2019-20 Game 18: Devils at Oilers

by Lowetide

Taylor Hall playing in Edmonton has always been a worthwhile evening. As a road warrior, against the Oilers, fans are struck with something between melancholy and blind rage. It’s this century’s ‘trade the city never forgave’ and I remain convinced the Oilers will make a run at Hall when the opportunity presents.

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 Lowetide: Oilers are closer to having an effective second line than a year ago, but few have noticed
  • New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: The beauty of a good night’s sleep can be elusive for many NHL players
  • New Jonathan Willis: Why the Oilers were wise to gamble on Tomas Jurco, even though it didn’t pan out
  • Jonathan Willis: The unlikely goalie performances underpinning the Oilers’ hot start
  • Lowetide: How far away is Evan Bouchard and what role will he play with the Oilers?
  • Scott Wheeler: Analyzing Jesse Puljujarvi’s play in Finland to see what he could offer as an NHLer
  • Jonathan Willis: Oilers right to wait until they’re sure before recalling Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson
  • Lowetide:  Can Leon Draisaitl score more than 50 goals this season?
  • Lowetide: Bakersfield Condors coaching staff continues to mold unheralded players into legit NHL prospects.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Oilers Mailbag: Fixing the forward depth, slotting the big three, a Puljujarvi trade and more
  • Minnia Feng: The 2019-20 Oilers fan guide to emotions and stressful circumstances
  • Jonathan Willis: How much will the Oilers have to pay to keep pending free agent Zack Kassian?
  • Lowetide: Sheahan hurt, Oilers in need of a two-way centre; some candidates emerging
  • Jonathan Willis: Handicapping the chase for the Calder after the first month of the 2019-20 NHL season
  • Jonathan Willis: Unproductive Oilers forwards are in danger of losing their jobs — and soon
  • Lowetide: Analyzing the current state of the Edmonton Oilers goaltending.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘I don’t think anyone’s feeling comfortable’: Oilers’ Holland pleased but cautious amid early improvements.
  • Jonathan Willis: A rare success during Edmonton’s long rebuild, why Oscar Klefbom is the model for finishing Oilers’ blue line
  • Jonathan Willis: Can the Oilers afford to pursue Taylor Hall in free agency?
  • Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.

OILERS AFTER 18 GAMES

  • Oilers in 2015: 6-12-0, 12 points; goal differential -11
  • Oilers in 2016: 9-8-1, 19 points; goal differential -1
  • Oilers in 2017: 7-9-2, 16 points; goal differential -7
  • Oilers in 2018: 9-8-1, 19 points; goal differential -4
  • Oilers in 2019: 10-5-2, 22 points; goal differential +4

Once again this year’s Oilers have a chance to gain some real clearance from the ghost of November’s past. A win tonight gets the team 25 percent of the way to the playoffs in only 22 percent of the schedule. Okay, okay, but it would be cool.

OILERS IN NOVEMBER

  • Oilers in November 2015: 2-2-0, four points; goal differential 0
  • Oilers in November 2016: 2-1-1, five points; goal differential -2
  • Oilers in November 2017: 2-2-0, four points; goal differential -1
  • Oilers in November 2018: 2-2-0, four points; goal differential 0
  • Oilers in November 2019: 1-1-1, three points; goal differential -1

Each of the McDavid seasons have resembled what we’re seeing here, ‘fits and starts’ and then the gales of November come slashing. You’d like to see a winning streak here, maybe the fresh troops who arrive starting tonight will jump start the team.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

  • On the road to: PIT (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • At home to: ARI, STL, NJD (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-1-1)
  • On the road to: ANA, SJS (Expected 1-0-1)
  • At home to: COL, DAL (Expected 1-1-0)
  • On the road to: SJS, LAK, VEG, ARI, COL (Expected 2-3-0)
  • At home to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
  • Current results: 1-1-1, 3 points after three games

I projected Edmonton to finish this segment 2-2-0, a win tonight puts them 2-1-1 and a point ahead of my predicted pace. The team then heads out for two road games and then the toughest game of the month against Colorado Avalanche. Seven wins predicted, getting a second one tonight puts the Oilers in a good spot.

OILERS 2019-20

We may see lines and pairings as above tonight, I’m interested to see if Joel Persson draws back so quickly after getting stapled to the bench. Also, Josh Archibald has been a real disappointment, I’ll be looking for him to show far more than we’ve seen so far this year.

HOLLAND ATLANTIC CROSSING

Apparently Ken Holland won’t be making the trip to Finland to observe Jesse Puljujarvi. As with all things JP, it’s possible to read any and all into this new piece of news. Oilers could use a scoring winger about now, and a No. 3 center too. I maintain, and have since this story first broke, the only way Holland has this reflect badly on him is by taking less than 100 cents on the dollar in return for the big winger. Problem is: What is full value for Jesse Puljujarvi right now?

TAYLOR HALL, Y’ALL

I’ve suggested all down the line that Edmonton is an option for Hall. People look at me like I’ve gone mad, but in all honesty he’s a terrific option. How many scoring forwards who will be UFA in summer 2020 are a better fit? Edmonton could check down to Mike Hoffman but Hall is more dynamic.

CONDORS 2019-20

We’re a month or so away from recalls, I think Caleb Jones is the only player so far to have earned one. Tyler Benson, Kailer Yamamoto and Cooper Marody have shown flashes, but will need to push more to create separation. Condors play tonight at home against the porous San Diego Gulls. A big chance for the prospects to get some black ink.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, we begin the weekend a little early on TSN1260. Steve Lansky from Big Mouth Sports will talk CFL broadcasts and live mic, plus the Oilers and all of Canada’s teams so far this season. Matt Iwanyk talks Eskimos and eastern semi just after 11 and we’ll talk Oilers game, waivers and panic if the home team loses at Rogers tonight.

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Todd Macallan

Woodguy v2.0: I’d buy the jersey

Those jerseys would be some colorful.

Love Veg, grew up swimming in that pool when I’d visit my Grandma in nearby Bruce.

godot10

who: Do you really think he defends well?
Do you think his skating is at an NHL level?
Watch him go back to pick up a puck. He makes Benning look like Paul Coffee out there.
The fact that they beat New Jersey with him in the lineup is a weak argument.

Persson barely keeping his head above water on the 2nd pair helps the Oilers win. When Russell plays there, the Oilers lose. I don’t believe the Oilers have lost a game where Persson has played the full game.

Puck movement is critical to the Oilers success.

A rookie puck mover who struggles to defend helps the Oilers much more than a veteran defender who cannot move the puck.

godot10

GMB3: Couldn’t do it with a 700 game vet, maybe makes you wonder if it has more to do with who the rookie is. Are all #3’s equal? Is being a 3 in Edmonton the same as a 3 on Carolina’s D?

Klefbom turns into a frog playing with that same 700 game vet. But is also a prince with a rookie.

OriginalPouzar

Woodguy v2.0: Vegreville has a NHL team?

I used to date a girl from Vegreville – well Laovy actually but close enough.

OriginalPouzar

GMB: Couldn’t do it with a 700 game vet, maybe makes you wonder if it has more to do with who the rookie is. Are all #3’s equal? Is being a 3 in Edmonton the same as a 3 on Carolina’s D?

Did it at a very high level with Larsson the previous year – they were fantastic together that year – plus 10 and plus 15 playing the toughs on a shit team.

I assume their 5 X 5 numbers are even better than the plus/minus (well, Nurse at least).

Oilers currently have 24 points, Carolina, 19 points – yes their D is “vaunted” but, maybe the Oilers are a little more vaunted than the verbal….

OriginalPouzar

godot: All the Oilers do is win when Persson is in the lineup
And everytime he steps up in the building
Everybody’s hands go up
And they stay there.

Yup – its not that Persson is all that great himself as a 2nd pairing d-man (although he’s got potential there – he’s learning the speed of the game and the rink – its been less than 10 games), its that it allows 3 d-men to play in proper slots and balances the pairings (and Klef plays better with him that Russell).

Woodguy v2.0

Jethro Tull: The Pysankas still wouldn’t be the worst pro sports name.

I’d buy the jersey

Jethro Tull

Woodguy v2.0: Vegreville has a NHL team?

The Pysankas still wouldn’t be the worst pro sports name.

Woodguy v2.0

OriginalPouzar:
Points Percentage:

EDM – .667
VCR – .618
VEG – .618
CGY – .579

Points

Edm – 24
CGY – 22
VCR – 21
VEG – 21

Lets me guess, tonight is the night that Goal Differential reigns supreme?

Vegreville has a NHL team?

hunter1909

Hunter1909DeathMarch™

Seeks Web Designer

For vital upgrades to the http://www.oilersdeathmarch.com website.

Pays cash.

For more info please contact the Death March team via the website.

Reja

drglen:
Sami Vatanenconcussion protocal.. that was a dirty play by Chaisson. Guys do it all the time,the high back elbow which is sort of concealed as an in close stick play.Hope he’s OK>

Chaisson with the Messier Hat Trick.

who

godot10: All the Oilers do is win when Persson is in the lineup
And everytime he steps up in the building
Everybody’s hands go up
And they stay there.

Do you really think he defends well?
Do you think his skating is at an NHL level?
Watch him go back to pick up a puck. He makes Benning look like Paul Coffee out there.
The fact that they beat New Jersey with him in the lineup is a weak argument.

russ99

Second line was buzzing, if his wingers keep playing like that, Nuge will get a bunch of goals.

Noticed Koskinen leaning into the high shots more, he got a break on a few bars, but that looks much less a liability than last year.

We tend to rip on Dustin Schwartz as an Oil King old boy club buddy hire, but gotta give some credit where its due.

v4ance

We’re giving up that 3rd rounder! 9 more goals to go for Neal. I think he gets there right before the All- Star break

Professor Q

drglen:
so Holland et all will be checking out Burdasov over there too?

I thought he cancelled his trips?

GMB3

godot10: He is taking on the toughs with a rookie.I think that makes one a #3D, at least.

Couldn’t do it with a 700 game vet, maybe makes you wonder if it has more to do with who the rookie is. Are all #3’s equal? Is being a 3 in Edmonton the same as a 3 on Carolina’s D?

hunter1909

Hunter1909DeathMarch™

Seeks Web Designer

For vital upgrades to the http://www.oilersdeathmarch.com website.

Pays cash.

For more info please contact the Death March team via the website. Or else email:
hunter2909@Safe-mail.net

godot10

GMB3: Is he even a #3 though?

Trading Jack Johnson probably won LA a cup.

He is taking on the toughs with a rookie. I think that makes one a #3D, at least.

GMB3

godot10: $7 millioni is #3D money these days.Stop looking at old contracts.First pairing D get over $8 million.

Is he even a #3 though?

Trading Jack Johnson probably won LA a cup.

godot10

who:
Joel Persson is not an NHL defenseman.
They need to send him down for a few months. Maybe he will adjust to the speed of the game, but I doubt it.
If anyone is taping the game, go back and watch his 1st shift of the game. Going back in his own end for a puck retrieval.That is the definition of skating in sand. I doubt he’s ever going to skate well enough.
Gaaten Haas, on the other hand,is looking more and more like an NHL center.

All the Oilers do is win when Persson is in the lineup
And everytime he steps up in the building
Everybody’s hands go up
And they stay there.

godot10

leadfarmer: But people will look at his EV point production with Drai and Mcdavid and think he’s worth a top pairing contract

$7 millioni is #3D money these days. Stop looking at old contracts. First pairing D get over $8 million.

Caller Zen

Bank Shot: Canucks lead the league in embarrassingly giving up 3 on 0s.

Already one of the best moments this NHL season! Check out my link for the LOLz
drive.google.com/file/d/1gEAGW2Egg0Gm1BloWYLl3vlG2GLOXgCe/view

OriginalPouzar

Marody left the game – not sure what he hurt but coach says day to day not long term.

pts2pndr

Harpers Hair: Me?
The Canucks were playing their 3rd in 4 nights and on the second of back to backs.
Pretty much a scheduled loss.
The Jets forwards are ridiculously good…if they can sort out their D, they are an elite team.

Excuses are like arse holes everybody has one. You can always go back under your bridge.?

Bank Shot

OriginalPouzar:
Points Percentage:

EDM – .667
VCR – .618
VEG – .618
CGY – .579

Points

Edm – 24
CGY – 22
VCR – 21
VEG – 21

Lets me guess, tonight is the night that Goal Differential reigns supreme?

Canucks lead the league in embarrassingly giving up 3 on 0s.

Had another doozie tonight with the empty net. Lol.

OriginalPouzar

Pouzar:
Maksimov with 2A tonight. Nice.

It looked like he actually scored the first one (and they took the puck) but so far it hasn’t been changed

Pouzar

Maksimov with 2A tonight. Nice.

geowal

leadfarmer:
geowal,

But how much of that is coaching
Also I’ve said in past that I’m cool with my 4th line not doing anything 5v5 as long as they pk well but we’ve overdone it as we’ve got 2 4th lines

I don’t know, but I referenced systems (coaching). It’s overkill sure, but I’ll take it over going all in on one Rieder who turns out to be the wrong Rieder. Christmas time we know which ones we need for 4th line PK duty, hope that Nygard has some offense, and call up some of the Bakersfield gang and cut out the 1 year deal folks we don’t need.
This is how I think Holland sees it. It’s not sexy, but I’ll take it. He saw pk as the one big improvement he could impact for this year without giving up assets or long term committing cap.
5×5 offense is expensive. His token bets there (Jurco, Chiasson) have thus far failed to be sure, ridicule that at your leisure.

OriginalPouzar

McLeod with an open net but he rings it off the cross-bar – damn, should be a tie game (1 minute remaining).

drglen

Sami Vatanen concussion protocal.. that was a dirty play by Chaisson. Guys do it all the time, the high back elbow which is sort of concealed as an in close stick play. Hope he’s OK>

hunter1909

Scungilli Slushy: I think there is a lot of change coming. A much different roster next season. Or the year after definitely. Only Connor and Leon are safe IMO.

While you might well turn out to be right, Khaira’s on the team pretty well for the rest of the season. With the Oilers surprising current success(first place!?) no doubt Mr. Holland is preparing the next Calgary type idiot GM for another fleecing.

drglen

so Holland et all will be checking out Burdasov over there too?

OriginalPouzar

Big Shocker: Yamamoto draws another PIM.

hunter1909

Reja: By-law 324 if a player gets robbed twice in theprevious game then finally scores after 2 more glorious chances he shall be named First Star.

Thanks.

hunter1909

Munny: Well, you’re the only one…

#DeathMarch

LOL

Munny

Scungilli Slushy,

Absolutely… but it’s his ELC that secures the den.

Scungilli Slushy

Munny:
Scungilli Slushy,

Bear is as safe as a bear can be.

Yup, forgot Grizzly! Brilliant player this season.

Munny

OriginalPouzar,

#latetotheparty

OriginalPouzar

Munny: Huh.

We could’ve used Bjugstad but not at the cost of taking JJ too.

…How does that trade happen?

It doesn’t – its fake.

Theil

Why is everyone talking about the Canucks? A middling team that has only won one more game than they’ve lost so far? We may as well discuss the Flyers or the Jets, at least their fans actually know a thing or two about hockey.

My hope for Haas to continue showing positively was met tonight, that bodes well for eventually having a third line. Chiasson breaking the goose egg is a good sign as well. Lots of deflection goals this year, Smytty would be proud.

If we go back to when Larsson got injured, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the Oil would have survived his absence to this degree, especially with 97 also going through a relative lull by his standards recently. Now that Larsson’s return is around the corner, and secondary scoring is slowly waking up, everything’s coming up Milhouse. I suspect Holland will hold off any potential deals unless they are of the slam dunk variety.

(Edited an autocorrect error)

Munny

Scungilli Slushy,

Bear is as safe as a bear can be.

Scungilli Slushy

hunter1909: The only time I noticed Khiara was the 3rd period he made a brilliant rush right up centre ice.

Khiara might not be Bob Gainey but he’s big and plays on a team that’s currently on a 109 point pace. He’s not going anywhere soon.

I think there is a lot of change coming. A much different roster next season. Or the year after definitely. Only Connor and Leon are safe IMO.

Reja

hunter1909: I never read the rule where previous games are used like that.

By-law 324 if a player gets robbed twice in the previous game then finally scores after 2 more glorious chances he shall be named First Star.

Pouzar

Younger Oil: That absolutely blows me away.

Eriksson Ek and Fiala are both better than either of Bjugstad or Johnson, and both have better contracts. Probably the Edmonton equivalent of that is trading Kris Russell and Chiasson. Wild got absolutely fleeced, we should have been banging down the door to make that deal.

BAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

FAKE ACCOUNT

N64

Younger Oil: That absolutely blows me away.

Eriksson Ek and Fiala are both better than either of Bjugstad or Johnson, and both have better contracts. Probably the Edmonton equivalent of that is trading Kris Russell and Chiasson. Wild got absolutely fleeced, we should have been banging down the door to make that deal.

Fire Kenny. He needs to make better fake trades.

Scungilli Slushy

Munny: This was one of the best games I’ve seen him play recently. Far more direct, thinking shot, fewer high risk passes. I’ll take it.

For sure. I am not trashing him at all, just noticed he seems to be resetting his game and possibly still not 100% at the knee. If he does and I think will take another step in his game watch out.

He added a dangerous shot and spiked. If he adds using teammates not named Leon more and a better boards game, in the famous words of Walken ‘watch out !!!’.

Munny

hunter1909: I consider myself an optimist

Well, you’re the only one…

#DeathMarch

😉

Younger Oil

Pouzar:
WOW

TRANSACTION: We have acquired Kevin Fiala and Joel Eriksson Ek from the
@mnwildin exchange for Nick Bjugstad and Jack Johnson.

That absolutely blows me away.

Eriksson Ek and Fiala are both better than either of Bjugstad or Johnson, and both have better contracts. Probably the Edmonton equivalent of that is trading Kris Russell and Chiasson. Wild got absolutely fleeced, we should have been banging down the door to make that deal.

EDIT: Thank goodness this is a parody account, that trade would be worse than the Lucic one was for Calgary.

N64

striatic: Isn’t that from a parody account?

Perguins Twitter account. Fake.

Munny

striatic: Isn’t that from a parody account?

Well that would make more sense.