Opening Face-Off
Let's face it. Canadian teams aren't the bomb. They haven't won a cup in decades, and the once "Dynasty's" are only winning the draft lottery, and that's because of how bad they are. The once great Oilers' look to be a new-look team. They started the season fresh. with a new coach, a new General Manager, and yes... another top ten draft pick. But that hasn't changed a thing. They are still one of the worst teams in the league, and they can't get anything going. With young-stars like Eberle, RNH, Hall, and Yakupov, they should be like the Ferrari of the NHL. But instead, they have decided to be the VolksWagen of hockey, Unreliable, Slow, and inconsistent. The team is at the plight in the season where, they stop and think "Are we going to suck? Or are we just gonna tank?".
Edmonton has some talent in the Minors, and the CHL. And best of all, the big names are defencemen. That's what the Oilers really need to improve on. They had one of the worst GAA in the league. And that doesn't all fall on defence, Dubnyk needs to be better, and Bryzgalov helps take the load of Dubnyk.
My Opinion
Edmonton should trade the first round draft pick for a proven defenceman. But a team has to be willing to part ways with a d-man. Of course when someone says proven defense, everyone says that they are gettin' Weber. And let me tell any Oilers fans reading this... the only Weber you could ever get, is the AHL d-man playing for Vancouver. But who could they get? Someone who is getting up there in age, and might have a contract that needs to be renewed next season. And a veteran to Edmonton is some age that is needed. The Oilers are the youngest team in the league, and that needs to change.
The Canucks
Vancouver is coming off a 2-0 shutout win by Eddie Lack, that was Lacks' first home start, and his first shutout. The Canucks are on a 5 game winning streak,
and that has been really good for them. Because they can score goals. The Achilles heel of the Canucks has been covered (For now) and this has really pleased coach John Tortorella. Tortorella has done well, in his first season of coaching the Canucks. The players have finally adapted to his style-of-play.
Stats
Vancouver is on a five game winning streak, and their last win came against Carolina. Vancouver sits 10th in the league.
Meanwhile Edmonton's last game was a 5-4 win in OT, against the Carolina Hurricanes. Jordan Eberle is their leading scorer, with 27 points points. And they sit 27th in the league.
Trade Talk
Vancouver and Edmonton have both Been surrounded by trade talks. Vancouver is looking to move a d-man. And Edmonton is looking for defence. But of course, those two teams would never trade with each other. Due to the fact that they are in the same conference, and I don't want to see a former Canuck destroy my team.
Injuries
Vancouver is without three players (Sestito doesn't count, as he isn't a human). They are missing Burrows, Schroeder, and Edler. This hasn't hurt them much. But has really proven that they have some good depth.
The Oilers will be struggling, without Bryzgalov, Petry, Gordon, and Ryan Smith. Bryzgalov was playing well for Edmonton, and that has help because Dubnyk has been Dubnyk this season. His awful goaltending has really shown how bad he actually is, and that the Oilers should not have been comfortable starting the season with him as their starting goalie
Prediction
The Canucks win 5-2. Kesler gets a hat-trick, and the Sedins' pick up the other two goals. Hall, and Eberle get on the board for the Oilers.
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