The first time the Toronto Maple Leafs played in Edmonton against the Oilers, it was Remembrance Day, 1979. The excitement was incredible and the game was over for all intents and purposes after one period. Toronto scored four in the first (two by Ron Ellis, one by Rocky Saganiuk, another by John Anderson), Dan Newman scored his final NHL goal for the Oilers, and Eddie Mio (3 saves on 7 shots) lasted 11 minutes before Dave Dryden replaced him.
The second time Toronto visited was January 26, 1980. Edmonton won 8-3, Blair MacDonald had a hat trick, Ron Chipperfield (on a line with Mark Messier and Cam Connor) had a couple of goals and Wayne Gretzky had just one assist. Jim Corsi played in the game for Edmonton.
These years later, the two teams boast rosters with stunning talents, in fact Toronto’s current team may have more elite talent than the 1979-80 club (Sittler, Lanny, Salming all made HHOF). Punch Imlach would trade Lanny McDonald that season.
Tonight may be the most interesting game between the two teams in the history of this (ahem) rivalry. The Canadian Division changed everything.
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 Lowetide: Jesse Puljujarvi must be on the Oilers expansion protected list after breakout
- New Jonathan Willis: The Oilers’ 2020 trade deadline splash: What we learned, a year later
- Lowetide: Revisiting our preseason predictions for the Oilers after 20 games
- Lowetide: Oilers begin to separate from prairie teams in Scotia North
- Lowetide: If Dylan Holloway turns pro this spring, will it be with the Oilers?
- Jonathan Willis: Could an Ethan Bear trade improve the Oilers?
- 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 23 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015-16: 7-14-2, 16 points; goal differential -13
- Oilers in 2016-17: 12-9-2, 26 points; goal differential +9
- Oilers in 2017-18: 8-13-2, 18 points; goal differential -16
- Oilers in 2018-19: 10-11-2, 22 points; goal differential -12
- Oilers in 2019-20: 14-6-3, 31 points; goal differential +15
- Oilers in 2020-21: 14-8-0, 28 points; goal differential +13
This team posted a poor January (5-6-0) before taking off in the month of February. A win tonight gives the Oilers 15 wins after 23 games. Exceptional. The three teams with plus goal differentials are clearly the class of the McDavid years, first two were post-season clubs and this year’s group is on track for same.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM 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 1-0-0)
- On the road to: Vancouver, Vancouver (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- 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: 9-2-0, 18 points in 11 games
Edmonton could go 10-2-0 in February. That’s a helluva run, and includes a 5-1-0 record against the West (Van, Cal, Wpg) in the middle of the month. Mike Smith went 6-0-0 in February, could win No. 7 tonight.
FIVE ON FIVE GOALS-60 OILERS FWDS (FEB)
- Jesse Puljujarvi 2.22 (No. 4)
- Tyler Ennis 1.08 (No. 51)
- Leon Draisaitl 1.06 (No. 55)
- Dominik Kahun 0.91 (No. 78)
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 0.81 (No. 88)
- Connor McDavid 0.66 (No. 112)
- Josh Archibald 0.51 (No. 141)
- Kailer Yamamoto 0.39 (No. 183)
As we careen toward the end of February, it’s Jesse Puljujarvi who ranks No. 6 among NHL forwards in goals-per-60 (100+ minutes) at five on five. Damn!
NHL EQUIVALENCES
There are no elites on the list, but Holloway and Savoie added to Lavoie, McLeod and the emerging Blumel offers hope for the future. In Holloway’s case it could be the immediate future. Defensively, Bouchard will graduate (50 games is my limit) before the end of the season if he plays in all of the games. That leaves Broberg, Samorukov and the emerging Kesselring as the next ones. I like all three goalies, no idea the best one. AHL numbers are in black.
MEMORIES
My Grandma was about the goalies. She loved Johnny Bower, and wanted the goalies to stay in her net. I can still see her face crinkle when the goaltender left the net, she’d yell bloody murder until they got back in the crease.
My Grandpa would make a big deal about getting the chores done before the game, and it was always tense whether he’d make it or not. Canadians his age were used to missing the first period anyway (it’s a long story) but I always worried he’d miss the opening faceoff.
Grandpa’s primary use during hockey games was adjusting the bunny ears and, if that didn’t work, heading up on the roof to adjust the antenna. People talk about Canadians being obsessed with hockey now, it was life and limb for poor old Grandpa on those winter nights when the signal was unruly.
When the Leafs stopped winning Stanley Cups every spring, interest waned a little in the family unit. Dad and Grandpa would go to the table and play cribbage (‘turn up the television!’) but Grandma would always watch with me.
Her love of Johnny Bower was replaced with genuine worry for Mike Palmateer’s safety (TML didn’t play defense as well in the 1970’s) and she even liked Paul Harrison, who played in that November 1979 game mentioned above.
Tonight at 5, I’ll be watching Hockey Night in Canada. If the goalie roams, I’ll hear my Grandma. If the feed waivers, I’ll remember my Grandpa. I’ll remember quilts and cocoa and being warm and content and safe and home.
It’s the oldest tradition I own. Best one too. It’s hockey night in Canada. Hurry, Grandpa!
Here is the Savoie hit. Warning: These are not the kind of pretzels that make you thirsty.
Yikes. Did not see that coming.
Look at the next one,
He is wincing and fighting the pain on the bench. They showed this at the next stoppage of play, so forgetting that he actually got vertical fairly quickly, I thought maybe he had the wind knocked out of him.
This is 10 seconds here, but only due to the limitations of Giphy. We got 27 seconds of it in-game.
.
.
.
.
And then nearly three minutes of game time later, Savoie is helped down the tunnel by the trainer and a player.
That’s gotta be LBI, doesn’t it? Hopefully not serious, but the images are not comforting.
.
.
.
.
gross!
(two minutes)
Draisaitl played with Jesse and Nuge for most of the 3rd. Looked like they had instant chemistry. It’s hard to play with McDavid.
I believe you are right. i think 97 got one shift with 93 and 13 off the opening faceoff. He only had three more shifts and they were all with Kahun and Yams. Drai was with 93 and 13 and they as a line got even less TOI. Drai only had 17 mins on the night.
In the second half of the game the D pairings had resolved somewhat, giving us…
Nurse – Barrie
Russell – Bear
Jones – Larsson
We can’t win them all ….
But watching a 43 year old man, come of the couch after a month and play That well?
38 year old Jason Spezza?
Salt in the wound…..
TO media will quickly forget this one….
J. Spezza and E.Staal are everything we hoped K.Turris would be.
Sorry to be gloomy, haven’t been able to log in for days so unloading I suppose.
I wonder if that the ‘Go Flames’ side hussle might have been a bigger thing for Kassian than most are expected.
For a guy that has crapped the bed on his contract, basically been a bozo too often on ice, that might have been a bit too much even for Steady Kenny.
Especially given the importance of team and team identity building that is the core of what phase the Oilers are in.
Despite what the haters say meatheads like Kassian that have skill and are fast have value just because.
I’d also like to reiterate that I am happy with the season overall, but am disappointed that tonight’s game indicates issues that won’t allow a deep run, and are all too familiar.
He is 13 games into a four year contract and he has crapped the bed on it?
That might set the Guinness Record for lack of patience.
You have forgotten about all the games from February through March 12th, and the play-in. Kassian has crapped the bed for over a year now, with apparent disinterest in doing anything about it.
“Tonight was just a glitch” Postgame McDavid to the team.
My 10 year old and me think Kassian LW with Connor and leave JP RW at first.
Connor needs no help with anything except wingers that can draw attention and cash enough, and freaking back check.
To create enough distraction to give him room. Nuge is a sleeper which is why he’s a bad fit, better with Leon.
Kahun is also a sleeper so no. Last chance for ZK. Nygard if Zach blows it.
Ugghh
I am quite concerned with the lack of 5v5 attack from the best two over the last games.
They can’t just rely on PP. m
Everyone like what they like, I have no use for players like Barrie.
He is used to being the go to guy and is trying to do the things Connor and Leon do on this team. To me he’s interfering with what they do, and he’s no Coffey. And beyond bad defensively.
It’s time to shake it up. Bed shitting a game like this against an injured team is enough reason. Yes they’ve been great but this is a wake up call about playoffs IMO.
Ive seen enough of Barrie, Kahun, Russells and Nuge playing with Connor. Nygard on Connor’s line, KR and PR to taxi, Barrie and Kahun to anyone.
Tippet loving Kusty makes his comments in the past about highly defensive D and why they have to be that frustrating.
Undersized players with mediocre skating and hockey sense are easily exposed when the chips are down.
If Kassian who might be one of the luckiest hockey players in a while doesn’t cash this chance when he healthy to get back into the lineup and be good Kassian then trade him too.
Yes LT I’m enjoying it but crap is crap. And becoming a serious team is my expectation and they can’t keep taking steps back into such garbage team and personal play if they ever want to get there.
We’ll see the response from all. Was it just riding a hot goalie?
They are 3rd adn 4th in the NHL in 5 on 5 points – I don’t think they are relying on the PP.
Leon is banged up – coach essentially confirmed that tonight and they are coming off a game where each played 25 minutes – 7D/11F cannot happen more than once in a long while.
http://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20202021&game=20335&view=limited
After going on quite a little tear, they simply lost a game. They will lose other games, but when the playoffs start the real teams are sorted out from the regular season wonders.
I’ve been seeing marked improvement in this team since they got a few offensively proper defencemen. Anyway, the next game gives them another shot at beating the Leafs.
Gregor asked Tip about Leon and how he’s missed practices and is clearly less than 100% and specifically asked if its something he’s going to have to deal with all year long or something that will go away?
“No, I don’t think its anything that’s going to keep him out of any games”
Savoie might be hurt. Got smoked crossing the center line and took forever to stagger off the ice while play went on
There’s almost no time left, but SAvoie has left the bench for the locker room. Initial footage i thought wind-knocked-out, but he needed help getting to the locker room five minutes later.
Note to Tippett ice the best possible team and put Bouchard back in never should have been benched to begin with.
So who you taking out for Bouchard?
Larsson, Bear or Barrie?
Do I get a vote?
Yes, but you’ve already voted like 8 times. Stop stuffing the ballot box. What are you, The Fed?
Jones?
I missed a lot of the game. Did see Jones get stripped by Tavares and largely fail to defend him after. And he’s had the most tenuous hold on a lineup spot among the D aside from Bouchard.
I really don’t know how any of them played tonight though. But I’d think a lefty coming out for Bouchard is among the range of possibilities.
I too am doubtful Jones sees the next one after a game like that.
Russell. And then you slide someone over.
From what little I saw of the game, Oilers got thoroughly bitch slapped by a prepared and better than we wanted them to be Leafs juggernaut.
I am hoping to try to not get too emotional. A 3 game series against the top team in the division, a perfect opportunity to see exactly how good the Oilers have become up to this point of the schedule.
Better to suffer now, than in the playoffs.
Lowe+MacT have taught me more about losing than anyone else. It’s only a game, in the end. How philosophical you can be, when you miss the games.
The score was not really indicative the play.
Oilers came out very good in the first – so the Leafs being “better prepared” isn’t really accurate in my opinion.
Speaking of accuracy… Not once did he say “better prepared”.
***crickets***
Then being more talented is the next option.
Still thirsting for attention. What a sad state. lol
Hey!! Surprised to see you here on a game night. I guess the Oilers must have lost tonight.
You do have a point, however skewed. For example, Thornton is an astonishing addition to the Leafs. Like Trottier to the Penguins. Oilers have no one to counter this player.
Talented will also apply eventually. That is, eventually after McDavid’s talent wills him along with his now Hart trophy winner Draisaitl to beat the Leafs. You remember the Orr/Esposito Boston Bruins, don’t you?
What with having just watched the Oilers getting TKO’d its easy to see how you can be temporarily upset.
And the first unit scores on back-to-back powerplays. 4-0
Meanwhile Savoie sits on the bench and watches…
It’s kind of stunning, but Savoie doesn’t play on the first unit powerplay.
He has for the entire season up and till last week.
Do you mean that it changed last week?
Yes, maybe it was the week before but it was very recently.
He’s been on PP1 since game 1 all year up and till recently.
He was also recently moved off Guttman’s line – I think last weekend was the first time he didn’t play with Guttman at evens.
I can see it at EVs… have the two best goal-scorers on different lines.
But the PP is a bit bizarre. Do you know who replaced him? Was it Brink?
Can’t say for sure but, no, it wasn’t Brink – they were both on the PP once Brink came back from the world juniors.
He had to be net-front or bumper then.
Savoie? No, he played the point on the PP – all year long until recently.
Well, they play the diamond so technically there is no one on the point, so I am guessing you mean he’s the back man, the QB, where we would normally find D1?
They had 2019 draftee Tuomisto there for all the powerplays tonight.
Savoie with a secondary assist on an even-strength goal late in the first. Denver leads 2-0 in the second.
He feathered one over to Dman Lee who hammered a shot in. Caponi banged in the rebound. I have both goals recorded, will cut and giffy them later (if no one on Twitter has them).
https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey/status/1365858850885144576
https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey/status/1365849274349625345
Really wide open first period.
Just got(breathless) back from work. Missed most of the game. How did it end up?
You made the right choice going to work!
like always
“barrie” badly.
Tonight we saw how 2 bottom 40 def dman pr will perform in final 4 setting.
In the first 23 games, we saw one of those d-men be among the best in the entire league.
I may have to take a break when Tip confirms that on Monday that:
1) Turris is in the lineup (for P. Russell)
2) Bear is sitting for Bouchard (not Russell)
I think some poor roster choices were made for this game. We know what Patrick Russel is. That being said, why not just dress a 7th dman who can help move the puck against a team that is fast and skilled? We really missed Bouch tonight. Also, as I stated in yesterday’s post, I thought Koskinen was the better choice in net. Better roster decisions need to be made for Monday and P Russel, K Russel, or Turris against the leafs would be another mistake. Smiths play tonight makes Koskinen a no brainer.
Careful, LT might make you write out the Stengel quote 100 times in detention.
Lol.. noted!
(Thanks for having a sense of humour)
Going with 11F is not sustainable. It puts too much pressure on and adds too many minutes to the top 3. Each of McDavid, Leon and Nuge were around 25 minutes last game, in a game they never trailed.
Going with 11F/7D can be a one off but it just can’t be the norm game in and game out with such a heavy schedule.
Its too taxing on the forward core.
Against the leafs Patrick Russel will not help you when Bouchard is in the press box. I don’t care how it happens, it just needs to happen…if it means 11/7. Then whatever. Not having the best puck movers you have against a quick forechecking team is a mistake. Patrick Russel does absolutely nothing to help get the puck out of the defensive zone quicker.
I have no desire to have Patrick Russell in the lineup – there are better options than him – Nygard in particular.
I don’t agree with “if it means 11/7… whatever” and I explained my reasoning for that.
Even though I don’t think P. Russell should be in the lineup, he was not the problem in our own zone tonight. He was 13/5 Coris and 7/3 shots.
Well. I just watched cult of hockey’s podcast and they all are saying EXACTLY what I said….Only I said it first…take out P Russel and put in Bouchard.
Op you need to listen very closely from 12:23 to 15 minutes….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXdmVFRs8nM
Evan Bouchard is -16 in his professional career.
You’re so cute when you’re desperate.
Hug your -24 Quinn Doll tightly while rocking yourself to sleep tonight, HH. It might vanish into a vortex of negativity…
No, wait, that’s you that’s vanishing.
Boner Rafferty is -2 in his illustrious 3 game NHL career….Despite being 25 and a Norris, Calder, and Art Ross Candidate…..he is reaching the cut off from prospect to suspect….for a team that is 2nd last in the division and 23rd in the league….he must be full of warts as to why he isn’t dressing for every game….maybe he could sit at the end of the bench and hold oversized pictures of the Calder and Norris and Art Ross trophies for everyone to see
We had 2 or 3 real good chances in the first and didn’t cash. Leafs did. Give them credit as they were the better team after that. Lets see what happens on Monday
Campbell did his part and held the fort unfortunately. Sport is a bunch of “if’s” but if only the Oilers had cashed on one of those early chances. The Oilers were looking really good to start.
I was really hoping the Oilers could put a sock in the mouth of the collective Toronto media with a good win tonight. And pick up two points at the Leafs’ expense. But the Leafs played a good game, even with Matthews out and playing their backup goalie. What a kick in the gonads.
Still 2 more games of this mini series left to shut the talking heads up.
Maybe, once in a lifetime, they should be left cross-eyed and painless.
Yup. Toronto played a really good road game and was the better team deserving the win. I drives me nuts when the Oiler players suggest they want to make Edmonton a hard rink to play in and then turn in a poor effort getting shut out in their own building.
Yeah, it’s too bad they’re only 6-6 at home.
Oilers played pretty well, despite the lopsided outcome. Not going to win them all.
The Leafs did a fine job of limiting speed through the neutral zone. The only guy who seemed to be able to get through with speed was Haas.
This was compounded by the Oilers D inability to quickly transition the puck. Bear really struggled in this area, to my eye, but he was not the only one.
They will have to adjust for the next game.
I think you have to put Bouchard in.
Yup. Exactly what I wrote below.
The Oilers had a solid start, but the Russell penalty and ensuing goal slowed the momentum. That in of itself didn’t cost the Oilers the game but it’s amazing that turned out to be the only penalty of the game.
Can I X out of this game or does someone want a clip because defensive breakdowns?
Cleanest game ive ever seen by the leafs. Flawless. Well done stripes. You got everything right on that one. Top notch. Im kidding.
This loss was not on the refs. Although it’s not very often a team plays a penalty free game. This loss was on the Oilers leadership group. They did not show. From Smith to Nuge to Drai….just not enough…need more from those guys. It was said last game that Drai may be injured. Pionk caught him good and he could be playing through something. All in all though, just not enough from the leaders…Toronto was very fast on the forecheck and Oilers defence has to move the puck quicker to the forwards. That will need to be addressed.
Folks, let’s keep in mind this is one game. The sky isn’t falling. Just uh, stay away from sports media for the next month or so, or at least until Monday after McDavid scores 5 goals and 8 points.
I posted the same at about 2am this morning
Tabernac Saturday Strikes Again
Other then last Saturday,
It has been by far the worst day of the week to watch hockey.
Two shutouts in a row!
Analysis: The Oilers lost because they didn’t score more than the opposing team.
As a hockey team, are we allowed to disown Craig Simpson?
Gotta be a sliding scale.
Maybe start with taking down his signed photo at the Fife and Dekel.
That Spezza goal was the turning point. Smith botched that one, after 97 pass in other end was not executed.
That goal is all Barrie’s fault. Just look at his positioning. The outrageous cheating.
What a weird game. They didn’t outplay us, but somehow they’re winning 4-0. They convert what might have been their only scoring chance in the third period. I thought we played a good game. The Leafs did too. Yet we’re getting blown out.
They were outplayed badly in the third. Rest of game fairly even but Toronto got saves and Oil didn’t. Smith save percentage takes a hit and brings him back down to earth. Not enough from Oilers top players. Practically invisible. Not sure I even heard Nuges name called tonight….
I was gonna post I would like to see Nuge own a shift or two, really drive play. Hard when 97 is your linemate. HIs next contract in a stagnant cap era shoud be interesting.
Hence the Casey Stengel quote for breakfast Sunday…
Analysis: If the Oilers don’t score more goals than Toronto in the next 5 minutes, they will likely lose the game.
Keep this up and Sportsnet is going to hire you. Are you a part of a visible minority?
No, People-wearing-an-Oiler-Jersey doesn’t count.
Lol! Indeed I am.
Oh, wait, wait… *clears throat*
Maybe McDavid would have played better if Austin Matthews was playing in this game.
Am I hired?
Hired?
My God, you’re going to be head of Staff Training!
Good grief.
Nurse trying to be everywhere and do everything.
Love that man
(despite the goal against)
Ass’s getting kicked… Streak is over
Say good night, Gracie.
Oh that burns, Tarkus
Hyman owned Nurse on that one.
yes but Bear giveaway tha Nurse did not expect…
Leefs puck pressure & puck support was the difference for me.
It both stymied and created offense.
Good measuring stick for the Oil, not quite there yet.
Will need to be much better, if possible
As far as February goes,
I have no formal complaints to lodge
That goal is on Bear entirely. Edmonton unable to move puck quick enough….again…
But apparently he’s amazing and beyond reproach
Will we see Nuge Drai and Yamamoto back together tonight?
On that issue, Tippett will NEVER admit that he is wrong, so no. The only way he can sustain the premise that he is not wrong is to never put them together again.
We’ve been score effecting well the past 6-7 mins. So we got that going for us…
Nurse with his 300th shot attempt of the game
Hopefully Ricki didn’t see Barrie take a tour behind the Leaf net there
Carter Savoie scores – takes the puck from behind the net, to the faceoff dot, spins and snipes.
Just a goal. Just one. So that watching this game isn’t merely an exercise in consuming barley water.
I know everyone loves bear, but he has looked bad to my eye almost all year. I get his Corsi is good, but…
I think you may need glasses.
Do you not find that he loses his fair share of battles?
I know you don’t like Barrie and i’m not saying I like Barrie better
Barrie doesn’t engage in any battles. See first goal against.
Yeah…I guess what I’m saying is…this isn’t arguing that Barrie should be on the top pairing over bear. Before last year bear’s skating was an issue, he overcame that and I was high on him…this year I feel like I see his lack size getting exposed more often. I could be wrong.
Should be 2nd goal against.
I tune in. is samedi de Tabarnak?
Tres Tabernac
2nd shift now: Jones and Russell have switched spots.
That isn’t going to solve the problem of Barrie being awful.
Hrudey’s jacket button turns into a missile…:)
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/broadcast-kelly-hrudey-wardrobe-malfunction/
Thank you. That needs to be on my hard drive for all prosperity.
After Two:
3-0 Toronto (1-0 Toronto in the second)
22-21 Toronto shots (13-11 Toronto in the second)
41-31 Edmonton Corsi five on five (20-18 Oilers in the second)
==
Edmonton will lose this game, book it, but it gives them a chance to go with Koskinen in the next game. Expect the Casey Stengel quote in tomorrow’s post.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Anything but the Casey Stengel quote.
What have we ever done to you?
Can’t we have Oh Oklahoma or the Australian hurdler instead?
PLEEEEEEEEAAASSSE.
😉
Agree. No mojo today. Toronto the better/faster team so far tonight. That’s ok though. Two more coming up soon. Go Oilers! I’ll gladly eat crow if we get a win!!!
I’m ready.
Matthews isn’t playing because “this [ie, the Oilers] isn’t a first place team” huh???
What. The. Fuck.
The Oilers are tied for 2nd place in the entire damn league, you condescending arrogant pricks.
I think he was saying “if the leafs aren’t a first place team” as in they have some cushion in the standings
Went back to listen to him say it a few more times. You are probably right, but he didn’t say “IF this isn’t a first place team” – but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that that was what he meant.
yeah Who knows with these guys. At this point they don’t even deserve the benefit of the doubt
You were expecting something measured from those clowns?
Cept Maclean
He cool
Analysis: If the Oilers don’t score in the third period they’re probably gonna get shut out in this game.
Smith’s shutout streak now at 8:45.