If you read the msm, this series is already over. I get that, the Anaheim Ducks looked strong in their two games at Rogers. However, momentum has no church home of its own this spring, not in this series, and the Oilers have a story to tell. Yesterday’s papers don’t mean jack today.
All aboard the pain train, this weekend is going to be memorable. Tonight in Anaheim, Sunday in Edmonton, this series could be over by work on Monday. No team in this series has been able to win a home game, so don’t be surprised if the Ducks try to move the game to Phoenix.
I will tell you the Oilers are going to need superhero performances from Connor McDavid and Cam Talbot tonight, and a strong effort from all three pairings. Lots of talk about Ryan Getzlaf and coverage in the last 30 hours, I think Edmonton can solve that issue just by taking better care of the puck. Crisp passes, support, no cheating, nothing across the middle. Giddyup.
OILERS SCORING AND DEPTH CHART VS. ANAHEIM
- The series is even and the GF-GA is very close as well, the difference coming in overtime on Wednesday.
- I think we’re seeing Connor McDavid get more open looks now, that’s a good thing. Can he outscore Ryan Getzlaf tonight?
- Will Todd McLellan move Leon Draisaitl to center tonight? Speeds suggested a lineup that featured MacDavid (wingers Pouliot & Slepyshev), Nugent-Hopkins (Lucic & Kassian) and Draisaitl (Maroon & Eberle). Are you onside with that line? Fascinating idea.
- If the hockey Gods are listening, a big night for the Nuge line and a strong showing by the top two pairings would be nice. Oh, and a win!
- As mentioned above, superlative performances from Connor McDavid and Cam Talbot absolutely has to happen. No pressure!
Click on the ad to register, Ilya tells me there is a spring fling tournament coming up at Callingwood (still time to register!).
JESSE PULJUJARVI
The difficult draft+1 season for Edmonton’s top choice in the 2016 draft continues this weekend, with JP apparently on the bench for the first game at WHC’s. Puljujarvi is the second youngest player in the tournament, so perhaps that is less of a surprise than it should be for Oilers fans. He is easily the top prospect in the system, but may require more seasoning based on how his season rolled out. Is he better off playing in Europe, or spending another season in the AHL where he may not receive a feature role? Playing time is always a concern for Oilers prospects. If only the club had an AHL team under their control. Hockey30 has JP being shopped, I am dubious about the accuracy of that rumor. You can view the boxscores from games at the WHC’s here.
ETHAN BEAR
Ethan Bear is the No. 2 prospect in the system, and this week was named the WHL Defenseman of the Year. His progress since draft day 2015 has been very impressive, and he addresses an area of extreme need (RHD) in the organization. His offense in junior suggests he is one of the most promising players in the system, no matter the position. Here are the top 10 NHLE’s in the organization for 2016-17:
- Anton Slepyshev 14-34-48
- Jujhar Khaira 13-19-32
- Jesse Puljujarvi 13-18-31
- Joe Gambardella 13-18-31
- Tyler Vesel 12-18-30
- Joey Laleggia 17-11-28
- Tyler Benson 7-21-28
- Ethan Bear 9-14-23 (leading defenseman)
- Ryan Mantha 7-16-23
- Caleb Jones 3-19-22
STAN WEIR!
- Stan Weir doesn’t wash his clothes, he disembowels them.
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When Stan Weir was born he drove his mom home from the hospital.
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Stan Weir can kill two stones with one bird.
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There once was a street called Stan Weir, but the name was changed for public safety because nobody crosses Stan Weir and lives.
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Big Foot claims he saw Stan Weir.
- Stan Weir can strangle you with a cordless phone.
- Stan Weir makes onions cry.
- Stan Weir once bowled a perfect game. With a marble.
- Cars look both ways before Stan Weir crosses the street.
- Death once had a near-Stan-Weir experience.
- Stan Weir can follow you into a revolving door and come out ahead of you.
- Stan Weir will bring us winning, riches untold and shapely women prone to making terrible decisions.
- Ladies and gentlemen, Stan Weir!
https://twitter.com/JackieDee16/status/860490475345649664
Yep.
PDO in the playoffs
This stat doesn't really work right when you've only played one or two teams. But the SH% vs SV% breakdown is neat. pic.twitter.com/wohXAR4va0— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) May 5, 2017
Perhaps an uptick of luck will be in the cards for Edmonton. Cam Talbot needs to stop 30 before he lets in one, and Connor McDavid is going to need to be brilliant for three periods. Todd McLellan needs to push that 97 line past 20 minutes on the night and fresh troops fresh troops fresh troops. Stay out of the penalty box, no half-assing, bear down on the special teams.
#Oilers haven't just been physically overwhelmed by #Ducks – they're losing the mental battle, too. Story: https://t.co/c2E3RNktCN #TSN pic.twitter.com/xhbQalI7KY
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 5, 2017
Interesting article from Frank Seravalli. I had him on the Lowdown yesterday, we spoke at length on several subject (Leon to center, Eberle leaving) and his article from last night has some interesting quotes and takeaways. I’m uncertain we can take anything from game to game, this series seems to have momentum shifts in 15-minutes increments. However, it is true that Edmonton’s play after the no-call goalie interference was poor. This is the kind of thing that playoff experience should solve, but this spring may end up being a lot about lessons learned and not about Oilers hockey deep into May. Important to remember though, even with these lessons being learned, the Oilers are tied 2-2 in the Pacific Division Finals. Don’t count out any possibility now, it might make you look foolish.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A complete show and lots of fun on the way. TSN1260, 10 this morning. Scheduled to appear:
- Steve Lansky, Big Mouth Sports. Oilers, Sens, Caps, Jays.
- Matt Iwanyk, TSN1260. Point Counterpoint today involves moving Leon to center this evening.
- Marshall Ferguson, TSN1150 Hamilton. CFL draft this weekend!
- Paul Almeida, SSE. Paul will trade the entire Oilers team at 11:25.
10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
I believe there is now enough evidence to support fairly substantial line changes
Slepyshev. McDavid. Maroon
Lucic. RNH. Kassian
Pouliot. Draisaitl. Letestu
Caggiula. Deharnis. Pakarinen
I think they should probably be thinking of ways to take Getzlaf out. Ideally a hard check from Lucic or kassian into th stansion where the glass starts at the benches. Or whack Gibson in a scrum until getzlaf gets in lucics face and then beat he fuck out of him. That ought to do it.
Old time hockey.
Gut check time. This is the kind of game that can shape a team. Do they rally, or do they fold. We can complain, curse, stress out and generally feel awful at times in playoffs. But holy heck I will take it over worrying about Jesse Puljujarvi’s playing time in the World Championships!
And I love the lines suggestion. It’s essentially what Pittsburgh has done with Crosby. Two mid range wingers he can elevate, freeing up every other scorer.
Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) · Twitter
https://twitter.com/IgorEronko
Per source Vegas is after Evgeni Dadonov too, deal can be signed soon
*** SPAM ALERT ***
Hey folks, I know we have a lot of music fans on the board, so thought I’d quickly share some news. Recently published my first novel, Heathen, now on sale via Amazon and coming soon to a Chapters/Indigo near you.
https://www.amazon.com/Heathen-L-Ferris/dp/152092741X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493995186&sr=8-1&keywords=heathen+ferris
It’s a psychological thriller set in the debauched era of the late seventies music scene. A fun summer read.
Now, hopefully the Oil can write their own epic tale tonight in La La Land. Let’s go boys. Get ‘er done!
Congrats.
Thats impressive.
– Great post LT!:
– Dadonov-Shipachyov-Yakupov: The LV OV line: I’d cheer a lot for them to be crazy skill goals
– Oilers win next two: book it. GOILERS
frjohnk,
Thanks!
Jesse Puljujärvi moving down the lineup to thirteenth forward for the opening game on WHC against Belarus.
Are they Russian to conclusions?
Hmmm. Could be an interesting Conference battle.
Edmonton University Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Kremlin Knights.
They play 4 games in 6 days. Coach doesn’t say there’s any problem with Jesse, just needs to learn the Finnish system a bit more. He is still young.
Good lord, that is terrible.
Congratulations!
For once, I think a lot of posters here will agree with you.
2-2. Yeah, yeah, squandered the road wins and it’s tough to expect 3 road wins in Anaheim; HOWEVER, the Oilers were a good road team all year.
McDavid.
Talbot.
Too young to feel the pressure they should feel.
They still have a chance.
Bag of Pucks,
A tremendous accomplishment just to get it published! Congratulations.
Everyone, enjoy the game tonight. As I said yesterday, I’m going to take the night off tonight. The first 3 Anaheim games, I was enjoying it, win or lose. Was happy to be in the 2nd round.
I’ve always overreacted to bad reffing, when I played, when I coached, and when I watched any kind of sports. I almost threw our huge old CRT TV through the patio window in my parents’ house when France was awarded 6 minutes of extra time in Euro 2000 against Italy. Any playoff game against the Bulls or Lakers, etc.
I don’t think my wife and daughter need to see me losing my mind like I was last game.
Anyway, my wife has started a new adventure in getting bees. We pick them up today and are setting up the hive at her parents’ acreage/farm just outside St. Albert. It’s her project, though Gord knows I’ll be the one dumping the 7,000 odd bees into the hive.
GO OILERS GO!!!
Ha ha. Well played. You know what i meant. Bag of Pucks, kudos to you!
Plus he did mention the importance of utilizing Jesse’s speed and other assets that other platers don’t have. So he wasn’t devoid of compliments.
Yup 🙂
dustrock,
Don’t forget to talk to your bees. This is important.
Bag of Pucks,
Way to go, man!!! …but if there’s a follow up, or a movie – consult me. You won’t even have to make shit up;-)
I hope its a best seller!
Other than the 2006 Finals, today is the most important game in this franchise’s history since 1990. We have competent goaltending, a good D, and the greatest player in the Universe. It’s 29 degrees in Edmonton. Come 5, find a patio or deck, enjoy a cold beverage. Then a great game. Accept the fact that refs are going to blow calls, Oilers are going to make mistakes, and the Ducks are going to act like the bad guys in Animal House or the Section 1 dirtbags in Ski School. Everyone’s goal should be to wake up like Fitz tomorrow morning: “Did we win? I mean, hey guys. Did we win!?”
Exactly, they should be double shifting Lucic, right? The Oilers need more Lucic.
Game 11 ?? Of the Stanley Cup Playoffs ?? Those of us here know that is a miracle !! So proud of our entire Oilers gang. We are indeed the most blessed hockey fans anywhere. Go get ’em, boys.
Eberle hasn’t exactly been moving mountains, but a healthy scratch for a 20 goal man in game 5 of a tied conference semi-final round is most likely a poor decision.
So Crosby is going to play.
I hate to say it but this is actually scary and insane by Pittsburgh to let happen.
Mortality scary.
barry.moore23,
Do you still keep in touch with Craig Millar? 🙂
“3. Ebs isn’t the only one that screws up”
It’s not only the screw ups:
– No active player has contributed less to the Oiler’s playoff run then Eberle
– By eye, and by statements made by the coaching staff, Eberle does not appear either willing or able to put forth the effort required to make plays to help his team win.
Yep.
Oilers are playing hockey. And I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
If feels a little weird, but vaguely familiar.
Why risk it? It makes no sense.
Frank Seravalli on Apr. 12:
http://www.tsn.ca/stats-say-bet-on-bruins-or-wild-to-win-the-cup-1.722723
Frank Seravalli on Apr. 17:
http://www.tsn.ca/low-scoring-playoffs-an-indicator-of-what-s-to-come-1.726731
He wrote that article after 20 playoff games. Total scoring was at 4.35 goals per game. He said:
“The interesting thing is that the first 20 games have served as a decent indicator as to how the scoring will play out over the remaining three rounds. Only once in the last five springs has overall playoff scoring increased compared to the first 20 games – and that difference was negligible (4.95 to 5.03 in 2013).
In other words, don’t expect to see a boatload of goals between now and mid-June.”
Total scoring is currently at 5.14. So since he wrote the article, teams have scored 5.30 goals per game, a little off the regular season pace.
Frank Seravalli on May 5:
http://www.tsn.ca/oilers-losing-mental-battle-against-ducks-1.743282
He stayed away from offering numbers or stats here.
Writers gonna write.
Wrong.
Would be nice, but to borrow a phrase from LT, I’m very much approaching this with ‘reasonable expectations’ : )
Book publishing is a very different landscape in this digital era. I’m just happy if the book finds an audience with people who are passionate about music and enjoy this type of subject matter.
Appreciate everyone’s kind words. Very supportive community we have here, though Eberle may disagree with that statement atm!
Bag of Pucks,
Congratulations and good luck!
What an amazing and diverse audience this blog has
It’s who I am.
The Ducks are fake.
The Oil will eat their mental toughness with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
🙂
Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) · Twitter
https://twitter.com/Bob_Stauffer
Leon Draisaitl has 7-8-15 in 9 GP (reg. season and playoffs) vs the Anaheim Ducks this season
27 mins ago · Twitter
Prediction: After Kesler hits Benning over the back with a steel chair, Draisaitl lefts Kesler over his head and powerslams him to the ice. On the way to the penalty box he tears off his own jersey with his bare hands. This is obviously my NSOGDP.
We are so goddamn lucky to have him.
Well done and congrats! Maybe next book can be about the debauchery and intrigue at Lowetide!
Sekera finally has enough smug bully from Getzlaf and in a pique of moral anger picks him up over his head and throws him into the crowd. Where his own fans tear his uniform off for souvenirs.
Foreign Objects. Must watch out for foreign objects. #Kesler
Jim Matheson @NHLbyMatty 2h2 hours ago
More
Kris Knoblauch has Erie up game in OHL finals. He belongs in an NHL organiz either coaching farm team or NHL assistant
We’re having an old friend for dinner.
This isn’t even remotely true.
Who doesn’t dress if we bring up the Cuban Assassin from the minors?
Bag of Pucks,
Excellent…thanks.
Translation: He’s heading for Bakersfield.
Seems that way. These moves are some of the few things that the MSM seem to get a heads-up about these days.