Game Review, vs Calgary - Apr 10th 2009

I've been reading about people debating what's better for the Oilers, beat Calgary in a meaningless game, or loose to grab a better draft pick? I've mentioned before that I don't believe in teams tanking for draft picks and what sort of professional athlete goes out with the intention of loosing? We've all seen the Oilers at times playing like they don't appear as though they want to win this season, but I'm sure that they do. Sports is so much about psychology, if one team is more mentally prepared than the other, even if they're less skilled I think 9 times out of 10 they will win.

But to get back on track, the Oilers are going to finish 11th in the West regardless of how tonight's remach vs the Flamers turns out or how the out of town scoreboard goes. We could tie with the Wild, but I'm pretty sure they have the tie breaker because of winning the season series, and Dallas could tie us but we would win that tie breaker on a count of more wins. The Eastern teams are also all set, at least as they pertain to the Oilers finish in the overall standings and unless my math is off, or I'm missing something the Oilers will have the 10th draft pick this spring no matter what happens in Calagary tonight or anywhere else.

Anyway, last night's 5-1 win over the Flamers was proof of 2 things. 1, the Oilers are a good team when they want to be, and 2, the Flames are a bit banged up right now. It's looking like Vancouver is going to take the division unless lowly Colorado can muster up a win over the Canucks. However if Vancouver does somehow manage to beat the last place Avs in a Saturday matine, tonight's battle of Alberta will be for nothing except pride for both teams. I suppose this is good for our Oilers because the Flamers will know if there is anything on the line by the time the 2 teams hook up this evening. If Vancouver does loose, and Calgary beats our Oilers they can then tie Vancouver but get the division because of more wins. I like the idea of playing a dejected Flamers team tonight even though the thought of Vancouver winning the division is a little unsettling. But six of one, half dozen of the other. A divisional rival is going to win the NW no matter what, we might as well get something out of it by dousing the Flamers 2 nights in a row.

Last night, well what can I say. Horcoff with 3 points, Sheldon (future Oilers captain) Souray with 3 points, and JDD with a solid performance after riding pine for nearly the entire season. All I had on my wish list for these final 2 games was a split with Calgary and competitive hockey. With the second half of the back to back going tonight we have already got at least the split. A win in Calgary is never a bad thing, and I think it would be nice to send the Flamers into the post season on a loosing streak.

To recap: Tonight's game will have no bearing on our draft pick. If Vancouver wins this afternoon tonight's game will have no bearing on Calgary's post season spot. An Oilers sweep of the back to back vs Calgary would send us into the long off season on a positive note.

My prediction: Oilers 4 Calgary 2

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