travel_dude

I look at the way Lindy was losing draws with Hubey. Resulted in not enough possession. I'm not against Rozie with Hubey, but it's a bit of a stretch for Rozie to take on that role. He didn't have any time with them in camp or pre-season (that I remember). It would for sure be interesting to see. Would immediately give Rozie two solid linemates. I do get the impression that Sutter wants Hubey to play with the top scoring players. So, it's fine for a game.

Sutter is really hard on the wingers and producing. When the shot volume is the best in the NHL, well at least that we have outshot every team so far, Sutter is expecting more goals. The C's are responsible defensively, and are driving the play on the lines (puck carry for sure), so we need better finish at 5v5. Huberdeau talked about never playing on a line with 2 RHS. Maye the tendency is for them to pass more to Huberdeau.

Seeing as it's all 4 lines changing and not just Lucic moving up, I think Sutter has some question about the effectiveness of the lines as they were. I don't think Rooney has been a problem at all. He got more offense than Lewis and he's good on the PK. But they needed to make some kind of change as opposed to leaving Lewis on the Backlund line. I think Dube actually helps the Backlund line. I would prefer to see him on the RW, but Coleman can play either wing too. Lucic doesn't ruin a Lindholm line, as they were struggling at 5v5. He's not going to get the minutes the other two get, mostly because they play on the PP and PK. If they need to reduce some of Lucic's minutes, they can double shift Dube or Mangiapane. Mangiapane gets into the slot better than a lot of players and he plays well with Kadri. The only real question I have is how Lewis plays on the off wing with Rozie and Ritchie. Rozie needs to learn how to use his big body, so using him on a 4th line isn't a big issue right now. That's part of his game he needs to change the most and be consistent with it.

Darryl Sutter yesterday on what he wants to see from Adam Ruzicka when he draws in: “Some energy, some emotion, some possession, some zone-time, some shot volume, some faceoff wins, some contact.”

I have to say that we tend to read a lot into things that the coach doesn't really see. Does he try some things in practices that we don't expect? Yes. Do they mean what we think they mean? Not really. Ruzicka may get into a game on Tuesday. Rooney may sit. But really, there is very little practice time over the next two weeks. Have to see some different looks. Could we actually see Lindholm with Lucic? Yes, because we saw some of that Saturday. But, really there isn't a lot of choice available. Dube has played with Backlund, but has not played much with Lindy recently. Hiberdeau plays with Kadri on the PP. Why don't we see Ritchie on the 2nd line? Becuase Ritchie plays his role to his strengths; checking, physical, responsible, does what coach wants. When his minutes slip, he's missing out on those aspects. 8-10 minutes is the norm. We are seeing the coach try different guys in the top 6, because he doesn't have any other choice. A trade may be necessary, because the only other option is Phillips or Zary. Neither guy stood out enough to make the roster. Which is fine. Zary is probably the most likely, but he's only had part of a pro season. I think he may actually fit with Backlund, playing RW. Gets strong side faceoffs, but Backlund doesn't really need that much help on draws. He played a shutdown role on Team Canada, so maybe that works. But I think that is a discussion for a bit later in the season. For the time being, Ruzicka is the most likely to get in. \He needs to do everything right and maybe he gets time with Backlund.

Of all the guys on the roster, I felt that Lewis should be the extra, not Rooney. Makes more sense having Rooney move to LW than Lewis. I do like the top and 3rd line. Kadri and Mange already have chemistry. 3rd line was good latter stages of last year and playoffs (IIRC). Lindholm with Toffoli isn't the worst thing but we need better than Lucic in the top 6. It may work out okay, since Lucic is just going to be net front and forechecking. Any pucks he digs loose will go to Lindy or Toffoli. Speaking of which, I do remember a chance against the Oiler later, where Lucic was playing with Lindholm. Very similar to Ritchie's goal. High danger chance. Anyway, this smacks of needing a top 6 winger. Perhaps this is also Sutter's way of getting Rozie going. If he looks good, then you could possibly use him in Lucic's place. Just thinking out loud.

I don't see how he's supposed to play that 2nd goal differently. He went to play the puck, which is what you do 9/10 times. He missed it, but it was up pretty high. McD fired a no look shot and 9/10 times you get time to get set a little more. I didn't like the goal, but whatever. Need to score more than 2 goals to beat the top 16 teams most nights.

Best line from Sutter's presser. Was asked by Eric Francis why Huberdeau left the bench, was Sutter able to say why? "I think he had to go take a sh*t". Classic Sutter.

You called it. Just signed his ELC. 17 points in first 9 games. Yep, another LW. Whatever, we need a LW that can play a heavy game.

The one area I felt we did poorly was turnovers in our end. Led to extended time in the D-zone. Way too much pucks bouncing all over the place. I felt we did good on rushes, just not able to exit with their heavy forecheck. It was a game of inches. The 2nd short-handed chance by Backlund and Lindholm. Bith players were gassed but chose to play it like we were 5v5. When they failed to score, they went off the ice, which led to Mange trying to get in position and forcing Hanifin to pick up the man. Backlund played about a minute 30 prior to that goal. I get that he saw a chance, but Lindholm maybe should have gone of while Backlund was rushing. I'm not annoyed at the overall play. Except for that 2nd goal, we played the Oilers pretty well. Sometimes you get birned when you try to stop the puck. McD was all by himself on the boards, so we need to play dump ins like that a bit better.

Well, he made 23 quality saves that any goalie would have trouble with. We lost because we couldn't put them away. Had a quarter of a PP to end the 1st. Got a PP in the 2nd but got called for a weak penalty about 15 seconds into it. 42 shots, should have been a winner. Too much shoveling garbage near the net. Some nights you need more than 2. We got a shortie, but they scored on the PP. Even if it was off Hanifin's stick. BTW, COL used 2 goalies because the starter got a stick in the eye. Couldn't play. That what you have a backup for.

I hate how many Oiler fans make the trip.

I must say, I like the Rooney line this year better than the Lewis line last year. Rooney seems to give the line some identity.

The delay on shots is killing us. It's not working very often.

4th line looking great.

Sure looked like a hook on the takeaway.

Looch against McD. Hehe

Looch to Ritchie. The new killer duo.

\One missed for 5 Oilers ones missed.

Refs are letting a lot of Oiler fouls go.

Is Kadri's streak ending tonight? He's not getting many looks.

I hate the way the Oilers pick and never get called.

Must be an American ref. He calls us Cal-Ga-ry.

Hanifin is killing my pool. What happened to him this year?

How much do the Oilers owe the refs tonight? It's gonna cost them for all these calls.