Oilers down Minnesota 3-1

So tonight the Oilers stepped it up and brought their cojones to the game. The defining moment of the game was a devastating hit Steve Staios had on Stephan Villeux, causing Clutterbuck to immediately drop the gloves on a questionable instigator non-call. The first period was full of hits and for the most part the Oilers dominated offensively. Moreau and Staios definately stepped it up and brought the x-factor that was lacking in the Buffalo game.

The 2nd period was bit different, we started off okay, but for the latter half of the 2nd and the 3rd period I felt the Oilers let up on the gas pedal, allowing Minnesota to get chance after chance. If Roloson plays like he did against Buffalo, we would of lost the game. I don't know why they let up either, the physicality was working awesome and I wonder if the hit on Hemsky late in the 1st was a deterrant to the physicality.

Overall, I think the Oilers played a decent game. The goals were for the most part not the greatest, Hemskys was a lucky bounce, Moreau's was a must save for Backstrom (pulled in his last 3 in Edmonton), Visnovsky's goal was a thing of beauty though.

A couple of negatives to the game:

I love Horcoff and his work ethic, but tonight he was terrible. He had too many giveaways to count, all on soft passes or failed attempts at the cycle. Personally I think MacT should have him next on his call-out list.

Souray, really he's been quickly declining into Staios territory of defensive ability. I cringe most times he gets the puck while being pressured in the Oilers zone.

MacIntyre vs. Boogaard was a big let down. It was like watching 2 nukes collide only to get a small little poof. Hopefully it was just round 1, I would really like to see them get into a true fight.