2021-22 Game 44: Blackhawks at Oilers

by Lowetide

Stuart Skinner, come on down! As discussed in yesterday’s opener, the chosen one has arrived in the promised land and has a clear route to an NHL start tonight. The team in front of him, having spent last night playing so poorly it was a relief only two points could be sacrificed, should be motivated to show a strong recovery effort against the visiting group from Chicago. Skinner, fresh off some fine performances in Bakersfield, gets a massive opportunity with Statler and Waldorf suffering various maladies. Opportunity is knocking.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

  • On the road to: WAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • At home to: VEG, CHI, NYI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
  • On the road to: SJS, LAK (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 0-2-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 6-4-2, 14 points in 12 games
  • Actual January results: 1-1-0, 2 points in 2 games
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 23-17-3, 49 points in 43 games

Edmonton losing last night wasn’t a surprise, but the team needs to grab points early in the month, as it’s quite possible the Oilers will lose the final three games of this month. So, with a goal of 12 points for the month, that’s as many wins as possible in the next five games at a minimum.

CHICAGO

Back in the day, the Chicago Blackhawks were unique in many ways among NHL teams. They played the hell out of their stars (as did Boston), something I now believe led directly to the Montreal Canadiens greater playoff success (Montreal always had better depth and shorter shifts).

The ‘Hawks also seemed to graduate more college players than anyone, but it turned out a gigantic number of Saskatoon Blades (Chicago’s western sponsorship team) went to the University of Denver Pioneers: Gerry Pinder, Keith Magnuson, Bobby Schmautz, Cliff Koroll and others.

I’ve always looked forward to Chicago’s appearances, such unique talents from Stan Mikita through Teuvo Teravainen. It’ll be fun tonight!

LAST NIGHT

I’m not going to do the numbers, they’re as messy as the game. NST has everything, including several line combinations.

The keys to last night’s game included a performance from Mike Smith that wasn’t inspiring, partly because he looks less than 100 percent. On one sequence he struggled to get up from a prone position (the puck wasn’t close to the net, thankfully) several times before getting his balance. It was an unusual sequence, and my first thought was he might be trying to play through something more than rust.

I mentioned Stuart Skinner being in an excellent situation right now, and my goodness it’s here, tonight. That’s really what I want to talk about today.

Skinner will have to be brilliant in front of what last night looked like a truly pitiful defense, and with a forward group who seem to like finding new dangerous places to turn the puck over to add to the degree of difficulty.

All of that said, young Skinner will never, not in his life, have a better chance to move up the depth chart like a rocket. If he posts a .915 or better save percentage tonight, and the Oilers win, he’ll get the Islanders start, too.

Oilers general manager Ken Holland has gifted Skinner this opportunity via his belief that Smith could find a way to turn back time (insert Cher earworm), and Mikko Koskinen’s untimely positive Covid-19 test.

He posted a .938 save percentage on the weekend for the Bakersfield Condors. In the NHL, Skinner’s 45.5 percent quality starts percentage is better than Koskinen (40) and Smith (29).

Skinner’s .908 save percentage is stronger than Koskinen (.900) and Smith (.893). His even-strength save percentage (.915) is also the best on the team.

At this point, it doesn’t matter if Stuart Skinner is the long-term answer, he’s the answer now.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, we hit the road with the Lowdown, TSN1260. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will dissect the loss to VGK last night, and we’ll preview tonight’s game against the ‘Hawks. Crossfire! will follow, Hernan will bring real fire and we’ll hammer each other with acidic, angry questions for the entire segment! Joe Osborne from Odds Shark will pop by at 11 to talk Super Bowl and NBA trade deadline, and your comments are welcome at 10-1260, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!

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AMD

What’s up with McDavid? Something is wrong

Jason Kaye

my NHL app was reset or something and I thought that was an 8 start not an 8 eastern start last night so before I even knew the game was on I was getting alerts on my watch that the Blackhawks were filling the net. So I didn’t turn the thing on at all and actually had a fairly enjoyable evening. I’ve decided to set my NHL app time to eastern from now on.

GordieHoweHatTrick

Tippett needs to go. He is letting his friends and the stars run this team, while blending lines to no end and icing a team with no clear defensive structure. He clearly doesn’t have much of a clue of what to do.

No point in rushing this move now though, the team is no threat to go deep in the playoffs and is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. He should have been let go during their pause in play in January so a new coach could have some time to work with the team. So for now, take some time to look for the right coach. And if the team misses the playoffs, fire the executive and let the new executive find the next coach.

Cassandra

I didn’t watch the game, and now I come to find out that Tippett started Smith?

Everyone knows that Tippett loves Smith beyond all bounds, but that is truly shocking.

Tippett should be fired into the sun. There is no longer any doubt, he is the worst coach in the NHL.

JimmyV1965

i have no issue with changing the coach, but I really doubt it does anything. This team recycles coaches like I do empty beer cans. Holland will hire Tmac 2.0 or Tippet 2.0. Nothing changes.

DevilsLettuce

Tipps and company didn’t want to deal with the blow back from Smith if they didn’t start him.

Tipps says this loss isn’t on Smith who sported a 0.867%, I mean he’s right. It’s on the coach who started a senior citizen in net for 2 straight games of back to back hockey as he attempts to come back from injury that has kept him out for the season pretty much.

They’re afraid of Smith’s blow back? I mean he did piece up Talbot but the Fans will fire the mall! Tipps ready for some real blow back?

Tipps team has scored 1st in the last 34 games, 18% if we are generous and round up. This is pathetic coach.

Bulging Twine

Well, time for a new coach, imo.
He’s out of answers – listening to his press conferences. What he’s saying hasn’t been working.
A new coach in an attempt to save this season. It’s happened before.

Ice Sage

Another night watching HBO with the missus to purposefully avoid this tragedy. Good choice! Checked the score, won’t even dial up the ‘hilights’

Time to do a review of 97’s swoon – he is likely hiding an injury – and put the season on ice.
Even the early bets – Puljujarvi, Bouchard, Hyman, Skinner – are dropping below mediocrity, but that’s what happens when you know you’re gonna get beaten every night. When the coach, the system, the GM and owner don’t have your back.

This is/was the best core in this town since the early 90’s – such an incredible degree of ineptitude to piss it away. As our blogmeister posted elsewhere – if management had simply NOT made any trades, the Oilers would be better.

And maybe it’s Edmonton? The ‘arctic outpost’, faded glory, media circus, Pronger’s shadow, recent laughing-stock status

edoil1

The way I see it is this season between Covid, non stop injuries was hard enough to deal with.So why does the Management and Coach keep adding self inflicted wounds?Tonight tops it all,GM does not get a goalie and coach defies logic and overplays an injured one.This is a professional league, these decisions are not professional.

Harpers Hair

6-0 Flames to now lead the Pacific in points percentage.

Scungilli Slushy

I await their impending failure

Scungilli Slushy

The irony is that the dinosaur of the league dwells in the primordial stew that spawned hockey stats and is a very large part Oiler fans

Other poor teams have crazy up top

The Oilers have out of it, musty and dusty

OriginalPouzar

McDavid at 1.15 P/60 in 12 games in 2022 – something is wrong.

Harpers Hair

Have you considered the possibility the league has figured him out and adjusted?

Winnipeg and Montreal did it in the playoffs.

OriginalPouzar

No, I have’t considered the fact that the league has adjusted to McDavid and he’s now a replacement level point producer.

You mean the two playoff series where McDavid is at 2.62 P/60 over the 8 games.

Good Grief!

leadfarmer

That’s just plain dumb.
he’s injured and very clearly is just playing through it

Harpers Hair

That’s just plain dumb.

Why would the team risk that?

Scungilli Slushy

He doesn’t have the right support on the ice and is trying to play a system that doesn’t work

Playing him hurt is beyond dumb in a lost season

BornInAGretzkyJersey

You must be new here.

Material Elvis

When did the Oilers play Montreal in the playoffs during the McDavid years??

JimmyV1965

words escape why anyone would even resound to this

verite

What is wrong is that none of his wingers but Draisatl can shoot

OriginalPouzar

Kane can’t shoot?

All of a sudden these wingers have turned him in to a replacement level scorer?

Come on.

Scungilli Slushy

Kane isn’t doing much yet

Solly

In his entire tenure as our head coach, Tippet hasn’t managed to create one single line. Think about that. Two of the top 5 players in the game…who are centers…and Tip still hasn’t created one scoring line.
We win…he goes to the blender.
We lose…he goes to the blender.

No chemistry, no soul, no identity.

Year 7 of McD and we might not make playoffs? Kill me now.

Scungilli Slushy

The blender is off the Babs McLelland tree with dead roots

The idea being it forces them to play the system

The problem being if nobody can ever play it how frothy can you make things and have something palatable?

Reja

Call up Holloway and lower stone hands Yamamoto in the batting order. This isn’t rocket science Yamamoto is not a everyday top 6.

dunterpunter

:). We have the new age messier and gretz and we can’t make the playoffs! ahh shat. Its pretty funny tho

Sierra

I can’t see how Tippett remains the head coach.

Yukon Jerk

Hmm is this post from Jan 9th?
Seems familiar

Sierra

For sure, but we don’t have a time machine. So, as of right now….

Scungilli Slushy

Too late, counterproductive at this point

Berube was around Christmas, enough time for him and GM

They might scrape in but are going nowhere this time

Shamus23

In these 2 games the D has been just awful, except for Ceci. Brutal

Bank Shot

This team should be playing full on trap hockey.

They have weak goaltending and a mostly immobile D-core. Instead of pushing for the first goal and giving up odd man rushes they should just be trapping the hell out of the opponent and getting those odd man rushes themselves.

They just can’t play an up tempo attacking game with enough maturity.

LMHF#1

This all started when Tippett tried to tighten them up. He messed with what was working in terms of strategy and the team’s screwed because of it.

Trapping won’t work worth a damn. Get back to aggressive hockey, attacking the middle, and executing.

That’s not even getting into how badly they’ve botched up a generational power play that should be the best that’s ever done it.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I couldn’t agree more.

You don’t build an up tempo, offensively oriented team only to have them play trap hockey.

That’s like trying to use a shotgun for under water welding.

rich tm

I don’t know that the answer is full on trap hockey, but the team is giving up a lot of grade A scoring chances that other teams are cashing on. With suspect goaltending, you need to cut down on these, but it seems like this message is lost on these players. I really have to start wondering if they’ve tuned the coach out.

Sierra

They don’t have the D to play the trap system.

Material Elvis

I don’t know if I would call it trap hockey, but for the love of all things dear, I just want the defensemen to play defense and stop pinching — it is one of the dumbest plays in hockey.

Munny 2.0

Absolutely brutal.

Worst I’ve ever seen them play. And that’s not these guys. I’ve seen all these guys play better. Even for this coach. Even this year.

Shamus23

That look on McD’s face on the bench at games end says it all. This team is downright defeated. Not sure what happens next. Something must happen now. That something would or should be the coach, but the BS will continue from him and Holland if he even speaks he speaks.
A shake up is needed now. Not sure we see it. But this is an easy one. Holland is digging his own grave if we miss the playoffs, so if he wants to stick with Dave, then it is his funeral

Scungilli Slushy

McDrai are supposed to be the leaders

Being pouty and ‘super frustrated’ aren’t that

Scungilli Slushy

Especially with how they have been playing

verite

They are the only two beyond criticism
They are playing with garbage

OriginalPouzar

They are certainly not beyond critisim.

Scungilli Slushy

And are certainly not playing with garbage

Shamus23

Pretty sure it wears you down quite badly when your goalies let in stinkers way too many times way too early and you instantly are fighting from behind , especially the ones the first few shots in. Pretty much deflates the team. Both Drai and McD play their guts out on most nights. McD looks hurt. He has not had that normal boost for a long time, and it shows in his point production. Guys are definitely hitting him a lot more and interfering with him as well. Drai just looks tired on most nights. I think these guys are just played way too much and it is wearing on them.
This team is in major need of a really reliable goalie. It would help. That is on Holland and not McD and Drai, so he really hasn’t helped them at all . The D is ? And in general we are not a hard and tougher type team to play against. You beat down on McD and Drai and you beat us.
sucks.

Crazy Pedestrian

First question for the coach post-game:

“What in Gods name possessed you to think that playing Smith on the 2nd game of a b2b was a good idea after he played like garbage? Especially seeing as it was obvious he was playing under some discomfort?”

Follow up question from different person after 1st one gets kicked out:

”Hey Tippett, why haven’t you been fired yet?”

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

Really like the way you think.

Material Elvis

They need a goalie but they really need a new voice. I’ve been hesitant to call for a coaching change but now they look lost again.

Munny 2.0

You may have nailed it there.

My question is, why have all the coaches this team has been through failed. Always, all of them.

Can anyone coach this lot?

The only thing is… they really do look like they need a new voice, even just for the sake of change. When you’ve completely lost your mojo, sometimes all you need is a material change to believe in a different future.

On the other hand, Kane was supposed to be that positive change and it’s not doing shit now.

Sierra

Can anyone coach this lot?

And yet the “lot” has also changed so who specifically are you referring to?

Munny 2.0

The core and other draftees. The fans and the environment have also remained the same. It’s not an easy place to play, especially for young players.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Blaming the fans for wanting a winner competitive hockey club is a bit rich, non?

A lot of these guys are WJC level players, it’s not like they’re unfamiliar with playing under heavy expectations.

Comes with the territory.

LMHF#1

Todd and Tippett were both bad choices who’d never won anything.

This team hasn’t made a positive coaching choice in a very VERY long time.

You’re looking in the wrong direction – it’s upward not downward.

Scungilli Slushy

This

Fresh this thing up

Smells like mothballs and brut 33 up in here

Munny 2.0

Oh I think there’s plenty of blame all around. My point is coaching isn’t really all that hard and not all that different from team-to-team. Players largely know what they’re supposed to do.

For eg, look at the lack of a third forward high in the zone over the past two games. Forwards know there’s always supposed to be one going there, with each one reacting as the puck is moved around the zone. They know this and yet did not do it with any sort of consistency the past 120 minutes.

Is that coaching? I guarantee they know it.

When they miss open chances, ringing iron like it’s a wedding bell… is that on the coaches. The fragility?

Is the lack of goaltending on the coaches? Yes, tonight it was, but he also started the guy the GM gave him as a starter.

Every fan can see the mistakes. The coaches can see them too. They’re not abject idiots. But they keep getting made. The same mistakes.

LMHF#1

Assuming they’re not absurdly stubborn and therefore idiots isn’t something I’d grant.

This coach just started a broken man with no NHL future in net when he has a perfectly capable and healthy option – because he’s that effing stubborn about “his guy”.

I would argue very strongly this coach has put his whole squad in a position to fail. I would argue he has not adapted in any way. I would argue he has no clue how to use two utter superstars.

You’re right that the players know what to do – the fact that they’re clearly not doing it would be a sign of issues there if there were complete lack of effort. There isn’t.

This squad completely uncoached would be better than it is right now. That’s how far off things are.

This guy should have been done as soon as they went on the 3-gamer. It had been coming in some weak wins before the losses. He had ZERO answer. He still has ZERO answer.

Get someone in here who knows this team will win when it scores goals – and knows how to help let them do that. And gets them some damn arrogance back. We’d waiting so effing long for that…

Munny 2.0

What does the coach being stubborn have to do with the lack of a third forward high, something all forwards are coached to do?

You’re engaging in whataboutism there, avoiding my argument completely. And as usual you’re using an Oiler loss to push your pet theory of fire-wagon hockey.

And despite my disagreement with Tipp’s choice of goalie tonight, Smith was not the reason they lost tonight’s game.

The loss had far more to do with the players cheating for offense, than goaltending tonight. Something you want more of. I do not. I want intelligent puck management, hard forecheck, strong positioning and support… those types of things. Sorry, Hemsky Fan, I’ve known for a long time that we do not view the modern game the same way.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Scungilli Slushy

How many players can they change?

What about they are better elsewhere and tank on the Oilers?

The last decent coach was Mac T ( at least long term) and he had enough issues

The last decent GM other than a burst from Lowe was Slats

But Mac Ts strategy worked and his team was at least the sum of its parts

Been a long time

Its past players at this point, Burgers said the water but he doesn’t see where the source of the contamination is

Munny 2.0

The fact that it is easier to change the coach than the roster is why it should be and will be considered.

Scungilli Slushy

All coaches at this level have x and o’s

Some are wrong about tactics

The difference is soft skills

The group is clearly not being lead well, and I would argue haven’t been in years

Evidenced by attempts to parachute leadership in

You have to teach and develop it

Paratroopers have a low survival rate

Munny 2.0

lol that last line is classic by the way. Made me smile

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Scungilli Slushy

Heh heh thanks

jtblack

Can’t wait to read tomorrow’s comments 😎

This is why Tippett had to go in December.

Team is a lost boat at sea ….drifting to the NO PLAYOFF shore ….

Shamus23

The presser’s will be a dandy tonight

JOFA

Solid effort😉

#herecometheoilers

Material Elvis

The vaunted Golden Knights are getting their asses spanked in Calgary. They have 4 shots at the halfway mark. Sigh.

Crazy Pedestrian

Yeah, we obviously softened them up for Calgary to feast upon them.

I do wonder if the stories would have flipped had Calgary played them first.
….who am I kidding, This is the oilers we’re talking about. 🤪

Last edited 2 years ago by Crazy Pedestrian
nelson88

Nice to see Kane with some pushback at the end. I’m out until they fire Tippett. That was just a joke tonight. Best to you all.

Go Oilers

Scungilli Slushy

I’d take Holland first it’ll help more

Pretendergast

I think Tipp gets canned tonight. I bet one shiny nickel.

SKOilerFan

Ha, I thought he was done 3 weeks ago

Munny 2.0

If he’s not, he won’t have many game minutes left to right the ship.

tileguy

Outscored 8-1, is it the offence or defence?

Durag

Yes.

SKOilerFan

C all of the above

Last edited 2 years ago by SKOilerFan
Kurri17

I hate cheering for a team that is stocked full of clowns in management, POHO, and coaching. Time to get with the modern age, embrace analytics, and burn the Guide and Record book. Enough with the “big name” dinosaurs. This team needs astute, evidence-based, ahead of the curve thinking, not management that is chasing what worked 15 years ago.

I love the Oilers, have watched them loyally since the late 80s. But this is enough, every year for the past 10 years feels like a broken record on repeat. We have arguably the two best players in the game, yet are looking at missing the playoffs while playing in the WEAKEST division in hockey. PATHETIC!! How can you not build even a decent team around these two?

It is beyond time to fire Tippett, Holland, and Nicholson. They continue to squander the careers of our top players and refuse to reward the loyalty of their devoted fanbase who have stuck with this team for year after year. Cut the crap, Holland. Smith is done. Koskinen is a career backup. Defence is soft as butter. There is no apparent coaching strategy beyond playing McDrai 25 minutes.

Holland, we needed a goalie two years ago, and you failed to deliver. You can’t make a good trade to save your life, you destroyed our cap space, spend picks like drunken sailor on duds, and you refuse to fire your coach when its the obvious way forward. So hit the road, Ken. Oilers management doesn’t deserve its fans.

Admiral Ackbar

Your last line breaks my heart. Because it’s true.

verite

Right , but this only changes once Holland is fired

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Well, that’s a bullshit penalty.

Fleury wasn’t even involved in the play, he should have been the one to have received the call.

Scungilli Slushy

Fleury just plain out stole that one

ha ha

flyfish1168

No way should smith start with season stats and a 2 game losing streak on Friday.

Oil2Oilers

shouldn’t/will

godot10

So instead of properly scheduling a start for Skinner on a back-to-back, one is forced to start him in a do-or-die type of game

Why did the Oilers even call him up? Skinner could have played this weekend in Bakersfield and met the team in San Jose and LA?

I expect Smith starts on Friday, and Skinner will have sat for over a week by the time he plays next week in California.

This is BS management of goaltenders by Tippett, just as bad as McLellan.

SKOilerFan

It doesn’t make any sense. Smith is just getting back from injury, was far from good then hobbled off the ice last night.
Skinner came off a great weekend and rides pine.
I recall in Mclellend’s last few weeks behind the bench he started making decisions like he was mocking management and wanted to be let go

Munny 2.0

Starting Smith today is perhaps the most egregious mistake Tippett has ever made. I don’t expect perfection from anyone, but that’s a bad one… at a crucial time with big stakes on the table.

There will be some very difficult conversations occurring as we post here. Maybe through the night.

KnightRain

We had momentum coming out of the break. A crap call and pp goal against totally deflated us. We are so fragile right now. Really starting to get on board the “fire Tippet” bandwagon. This team has no idea how to play a complete 60 mins. After a certain point, that’s on the coach.

Crazy Pedestrian

Every teams game plan against the oilers:

1- score first (80% chance of happening)
2- hard fore-check, play trap.
3- let oilers beat themselves, score on defensive breakdowns

eazy-peazy, lemon squeezy

Munny 2.0

There is no doubt the book on the Oilers is be patient and wait for the mistakes.

Boil-in-the-Oil

That predictability is a fatal flaw. Coach doesn’t see it. Keeps doing the same things over and over, seemingly unable to make changes or find any kind of creativity.

FIRE THE COACH. Fly in Woodcroft.

Sierra

Just so we are clear, every teams” game play for every single game is to score first.

SKOilerFan

Look at the damn forwards 3 zones away from the D wen they are trying to exit the zone. Zero puck support.
I still can’t believe this is a Tippett coached team.

Snellbert

I have no idea the breakout system that Tippett has them playing. When watching on TV, you literally see the dman’s feet stop moving as they coast and look for an outlet. There is nothing nor a forward in the picture. My only explanation is that this is a result of allowing the 2-0 lead and the other team trapping. Tippett does not adjust.

SKOilerFan

Even if they make the 100 ft pass that forward is being baited for an easy check and you have no hope of the D supporting the rush since they are so far away.
You can try this a few times a game just to give the opposition something else to think about, but not all damn game!

Sierra

^^^ this.

too much focus on the glory of scoring, of scoring races.

LMHF#1

At least Kane is making someone pay with bruises.

More than the rest of them are doing.

Munny 2.0

So much emotion. /sarc

They must enjoy being made other teams’ bitches.

Munny 2.0

At least Kane has a little hate for losing.

Scungilli Slushy

Leave Tipp

It’s too late to make a difference

Don’t renew, and by all that is good hockey may Katz go that was messed up, again

Nicholson elsewhere, Holland grandpa POHO

A progressive deal making and contract savvy GM

A progressive energetic coach that can bring the head strong on board and build a team that can onboard a new player or two without total team disruption

Sierra

Why is this receiving negative votes?

McSorley33

Same crew that will put a positive spin on losing to Chicago with no Captain.

Some have become addicted to moral victories

Scungilli Slushy

Ya!

DevilsLettuce

Another game lost within 3 minutes of it starting, turning games off with McDavid playing is shocking to me. Decade of Darkness: The Comeback.

Scungilli Slushy

Drai is regressing towards his pay as well

Maybe it’s a protest

tileguy

“Oilers got to get going now, down 3 with 4 and a half to go” come on Jack, do you really think they have a chance?

verite

Can we fire Holland and Tippett in the next hour?
and trade Nurse asap, the worst waste of $9 million dollars ever
and put Smith on waivers

as bad as Koskinen

who argue with this?

StixMalone

Two games and only 1 goal scored and 8 allowed. Who would’ve thought that with all the fire power. Is something wrong???

GarbanzoHumanBean

Update

Harper’s Hair
Interesting situation, Calgary currently leads Vegas 3-0 in the 1st.

verite

Coaching and goaltending

flyfish1168

wish our 5×5 play was as good

Harpers Hair

Yep…playing for top spot in the Pacific.

Gaudreau on fire.

SKOilerFan

So easy to get to the Oilers net. Like right in Smith’s face and the guy can just stand there wack away then skate away untouched.
This D is so soft

Bulging Twine

truth

Munny 2.0

Going to lose yet again to another team that checks harder and plays tighter than our guys.

Reja

Someone needs to tell the Oilers that there not playing no touch hockey this is embarrassing. Fire Tippett tonight!!!! We still have time.

SKOilerFan

Nurse urgency level has been lacking. Just stood there with a guy in the crease. Didn’t even get a stick on him. Full value for his -2

Reja

Did you see Yamamoto it’s like playing against a 14 year-old boy.

Scungilli Slushy

But he tries

verite

Nurse is beyond lousy
has been for a long time
Not worth what he is paid now let alone $9 million

SKOilerFan

Looks like he’s settled into the cruise portion of his contract. His game is no where close to where it was in his contract year

flyfish1168

Skinner better start friday

Munny 2.0

like all five skaters were doing their best pylon imitation

Scungilli Slushy

Maybe it was Python

thelongdark

Embarrassing.

LMHF#1

Fire Mike Smith, Dave Tippett and Ken Holland into the sun.

WTAF is this crap?!?

DevilsLettuce

Tipps going with Smith for no pucking good reason.

Oil2Oilers

Dach is one hell of an NHL player.

LMHF#1

He’s been from the word go. Chicago sure gets some strong forward talent in their system with regularity.

Reja

We have Holloway in Bakersfield if called up would be our 3rd best forward and he actually goes to the net.

Munny 2.0

Fuckin A. 4-1