The Edmonton Oilers never do things the easy way, so of course the club has itself in a four-game losing streak with two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference coming to Rogers over the next four days. The Hurricanes are a quality team with a great deal of depth, while the Oilers have great talent at the top and several players who are recent AHL grads in prominent spots. It doesn’t look like a fair fight in the wee, wee hours of the morning.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Markus Niemelainen winning Oilers recall battle
- New DNB: Ethan Bear is rising above and thinking big
- Lowetide: Tyson Barrie’s contract and skill set make his Oilers future uncertain
- Lowetide: Oilers may find inspiration from 1993-94 Detroit Red Wings
- DNB: Several Oilers issues coming to a head
- Jonathan Willis: Which Oilers are on track to make their countries’ 2022 Olympic hockey teams?
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s first full NHL season a learning experience
- Lowetide: Analyzing Cody Ceci’s importance to the Edmonton Oilers and future deployment
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
- DNB: Brendan Perlini subscriber Q&A
- DNB: Oilers turn to Markus Niemelainen
- Lowetide: The Oilers won often in November, but is their roster built to keep winning this way?
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ prospect pipeline has produced 2 call-ups on defence this season. Who’s next?
- DNB: What I think and what I know about the Oilers through their first 20 games
- Lowetide: How promising is the Oilers’ Russian prospect pool?
- DNB: Could Leon Draisaitl score 50 goals in 50 games?
- Lowetide: How the Oilers most pressing needs have changed since the offseason
- DNB: Tales from the days Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson were minor league roommates
- DNB: For Emily Cave, Colby’s widow, a trip back to Boston is about memories, love and legacy
- Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl even better than we think? A look at his stunning historic comparables
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- At home to: PIT (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: LAK, MIN, BOS, CAR, TOR, CBJ (Expected 3-3-0) (Actual 0-3-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: LAK, SJS, CAL, STL, NJD (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-7-0, 16 points in 15 games
- Actual December results: 1-4-0, 2 points in 5 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 16-9-0, 32 points in 25 games
Ken Holland may be contemplating making a move, but the money is spent and any moves he’ll make now could compromise the deadline plans. We’re into December now, so the roster freezes are going to make trades difficult and the waiver wire doesn’t offer much this time of year. Here are things, all numbers five-on-five.
OILERS CENTERS, 2021-22
This is Edmonton’s strongest forward position, and Carolina’s four centers are formidable. Sebastian Aho (2.85 points-per-60, all numbers five-on-five), Vincent Trochek (2.35) Jordan Staal (1.38) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1.59) are a combination of dangerous offensively and sound defensively.
OILERS LEFT-WINGERS, 2021-22
Edmonton’s left wingers look stronger than a year ago (RNH, Dominik Kahun, James Neal, Tyler Ennis) but both Foegele and Nuge are shy on the goals-60 so far this year. Carolina’s left wingers boast handsome goals-per-60 numbers: Andrei Svechnikov (1.21), Nino Niederreiter (1.03), Seth Jarvis (1.14) and Derek Stepan (1.08). Good grief.
OILERS RIGHT-WINGERS, 2021-22
Oilers have a strong right-winger in Puljujarvi who has pulled away from the rest of the Oilers pack in all categories. The rest of the group is trying to get the feelin’ again (this blog’s first Barry Manilow reference), and the Hurricanes have some wobble here, too. Martin Necas (2.26 points-per-60), Teuvo Teravainen (0.97), Jesper Fast (1.63) and Steve Lorentz (0.77) are a pretty talented and varied group, though.
OILERS DEFENSEMEN, 2021-22
This is sorted by expected goals, and of course the return of Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci means more experience and that should help the goals-against five-on-five. We’re 25 games into the season, it’s interesting to see what has happened in 10-game increments for Edmonton this season:
- First 10 games: 23-21, 52.3 percent
- Second 10 games: 20-25, 44.4 percent
- Recent 5 games: 6-11, 35.3 percent
Nurse played November 18, that was game six of the middle stanza. Edmonton isn’t completely put together again, but if the entire group gets back together in the coming days that five-on-five goal differential should improve. I’m never sure what Oilers fans are thinking about the team’s defense, but to my eye Nurse and Ceci help the team.
Carolina’s defense is fan-bloody-tastic. The team’s goal differential at five-on-five is 58-35, 62.4 percent. Tonight’s matchup does not favor the home team.
I watched for short stretches and had to switch it off. What I saw was honestly embarrassing. They looked completely lost out there. Carolina didn’t even out-hustle them – it sure looked like their system just took care of it all. I’m sure they weren’t even pleased with their effort.
I know injuries is being blamed for this, and Hyman being out could really hurt. But this team was really only missing Keith. We’re forgetting how inconsistent Smith has been outside of a few stretches this season and last. He may be an improvement on Skinner but not a vastly superior option to Koskinen.
This team still has blaring problems that kind of seem cultural: lost coverage, gaffes in big moments, endless giveaways, failure to expose double-teams with Connor on the ice, cheating for offence, unable to play against greasy teams, a neutral or worse 4th line, no finishing outside of McDrai (and even they aren’t finishing), too many single-man efforts in the o-zone, endless inability to deal with a pinching dman’s pressure on the defensive half-boards (especially on right wing), looking sleepy and slow at the start of every game..….
At this point, they’ve tried the same game for the last 10, over and over. Things aren’t improving, their weak areas appear as weak as ever, teams are easily exposing them too. This all screams mismanagement and a lack of learning. I’m not sure why we blame individual players when it’s so clearly a systemic issue (although yes, Kassian does look terrible on the regular).
I wonder what Tulsky would have said if he worked for the Oilers when he was told about Holland’s plans with Keith and Smith. That’s $7.7m in dead cap right now for two geriatric hockey players.
Pretty good third period. Unlucky to not have scored at least one.
TBL lost 4-0 to OTT, is their season lost as well? Slumps, bad games, happen; just gotta hope oilers locker room doesn’t get toxic, hostile, or woe is me. 5v5 needs endless work as usual so who knows.
You’re comparing a single blowout loss while missing Kucherov & Point to a 5-game losing streak where the team absolutely deserved every loss. Possession and expGF% are irrelevant when the team makes reliable gaffes that end up in their net 2x/game.
Well I like Tippet ,but when your team gets scored on first,what is it 14 out of 17 games,there is a big problem,motivation is obviously one of them.
Folks, even with no Pesce, this Carolina team is for real.
We played much better, but Carolina is on a different level.
Not much suffering from losing Dougie Hamilton.
And no DeAngelo…they are one deep team.
Carolina won every metric you can win.
CF%-57.5
SF%- 62
HD%-64.7
XGF%-58.5
Very entertaining and fast game.
Does anywhere track the 5v5 offensive zone possession time?
I’d guess the Oilers won that tonight.
Tippett does for sure – I’m not sure about tonight but, against the Bruins, the Oilers had like triple the o-zone time.
Lots of possession around the perimeter yes.
Not much doing on the inside
Well they generated a ton of chances, had a lot blocked and missed some open nets. But does anyone else think the oilers make it hard on themselves in the offensive zone? They work their asses off below the goal line only to fling it back to the point and get another shot blocked. Or the forward finally decides “hey I should shoot this”, and after completely telegraphing the shot gets it blocked.
Carolina by comparison was efficient in the o zone. Way faster decision making and simple plays that get pucks to the net.
The broadcast put up o zone possession numbers early in the second and the oilers were leading by over a minute. However shots were something like 20-10 at that point for Carolina.
Shoot. The. Puck.
Not every goal has to be a slam dunk.
At least Nuge scored 5v5
Bottom line: the team didn’t capitalize on some golden scoring chances. Even with the bad goals Koskinen let it, the Oilers should have won that game. This is definitely a playoff team.
Tippett; We’re not transitioning the puck well from D to F. We’re not fluid or quick. Monday’s practice will be about puck movement.
Get off my lawn rage of the night – NHL hockey is too often mostly goalie
Ok crazy as this might have seemed a month ago, but this now is revealed as another lost 97 / 29 season.
What to do? has there ever been a superlative talent like CMcD who hasn’t won a cup – is he the next Lindros?
McDavid is 24 years old! His career story is yet to be written. I’d say it’s a little early to start comparing him to Lindros!
Don’t worry, we’ll go visit the king tomorrow and he’ll assure you everything will be alright.
Tipp tried to treat Koski ;like a starter tonight by putting him straight back in after Skinner got the pipes for a game. That did not go well.
I hardly ever comment but I’m getting more curious by the day what a coaching would do for the 5v5 play of this team. You can see it on the ice: Carolina players in the right positions to defend and to pressure EDM into scattered decisions, while EDM players are not. We rely on individual efforts, and Tippett’s strategy going back to the well with 97/29 concedes it.
Can definitely see a difference in structure.
Better depth. Better skaters throughout the lineup = being able to be more timely to important spots on ice
Good news is Calgary closing in on their 4th loss and Anaheim also lost. Plus oilers playing much better. Keep playing like that and they will win one soon. Unless… goaltending.
A long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can’t remember the last thing that you said as you were leavin’
Now the days go by so fast
If Hyman is out for any length of time, this is going to be one painful loss.
And I’ve been keeping it under wraps tonight but I fricking hate Carolina. Like Gerta hates Perry frickin hate.
Agreed. The hit/aftermath did not look good.
Wonder if our 39 yr old goaltender is going to be available at any point this season? Feck
They showed him taking shots in practice recently. But he is almost 40 so it could be weeks…
McDavid seemed a little underpowered tonight. Maybe players checking him “tightly” is getting frustrating.
I’m sure he is
The answer is to outthink them, not try to outskate them
He has to use him teammates and develop a strategy with them
Gretzky had to if they shadowed him, he’d skate up to another opponent attempting to leave an Oiler open
Of course these guys would miss the net with their chance
Also, did I miss a Lags/Nemo injury or did Tip just shorten the bench?
Would you play them when you’re looking for a goal?
Not a criticism of Tip. Honest question. I was not watching closely in the third but noticed quite a few Ceci-Bouchard shifts.
They got decent minutes tonight. I like Neimelainen’s game and hope he stays when Keith returns some day. Tippett played Nurse over 28 minutes tonight.
Andersen always plays lights out against Oilers
And we got Fasth instead.
#becauseoilers
The last time the Oilers went on a five-game losing streak Tmac got shit-canned. We wait.
At least the FLames are also on a losing streak. Weird how they’re seemingly both losing and winning at the same times…
they were 9-10-1 and 6th in the pacific; who is the last coach fired when there team was 2nd/3rd in their division I suppose Gallant is up there, that seemed personal tho
Dam I hope Hyman is OK. Not looking good
That was close. Nuge misses an open net; puck hitting the post and right into Andersen’s pads. Goddamn.
Goaltending very much the difference in last 3 games.
Agreed, opposition goalies have been outstanding recently
This smells of DoD, winning the shot share, every goalie suddenly plays like Hasek. Not saying we’re there just that this season is starting to feel familiar again.
More shit bad luck.
Man, it’s amazing how other teams make scoring look easy and the Oilers at times can make it look so difficult.
Edmomton has been too often a place for the opposition G to tip the scales the wrong way
That’s in.
Well, shit.
So….a trade for a goalie? I know koski made big saves tonight…but he does not make the saves that Anderson makes when the game is tied or even down 1…
you down voters digging koski? Got it. You can keep him then.
Carolina knows how to play against Edmonton. They’re a good team. Oilers learning the hard way how to get out of a slump. Hasn’t been a bad game at all. Oilers just haven’t been quite good enough.
Carolina has taken candy from Winnipeg, Calgary and now Edmonton.
They have to play Vancouver tomorrow but a pretty good road trip out West already.
Koskinen should not play another game for the Oilers.
The Canes are a really good team. Wow. Oilers have a long way to go.
“Bad teams find a way to lose”
Kassian robbed by Anderssen.
If 97 completes the initial pass its probably a goal
Heck of a play all around.
thank u koski! senden the crowd home early! traffic sucks
don’t worry smith’s practicing!
Seriously???
You’ve gotta be kidding me…
Has #becauseoilers officially returned?
I feel like it should be a thing again after this 5 game losing streak. Especially with no bettman points to ease the losing.
might go winless on this homestand.
Hard to believe this team was 9-1 in the first 10 games and 16-5 in the first 21 games.
Seriously, what is with the Oilers and their shitty December records?
Good night Oilers.
Maybe we make the playoffs?
Shame shame
2 bad goals
Well that relieves the end of game drama
Shit bad luck.
Backbreaker. Again.
Oh Koskinen….
Shoulder compression injury for Hyman. Hopefully it’s not too bad.
Hopefully just a stinger.
Anderson has been ultra aggressive. Coming out well beyond the crease at times.
I wonder if the scouting report is the Oilers are often 1 and done with minimal inside penetration so be aggressive on the first shot.
Neat idea. I’m not watching, but I think goalies should challenge aggressively when:
-the puck carrier has no good option except the shot, and that he cannot change the angle of the release very much if at all
-the puck carrier is a much higher threat to score than any of his current passing options.
-the puck carrier likes to look down at the puck before shooting (doubt NHL goalies get to feast on this very often)
-all other options are worse.
Okay – I’ll be the one to say it: WTF is with 97 lately?
He’s nowhere near his usual level. He’d have at least 3 in this game if he was going. He’s a beat late of all damn things. Injured? Ill? It’s been as long as I can remember without a dominant McDavid performance. He’s not beating people clean.
He’s been ok, but trying a few too many desperate plays lately. Frustration showing.
Has to be tough when other teams know there is little threat beyond 2 players. Obviously the defensive game plan is 100% tailored for 2 players
Shooooot the damn puck
That hit by Nuge on Necas is the most physical I’ve seen him in a while… would be nice to see some more of his salty side a little more often.
What happened to this team from the first 15 games? So listless, unconfident, soft, whatever.
Same as hit every was. goofy plays, desperate tries, tight stick – just watching them for 10 minute, it’s obvious something’s missing.
How the bleep did Hyman and Mcdavid not drain those chances?
What is Nuge thinking there
Hyman misses a wide open net. McDavid misses a grade A slot chance to follow that up.