2019-20 Game Four: Oilers at Devils

by Lowetide

Three games into the 2019-20 season and even the crusty are beginning to allow for the possibilities. Oh sure everything’s awful and we’re all going to die, but maybe this winter, this team, will keep the city of Edmonton and Oilers fans around the world hanging on through the deadline and into spring. Many miles to go, the possession numbers are not strong but the wins are groovy. Reminds me a little of 2008-09. Nice start.

THE ATHLETIC!

The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of The Athletic, there is a Puck Drop Special offer here.

  • New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘He’s addicted to getting better’: What the Oilers are saying about Connor McDavid’s amazing start
  • New Eric Duhatschek: The lasting impact of The Gretzky Effect, 40 years after his NHL debut
  • New Max Olson:There’s only one Chuba’: Oklahoma State’s star running back is Canada’s gift to college football
  • New Jonathan Willis: Oilers who could win (or lose) NHL jobs early in 2019-20
  • Lowetide: Several unproven players are earning NHL jobs and increasing roster quality and depth. No balance photo, but some traction early.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Why Riley Sheahan could be a key ingredient the Oilers have been missing
  • Jonathan Willis: Bet on James Neal rebounding with Oilers, just not all the way
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How Joel Persson went from being a part-time teacher three years ago to patrolling the Oilers blue line (this is exceptional).
  • Lowetide: Keeping an eye on Jesse Puljujarvi: Which teams could emerge as potential trade partners?
  • Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto’s fast start in the AHL highlights an active week for Oilers prospects
  • Lowetide: A shift-by-shift analysis of Ethan Bear in the Oilers’ season opener
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Looking at how the Oilers can manage on defence without Adam Larsson
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: No need to temper expectations after Connor McDavid’s season debut for Oilers
  • Lowetide: Ken Holland has a plan for the Oilers’ top prospects.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: At home with Ken Holland: Packing away the championship memories and preparing for a new challenge
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Oscar Klefbom on being a mentor, his strategy for staying healthy and saying goodbye to a friend.
  • Daniel and Jon: Ten bold (and not so bold) predictions for the Oilers this season
  • Lowetide: The Oilers are poised to break a 25-year-old franchise record this season
  • Lowetide: Jay Woodcroft’s Bakersfield Condors might be bound for glory
  • Corey Pronman: Oilers No. 9 farm system.
  • Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.

OILERS IN OCTOBER

  • Oilers in October 2015: 0-4-0, goal differential -8
  • Oilers in October 2016: 3-1-0, goal differential +2
  • Oilers in October 2017: 1-3-0, goal differential -6
  • Oilers in October 2018: 2-2-0, goal differential -4
  • Oilers in October 2019: 3-0-0, goal differential +5

This start resembles only one other since McDavid arrived in town, and it’s worth noting the teams who missed the playoffs (2015, 2017, 2018) were off the pace at the starting gate. In 2015 (70), 2017 (78) and 2018 (79) the cement dried very quickly. So too in 2016 (103) the die was cast early, but in the good direction. The Oilers good fortune to match 2016 so far this year.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OCTOBER

  • At home to: Vancouver, Los Angeles (Expected: 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
  • On the road to: NYI, NJD, NYR, CHI (Expected 2-1-1) Actual (1-0-0)
  • At home to: Philadelphia, Detroit (Expected 1-1-0)
  • On the road to: Winnipeg, Minnesota (Expected 1-1-0)
  • At home to: Washington, Florida (Expected 1-1-0)
  • On the road to: Detroit, Columbus (Expected 1-1-0)
  • Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
  • Current results: 3-0-0, 6 points after 3 games

When I was looking through these October games, the one thing that struck me was this road trip. The teams Edmonton is facing on this trip could be good (I marked New Jersey as being a better team this year) but there was some question about each of them. So, the Oilers play the Devils tonight and we’re not sure if they’ll win. I do think they’ll have a chance to win, and maybe that’s Dave Tippett’s presence. Oilers have cut way back on chaos/60 under the new coach, and the outlet passing has improved markedly. Three games can tell you some things, and the quick out effectiveness appears woven in the fabric.

OILERS WORRIES

Early days, but the trends on some of the Oilers numbers are not good through three games. We need 20, that’s my line in the sand your mileage may vary. Here are some interesting totals, we are always looking for 50 percent or better in possession, goals, etc. NST, all numbers five-on-five unless indicated:

  • Corsi: 43.87
  • Fenwick: 43.82
  • Shot differential: 44.19
  • Goal differential: 56.25
  • Expected goals: 49.02
  • Scoring chance differential: 47.86
  • High danger scoring chance differential: 56.10
  • Shooting percentage: 15.79
  • Save percentage: 90.28
  • PDO: 106.1
  • Power Play: four goals in 20:57
  • Penalty Kill: one goal against in 17:54

BASEBALL

I have a Nationals story for you. Well, Expos, but close enough for jazz. It’s about a man named Matt Stairs, who could hit a ball to the sun but wasn’t really built for running. At the time of this story, he was a young Montreal Expos prospect. Many years ago–this would probably be 1990–my wife and I flew to Cancun for a winter vacation. Cancun is beautiful, and fun!

We were out in the sun too long one day and I burned my legs, but we were having fun and I didn’t notice. We headed out for a nice meal. It was an outdoor restaurant, and a cool breeze started rolling in during our dinner. At one point, I looked down and both of my legs were full of goose bumps the size of Chryslers.

By the time we get back to the hotel (Cancun Palace, nice joint) I’m in real pain. Painkillers from the front desk, a mountain of aloe vera and I’m praying I’m going to get some sleep.

I do not. It’s 3am, I can’t sleep. So, I turn on the television and am met by something called SUPER CADENA (Caribbean World Series) and damned if it isn’t Matt Stairs at the plate. I watched the entire game. Three hours of “turn it off” followed by “in a minute.” Stairs had a great game iirc, ripped a double and his side won the game. It took forever to play, but I remember that game pretty well considering pain, time of day and alcohol consumed. It was worth watching. I slept all the next day. She’s still with me.  

ROUND TABLE

This morning on the Lowdown (10-11), I’m honored to have three smart guys with strong opinions return to the round table. We do this two or three times a year, and I wanted to wait just a little because there was a lot of roster vague at the end of September. Tyler Hupka, Darcy McLeod and Bruce McCurdy will bring strong opinions to TSN1260 for an hour. So, tune in, and we welcome your questions, in the comments section below or at 10-1260.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, TSN1260, leading off with the round table. At 11, Frank Seravalli from TSN joins us to chat James Neal, Taylor Hall, the chances of going 4-0 and all of the unbeaten teams.

At 11:20, Andrew Peard and Corey Graham will join me. That’s 67 percent of the Oil Kings modern play-by-play history. The story of Corey’s difficult physical journey over the last few years is mostly known, but what isn’t known well is his desire to resume his career. It takes a special person to keep his eye on the goal through such difficult circumstances, and Corey is that person. On the other side, Andrew Peard’s career path is also part of the story. I’ve worked in radio for 40 years and things never work out as well as this one. Both men will share their thoughts with us this morning. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.

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CallighenMan

Lowetide: Yeah, I think that’s fair. I think that goal doesn’t count a year ago. Oilers have had damnable luck in these late goals/against, so maybe the hockey Gods paid one back tonight.

Disagree. On super slow mo the puck is clearly just about to hit the back of the net as the whistle went.

CallighenMan

Harpers Hair: I heard it before the goal was scored.
Shit happens.

No, that’s what’s in your head apparently.

hunter1909

Ralph Kreuger eating the lunch of all NHL ex Oiler usually sacked head coaches everywhere in the NHL

Tippett is above this. 4-0 buys a lot of free stuff.

Eakins has the Ducks going so far. McLellan not so much for the Kings yet.

CallighenMan

Side: And here I thought millennials were supposed to be the sensitive generation…

I’m old and confused. What is wrong with “goof” or “goofball” or “goofy”??
Just a dog with a weird voice or someone who is always joking around. … so to me not really accurate to call Neal a goof, though he may be funny …

godot10

Richard Roma: The fancies are horrid.

Ff%

>50% – 1 player. Kassian
40-50. 6 forwards. McDavid’s at 43.4%!!!
30-40. 8 forwards!!!

Winning the special teams is more significant to winning than lousy fancies, when on has two of the top ten forwards in the league. To fix the fancies one has to fix the roster, which couldn;t be done in one summer with no cap space.

So Holland and Tippett focussed on fixing the PK, making sure to get forwards who could PK, to free up time and energy for McDavid and Draisaitl.

The Oilers missed the playoffs the last two season mainly because of a horrid PK, and a mediocre power play.

Krueger had an absolute abomination of a roster in Edmonton, and got a pro-rated 77 points, almost as much as McLellan in the last two years. Because special teams, winning when Hall was on the ice, and shortening the game.

By fixing the special teams, Holland and Tippett should keep the Oilers in the playoff hunt till the end.

Only injuries will kill this season now.

Only a better roster can fix the fancies.

ArmchairGM

BONE207: So you’re saying: The cliff is looming. Maybe we can get our 3rd rounder back?

Quite the opposite, I’m saying it looks like he’s ill right now and will be even better in the coming weeks.

Jethro Tull

GMB3:
The correcting of the PDO is going to be ugly for us. We should probably be 2-2 at this point.

I assume that by correction you mean to 100?

The team would have to play worse than they did last year to do that. Not impossible. But improbable. They’ll lose a couple of points off it.

vinotintazo

godot10:
The Oilers plan to maximize points this year with a still problematic roster is basically the same model as the Krueger model with Hall.

1) Win the twenty minutes with McDavid on the ice even-strength.
2) Win the special teams.
3) Win in OT.
4) Saw off the shootout.

Then you have shortened the game to 30 something minutes, probably up by a goal or two.Hanging on in those 30 minutes won’t look pretty.

Maximum points and lousy fancy stats.

A problematic roster is NOT an excuse for losing.Both Eakins and McLellan blamed the roster.Krueger and Tippett were/are going to maximize what they have.

The fancy stats may be ugly this year.It might take till next season to have a roster with fewer problems to have the fancies look good.

That is why Holland and Tippett put so much effort in acquiring penalty killers.Winning the special teams plus McDavid/Draisaitl shortens the games, and give one a head start in that shortened game.

And people will be saying all year that it is unsustainable.

Which is sort of true, but then one has to work on making it sustainable beginning next year by fixing the remaining problems in the roster.

This.

We have two 4 lines and are missing 1 top 6 to replace Jurco.

BONE207

ArmchairGM: I posted about this yesterday, it may have been on a different forum, that to me McDavid hasn’t been playing up to the level we’re used to seeing. He’s bobbling pucks more, he has speed but not the same explosiveness, his overall pace and effort aren’t there shift-to-shift.

So you’re saying: The cliff is looming. Maybe we can get our 3rd rounder back?

Pouzar

I must say I am a little worried about my boy Haas’ ice time.
Doesn’t seem to be a Tippett fav.

Richard Roma

godot10:
The Oilers plan to maximize points this year with a still problematic roster is basically the same model as the Krueger model with Hall.

1) Win the twenty minutes with McDavid on the ice even-strength.
2) Win the special teams.
3) Win in OT.
4) Saw off the shootout.

Then you have shortened the game to 30 something minutes, probably up by a goal or two.Hanging on in those 30 minutes won’t look pretty.

Maximum points and lousy fancy stats.

A problematic roster is NOT an excuse for losing.Both Eakins and McLellan blamed the roster.Krueger and Tippett were/are going to maximize what they have.

The fancy stats may be ugly this year.It might take till next season to have a roster with fewer problems to have the fancies look good.

That is why Holland and Tippett put so much effort in acquiring penalty killers.Winning the special teams plus McDavid/Draisaitl shortens the games, and give one a head start in that shortened game.

And people will be saying all year that it is unsustainable.

Which is sort of true, but then one has to work on making it sustainable beginning next year by fixing the remaining problems in the roster.

The fancies are horrid.

Ff%

>50% – 1 player. Kassian
40-50. 6 forwards. McDavid’s at 43.4%!!!
30-40. 8 forwards!!!

who

jp: McDavid-Draisaitl
Nuge-….

And?

I would say Nygaard. But really it could be anyone who can skate. Jurcco, Haas, Kassian, Archibald when he’s in the lineup.

Pouzar

godot10:
The Oilers plan to maximize points this year with a still problematic roster is basically the same model as the Krueger model with Hall.

1) Win the twenty minutes with McDavid on the ice even-strength.
2) Win the special teams.
3) Win in OT.
4) Saw off the shootout.

Then you have shortened the game to 30 something minutes, probably up by a goal or two.Hanging on in those 30 minutes won’t look pretty.

Maximum points and lousy fancy stats.

A problematic roster is NOT an excuse for losing.Both Eakins and McLellan blamed the roster.Krueger and Tippett were/are going to maximize what they have.

The fancy stats may be ugly this year.It might take till next season to have a roster with fewer problems to have the fancies look good.

That is why Holland and Tippett put so much effort in acquiring penalty killers.Winning the special teams plus McDavid/Draisaitl shortens the games, and give one a head start in that shortened game.

And people will be saying all year that it is unsustainable.

Which is sort of true, but then one has to work on making it sustainable beginning next year by fixing the remaining problems in the roster.

Nails it again.

OriginalPouzar

Munny:
Just saw that Bear pass, Fucking sick.

That and the blue line back pedal goal in pre-season are two absolute quality offensive plays

Also… he played PP in his first stint with the Oilers and looked good,

Tippett and Holly are united in slow-playing youth. But it’s only a matter of time before we see him on the PP.

Right now it’s more important to control his total minutes.

He was 3.83 P/60 on the PP that year – not bad.

This year Nurse and Klef are 9.4 and 7.2.

Bear does have 3 min of PP time (Nurse 6 min, Klef over 16.5, Persson 1).

ArmchairGM

Munny:
If not Neal in OT, you’ve got to play Jurco.Not necessarily better, though, just different.

With 7 in three, Coach has got to give Neal a sniff.

I’d like to see Jurco – Nuge in OT, I think they would be a good duo. High skill, good skating.

ArmchairGM

leadfarmer:
Whats the record for most minutes by a forward in a season?
Just asking

Pavel Bure played 26:52 each game for 82 games for the Panthers in 00-01.

2nd on the list is Jagr: 25:51 in 98-99 for Pittsburgh.

Leon Draisaitl’s current 25:00 pace would rank him 6th all-time.

In the past 10 years minutes have been managed more carefully. Not including this season, Kovalchuck holds down the top 2 spots (12-13 and 11-12), McDavid ranks 3rd (18-19), St Louis 4th (11-12) and Draisaitl 5th (18-19). McDavid’s 22:50 average last year puts him 52nd on the all-time list while Draisaitl is at 61.

Keep in mind that the NHL only started publishing TOI figures for the 97-98 season.

Crazy Pedestrian

Harpers Hair: I heard it before the goal was scored.
Shit happens.

For someone who obviously dreads the oilers, you sure love to watch their games…

ArmchairGM

drglen: I think McDavid was human tonight and was visibly exhausted in OT.

Mikko, did win the game for us. Stole it in shootout yes… stone cold down the stretch.Credit where credit is due we could easily have lost this game and NJ was the slightly better team.

Great post.

ArmchairGM

Lowetide: Yeah, I think that’s fair. I think that goal doesn’t count a year ago. Oilers have had damnable luck in these late goals/against, so maybe the hockey Gods paid one back tonight.

I rewatched it about a dozen times this morning on both home and away feeds, I’m pretty certain the “tick” of McDavid’s stick hitting the post occurs a fraction of a second before the whistle.

Either way, if it’s close I think the current officiating policy is to err on the side if more offense.

ArmchairGM

Scungilli Slushy: If they can carve out a successful start, Larsson easing back into the lineup only makes them stronger.

Imagine him as the 3 RD. Not too shabby.

Russell-Larsson shutdown pairing? Works for me… maybe it will awaken Larsson’s outlet passing. He can do it, he just defers to Klefbom normally.

€√¥£€^$

jp: McDavid-Draisaitl
Nuge-….

And?

Nygard.

€√¥£€^$

Professor Q: It did seem like that at first, but when they played the slow motion replay it showed it being blown as McDavid had knocked it in. But I do think the refs were embarrassed and had make the call, hence why they sounded so disappointed. They did claim it as a good goal on the ice, as opposed to a cover, so they would have had to turn that over with indisputable evidence.

It seems like calls in these early days are actually going in the Oilers favour, unlike previous years (or even in preseason). There were for sure 2 calls that were “missed”, but should have been penalties on Edmonton in the last 5 minutes. And calls that often were “missed” vs the Oil in seasons past are getting made.

I like it and it’s about damn time, but I am concerned given some of the wobble of some of the skaters (like Benning- he’s clearly got horse shoes hiding waaay up his ass, Granlund – he is invisible, and was covering no one on the 3rd (I think) goal against last night, I would like to see Archibald in his place, Khaira – looks good in the O-zone, but he has had many shaky moments in the Dzone, and even Drai is making some bonehead plays that are resulting in 5 bell chances going the wrong way) but I think the way things are going that this will be a great opening 10 games and then the team will come crashing to the earth afterwards (I could also just be a typically fragile Oilers fan expecting the inevitable collapse before Christmas).

It is awesome to see how things are going, but there are clearly many things to work on still. Yet, it’s pretty cool to consider that the team is winning with 5 rookies in the line up, 2 on D, and 2 “reclaimation” projects in the top 6, old goalies, and McDavid and Draisaitl not really playing as well as we know they can.

Bank Shot

Harpers Hair:
The tying goal was clearly scored after the whistle blew.
It appears the rules are fluid.

That doesn’t matter anymore. Learn the rules.

jp

who: Yeah sorry. 3×3. No way Neal should be out there.

McDavid-Draisaitl
Nuge-….

And?

ArmchairGM

OriginalPouzar: McDavid was awful in OT – lazy turnovers and even lazier disregard for defence – oh well, I think I can give him a break.

I posted about this yesterday, it may have been on a different forum, that to me McDavid hasn’t been playing up to the level we’re used to seeing. He’s bobbling pucks more, he has speed but not the same explosiveness, his overall pace and effort aren’t there shift-to-shift. And yet, he’s somehow leading the league again. What a player! I can’t wait to see him go supernova after Christmas!

jp

Ryan: I heard it after the goal was scored.

Harpers Hair: I heard it before the goal was scored.
Shit happens.

I was surprised when the NJ announcer said he thought it was blown before the puck crossed. It seemed obviously in before the whistle to me.

I actually wonder if the audio was off by a split second on some or the other feeds.

ArmchairGM

Side:
During the Flames/Stars intermission, Marty Turco was asked who was the most annoying player was to play against. He waffled before settling on Ryan Smyth.

The bigger question is, why are you watching a Flames/ Stars game?

/jk

:p

SwedishPoster

Lowetide: Yeah, I think that’s fair. I think that goal doesn’t count a year ago. Oilers have had damnable luck in these late goals/against, so maybe the hockey Gods paid one back tonight.

It’s the Ken Holland reffect.

godot10

The Oilers plan to maximize points this year with a still problematic roster is basically the same model as the Krueger model with Hall.

1) Win the twenty minutes with McDavid on the ice even-strength.
2) Win the special teams.
3) Win in OT.
4) Saw off the shootout.

Then you have shortened the game to 30 something minutes, probably up by a goal or two. Hanging on in those 30 minutes won’t look pretty.

Maximum points and lousy fancy stats.

A problematic roster is NOT an excuse for losing. Both Eakins and McLellan blamed the roster. Krueger and Tippett were/are going to maximize what they have.

The fancy stats may be ugly this year. It might take till next season to have a roster with fewer problems to have the fancies look good.

That is why Holland and Tippett put so much effort in acquiring penalty killers. Winning the special teams plus McDavid/Draisaitl shortens the games, and give one a head start in that shortened game.

And people will be saying all year that it is unsustainable.

Which is sort of true, but then one has to work on making it sustainable beginning next year by fixing the remaining problems in the roster.

GMB3

The correcting of the PDO is going to be ugly for us. We should probably be 2-2 at this point.

Munny

Admiral Ackbar:
4-0 yet this PDO has me nervous. They were dominated in this game, to my eye. The shot tally would agree and I bet possession was worse. I wonder what the HDSC count was.

I need permission to be happy….

Be happy… because next game is a completely different game.

And because it’s been a long time since goalering has won us a game of Goalie. Much less two. We’re surely behind League average over the past decade in this regard.

Let’s see if the coach can get them back to Do Re Mi.

Munny

OilClog:
After seeing Todd dump Lucic over the boards 3×3 I have all the time in the world watching Neal, he’s still got great hand eye.

Kass is would be my option of current forwards for Nuge.

With Hall this team would be forcing everyone to play their game most nights, along with Tipps systems..

3 for 1 New Jersey

Do it. We know you’re reading

We’ll throw in Persson.

There’s no way to make the salaries work without trading Russell or Gagner. No way we’re trading Russell with Larsson out and no way NJ is taking Gagner back. And can they even take on 2 extra contracts?

Admiral Ackbar

4-0 yet this PDO has me nervous. They were dominated in this game, to my eye. The shot tally would agree and I bet possession was worse. I wonder what the HDSC count was.

I need permission to be happy….

Munny

If not Neal in OT, you’ve got to play Jurco. Not necessarily better, though, just different.

With 7 in three, Coach has got to give Neal a sniff.

Munny

Just saw that Bear pass, Fucking sick.

That and the blue line back pedal goal in pre-season are two absolute quality offensive plays;

Also… he played PP in his first stint with the Oilers and looked good,

Tippett and Holly are united in slow-playing youth. But it’s only a matter of time before we see him on the PP.

Right now it’s more important to control his total minutes.

DevilsLettuce

Harpers Hair: As I said, shit happens…but it likely wasn’t a goal.

You should ask the Ukraine to look into it.

DevilsLettuce

After seeing Todd dump Lucic over the boards 3×3 I have all the time in the world watching Neal, he’s still got great hand eye.

Kass is would be my option of current forwards for Nuge.

With Hall this team would be forcing everyone to play their game most nights, along with Tipps systems..

3 for 1 New Jersey

Do it. We know you’re reading

We’ll throw in Persson.

Foege Foegele Torpe

Side: Fortunately we have a man on the inside to help sabotage the Flames. Lucic failed to tie up his man which lead to the first goal against the Flames.

Then proceeded to give his man, the goal scorer a filthy slash on the back of the legs.
Obviously mad at himself, but that slash was uber greasy

thelongdark

Harpers Hair:
The tying goal was clearly scored after the whistle blew.
It appears the rules are fluid.

Yes they are. And the Oilers have been on the losing side of that fluidity many many times.

N64

BONE207: I haven’t heard of this but if anything, the intent to blow the whistle & the actual sound may give the ref a built in excuse. They can either call it a goal if they believe it’s legit or reviewed, or disallow it if there is goaltender interference or illegal contact like a high stick. It lets their brain catch up with the action or a disturbance in the fabric of time. Cue Darkness…

Commentators have owerblown the intent to blow the whistle. Its no more absolute than the actual whistle.

If the ref on review see the continuous play with no effect from any actual whilstles and he does not see anything justifying any intended whistle he has a goal. The whole intended whistle timing only comes in when the review shows a reason for that whistle. Again if he’s instructed to ignore a real whistle of course he should ignore the intended one.

The intended whistle has been oversold by lazy commentary.

leadfarmer

Whats the record for most minutes by a forward in a season?
Just asking

N64

Minister D-,

This morning LT mentioned the last 4-0 oilers team. The rest of October they got 1 point in 5 games. More importantly that squad recovered to playoff position until they got whacked the last 11 games

This season is going to ride on friendly competition with Holland’s 26-27s and the boys from the bake . If the players and Tippet manage that with the right next man up attitude they don’t have to fade in the second half. We wait

BONE207

Minister D-:
The Oilers played like a team at the end of winning streak. Book it.

I thought this as well after listening to post game commentary & reading about the thoughts here. ( I didn’t see the game) .
But this fantasy can live a little longer can’t it? Reverse jinx of a Saturday morning/matinee game?
It’s got to happen some time. Keep riding the PDO pony baby….

GMB3

Glovjuice: I would rather have Strome than Eberle on this team now. And, rather than Ganger or Spooner of course. Fuck, now I need a stiff Bourbon after no drinking for a month.

A 45-55 point skilled RW would be a massive boon to this org. We don’t even have four forwards who should be out in 3v3.

BONE207

Jethro Tull: LT, I’ve heard the commentators reference a few times that the refs have been directed to give the benefit of the doubt for goal decisions. Just wondering if you remember if there was any official release for this?

I haven’t heard of this but if anything, the intent to blow the whistle & the actual sound may give the ref a built in excuse. They can either call it a goal if they believe it’s legit or reviewed, or disallow it if there is goaltender interference or illegal contact like a high stick. It lets their brain catch up with the action or a disturbance in the fabric of time. Cue Darkness…

drglen

OriginalPouzar:
I’m not even sure what to think of that game – they certainly got outplayed.

Did Mikko steal it?

McDavid was awful in OT – lazy turnovers and even lazier disregard for defence – oh well, I think I can give him a break.

What I DO know is: 4 games, 4 wins.

I think McDavid was human tonight and was visibly exhausted in OT.

Mikko, did win the game for us. Stole it in shootout yes… stone cold down the stretch. Credit where credit is due we could easily have lost this game and NJ was the slightly better team.

Minister D-

The Oilers played like a team at the end of a winning streak. Book it.

drglen

Lowetide: Yeah, I think that’s fair. I think that goal doesn’t count a year ago. Oilers have had damnable luck in these late goals/against, so maybe the hockey Gods paid one back tonight.

perhaps the mcdavid tax has been paid in full now.