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Post by Juice on Mar 1, 2007 7:42:28 GMT -5
vs Game day Compiled by Jim Matheson The Edmonton Journal Thursday, March 01, 2007 WILD AT OILERS - 7 p.m. w Rexall Place - Sportsnet, 630 CHED - Web: edmontonjournal.com LAST FIVE: Oilers 2-3 Wild 3-2 STORYLINE The clock is ticking for the Edmonton Oilers, who realistically have to win 14 of their last 18 games to finish with 94 points to have a shot at making the playoffs. For the scenario to work, the Minnesota Wild and the Calgary Flames would have to play .500 hockey for the rest of the season. The Wild and Oilers have met just four times in 2006-07, with each team winning twice, and each earning a victory in the other team's building. Only 17 goals have been scored in the four games -- the Oilers have eight, the Wild nine. Minnesota, after having terrible luck on the road early in the season, had won nine of the last 12 games going into Wednesday's game in Calgary. The Oilers have only won five of their last 12 games at Rexall Place. PLUSES AND MINUSES - OILERS: Shawn Horcoff, who has six points in his last five games, has 229 career points. One more point will tie him with Dave Lumley for 17th spot on the all-time Oilers scoring list. On the downside, Raffi Torres has just one goal in his last eight games. He only played nine minutes, 29 seconds against the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday and has 13 goals so far after scoring 26 last season. Joffrey Lupul, playing with a broken nose, has scored in one of his last 12 games and has just three points in that time. - WILD: Marian Gaborik and Slovak sidekick Pavol Demitra have combined for 33 points in their last 12 games. Backup goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who has done an admirable job filling in for injured starter Manny Fernandez, going 9-2-1 and earning a .927 save percentage, was injured in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Backstrom was replaced by Josh Harding to start the second period, leaving the game with a lower body injury. The Wild's only real negative? They're rotten in the faceoff circle. Minnesota picked up centre Dominic Moore from the Pittsburgh Penguins (29th in the NHL, winning 52 per cent of his faceoffs) in a trade Tuesday, but he's not expected to play tonight. INJURY REPORT Defenceman Ladislav Smid, who was kneed on the thigh by Derek Boogaard Sunday in Minnesota, should be back on the blue-line. If he plays, Danny Syvret will likely sit this one out. Petr Nedved (sprained knee) is ready to go as well, but he'll be a game-time decision. HE SAID IT "I'm coaching to win tomorrow. I'm not coaching to win Game 1 of the 2007-08 season." Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish, casting aside the theory the Oilers are in rebuilding mode after dealing Ryan Smyth and the post-season looks dim right now. ROSTERS WILD 3 Keith Carney D 5 Kim Johnsson D 8 Brent Burns D 9 Mikko Koivu C 10 Marian Gaborik RW 12 Brian Rolston C 17 Wyatt Smith C 18 Adam Hall RW 19 Stephane Veilleux LW 21 Mark Parrish RW 24 Derek Boogaard LW 26 Kurtis Foster D 28 Todd White C 29 Josh Harding G 32 Niklas Backstrom G 33 Petteri Nummelin D 37 Wes Walz C 38 Pavol Demitra C 41 Martin Skoula D 55 Nick Schultz D 92 B. Radivonjevic RW 96 P.M. Bouchard RW Injured: Manny Fernandez (sprained knee) OILERS 2 Matt Greene D 10 Shawn Horcoff C 14 Raffi Torres LW 15 Joffrey Lupul RW 19 Marty Reasoner C 20 Toby Petersen RW 21 Jason Smith D 22 Jean-Francoise Jacques D 24 Steve Staios D 25 Jan Hejda D 26 Brad Winchester LW 28 Patrick Thoresen RW 30 Jussi Markkanen G 34 Fernando Pisani 34 35 Dwayne Roloson G 36 Mathieu Roy D 40 Dan Syvret D 46 Zack Stortini RW 71 Petr Sykora C 78 Marc-Antoine Pouliot C 83 Ales Hemsky RW Injured: Jarret Stoll (concussion), Ladislav Smid (thigh), Petr Nedved (knee), Daniel Tjarnqvist (inflamed pubic bone ) Tom Gilbert (concussion), Ethan Moreau (shoulder)
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Post by Terry on Mar 1, 2007 14:04:51 GMT -5
Wild-Oilers Preview TV Information Local Away: KSTC Local Home: SNET-W Rookie goaltender Niklas Backstrom has kept the Minnesota Wild in the hunt for the Northwest Division title while Manny Fernandez recovers from a knee injury. They may have to rely on an even younger rookie in net for the immediate future. Minnesota's shaky goaltending situation is muddled further as the Wild continue a three-game road swing against Northwest Division rivals at Rexall Place versus the fading Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. The 29-year-old Backstrom, who earned NHL First Star of the week honors Monday and has 22 wins, left with a lower-body injury after making five first-period saves against Calgary on Wednesday. With Fernandez sidelined since Jan. 30, Minnesota (35-23-6) turned to 22-year-old Josh Harding for just his second appearance this season and fifth of his career. Harding, a second-round selection picked 38th overall in 2002, made 21 saves in the final two periods and overtime, but allowed Jarome Iginla's shootout goal in a 2-1 loss to the Flames. "Hopefully Nik and Manny aren't out that long, but when they're hurt, that's the backup goalie's job just to try and step in there," said Harding, who went 2-1-0 with a 2.59 goals-against average in three starts last season. Minnesota dropped into third place in the Northwest, one point behind co-leaders Vancouver and Calgary. The Wild will wrap up their road swing Sunday against the Canucks. Pavol Demitra scored the lone goal for Minnesota. He needs one goal to reach 20 for the ninth straight season but has been held to just two assists in four games against Edmonton in 2006-07. "We played a good hockey team tonight," Minnesota forward Brian Rolston said. "It was a playoff-style hockey game and it's something we'll need to get used to in the last 18 games that we have. They're going to be a lot of one-goal games." After one of the most emotional days in franchise history, the Oilers will try to bounce back from a poor effort to face one of the teams they're chasing for a playoff spot. Minutes before Tuesday's trading deadline, Ryan Smyth - the long-time face of the franchise and their leading scorer this season - was unable to reach agreement on a new contract and was sent to the New York Islanders for former first-rounders Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra and a future first-round pick. That night, Mark Messier, who won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers, became the sixth player in franchise history to have his jersey retired when his No. 11 was raised to the rafters at Rexall Place. The Oilers (30-28-6) followed that with a 3-0 loss to Phoenix. Angry fans, who enthusiastically chanted "Smytty" earlier in the contest, cheered when the announcer sounded the last minute of play in each period and booed the Oilers off the ice. "Absolutely we deserved it," Edmonton captain Jason Smith said. "We didn't come with the work ethic that we need." The loss put Edmonton in a deeper hole in its bid to reach the postseason and defend its Western Conference championship. With 18 games to play, the Oilers are 10 points behind Minnesota for the eighth and final playoff berth. Now that Smyth has been dealt, Ales Hemsky and Petr Sykora are tied for the team scoring lead with 49 points each. Sykora, who also leads Edmonton with 20 goals, has just one in four games against the Wild this season. Hemsky has a team-best 40 assists, but no points in three games versus Minnesota. Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson is 2-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA this season when facing his former club. www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=Preview&gnum=964&seas=20062007>ype=2
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Post by Terry on Mar 1, 2007 14:07:23 GMT -5
Oilers face off against Wild tonight by Marc Ciampa www.edmontonoilers.comWith four games remaining against tonight’s opponent, the Minnesota Wild, the Edmonton Oilers are not out of the playoff race by a long shot. Following last night’s shootout loss in Calgary, the Wild currently sit 10 points ahead of Edmonton for the eighth and final playoff spot. But with four more head-to-head match-ups between the two teams there are eight points that the Oilers can make up in their pursuit of the postseason. “Everybody needs to take it individually upon themselves to come with a better effort and come prepared to raise their level of game,” remarked Oilers captain Jason Smith. Tuesday was an emotional day for the Oilers. That evening, the franchise honoured Mark Messier by raising his number to the rafters but earlier that day the longest-serving active Oiler – Ryan Smyth – was dealt to the New York Islanders. “He’s a great player and he’s been a piece of this franchise ever since I can remember,” said Joffrey Lupul. “We wish him the best but we’ve got to realize that we have to still come out and play a hockey game.” Phoenix skated to a 3-0 victory as the Oilers opened their current four-game homestand with a loss. The good news, however, is that they can help their fortunes greatly with a win tonight versus Minnesota and Saturday against Calgary. “We’ve got to pick ourselves up and get ourselves back at a high emotional level so we can play the game against Minnesota and win some hockey games,” Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish commented. A big reason why the Oilers have been unable to close the gap against Minnesota is because the Wild have been among the hottest teams in the NHL over the past several months. Since January 11, the Wild have the fifth-best record in the NHL at 14-4-3 and they had the league’s second-best record in February at 9-2-2. "There's a feeling in the room that if we just go out and play our game that we're going to win that hockey game," Wild captain Mark Parrish told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "That's important this time of year, especially as we get closer to the playoffs." More recently, the Wild have picked up points in four straight games and in nine of 10. Last night was a defensive struggle with Minnesota losing to the Calgary Flames 2-1 in a shootout. Marian Gaborik scored the lone Minnesota goal in last night’s game, netting his 21st goal of the season despite only playing in his 30th game. The big news from last night, however, was Minnesota potentially losing goaltender Niklas Backstrom. He left after the first period with a groin injury. When starting netminder Manny Fernandez went down with a knee injury at the end of January, many felt that the Wild would start to struggle but thanks to backup Backstrom the exact opposite happened and the team was on fire in February. Backstrom was named the NHL’s first star last week after posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.62 GAA and .933 pct but is now questionable for tonight. Rookie Josh Harding played in relief of Backstrom last night and did well, stopping 21 of 22 shots. In addition to being 10 points up on the ninth-place Oilers, Minnesota has top spot in the Northwest Division within their sights. They are currently only one point back of Calgary and Vancouver for first. LINEUP UPDATE (11:06 AM): Coach Craig MacTavish shook up all the lines at the morning skate today. Top line will be Petr Sykora, Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff. Second line is Petr Nedved between Patrick Thoresen and Fernando Pisani. Third line is J-F Jacques, Marc Pouliot and Joffrey Lupul. Fourth line is Raffi Torres, Marty Reasoner and Zack Stortini. ROSTER UPDATES: Edmonton — Jarret Stoll (concussion) is out. Ethan Moreau (shoulder) is out. Tom Gilbert (concussion) is doubtful. Petr Nedved (knee) is probable. Daniel Tjarnqvist (inflamed pubic bone) is questionable. Ladislav Smid (knee) is questionable; Minnesota – Niklas Backstrom (groin) is questionable. Manny Fernandez (knee) is doubtful. OILERS TO WATCH: Petr Sykora is nearly a point-per-game player at Rexall Place. In 32 home games, Sykora has 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. He has 19 points in 32 road games… Another Oiler who plays a better game on home ice is Joffrey Lupul, with a +1 rating and nine goals in 32 games. He has six goals and is -18 away from Rexall… Raffi Torres has 20 of his 31 points on home ice… Last game, Fernando Pisani found himself on the team’s top line alongside Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff. WILD TO WATCH: The Slovakian duo of Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra is always dangerous. Gaborik has 21 goals this season in only 30 games played while Demitra ranks second on the Wild with 48 points in 55 games… Dominic Moore, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday, was a scratch last night for Minnesota but is expected to make his Wild debut tonight. Moore had six goals and 15 points in 59 games for the Penguins this season. He was tops on the Penguins in faceoff wins at 51.6%. FAST FACTS: Minnesota has the league’s fifth-best record since January 11 at 14-4-3 and second-best record since January 30 at 9-2-2… The Wild has picked up at least one power play goal in six straight games for a 37.5% efficiency rating and have not allowed a power play goal in four games… The Wild is 21-0-0 when scoring three or more goals in a game this season… At one point earlier this season, Minnesota had lost 11 straight on the road but since that slump they’ve gone 9-3-1 away from home. www.edmontonoilers.com/gameday/020964/preview.php
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Post by chaytercon1 on Mar 1, 2007 14:27:09 GMT -5
Should be a gooder . . . not
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Post by Terry on Mar 1, 2007 14:31:36 GMT -5
Expect the Wild to put in a "surprisingly" better effort than last night.
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Post by The Coppernian One on Mar 1, 2007 14:46:48 GMT -5
Okay, so last game they moved Pisani up the 1st line. Wouldn't it be better to reunite Sykora and Hemsky on that first line. Let Horcoff centre it? Let's hope that happens.
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Post by chaytercon1 on Mar 1, 2007 14:49:43 GMT -5
That would be a quick line. Its worth a shot.
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Post by nick39 on Mar 1, 2007 14:49:45 GMT -5
Okay, so last game they moved Pisani up the 1st line. Wouldn't it be better to reunite Sykora and Hemsky on that first line. Let Horcoff centre it? Let's hope that happens. Yet another ingenious move by the wiley macT.. Sykora back up with hemmer would be the most logical move.. but who knows..
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Post by Terry on Mar 1, 2007 14:51:07 GMT -5
That's what was mentioned in Marc's notes. I hope that gets Sykora out of his slump and back to maybe making a push for 30+ goals this season.
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Post by Juice on Mar 1, 2007 16:50:10 GMT -5
Nedved is in PETERSEN OUT! sykora playing first line!
maybe they were just showcasing petersen to unload him
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Post by wukwinn on Mar 1, 2007 18:07:59 GMT -5
Postgame Interview from Last night:
Interviewer: So he (Backstrom) is gonna be out for awhile? Lemaire: He's gonna be out. He won't be there tomorrow. Interviewer: So you have to call a kid up? Lemaire: Call a kid...no, I think we're gonna call Manny. Manny's ready.
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Post by Juice on Mar 1, 2007 18:45:34 GMT -5
Hey wuk, please be careful tonight with what you say, and post tonight.
Remember, People are pretty emotional and sensitive right now. Wouldn't want you setting off any distraught members.
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Post by chaytercon1 on Mar 1, 2007 19:13:39 GMT -5
As long as nothing contains Ryan or Smyth im game. He can say fuck, you and meehan in the same sentence though.
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Post by FNG™ on Mar 1, 2007 19:40:06 GMT -5
Just win. I am tired of saying this in every GDT.
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Post by Ronald Ohlander on Mar 1, 2007 23:29:29 GMT -5
Looks like you're gonna be saying it again next game, FNG.... I love how this team shows up.
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