TALE OF THE TAPE:
Game: Edmonton Oilers (7-14-1) vs Detroit Red Wings (11-8-3)
Location: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
Time: 5:30 PM MT
Where to find it: TV: Sportsnet West – Radio: 630 CHED
Edmonton Oilers Preview:
It’s been a busy few days in Oil Country. Two nights ago, the Oilers lost a stinker against a team that they should’ve really beat. The Hurricanes suck, and too many Oilers took the night off.
None the less, the true story came when Nail Yakupov got RKO’d by linesman Mike McPherson:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyPIkB1nT4k]
Fortunately, the injury isn’t major and Nail will only be out for 2-4 weeks with what is being called a sprained ankle. A certain sigh of relief as that could’ve been an injury that was much, much more serious.
In lieu of Yakupov’s injury, the Oilers made the move to recall 21-year old Jujhar Khaira. The 2012 3rd round draft pick is in the midst of his 2nd season in the AHL. Last year with the OKC Barons, he scored 10 points in 51 games. However this year he is off to a great start scoring 7 points in the teams first 16 games. At 6’3, 215 lbs I hope that his progression continues, and I think there is a good chance we could see him as a regular in the Oilers lineup as soon as next season. It is unknown if we will see Kharia draw into the lineup tonight against the Wings.
Khaira had another strong game against Texas, playing a simple power hockey game: get the puck, dump it in, go hard after it, win it, protect it, try to make a play.
Khaira’s linemate, the massive Russian Bogdan Yakimov, would be wise to adopt this simple strategy. Too often Yakimov loses the puck trying to stickhandle it into the zone. He’ll never make the NHL that way. He’s got to make it as a grinder with some skill, not as a skill guy who grinds occasionally, just like Khaira evidently intends to make it. – David Staples, Oct. 30th
Last time the two teams met was on October 22nd of this year and the Oilers scored two in the 2nd period to win 3-1. The team will look to replicate that success again tonight at the Joe Louis Arena.
This Oiler group has been a little bit all over the place. Connor McDavid, Justin Schultz, Rob Klinkhammer and Nail Yakupov all are suffering from a variety of ailments, and this season is starting to look a lot like seasons past. According to Man Games Lost, the Oilers are facing the greatest cumulative impact of injured players in the NHL. We are cursed I tell you, CURSED!
Tonight, Cam Talbot gets the start.
The Otherside:
Pavel Datsyuk scored his 300th NHL goal during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins Wednesday. He has been playing on a line with Brad Richards and Teemu Pulkkinen. “You know Richards is a good player; he can just handle a pass, the puck, and he can shoot and make a play,” Datsyuk said. “Same with Pulkkinen … when you use him as a shooter, it’s kind of make it happen.” The Red Wings (3-0-2), who will play the second of a five-game homestand, have earned at least a point in each of their past five games. Goalies Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard alternated for 10 games between Oct. 27 and Nov. 16, but Mrazek has started three of the past four games. Mrazek made saves on 19 of 22 shots Wednesday. –nhl.com
Line Combos and Starting Goalies c/o Daily Faceoff:
Oilers (Cam Talbot):
Red Wings (Jimmy Howard):
Any ideas on how to improve my game previews? Send me an email at zjlaing@gmail.com.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFbaiMS73Ec]
