Season Opener: Oct 7th- Flames

                                      

 
                      VS: Calgary Flames
Scratches and Injuries:

• Jf Jacques out with back spasms 
• Strudwick will be a healthy scratch
• MacIntyre; game time decision 

 Matchup(s) of the Night:1.) Khabibulin VS Bourque -  Bourque absolutely annihilates the Edmonton Oilers. He has 6 goals and 6 assists in 6 games. 666, this kid should play for New Jersey because he is a Devil. He's a good player, but not good enough to average 2 points a game against Edmonton. This year will be a different story as the Oilers have changed their d-core so they are not so pathetic. When #17 is on the ice, be aware defenders.
2.) Smid VS Iginla - Renney has come out and said that Smid will be matched up with Iginla. Jerome is a top 10 player in the league and has one of the quickest releases in the game. He can go off on some games and score 4 goals, than the next game he could be invisible. Hopefully Smid can do his job and make him a ghost. We don't know if Ladi should necessarily be physical on him because that could wake the beast within. It will be all about positioning tonight.

3). Regehr VS Top 9 - He is one of the dirtiest players in the game, but you'd love to have him on your team. You can tell he is aging though, he lacks the foot speed to keep up with the Oilers. They need to keep their feet moving and not let Regehr intimidate them. Robyn puts that fear in his opposition that makes them stop moving their feet which allows him to demolish them.
Keys to the Game:
   Khabibulin is making his first start in what seems has been 5 years. The d-core needs to reduce the shots. Of coarse Calgary will get some, but the defenders need them to come from the outside so he can ease himself into the game. The Battle of Alberta is usually a high scoring affair, so the defense must be weary of pinching and jumping into the play.


The Oilers need to wear down the big and slow Calgary defenders. The skilled forwards need to go for those quick strike goals, but if they do not have a good look they need to cycle the puck. As for the 4th line, they need to dump the puck in once they cross centre ice. They will have massive problems trying to skate around players like Bouwmeester, Regehr, Giordano, and Brodie.

T.J Brodie is entering his first NHL season starting as a regular. He will be easily shaken as he is not playing against pre-season type players. He will be exposed tonight for his weaknesses and the Oilers must be aware of that. The forecheckers are going to have finish every check and try to force Brodie into making the wrong play and coughing up the puck.

As a team the Oilers are going to stand up for each other, especially if big Mac isn't in the line up. They are going to have to make a statement if one of the young guns gets railed. Two games ago Hall got run and no one took exception.
   



Player Analysis:    Tonight is a beginning of a new era for the Edmonton Oilers, hopefuly the highly touted rookies get their jitters out early.

    Taylor Hall: Hall is going to have to look out for the big hit early as every Flame is going to be gunning for him. He is going to be playing with high intensity and will be driving to the net. Last game when Hall played the Flames Staios rocked him early, which knocked him off his game and Hall was timid for the rest of the night. He is going to have to play his style of game, but he will have to keep his head up.

    Jordan Eberle: Ebs was getting so many chances last game, and he owns the offensive zone. Look for Ebs to get some more chances down low by the net. Lets just hope he can capitalize on his chances.

    Magnus Paajarvi: MPS is starting the year with a couple of speed demons, Cogiano and Brule. He will have to use his speed and size to beat the defenders on the rush. Look for him to use his shot when he drives to the net. He starting settling in by the end of pre-season so he should be ready.

    Ales Hemsky: Hemi looks like he is going to have a good year, finally he gets to play with some offensivly gifted players. He dominated the flames last game, but he couldn't score on his chances. Look for him to be the player of the game.