BBO Game Report #1

[Bryanbryoil]

Sorry to make a thread for this as if everyone posted a thread every time they watched a game live this board would be a mess. That said seeing as this was the first game that I've seen live in 10 years I thought that maybe we could let this one slide

BBO's Oilers 3 Stars:

1st Star: Taylor Hall
Despite him being held off the score sheet he was making things happen out there and the Kings had Doughty out there watching him like a body guard watches a celebrity. This kid is amazing, once he fills out and gains some experience he will be our first elite forward that I've seen in my time as an Oilers fan. I saw Doughty go down like a sack of rice and I wondered if he took a stick or an elbow, I commented to my friend that I hope that he got the elbow up because we've lacked a guy with that kind of mean streak that can play for an eternity. Goo on ya Hall!

2nd Star: Sam Gagner
Yeah I'm usually pretty rough on the kid but he was playing with a purpose last night and he made a beauty move to set up Paajarvi on his goal. He was playing gritty, he was making plays, he was skating pretty well, he just had a pretty strong night as did his line as a whole.

3rd Star: Magnus Paajarvi
Score our lone goal on the night and besides the play on Stoll's penalty shot he had a good night. He didn't see much ice in the 1st as he wasn't on our top 2 PP units but from the 2nd on he was able to use his size and speed as well as anticipation of the play to get numerous chances. With a little puck luck he could've had a hattrick last night. Simply put we cannot separate Omark and Paajarvi, these two need to be kept together the rest of the season. They read the play so well off of eachother.

Players That I Felt Had A Strong Game:

Andrew Cogliano:
Played well defensively and looked to help prevent a goal by backing up Khabi when he was down and out. Lots of hustle and lots of grit from the little man.

Jim Vandermeer:
I was pleasantly surprised with him, he played pretty physical and seemed to hold his own defensively. I could see a team needing some defensive depth for the playoffs dealing for him if he keeps up this level of play.

Theo Peckham:
Theo was a mixed bag tonight, he was very physical which I personally love, that said he took a poor holding penalty and he should've played a safer game defensively. He really needs to add some more speed to his game though. I love that he made it hell to play against though, much needed on a team not known for their physicality.

Jeff Petry:
Some nice passing, great to see him live, very mobile, fairly physical, I'd like to see him look for his shot a bit more, but overall a solid game for #58.

Tom Gilbert:
He made some mistakes out there and a few less than great passes if memory serves me correctly, but I saw from fire from Gibby, it was nice to see, I even saw him giving a King a bit of the business in the corner, that was a pleasant surprise.

Linus Omark:
He made some things happen offensively and made some really solid passes as part of the teams best line. It's unfortunate that we have a terrible PP or else he would make hay out there.

Players That I Thought Left A Lot To Be Desired

The Oilers special teams:
The PP was disgustingly bad and the PK wasn't any better. The Kings set up a number of one timers and the Oilers had absolutely no answer for it. Doughty, Johnson, and Kopitar took the Oilers to school on the PK.

Ales Hemsky:
I saw numerous poor reads by Ales offensively, the 2 on 1 was disgustingly bad, the pass was there for a tap in. I hope that this was because he's knocking off the rust because it really was a poor game by #83.

Dustin Penner:
The big man didn't do much tonight, maybe the wedding/honeymoon got him a bit run down, but he wasn't much of a factor out there last night.

Shawn Horcoff:
IMO of Hemsky/Horcoff Horc was the better player tonight, he had a couple of deflections one of them literally seconds after I had said that he hadn't done Jack on the night. Not a strong night by him, on one play he wasn't paying attention on the breakout and it resulted in a giveaway. We need more from our vets out there.

Kurtis Foster:
He actually hit the net a few times but he is terrible defensively and a terrible passer, let's hope that we can get something for him at the deadline.

[s7ark]

Thanks for the report BBO, hope you had fun, results notwithstanding

[Psycho Dad]

Thoughtful, coherent, and doesn't make me feel like I'm sharing the bottom bunk at Walla Walla. What did you do with my friend Bryan? Great write-up.

Definitely a vet letdown last night. 10-83-27 seem to do this every other game. No emotion whatsoever. We need better leadership.

Loved how Taylor Hall stood up to Doughty before the second period faceoff and told him that the play in the first period wasn't dirty. Not shaken one bit by bigger guys trying to intimidate him. Hopefully Doughty's example teaches the kids on our team a little something about playing mean. That aggressive touch gives you such an edge.

The other impression I got was just how big the Kings' forward corps is. They were, quite literally, sleeping giants in the first period. Even their 4th liners were gigantic.

[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by s7ark

Thanks for the report BBO, hope you had fun, results notwithstanding

It was a good result IMO as it helps our cause to improve our draft standing and our young guys played pretty damn well.

[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

Thoughtful, coherent, and doesn't make me feel like I'm sharing the bottom bunk at Walla Walla. What did you do with my friend Bryan? Great write-up.

Definitely a vet letdown last night. 10-83-27 seem to do this every other game. No emotion whatsoever. We need better leadership.

Loved how Taylor Hall stood up to Doughty before the second period faceoff and told him that the play in the first period wasn't dirty. Not shaken one bit by bigger guys trying to intimidate him. Hopefully Doughty's example teaches the kids on our team a little something about playing mean. That aggressive touch gives you such an edge.

The other impression I got was just how big the Kings' forward corps is. They were, quite literally, sleeping giants in the first period. Even their 4th liners were gigantic.

Yeah they are a really big team. I also saw Hall and Doughty chatting it up, Hall needs to make it known that he won't just take it like Hemsky or other skilled guys that don't have that mean streak to them. IMO the league as a whole should take notice of that play as Hall won't be taking cheap shots without repercussion.

[0ilerman]

Was also at the game, and despite a few delicious beers, had a couple insights...

The Gagner line continues to impress me. For a line that was touted to be "a defensive nightmare" they spend the majority of their time in the offensive zone...so who needs defense!? When Eberle comes back, I hope this line remains together.

Watching Tom Gilbert on the power play eats away at me. He rushes the puck slowly, can't hit a streaking forward on the tape, then dumps the puck to an area where the oilers are certain to lose the puck battle. Sure sounds like the recipe to a brutal powerplay to me.

Also, I didn't understand why the oilers lined up the way they did on powerplay faceoffs. Seemed like the overloaded the wrong side. One time for sure, Horcoff snapped back a draw to nobody cause Smid had lined up beside the forward...

[0ilerman]

Originally Posted by Bryanbryoil

Yeah they are a really big team. I also saw Hall and Doughty chatting it up, Hall needs to make it known that he won't just take it like Hemsky or other skilled guys that don't have that mean streak to them. IMO the league as a whole should take notice of that play as Hall won't be taking cheap shots without repercussion.

All of my favourite athletes have a streak of mean in them. I like seeing it from Hall.

Were you referring to the big hit last game, or something else? The hit was clean. Punnishing, but clean.

[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by 0ilerman

All of my favourite athletes have a streak of mean in them. I like seeing it from Hall.

Were you referring to the big hit last game, or something else? The hit was clean. Punnishing, but clean.

It was probably clean, but the bottom line is that the kid has to protect himself and last night he did just that.

[Replacement]

Hey great that you had a chance to see the game last night Bryan. That would be one I would've liked seeing but had to work and too little time to get to the game. Plus I haven't gone to a game since the confiscation of dangerous vegetables incident..

Anyway. Great game by Smitty. I swear I wasn't wearing my Smyth jersey last night. ( so its not my fault)

Doughty. Gotta love it. We need somebody like this. He owned our building. Repeat our building. He's just a kid. How friggen dominant will this guy be in a few years?

I like the junkyard dog in Hall going toe to toe with this guy. Although I don't want Hall getting hurt either.

MPS and Hall were the most dangerous things I saw in the 2nd and 3rd that I got to watch. Just love the simple north south game and just creating chances all on their own.

I like the physical make up of the kings club and if they make the playoffs they will be tough to deal with. Seems like theres some floaters in the lineup right now though. Jmo.

What a mess in LA if that club doesn't make the playoffs this year.

Hemsky has post concussion aftereffects. Penner has post honeymoon aftereffects.

Both were to be found in different regions of lala land.

[Joe Hallenback]

Thank god we traded Greene and Stoll for Vishnovsky... yes I went there


Anyway. Totally agree with your assessment of the game. Why can't Gagner play like this every night? Nice simple and effective game. He distributed the puck well tonight and got into good open spots on the ice. That line was very good all night and should be on the powerplay as an unit.

Totally disappointed with the efforts of Hemsky,Penner and Horcoff. They need to step up in games like this and they took a back seat. Maybe its indicative of there time here and maybe its a good idea to move them out this season if there is a chance too.

I kind of liked our D tonight for the most part. They lack that top end skill but they busted there ass collectively and really keep alot of chances to the outside for the most part.

Khabby went from looking bad most of the game to okay at the end. Let some terrible rebounds that almost cost us early. Was way to far deep in the net on both power play goals. I have to think if Dubnyk was in net the game might have been 1 to 1.

[DangerMan]

Tom Gilbert reminds of a rookie QB trying to find his way. He's indecisive and when he does that, it stops the flow of the team. It has to be one read, two read and then off the glass and out. No matter what you have to keep the puck moving forward.

[s7ark]

Originally Posted by Bryanbryoil

It was a good result IMO as it helps our cause to improve our draft standing and our young guys played pretty damn well.

Hey, you know my stance. You're preaching to the choir. Glad you had fun.

[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by s7ark

Hey, you know my stance. You're preaching to the choir. Glad you had fun.

Yeah and Doughty is on my keeper league team so his 2 points didn't hurt That kid is a player, if Larsson could be that good it'd be great to land him. Atlanta sounds like they're in desperation mode perhaps Bogosian could be on the block for the right price?

[Eytinge]

Originally Posted by Bryanbryoil

Yeah and Doughty is on my keeper league team so his 2 points didn't hurt That kid is a player, if Larsson could be that good it'd be great to land him. Atlanta sounds like they're in desperation mode perhaps Bogosian could be on the block for the right price?

ATL fans said on the trade board they'd accept Penner straight up for Bogosian. I've always been a fan of Bogo and he seems to have lost his way in ATL with Big Buff and Enstrom playing great. I'd probably do Penner for Bogo.

Nice to see you credit Gagner tonight, its nights like last night I don't give up on him even though the last 2 weeks have been bad for him when he's confident he has the puck on a string and serves up pucks on a platter for his linemates.

MPS probably should have had a multigoal game, Hemsky completely ignored him on the 2 on 1 when the pass was there, hopefully Hemmer clears his cobwebs soon.

[eastcoasteh]

I too can't wait for Hall to fill out. He doesn't shy away from the tough areas, but doesn't always lay the big hit like he could. He could really piss a lot of people off if he finished his checks everytime. I wonder if he's laying off cuz he's not filled out and he's a rookie, or if this is his style. I never saw much of him in Junior. Did he have a mean streak there? Can we expect that to be developed? Right now I'd settle for him taking it out on opposing goalies!

Well Hemsky is coming off a concussion, so he should get a bit of a break. Horcoff, well, I bet he's come back early on his knee, doesn't seem to have the jump. As for Penner, I find he's going to play to his linemates. Put him on #1 line and he's alive. Put him with plugs and he'll play that role. Playing with Cogliano doesn't inspire a lot of offence.

Clearly, the PP and PK need a tonne of work. Really, it's what is winning and losing games for us on a nightly basis. Teams/Coaches talk about simplyifying the PP. Isen't the most basic principle of a simple PP to have someone stand in fron the entire time? Surely someone on the team can do this!? I also don't understand not trying a 4th fwd on the point. Our d-men have horrible times getting pucks through, and most of them are muffins.

[Oilerdiehard]

About time you got to see the team play live. Hope you had a good time Bryan.

[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by Eytinge

ATL fans said on the trade board they'd accept Penner straight up for Bogosian. I've always been a fan of Bogo and he seems to have lost his way in ATL with Big Buff and Enstrom playing great. I'd probably do Penner for Bogo.

Nice to see you credit Gagner tonight, its nights like last night I don't give up on him even though the last 2 weeks have been bad for him when he's confident he has the puck on a string and serves up pucks on a platter for his linemates.

MPS probably should have had a multigoal game, Hemsky completely ignored him on the 2 on 1 when the pass was there, hopefully Hemmer clears his cobwebs soon.

I call 'em as I see 'em, I expected to watch him get killed by the bigger Kings down the middle. Good game by him, we need to see a lot more before he gets into my good graces again, last night was a start.

Hemsky really pissed me off there, it was a sure goal. As for Bogo for Penner, I'd do it in a heart beat.

Originally Posted by Oilerdiehard

About time you got to see the team play live. Hope you had a good time Bryan.

First time in damn near 10 years, needless to say there weren't many familiar faces in the lineup

[IV XIV XCI]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

Thoughtful, coherent, and doesn't make me feel like I'm sharing the bottom bunk at Walla Walla. What did you do with my friend Bryan? Great write-up.

Definitely a vet letdown last night. 10-83-27 seem to do this every other game. No emotion whatsoever. We need better leadership.

Loved how Taylor Hall stood up to Doughty before the second period faceoff and told him that the play in the first period wasn't dirty. Not shaken one bit by bigger guys trying to intimidate him. Hopefully Doughty's example teaches the kids on our team a little something about playing mean. That aggressive touch gives you such an edge.

The other impression I got was just how big the Kings' forward corps is. They were, quite literally, sleeping giants in the first period. Even their 4th liners were gigantic.

I got sidetracked on youtube and posting on facebook for 2 hours because of your Up dog avatar.....

"Squirrel!!!!"

[Zach and Slater]

Originally Posted by DangerMan

Tom Gilbert reminds of a rookie QB trying to find his way. He's indecisive and when he does that, it stops the flow of the team. It has to be one read, two read and then off the glass and out. No matter what you have to keep the puck moving forward.

More so Jimmy Claussen than Sam Bradford