It wasn't just that they lost - nobody expected anything different when the worst team in the NHL dragged its carcass into the Xcel Energy Centre last night - but it's how they stumbled to their 17th defeat in the last 18 games that really burns.
(Actually, the Flyers are the worst team in the NHL, but for the purpose of this story, the Oilers are the worst losers right now; that is my assumption anyways.)
They got shut out. Again. For a franchise record ninth time this season.
The Oilers said before the trip that they didn't want to mail it in the rest of the way, but there were a lot of players with stamps all over their sweaters.
In his most stinging criticism yet, MacTavish said a lot of the big-name forwards who were supposed to be leading the team this year have long ago pulled the chute.
"(Joffrey)Lupul and (Raffi)Torres, those are huge, huge absences for us," he said.
MacTavish added that injuries and inexperience on the blueline are no excuse for a hockey team being held to one or zero goals in 13 of the last 18 games.
"I said this to the players," said MacTavish.
"Don't be looking at the young guys as the scapegoat for tonight's game.
"They did fine.
"When your veterans don't provide anything, literally, in the hockey game, and your young guys are holding their own, that's an indictment on them, not an indictment of the situation.
"We need something out of our veterans, we didn't get it out of them in Chicago, we didn't get it out of them again tonight.
"There's some guys who haven't played any good in ..... all year."
Torres has three goals in his last 24 games, Lupul has three in his last 33.
-----------------------------------------I have a love-hate relationship with MacT, and a love-hate relationship with his comments and quotes. Sometimes I feel he is wrong to criticize the boys, other times I wish he would criticize them more. The comments above about last night's game are bang on.
As much as I love one Raffi Torres, he hasn't done much to help himself this season with his contract up in July. Granted, he is a RFA and not a UFA, butttttttttttt I just have this feeling that he will traded (probably in a package deal) in the off season. Best of luck to you Raffi, I will miss you (as will the other half of Storres.)
Stoll will get over losing Raf though; he could always find a new buddy in one Mr. Joffery Lupul.
If my beloved Raf isn't traded, GREAT!, but I'm preparing myself for a trade nonetheless.
I don't need to go thru another denial stage like when Doug Weight was traded.
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Roloson has been named to the roster of Team Canada for the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championships, managed by the greatest Red Wing of all time, Steve Yzerman; along with defenceman Eric Brewer of the St. Louis Blues and forwards Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings’ Mike Cammalleri.
Good for Roli. I hope some of the other Oilers are invited to go play for their respective countries as well.
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THIS JUST IN FROM THE OILERS WEBSITE:
ROB SCHREMP HAS BEEN RECALLED.
I don't see how this can possibly help the Oilers at this point in the season, but good for Rob; the plunger faced, drunken thumbs-up, speedo wearing, man-whore that he is. :D
4 comments:
Stoll will get over losing Raf though; he could always find a new buddy in one Mr. Joffery Lupul.
I heard those two were living together earlier this year. Jimmy came up with the theory that whoever is living with/banging Stoll is the one who is playing better. If this is true (which it could very well be), imagine how badly Raffi will play if he is traded :|
Personally though, I have a theory of my own. Blame Gramma. She came into the picture and everything fucked up after that. We lost the Cup, and everyone went on to have a terrible 06-07 season. Coincidence? I think not.
Think about it ;)
OMG. That is a crazy (non)coincidence!
Like we needed another reason to hate her guts.
>:(
No kidding, eh?
Hopefully Stoll sees this pattern and is like "see ya, Gramma."
Besides, it's really not fair for him to keep playing games with Raffi's heart like this.
I know.
How uncaring of Stoll.
Maybe his concussion knocked some sense into him.
He could be dating a model much better looking and more his his own age; and/or love Torres like we know Torres needs to be loved.
Fuck Lauren Pronger too. I hate that princess bitch.
Damn Oilers better beat the Flames in regulation tonight if/when the Avs beat the Preds. Come onnnnnnnnnnn Oil!
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