A Look at the Team in General

A couple quick notes here

• Rexall isn't nearly loud enough, I guess brutal hockey will do that to fans. I was scared to cheer at that St. Louis game because I didn't want to interupt the funeral service. Of the 10ish games I've been to this year, that was the most quiet.
• That Potter-Barker pairing got ate up last game, god they were brutal. Tambellini isn't stupid enough to bring him back, right?
• People at the game tonight better get a "Souray Sucks!" chant going.
• Bob Stauffer, on the pre-game show Wednesday, says he thinks the Oilers can win more than 10 of their last 20 games of the season..... Put down the Kool-Aid, bro. No chance.
• Dustin Neilson says 93-14 are the top line. No, 4-83 are on the top line. Why else would Renney play Hall and Hesmky against tougher opponents if they weren't the better players?
• HEMSKY STAYED AFTER PRACTICE TODAY, OMG, EAT IT UP BEAT WRITERZZZ.

Alright, LET'S GO!

The Oilers have the top power-play in the NHL, last year it was Vancouver, and the year before that Washington. Both of those teams won the President's Trophy the year they had the best power-play. Edmonton is 29th in the NHL with the best power-play, huh.

The Oilers penalty-kill is 14th, last year they were 29th and the year before that 26th. The Oilers have enjoyed a vast improvement down a man. Last year Vancouver was 3rd on the PK, they are sublime on special teams. So there is a difference between this year's PK and last years President's Trophy winner PK. You don't need special teams to be top 3 for both categories to be the best team in the NHL, though. Washington was 25th, one place above the Oilers in 2009-2010. 

The difference between Washington and Vancouver, the past two President's Trophy winners, was on the PK and at even-strength. Washington had a terrible PK, but they made up for it at even strength. They led the league in even-strength goals-for by a whopping 23 goals. Insane. They were also 5th in even-strength goals-against. Edmonton was 20th in even-strength goals-for, and 30th in even-strength goals-against. They were also a clear cut last place team. Vancouver, with their 1st and 3rd place PP and PK, were 1st in even-strength goals-against and 7th in even-strength goals against. What a team the Canucks had last year, just dominant. Last year, Edmonton was 28th in ES goals-for and 27th in ES goals-against. Brutal.

Now to get into what my point is. The Oilers, with the top power-play this year and middle of the pack PK, must be better than their 29th place record shows. Teams with special teams this good are usually in the playoffs, if their even-strength play is at least average. The problem? The Oilers are 19th in ES goals-against and 23rd in ES goals-for. Here is where the team needs to improve. They have to be better at even-strength if they want to make the playoffs. Dubnyk has an ES save percentage of .921 and Khabibulin's is .914, 29th and 51st, respectively. Obviously that needs to improve, but we clearly need another competent top 4 defenseman and someone not named Cam Barker, to go along with a competitive starting goalie. 

Hopefully the summer brings us some even-strength help, because we need it.

Stars 4 - Edmonton 2