Game 46 review – Oil can’t hold off Pens

Photo from Brian J. Gavriloff/Canwest News Service

The Oilers dropped their sixth straight game last night, a 3-2 decision to the Penguins. It was a game that the Oilers could have won, they had a two goal lead going into the third period, but they just couldn’t hold off the Penguins. The played a good game and still managed to lose. In the drive for a high draft pick last nights outcome was the best case scenario.

Things got off to a brutally slow start in the first period with the Oilers managing just four shots on goal in the games first 20 minutes. Somehow that was more than the Penguins registered; they had only 3. Both teams had a couple of chances but the period was mostly forgettable. Near the end of the first period the Potulny drew two penalties at the same time; a hook on Adams and a charge on Malkin. I’ve watched a lot of hockey in my 30 years and I’ve never seen one player draw two penalties at the exact same time.

The Oilers were able to capitalize on that two man advantage early in the second period. Cogliano took the cross ice feed and, after being turned away on his first attempt, beat Fleury up high. Later in the second period the Oilers added to their lead with another powerplay goal. This one was a blast from the point off the stick of Visnovsky. All of a sudden the Oilers powerplay is red hot with four goals on seven chances in the last two games.

But the two goal lead was as good as it would get for the Oilers on this night. Like they did against the Capitals a month ago, the Oilers blew the 2-0 lead in the third period. This season the Oilers have lead after two periods 12 times and have a 9-2-1 record in those games. The only two games where they came away without a point were both on home ice against one of the games best teams. I guess if you’re going to blow a lead you might as well blow it against a good team.

It wasn’t the Penguins stars that the Oilers couldn’t handle though; it was their third line and specifically Staal who recorded the first assist on all three goals. The Penguins first goal came from Kennedy on a shot that beat Dubnyk on the short side. It was a shot that Dubnyk should have had without a doubt.

The second goal came off a rebound on a Staal shot. With Dubnyk was moving to his right, Staal let go of a low wrist shot back to his left and even though Dubnyk made the first save he wasn’t able to get to the rebound which Cooke tucked into the net to tie the game.

The game winner was a typical third line grinder type goal. It started behind the net where Dupuis obliterated Smid forcing a turnover. Staal grabbed the puck and passed it out front to Dupuis who jammed it in. It wasn’t pretty but it was the type of goal that hard working teams score.

The Oilers played a good game but once again found a way to lose. They’ve lost 13 of their last 14 and with San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago, and Calgary still on the schedule for this month the losing will likely continue for a while. But there were positives in this game too. Dubnyk played really well, he did allow one soft goal but he looked far more solid than Desluariers has of late. O’Sullivan had two assists and a couple of good scoring chances; if he keeps playing like that he’d be great trade bait at the deadline. And Cogliano played another excellent game. There are a lot of trade rumours surrounding him, if he does move the Oilers had better get a lot in return.

Up next for the Oilers are the Sharks in afternoon game on Saturday. I see one win 15 games on the horizon.