Defensive Oilers
By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
When superstar defenseman Chris Pronger jolted the Edmonton Oilers with his offseason trade demand (he ended up in Anaheim), many NHL betting fans believed the loss of Pronger would be a catastrophic blow to the Oilers' defensive corps and Edmonton's chances at making a run at the 2006 Stanley Cup. It turns out they were wrong.
Led by goalie Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton’s defense ranks fifth in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.52), and it is that defense that has led the Oilers to a 13-8-2 record and first place in the Northwest Division. Roloson has posted a 12-6 record with a stellar 2.27 goals against average (10th in the NHL) and a sparkling .924 save percentage (6th in the NHL). Combine Roloson’s stellar play with the top penalty-killing unit in the NHL (90.2% penalty kill percentage), and you have a solid defensive team that could make some noise in the playoffs.
It is a good thing that Edmonton’s defense is rock solid because its offensive attack is mediocre at best (2.91 goals per game). C Petr Sykora leads the team with 24 points (12 goals/12 assists), while LW Ryan Smyth has chipped in with 15 goals and 6 assists. Sykora and Smyth are the Oilers' only double-digit goal scorers, which could come back to haunt the Oilers down the road.
With a stingy defense and superior penalty-killing unit, Edmonton is in a great position to win the Northwest Division, but it needs to find more goal scorers if it wants to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup.
The Oilers are in action Thursday night and are -$170 on WagerWeb.com against the visiting Avalanche.
Burnin’ Down The House
Atlanta RW Marian Hossa is now tied for the league lead in goals scored with 17. ... After a slow start, Anaheim's Pronger is second in the NHL with a plus-17 plus/minus ratio. ... The San Jose Sharks are 8-2-0 in their past 10 games.
Cold As Ice
Tampa Bay G Marc Denis is next-to-last in the NHL with a dismal .877 save percentage. ... Washington phenom Alex Ovechkin is a surprising 0 for 4 in shootout opportunities. ... The Columbus Blue Jackets are 1-8-1 in their past 10 games, while the St. Louis Blues are 3-7-0 in their past 10.
Significant Transactions
Philadelphia signed RW Mike Knuble to a two-year contract extension.
Injury Report
Philadelphia G Robert Esche will be out up to a month after undergoing groin surgery. Esche has compiled a record of 2-4-0 this season with a 5.64 GAA and .820 save percentage. ... Atlanta defenseman Andy Sutton is out indefinitely after suffering an ankle injury during a practice session.
WagerWeb.com Betting Odds Update
The Oilers, despite their strong start, are +2200 to win the Stanley Cup.
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