Regular season wrap up

Edmonton Oilers News (April 8th 2011) "Regular season wrap up"

Final standings 2011


General Manager Morgan Kowalski:
"I am delighted with the year as it has exceeded our initial expectations for this team. Our core is still among the youngest in the league and we will continue to build with patience and long-term success in mind. It is with that in mind I hope that we can use this playoff experience, going in with little pressure and a lot to win."


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Regular season Stats (Players)


Edmonton Oilers News (April 8th 2011)
Ales Hemsky did not just shake a monkey off his back with his first point-per-game season, he did it in such a fashion that it might be considered animal cruelty. At just a goal shy of 30 goals, he was a major contributor to the offensive output of the team, both even handed and on the power play. His plus 4 testaments to a relatively successful overall year too. Dustin Penner also reached the point-per-game plateau with a tremendous finish - adding a total of 38 goals! But the most impressive of the first liners may yet be 21 year old Sam Gagner who had his breakout year, being a major reason for Hemsky's 29 and Penner's 38 markers with 56 assists and a strong +10 - which was a team best.

Brooks Laich, Patrick O'Sullivan and Greg Moore also added strong scoring to the Oilers and Moore did so mostly from the third line throughout the season. Lubomir Visnovsky's totals were also notable. Following his move from Carolina, young power forward Eric Tangradi also made himself an outside Calder candidate by scoring 23 points in 28 games - it would be his less impressive numbers from the Hurricanes that will stop him from being named rookie of the year.

On the negative side, goalless Denis Grebeshkov had a rather average year while building up (or tearing down) an ugly -19, mostly spent alongside big Nolan Yonkman, who posted similar numbers.

General Manager Morgan Kowalski:
"I am pleased with our general output, even though there are players that I hoped would do a bit better. Our top 6 forwards, including players like Moore and Cogliano were right were we wanted them or better. No doubt that having 5 players over 25 goals was a major factor in the season's success so far. I emphasise, "so far" because we're really at the starting line, waiting to go. Next year I hope to have a few forwards crack the top 30 list, we really only had Hemsky close to that at 31st in the league in points."



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Regular Season Stats (Goalies)


Edmonton Oilers News (April 8th 2011)
Edmonton's goaltenders were among the premier in the league for goals against, as the Oilers finished 4th in goals allowed with 225, behind Vancouver, Anaheim and Calgary - the Flames allowing just 187 goals in all.


General Manager Morgan Kowalski:
"I think we have the best goaltending tandem in the league. Jonas made up some ground later in the year and finished with a good record as a backup. Our ambition is to let our two netminders share the workload about as much as they have this year. Who is the starter, is up to themselves through effort and results. Nik kept us in games throughout the season and will be the starter for the playoffs.



Team Stats:
Edmonton finished 19th in goals for with 245, some 52 goals behind the Red Wings who were first with 297. The Oilers were 11th, however, in shots on goal average - with 31.37, just a mere 2 shots per game from the Wings who were first at 33.41 spg.

At 4th in goals against, Edmonton had a strong defensive year, allowing 225 goals. They were in a six-way tie in shutouts, sitting at 9th with 4 shutouts. Kari Lehtonen and the Thrashers were on top with 9 shutouts. The Oilers were 12th in shots on goal against average, with 30.09 shots against per game. Detroit were first in this category as well, allowing 27.32 shots against on average.

The Oilers were by far the least penalized team, having amassed a puny 920 PIM through the season. Most belligerent were the Blue Jackets at 1770PIM. Edmonton were 8th in power play goals with 91, a category the Panthers won with 102 power play markers. Nevertheless, Edmonton were just 19th in PP% with 15.4%, due to having the second most power play opportunities. At 83.5% penalty killing percentage, Edmonton were 21st in the NHL, but because of their discipline they allowed the least power play goals in the league with 57 against. In the same vein, they were last in the short handed goals category with a mere 2 SHGs.

"Generally special teams is something we can become significantly better at, but I am pleased with our discipline. We have been critisized for being soft, but that is the most ignorant kind of stat-reading I know about. Everyone who sees our team knows we play physically, but we don't do it at all costs. Grit appears in more areas than a 'hit column' or 'PIM' statistic.