If Dave Tippett can get his Edmonton Oilers to play that tight every night, his team is going to have playoff success. While many fans raved on about how boring the game turned out to be, the maligned Oilers defense gave up just 21 shots. NST had Calgary with 10 high danger chances, that looked high from here. Either way, both teams play tonight and the Flames are under pressure (add in the grand bassline).
THE ATHLETIC!
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Jonathan Willis: Could an Ethan Bear trade improve the Oilers?
- New Lowetide: Is Oilers centre Kyle Turris playing himself out of the NHL?
- Lowetide: Tinkering with the Oilers’ top six — what are the best line combinations?
- Lowetide: Philip Broberg and the Oilers’ Leftorium
- Lowetide: Jujhar Khaira, a waiver reset and the Oilers’ future at No. 3 centre
- Lowetide: What to do with the Oilers defence now that the rookies have arrived
- Lowetide: Mike Smith’s return calms the Oilers goalie hysteria — for now
- Lowetide: Bakersfield Condors are back, but true NHL prospects a roster rarity
- Lowetide: Dylan Holloway caps strong NCAA season with Hobey Baker nomination
- Lowetide: Oilers rookie Evan Bouchard’s 2021 NHL debut — a shift-by-shift review
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers report card for January
- Lowetide: Some of the Oilers’ Russian prospects less than a year from the NHL
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers need misfiring elements to come together — and fast
- Lowetide: 3 auditioning Oilers who should be given time to find their groove
- Lowetide: Oilers Kailer Yamamoto is the real deal.
- Lowetide: Is this peak Connor McDavid?
OILERS AFTER 20 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015-16: 7-12-1, 15 points; goal differential -8
- Oilers in 2016-17: 11-8-1, 23 points; goal differential +7
- Oilers in 2017-18: 7-11-2, 16 points; goal differential -13
- Oilers in 2018-19: 9-10-1, 19 points; goal differential -9
- Oilers in 2019-20: 12-6-2, 26 points; goal differential +9
- Oilers in 2020-21: 11-8-0, 22 points; goal differential +4
This year’s Oilers are hanging with the playoff and postseason teams, although the goal differential is lagging. Fairly certain the 2020-21 team is on a playoff trajectory, as they would finish with 65 points.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- At home to: Ottawa (Expected: 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: Calgary, Ottawa, Ottawa, Montreal (Expected: 2-1-1) (Actual 3-1-0)
- At home to: Winnipeg, Winnipeg (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- On the road to: Calgary (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: Calgary (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: Vancouver, Vancouver (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: Toronto (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-4-1, 15 points in 12 games
- Current results: 6-2-0, 12 points in 8 games
January’s record (5-6-0) included two wins at the end of the month, meaning the Oilers have been hot for three full weeks now. Calgary will be bringing everything they have tonight, and there are about 15 guys in red looking for redemption. Oilers played a calm game for much of last night, put a sleeper hold on the Flames and ran out the clock. Damned effective. Does this team have it in them to sweep a desperate Calgary team? Expect a strong test of Mikko Koskinen in the first 10 minutes tonight, that may well tell the story of Saturday night.
LINES, LAST NIGHT
- Nuge-McDavid-Puljujarvi played 12:21 together, 3-5 shots, 1-0 goals, 2-3 HDSC and 7-18 Corsi five on five. Nuge made smart plays all over the ballyard, a couple of takeaways, several passes out of the zone to relieve pressure and effective coverage. McDavid was a standout offensively, two HD scoring chances and Edmonton had just 7 all night according to NST (all numbers five on five). Puljujarvi scored a great goal, he was in good position, offered a target, released the puck quickly and didn’t shoot it into the goalie’s crest. He’s more qualified than several dozen Oilers forwards who have spent time in the slot over the years. He has scored 5-1-6 in the last seven games. Won several battles for pucks, he’s a big man and a completely different obstacle for opponents than he was as a teenager. I love seeing a “who’s that guy?” look on the faces of players JP lost battles to a couple of years ago. How the turns have tabled.
- Ennis-Draisaitl-Yamamoto played 10:52, 3-5 shots, no goals, 1-2 HDSC and 5-7 Corsi five on five. Ennis had two giveaways, some good moments forechecking but his passes were off target. Draisaitl had one HDSC, just two shots and seemed to be missing an extra gear at times. Yamamoto was aggressive on the forecheck (took a penalty because of it) and work tirelessly, but Calgary checked him well.
- Neal-Haas-Chiasson played 8:19, going 8-2 shots, 1-0 goals, 1-1 HDSC and 12-6 Corsi five on five. This line was the most effective on the evening, Haas and his speed an even better match than Khaira for the grumpy old men on the wing. Neal had an assist, a couple of good looks and created a rebound. Chiasson also picked up an assist, he’s 2-2-4 in his last five games.
- Kahun-Khaira-Archibald played 7:46, going 5-2 shots, 0-1 goals, 2-1 HDSC and 7-4 Corsi five on five. I thought the line played well, scramble on the GA but against the flow of play. Kahun had two shots and a high danger scoring chance he created stealthily by following his offensive guard until he say daylight. He’s a sneaky good player. Khaira had one decent look, was in the photo on the GA (it was a difficult play, complete jailbreak) and won six of 10 in the dot.
DEFENSE AND GOALIE
- Nurse-Barrie played 20:07 (it’s too much!) together, 6-9 shots, 1-1 goals, 3-5 HDSC and 12-22 Corsi five on five. Nurse had an assist, a couple of good looks and two shot blocks. He is playing the best hockey of his career, partly because his passing is so much better. Touch passes, tape to tape, short and long, he’s making the puck do the work and it’s fun to see. Barrie had a great assist (impressive pass to JP after driving down the wall) and made a good block on a late Matt Tkachuk chance.
- Russell-Larsson played 18:03 (it’s too much!) together, 8-2 shots, no goals, 2-1 HDSC and 14-10 Corsi five on five. Russell had three shots and three shot blocks, Larsson engaged a couple of times and went walkabout in the Calgary end with no harm to either side. They played well, I know that will make many of you unhappy, but there it is.
- Koekkoek-Bouchard played 6:31 (not enough), 4-4 shots, no goals, 0-1 HDSC and 7-5 Corsi five on five. Bouchard made one stunningly poor outlet pass that got turned over but played well otherwise. Koekkoek played one of his best games of late, calm feet, turning pucks over. This pairing could have played more, and will have to (or their replacements will) be on the ice more tonight. The top pairs shouldered a heavy load.
- Mike Smith had another fine game, stopping 20 of 21, .952. He has now played in five games, won four of them, has a .940 save percentage and a 1.83 goals-against average. We know he’ll regress, but it’s also true this is a fantastic run from the big man. Respect.
OILERS PROCURED VIA THE DRAFT
If we can agree that the vital positions are the top two lines, top two pairs, starting goalie and No. 3 center, the draft and development department has potentially taken care of nine of these requirements. What’s more if JP, KY and EB continue to develop, the last failed first-round selection will be from 2012. Numbers are five on five pts-60 (forwards), shot differential (defense) and save percentage (goalies).
PROCURED BEFORE HOLLAND
There aren’t many left who were part of the organization on Holland’s arrival (spring 2019). The old bulls are having some success though, Larsson has been playing well during this stretch and Russell’s numbers have improved alongside 6. Chiasson delivered a productive 10 days when he needed it, credit where due. Kassian remains injured, I think it might have helped the Oilers remain disciplined last night. Nothing against Kassian, he brings some things when healthy, but the Oilers weren’t heading to the box often last night and stayed with the gameplan.
PROCURED BY HOLLAND
If we were being fair, Jesse Puljujarvi’s name would be front and center. However, these are the names brought in by Holland as first-time Oilers.
Smith has been outstanding, full stop. Barrie is improving and has delivered 3-10-13 and played 20:42 a night over his most recent 11 games (+3). Ennis and Kahun had helped on LW, and Neal has had a couple of solid games (including last night). Haas has made a difference in a very shot time span. Archibald is an unusual player, he is difficult to describe. Example: His five on five points per 60 (0.97) is the least impressive among regular Oilers. However, his even-strength pts-60 is 1.56, No. 8 among Oilers forwards with over 100 minutes in the discipline.
What’s my point? No matter what Holland does in free agency, no matter the trades, the Holland tunnel to success will go through the draft. His only major contribution to the drafted names above is getting Puljujarvi back in the fold.
That’s one thing. It’s a big one.
Wow what a beating. I loved it
Impressed! we almost hit the old days of 1000 comments in a gameday thread
Raffi Torres destroyed Koekkoek.
Barrie’s one-timer adds a dimension to the powerplay it didn’t have even while it was breaking records.
The 2-0 goal by Nuge was started by a brilliant play by Nurse who deftly intercepted and cleared a pass at the Oilers’ right hand post.
Why am I not fast-forwarding through the commercial breaks?
Dammit, reffing.
On the 3-1 goal, Barrie shot that puck with the intent of 97 tipping.
Pujo’s hit on Valimaki is the hardest hit I’ve ever seen Pujo throw. More, please.
Nurse foils the Gaudreau break.
My punting comment earlier tonight then happens… Drai pops it high off the boards in his own end, nearly icing it, and then Gio flips it back and does get icing with only a minute left. Good clock management.
Oilers end the 1st with a great zone possession against Calgary’s best that has the Flames on their heels going into the dressing room…
(And we all know what happens at the beginning of the 2nd when they come out.)
Five one-timers by Barrie that period by the way.
McDavid’s 4-1 no-looker came from a well-placed Barrie headman with pressure coming hard.
Nurse… like every shift.
Khaira keeping up with Connor on their rush that lead to the hatty was a sight to see.
Nurse snuffs the Flames and starts the Oilers yet again.
Nuge scores his most snipery goal of the season on the Oil’s 3rd straight powerplay. So of course immediately thereafter Dammit, refs and Khaira is in the box for no good reason.
On the Russell PK, Haas knocks the puck out on a break and spins and finds Nuge with a pass in a split second. That takes elite skill.
Seemed like every Oiler had a hit by the end of the second.
Tipp ends the second with the 4th line against the Flames 1st. We’re up 6-1 but that’s still almost troll level shit.
Archie scores, shooting off-stride which fools Stick Flip.
That’s all the goals and that’s me too, I’m done.
Final Two Thoughts:
The Flames bottom pairing cannot be on the ice with our top 6.
Nurse got 2nd star only because he was 2nd best to The Best in the World.
I’m going to go have too much to dream tonight.
three guys that could use some 5×5 points got one tonight:
Nuge
Kahun
Archibald
RNH with a very quiet 7 points in his last 4 games.
Like I said earlier when people were bemoaning his 5v5 p/60… much ado about nothing. The Nuge I worry about is the one who isn’t playing a 200ft game or getting chances. So, like, never.
Beautiful
When the Eastern suck media called Matthews a “Hockey Player” to tell you the truth the first person I thought of was Archibald. If he had more natural ability he would be Cammalleri or Point or Gallagher. So much harder for a guy that size, if you have success… you’re a friggin hockey player.
Is it wrong to watch the game again?
The hated, Gordless Flames. 7-1. A beer left.
Oh dear…
Ha ha. No not wrong…As long as you don’t watch what the refs do….the reffing was Anaheim game 7 bad…
McDavid banging and shouldering into his linemates right before the puck drop and getting them going was one of my favourite parts of the game tonight to tell you the truth.
Can see the man more these days. The leader too. He had always been a bit distant, like early Sid. His pressers have been far more comfortable too.
I so gotta play this cause it seems nobody heard it…https://www.sportsnet.ca/590/lead-off/auston-matthews-potential-realized-may-get-even-better/
This is why Friedman is a goof…(doesn’t even mention the reigning Hart Champion). what’s worse is what he said on Oilers Now on Thursday last week…go to 630 Ched audio vault and listen to this guy. A pure idiot…Cassie Campbell level of idiot.
Maybe. But that’s one well-connected, well-liked idiot, if so.
I agree he is well liked. I used to like him too. Sad that he lets his bias be so obvious…
Thanks, i hated it
Nurse’s ice time was the most in a regulation game with Suter in Feb 2016.
Jesus. I was thinking of the Pronger days and it’s-been-done sort of thing admittedly by absolute studs, but had no idea it had been that long and only by one of the all-time minute-munchers.
Nurse has been outstanding. He will get paid. He may even win a trophy. Oh wait. Toronto is lining up Matthews for the Norris..Matthews gonna win the all the trophies. Even the Calder and Vezina. Didn’t you hear how good he is?
Huuuge point by Rob Brown.
If the Flames fire and hire a coach… who do they hire?
If it’s someone coming from the US… there’s two weeks quarantine. How’s that going to work, lol.
And on top of it, Babcock just took a job.
Is Gallant working? I’d really not like him to land in Cowtown. Think last I heard he was getting buttered up for the bench gig in Motown.
Put Hrudey behind the bench. We all know where his allegiances lie. What’s the worst that could happen?
Gallant is probably in the US then. That’s probably a no-go.
Brown’s point was that he thinks the Flames will be more leery of a coaching change than people think, because of the Covid logistics.
I totally understood your point. Just being facetious after pointing out whom I’d least like to see at the helm at the Saddledome.
One of their assistant coaches perhaps? It’s not an ideal situation but man does that team look bad. This is after a players only meeting and a GM calling out the team publicly on the same day. Maybe they could bring in MacT to transition the coaching staff while they waited for the new coach to get out of quarantine.
Heh, they can have Steve Staios. That’s as far as I’m willing to go.
Fuck that. Steady Steve was one of my favourites.
They can put Conroy behind the bench.
And for the record I’m fine with this latest clown they have employed. Give him the key to the city.
Lol…
Kowboy!
Matty:
“And just one last one on Connor. When Gretzky played he always paid attention to how Mario Lemieux was playing across the country. Do you think Connor pays any attention to how Auston Matthews is doing racking up those goals?”
Tippett:
“That’s a better question for Connor. I’m not sure.”
Way to propagate a weak narrative Matty. JFC. After asking the same trite BS of RNH earlier. Definition of too long at the fair.
Story time.
My Mom used to be married to an ophthalmic surgeon who once treated Gretzky for a minor injury. It was after he took a puck to the eye in a game while he and Mario were vying for the scoring lead. Upon hearing that Mario was also injured in his game that evening, Wayne replied “Good, that means I can win the scoring title.” I always liked that story because it underscored just how much competitive drive Wayne possessed.
So yes. They know. Luckily for us, that drives peak performances even higher. Next stop, Stanley.
I really liked his response on the Nurse question.
Which was….?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yBejIyVQ8
McLeod from Benson:
https://twitter.com/Condors/status/1363368565605240832
PPG by Lennstrom (from Benson)
Marody in to the empty net.
Skinner with his 2nd AHL shutout (1 GA in two games this weekend).
Quite a turnaround for the Bake this weekend with two convincing wins after five straight losses to open the season.
“Process not results. The results will come”.
Paraphrasing Woodcroft from earlier this week.
That doesn’t always come to fruition. Glad to see it was true in this case.
Since comparing our players to the best TOR can muster seems to be a thing lately, I’ll just leave this here…
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playercompare.php?fromseason=20202021&thruseason=20202021&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&p1=8477498&p2=8476853&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single
This is like the most excited I’ve ever heard Rob Brown.
I always feel the need to offer him a Halls.
Spector challenging Oake for “Most Awkward Questions” Title.
Spector is done I just wonder how many years they’ll let him talk in his outdated garbage narratives for.
Missed it. Switched to radio because Sportsnet is a failing TV sports network and they don’t deserve any more ad revenue tonight.
OilersTV on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcyL7J05m1Y
When Derek Trucks plays rhythm guitar, there’s something special going on.
https://youtu.be/8L82II1lNjo
Oh my.
Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) Tweeted:
“I’m prepared to do whatever I can and that starts tonight … the main thing I can provide is a spark … I’m putting all the pressure on myself to turn this thing around.” – Matthew Tkachuk during his pre-game media address on https://t.co/W1COuAwfVc
https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1363209660522582019?s=20
You shut your whore mouth!
Connor McDavid played the flames like Clapton played that Strat.
Hmmm…
I’d say more Jimi than Slow Hand.
YMMV
McDeity is pure lightspeed…
Alvin Lee
No doubt in my mind.
Hi! Do you have a moment to discuss Connor McJesus as your Lord and Saviour?
Blasphemy…as you’ve stated elsewhere…he saw Matthews going supernova and said “hold my beer”.
Good for him.
I never said that…
What I will say, is that it would be less fun if the best we could compare Connor to is an aging Crosby or the likes of Kucherov.
Having Matthews as his padawan will do wonders for the league from a marketing perspective, as well as keep their friendly competition healthy. But we all know Auston is only (arguably) in the same tier as Leon, at best.
Look at career progression by age.
Matthews is better than Leon…it;s not close.
Nobody mistook Leon for a generational player pre-draft.
Nobody mistakes Auston for an Art Ross and Hart trophy winner either.
Show your work.
Include 50 goal seasons
Include 100 points seasons
Include Hart Trophy’s
Include Art Ross Trophy’s
Include Pearson Awards
Include defensive metric numbers
Include PK TOI
Do you understand how much street cred you would get if you posted stuff like that up front, unprompted? How like a decent human?
You know I don’t get on your ass unless you get real nutty and you’ve been real nutty as of late.
And you could choose to add value. And be part of a community.
You’ve obviously mistaken me for someone who cares what you think.
Pandering to conventional wisdom is not part of my makeup, never has been, never will be.
Calling someone nutty because they have a different opinion is just so “now”.
If it takes a “fall in line” mindset like you are suggesting in order to be part of a community, I’m not interested.
But enjoy your goose steps.
There is a difference between opinions and being factually incorrect, dishonest, illogical and obsessive.
Get help. You are not a hero in any story except your own.
It has nothing to do with a different opinion. There’s different opinions on this blog all the time. It’s about being a jerk for the sake of being a jerk. You’re acting incendiary for the point of being incendiary. Only children don’t know the difference between that and simple disagreements of opinion. Jesus.
You’re best post ever.
Same thing could be said about your hockey analysis, something special.
Oh my.
Check this out. Buddy Guy is the McDavid of the blues.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OtU9xCbVY6I
You know what I particularly liked about this game?
Bennett with a dirty hit on Koekkoek. Response: PP goal.
Lindholm boarding on Yamamoto. Response: PP goal.
Bennett also gets his ass kicked by Khaira and a dash 2 for good measure. Lindholm looked like he was melting in the penalty box.
Turtle along the boards trying to mess with chiasson and have chiasson just staring at him was beauty little moment I caught at one point.
Hah! That was good.
My personal favorite was Mangiapane calling on Nurse at the end of the game. Bread wouldn’t be the only thing he’d be eating.
Yeah, what the hell was up with that?
I’m not sure. Nurse probably worked him over in front of the net. He would have learned a hard lesson if Nurse had the inclination. I think he hurt his hand in his last fight and probably isn’t looking to fight anytime soon (thankfully).
Oh I agree, I think he hurt his hand too. Sure looked like it.
The difference though is in the inclination. That’s what makes Nurse different this year, with everything.
Uh oh, thinking of Nygard vs. Shore vs. Russell for the possible Yamamoto replacement (if needed) and I just realized….. Turris.
You shut your whore mouth.
Lol. This reply needs to be a little further up… I’ll get it.
That Yamamoto play looked really bad. Both him and Koekkoek looked terrible going off the ice.
I suspect we see Nygard.
I would like that but I suspect its Turris to slide on to the right wing.
Coach killer flames are at it again, hope they keep Ward… and Trev. It’s working out great so far! They might not even be the free space on the playoff bingo card this year.
I was just checking the stats board, and was flummoxed to find that Marner and Matthews temporarily jumped to 2nd/3rd place in points (before tonight’s game) due to a matching 4-point night against the Sens. If the sens are good at anything this year it’s padding the stats of their oppositions.
Spec-freakin-tacular. Our goalies play much better when they’re rested. Connor, oh Connor… you make my heart sing. But for me, every Oiler played really well. We all love the secondary scoring. Nuge wants to get paid.
GO OILERS GO ????????
I loved the blowout. But there were several times we coughed up the puck in our own end repeatedly and got away with it.
And obviously, so does Nurse. So something’s gotta give… who do we pay? Who do we trade? I blame ChiaPete for this conundrum…
Lets not forget, they both make big money already, $6M and $5.6M – Nuge’s raise won’t be that much. Nurse’s raise may be a couple million if he continues to play like this but not until 2022/23.
These are players that get paid.
The key is to have value contracts to make up for it – Bouchard, Holloway, maybe Brogerg and/or Samorukov. Maybe Lavoie or even Savoie in time.
The other key is not to sign the Kassian type contracts…..
This musical post is dedicated to McDavid and his fiery gun hand.
McDavid is just nuts. Whenever he has the puck, I’m expecting something crazy, and I’m still surprised when crazy happens.
Bakersfield Condors
@Condors
·
10s
CONDORS GOAL!!!!! @ryan10mcleod
off an unreal feed from @TylerBenson_17
. 1-0 with 14 min. left.
Man, 33:38 for nurse. First quarter Norris
Big weekend for this team
I thought they’d give the 3rd star to that Buddy Ebsen fellow but what do I care LoL
Seven hundred 10 comments.
Score 7-1.
Does correlation equal causation?
Nurse eh
~~Who knew? Like it came out of nowhere…~~
Cmmon man.
You don’t get to hop on the Nurse bandwagon now!
😛
And Markstrom .643% night
Sure glad he rejected our offer.
Koski doesn’t get an official shutout tonight, but it was just as good as any shutout in my books .
Is Ron McLean on crack tonight.
Yah he’s struggling
He is from Red Deer.
Great to see Koski back. Hard to quantify the effect of basically no backup every night before tonight
Remember Bieksa’s pre-game on Bennett?
“He’s a great hitter, he’s caught me with a couple of illegal blindside hits…”
Prescient.
And JJ blinded him with a legal hit from the fore.
Poetic justice.
Koski rocking a .977 % tonight! Kudos!!!
vallankumous
Bless you.
????
No a listener to the morning show that’s on before Lowetide I guess.
Finnish: ·revolution … Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Well that was fun.
Hopefully Yamamoto was just held out for precaution and a couple days off allows him to be good to go for Tuesday.
If not, I assume, Neal to right wing and maybe Nygard in the lineup (probably Shore but I’d prefer Nygard).
Jones (or Lagesson if he’s ready) in for Koekkoek.
Thank goodness for Jesse – the top 2 right wings on opening night are out and the team should be fine.
PRusty could draw in as well, another quality hand for the PK.
Yes, perhaps – i always forget about P. Russell – i have him behind all the other on the depth chart (although I know Tip trusts and likes him).
He’s a decent bottom of the roster option to go out and play unremarkable mintues.
I like his hustle. He knows where to go and moves the puck in the right direction even if he doesn’t score a lot (p/60 be damned). Useful on the cycle/boards, good on the PK. A good pro. I really like how he manages to get under the opposition’s skin. He’d be useful against the fLames, as an example.
That said, I don’t want to see him play 1/3 of the games or more. If he does, we’re in some serious injury trouble.
33:38, 0-2-2 +3 for Nurse. Where would this team be without him?
Imagine if he didn’t have to babysit Barrie……
Nurse has been massive for the team this year. And all those minutes look effortless for him.
Please be ok Yammo.
I’m heartened when our 2nd best player has a “meh” game an puts up three points.
No doubt
Wow that was great! Two hurt players not good though. Always good to put the boots to the Flames!
Sad to say but I’ll give kafuk a little credit for shutting the stupid down once the spread was a touchdown
Back to ATL, bitches.
Bengt-Ake will always stick in my throat
That’s way before my time.
But thank you for the reminder (had heard before but never looked it up until now).
And hat tip to you, Bruce.
https://www.coppernblue.com/2011/3/9/1546088/the-kidnapping-of-bengt-ake-gustafsson
That’s right. Forgot that it sticks in Bruce’s craw too.
I’d like to dedicate this game to any Oiler fan that lives in Calgary.
Enjoy the water cooler monday!
That would be me, although, my water cooler is my kitchen tap……
zoom cooler. is one of my favourite drinks.
Zoom, WebEx, Good Meet, etc…..
I hate em’.
Lets just have a conference call like civilized people!
I’ve already been dancing outside in my Eberle home jerse.
Does anyone know if Willy is ready for next game??? We may not see KooKoo back this season. Injury looked like it might be pretty serious.
He’s not on IR so I don’t think its long term.
Of course, there is Jones in for Keokkoek – assuming Koekkoek is indeed out (and probably for a while).
vallankumous
Niemelainen
McDavid and Drai have only had three shifts thisperiod.
Barrie too, strangely, has only had four.
Bouchard and Russell picking up the slack.
Ennis up a lot more for Yamamoto.
Lars played a ton in the 3rd.
I honestly don’t know who starts in goal on Tuesday. Smith I guess?
I’d go back to Smith, see if he can stay hot but I think that tandem works well when both are playing regularly.
Smith.
Dave likes to roll two-on two-off.
So Mikko up next, then Smitty for two.
That’s my guess too
think you are correct.2 by 2
I agree with Reja, I think Tippett will put Smith back in.
Koskinen bringing up his save % tonight. Great game.
Louie, Nurse is already over 30 minutes.
Chabot who?
I honestly feel kinda disappointed in a way that nurse has all of a sudden turned into a Legit Norris candidate. We were all thinking $7M x 8 years was a ridiculous ask… now $8M x 8 years might not be enough. We could have already had him under a long term contract at ~$5.5M a couple years ago. DAMMIT CHIARELLI YOU F’ING IDIOT!!!
Fair enough and the cheaper the AAV the better but, if he plays like he has in these 20 games for the next 5-7 years, I’ll take $8M any day (but, yes, cheaper would have been better).
He can’t, all of a sudden, be this good, can he?
Not exactly “all of a sudden”.
I think so – he has been good for a long time but not knocking on Norris type play. He hasn’t just taken a step this year, he’s taken 3.
Nope. He’s been good for a while. You don’t get talked about for the Olys after having all of 18 good games.
Klef being out has just made it more noticeable.
Yes, I said he’s been good for a long time but he hasn’t been near this level.
Has his name and Norris every been mentioned together? I don’t think so. He’s taken a couple of solid steps this year.
(And not to say he hasn’t taken a step, he has. But three? Give me a break)
I won’t – that’s my opinion and I stand by it.
He’s taken a massive step in the defensive zone – not going walkabout, not making positional and recognition mistakes, etc.
He’s taken a step in decision making in when to go with the puck and when to not.
He’s taken a BIG step in his medium ass ability – not grenades any more
He’s taken a step in his offensive zone game and blue line game.
He’s taken a step in his ability to play big minutes game after game after game – last year, his play noticeably dropped off with consecutive games at 25 min plus
He wasn’t one step away from Norris caliber last year.
I think now would be a good time to post some numbers.
I guess it was 350 gp for Nurse…not the standard 300 games for NHL dmen.
The 3rd are 4th liners are getting tired. They’re not used to this! Haha.
“Buddy Robinson is looking good tonight”
I am not sure if that’s a compliment for Buddy or a knock against the rest of the Flames.
Context matters.