. I don't think we'll be disappointed. I'd really like to see Georges punch out Todd (and toss him around like a rag doll) and the Oil win the game. That would really set the tone for the remainder of the season between the two clubs.

[Yoata]

I'd really like to see Georges punch out Floatuzzi (and toss him around like a rag doll) and Jovanoopsi too. That would hopefully wake them up for the remainder of the season.

Fixed. :D

[TimmyTabasco]

This is a big game for the Canucks

If they win, they are heroes..if they lose..grab the eggs

[Canadian26]

Im just happy cause I can actually finally watch a Hockey game. It should be a good game, like all the other games between these two teams. Im throughly looking forward for a good match up. The division is so tight right now, with all three canadian teams trying to get good posistion.

[PDO]

Bad feeling about this game.. but we'll see what happens. A win here, and this team solidifies itself as a legitimate contender.

[Yoata]

Bad feeling about this game.. but we'll see what happens. A win here, and this team solidifies itself as a legitimate contender.

:eek: You mean the Canucks right?

[slapshot™]

A win here, and this team solidifies itself as a legitimate contender.

Did the Newfie place some mind-control device on you? That sounds like Leaf-speak.

[PDO]

Did the Newfie place some mind-control device on you? That sounds like Leaf-speak.

So if the Canucks win and take sole possesion of first, they're a contender.. if the Oilers do the same, they're not?

The Oilers were 3-6-1 to start the year, with all sorts of injury problems a lot of new personel. Since then they're 16-5-3. That's a .73 winning %. They're on pace for 100 points, and if they keep playing like they are, are looking like htey'll win the division.

[slapshot™]

So if the Canucks win and take sole possesion of first, they're a contender.. if the Oilers do the same, they're not?

I wasn't thinking of the true definition of the word, B. If the Oil make it to top spot I wouldn't consider of them as a contender - to me - they're just doing really well (for the moment). Contender (IMO), is a team that has a good/solid lock on winning a championship eg: Wings or Sens at this point in the season.

The Oilers were 3-6-1 to start the year, with all sorts of injury problems a lot of new personel. Since then they're 16-5-3. That's a .73 winning %. They're on pace for 100 points, and if they keep playing like they are, are looking like they'll win the division.

I'm still nervous that they're gonna crap the bed like that 7 game losing skid they went on earlier in the year....or the slide after the Heritage game last season. Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary are too close to call (in my books) so I'm being somewhat apprehensive. A few more games over .500 and I'll probably be a little more confident about the club's abilities.

In reality, if the Oil hadn't pulled a couple of OT points outta their arse on that eastern road trip things would be different right now.

[PDO]

When I think contender - I think of a top 3 team in the confrence. Right now, if I'm looking at the Western Confrence and the playoffs are starting today.. IT's Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary who are the 3 favourites. Detroit has what.. 5 more points than us? In the freaking Central division? Not worried about them. Ditto for Nashville. Colorado has more goaltending woes than us. LA? Extremely inconsistent. Dallas? Over achieving, very little depth.. espeacilly on the blueline.

So yeah, I would say the Oilers are a contender. In the East I'd say Ottawa, Philly and.. well, no one else really stands out IMO, though Carolina could do a lot of damage.

[Yoata]

Edmonton is a contender, but not Detroit, Colorado, or Dallas? :rolleyes:

:laugh:

And what about Nashville?

[Yoata]

That typical play by Jovanoopsi is a perfect example of why he is not an elite DEFENSEman. :no:

[Yoata]

This is looking to be one of those last-shot-wins kind of games.

[PDO]

What an insane game.. wow.

Ulanov is playing better, and the Oilers keep on winning. We're 7-0-3 in our last 10. How to be boys! FIRST PLACE.

[J.R.]

WOOOO!

Another unbelievable game between these two teams. Again it's back and forth all night, with 13 DIFFERENT goal scorers. Hemsky was huge, so was Pronger and Smyth for the Oilers.

I knew that it was so necessary for seventh Oiler goal to get the two goal lead. And what happens? A 6-on-3 advantage for Vancouver.

It amazes me how fun and skilled the Oilers are playing lately. Also I never would have thought they would be 4-0 against the Canucks. Only four more for the season sweep!

Just awesome - ROLL EDM ROLL!

[Yoata]

That was more a game of who could play worse than who than anything else, ugly hockey no matter who won.

[PDO]

That was more a game of who could play worse than who than anything else, ugly hockey no matter who won.

You're right.. ugly goals everywhere, poor goaltending (though, Vancouvers was slightly better.. Auld made some big saves, but then would let in some poor goals right after...) and brutal defensive play by both teams.

That said, an ugly hockey game can still be entertaining, and I'll take 2 points against Vancouver every day of the week :D

[slapshot™]

Brutal....for both clubs.

Canucks D Nolan Baumgartner left two minutes into the game after the tip of the ring finger on his left hand was severed blocking a shot. The tip was reattached and Baumgartner said he expects to be out as long as two weeks.
ouch...that hurts!

[Canadian26]

That was a very ugly game, but I liked it. Tied for first boys...