Welcome to the first blog of the season as Darcie and I set up the match tonight between the Red Wings and the Oilers. We are passionate hockey fans and most importantly PASSIONATE OILER fans. Have a look at our game day debate!
Setting Up the Game
Karianne: what is your biggest concern for our team against the Red Wings?
Darcie: I’m going to say defense
Karianne: i think mine is our special teams
We have to watch our play and make sure we don’t cross the line and get caught in the box
Because we know Detroit will take advantage
Darcie: I’m also going to say a slow start is a big concern for me
Because if we start off slow again, we won’t be able to come back against Detroit
We need to play the full 60 mins in order to have a chance against this team
Karianne: yeah and we need to hit bodies
If we try to out skill them we will look like fools
We need to make clean hits and be on the fore-check
We need to play with the fire we had against the Blackhawks
Darcie: but with more organization
We played fast against the hawks, but we were still very scattered and unorganized at times. Detroit will jump on that team has chemistry, and knows where to be
Karianne: good point, however like i said i think Detroit’s weakness is they can’t play a physical game like we can
We CANNOT be caught chasing the puck that will end in Detroit scoring 10 goals because they have the skills to play on that like no one else in the league
Darcie: Detroit is a stacked team man
This is going to be crazy
Previous Success Against the Wings
Karianne: but then how have we been so successful because we have been a team that can hit and get on the fore check and get the puck back
Darcie: we don’t hit nearly as much as we need to though
Darcie: that’s one of the biggest things I’m worried about too and i do think they’re as dominating as they seem, their numbers show it, and their games show it
Yes.......BUT we are a COMPLETELY different team now
Karianne: yes but i think that we can match them
I think if we bring our a game we can skate with the best of them
Darcie: see we should just try and match them. Not try and beat them
If we can keep up to them
We will be fine and create chances
Karianne: but you are right that we can’t get behind because a team like that will destroy you once they have a lead
Darcie: absolutely. Red wings scare me and it’s not even about cups. Cause Washington is a scary team and they haven’t even won with ovi so yeah.
We are at the bottom they’re at the top
Just the way it is. And we have to not let that get in the player’s heads
Karianne: i mean yes we had a stronger defense in 06 and I’m not trying to live in the past but we weren’t ALL that skilled... as far as big names. We were not expected to go anywhere. And we went from 8th in the west to the SCF
If the players believe that anything is
Possible then anything is POSSIBLE
Darcie: yes i know it’s just another game, but i don’t think we are ready to beat them yet
Rosters and Special Teams
Darcie:Hey is big mac in the line-up tonight?
Darcie: I’m going to say no, just b/c of the awesome game the 4th line had last time
Karianne: i think if the lines are the same as practice that mac is in tonight but we'll have to wait for warm up to find out i guess
Karianne: it’ll be interesting to see the defense pairings tonight
Darcie: probably Whit-Vandemeer, Peckham-Gilbert, and Smid-Foster
I’m going to guess probably
Know what scares me?
I’m pretty sure Datsyuk Holmstrom and Zetterberg are on a line together
That’s a scary line, but NOT only have that but then I also thought franzen bertuzzi and modano are the 2nd line
No wait, maybe Filppula not Modano
Then you have players like lidstrom ericsson stuart kronwall in the back.....
Their penalty kill is going to be unbeatable
Actually i want to know what their PK is.
Karianne: we can only be in the block tonight if it is matched penalties
Darcie: some nice fights would be good
And i can almost guarantee we will see a couple tonight
To try and keep our team pumped, cause wow.
Karianne: but they need to be deserved penalties not stupid stick penalties
I don’t think that the red wings are as dominating as you make them seem. I mean yes they are talented and yes they are one of the best but they haven’t won a Stanley cup since they played the pens.
They played in penguins
Detriot PP and PK stats this season
PP% is 16
And PK is 90
Darcie: yes PK is 90
The red wings haven’t changed much that’s the problem
They’ve been together for a while
We haven’t
Karianne: yeah but look at our record against them
Final Thoughts
Karianne: i agree with coach Renney
That fear is the best motivator
Darcie: absolutely
Karianne: i think this is good for this team
We need to be put up against the best of them
That’s the only way to learn
Darcie: not only do i hope the players learn something from this game but the coaching staff as well
If we pull out a win, this is going to be huge for us
HUGE
HUGE
....One more time.....HUGE
