SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY: Canucks @ Oilers
7 years ago
The Oilers and Canucks will close out 2016 with a New Year’s Eve affair and we’ve asked writers from both OilersNation and CanucksArmy to give us their take on tonight’s matchup. We’ve also put together a few quick stats to get you ready for the last Nation battle of the year.
THE MATCHUP
Saturday, December 31st, 2016 – Rogers Place (Edmonton) – 8pm (MST) or 7pm (PST) on CBC/Sportsnet
| Edmonton Oilers | Vancouver Canucks |
| 19-12-6 (2nd in the Pacific) | 16-18-3 (6th in the Pacific) |
| 5-2-3 in their last 10 | 4-5-1 in their last 10 |
| Power Play (PP%): 21.7% (8th) | Power Play (PP%): 14.0% (27th) |
| Penalty Kill (PK%): 82.3% (12th) | Penalty Kill (PK%): 80.4% (21st) |
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Last Meeting:
When these two teams last met on October 28th, the Oilers walked away with a 2-0 victory in a game that was much closer than the score might lead you to believe. Since that last meeting, the Oilers have cooled from their 7-1 start and the Canucks will look to take advantage of a team that still struggles with consistency.
Points Leaders:
Connor McDavid (EDM) – 13G, 29A = 42 points
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) – 14G, 18A = 32 points
Milan Lucic (EDM) – 10G, 15A = 25 points
Henrik Sedin (VAN) – 9G, 15A = 24 points
Bo Horvat (VAN) – 10G, 13A = 23 points
Daniel Sedin (VAN) – 10G, 12A = 22 points
Goaltenders:
Edmonton:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Talbot | 33 | 33 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 997 | 81 | 2.47 | 916 | .919 | 3 | 1,969 |
| Jonas Gustavsson | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 122 | 13 | 2.90 | 109 | .893 | 0 | 270 |
Vancouver:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Markstrom | 19 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 482 | 44 | 2.65 | 438 | .909 | 0 | 996 |
| Ryan Miller | 21 | 21 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 637 | 58 | 2.81 | 579 | .909 | 0 | 1,240 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Why is your team going to win or why will your enemy lose?
Easy. The Sedins are 3000 years old and aside from those two there is no one to worry about? Brandon Sutter? Loui Ericksson? Pfft… get outta here.
Well, it’s quite simple, you see. We have this player, Sven Baertschi, and he’s pretty great. We’re quite fond of him at Canucks Army. He’s no McDavid, but we don’t have a lot to hang onto, so let us have him. Baertschi’s going to have a big night. Just you wait and see.
Who’s hot? Who’s not?
Baggedmik:
Connor McDavid is hot fire right now and there’s nothing the Canucks will be able to do about it. Same can’t be said for Jesse Puljujarvi, though. I think the kid could use a Red Bull because his goal scoring wings have been lacking.
J.D. Burke:
Loui Eriksson has goals in back-to-back games, so I would imagine he qualifies. Though his counting numbers haven’t been great, he’s been a defensive force all season. I’m glad to see it all starting to come together now.
Why should people watch this game?
Baggedmilk:
It’s important for Canucks fans to watch a team that’s on the rise. It will make their plummet into obscurity that much more painful. Thank you.
J.D. Burke:
Because that’s the only way to really capture the value of Kris Russell. Don’t just be an arrogant ‘Corsi Guy’ and look at his stats. You’re going to want to see just why exactly Peter Chiarelli is going to sign him to a contract that will make Erik Gudbranson’s extension look good.
Say something nice about your opponent.
Baggedmilk:
I bet the Sedins save a tonne of money on suits since they’re able to share. Adorable. I also love the work Jim Benning is doing for your team.
J.D. Burke:
Well, Jim Benning learned from the best. Remember when Pete Chiarelli traded Blake Wheeler? Or Tyler Seguin? Or Taylor Hall? Pepperidge Farms remembers.
Any last words?
Baggedmilk:
Feel free to jump ship, Canucks fans. We have Connor McDavid steering the ship plenty of room on the bandwagon. It’s only a matter of time before the Canucks suck bad enough for you to bail on them anyway.
J.D. Burke:
I’m so very happy to see your ten-year rebuild finally end(?).
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Join in the conversation on Twitter at @OilersNation and @CanucksArmy to give us your thoughts on the game. Social media not your thing? Keep the battle going in the game day articles at OilersNation and CanucksArmy.
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