Oilers` options: Edmonton`s other goaltenders

Oilers` options: Edmonton`s other goaltenders   

 

By Covers.com staff
Tue, Jun 6, 2006  

 

The Edmonton Oilers` other goalies are about to get a whole lot busier.

 

Backups no more, either Ty Conklin or Jussi Markkanen will have to step in for No. 1 netminder Dwayne Roloson, who was knocked out of the Stanley Cup finals Monday night with an injured right knee.

 

Conklin replaced Roloson in Game 1 and allowed the winner after misplaying the puck behind his own net.

 

Conklin hadn`t played since the regular-season finale on April 17 when he allowed two goals on 18 shots in Edmonton`s 4-2 victory over Colorado. That snapped a 19-game stretch of inactivity for Conklin, whose previous appearance was on March 7 against Dallas.

 

Markkanen sat out the last 23 games of the regular season -- not even dressing 11 times. He has not seen game action since Feb. 12.

 

The Oilers are +158 underdogs in Game 2 tonight. The total is set at 6.

 

Ty Conklin:

 

Win-Loss-Overtime loss: 8-5-1
Goals Against Average: 2.80
Save Percentage: .880

 

Notes: Conklin started 15 games this season but the Oilers only managed to win seven of those games with Edmonton favored for every victory. He had one shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 3 in Edmonton and only made two starts on the road all season, losing both games. Conklin earned a 9-6 Over/Under record as a starter. Edmonton was 4-6 in his last 10 games played.

 

Jussi Markkanen:

 

Win-Loss-Overtime loss: 15-12-6
Goals Against Average: 3.13
Save Percentage: .880

 

Notes: Markkanen started 32 games for the Oilers in 2005/06. The team managed to win 15 of the games he started with 17 losses. They were 8-9 as favorites and 7-8 as underdogs in Markkanen`s tenure. Markkanen did not post a shutout the entire season and had a 17-11 Over/Under record as a starter with 4 games resulting in a push. Edmonton was 3-7 in his last 10 games played.

 

With files from Associated Press.

Diesel dominance: Bettors expect big Finals from Shaq

Diesel dominance: Bettors expect big Finals from Shaq   

 

By Brian Covert
Sat, Jun 3, 2006  

 

It was sometime during the Miami Heat-Detroit Pistons Game 4 when bettors realized they were witnessing a rebirth of Shaquille O’Neal.

 

In the second half with the Heat comfortably in front but not yet assured of victory, the 34-year-old O’Neal saw a chance to put an exclamation point on the game.

 

Reacting to Rip Hamilton`s move off a pick, the big man stepped out and swatted Hamilton’s shot attempt. Then picking up the ball at his own 3-point line, O’Neal went coast to coast, finishing the play with a Jordan-esqe, hesitation layup.

 

Game, set, match. Heat win 89-78 as 2-point favorites.

 

“It may have been the best play of these playoffs,” says Covers Expert Dave Malinsky.

 

It was a defining play in a series that evoked memories of a younger O’Neal. All told, the big man averaged 21.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, capped by a huge 28-point, 16-rebound effort in a 95-78 series-clinching win.

 

But bettors should think twice before taking Miami at +138 to win the NBA title based solely on O’Neal’s play.

 

“You have to think it was somewhat of an easy series for O’Neal,” says Malinksy. “In playing Ben Wallace, he didn’t have to contend with a true center and he wasn’t forced to play much defense because as we all know that’s not Wallace’s strength.”

 

That doesn’t mean bettors should expect a poor performance from O’Neal in the NBA Finals. Quite the contrary, especially considering the Mavs and Suns went six games to afford the Heat plenty of rest.

 

With Dallas advancing, Shaq now has to contend with more traditional centers that he did with Detroit. DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier are both of tough on the defensive end, although neither brings much in terms of offense.

 

But that’s not necessarily what should concern you if you’re a Heat fan looking to back your team. Miami has other problems that could hurt them in the Finals.

 

"It could get real ugly if you ask Antoine Walker to guard Dirk Nowitzki,” says Malinsky. “It’s (that) question that would concern me most if I’m (Heat coach) Pat Riley. Shaq will have a big series. I just don’t know what that will mean for the outcome.”

Game of the day: Edmonton at Carolina

Game of the day:
Edmonton at Carolina   

 

By Covers.com staff
Tue, Jun 6, 2006  

 

Edmonton Oilers at Carolina Hurricanes

 

Line: Carolina is a -175 favorite.

 

The total: 6

 

A feeling of uncertainty:

 

Whoever gets between the pipes tomorrow Edmonton will be rusty and short on confidence.

 

The Oilers acquired Dwayne Roloson at the trade deadline because they didn’t believe Ty Conklin or Jussi Markkanen would be able to lead them to the Stanley Cup, but now things have changed. Roloson will miss the remainder of the series with a knee injury.

 

Conklin relieved Roloson late in the series opener and then made a costly error that lost his team the game.

 

"It`s a mistake I don`t think I would normally make," Conklin told the Toronto Star. "I`m sure that (not playing in so long) had something to do with it, but regardless of inactivity, you still have to make the right plays."

 

He hasn’t started since the middle of April and compiled an 8-5-1 record during the regular season. Markkanen hasn’t seen any action since the beginning of March, but won 15 games for the team this season.

 

Comeback kids:

 

Never count out the Hurricanes.

 

The Canes have comeback to win three games this postseason in which they were down heading into the third period, including their two latest victories. They scored three times in the final stanza during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final and then scored four times in last 20 minutes to win Game 1 of this series.

 

Rod BrindAmour continues to lead by example with four points in his past two games, three of which coming in the third period.

 

"I think all year our team has been exciting because we do seem to, for whatever reason, get behind and find ways to scratch and claw and make huge saves," Brind`Amour told the Durham Herald-Sun. "I mean, you know, I`d say my dad, he`s having a heart attack, we`re fun to watch but not the way you want to do it."

 

Carolina is 7-4 this postseason when they allow their opponents to score the first goal.

 

Hurting your hometown:

 

Ray Whitney and Cam Ward grew up in the Edmonton area cheering for the Oilers during their dynasty years, but now both players are doing their best to prevent a sixth Stanley Cup parade.

 

Both Alberta natives were tremendous during the third period of Game 1. Whitney scored a pair goals in the period and Ward made 17 of his 34 saves in the final frame.

 

Glen Wesley, who also grew up close to Edmonton, played a big role on Monday night as well. He blocked five shots and was huge in killing off key penalties.

 

Game 2s:

 

Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, both teams are 2-1 in Game 2s and all games have been closely contested. All three of those games in which Carolina has played were at home and have been separated by one goal. Meanwhile, Edmonton has been on the road each time and both of their wins were by two goals.

 

Backers shouldn’t give up hope on the Oilers just because they dropped the opener, 15 other teams have rallied from a Game 1 loss to win the Stanley Cup.