What Can We Expect?

First off I’ll say this, awesome comeback by the Oilers last night in Calgary. It was a gutsy performance in the third period, and hopefully that will be the bounce that finally turns this terrible tide. The Oilers are off until Tuesday night, but there won’t be a shortage of news. Why? Ilya Bryzgalov is going to be coming up, so what should we expect?

AHL Bryz:

First off, let’s talk about Bryzgalov’s journey in Oklahoma. Bryz joined the team early last week and practiced with the squad throughout it. On Friday night, he made his return back to pro hockey starting for the Barons. Safe to say, it didn’t go the way he planned. Bryzgalov gave up five goals on just 24 shots.

That said, the highlights will indicate that on four of the five goals, Bryz didn’t have much of a chance. He looked rusty, but got better as the game went on and made most of the saves he was expected to.

Saturday night was a different story. Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots to earn a win, allowing just one goal on the night. Bryzgalov clearly looked a lot more comfortable on Saturday and looked more like the goalie he is capable of being. Bryz made some key saves when called on and got a fair amount of help from his defense, who didn’t leave him out to dry.

Overall, Bryzgalov didn’t wow your socks off in OKC, but he was solid for the Barons and clearly looked more comfortable as time went on.

The Roster Situation:

Bryzgalov was officially called up today, meaning the Oilers now have four goalies on their NHL roster. Bryzgalov joins Devan Dubnyk, Jason Labarbera, and Richard Bachman, who is currently on the IR and not close to a return after suffering a groin injury. Dubnyk isn’t going anywhere, so it’s safe to assume that it will be Labarbera on the move.

What happens with the veteran? My bet is that he gets put on waivers tomorrow afternoon, and I also would put a wager down that he gets claimed. I highly doubt a team will trade something for Labarbera, but there are a few teams with goalie injuries that might be willing to take a chance if he’s on the waiver wire. I’m looking at you Nashville, the Islanders, and Minnesota….

Labarbera simply didn’t get it done for Edmonton, and it’s a no doubter that he is going to be the one packing his bags.

Improved Dubnyk:

This is a real wild card situation. Devan Dubnyk appears to have finally turned the corner. His last three games have been really good, and he’s given the Oilers a chance to win in all three. Dubnyk has stopped 90 of 96 shots against him in those games for a save percentage of .938, which is very, very good.

Dubnyk has started to turn it around, and one can point back to the Bryzgalov signing as the turning point. Since signing him nine days ago, Dubnyk has been solid in every game played, and given the Oilers a chance to win each and every one of them. If he keeps on this path and actually does get pushed by Bryzgalov, then Dubnyk might be able to win back the starter’s job.

An improved Devan Dubnyk gives the Oilers a much better chance to win every night, and right now they are getting that from him. It’s a situation not many have thought of, but competition could push DD back to the goalie he was last season.

A Battle Brewing?

You better believe it, the Edmonton Oilers are about to have a battle for their starting goalie job moving forward. The season, realistically, is done from a playoff stand point. Right now, Craig MacTavish and Dallas Eakins are seeing who fits for next season and figuring out what they need to add to this core group of players. They’ll need a goalie, and both these guys will get their shots.

Bryzgalov has played at a high level before, and Dubnyk has shown signs of high level play before in his career as well. Dubnyk, evident by the last few seasons, plays his best hockey when he has to prove something and win a job, and he’s going to have to do that now. As for Bryz, it should be no surprise why I think he’s going to play well during this open try-out, it’s for his career.

Both these guys will have until at least the deadline to battle it out, and very likely could have the entire season to battle for the starting job. Both are free agents after the season, and part of me believes only one of them will be retained.

This battle kind of reminds me of the Garon/Roloson tilt of 2007-08, which ended up benefiting the Oilers big time.

So….About That Title

Oh yes, what can we expect. Both Bryzgalov and Dubnyk are going to be fighting for their careers as starters moving forward, and there is going to be a season long battle to find out who is in the long-term plans for Edmonton. It’s been an area of concern this season for Edmonton, but I truly believe Oilers fans can expect some vastly improved goaltending play thanks to this position battle.

I will say this. I might be in the minority here, but I really think Ilya Bryzgalov is going to win this job and by the Oilers goalie moving forward. I like Dubnyk ,but something tells me it will be Bryz moving forward.

Now….if only MacT could grab that stud defender he mentioned on Thursday…..