RapierShot

Just a comment regarding TM taking a timeout....if you use up the timeout, you can't make a coaches challenge. In a close game, having that challenge could be important (from the standpoint of the coach). The alternative is to use the break between periods to get a message across....wonder what last night's message was????

Considering it was a long travel day for Spooner, and dressed immediately for one of the most intense games in the schedule, he handled himself pretty well - better speed than I expected, and better D-zone coverage than advertised. We'll see.

Here's hoping the Oilers don't carry on with last night's 3rd period into tonight's game. Think we'll be able to shake that off and have a good go tonight....Oilers by 2 or 3. Thx for the GDT, Bronco.

Coaching or management...hmmmm....kind of like choosing between the twin girls in "The Shining".....both scare the bejeebers out of me!

We started the game with a lot of momentum then the penalties killed it. The game summary show we got 11 penalties for 41 minutes; the Flames got 5 for 13 minutes. That goes a long way to keeping a team from playing its game.

Folks, we're going to need a program to follow the Oilers lineup tonight. Knowing TM's blender work, we'll end up with Harvey the Hound playing on defence (way better Corsi than most of the crew anyway). Get the boys excited, Coach and then just let 'em loose! Oilers by 2!

Looking at the 2011 draft list (RNH's year), it's obvious our scouts didn't do enough homework and just went with the overall #1 - with no intentions of even trading the pick. (Note: Ryan Strome went 8th in that draft - tells lots about the quality of the 2011 draft.)

At least Spooner has a highlight reel......I was hoping that we'd trade Strome for picks. Good luck to both players in their new teams.

Great Clips of days gone by.....which serve as a reminder that the BofA is not only about winning the games.....we need to: . sack their village . stampede their livestock .sell their offspring into slavery .burn their arena to the ground. Yup...old time hockey! We make em beg for mercy! Oilers by a couple.

Apart from McD, no Oiler's confidence is very high. So, you play to your strengths in those cases and build the confidence. Playing LD with McD is about that. Now, the coaches can turn to the 2nd and 3rd lines and work on them. I figure Marody will get his chance sooner rather than later because of this. The 4th line seems to have found its own groove and tempo, and is doing exactly what's needed. I'm hoping Gravel becomes a fixture on defence and that Bear / Jones split callups.

What's with our defence? 3 goals in one game???? Some kind of voodoo going on there!

Rather than changing coaching now (if it's bad now, we miss the playoffs...if a new guy comes in now, the adjustments, learning, etc won't improve the team soon enough), let's wait until season end. This gives the current coaches a fair (and final) shot at redemption and there may be a couple of more coaches to add to the pool. Also, Jon Cooper's (Tampa Bay) contract expires at season end - I think we should try to entice him here.

The game gives the Oilers a chance to prove they are better than the past 4 games and regain the winning form they had earlier. It also gives all the Habs fans in town a chance to worship at the altar of Le Rouge, Bleu et Blanc. So the joint will be lively. Oilers will be the spoilers - winning by 3 while fixing some scoring droughts (Lucic, et al). GO OILERS !!!!! Thx for the feisty GDT, Happy2....it rocks!

Yamo and JP are assigned to Bakersfield. Step in the right direction and I'm glad they didn't wait any longer to do this. We can focus on upping the production in the secondary and defence scoring. Good candidates in the wings if the starting roster doesn't get the message.

Home...is where the heart is and the points for the Oilers! Not only are we back home, but the team has also had a bit of a break between games (unlike the schedule we've just finished). Too early for lineup info (check Sunday on News) and no word on any injuries / scratches yet. Thinking Yamo draws in against the Avs. We've played 16 games...is it time to set the lineup? We're still rotating players in and out and keeping lines unsettled. Maybe it's time to try going with our best. On defence, I'd like to see Gravel in (Garrison - 7th) and Bear as the first call up (we desperately need a shooter back there). JP and Yamo should be headed for the Bake - soon, very soon. On Strome's line, try Caggs at center and move Strome to the wing. GO OILERS !!!!!!!