In yesterday’s GDT I wrote “the key to making playoffs is to shorten those losing streaks and lengthen the good times. Even a Bettman point tonight would help the Oilers edge closer to the goal” and they grabbed a Bettman plus a hard earned extra counter to stay atop the Pacific Division. And maybe this Oilers team earned a little of your faith along the way.
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: 4 reasons why the Oilers passed their first true test of the season
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and James Neal are leading a quality Oilers second line
- Lowetide: Assessing the early season progress of Oilers’ defence and goaltending
- Jonathan Willis: A rare success during Edmonton’s long rebuild, why Oscar Klefbom is the model for finishing Oilers’ blue line
- Lowetide: Jesse Puljujarvi’s impressive Liiga performance headlines Oilers prospects this week
- Lowetide: Oilers recall Sam Gagner to bolster offensive depth, option Gaetan Haas
- Jonathan Willis: Can the Oilers afford to pursue Taylor Hall in free agency?
- Lowetide: There are many similarities between this year’s Oilers team after seven and the 2016-17 team that made the playoffs. Similarities, differences and the work that needs to be done.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘That was pretty sick’: What teammates and opponents are saying about Connor McDavid’s latest goal
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘I’m gonna bring a bigger bag with me’: Oilers rookies learn about life on the road in the NHL
- Jonathan Willis: A deep dive on the Oilers’ bottom six, which needs to produce more offence
- Lowetide: Ethan Bear’s early success with the Oilers and what it might mean at the trade deadline
- Jonathan Willis: How well are the solutions to key Oilers weaknesses working?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Oscar Klefbom playing tough minutes with inexperienced partners — and looking good doing it
- Corey Pronman: Oilers No. 9 farm system.
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
OILERS IN OCTOBER
- Oilers in October 2015: 4-7-0, eight points; goal differential -6
- Oilers in October 2016: 7-3-1, 15 points; goal differential +7
- Oilers in October 2017: 3-7-1, seven points; goal differential -12
- Oilers in October 2018: 6-4-1, 13 points; goal differential -2
- Oilers in October 2019: 8-2-1, 17 points, goal differential +8
This is, statistically, the best Oilers team of the McDavid era this morning. On pace for a strong 100+ point season and several career seasons.
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 (3-1-0)
- At home to: Philadelphia, Detroit (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: Winnipeg, Minnesota (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-1-1)
- At home to: Washington, Florida (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: Detroit, Columbus (Expected 1-1-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Current results: 8-2-1, 17 points after 11 games
The Oilers had some dull moments in the Winnipeg game, were dull as dishwater in Minnesota, and took a little time to find the range in this game. I read and heard a lot of hyperbole this week about this Oilers team and its ability to post a win. Last night’s performance versus the Capitals was impressive. All numbers five-on-five and NST.
LINE 1 Leon Draisaitl-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian played 20:10, going 29-18 Corsi, 18-10 shots, 2-0 goals and 9-3 HDSC. An absolute force of nature, especially in the third period.
Leon Draisaitl went 1-1-2 (2-1-3 overall) and delivered four shots, three HDSC, drew a penalty. Connor McDavid scored 0-1-1 (1-2-3 overall), 3 shots and HDSC, plus 15-6 in the circle. He was airborne for most of the third period. Zack Kassian had a pair of assists, three shots and three HDSC. Folks, this trio has 47 points in 11 games.
LINE 2 Alex Chiasson-Nuge-James Neal played 11:04, going 18-12 Corsi, 7-7 shots, 0-2 goals and 3-1 HDSC. Unlucky to have missed on scoring as a line.
Alex Chiasson had a solid game, some good looks and passed the puck well. Grabbed an assist with the extra man, had his best game of the year. Nuge had two shots and some promising looks but couldn’t cash. James Neal had an assist (extra man), two shots and a HDSC. The line played better than the 0-2 goals suggests.
LINE 3 Jujhar Khaira-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald played 4:52, going 2-3 Corsi, 2-2 shots and no goals or any danger.
Jujhar Khaira was charged with two giveaways, Riley Sheahan won one of four faceoffs, Josh Archibald had a shot and a blocked shot. All three men PK’d, Archibald was MIA on the Ovechkin power-play goal.
LINE 4 Sam Gagner-Markus Granlund-Patrick Russell played 4:21, going 5-2 Corsi 3-0 shots and 2-0 HDSC.
Sam Gagner was a solid addition to this line and gave it an offensive boost. No goals, but three shots and plenty of offensive zone time. Two HDSC’s, created a rebound and some havoc. Markus Granlund took a penalty, and didn’t play a shift on Benning’s penalty. Strange. Does a coach take a PK man out of the rotation in the game before he healthy scratches said player? Maybe it’s a message about PKers taking penalties. Patrick Russell didn’t have much success.
OILERS 2019-20
PAIRING ONE Darnell Nurse and Ethan Bear played 19:16, going 24-21 Corsi, 16-8 shots, 1-2 goals and 8-1 HDSC. Pairing went 13-14 (1-1) in 10:55 against Alex Ovchkin’s line.
Darnell Nurse had a goal, four shots and several chances, along with a giveaway. He joins the rush a lot. Ethan Bear made possibly six supreme passes and was unlucky to miss out on an assist. Two shots, giveaway, blocked shot. He joins the rush less than Nurse.
PAIRING TWO Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell played 10:57, going 12-9 Corsi, 5-6 shots, no goals and 1-3 HDSC. Klefbom played 6:43 with Matt Benning, going 7-4 Corsi, 3-2 shots, 1-0 goals and 1-0 HDSC.
Oscar Klefbom had three shots and a giveaway, he logged almost 26 minutes and went 4-7 Corsi in 6:07 against Ovechkin. Kris Russell had a good night save that moment when he and others forgot Ovechkin during the power play.
PAIRING THREE Brandon Manning and Matt Benning played 6:33 together, going 10-2 Corsi, 6-0 shots, no goals and 3-0 HDSC. Benning moved up to the Klefbom pairing for a time and was effective. In that time, Manning played 2:28 with Russell, going 3-3 Corsi, 1-3 shots and 2-0 HDSC.
Brandon Manning had two shots and has now played five games this season. He has played well. Matt Benning is a fine NHL defenseman, he got a little push from Dave Tippett last night. Perhaps we’ll see it again.
GOALIE Mikko Koskinen stopped 25 of 28, .893. It wasn’t his best game but he stopped all three HDSC against him. Zero blame on either Ovechkin goal, his .927 SP ranks him No. 8 among goalies with five or more appearances. His EV SP (.941) ranks him No. 4 among goalies with five or more appearances.
What’s happening at five on five?
One of the things we are doing this season is drilling down on McDavid on/off, and as things are rolling out what’s happening with Nuge on/off. Here are Edmonton’s centers and their GF/GA on at five-on-five. I have done my best to clean up the bleeding, Edmonton’s actual differential is 20-19 GF-GA at five-on-five.
- Connor McDavid 13-6 (+7)
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 6-4 (+2)
- Riley Sheahan 0-5 (-5)
- Markus Granlund 0-1 (-1)
- Gaetan Haas 1-2 (-1)
- Colby Cave 0-2 (-2)
Granlund didn’t play center until a few games in, so I’m using only the last several games. Low event. The Sheahan line is the major drag, I think we can agree he’s playing too far up in the lineup and his wingers haven’t been up to the challenge. Among the disappointments of this season, both Jujhar Khaira and Josh Archibald are high on the list.
ETHAN BEAR
The young defenseman leads all NHL rookies in time on ice and is opening eyes with his calm feet and expert passing. Music!
RAMROD
Connor McDavid is the human highlight, and last night, third period, every shift seemed to be hammer on a drum. I’ve been watching hockey since the 1960’s, and McDavid is shock and awe on skates. There are no words to describe him, just make sure you don’t get caught slack-jawed because it makes a poor photo.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy Friday morning as tear up the blacktop on the way to the weekend. TSN1260, beginning at 10, Steve Lansky will talk Oilers and the World Series. Jeff Krushell will also pop in to talk about the World Series and Matt Iwanyk will chat Oilers, Eskimos and his new role as judge and jury on the Hot Takes court. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. 90 minutes!
It takes no skill to be an a—h—e which is obvious by your remarks. Draisaitl is still better than your best Canuck player. Edmonton has Five Stanley Cups and five times as many players in the hockey hall of fame as the Canucks not to mention the most successful Canadian franchise since they came into the league.
I retired in the beautiful province of B.C and am proud to live in the Okanagan with many people from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I truly hope that whatever is wrong in your life becomes better.
Alberta’s economy is struggling but they stay strong together. One of their escapes, as is one of mine are the Oilers. They do not need an outsider to state the obvious weakness’s in the team. Your time might be better spent on being supportive of those around you. I am not talking just about this blog but in your personal relationships. People are drawn to positive people I suggest you try being one of those.
Your dog shit blew a four goal lead. But you already know that.
OriginalPouzar,
I think it’s mostly presumed that he’s a Canuck fan though HH also has a little bandwagon in him.
He was a bit of a bandwagon Dallas Stars fan a few years ago. This year, I could see him jumping on the Colorado Avalanche bandwagon.
I vaguely recall calling him out on this issue five or six years ago, but I don’t precisely recall his response. I think he’s somewhat of an ambivalent Oilers fan now. Disgruntled by the years of ineptitude by management. I think he also acknowledged being a Canucks fan at one point, but not 100% certain.
Seems like quite a bit of work but I hope you are able to achieve what makes you happy.
Pretty sure I’ve never called anyone a derogatory name on here, like donkey – not sure how I’m the one being called a bully but feel free to have your opinion.
Quite certain I don’t think my opinion means more than anyone else’s, however, I do very much enjoy talking about the Oilers and discussing varying opinions and, in doing so, when I read the comments and disagree with a view, I will post about it trying to engage in discussion. I thought that’s what the community was for. I apologize if the quantity or quality upsets you but one can’t please anyone.
I don’t know the history, has HH actually expressed/admitted that he’s a Canucks fans or is that what the community has inferred due to the nature of his posts and his geographical location?
Honest question?
Personally, I have not problem with his posting – its frustrating that he’ll make a point, it’ll be refuted with fact, and then he’ll move the goalposts or provide a defence to an argument that noone has made. Its a style that I find defensive but,overall, whatever, if he’s an actual Oilers fan, an overly negative, glass half empty, view is his right. If he’s a Canucks fan for real and posting negative stuff about the Oilers on an Oilers blog, well, that is a troll.
If he indicates to the world he isn’t coming back to the NHL, obviously his limited trade value plummets.
I don’t see that being the case as he has always indicated the NHL is his goal and, frankly, the finanical difference is massive. He has a contract offer in front of him that I would guess is a good 5X what he is making now and that’s a well below NHL average contract.
I am with Holland on this one, I don’t trade him for a failed high pick that is middling in the AHL. If there isn’t a trade where there is good value coming back, I hold – if its years, its years.
I have never wavered from being willing to take Puljujarvi back on this team with open arms.
He has a contract offer sitting in front of him that he can sign any time and the ability to come to a team with depth offensive production issues, exactly what he might be able to bring (and what he thinks he can bring).
Don’t know where Tippett would put him if he showed up tomorrow – he’d be on the roster as Holland wouldn’t expose him to waivers – presumably he’d be on that third line or maybe even 2LW with Nuge and Neal.
I don’t see it happening. The kid really seems to be done with the org. I will still hold out hope that, as December 1 approaches and Jesse realizes a trade isn’t happening, he’ll sign and come back to the org – either b/c he wants the money for the rest of this year or he simply wants back in the league. Don’t see it happening but I’m still hopeful.
I would think Kosh starts next game keeping with the 2 on 2 off theme.I wonder what Smith’s and Kosh’s records are in early afternoon games of course it would be a small sample size for Kosh and if that plays a factor with Tippett on who’s starting Sunday. His handling of the goaltenders has been as J.J Walker once said Dynamite.
Will be interesting to see what practice looks like today.
Will Russell be skating after being banged up and not really playing in the third on Thursday?
Will Persson be look to be on a game-day line?
Does Lagesson look to be in for Manning given Brandon didn’t play much in the third? If Persson is to be activated, Lagesson may be off to California.
Who is lined up with Klefbom? Persson? Russell? Benning?
We may see a call-up today – I think it’ll be Cave given Archie was a top minutes and top effective PK guy. Reading the Athletic, LT doesn’t think so.
FUN FACT:
When you stomp out a flaming bag of dog shit ( qualifier: not saying Harpers Hair or Cassandra or DSF are flaming ), its easy to win the arguement, but you still end up with a smelly shoe. And its really hard to wash off that kind of taint.
Wilde,
I’ve been waiting for this pairing. I’ll have to watch a game soon, now.
Until then, The Outer Worlds!
Clearly he was not very clear
But I don’t think he’s ever been disrespectful
You’re such a donkey. It wasn’t clear at all, otherwise he wouldn’t have made that comment. I’m developing a Chrome extension that will allow me to view this blog with all of your posts being not visible, and I cannot wait until it’s complete. The way you bully people and act like your opinion holds more weight than others, since you post the most I guess, is getting very tiresome
Also, I Ctrl+F’d and didn’t find a mention of the Gudbranson trade, where the Penguins dropped him clean.
Seriously, no penalty at all. Has 4M this year and next, which marks a decent comparison to Kris Russell. Russell’s the better player, will be owed less money, but has a NTC.
They really should be able to move him, but outside of the amateur draft Anaheim is a pretty stupid team.
Jones and Bouchard became a pairing, which is excellent. They’ve gotten a ton of shifts too, I’ll have to ask Wheat what their TOI ends up being.
Jones is kind of miscast sometimes as a player who has some identity-defining trade-off around speed and offense or whatever.
This is the player who I’ve probably analysed most deeply, data and video, and I’d describe him as an ultra-mobile nightmare who burns checkers all over the ice – in the DZ on retrievals and after a broken cycle, in the NZ while looking off the tracked forward, and in the OZ dancing around the high forward at the point.
I wouldn’t even really call it just ‘speed’ or ‘skating’ because these plays would be either unavailable to him if he didn’t have the puck skill and vision to be a passing threat, or wouldn’t matter because his team wouldn’t have the puck enough if he couldn’t be a proactive force during friendly possession or a disruptive one in opposition.
So he’s not the steady veteran partner stereotype, but I believe rookies will flourish alongside him because he’s better than whichever whatever steady veteran at areas where that responsible blue has drawbacks /as well as/ where they have strengths.
It’s difficult to drag on him – and Bouchard isn’t the type. They’ve been pretty scary to deal with when the Condors win a DZFO so far, no way to stop their breakout at all.
Lineup settling in, and they just don’t have high-ceiling offensive tendencies on-ice. The only line truly demolishing the opposition is Gambardella-Malone-Yamamoto, and that’s two top wingers in the league carrying a decent top-6 centre, as opposed to last year’s Benson-Marody-Currie where all three players were just flat out disgustingly dominant.
Also, on defence, Lowe seems to be playing more and he was actually a drag on Bear last year. Stanton was far better as a veteran partner – add that to Kulevich playing top-four minutes (the worst shot-impact defensemen to play over a dozen games in my tracking sample) and paradoxically the Dcorps is performing worse despite adding Bouchard and Samorukov. Lagesson has only played two games, mind.
Some of that stuff is temporary. Playing Esposito up-lineup, and having a McLellanite offense is not.
Overall I suspect that we’ll see some changes in range of Holland’s shot-term memory of the games this weekend, then things will settle in and the top-six will self-replicate last year’s offense and if the team isn’t as good as last year it’ll be the goaltending as a drag.
Condors win in SO. 11th round. Goal by Colby Cave.
Caps beat Canucks in shootout. I’m sure HH won’t show his face for awhile. Funny thing is, the Canucks have a really good team this year and most posters here would be quite willing to admit that, if HH wasn’t such an obnoxious blowhard.
And yes, they do have more forward depth than the Oilers. What they are missing though is a McDavid or Drai. Both teams have flaws, but I suspect we’ll have an easier time acquiring the JT Millers of the world than the Canucks will have finding the McDavids of the world.
I he big advantage for the Oilers is defence IMO. Our group of dmen is simply better than the Canucks and when Larsson returns, it’s not even close.
That Canuck team really knows how to exert their will on a game.
#killerinstinct
Imagine trying to discredit Leon, classic example of not watching the actual games.
No one is discrediting Vancouver or even talking about them.
Be that aside, not a single player in Vancouver is on Leon’s level.
The Oilers have a dominate top 6, with a severely underrated D core.
There may be some dog shit but imo I’d much rather be side stepping it then being bombarded with the wet, pungent, shithawk squirt that have no history of value, no track record of being a winning and tons of video evidence how the frail yups react when they don’t get the Stanley.
Imaging cursing the shower wall washing out the shit squirts of a shit hawk because the hockey team you cheer for is hot trash and your left yelling at people dodging dog shit while enjoying all the beauty the rest of the game has to offer.
If you actually watch it that is, imagine trying to discredit Leon LOL. Stick to Cowichan cheeses
Harpers Hair,
Lolz
Canucks blow a 4 goal lead in the 3rd period against an opponent on their scheduled loss night who played an overtime game last night and are playing their backup g
Canucks blow a 5-1 lead to lose in a shootout.
Also short one 1st round draft pick
One that would be protected in the expansion draft
Also for someone talking about depth you don’t even acknowledge that this team is down 2 of their starting RHD including their top tough minutes guy
Pettersson, Miller, Boeser, Horvat, Hughes.
Likely short one difference maker but far less dog shit.
This is all completely true. And wonderful to hear, in this case.
Basically, you have become another DSF.
Spoke too soon – looks like the Dy’s could use a superstar tor 2 to dominate the third!
// OriginalPouzar:
There is a contract offer out there waiting for Jesse to sign.
Jesse and his agent know there is a depth scoring issue on the current roster and see Jesse as an offensive producer in the NHL.
I can’t say he’d be gifted that spot in the lineup but, given waivers, he would assuredly be on the 23-man.
There hasn’t been a day since this saga began that I haven’t been all for Jesse signing with the Oilers and returning to the team.
Don’t see it happening – maybe, outside chance, if December 1 is approaching and Jesse realizes that a trade isn’t coming and he either wants to make some $$$$ or wants to be in the NHL, even for the Oilers, over Liiga. //
I haven’t seen this floated, apologies if it’s been discussed already.
But what if Puljujarvi kinda likes it back in Finland and realizes he likes being a star. And that kinda takes the hammer out of Holland’s hand.
How much does that factor into what you think he’s worth, and what you’d trade him for?
And yeah, if the Oilers didn’t have McD the complaint would be ‘they just need that player to take them over the top’. Reality is the NHL is trending towards the NBA – 2-3 exemplary players and the rest are plugs. Take away Petterson and, well I can’t even think of another allstar Canuck – maybe second-best Hughes? Boesser? – and their ‘canine feces’ too… same as it ever was, just which tribe u like
Harpers Hair,
Yeah
But no one cares
i find it so odd that you are here commenting while your supposed team is playing.
Re HH
1. Everyone knows not to feed a troll. If you think HH is trolling then ignore the comments.
2. Personally I have no problem with his comments. Quite the opposite.
The issue is the Oilers are absolute dog shit without McDavid.
They don’t have anything else.
Last time I checked, Draisailtls goal share was below 50% without McDavid.
Vancouver doesn’t have a McDavid but have far more scoring depth.
Hell, Tim Schiller who plays fourth line minutes has more goals that the entire Oiler bottom six.
Pescador,
Could you imagine if a raging case of syphillis ravaged the Canucks dressing room?
Yeah me neither
Canucks fans, teflon hair or not, should thank the Oilers tonight for taking the piss out of the Caps.
May they return the favour…
I don’t think I’ve ever read a post from someone else on this blog fantasizing about a Sedin injury.
I can’t imagine anyone from this site posting on a Van blog either
Who is the Canucks best player anyway?
Genuine question:
If I stamp out a flaming bag of dogshit, would you consider that to be me engaging in friendly banter with it?
Ooooh Harold Snepts Jersey??? That burn is so hot that DSF and Greta are both cowering over here on the Left Coast!!!!!!
Big picture Minnesota was going to be amazing and Shirokov was the next Gretzky.
Oh good times…..
Pronman in September had Oilers prospects ranked 9th overall and Ethan Bear as number 13 ranked prospect on the Oil who “has a chance” but unlikely. Ha Ha
Oh it’s nice for a change.
You are look at anything that will make your rival team look bad.
Your premise is that the Oilers are only winning because of unsustainable success in certain areas that will will regress.
I agree that they will regress in many of these areas – for example, the PP won’t continue at 40% plus and James Neal won’t shoot at 40% or even 28%.
My point is that we’ve already seen regression in many of these areas over the last 4-5 games and I even showed James Neal’s shooting percentage over those games.
Your point was that once regression happens, they will lose. Your opinion.
My retort is that that regression has already kicked in over 4-5 games and they are still winning at a solid clip. Fact.
That’s the spirit mate your finally coming around.Its time to take off the Harold Snepsts Jersey and hang it back in the closet where it belongs.
Harpers Hair,
Yes your endless game of hockey whataboutism is the big picture
Yeah well what about the Avs
What about the Bolts
Well what about every other team which is hard for one team to compare to all the other combined don’t you think
Dude, you been around long enough.
Hockey IS an argument.
Oilers winning it right now.
I’m looking at the big picture.
You’re looking at anything that can support your argument.
But carry one.
Didn’t they waste two excellent starts by Wells due to lack of O?
Given Archibald leads the forward in TOI/G on the PK and has been very good on the PK (Ovie’s goal being the first he was on the ice for) (credit: LT at The Athletic), I’m fairly confident it will be Cave.
Thx 4 this
and no
its never too early
That’s great, it’s good to have guidelines. I have my eyes on a nice turquoise one.
The call up won’t be related to Holland’s visit to Bakersfield. He knows what Haas, Cave can do. He’s there to assess someone be like Gambardella and see if his 29 goals from last year can convert to NHL. Or does he need a puck distributor like Benson?
I think Holland takes a look at someone new.
Not to mention, much of the big talent are raw professional rookies: Bouchard, Samorukov, McLeod, Maksimov.
Also injuries to the NHL D causing call-ups plus Day and Deharnais being hurt – the D has been compromised.
Also, they’ve played 6 games. The Oilers have played 11 and much of the talk is about how their record doesn’t represent their team.