Nov. 11 :: So If You’re Hot to Trot…

NOW ONCE UPON A TIME UP ON THIS ‘MIC
First and foremost, a big thanks to friend-of-the-blog Greta (@thegatzke) for letting this suggestion mmmmmmmmmmmmDROP into our lap. Nothing says Friday like the Beastie Boys, so sit back and enjoy while we stir fry you up in the TPL wok.

It’s some sort of alternate universe right now, as the Edmonton Oil hit town with third most points in the Western Conference. A combination of young talent that probably has no idea who the Beastie Boys are and the red-hot goaltending of clink-hardened Nikolai Khabibulin has the Oil sitting pretty, while the Wings are finally cleaning up the mess that was a six game losing streak. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at the Joe.

BEST NAME NOMINEE
We’ll take a case of your best Magnus Paajarvi.

PLEASE PASS ME THE REUNITE ON ICE
:: Detroit dropped the Avs 5-2 on Tuesday .
:: Quick turnaround for the Oil, who got tuned up 6-3 last night by the Bruins.
:: This is the first of four meetings between these teams this year. Last year saw Edmonton gettin’ jealous of the rhyme routine, as Detroit took all four. The last win came on March 11th, a 2-1 OT victory that many of us attended as part of the H2H2 festivities. Nick Lidstrom tied it late, and Pavel Datsyuk dangled the shit out of Devan Dubnyk to win it in the extra session.

MEMBA ME?
No former Wings on the Oil.

OH, HI AGAIN
Ty Conklin and Dan Cleary have both spent time with Edmonton. So has Chris Minard, but, whatever.

LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
Two years ago today, Drew Miller was scooped up off of waivers. Ken Holland, you so fly.

I’LL BE BUSTING ROUTINES AND RHYMES ALL NIGHT
Tommy Holmbanger :: Pavel Datsyuk :: Buckets Cleary
Valtteri Filppula :: Henrik Zetterberg (GTD) :: Johan Franzen
Justin Abdelkader :: Danger Helm :: Jiri Hudler
Salt N Pepper Miller :: Cory Emmerton :: Patrick Eaves

Nicklas Lidstrom :: Ian White
Brad Stuart :: Niklas Kronwall
Jakub Kindl :: Johnny Shitbox

Tiberius Howard
Ty Conkblock

CAST YOU OFF INTO EXILE
Jan Mursak [left ankle]
Todd Bertuzzi [ill]
Fabian Brunnstrom (Would replace Zetterberg)
Mike Commodore

The TPL Name Game “Three Stars”
Just like last season, submit your nickname suggestions (follow the theme!), and we’ll use our Facebook page to allow people to vote for the best… the winner gets a free TPL t-shirt!
PETRELLA: Kenny “I’m Ad Rock and I Shock and I Tick and I Tock” Holland
DISCH: Ken “I Can’t Stand It, I Know You Planned It” Holland
HOLLIS: Mike “So I Reach Into My Pocket for the Fresh Amount” Ilitch
STEVIE: Jiri “I’ll Ride With You If You Can Get Me to the Border, the Sheriff’s After Me for What I Did To His Daughter” Hudler

YOU HEARD MY STYLE I THINK YOU MISSED THE POINT
:: Well, the big news heading into tonight is the possible absence of Henrik Zetterberg, who is dealing with a “middle body injury.” Opinions are being thrown all over the Interwebz about what could be plaguing #40, with everything from the shits to a… “trimmer mishap” (h/t @Flapjack_McZap) being considered. My guess? He took a puck in the junk at practice.
:: After the dismal six game stretch where the Wings managed to score six goals, the offense has returned and the last two games have seen ten pucks get by opposing goaltending. That scoring prowess will be put to the test tonight, as Nikolai Khabibulin brings his 0.98 (!) GAA to the crease for the Oil. Something’s gotta give.
:: Speaking of goaltending, Jimmy Howard’s been no slouch either. It’ll be interesting to see if Jimmah plays with an extra chip on his shoulder following his All Star ballot snub.
:: If you’re expecting a high scoring affair tonight, I might temper expectations a bit. Two hot goaltenders dueling it out has all the makings of a 1-0 or 2-1 final score. Now that I’ve said that, get ready for a track meet.
:: You think Ryan Smyth is happy to be back in Edmonton? 16 points (9 G, 7 A) in 15 games and a +4 make him the sleeper to keep an eye on tonight. With all the attention on RNH, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, Babcock would be wise to have his guys keep an eye out for the veteran Smyth.
:: It’s Veteran’s Day. Be sure to thank those folks who protect our right to enjoy tonight’s game and spout off on blogs afterward.

MUSICAL INSPIRATION