Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild6pm (MST)
TSN, 630CHED
This team traditionally owns us. You know what else was traditional? Seppuku. And with MacT calling up JFJ, presumably to protect Gagner, Cogliano and Hemsky from the Boggart Man, I fear a falling upon the sword tonight. With all the career-threatening hits that have already been laid out this season, I hope the rookies understand that tonight they really have to watch their backs. Literally.
We started out terribly on Monday against the Red Wings and were never quite able to dig ourselves out of the hole. Minnesota, known for it's vast landscape and tear-inducingly boring style of play will give our boys even less chances to recover from early gaffes, so the Oilers need to play a tight, disciplined game. With the Wild's neutral zone skill at shutting down rushes and their physical, frustrating tactics, it's going to be tough for our guys not to take a few bad penalties.
This is exactly what the Wild will hope for. Admiral Ackbar, your thoughts?
Precisely. So how does a team get inspired when they can't match up physically, has all the open ice shut down, and are basically playing in fear of their young stars getting crushed along the boards by a giant thug? I'm not sure, but hopefully MacTavish has the right jokes at the right time to keep this team positive.
After being blooded by the Wings, this young team realizes it's mortal, after all. It'll be interesting to see how they go forward with that extra bit of caution. I predict quick, short, accurate passes to get through the trap. I predict a lot of dump and chase. I predict a long game.
But above all, I predict a victory: 3-1 Oil
(Torres goes batshit crazy on Boogaard. Loses. Scores game winning goal.)
*the meaning of Minnesota in the Sioux language is 'Cloudy Waters'...and that's one to grow on.
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