The Oilers prove yet again that scoring goals isn't as easy as it looks on the highlight reels tonight in a real stinker at Pengrowth Saddledome. The Flames topped our Oilers 1-0 on a goal by Blair Betts.

Lineup
Isbister	Smyth	Hemsky	Brewer	Cross
Chimera	York	Dvorak	Smith	Staios
Moreau	Reasoner	Pisani	Bergeron	Ferguson
Torres	Horcoff	Laraque
			Salo
			Conklin
Scratched: Stoll and Semenov are healthy scratches.

Postgame

Jamie McLennan started in the nets for Calgary tonight with Roman Turek out for a bit with a concussion. The always faithful Tommy Salo started in the nets tonight for Edmonton. While Edmonton lost 1-0, Salo kept the Oilers in this one with a good half dozen saves off of quality Calgary scoring chances. The woodwork was a good friend to Tommy tonight as 3 pucks went off the goal posts tonight. The Oilers were presented with one goalpost during the game.

Perhaps the most memorable save from Tommy Salo tonight was stopping Gelinas and his rebound right after in tight, late in the first period.

Jason Smith and Steve Staios saw a more typical game from the blueline tonight. Smith had his share of hits and after the duo's disaster in the Vancouver game, they bounced back with solid play. Staios lead all players tonight with 25:37 of icetime.

After that, the positives from this game start to slide.

Blair Betts scored on the power play proving the penality killing units isn't perfect. The goal in itself was a bit of a lucky bounce with Salo getting a piece of it on the way in. A goal is a goal and there's no easy fingers to point for this one. Sometimes pucks will go in.

But on the Oilers end of the spectrum, their offense was plain and simply offensive to OilFans watching. Ryan Smyth looks out of position in the experiment to play him at center. Radek Dvorak and Brad Isbister show flashes but little chemistry with their linemates. If Mike York is actually 100% after playing through his scalpoid injury last year, then he's not the player Kevin Lowe and the Oilers think he is. Jason Chimera was a non-factor offensively tonight as well. Ales Hemsky was promoted to the top line tonight and was truly the only player in top two lines that seemed to be putting forth some effort. Unfortunately there are few gifted enough to put their whole teams on their shoulders, never mind a 20 year old Hemsky.

In an attempt to get some chemistry going on his team, MacTavish changed everything around during the second intermission. A bold move for a coach to completely revamp his lines during the game, but nothing OilFans haven't seen in previous season when the Oilers are down. Anyone think he just pulls out a hat and draws names in the dressing room?

The bottom two lines for the most part, did what they had to do. Torres was hitting and got the Oilers lone goal post tonight. Laraque and Horcoff were along for the ride on the 4th line; which for an energy line did what they had to do. The former scoring RPM line doesn't look to have the touch we saw at the end of last season. But should Moreau, Pisani and Reasoner be depended upon for the Oilers offense? Somehow with names like Dvorak, Smyth and Hemsky in the lineup, you'd look past your 3rd line defensive line for the majority of the goal scoring.

It's just one game in an 82 season, but when you put two shutouts in a row against the Oilers, folks start looking to that panic button. And this year, the panic button has Mike Comrie's picture on it. Will the Oilers' Kevin Lowe hurry up whatever contract negotiation, trade or even a launching of Comrie into space because of a couple scoreless games? The majority of fans certainly expect to see a resolution now, not later.

Three Stars

Jamie McLennan - a 19 shot shutout doesn't get much easier.

Blair Betts - the preseason hero proves he can do it in October too.

Steve Staios - lead both teams for ice time (25:37).

Oil Gauge

2 games, 0 goals scored. If any stat in hockey makes your stomach quiver with sickness, that's the one. To the Oilers and Salo's credit, there have only been 4 goals scored against in the same span.

OilSlicks

Jason Smith appeared to be unscathed from getting Dean McAmmond's skate in the face in the second period. The Oilers captain was on the ice in the third period and looked as steady as he did from the onset of tonight's game. For a defense that doesn't look great on paper, the unlikely group of 6 is showing that perhaps they will carry the Oilers weight on their shoulders with ease.

Next Game

The Oilers come back to Skyreach Center to salvage their 1-2 start to the season against Buffalo Thursday night. If you don't have tickets, you'll find the game on SportsNet-West. The Oilers will continue their homestand against Colorado and St. Louis.