The Edmonton Oilers played the only tuneup game on the schedule last night and will now prepare for the first game of the series against Chicago. It was an interesting game. I took notes.
THE ATHLETIC!
Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. I am proud to be part of The Athletic. Here are the most recent Oilers stories.
- New Lowetide: Splitting the Draisaitl line may create hot August nights in Edmonton
- New Lowetide: Splitting the Draisaitl line may create hot August nights in Edmonton
- New Jonathan Willis: Is Philip Broberg on track to be a top-pairing defenceman?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ productive prospect pipeline a welcome change for playoffs
- Lowetide: Will the last stay-at-home defenceman please turn out the lights?
- New Mark Lazerus and Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Breaking down storylines, scouting reports and X-factors for Blackhawks-Oilers
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Oilers scrimmage: Colby Cave gets Maurice Richard treatment in fitting tribute
- Lowetide: Imagining the city of Edmonton with the Oilers in a deep playoff run
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s roster construction options over the next five months
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Inside the bubble: Details on where and how NHL players will live in Edmonton
- Jonathan Willis: Evan Bouchard’s AHL debut has him on track to become a No. 1 NHL defenceman
- Lowetide: Philip Broberg fortunate to arrive with Oilers under mature management
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: A ‘different’ Oilers initiation leaves Olivier Rodrigue wanting more
- Lowetide: What should Oilers fans expect from Connor McDavid in the playoffs?
- Lowetide: Dave Tippett’s postseason strategy against the Blackhawks
THE LINEUP
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Zack Kassian
Tyler Ennis – Leon Draisaitl – Kailer Yamamoto
Andreas Athanasiou – Gaetan Haas – Josh Archibald
James Neal – Jujhar Khaira – Alex Chiasson
Patrick Russell
Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson
Darnell Nurse – Ethan Bear
Kris Russell – Matt Benning
Philip Broberg
Mikko Koskinen
Mike Smith
FIRST PERIOD NOTES
The goals were typical high-flying Oilers, Draisaitl gains the zone, Ennis pass to Klefbom for the hammer, Yamamoto cleans up on the rebound. The McDavid goal came on the usual insane power-play movement, the Oilers move the puck so quickly it’s dizzying to watch let alone defend. I liked Bear’s first period, solid in his own zone and moving the puck smartly. Jujhar Khaira had a great look, Koskinen stopped all eight shots. PK was solid, noticed Haas did good work there as did Archibald. It was 12-5 Edmonton five on five shots.
SECOND PERIOD THOUGHTS
A much better second period by the Flames, a better test for Edmonton’s goalies. Koskinen played the first half of the second period and was quality, Mike Smith was very active (too active?) but I wouldn’t blame him for the goal (Tkachuk interfered, Nurse took Tkachuk off the hook by cross-checking him). Very physical period, I really liked the Athanasiou-Haas-Archibald line. Klefbom-Larsson are ready. Broberg looked a little unready at times but also played 2:28 against Tkachuk-Backlund-Mangiapane. Shots 9-4 Calgary.
THIRD PERIOD THOUGHTS
Mike Smith made the stop of the game against Sam Bennett early in the third period and was very busy in his 30 minutes. Haas earned a spot in the starting lineup, don’t know if he’ll get it, Archibald and Athanasiou had moments but AA has to get to more plays. Connor McDavid scored twice, I’m sure the Flames felt they had him for most of the night. Them’s the breaks.
TOTALS
- Shots five on five: 24-22 Calgary (52 percent)
- Corsi five on five: 40-37 Calgary (52 percent)
- Power play: One goal each
- Oilers five on five save percentage: .1000 (24 of 24)
- Flames five on five save percentage: .864 (19 of 22)
LINES
- Nuge-McDavid-Kassian: 9:37, 9-5 Corsi, 6-3 shots, no goals
- Ennis-Draisaitl-Yamamoto: 8:37, 4-11 Corsi, 2-9 shots, 1-0 goals
- Neal-Khaira-Chiasson: 6:19, 1-7 Corsi, 0-3 shots, no goals
- Athanasiou-Haas-Archibald: 4:51, 8-3 Corsi, 3-2 shots, no goals
I liked the McDavid line and the Haas line, the Draisaitl line struck early but didn’t dominate. Give the Flames credit and it was clearly not a night to push the impact players for results. I’d love to see two more games before the playoffs. Bet Dave Tippett would agree. Nice to see Patrick Russell score. Chiasson was probably the least effective forward, looked slow, but I’d keep him in the lineup. Veterans be veterans.
PAIRINGS
- Klefbom-Larsson: 9:06, 8-7 Corsi, 4-5 shots, 1-0 goals
- Nurse-Bear: 11:34, 10-10 Corsi, 9-7 shots, no goals
- Russell-Benning: 7:42, 10-8 Corsi, 5-4 shots, 1-0 goals
- Broberg-Larsson: 3:04, 0-4 Corsi, 0-2 shots, no goals
I think Tippett genuinely wanted to see Broberg, and the young man played a lot against good Calgary opposition. Saved a goal, I think Jones is No. 7 and after that we’ll see among Broberg, Bouchard and Lagesson. The Swedish tandem is ready, Bear is exceptional, Nurse had that one play but was solid otherwise. Bear got time in all three disciplines, playing 19:33 and finishing third behind Nurse and Klebom.
GOALIES
- Mikko Koskinen stopped 17 of 17
- Mike Smith stopped 18 of 19
I would start Koskinen. He has better numbers, he played well and his game looks repeatable. That said, Dave Tippett has been to war with Smith, so maybe that wins the day. We wait.
PHILIP BROBERG
Dave Tippett played him and the young man was out against Calgary’s top line for five minutes, outshot 5-0 and chasing all night. Tippett said he played Broberg because he’s the only man on defense who hadn’t before last night. I believe him. Broberg showed some good things (speed, recovery, blocked a sure goal) but I think Jones is No. 7 if healthy.
Yes, it’s called ignore…
OilClog,
Bahh HH will not write about the Dy’s until there’s good news, he prefers to needle.
Speaking of, is there a DSF-HH vaccine yet?
For The Athletic: Could Oilers’ lack of centre depth mean postseason roster shuffle? Dave Tippett can’t afford to be patient and there are options available.
https://theathletic.com/1958332/2020/07/30/lowetide-could-oilers-lack-of-centre-depth-mean-postseason-roster-shuffle/
If the Blackhawks are running their birdie line against either 97 or 29, they’re going to be embarrassed compared to whatever damage Kane may do against either the Archi know your role line, or the dirty, get it from the mud, old tall tree line that are both sprinkled with the leagues 2nd overall penalty kill pieces deployed.
Pretty sure they’ll be better equipped then some rookies will be trying to out talent 97 or 29 lol. How about them Jets! How come the Canucks and Beebop Rocksteady didn’t easily defeat the frozen Atlanta Thrashers? 1 Goal!? What sort of hopes and dreams can truly ever be reached when you can only produce 1 goal in 60 minutes against the frozen Atlanta Thrashers?
These kinda results, Quinn is going to be jumping ship as soon as he sees Elias blink twice.
You should rebrand yourself Harper seal. You squeal a lot without saying anything worthwhile like your Brag that the Canucks have caught the Oilers and how great Bragun Fartree is, a whole lot of nothing but wasted hot air! Have a nice night!
He plays the boards harder. He has the experience. He goes to the net hard and will make space for Yamamoto and Draisaitl. Nygard and Benson lack the experience and AA doesn’t seem to be be wiling to do what it takes. Just my opinion. AA has the requisite skills but for some reason seems to lack the desire.
Who knows who’s gonna win these shortened series after months off.
But we all know Broken Recordey and you sir are a Broken Record.
Depends on a lot of things.
Will AA struggle to score in the playoffs?
Will Faksa want a raise?
Are the Oilers going to pursue another scoring winger before next summer?
Faksa is big, fast, and wins a lot of puck battles. He’s also a center.
I don’t think he ever scores 30 goals, but I also wonder if AA will ever do it again.
I’d certainly consider the deal.
With Broberg getting so much attention the last couple of weeks Bouchard’s star seems to have flickered a little but I caught a few minutes of Stauffer’s show this afternoon with Brian Lawton and he made a few comments about Bouchard including that he we was really high on him even using the word ‘elite’ to describe his upside.
He just thought that his game needed some patience and that Holland was bringing him along exactly as he should.
Anyway, just one guy’s opinion but thought it was worth mentioning.
If you want a triple crown winner, you buy the colt that is faster and bigger and chomping at the bit.
Then you train it.
Broberg isn’t NHL ready but every attempt should be given to him to develop ASAP. And they are doing that.
He’s not playing for Nurse’s job. But if any LD can develop some crust and be able to skate they will be.
You are correct – Haas had 6 minutes on the PK this year – thank you.
Of course, that’s a few less than the 5088 minutes Koskinen has played in the NHL.
You know you are stretching with that TOI/G argument – Nuge/Khaira were clearly PK2 all year long and the difference between Nuge and Khaira is negligible. They were used as a pair when both healthy.
Feel free to believe that Haas can simply step in to Khaira’s role on the PK and be just as effective – that’s totally your right, you can have any opinion that you choose. I am of the opinion that Khaira has a skill level developed in the area and has developed a chemistry with Nuge on the PK and having another person, who hasn’t killed penalties all year long, step in to that role in the playoffs is not a great idea.
OriginalPouzar,
I looked into it again and it was the Kubalik-Toews duo that had the look of an outscoring line. When Saad has also been on that line, they were a rather bad line, in fact. mid-to-low 40s across the board. Further, all of that Kubalik-Toews duo success was driven by a 97min sample alongside Kane where they went 15-5. The remaining 364mins saw that duo go 22-28 (44% GF).
My Bad
OriginalPouzar,
He has six minutes this season, ie still six more minutes than Koski’s playoff experience in the NHL.
And out of the four forwards most used on the Oilers PK, despite being the most available of the four, Khaira has the lowest PK TOI. Clearly Tipp doesn’t think Khaira is as elite as you do, otherwise he’d be top of that table.
If Haas could win a faceoff, he might have already supplanted Khaira in the line-up. Either way, Khaira is in tough next season.
And by the way, I remember the Oilers PK the prior season, with the “elite for a while now” Khaira… It was abysmal.
Kubalik moved up to Toews line and it pays off.
https://theathletic.com/1961759/2020/07/29/observations-from-the-blackhawks-exhibition-win-over-the-blues/
I use Koskinen’s playoff performance in the KHL as a reason to believe that he won’t succumb to additional pressure during the playoffs.
I know what Koskinen can do in net in the NHL and I don’t think the pressure of the playoffs will negatively effect his abilities given playoff performances.
I don’t know what Haas can do on the PK in North America because he has apx 3 minutes of experience. I know he was a top PK in the Swiss league (I would stop short of calling him an elite PK guy in Europe unless there is some evidence of the same) and I am confident he will be beneficial to the PK. I just don’t think its reasonable to think that he will be as effective on the PK in the NHL, in the post-season, as one of the incumbent elite PK guys in the NHL – not just this year but for a while now.
I’ll take the amok running performed by Drai or McDavid against the rookie center and poor defensive winger.
Of course, having home ice advantage in the first two games, if Tippett really wants to, he can generally get both the top two lines away from Toews.
Now, do we want to get in to the match-ups against defensive pairings……?
Yeah, I can definitely agree with you on AA and the risk of trying things that don’t immediately click in the playoffs. Jesse on RW next season is a big deal. I could see Kassian losing his grip on a to 6 spot eventually. Although he brings a combination of speed and sandpaper that nobody else does.
Don’t tell me what I can possibly think.
Khaira needs a fire lit under his ass. If that means sitting for a game, I’m willing to see what happens.
And considering Haas was an elite PKer in Europe, it really isn’t a small sample size.
For a guy who was more than willing to leverage Koski’s European experience to make a point, you seem pretty willing to discard the same evidence when it is convenient for you.
Patrick Russell with a goal and an assist in like 5 minutes of ice.
Stone cold assassin.
Sheahan is a left shot
Biggest killer since Brogan Rafferty
If Caggula and Dach go up against either Mcdavid or Drai lines I agree, Oh the humanity!!
If Kubalik/Dach/Caggulia go up against the McDavid or Drai lines and Toews/Saad go up against the other, that would allow Kane to run amok against the Oilers third line.
Oh the humanity.
Kubalik with 2 goals 1 assist.
Stone cold killer.
Of course it won’t be easy – its the NHL where there isn’t all that much to choose between 5th and 12th. Of course, the Oilers proved over the course of 70 games to be the better team and, while Kane and Toews are old-school dynamic, McDavid only tried for a shift and a half last night and scored twice….
That Kubalik/Dach/Caggiula line is likely to pop a few goals but I would expect them to give that all back and much more lined up against the McDavid or Drai lines. We know Drake’s defensive deficiencies and Dach is a 19 year old rookie……
I would expect him to compete for the 3RW spot currently occupied by Archibald who would best be suited to the 4RW spot – Chiasson can be moved and $1M saved in the switch.
The potential is for Jesse to earn a top 6 RW spot (with Yama) at some point and Kassian moving down to 3RW – that is championship level depth.
OriginalPouzar,
Neither would Dallas.
Not even a little bit.
It’s not just a small sample, its an exhibition game sample and being compared to an elite PK guy – year after year after year.
We can’t possibly be thinking that Haas can just replace Khaira on the PK without a drop in effectiveness.
Poor Nuge, can’t even keep his PK partner that he’s developed chemistry with.
hunter1909,
Agreed. It won’t be easy by any stretch. That 3rd line of Debrincat, Dach, and Caggiula poses a threat to our depth. Kane is carrying two defensive liabilities but he can outscore just about anything and that top line was a strong outscoring line iirc.
Hate to say this but the Hawks just went up 2-0 on a fantastic pass by Kane to Strome.
Oilers can lose this play in series. Many of the Hawks players have won 3 cups including their top duo.
So Puljujarvi now “sees things differently”. Just in time.
Tippett doesn’t seem to enjoy playing players on their off-wing, but you’d have to think the spot for him to get an opportunity is in the one currently occupied by Ennis.
Yes, the PP was better with Chiasson on it than Neal but, from listening to the coaches, I think part of that is the ability to switch the two net front presences (including during a PP1) that creates different look, options and match-up issues.
Really?
I’d prefer Nygard, AA or Benson personally.
Have we seen Chiasson play the left wing?
Both Gully and Tippett have talked about the different PP looks, options and strategies employed when Chiasson vs. Neal are out three. From the accounts of the coaches, both players bring different things to the PP and the ability to switch them (including within PP1 while the other four stay) creates issues for the PK.
Some notes from the Coast.
20 players on CKSA Moscow have tested positive for Covid.
9 players on another team.
The Canucks have laid off 25% of their business operations staff.
Vancouver Giants owner Ron Toigo who also owns White Spot restaurants says many team owners have suffered massive losses in their core businesses and will be unable or unwilling to cover any increased expenditures on their hockey ventures. Also says these owners are expecting losses in the millions for years ahead.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says there wii be no games with spectators for at leas the rest of 2020 and perhaps longer.
Olli Juolevi is in the lineup for tonight’s game against the Jets. Travis Greensays he has earned it and been one if the most improved players in camp.
Jordie Benn remains in Texas awaiting the birth of his child opening up a bottom pairing opportunity for Juolevi.
I agree, Sheahan being the only RH centerman and better than Haas on the dot. If Haas and the Oilers can survive the possible 3 minutes I would rather have Hass for a more full court and hard forecheck. He draws more penalizes than another Oilers. Being playoff hockey and Hawks being playoff experience i can see them getting away with more than we will
If AA had seized the opportunity he was given in the first couple of days of TC I would be more open to trying it but now I think we wait for next season before seeing anything like this.
More of a ‘first 10 games of the season’ experiment than a 5 game playoff imo.
If Jesse does sign for next year that also adds some potential on the wings but a lot can happen between now and then and I still worry that Nuge will not see 3C as something he is willing to accept regardless of PP time or all the other reasons that explain why it is good for the team.
Hint for Enjoying the playoffs: Oilers win more games than they lose.
Tyler Ennis/Connor McDavid/Zack Kassian
Andreas Athanasiou/Leon Draisaitl/Kailer Yamamoto
Tyler Benson/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins/James Neal
Jujhar Khaira/Gaetan Haas/Josh Archibald
Possibly, but I wouldn’t be so sure.
I think giving Athanasiou a real chance with one of the top lines is where real explosiveness might show up. He’s got the speed and he scored 30 goals just last season with way lesser linemates. Ennis is a decent scorer and Draisaitl and Yamamoto have some real chemistry together. Draisaitl speaks very highly of Yamamoto. Ennis is a smart enough veteran that he may be able to get where he needs to be to support McDavid. On the third line, if Benson is the playmaker and responsible player they all say he is, then he might be perfect with Nugent-Hopkins and Neal, both of who have had 3 recent seasons between 28 to 32 goals per 82. Neal had a terrible season in Calgary but I think he can pot close to 30 again. I think that lineup is worth exploring. I’d be fine with swapping Ennis and Athanasiou, as someone mentioned in this comments section, Ennis and Yamamoto may be too much of the same player type on one line. The 4th line has 2 speedy checkers and some size in Khaira who is great on the PK.
Nice Ditka worthy takedown on the raging Neal Chai debate. #GreatTasteLessFilling
Another fantastic post.
I do think that part of Haas’ skill-set is killing penalties and he was a plus PK guy in Europe.
Of course, he received 3 minutes last night on the PK which was essentially the amount of time he received all year.
I think he gets a PK bump next year as they will let Sheahan go, however, for now, playing 3 minutes on the PK in an exhibition game does not mean he can simply replace Khaira (or Sheahan) in that role for the post-season.
A VERY nice depth player to insert in to the lineup when required – which I anticipate does indeed happen.
Epic Post!
100% and I think I posted pretty much the same last night.
Part of his insertion in to the lineup last night was likely a reward for (a) coming over on the premise that he wasn’t even going to be with the team for phase 4, coming over for two weeks plus a quarantine and (b) for excelling in a camp and scrimmage situation.
I don’t imagine he plays before either of Lagesson or Bouchard but I guess you never know – Tippett’s comments last night about him playing were “if we need him” – which, to me, means injuries piling up.
Ya, I saw this earlier and it put a big smile on my face.
I anticipate Jesse signs with Karpat shortly (or maybe another European team) but signs with the Oilers some time later this summer and comes over when NHL training camps start up.
That, in my opinion, is also the best scenario for the Oilers.
He will be a cheap option that will battle for a spot in the middle six and could very reasonably end up as a legit top 6 option – on a value contract.
Of course, he may fail as well but I think the potential outweighs the risks.
Neal produced at higher rates than Chiasson on the PP this year but the PP itself was better when Chiasson was out there – 14G/60 – that’s like close a goal every second PP……..
I think Chiasson keeps his spot almost exclusively for the PP – both Tip and Gully have spoken about the different options the two present and the different plays they have when each are out there. I think part of the reason for PP1s success was the different looks they can present.
As per Holland earlier this week, Broberg will indeed be heading back to Skeleftea once the Oilers are done in this post-season (hopefully October).
They are not changing plans with him to keep him in North America (not that N. America will have hockey in the fall).
Holland expressly mentioned the option to bring him over when Skeleftea’s season is done (which will be before the NHL) and have him play for the Condors (or perhaps Oilers).
I like Haas and its great depth that he can be added to the lineup for an injury or a struggling player but I don’t think he’s stolen Sheahan’s lineup spot.
Sheahan is one of the better faceoff guys and Haas is awful
Just getting 3 minutes of PK time (equal to what was received all season) does not mean that Haas can replace Sheahan (or Khaira) on the PK. He will be a PK guy but lets not get ahead of ourselves.
Of course the Oilers have to play better to beat the Hawks – I don’t think anyone reasonably expected “playoff intensity hockey” last night, did they?