pk500 wrote:Yes, yes, YES. Great performance today by the Oil, at least for the last two periods. The team defense in the third period was as good as I've seen this season from Edmonton, and how fitting was it that Horcoff tossed his body at Lidstrom's shot at the buzzer, getting a piece of the puck?
Pisani arguably has been the Oil's best overall forward in this series. He's scoring, passing, playing solid defense, forechecking well and killing penalties. The guy is doing it all for the Oil with minimal fanfare.
Among the other forwards, I thought Peca was very active today, and Jarrett Stoll had a very good game. Horcoff also had one of his best games of the series, finally getting a goal.
Another guy who's contribution can't be overlooked is Chopper, Ethan Moreau. He's recovering more and more from the groin strain and had better legs today. Moreau does so many little things you'll never see on the scoresheet, such as hit, forecheck like a dervish and kill penalties as well as anyone in the NHL. Plus the guy is a real leader in the room.
Hemsky and Samsonov woke up a bit today, but they still both look too sleepy and too passive. The Oil will need them to produce in Game 6.
MacTavish continues to show why he's outcoaching Babcock so far in this series. That timeout at the 10-minute mark of the second period was sheer brilliance. The Oil had just iced the puck and was gassed, so the boys needed some extra time. Plus the Oil just had taken a 2-0 lead, and I'm sure there was a question in nearly every Oilers' player's mind of, "Are we going to go to the trap or keep the pedal down and forecheck?" I'm sure MacT used that timeout to explain his plan to the entire team.
I was stunned at how passive Detroit was in its end today. The defensemen, especially Chelly, Kronwall and Lidstrom, just stood around.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Ryan Smyth standing in front of Legace without a Wing within 4 feet of him on Smyth's goal. Lidstrom f*cked up big-time on that play. And how little Shawn Horcoff had multiple chops at the puck on his goal without Kronwall tying him up also was stunning.
Both Oilers' fans and Wings' fans can break down every aspect of this series looking for the difference, and there are small, subtle differences throughout. But the biggest, most obvious difference is that Dwayne Roloson has been much better than Manny Legace so far in this series.
GO OIL! One more to go. Just one more to go.
Take care,
PK
can't argue with anything. manny looks scared shitless out there, and roloson is playing like a seasoned vet.
I'd like to give more credit to the Oil but the Wings are really non existenet out there. With the exeption of Maltby Detroit shows absolutely no heart, desire, or even if they want to be playing.
The "to old Wings" are finally living up to it. They need to totaly retool in the offseason.
After the desire and coaching I've seen I'll be routing for the Oil for the rest of the playoffs. Yes I have thrown in the towel. There is no way Detroit deserves this series.
