Game 4 review – The Bulin Wall arrives in Edmonton

After a slow start to the season it looks like the goalie that the Oilers signed to a four year deal in July has finally arrived. For the second time in as many starts Khabibulin lead the way for the Oilers with some stellar goaltending, the result this time was a 3-2 win over the Canadiens.

In his three preseason starts and the first two games of the year it was hard to see how Khabibulin had earned the nickname “The Bulin Wall”. He looked to be fighting even the easiest shots and was giving up big juicy rebounds with frightening regularity.

Thankfully it seems now that those early performances were simply the result of rust and that he is still an NHL calibre goalie. Considering that he’s signed through the end of the 2012/2013 season that is probably good news for fans in Edmonton.

Last night Khabibulin, who was the games first star, was on top of his game. If he hadn’t been I really don’t think that the Oil would have come away with two points. I thought that Montreal had the better scoring chances and according to mc79hockey.com Montreal out chanced to the Oil 20-15. I don’t know if I’d put the victory in the steal column but it was pretty close.

The Oilers could really help out Khabibulin by not putting the puck into their own net for a change. Last night it was Horcoff who decided to help out the opposition and make the last three minutes a little more exciting. That goal was the third of the season that the Oilers have tipped or kicked into their own net. It’d be nice to cut down on those just a bit.

As good as Khabibulin was for the Oilers, Price was the opposite for the Canadiens. Three of the Oilers first ten shots got past him as the Oilers built a 3-0 lead by the game’s midway point. The first goal – scored by Comrie – was one that Price has to stop. Wrist shots from 30+ feet shouldn’t get past NHL goalies.

Up next for the Oilers are the Predators on Monday night. The Preds have gotten off to a 2-1-0 record and have only allowed five goals so far. Could be a low scoring game if Khabibulin continues to play like he has, but anything is possible if the Oilers decide to keep scoring at both ends of the ice.