Tonight the Edmonton oilers laced them up for their first game of the season and it was a good one. The oilers thrashed the Calgary flames 4-0, With solid contributions from the young guns in particular Jordan Eberle and from veteran goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, Who stopped all shots faced tonight for the shutout. Some of the players that really stood out for me are
Jordan Eberle: Cant point out any negatives in his game tonight. As a rookie in his first NHL game he looked like a seasoned veteran. Scoring his first goal where he deked his way past a defenseman and went backhand roof on Mikka Kipprusoff. Also on the power play he sets up Horcoff for a goal with a shot that deflected off Horcoff and got into the back of the net. Defensively he was solid as I noticed him strip players of the puck more than a few times. It’s early in the season but this kid looks like he could have a very good year.
Nikolai Khabibulin: Khabibulin coming off a season ending back surgery and an embarrassing dui charge he got late last year towards the end of the season was looking to come back strong this season and he did tonight. Facing 37 shots tonight he was perfect stopping all opportunity thrown his way from the flames. For a guy that hasn’t played in a regular season game since early last year in November he did not show any rust what so ever. His reflexes were perfect and he looked confident and I believe that gave the players out there the confidence to try and take some chances. If Nik can stay healthy and keep up his play obviously not shutting out everyone every night but give a consistent effort and play 50 games it could be all the difference for the season.
Ales Hemsky: Ales looked fresh and rejuvenated and made some beauty passes one setting Penner up for a goal which got disallowed. He was dangling all night showing off his effortless skating. Ales was injured all season last year with a shoulder injury but it looked all healed up as he ripped a slapper home for his first of the season. Hemsky needs to stay healthy for the season we all know what he brings to the table but this year has to be the year for him to break out and play the full season.
Honourable mentions going to Shawn Horcoff who had a solid 2 way night cashing in a goal from an Eberle shot. Taylor hall was flying around taking some solid shots and showing his speed, one thing that I did not like was the slashing penalty he took but he is an 18 year old kid and those things are going too happened throughout the year. Ryan Whitney looked composed and picked up 2 helpers played a solid game the best outta the bunch tonight for sure.
It’s the first game of the season and it’s great to start it out with a win but I believe we got to take it a game at a time as there is going to be up and downs but certainly the best way to open the 2010-11 season. I have feeling it’s going to be a much more fun season in oil country
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