Khabibulin Vs Huet a No Go, Plus Off Ice Oilers News

Before we get into the thick of things, I just want to send a quick thanks to bleacherreport.com, who've asked that I give my two cents every once and a while on the Edmonton Oilers as a featured writer in the NHL section of this site.

I truly enjoy writing. While I haven't been in the blog game that long, I have been an Oilers fan for years and been able to take our little www.oilersinsider.blogspot.com site and turn it into a daily read for many Edmontonians. For that, I'm proud and it gives me an excuse to do what I truly enjoy—write, share my excitement over and harp on my favorite sports franchise—the Copper and Blue Edmonton Oilers. I hope to continue that trend and add something entertaining here on the bleacherreport.com.

Please, provide your feedback, your insight and your criticism on the team, my take on it and more. I enjoy the friendly debate almost as much as I do explaining my opinion. An opinion which I'm sure after tonight's Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers in game six of their 2009/2010 schedule, will have lots to say.

These two teams meet tonight with winning records (3-1-1) on the line as the free-wheeling, up-and-coming, young Chicago Blackhawks take on a renewed, deeper, and grittier Edmonton Oilers team. For the Oilers this is a test that could show the league whether the new Quinn/Renney regime and the response from its roster is for real, or if their 3-1-1 record to this point is a fluke.

In five games, the Oilers had a real chance to come away with 10 points. In two early losses to the Flames, games which the Oilers, arguably, controlled for 100 of the 120 minutes played, the Oilers scored frequently, but let in late goals with virtually minutes to go (in one case less than one second left) in regulation which cost them points in the Western Conference standings. Unlike, to some degree, their opponents tonight; the Oilers haven't had any one player stand out, instead taking a team approach, rolling four lines, and distributing the scoring throughout their non-superstar existing roster.

The Blackhawks are showing what most people expected this year. They are a team to contend with and with the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews (although he's had a slower start), and depth players like Byfuglien and defencemen Seabrook, Keith, and Barker make Chicago a tough team to play and an offensive juggernaut.

If the Blackhawks have any one weakness, it's in goal. Huet has not been, to date, the starter they'd hoped he'd be. Chicago's last game vs. Calgary was a glowing example, as Huet let in a number of poor goals in a 5-0 romp in the first 20 minutes, only to see his team bail him out in a 6-5 comeback in overtime. The only thing possibly worse than Chicago's poor start and goaltending woes, was the Flames meltdown in the final 40 minutes letting the Blackhawks steal the two points. 

A lot is being made of the two goalies in tonight's contest, but word has come down that one half of that duo—Huet—won't be getting the start. For the Oilers and Khabibulin, it matters not, as the team plans to come in and steal at least one point from a loud and rockin' Chicago team and its fans at the United Centre.

The Blackhawks, who reportedly offered Khabibulin a two-year deal to stay in the Windy City, saw him choose Edmonton and thus far, while his numbers haven't been terrific, they haven't been bad either. He's come on strong with his past couple of starts and furthermore, looks to show something tonight against his former team.

The jokes have already started as prior to tonight's match-up Patrick Kane was caught ribbing his former teammate during a pre-game interview with Chicago media. "Keep your glove up," was heard as Kane breezed by the interview while in progress. It will be interesting to see who comes out with the advantage as Khabibulin knows Chicago well and the Blackhawks in turn, know Khabibulin.

One thing is for certain, this will likely not be a low scoring affair. With plenty of opportunities for offense from both forwards and defencemen, my suggestion, if you're a betting man, is to take the over.

In other Oiler news, Marc Pouliot is expected to miss 8-10 weeks as he'll be undergoing hernia surgery to fix the pubis injury that's kept him out of the Oilers lineup since preseason.

Defenceman Steve Staios is almost set to return, but at this point is feeling on and off effects from his mild concussion, as is Sheldon Souray; both more strong stand-up defensive players on the Oilers otherwise offensive-minded blueline. That defensive ability is likely something the Oilers will miss, especially against Chicago. Tom Gilbert has been asked to pick up a lot of the major playing minutes and thus far has done well. His offensive numbers may continue to be lower as he plays a larger shut-down role, but in time, that should change.

Meanwhile, Tom Gilbert has been the subject of a new, but somewhat unbelievable trade rumor involving Buffalo's Drew Stafford. Stafford is a big and talented right winger, who makes about $2 million plus change less than Gilbert. That trade would need more pieces to happen.

Dustin Penner, Mike Comrie, and Denis Grebeshkov come into tonight's game with five points in five games each and look to keep the hot hand for the Oilers. Expect a good game from Patrick O'Sullivan who also traditionally has a good showing against the Blackhawks. He's leading the team in shots, and has yet to bury some golden opportunities with the exception of one goal in the Oilers game vs Nashville. That goal could be the trigger to a few more for O'Sullivan.

In unrelated to tonight's game news, Oilers prospects Jordan Eberle, Phillipe Cornet, Magnus Pijarvi-Svensson and others have had strong showings in their respective leagues and if the Oilers can successfully shed a few roster contracts this year, have a very bright future ahead of them in terms of their up and coming talent pool.