The Oilers arrived in the Sonoran Desert with no passengers and a gigantic amount of momentum. The nature of the Pacific Division this season suggests that counts for doodly squat, but my goodness the Oilers were impressive last week in Alberta. Can this team keep it going?
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, less than two coffees a month offer here.
- New Lowetide: If fast is the new big, the Oilers are trending in a very good direction
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ 2016 draft and the value of waiting five years
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘I got a text from Wayne Gretzky that I’ve still got saved’: 8 years later, Sam Gagner reflects on his 8-point night.
- Lowetide: What’s next for Tyler Benson and William Lagesson after being called up by the Oilers?
- Lowetide: Breaking down the Oilers’ 50-man list at the trade deadline and the changes expected to come
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘Now it’s over’: With a new contract in hand, Zack Kassian ready to move on after Matthew Tkachuk fight
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers extend Zack Kassian, betting the power forward can continue to produce with Connor McDavid
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘That’s good for hockey’: Former Oilers weigh in on Battle of Alberta hype ahead of Tkachuk-Kassian meeting
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers are more likely to trade Adam Larsson than Kris Russell
- Lowetide: Is there real trade deadline value in the Edmonton Oilers’ prospect pipeline?
- Lowetide: ‘Connor McDavid: Whatever It Takes’ works as breaking news, drama and personality profile
- Lowetide: Oilers prospects Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson deliver best minor league performances in 20 years
- Lowetide: What do Connor McDavid’s best lines tell us about his optimal linemates?
- Jonathan Willis: An updated list of which Oilers are most likely to be traded in 2019-20
- Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto gives Oilers a midseason spark, one of the best in team history
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Josh Archibald, Riley Sheahan show the upward trend of Ken Holland’s offseason moves for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Post-Christmas performance spike has Evan Bouchard pushing for an NHL job with the Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: The Oilers’ road forward — and perhaps to a Stanley Cup — requires trusting the kids on defence
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Deciding what to do with Darnell Nurse, Mike Smith, Tyler Benson and Evan Bouchard
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s targets for his first trade deadline with the Oilers.
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s trade deadline options for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Complete Oilers top 20 prospects list, winter 2019
OILERS AFTER 53 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015-16: 21-27-5, 47 points; goal differential -21
- Oilers in 2016-17: 28-17-8, 64 points; goal differential +12
- Oilers in 2017-18: 23-26-4, 50 points; goal differential -28
- Oilers in 2018-19: 23-25-5, 51 points; goal differential -19
- Oilers in 2019-20: 28-18-6, 62 points; goal differential +7
Edmonton’s most recent run (8-2-2 in the last 12) and spike in goal differential create a handsome record through 52 games. With 30 games to go, the Oilers could tread water (point per game) and finish with 92 points. Don’t recommend it.
ON THE TENS
- First 10 games: 7-2-1
- Second 10 games: 5-4-1
- Third 10 games: 5-4-1
- Fourth 10 games: 3-6-1
- Fifth 10 games: 6-2-2
- Current 10 games: 2-0-0
Easy to get greedy, but this season’s 10-game segments have just one clunker and the current 10 is off to a tremendous start.
OILERS IN FEBRUARY
- Oilers in February 2016: 1-1-0, two points; goal differential -4
- Oilers in February 2017: 0-2-0, 0 points; goal differential -3
- Oilers in February 2018: 1-0-1, three points; goal differential +3
- Oilers in February 2019: 0-0-2, two points; goal differential -2
- Oilers in February 2020: 1-0-0, two points; goal differential +5
Edmonton in February has had some success, but early in the month during the McDavid era is a mixed bag. Check out the playoff team and 0-2! None of the four previous clubs hit it out of the park, so opportunity knocks.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: CAL, ARI (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: SJS, NAS, CHI (Expected 2-1-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 1-1-1)
- At home to: BOS, MIN (Expected 1-1-0)
- On the road to: LAK, ANA, VEG (Expected 2-1-0)
- At home to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-1, 17 points in 14 games
- Current results: 1-0-0, two points in one game
I have the Oilers grabbing 17 points this month, if this group delivers it will be the most successful February since 97 arrived. The 2015-16 (7 points in 14 games), 2016-17 (12 points in 12 games), 2017-18 (11 points in 13 games) and 2018-19 (12 points in 14 games) editions all failed to exceed a point per game.
OILERS 2019-20
No idea about James Neal or Tyler Benson, we do know coaches don’t like to mess with a lineup that is winning. I would run Koskinen out there tonight, but Dave Tippett has shown a preference for Smith. Question: Is Yamamoto the next forward to reach 10 goals?
2019-20 BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
We haven’t chatted about the Condors since the Benson recall, partly because there is now a ‘last one out turn off the lights’ feel to this year’s team. Beyond Evan Bouchard and Dmitri Samorukov, who do you count as a strong prospect? I’ll suggest Stuart Skinner is spiking right now, Ryan McLeod and Kirill Maksimov are showing some signs. There isn’t a lot left now that Yamamoto, Benson, Jones and Lagesson have flown the coop. Jay Woodcroft and his brilliant staff have their work cut out for them this season. Thanks to Wilde for lines and pairings.
TONIGHT
Teams get into these good grooves and want to ride them for a long time. I don’t know that the Oilers win tonight, Arizona is a talented team. However, when a team comes to the end of a winning streak, there are usually signs that fortunes are about to turn. Lucky plays, bad habits, heroic goalies sometimes extend a winning streak even though the team has stopped playing well.
None of that is in evidence with this team. The Edmonton Oilers are playing well. Full stop.
TRADE DEADLINE
Although we agreed long ago about the (lack of) value in winning faceoffs, it can be a royal pain in the ass for about eight seconds when you lose them. This season’s centers have been good, bad and indifferent in the dot: Leon Draisaitl 50. 5 percent in 864 sorties; Riley Sheahan 50.1 percent in 55 sorties; Connor McDavid 47.0 percent in 525 sorties; Nuge leading the way with 50.9 percent winning percentage but has only entered the battle 381 times.
Gaetan Haas is the outlier, just 40.5 percent in 304 attempts. I think the Oilers will be looking for a faceoff man at the deadline.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A packed show today, TSN1260, starting at 10 this morning. Jonathan Willis from The Athletic will preview tonight’s game from the Edmonton side, we’ll chat about that killer second line, the third pairing and Tyler Benson’s possible debut. Andrew Peard and Corey Graham pop in at 11 to talk Edmonton Oil Kings, Sebastian Cossa, Jake Neighbours and the next OK game on Friday. Craig Morgan from The Athletic Arizona joins us at 11:20 to chat Taylor Hall, injuries and this crazy Pacific Division. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
You’re correct that formal talks can’t happen until after this season, but there is lots of hubbub that ESPN has indicated to the NHL that they plan to be part of the process.
No question that it has to make sense to shareholders, I don’t expect a crazy SN deal but we both agree that live sports is one of the few programs that networks can still bank on.
I watched the first period……… woke up a few times throughout the game excited to check the score…..
Giordano injury a possible torn hamstring per Eric Francis tweet.
I’m just glad the Oil mailed it in so OP could get a decent night’s sleep…
I didn’t realize that their flight was delayed so late at Calgary airport after Saturday’s game. I should’ve thought of it, because I live down here and that snowstorm was hellacious.
I liked his comment about “you know how guys look when they’re trying but there’s no try there?” Or something to that effect. Thought he nailed it dead on.
Maybe if Gio is out for any length of time the oilers could trade KRussel to Calgary for Jankowski with no money retained to help them out ?
It won’t be that awkward for the last regular season game of the year as the flames will be eliminated from the playoffs,, and Neal will just be recovering from his broken foot so he won’t hit 20 goals and the Oilers won’t have to give the Flames that third round pick.
I”m not a fan, but each to there own.
There’s nothing wrong with DSF IMO… as long as you get him before 9pm, or not in a bad day mood, which seem to be much rarer these days.
You win 50. You Lose 50. It’s how you play the other 62 that matters.
Something like that.
tippett post game, he even game the team a pass.
looks like he lived up to his name again tonight.
Big sieve dave says hello
David Rittich is far more classy than this troll.
I know, that’s why I’m asking if you’re David Rittich. You’re both unable to discern fundamental, yet simple, differences.
drglen,
Jones had a tough night.
Pretty much the same in my book.
Rittich, is that you?
There’s a big difference between getting owned and not showing up for work.
Just like there’s a big difference between a celebration… and showing up a team after they hit two posts.
Jones and Khaira out.
Lagesson and Benson in.
McDavid -3
Kassian -3
Draisaitl -2
RNH -2
They got owned.
Flames lose too.
Coyotes gain two points pretty much on the entire field
There is no reason to not get Benson in On thursday.
Yes, all out of excuses now Tippett.
Nah they just didn’t give a shit tonight.
Boooooooooooooooo oooooo
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Booooooooooooooooooooo
New lineup please Tippet. Bring in Benson for God’s sake. Hell, call up McLead while your at it.
Very flat defensive effort also, … one of the defenders needs a reset. Probably Jones. Have a look at Lageson
Lord, that was a calamity.
A reminder of what this team really is – not quite ready.
We deserve to be shut out.
Flames down 3-1 now. Still 4 mins to play in Turtletown.
Hemsky, what were you thinking?
losing most of the draws as well
Arizona good face off team.
team has no jump…. I’m blaming tippet for keeping the same lineup.
Here’s a game where we could have used someone like Bouchard imo. just saying.
ok soderberg deserves first star for losing those teeth….
Lordy, these guys are outta sync and the Oilers boss is being outcoached for the first time in a while, maybe he’s confused about which team is his?
koskinen saves the day
bad nurse giveaway
Bear… please carry the puck in… it’s time that guy did a rush or two of this own.
Can we get a little mo’ off the big kill?
Please…
tipp trusting archibold as his best penalty killer
That was a poor non-call by the Stripes
Edit: ie, the hold on Archie
…what comes around…
I have dislike chiasson game for a while.
Wheres Mahomes when the Oilers need him?
Giordano injured
chaisson… … dog house… go now. by the way…… you’ve been traded
Need a shortie bad,
Kind of frustrated we’re playIng to their strengths. You’d think after two and a half periods of getting outworked and out positioned on the cycle they’d try something else.
how did that not go in
That shift was ugly, three forwards on the wall past the goal line = no chance to score.
decent pressure and shot by that line. If we can get a greasy one… we can pull the goalies and look for the tie… I think that’s our only hope here. Every one is playing to slow… the plays develop slow and the passes are anticipated.. sticks in the way.
The trap is on, Arizona may be vulnerable if Oilers wanna work
Chances but no goals.
Desperately need some goal legs
nice break out boys..
Nuge needed to lift that look
maybe connor needs a new spot on the powerplay
The only players looking good tonight are the ones still in suits and ties. So Benson lookin fine, so far.