Nov. 11 :: So If You’re Hot to Trot…
![BB](http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/big_node_view/files/images/Beastie_Boys.jpg)
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
How about Johan “White Castle Fries Only Come In One Size” Franzen
Jiri “Two at a time, I want girls” Hudler
Jiri “I dropped my drawers and it was Welcome Back Kotter” Hudler
Jiri “If not for my vices and my bugged out desires, my year would be good just like Goodyear’s tires” Hudler
Pavel “But like a dream I’m flowing without no stopping” Datsyuk
Nicklas “I’m the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena” Lidstrom
Nicklas “the creme de la creme is who I am” Lidstrom
Niklas “if you try to knock me, you’ll get mopped” Kronwall
Todd “And Burzootie, you’re not even helpin’ anyway” Bertuzzi
Jonathan “I’ve got a hole in my head and there’s no one to fix it” Ericsson
Jaromir “cut the sides, don’t touch the back” Jagr
Jiri “I did it like this. I did it like that. I did it with a wiffle ball bat” Hudler
Todd “Bust a Travis Bickle when I feel that I’m getting pushed” Bertuzzi
Pavel “Your style to my style, you can’t hold a candle to it” Datsyuk
Nick “I hold the title and you are the challenger” Lidstrom
Jiri “I’ve got the girlies in the coup like the Colonel’s got the chickens” Hudler
Jiri “We got wenches on the benches – and bitties with titties
Housing all girlies from city to city” HudlerJiri “so like a pimp I’m pimpin'” Hudler
Nik “And I’ve Got Mad Hits Like I Was Rod Carew” Kronwall
Larry “Cheaper than a hot dog with no mustard” Murphy
Todd “And if you got beef you’ll get beat to a pulp” Bertuzzi
Darren “I Could Catch A Groove Like A Flash In The Dark” Helm
Tomas “No one really knows what I’m talking about” Holmstrom
“clink-hardened Nikolai Khabibulin” is one of the best things this site has ever produced.
Tomas “Professor Booty” Holmstrom