There are so many storylines from last night you could write a book. I had a difficult time deciding on what we should talk about first, so if Ryan McLeod isn’t your top choice I understand.
McLeod scored a nice goal, made some great passes, made one poor one, but he and his linemates (Warren Foegele and Zack Kassian) delivered the kind of third-line performance that has seldom been in this town for more than a decade.
The team’s issues (No. 3 center, third pair LHD, starting goalie) may not be solved by draft picks who spent time in Bakersfield with Jay Woodcroft, Dave Manson and J.F. Houle, but last night, for one night, it looked more than possible.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Philip Broberg is ready for his NHL audition
- Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto is still on the Oilers’ No. 2 line
- Lowetide: Three auditioning Oilers who are finding their groove and hope to find their place
- Lowetide: Should the Oilers move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the 3rd line?
- DNB and Max Bultman: How Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Holland helped create ‘the Harvard of hockey management’
- Lowetide: How good is Matvey Petrov and is he on an NHL trajectory?
- Lowetide: Will Ken Holland make an early-season trade to bolster the Oilers?
- DNB: Oilers lament Connor McDavid not drawing penalties
- Jonathan Willis: How the Decade of Darkness did — and didn’t — set up the current success
- Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers put together an effective third line?
- DNB: Oilers’ Stuart Skinner on the right track after second NHL start
- DNB: What I believe and what I know about the Oilers after 10 games
- Lowetide: How close to balanced are the 2021-22 Oilers?
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s otherworldly goal
- DNB: Kevin Lowe Q&A
- Lowetide: Is this Connor McDavid’s peak season, and how good could it be?
- Lowetide: Who is the Oilers’ top prospect now that Evan Bouchard has graduated?
- DNB: Oilers’ Tyson Barrie says what needs to be said as NHL faces reckoning
- DNB: The Duncan Keith-Cody Ceci pair have helped to overcome a notable loss
- Jonathan Willis: Seven Oilers surprises so far in 2021-22
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: SEA, NAS, NYR (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- On the road to: DET, BOS, BUF, STL, WPG (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 2-3-0)
- At home to: WPG, CHI (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: DAL, ARI, VEG (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-0, 16 points in 13 games
- Actual November results: 7-3-0, 14 points in 10 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 13-4-0, 26 points in 17 games
Oilers are first place in the Pacific Division, first in the Western Conference and third in the NHL overall. I don’t know how many games will be invested in former Condors, but that part of the roster is becoming a bigger story by the day.
GOALIE
Stuart Skinner is either an NHL goaltender or the greatest actor this city has produced since Michael J. Fox. He stopped 28 of 30, .933 and owns a 2.08 GAA and a .938 SP for the season. His cap hit next season? $750,000. Edmonton needs to know if he’s worth keeping from waivers next fall, early days but I think Ken Holland already has his answer.
PAIRINGS
Duncan Keith-Evan Bouchard played 15:16, going 8-10 shots, 1-2 goals and 2-2 HDSC. Keith had three shots, two takeaways and a giveaway, he played over 25 minutes. Bouchard had two assists and three giveaways. He got the puck through on the McDavid goal (picking up an assist), couldn’t get Dach’s stick for the deflection (which led to the DeBrincat deflection) and couldn’t handle a Ryan McLeod grenade on the second DeBrincat goal.
Philip Broberg-Cody Ceci played 13:37, going 9-7 shots, 1-0 goals and 4-2 HDSC. Broberg drew a penalty, had an assist, and used his speed plus passing skills to his benefit. I liked his game, he settled in early and played well. Even more important, Dave Tippett liked him, saying “he played the game smart.” Ceci was the obvious choice for partner and didn’t disappoint. One shot and three blocks five on five. Thrilled the coach gifted the rookie best available option.
Kris Russell-Tyson Barrie played 11:16, going 7-8 shots, no goals and 1-2 HDSC. Russell had two shots, two hits and two blocked shots, also good work on the PK. Barrie scored a goal on the power play, made good outlet passes and wasn’t often in scramble mode.
LINES
Nuge-Leon Draisiatl-Kailer Yamamoto played 12:31, going 4-11 shots and 0-1 goals, 0-5 HDSC. Incredible numbers by a trio on a night when most everything was going well. The line was on the ice for the ‘Hawks first goal, it was a double deflection so I’m hesitant to strongly criticize, but it was Leon’s mark who got the second deflection. Nuge had a couple of promising looks, but seemed challenged at times by Chicago’s speed. Leon was damned dangerous on the power play (assist on Barrie goal) and shorthanded (scored the final goal for Edmonton). Yamamoto scored a fantastic shorthanded goal that made it 3-0 and threw me back to the great ’80s teams who would score in all disciplines seemingly every night.
Zach Hyman-Connor McDavid-Jesse Puljujarvi played 12:28, going 9-7 shots, 1-0 goals and 3-2 HDSC. Hyman had his usual night (assist, shot, HDSC, takeaway) at five-on-five, he has to be one of the best free-agent signings in team history. A very good addition. McDavid was fire, he is made for these freewheeling teams like Chicago. The captain went 1-1-2, drew three penalties (huzzah!) and was dangerous all night. He was diabolical on “the shift” and the lung association has launched an investigation on behalf of Connor Murphy and Caleb Jones. That was a two-pack shift if I ever saw one. Puljujarvi had three shots, they gave him one HDSC but I counted two, and even though he’s in a slump I love his game so much. What a player. He fired that late second period hammer from the McDavid pass with everything he had, sometimes the goaltender breaks your heart.
Warren Foegele-Ryan McLeod-Zack Kassian were deployed 10:13, 8-2 shots, 1-1 goals and 3-0 HDSC. Foegele had his best game as an Oiler, setting up a fine goal by McLeod from Broberg’s pass. He was aggressive in all areas, beat ‘Hawks to pucks routinely, had four shots and a HDSC. McLeod scored a great goal and did it by driving to high traffic, and played a game he seems to be playing every night. The only wobble was the pass to Bouchard. Kassian had his strongest night of the year, getting four shots on net and a HDSC.
Tyler Benson-Colton Sceviour-Kyle Turris had some great moments, and it was Benson’s best game in the NHL. He played just 5:13 total but touched the puck more, had a goalmouth incident in which he was doing what he’s supposed to and he was a smart pain in the ass. Sceviour is showing some real range, including on the PK where his checking led to Yamamoto’s chance and goal. The duo also had a later shorthanded two-on-one that just failed to connect. He had an assist and a shot on goal. Turris was the quietest forward on the night.
THE SHIFT
I don’t have much to say about it beyond I hope you saw it, and that Jason Strudwick is one of my favourite humans.
Arizone takes LA in overtime, sadly in a three point match. “Copacabana” with tons of time, rings a wicked shot off the iron and in, that the refs missed, allowing play to continue. Horn blows the game dead.
Can’t recall whom, but someone mentioned that Broberg looked really big during the game thread (especially compared to Ceci.)
I noticed that too.
Now Skinner is listed at 6’4” tall. There’s a photo of Broberg at the Athletic sort of looking down towards Skinner while standing next to him on the ice after the game.
https://theathletic.com/2969430/2021/11/21/philip-brobergs-first-nhl-game-was-as-special-as-hed-hoped-it-was-a-dream-come-true-for-him/
Broberg is listed as 6’3.
Maybe he’s taller?
NHL listed heights are about as credible as UFC listed heights:
https://m.imgur.com/dxcN91I
That was me. Pretty clear from the picture he’s taller than Skinner (article was a nice read too, I hadn’t gotten to it yet).
I was thinking weight as well last night, compared to 210 Ceci. Sure looks like Broberg has grown since the vitals were updated. I think I’ll peg him (conservatively) at 6’4″ 210 for now.
Big D who can skate AND play hockey. Man.
Players skates are higher than goalie skates.
Canucks are lucky there are two expansion teams in the conference
Fun fact: Dave Tippett has the best winning percentage of any Oilers head coach.
Regular season obviously 🙂
Good work, Hawks. More clearance for the Oil from the bottom half of the division.
We have moved on from talk of the Calgary Flames, I can’t imagine they’re of much interest to Oilers fans on a Sunday night. Please and thanks.
Thank you for replacing the wet blanket with a warm, dry one.
.
No appetite for changing the blog name to Up In Flames?
I’m still upset at not calling it “Horcoff and Die”
It will never not be this in my mind now lol thank you.
Haha the movie Zodiak
So the Coreysplainers actually let artist 97 pull up an easel and draw penalties last night after media in a bunch of NHL rinks mocked the Team Zebra record. Novel.
Kudos N
This rambling rant of your almost makes sense
Lol
I might have to go on the IR with a strained oblique metaphor..
This Flames team reminds me of 2018-19 version that was pistol hot early, wilted late, and was crushed by the Avs in the first round of the playoffs. Important we finish first to enjoy watching Vegas beat them and get beat up in the process.
Interesting watching Benson remake himself. It’s not a minor task for a guy who has been a first line offensive player his entire life. He’s showing signs in very limited minutes and hope one finds it’s way into the net for him soon.
The past can inform the present but it cannot predict the future.
The Flames have numerous different players, a new coach and a new systems.
No Drew Doughty though.
After Oshawa ties the game with just over a minute left in the third, Tullio scores the OT winner on a power play.
Tullio actually drew the penalty that gave Oshawa their PP in overtime. (Actually, with 19 seconds left in the third, then carried into OT.)
Then he whistles a one-timer from the left faceoff dot to end the game.
Next season.
Holloway McDavid Puljujarvi
Nugent-Hopkins Draisaitl Hyman
Foegele McLeod Yamamoto
Benson Ryan Sceviour
Shore Kassian
I would say that is a tad optimistic to expect Holloway to be 1LW next season no????
I’d go
Hyman McDavid JP
Hollaway Drai Yamo
Foegle RNH Kassian
Benson Mcleod Scevior
Shore Ryan
With Draisaitl stealing a shift or two a period, McDavid’s left wing might be the safest landing spot in the top 6.
This is exactly my Perlini argument….
Nuge/Drai/Yams
Hyman/McD/Jesse
Foeg/Holloway/Kassian
Benson/McLeod/Scevs
Ryan/Shore
Spot on, GODOT.
Dallas has 7 wins in 16 games while sporting a -8 goal differential.
Imo it’s not much more of a test then Chicago, they’ve had a few good games recently but they’ve still lost a 1/3 of their games by 3 or more goals.
Further, they only have 3 regulation wins. Other than it being on the road, I’m not sure we’re an underdog in that game even without Nurse in the lineup.
Well that was fun.
So we have a settled top six for now:
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
(Spread the wealth formation)
or
Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Hyman-Nuge-Yamamoto
(Nuclear option formation)
The third line increasingly looks like:
Foegele-McLeod-Kassian
Consistency will be the key.
xxxx-Ryan-Sceviour
The building blocks of a fourth line are coming into focus. Hope that Benson can click into that role, good signs to my eye but his confidence will be bolstered by a goal or two.
Will be interesting to see where Holloway fits later this season.
Before last night I thought it was only the moustache that was keeping Kailer Yamamoto on the second line. Now I think there may be more to it.
Its nothing less than an epic troll job on RNH.
Pretty sure Yammo’s mustache winked at Mrs Nugent-Hopkins last night.
Blink and you’ll miss Petrov’s elite release:
https://twitter.com/OHLBattalion/status/1462508071310307338
He’s also added an assist as North Bay leads 6-1 after two.
Petrov with a diving tip in front for his second of the game:
https://twitter.com/OHLBattalion/status/1462526087557173256
Although some will still find every excuse to not give the Oilers’ some, let alone full, credit for a 13-4 record (not nearly as impressive as the what the flames have accomplished….. blah), so many blurbs from the following article show how the league views the Oilers – a top team, a real test, they come in waves, they can dominate you, etc.:
https://theathletic.com/2968531/2021/11/21/brandon-hagels-significance-costly-turnovers-and-a-shift-for-the-ages-blackhawks-observations-after-derek-kings-first-loss/
I need to read articles like this ten times a day as the last 20 years has left me permanently scarred. To wit: I thought the Hawks were a poor team yet we only won easily because of two SH goals; Winnipeg (just), and St Louis, looked better teams; two late McMiracle goals turned defeats into wins; we somehow lost to Buffalo; ES scoring is weak; why can we not convert a 2 on 1? we do not seem like a 13-4 team; how the fuck can we keep losing playoff games when 3-0 up late in the third? Rolo’s injury; Cam Ward stoning Pisani. Mental health – it’s a thing. So it was kind of disapppppointing to find the articlllllllle was behind a payyyyyywall.
Since I know this is aimed at me, perhaps a few thoughts.
Yes, the Oilers have been impressive to start the season, but remain only 1 point ahead of the Flames.
How could this be?
And how could they be only one regulation win behind?
It is all the power play which started the season at over 50% but is now, inevitably, starting to regress to the mean and is now 39.6%
While I don’t think anyone thinks it won’t be the best in the league, no one knows where it will land but the smart money would be on it continuing to regress somewhat.
Now despite, the Oilers stunning PP performance, you have to recognize that the Flames have a superior goal differential because they can outscore at even strength.
Flames have a 5V5 GF% of 67.27% while the Oilers are a middling 48.68%
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/teamtable.php
Just for reference, here are the top 5 teams by this metric in the league:
Calgary 67.27%
Florida 65.33%
Washington 64.29%
Carolina 64.11%
Winnipeg 60.34%
It’s absolutely no surprise or accident that all of those teams are leading their division with the exception of the Pacific.
If you are at all open to looking at the underlying number rather than just a gaudy PP, you will discover that the Flames are the best defensive team in the league giving up just 2.00 G/GP while giving up about 5 less shots per game than the Oilers. (amount to a difference of about 400 additional shots over the course of a season)
That Calgary has done this while playing 66% of their games on the road, WILL become a factor as the season goes on whether to not you’re willing to concede this.
I guess it’s possible the Oilers will ride their PP to a division title but strong 5V5 teams will have a say in that and I’m looking at the VGK who are at 51.22% despite being ravaged by injury.
Important to look forward not just back.
OK, so we have an elite powerplay. I think Flames are getting elite goaltending and wouldnt be where they are wihout it. Every team has their strengths and weaknesses, except Canucks who have no strengths. Oilers actually win games, dont go the OTL route.
The Oilers have ONE more regulation win than the Flames.
So who cares about regulation, actual W snd L, Oilers are 13 and 4, Flames 10 and 8.
When you are first in the conference the only direction you can look is back.
And down.
I’m sure the complete absence of injuries and Markstroms 942 sp% are all completely sustainable
Markstrom’s sparkling save percentage is closely tied to the team’s defensive play.
You’re right about the injuries but the Oilers, other than their 40 year old goalie, have also been relatively unscathed.
Going forward, by the law of averages, they will likely even ot.
You say this, and it must be tongue in cheek.
Most teams losing their established top-4 LD in a leadership role would crater. Archibald isn’t a huge loss on the face of things being 4RW but he was typically a plus to the PK and provided an influx of energy at evens if not on the scoresheet (empty net goals aside). Losing the 3G foisted the team’s AHL goalie into the spotlight before he was generally thought ready. Once Smith went down (inevitable) there was a sudden amount of pressure on SS to perform. Luckily he’s generally acquitted himself well.
Thanks for kissing the flames with the “harper hair lip of death”. I will likely enjoy watching their next 10 game crashing segment.
I’ve got news for you: power plays actually exist and matter. You love resting your ‘opinions’ on cliché, that’s to say not so much on evidence. “Defence wins championships.” If you want to talk football, and being evidence-based – special teams win championships. (Also, the last how many SC winners have been offensively gifted teams?)
As mentioned earlier, you fail to mention outlying statistics that have propped up the Flames: ie. SOs. If you think Markstrom is going to break Brodeur’s modern record, you’re dreaming. Past performance isn’t always indicative of future performance. But I didn’t need to tell you that (because you constantly beat that drum yourself, right?)
PPs matter.
Oilers PP=39.6% and take 3.59PK/gm
Flames PP=25.5% and take 4.11PK/gm
(ignoring that the Oilers PK is also the best in the league and biases this analysis conservatively). The teams should score:
Oilers 1.63PPG/gm against the Flames
Flames 0.92PPG/gm against the Oilers
That very much mitigates the 5on5 ‘woes’. Regress the Oilers back to last year’s PPscoring%, they’re still a good half goal/gm ahead (also assuming the Flames PP doesn’t regress).
That you need to keep pressing on this on a comment section of a team for which you don’t cheer, multiple times a day…. Well. The term ‘opportunity cost’ comes to mind.
Calgary has won 33% of their home games lol.
With respect, you’re creating a story. Calgary is doing great, good for them. If they win tonight, the Flames will be ahead by one point and Edmonton will have two games in hand. This isn’t a tragedy in any way, in fact the only time Edmonton has been a threat to win Stanley Calgary has been very strong.
It’s a ridiculous conversation. Calgary’s success doesn’t spell Edmonton’s doom. Honestly, HH.
Everything, all the time, points to Edmonton’s doom.
That last point is the important one. And frankly it would be good to have both teams successful because I think it pushes both organizations to be stronger which I don’t think is a bad thing (provided the Oilers are still better of course). Neither team is perfect and hence will have some ups and downs through the season, but it’s far enough into the season that it’s becoming evident they both likely have a strong chance of finishing top 3 in the division.
I like your strategy. Let’s pretend he doesn’t do this on purpose.
TL;DR
Yes
OP, let’s not willfully invite HH to use all other 31 NHL teams to compare and find superiority to the Oilers.
Why should Oiler fans get their 1 team and HH gets all remaining 31 teams?
HH gets one team, just like the rest of us. The mighty Vancouver Canucks.
The third line was great last night – big, fast aggressive. The young C was great and also made a dumb play or two. It’s a process but he seems to have found his confidence between the two big wingers.
Skinner played well and hope they get Kos back playing the majority of games. He should be rested now and we need him. While Smith’s injury is a blessing in disguise (Tip never would have played Skinner if that didn’t happen) we need the veteran to shoulder the load. But even with Smith back I keep Skinner up and play him regularly.
Good that Broburg got a soft team to start. He will learn a lot in his stay filling in for Nurse and understand what he needs to work on in Bako. Hopefully Sammy gets a similar opportunity after his jaw is fully healed and he can get rid of the full face shield. Nurse Broburg Sammy is our LD of the future.
I don’t think Broberg is ever headed back for Bakersfield. He looked ready. No sign of tweenerisms, like with Benson.
Nurse Barrie
Keith Bouchard
Broberg Ceci
No time like the present. Koekkook can be safely waived since he has another year on his contract.
I don’t think Skinner is either. Skinner should split games with Koskinen, and if he keeps playing well, go to 60/40 and see if he can handle the starter’s load. If Skinner is playing better when Smith is healthy one waives Koskinen. If Smith is in form and healthy after five to eight games, then one looks to trade Koskinen.
This is the year to find out about Skinner, because Holland had to make a goaltender decision next summer.
I’m happy with Broburg getting 20 games this season. Would like Sammy to get the same. Then they are both primed for next year. Skinner the same. The NHL is not a development league but you can can carefully develop guys if they are slotted correctly. It would, however, be good to get Broburg more offensive reps in the AHL this year. You don’t want to kill his offense by forcing him to play button-down hockey on the 3rd pair in EDM. Sammy and Skinner’s job is t prevent GA – no problem with having them in EDM in limited roles.
The Oilers don’t play button down hockey 😉
The NHL is not a development league, but it is a league where you play your best players if they are ready, regardless of the vets that get run over.
“Ultimately the frustrating part is that, despite their record, Oilers are a statistically mediocre team carried predominantly by two players and missing their No. 1 defenseman”
– overhearing a Chicago fan distraught after their 4 game winning streak was crushed like Nikola Jokic blindsiding Markieff Morris. #ShorthandedWhiplash
Oilers served up a stone cold dish of umeboshi plum last night to Chicago on Saturday Night Live Raw. After years of waking up distraught on Sunday morning and dreading the brutal postmortem, I need more of this, please.
I’m curious how they approach Bouchards pp expiration awareness
seems like he gets caught when pp expires
Eric Brewer had the same issue iirc.
Not sure what he’s suppose to do about a grenade being throw into his feet, they probably cure it by getting the forwards to dump it behind the net instead of back to the blue line at the end of the powerplay.
That play was 90% on McLeod. He should have just put the puck on the net
To me, that play showed McLeod’s PP expiration awareness.
What was Bouch supposed to do with the grenade thrown at him?
There’s been multiple plays over the last few games where he was not aware there was a guy coming on the ice behind him
Skinner’s gotta bang his stick harder?
Agreed, he needs to slap that beaver tail hard!
The Oilers now have 13 skaters with over 300 games of NHL experience. However the depth will now come from 9 home grown players brought along at the right pace.
Puljujarvi 211 NHL games – 1st line
Yamamoto 122 NHL games – 2nd line
Bouchard 38 NHL games – 1st and third pairing
McLeod 19 NHL games – 3rd line
Benson 14 NHL games – 4th line
Skinner 6 NHL games – back-up
Broberg 1 NHL game – on the farm
Samorukov 0 NHL games – on the farm
Holloway 0 NHL games – on the farm ish
We’ve been told the Oilers can’t develop or find any success with their draft selections, yet here we are.
The issue has been developing talent from outside the first round.
There’s multiple young defenders playing on other teams around the league that the Oilers developed.
They’re on other teams because the Oilers have even better higher end draft picks that have developed claiming the roles.
Can’t hold pre Holland against Holland imo.
Every thread is filled with info about Oiler draft picks that are currently smashing the competition in which ever league they’re playing in.
Hyman is the only non Oiler drafted player in the top 6.
McLeod of the clan McLeod is currently 3C, Benson is on 4th line.
Nurse, Bouchard, now Broberg.. With the loss of Klef.
Keith, Ceci mercenaries brought in
Samu, Neim both chomping at the bit to come up.
Stuart Skinner.. Passing all the tests.
If the Oilers keep developing their talent the way its been going all these can’t develop talent narratives are dead. The Holland era is different.
Petrov, Savoie, Bear, Tullio, Skinner, McLeod. Sammy.
Others don’t count as developed as much like Marino.
I think it’s improved immensely and will bear fruit soon. Woody and co have done a bang-up job sending talent. It isn’t a well oiled machine yet (har har) but i think every player is getting a fair shake. Depends on what we define as outer first round success.
The CORE that will attempt to bring Lord Stanley to Edmonton is coming into view.
HOLLOWAY – 20
BROBERG – 20
BOUCHARD – 22
MCLEOD – 22
BENSON – 23
JP – 23
YAMAMOTO -23
SKINNER -23
MCDAVID – 24
FOEGLE – 25
DRAI – 26
RNH – 28
HYMAN – 29
So what happened to Nurse????
Broke his finger on purpose to get Broberg some games
TOE-tulleee.
🤣 🤣 simply forgot him. 😎
And McDavid???
Not so sure about Benson.
Yah I agree.
Some players will change it great age for core
Petrov opened the scoring for North Bay in the first – currently up 3-0.
Last night, Savoie managed an assist on the 6th goal of a 7-1 win.
Cody Ceci is an invaluable member of this team – he was so good last night, playing mainly with a 20 year old rookie in his first game.
He will be stepping up every bit as much as Keith during Nurse’s absence – not as many minutes perhaps but as far as partnering with a raw rookie or another elevated player and keeping things calm in the defensive zone while moving the puck up.
Full value this player – Full!
McLeod – yup, the best game of his NHL career and it doesn’t seem like a one-off, its been building for a few. He’s come back from his AHL stint with a bit more fire, a bit more engagement, a bit more willingness and he’s currently filling a big hole at 3C. His confidence is breeding offence as well.
No, the 3C is not solved, I suspect that McLeod will have many ups and downs through this season and next while but he is showing that he can be that player – here is hoping he can be it consistently, night in and night out.
I’ve been a fan of McLeod from day one and he is starting to blossom into his potential now. Hopefully Holloway can heal up nicely and join him in time. Benson is also starting to look like an NHL player. Broberg played much better than I was expecting and was certainly not a weak link. Chicago isn’t a heavy team on the forecheck so we will see how it goes against a squadlike Vegas. Definitely a lot of upside there.
I’m sure Holland and Tipp and even the fans would prefer that Broberg is in Bako seeing primo powerplay minutes. But it sure is nice having him visit for a bit. An encouraging sign is this ability to play a safe game, make his reads, exert his influence over his defensive sphere, master of his domain…
But I can’t wait to see him play when he unleashes the other side of his personality. I think Tipp has him in button-down mode, and that’s probably the right thing to do. but as Conor Oberst once sang, “I don’t know when but a day is gonna come…”
And that day will arrive, but first I think he’s going to spend some time in Bako developing his offense where he more–safely–can.
That said, that smart, hard pass he sent to Foegle behind the net that set up the Highlander’s goal was a lovely glimpse of the future.
And he’s already leading the Festivus feats of strength competition..
.
.
I agree with all this, but also wonder whether he ever heads back to Bakersfield.
He certainly was calm, cool and collected, considering Chicago coming in with a cuatro and carrying a contemporary coach.
Keeps the concerns copacetic considering Koekkoek and the considerable chaos and consistency conundrum he carries.
C+
Cheers!
It’s pretty amazing to think the Oilers are playing with 4 rookies (Broberg, McLeod, Benson, Skinner) and one near rookie in Bouchard and are 13 and 4. Granted 2 of them have just played as injury replacements so far, and just a handful of games. I had thought we were mostly through the development stage and had a veteran team but I guess not yet. Man, if Skinner and Broberg are for real, what a huge step forward. Not lamenting taking a Zegras , etc instead of Bro. Our need is a big talented LD. We already know Bouch is the real deal.
Bouchard is not a rookie only due to the antiquated “2×6” rule that was instituted back in the day amateur trials were limited to 5 games, not the current 9. In its most extreme cases (Alex Pietrangelo being a prominent example) promising players can be robbed entirely of their rookie status before ever officially turning pro. It’s a travesty of unfairness that the NHL has no interest in even noticing let alone fixing.
They should be breaking in 3-4 rookies all the time instead of giving minutes to marginal 4th liners and 3rd pair d men. NHL mgmt is so risk adverse that they would rather play known bad players than young players who have upside
totally.
Just an update on what will surely be a classic recording.
Raise the Roof, a collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krause has been officially released.
A review:
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/robert-plant-alison-krauss-raise-the-roof/
Its brilliant.
Just listened to a few songs from this album on U tube. Excellent!
Thank you for this, good review.Will followup by listening to available tracks during my daily walk.
They were on Steven Colbert a couple nights ago – the song they played was terrific
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxEy00HYRfc
Yep.
Was just about to post that.
I defy anyone to listen to that and keep their feet still. 🙂
And another one:
https://youtu.be/7HAVUVOYMaE
I stumbled across another take of the same song recorded for the BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlwzpkhmIT8
An all star cast including T-Bone Burnett among others
Lucinda Williams wrote the song
Correction:
The song was written by Randy Weeks of the Lonesome Strangers
Lucinda recorded and released the song on Car Wheels and performs it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mlp7N3t1fs
Someone mentioned Killing the Blues by those two a month or so ago and I’ve got it on heavy rotation. My God she’s an angel, and he can sing well too.
Just for you.
https://youtu.be/1SCOimBo5tg
One of my all-time favourites. She’s perfect.
Harper, I love you when you raise the roof.
Hyman had his usual night (assist, shot, HDSC, takeaway) at five-on-five,
and a penalty… a good hard hit that left Kane crying on the ice.
Loved Hyman’s response. He was just laughing about it.
And Hyman’s jab at Kane’s face was payback for a whack undetected by the refs that Kane had given him as he passed Hyman in the high slot in Chicago’s end about 10 – seconds before while the puck was in the corner. That was a little undisciplined but fortunately the Oilers PK remains solid.
I was wondering what was going on because Hyman doesn’t usually do things like that. Good catch.
Even that is something i like about Hyman. If you’re going to get two minutes, get your money’s worth!
I thought he was laughing because it was an embellishment by Kane. I don’t doubt he caught him there and it was a penalty, but Kane made sure the refs noticed that one, as it was away from the play.
He received a casual butt-end in the chops. It hurts!!
Kane hid it mostly but he smirked as well as Hyman laughing. That was my takeaway as well.
It’s still early but I like the potential pairings when Nurse comes back of
Nurse Barrie
Keith Bouch Bomb
Phil the Thrill 2.0 Ceci
Ceci has been value so far, capable at defense and some excellent passing on offense
I also am loving Skinner, but feel a little bad for our extra large Finn, as he sure takes a lot of blame and abuse despite the fact he was the guy left holding the fort, and was overplayed by his coach two seasons in a row when the local hero, ‘Schmitty’ as Tipp so affectionately calls him, was injured to start the season, for a long period of time. Koskinen has backed strong starts for our team two years in a row with absolutely no credit given.
I think Koskinen is probably aware by now of what he is and what he isn’t.
Mikko’s playing for a contract next year and so far he’s earned one. I don’t think Edmonton will sign him but another team will.
Yes but it won’t be 4.5 mil! Maybe 2?
Besides the first shot or early week goals he allows at times it’s his salary that irks people. Mikko apologetics say this happens when he’s over worked but at 4.5 that’s in the range of starters money.
It’s silly to allow a contract to affect an opinion about a player. No one is turning down money that is offered to them. It made no sense with Horcoff either. Those decisions are on management. A few shaky goals stand out but Koskinen has been very solid over all.
It’s always about getting your money’s worth in a salary cap world. Nobody talked much about what Dave Lumely or Kenny the Rat etc were making back in the Eighties. Sather would trade these older vets back in day so they could cash in for a few years before their retirement as Edmonton was a budget team. This is one of the reasons why Sather is so beloved to this day.
How about Russell last night? I thought he looked fresh and efficient. Still a guy I like having around despite the flack he takes daily.
I agree. Russell is what he is and if you value that thing (people like NHL coaches do) then he remains a player who can help. As he did last night.
I think a big non storyline is how well the defence played without Nurse.
Say what you want about Keith – but damn is it nice to have him in moments like this. He isn’t the d man he once was but he’s still has great edges and a great stick.
For me, Broberg was a revelation. Did not look out of place at all in the top 4.
Nice to have depth.
If you’d told me a couple years ago that we’d be without nurse and klef and not look to bad I’d have given you a look.
I think the upcoming road trip will give us more clarity on how the D performs. Dallas and Vegas will be a test (AZ maybe not so much) Still not sure if we played really well last night or Hawks had a weak game??? Hoping it was the former!
I think it was both.
Dallas and Vegas will definitely be bigger tests and more informative.
Beiska said what I was thinking along the lines of playing Keith so much last night. If l’m up 4-1 at home there’s no need to force Keith minutes as well as other players. It would of been a perfect time to play the fourth line more minutes.
I agreed with Bieksa as well. There was no reason to play Keith so much and he won’t be able to to sustain that for long, especially against more physical teams. Hopefully Manson coached Lagesson up down in Bake and he’s ready to spell Russell off.
Load management is a thing but the team has two full days off before the next game – I think his minutes last night were fine in the circumstances.
If there’s one player who knows how to manage big minutes, surely it’s Duncan Keith. Last night he played 13 seconds above his career average.
Besides his career average, he average 23.5 minutes per game for 53 games last season, including 15 games above 25 minutes . In April, he played almost 30 minutes against Columbus. People keep talking like Keith’s big minutes were ancient history. Its not ideal since the hope was his minutes could be back off but he is less than 6 month removed from being a horse. And Keith’s overall +/- in those 15 over 25 minute games was 0, while he was -12 in the games where he played less, so the Blackhawks outcomes seemed better in games where he played big minutes.
There was a point in the 2nd period Thursday that looked like Benson’s career in the NHL was over. Sure both penalty calls were weak, but players with better pedigrees have lost their jobs for less.
Tippett to my amazement and his credit did not bench young Benson in the 3d. His response last night was his best NHL performance.
The willingness to adapt his game to the roll available is of credit to the young man. Tipping point moment in his career, I hope a goal follows soon.
I am certainly cheering for Benson as a home grown product. Having said that how good would DeBrincat look in our top 6! Yikes….
Agreed. I predicted he would never play another game for the Oilers and likely be in Europe next season before this season started. Very glad to be proven wrong.
In the presser after the game he called him “Young Benny” and I took that as a positive sign.
Nice pass by Bouch to open space for Drai late. Reminded me of Pronger.
Cool Hand Bouch.
Mighty Boosh.
Amazing that Struddy himself replied to the tweet 🙂
A class act.
Strudwick on 1260;
“They sent the entire team over the boards, and they still couldn’t score on me”
Haha
Haha, nice!
I still haven’t figured out who gets the ‘money on the white board’
I do quasi know what its about, here is a lash:
Players will pin/attach cash (couple G’s?) to the white board in the dressing room before a game against their former team(s).
Idea being that if things go well someone will collect the reward for the win.
But I would really like to know who claims or claimed it.
Team dinner?
Cool, thanks for that.
Lotta options last night – Yamamoto, McLeod, Foegele, Skinner among others.
Would love to know the outcome.
iirc it’s often whoever gets the GWG
If Skinner keeps playing like this, then what happens when Smith returns? All three goalies are playing well and none deserve a demotion to the A
What should happen? Or what is going to happen?
Good problem to have. I’d expect they would keep all three up temporarily and try to trade Koskinen. Skinner is riding adrenaline right now, so it will be interested to see how he does when the initial surge runs out.
He struggles a little with rebound control however I expect he’ll get better with that as he settles in more.
Last two games Skinner has been on point with his rebound control. He’s looked calm in net. Not much flapping around. Just in good position to make saves and tracking the puck all the way. The two goals against he had no chance on.
After his gaffe in Detroit, I was quick to write him off … but he’s been very good otherwise.
They aren’t going to trade down to 2 goalies especially when one is a 40 year old
Agreed it would be counter productive to trade a goalie when injury issues can appear at any moment. Keeping three goalies around the big club never works well so Skinner would likely go back down, with the assurance that he is a big part of the future. Unless of course he is playing so well that it’s not possible to send him down.
“Stuart Skinner — a fake ID name if I ever heard one.” ;0
overheard in a Chicago blog
Stuart Big!
(Kevin Karius quote)
Disco Stu!
I like how Skinner flicks his hair back and puts on his mask , just like Mike Smith . He also handles the puck more like Smith as opposed to Koskinen. Have to say I’m feeling much more comfortable with Skinner protecting the crease .
The Shift comparison, for those who don’t know, refers to the fact that Jason Strudwick suffered though a similar shift in the defensive end in one game of his career.
Holland would remember it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqpW9KTJXo
https://www.coppernblue.com/2010/4/8/1409404/strudwick-and-chorney-star-in-the
Caleb Jones broke that record, wasn’t Jones out there for 5 minutes or something?
Okay 4:50
https://twitter.com/JShannonhl/status/1462274892187979782
“Hyman … has to be one of the best free-agent signings in team history.”
BINGO!
Because of his play, or because we stole him out from under the Maple Leafs? 🙂
Both
2022-23
Hyman McDavid JP
Nuge Draisaitl Yamo
Foegele McLeod Kassian
Benson Ryan Archibald
Holloway
Nurse Bouchard
Broberg Ceci
Keith Barrie
Samorukov
Skinner
Smith
Archibald has played his last game as an Oiler.
Why do you say this?
Schremp will be headed to another continent.
Keith will hopefully be a special advisor/scout in Kelowna for $1.5 per.
For me
Hyman McD JP
Nuge Drai Holloway
Foegele McL Yamo
Benson Ryan Kassian
Sceviour Shore
I like the D group
This line up has 2 RS centres (Sceviour Ryan for face offs) and 8! that can play centre. It has enough size and aggressiveness. Tipp has lots of Pkers. Also quite a bit of skill and speed through all lines.
It will also work in the cap having Holloway Bro and Bouch and possibly Samo (if he takes Kooks job) on ELCs, although they will be back into Klef’s LTIR for another season.
Drai’s line is not doing well 5v5. I think that line needs a better finisher (so they can’t key on Drai) and a bigger player. A line with size that can skate, two elite passers, an elite and another good shooter, creates a lot of problems for the D.
For me Yamo is a useful player, but is settling in out of the top 6 by production. Playing with two big fast guys that engage (assuming McL keeps on, bcs he wants to stay) to me would help his game, free up ice for him. And inject more defensive conscience and skill into the 3rd line.
Kassian gives the 4th line some size and speed, he and Benson give it some jam. Ryan still has skilled wingers. Benson and Ryan know both ends of the ice.
The 4th needs to be able to play more, and Tipp needs to play them, keep the team fresh for the long haul, and better able to deal with any injuries, as all players are all engaged and able to execute better. Hard to do with very little TOI and reps.
Having more size in the top 6 may also help the cycle. Having that huge O zone shift and not getting any shots is George Laraque territory. All 4 lines need to learn to create low high plays and cross seam plays to create high danger chances. Like the ones that get played against us all the time and go in a lot.
Going back to the point constantly is weak sauce. Low percentage. Come on Gully and Tipp!
Not bad. Holloway would be best case scenario. Swiss player in the lineup?
Holloway hasn’t yet played one second of Pro Hockey, including practice. Also, he also does not play RW.
To christen him in the top 6 is extremely premature.
I am one of the biggest Holloway fans on this blog, but c’mon….
I hope we see him in the NHL this season, but he is probably at minimum 1 month away from simply being able to practice (and that is being extremely optimistic) … let alone even being able to shoot a puck.
If all goes well, I expect he will be playing games in Bakersfield in March, anything else is gravy.
The narrative that the Oilers got no shots is false. In that sequence, the Oilers had 8 shot attempts, 2 of which were counted as shots, 5 shots that missed (including Bouchard’s shot off the cross bar) and one was blocked.
Second breakaway goal, I believe the 2PP unit, Keith in particular forgot their assignments. Horrid pass to Boosh, Keith sneaking down allowing him to be isolated. Shame, ‘cos I liked Keith’s game last night.
They weren’t out there to score like 1PP. They’re there to give them a rest.
Keith did exactly what he was supposed to do in that situation – that was 90% on McLeod for the poor pass decision and poor execution.
I remember the Sedins cycling for fun against us. Not fun, it was piss-cutter central.
Said it last night, only league in the world of sports where a team can win more games and lose less and still only be one point in front.
Inflammable means flammable? What a country!
Exactly, if you go just straight wins and losses the Flames are 10-8 and we are 13-4.
Thing is, the Flames are “banking” home games at a torrid pace all while getting Eastern road trips out of the way.
From March 6 to April 3 they play only 2 road games…1 in Colorado and 1 in Vancouver each of which is 1 game and back home.
In that period of time, they play 8 games at home.
As the rigours of a long season take their toll on other teams, the Flames will be resting and have plenty of practise time.
If they hang around near the top of the Division until then, they will have a big competitive advantage.
Yawn
The Flames have won 2 of 6 games at home, and with yesterday’s victory the Flames have still only won 4 of their last 10 overall.
So of course you bang the drums for a fraud team.
Oilers are 8-1 at home, so the thing is the Oilers are far far far better at defending home ice.
Flames are a point behind and Edmonton has a game in hand. A formidable foe, I mentioned them as the likely third-place team in the division at season’s end and they are well placed to finish there.
https://www.covers.com/sport/hockey/nhl/injuries
some serious injury luck going on in cowtown.
A big test for them today as they play in Boston after beating the Islanders in their home opener last night.
Bruins are an uneven team this year, I think it might be close.
Mediocre Western teams often feast on the allegedly stronger east.
Flames home record stinks as does its record against western teams.
They will be crashing and burning inside the next 10 games, I personally guarantee it.
If only there was something going on in the middle of the season. Like something that would give the vast majority of players 3 weeks off to break up that long season.
Flames players get that rest too.
Well, except for Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm and Markstrom and perhaps Mangiapane who is going supernova.
And if Oilers and Flames swapped positions you would be shouting that the Oilers were doomed because there are no loser points in the playoffs and that their place in the standings is a mirage, etc. Etc.
I don’t know why you waste your time playing bad contrarian.
If my auntie had balls….
She would be the best man in your family!
Because people redoind when it goes without saying?
My story lines in order
McLeod
Skinner
Edmonton PK
Keith
Broberg
Foegele
Yamamoto
Ceci
Tippett/Holland
Finally, a night when the Dymanic Duo were not the story.
(the top 5 were not the story McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nuge, JP)
Re: Broberg
It would appear that Agent 86 did indeed get smart.
Very little KAOS in his game.
This is a very great tweet. AND now I’m thinking of Barbara Feldon! Well done!
“Oh, Max…”
Yeah, but will you be able to get the music out of your head.
Duh Da Da….. DA!
Duh Da Da….. DA!
Duh da da
Duh da da
Doodle D da….
Uh…agent 99…Gretzky in drag?
Tiny sample, but Skinner is currently 4th in the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected per 100 shots against (all game states) among goalies who have faced 175 unblocked shot attempts:
https://twitter.com/Woodguy55/status/1462415563125264384
I used Evolving-hockey.com ‘s Goals Saved Above Expected as I find it most closely matches what Kevin Woodley talks about when he uses Clear Site Analytics data.
EDM Goal Share after 17 gp (13-4-0)
Even strength(5v5,4v4,3v3)
97 w/o 29(7-6) 54%
29 w/o 97(10-5) 67%
97&29 On(10-6) 63%
93 w/o either(3-2) 60%
Ryan (3-13) 19%
Other(5-7) 42%
Net EV -1
Special Teams:24-6
Net ST +18
Empty Net:4-5
Net EN -1
SO/PS 2-0
Net SO/PS +2
Goal Diff +18
Need that EV number to climb, McLeod on 3 line hopefully makes a difference. Thanks as always, Darcy!
If McLeod continues the break even as 3C (he’s 3-3 without 97/29/93 on the ice) and Ryan straightens out his results as a 4C then they could be cooking with gas.
When I wrote about Ryan in the summer of 2020 he scored well in my heuristic, but I noted he was heavily sheltered as a 4C and had good help.
Link: https://becauseoilers.blogspot.com/2020/09/edmonton-oilers-3rd-line-center-serach.html
Hopefully if that’s the spot he’s in here he could flourish again.
He doesn’t seem to be up the QoC with his current line mates at 3C.
Thanks again for doing these, absolutely brilliant work.
Hopefully McLeod can stabilize things for the foreseeable future at 3C.
…instead of wood!??
Wood is better for building than burning
It is nice to see the McD w/o Drai number climb. McD was pretty unlucky early in the season. If Hyman and JP were slightly better finishers the top-line numbers would be absurd.
Yup
I’d sign JP to 5×8 In case he figures that out too.
5x $8 or 8x $5?
Got to be the latter.
As far as McLeod sawing off at 3C and Ryan regaining some form at 4C, that was, at least to me, always the plan – for McLeod to supplant Ryan as 3C on merit during the season as it was always a stretch to have Ryan slotted in as a 3rd line center.
McLeod is certainly earning that 3C spot over the last week – here is hoping he can sustain this level with some consistency.