When I was young, maybe 10, my Dad used to get up really early and go to work. If it was a non-school day, and my Mom didn’t hear me get dressed, I would sneak outside and play hockey on the driveway. I had to be careful, because if I turned the outside light on too early after Dad left, he would turn around and send me marching right back to bed. I had an old sawhorse with two 10-gallon buckets in front that represented the goal, and a rubber puck plus an old Victoriaville stick that I used to shoot early mornings out in the country. The rubber puck, in winter, did a helluva impersonation of an actual puck (SK is damned cold) so sooner or later my Mom would emerge from the porch and protest my actions. Mom, unlike my Dad, could be convinced that the Orr Bruins needed me.
You couldn’t go 5-hole on those buckets, had to go high—and even then you needed some luck to do it. If I had been 10 in the 80s, one bucket would have sufficed, but this was the 1970s and the era of that damned Dryden. Two buckets, little room, and that blasted Jacques Laperriere playing kitty-bar-the-door to make matters worse. Damned Habs.
I loved the game at 10, love it now. Today, this morning, I feel as though it loves me back. Winning is like the warmth of the sun on a cool morning. Welcome back, friend. It seems like such a long time.
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HELL, YEAR OVER YEAR
- Oilers in October 2015: 4-8-0, goal differential -7
- Oilers in October 2016: 7-2-0, goal differential +10
- Oilers in November 2015: 4-7-2
- Oilers in November 2016: 2-1-1 goal differential -2
- Oilers after 12, 2015: 5-8-0, goal differential -5
- Oilers after 12, 2016: 9-3-1, goal differential +8
I have my line in the sand for November (15 points in 15 games) and these Oilers are ahead of the race. They are also exactly ridiculous on the road (5-1-1) so far this year so who knows what tomorrow brings. I have to say, this feels like a real turn north, cannot say this is a playoff team but it also feels like something more than fool’s gold. Agreed? Or are we once again a heart like a wheel?
DEFENSE, LAST NIGHT
- Klefbom—Larsson played an absolute ton last night, and owned in possession and HDSC. Well! The pairing was out with the Nuge line for over seven minutes (7-5 Corsi) and against Nyquist-Larkin-Nielsen (insane line) while going 6-4. Now, they get a bigger test on Tuesday, but this is a strong line and they were dominant. Larsson engaged offensively a few times, getting caught at least twice. I am generally encouraged by Larsson, but when he is behind the opposition goal line at the instant the puck is turned over—probably an issue that needs to be corrected.
- Nurse—Gryba had a solid evening. The possession was strong and considering the opponent much of the night (Z-Tatar-Greek Guy) I think they did well (6-2 against them)—and they had low HDSC totals. That is what a good shutdown pairing should be doing.
- Sekera—Benning were not good in possession but did win the HDSC battle. The duo played with the McDavid trio and went 2-8, while most often facing Abdelkader-Helm-Sheahan.
- All numbers via NaturalStatTrick.
- This was a good road game by these six men, and I am especially pleased with the top pairing and the third pairing. Still some wobble in the second group, but we have a rookie there and the young man can move the puck—he is a prospect worth discussing.
- Klefbom was the only defender to pick up a point—an assist on the winning goal.
FORWARDS, LAST NIGHT
- The Draisaitl line (Lucic-Pitlick) was the best line on the ice and it wasn’t close in my opinion. They owned the Corgi’s and the HDSC, and outplayed the Zetterberg line 10-2. The Zetterberg line is a good line!
- The Nuge line (Pouliot-Letestu) did not have an eventful HDSC evening but were solid in possession and of course Nuge scored the winner. Played against the Nielsen-Nyquist line and that is some high heat—this line was so good I wonder if Letestu hangs around for the rest of this road trip and beyond. Maybe Letestu is the Pisani? Heh.
- The Lander line (Beck-Slepyshev) did not win the possession battle but were suitably low event. Went 2-3 in possession in about four minutes against the Z line, I think we should take that all day. Slepy had two shots, quiet line otherwise. Lander played 1:49 on the PK.
- The McDavid line (Maroon-Eberle) lost the possession battle but had several quality chances and won the HDSC battle. They went 6-11 against the Sheahan line, but as shown won the chance battle—how Maroon missed that point blank chance is beyond me. I think the Oilers should keep this line together in Pittsburgh.
STANDINGS, NOVEMBER 7
- Whatever else comes our way this season, the Pacific Division standings this morning represent a major high for Oilers fans. Five points up on second place Anaheim, and Edmonton isn’t five games ahead in the GP department. A spanking goal differential, including a division lead in goals and a competitive GA total. Very nice, and credit to the team and organization.
- Although Vancouver is in peril early, it is actually Calgary who appear to be in a spot of bother. They have played more games than any other team in the division and carry the poorest GD.
INJURIES
- Kris Russell is on IR now, listed as lower body.
- Jesse Puljujarvi is uncertain for tomorrow night’s game in Pittsburgh.
- Zack Kassian lower body, also uncertain for Pittsburgh.
- Brandon Davidson has a lower body issue and is out for some time.
- Mark Fayne has an undisclosed injury and is out long term.
- Iiro Pakarinen’s knee injury has him out, no official timetable.
- Matt Hendricks has a lower body injury and it sounds like weeks.
- Andrew Ference has a hip issue and will not play this (his final) season.
- Source
Edmonton doesn’t give many real pieces of information on their IR list, but I think it is safe to say that Jesse Puljujarvi and Zack Kassian will be back sooner than the rest. I think. As an aside, how many forwards on this list would you activate if it meant Tyler Pitlick had to hit the waiver wire?
PITLICK!!
I have been tracking the progress of Tyler Pitlick since the summer of 2010, and it has been a long and winding road. The best way for me to show you? Here are his rankings on my summer and winter Top 20s over the years:
- Summer 2010: No. 4
- Winter 2010: No. 7
- Summer 2011: No. 10
- Winter 2011: No. 9
- Summer 2012: No. 11
- Winter 2012: No. 9
- Summer 2013: No. 24
- Winter 2013: No. 15
- Summer 2014: No. 14
- Winter 2014: No. 10
- Summer 2015: No. 19
- Winter 2015: No. 25
- Summer 2016: No. 22
- Winter 2016: ???
That is a lot of trips up and down the charts! I always like to go back to draft day scouting reports from highly regarded sources.
- Redline Report: “Began season playing the wing on a scoring line, but spent the last quarter of the year shouldering more responsibility centering Mankato’s third line. Accelerates briskly out of cross-over and blows by defenders. Has an NHL calibre shot right now. Flashed the ability to power through defenders. Can gain separation in corners with sharp twists and can turn on a dime. Patient playmaker. Long-limbed with farmboy like strength. Aggressive and finished checks. Can shield the puck and work it down low, but often gives it up due to his eagerness to come off the wall and attempt to dance around defenders. Work in progress defensively – will come back deep and battle for the puck but lacks awareness in coverage assignments. Green in many facets and was stuck on a Mankato team that was every man for himself, but was a big-time talent.”
Tyler Pitlick is in Pittsburgh today, preparing for career NHL game No. 41. I doubt he makes the Top 20 again—graduation comes at Game 50—but he is absolute proof that patience is required when it comes to prospects. I always say you should wait five years, but in the case of Brandon Davidson and now Tyler Pitlick, it appears that number can be amended as necessary. I am glad the Oilers showed patience, and that Pitlick never gave up the dream—it is certain there were times when 13gp, 4-1-5 at the beginning of an NHL season must have seemed like the impossible dream.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN1260. Scheduled to appear:
- Scott Burnside, ESPN. Sidney Crosby on fire, McDavid fading as both men ready to meet in Pittsburgh tomorrow night.
- Andy McNamara, TSN4Downs. Cleveland Browns set a dubious record, the Oakland Raiders are back to being the Raidahs and the Eagles need a wideout.
- Jason Gregor, TSN1260. Eskimos hit the road and that is probably the best path to the Grey Cup—an Alberta Grey Cup in Toronto!
- Sunil Agnihotri, Copper & Blue and The SuperFan. Oilers are in first place in the Pacific, have a great road record and surprising depth despite injuries. Is this true north?
10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.
OILERS VERSUS AVERAGE
- Record: 9-3-1 (6-5-1) Oilers are six points above league average, with an extra GP
- GF: 39 (33)
- GA: 31 (33)
- PPG: 8 (7)
- PPGA: 4 (7)
- Shots For: 387 (357)
- Shots Against: 398 (355)
- Shot Differential: -11 (+2)
- SP: .927 (.912)
- PDO: 101.8
- Source
- Fenwick For: 49.88
- Source
For you F1 fans, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg used to be intensely competitive with one another when they did kart racing, and that included things as “trivial” as ping pong games and unicycling (Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/30009435). Both have gone on to achieve great things and are at the top of the game. Yes the car makes a huge difference but F1 is definitely a team sport.
Point is, just as I don’t give a shit what Seguin does in his spare time (although owner encouragement in that fashion, if correct, is seemingly poor decision-making), nor should I care what Giroux is like. In fact, perhaps Giroux’s competitiveness to some is determination as perceived by others, and may even help explain in part why he has broken 90 pts in a season, while Eakin has maxed out at 40.
The problem is that we were all spoiled by being treated to Gretzky, who set the bar as far as I’m concerned as a sporting GOAT with a matching personality/humility. You look around at other leagues, the very public larger than life personnas of players like James, for example, or alternatively, the introverts like Tiger, and both have been ridiculed. Seguin is seemingly an extrovert, while perhaps Giroux, or McDavid, or Crosby are better described as introverts. Hamilton is more of an extrovert, while Rosberg is more of an introvert. But they are all damn competitive players and as long as they can help their teams they shouldn’t be judged based on their personalities.
My favourite is when he says that Gaudreau/Monahan/Versteeg “saws off” McDavid/Lucic/Eberle…
Another timeless anecdote and a McGarrigle shout out?
Lowetide gold today – the Oilers must be alright.
Reminded me of mis-spent springs in my Edmonton back-alley shooting the tennis ball against the neighbours’ white garage… he was a Victoria retiree who came home in the summer. His grandmotherly house-sitter didn’t mind as long as I washed it all clean before he returned. The doors were easily restored with an afternoon of scrubbing but I’d always be cursing my wayward wrist shot when I struggled to clean the stucco! That stuff with it’s little glass particles, defies even brillo pads. Rubber pucks hadn’t made it to my neck of the woods yet.
Fascinated to see the Oilers in Pittsburgh tomorrow. They should get their lunch handed to them but there’s something a bit more resilient about this group. It’s a bit early for the 87 to 97 torch hand-off, though.
Not hockey related, but this is incredible: https://mobile.twitter.com/MrLukeJohnston/status/795609403789635584
Tour of Seguins posh house in his interview here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsFevAUGJkc
Boston made a mistake in trying to rein him in…unless his party life affected his and teammates on ice play.
Good commercial
Reminds me of the saying, Pil swill.
Now with all the micros you need a Baedeker.
For years it was Urquel, now they went to a 330 ml bottle. Total Rip
Now it’s six each, Harp, Honey Dew and Pardubicky. Half a liter and unique.
Not looking to start anything but
One day after looking in the tupperware cupboard which featured maybe 3 actual working container and lids.I suggested to my wife that maybe at the local community league garage sale we could set up a table where people could bring their tupperware and for a buck they could search for a match
I thought $2 if you only came along with a lid and $1 if you had the container.She said a buck! “but the containers are worth more than the lids ” “they are not worth more if you do not have a lid”
Ying needs Yang containers need lids, Hall for Larson
Looks to me as though it was the Trouba group that buckled.
From everything I have read the results of this season have little effect on chevy’s decision making.
I don’t know about that. What playoff team will want to trade an equally good defensemen for him. Sounds like a lateral move to me
It sounds like that is chevy’s price. Chevy has made it clear he will get that or he won’t trade.
All the power to Seguin. He can do what he wants and put up whatever website he wants as long as it doesn’t harm his play as an NHL player and doesn’t hurt anybody. I know the early 20’s version of myself would be having a hell of a time with his money and celebrity status. The fact he remains an absolutely dominant player while doing it is nothing short of astounding.
There is an old saying where I come from, “If you’re so clever, why aren’t you rich?”
But I suppose Sequin is quite rich so he is obviously quite clever.
The young man just has a livewire personality. He’s also quite good at hockey. Exciting to watch.
I would have loved to see him and Hall play together some time. On the other hand…..
I wish I had a sibling making bank in the NHL. Would ease this student-loan debt that I’ll pay off in approximately 100 years.
On another note, how is our PP 4-9 in the last three games? This road trip looked like it could take a nosedive at the beginning of trip, after losing to Ottawa and Toronto. PP gets hot and we win a few games and almost take the streaking Rangers to OT.
Gotta love it.
As an aspiring hat designer and quote producer, his site deeply offends me.
(Kidding)
Seguin won’t need the money so I cannot imagine he has anything to do with this crazy assed website.
More likely it’s a family member(sister, Mom) who uses it to:
– fantasize
– borrow 10 grand at a time from Tyler for “business development”.
But yeah I agree it’s as douchey as it gets. It’s so douchey it doesn’t even offend me.
PS: Seguin’s a fantastic hockey player.
You’re right. It becomes a Two step or a play on Wright.
I like it.
Well I’m glad someone gets it.
LT, I’m sorry for semi-hijacking your thread.
The exact cost of the limited edition TS ball cap.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I just got a large percentage of my Christmas shopping done early. Thanks for the link LT blog!
LOL
Compared to a site like Leon’s, Tyler’s is off the douchey charts. Leon’s is at least fun (if an eyesore) and uses it as a blog space for his own personal experiences. No one’s talking about Tyler’s fanatics or that Tyler shouldn’t do what he’s doing on his site. Simply pointing out the fact that he has Zoolander-esque quotes among other things on his site to sell his $50 hats.
Even funnier than the article itself is the fact he hasn’t posted since. He’s gone into hiding from his own blog.
ITEM: Tyler Seguin’s(douchey) Website
Re: Seguin ball cap:
Memo: Send one to Ryan Getzlaf.
I went to see what the fuss is about.
Seguin’s not running that website. Whoever is, seems to be some douchey tool for sure, but Seguin’s making too much money to want to worry over a website/shop that’s pulling in peanuts, as this site is obviously doing.
Unless there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of Seguin fanatics out there. There aren’t? Okay, move on.
Woodguy,
I hope you win all those bets! You’re right on the last one, could be tight. All 3 of those teams can eat it as far as I’m concerned.
I have some lingering bitterness that Parenteau isn’t an Oiler this season, if that isn’t obvious.
That reminds me of those old Pil commercials:
‘Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way
This great Western beer that I’m holding
At the end of a workin’ day’
Wasn’t that also the year with a deadly pp? (At least to start the season)
The Corey Power Potter Play and Nuge was a witch.
It’s not the fact that Seguin has his own website which makes him seem douchey.
It’s the fact that his website is full of his own “inspirational” quotes and an advertising space for his $50 hats.
“If you want something as bad as you want to breathe, then you can do it”
“My new hat line reflects my personal interest in style. Each season the line will have fresh colours and styles”
*goes to Seguin’s Shop page, sees plain black hats with TS logo on them for $50*
Camannnnnn.
That was when re-Khabby put up a .945 or so to start the year.
Talbot’s been hot, but not that hot and his history suggests that he won’t cool down *too* much
He’d be a good Parenteau him, though.
Parenteau carrying Hall*?
Together: 54.7
Parenteau apart: 50.5
Hall apart: 46.8
Seems to have some Eberle like chemistry when with Parenteau, but Parenteau’s PDO is awful.
* no, I don’t actually think Parenteau is carrying Hall
Something else to watch for going forward:
Sekera.
He is not making plays with the puck. A lot of off the boards and out. Bizarrely (for a guy playing on his correct side), he also seems to be making a lot of plays on his backhand.
I’m not sure if it’s related to playing with Benning, or perhaps it’s injury, but he hasn’t looked himself outside those first few games when Russell was playing out of his mind.
It was more of a crosscheck-to-head plus accidentally-hitting-Kesler’s-chin-with-jersey-grabbing-hand plus rib-shot that started the knockout.
Well, wait and text things that make no sense. ‘Go Olives! clap clap’
Woodguy,
One of the emerging storylines this year is Nurse.
It’s no small thing that McLellan can trust Nurse on the road against a team like Detroit. If there are three pairings that can handle medium-tough comp, this team becomes a nightmare to match up against.
And we still have Davidson waiting in the wings…
I just found out Henrik Lundqvist has his own website. http://www.hlundqvist30.com/
He must be a horrible person.
Not enough. Agreed. 😛
Their new coach has played Engellend the 3rd most minutes on the team.
Finally saw the Domi one-punch on Kesler. Well done kid.
Next time make sure the initial cross check lands squarely on the throat as well.
Don’t count out COL.
I like their D better than most people do (if they keep Beauchimin away from important minutes) and their forwards have always been good.
A new coach has really helped.
I’ve always been a Nurse booster but don’t mind saying he might turn out to be the best defenceman of the lot.
Just think: He’s big, tough, mean, skates like the wind and he’s skilled. There’s no one else like him.
Stauffer said on his show that he’s close to coming back and will probably go to the AHL to get up to game speed.
I hear hip flexor for him and about a month sounds right.
I had hip flexor issues when I played football and they are awful.
Can’t do anything to rehab except wait for the most part.
It occurred to me that Pittsburgh is only 240 miles from Washington D.C. I don’t know how i feel about the Oilers and especially Connor being that close to ground zero of the apocalypse…. just saying
1 unit = $100
hunter1909,
I honestly don’t like Seguin and this is the best explanation why. It’s totally unreasonable.
It’s no biggie.
Taylor Hall, former Oilers propect+player had a rival named Tyler Seguin. Oilers fans hate Seguin’s guts as a result and can’t wait until the day he breaks his leg.
Even with Hall gone, Oilers fans enjoy their old vendettas. Legend has it that the concept of Oilers fans holding vendettas came with the fact that Northland’s was situated in the heart of Edmonton’s Little Italy area.
Those Larsson numbers are beautiful.
Ehhh, I wonder how much the Jets being 5-7-1 to start had to do with a deal being reached on a bridge….Or if a trade is incoming
Kesler’s narcissism took somewhat of a pounding this week.
He’s soft, costs 5 million a season and the dressing room hates his guts.
Other than that I’m sure he’s just fine.
treevojo,
I think that’s going to be an extremely attractive contract for a US playoff team in need of some help on the back end.