Edmonton Oilers fans are hopeful the coaching change will give the team a Filthy Bruce bounce, and many are thinking the prospects from Bakersfield will fly up on one airplane. That’s not a winning formula. New coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant Dave Manson need to get acclimated and find out about the roster players before making any moves. Once established, what might we see?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Connor McDavid’s remains a transcendent talent. Here’s why.
- New DNB: Jay Woodcroft’s ascension to Oilers head coach is more than a dream come true: ‘Winning is a skill’
- Lowetide: Dylan Holloway’s first games in Bakersfield and what it could mean for his NHL ETA
- DNB: Six signs of positive change surface for the Oilers in Jay Woodcroft’s victorious coaching debut
- Lowetide: 7 Oilers players poised to benefit most from Jay Woodcroft becoming head coach
- DNB: Oilers coaching change clears the way: Ken Holland’s roster construction will now have to stand up to scrutiny
- Lowetide: Oilers pro forward depth chart about to get overhauled
- DNB: Three Oilers questions that will define stretch run
- Lowetide: Hard-target search to address Oilers roster needs before trade deadline
- Lowetide: Four RH defence prospects looking to impress while pushing for the NHL.
- DNB: Why Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault is ‘a player that everybody wants to play with’
- Lowetide: Oilers’ bizarre January ended on a high note
- DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman is compelled to speak up about antisemitism when he sees it
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ choice to take Kailer Yamamoto in 2017 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: Why prospects stall in the AHL
- Lowetide: Grading the first 3 years of Ken Holland’s Oilers trades
- DNB: Adam Cracknell is now a Canadian Olympian.
- DNB: Dylan Holloway resumes road to Oilers after frustrating injury interruption
- New DNB: Oilers’ flaws can’t be ignored as losing skid goes from bad to worse
- Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers win a trade in the Connor McDavid era?
- DNB: ‘We’re finding ways to lose’
- Lowetide: Midseason review of Oilers reasonable predictions for 2021-22
- Lowetide: What to expect from Dylan Holloway in Bakersfield and Edmonton this season
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
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 1-2-0)
- 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 February results: 2-2-0, 4 points in 4 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 24-18-3, 51 points in 45 games
Edmonton is on track with my predicted start to February for the Tippett Oilers, but this is a new ballgame. I don’t think these are especially reliable, history tells us a bounce or elevator shaft is as likely as win one, lose one. The trip to Florida and Carolina at the end of the month may be painful. Can the Oilers get 8 more points out of this month?
LINES AND PAIRINGS TONIGHT (PROJECTED)
- Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi. 221 minutes, 54% shots, 56% goals
- Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto. 26 minutes, 57% shots, 0-1 goals
- Foegele-Nuge-Derek Ryan: 10 minutes, 44% shots, 0-0 goals
- Benson-McLeod-Perlini/Shore: 0 minutes
- Nurse-Bouchard: 497 minutes, 55% shots, 42% goals
- Lagesson-Ceci: 36 minutes, 45% shots, 0-2 goals
- Niemelainen-Barrie: 62 minutes, 32% shots, 0-1 goals
The Oilers want to solve problems with internal solutions because the money ran out, so the solutions to the Derek Ryan on No. 3 RW issue are (in order) Zack Kassian and Kailer Yamamoto (if Dylan Holloway is a successful recall and they move Hyman to RW). A real long shot is Raphael Lavoie being recalled but I could see Holland bringing in an inexpensive Tyler Ennis or Daniel Sprong.
On left defense, the things I value (Puck IQ and Corsi Rel) like Ryan Graves of the NJ Devils, although he has an extra year so that’s a no go. Carson Soucy of the Seattle Kraken would also be a solid option. I think Markus Niemelainen may have this job won by the end of the season, but we’ll see. Luke Schenn of the Vancouver Canucks is the only player who is RH I can see being available and not costing the moon. I don’t know if that’s an upgrade.
There are lots of players like Henri Jokiharju, who have a strong Rel but have uneven or poor performances versus elites (via Puck IQ). My guy has always been Radko Gudas, but he’s hammering wingers senseless in Sunrise and loving every minute of it.
A good RH option? I think Holland is going to have to live with Tyson Barrie until summer. It is interesting that Woodcroft, who dressed extra defensemen when Evan Bouchard arrived in Bakersfield for a playoff spring, ran him alongside Darnell Nurse Friday night and had him doing the same at practice on the weekend. Holland needs to find a Jason Smith or a Steve Staios. Schnell. I can’t see him. I bet the Puck IQ brain trust can. Ken Holland should hirethemall.
Wheeler has the goods and the mid-season rankings are the first really solid look at what the first round could look like. Early favourite for Oilers pick (at No. 15): Connor Geekie.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we’ll drive the show into the week with fervor, TSN1260. We’ll chat Super Bowl, Olympics, CFL free agency and Jason Gregor will pop in at 11 to chat Oilers road trip and various other item. We’re working on guests, Sal vs. Al (Crossfire!!, the spitty version like Robert Novak did) in hour one. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Looks like Skinner has been drinking his Jordan Binnington juice.
Stat of the night candidate = TOI?
Nurse: 23:11
Drai: 21:58
Benson:7:58
everyone else between 11 & 20.
Vegas: 48gp 28-17-3 59pts
Edmonton: 46gp 25-18-3 53pts
So. Edmonton has a perfectly reasonable chance of going 2-0 vs LA and Anaheim, which brings them to 48gp 27-18-3 57pts. Thats two measly points off the pace of the division lead with nearly half a season remaining. Amazing how a combination of the Oilers’ lightning start, the slump taking place largely out of division, and that division not being particularly on fire on its own… has left the Oilers in the fight for the division and masters of their own playoff destiny.
I think you were asking about the jerseys earlier. Apologies, I was just referring to a portion of the commentariat that holds that the blues are the good luck jersey at home. Blog choice.
Gotcha, the typo from blog > bloq had me turned right around.
lol, yeah, typos are what I do.
Benson and Skinner go back to Bantam AAA together
My friend went to Mt.Carmel school with them (much younger than the two however).
He said Skinner had the mustache back in Jr. High and Benson (pre-injury) was the best hockey player he had ever seen in-person.
Also said that they were both great guys!
What an enjoyable game to watch. Loved the defensive pressure up the middle … I thought I was watching a VGK game. More please.
The forwards did a great job in the neutral zone bottling up SJ. Also our D are doing a much better job at holding the blue line … can see Manson’s influence already. Overall, the team play is much more disciplined … only a couple of times tonight where the team defensive structure broke down … and Skinner was ready each time.
Skinner deserves to stay in the NHL. He’s better than Koskinen. Let him spend the last half of the season learning under Smith.
Solid game. Need to work on the start but the rest was very good. Skinner was good when he had to be. D men were playing smarter and forwards were coming back. Niems isn’t going anywhere, ppl. Bro needs more time but 7 d suit him. Hoping Benson gets a goal. Seemed Woody thought the same and gave him some good minutes late.
Really liking this “Team” effort the last two. Let’s keep this thing rolling!
Going to be interesting as Mikko will be eligible for Thursday and will need to be activated….
and I was just starting to feel good about things.
Woody knew Skinner was 6-2 in the Shark Tank and gave his boy the start. If I watched as much AHL hockey as other folks I would have probably known that.
Are you going to answer the question? It would be nice to know which viewings of Holloway you are referencing?
His games at the World Juniors can be your answer if true.
Time to make a difficult decision and send Mikko to the minors. Smith is the starter and Woody trusts Skinner. Plus Skinner has better numbers than the other two.
Finally a game Darryl Sutter could be proud of. Been a long time since we’ve seen the Oilers play this game. I’ve been bitching abut it all year. About time.
If Woodcroft knows how to push this button, this team will go a long ways.
If I was an NHL player, I would want Jay Woodcroft as my coach. He’s smart, tactically-sound, *never* throws his players under the bus or loses his composure — a true leader. Manson is also an upgrade on Playfair. Working 7 defenseman seamlessly has been nothing short of brilliant. The fact that four(!!) of them are basically rookies is mind-boggling.
Attaboy Skinner Woody has your back who could of seen that coming.
Last game: Woodcroft’s 1st W.
Tonight: Skinner’s 1st shutout.
First ever NHL shutout for the Principal
That’s a big win
On to LA with a confident group and a rested Smith
And if I heard correctly, the Kings haven’t played in 13 days
That is correct: similar to the Sharks today – this was their first game in a few weeks.
says OP, doing his best impersonation of someone we all know. Tell it op. Tell it.
Skinner Shutout!
41-14 shots after the 0-6 start. Impressive effort tonight.
O thank heaven for Jay’s 7-11
Skinner made some tough saves and more importantly didn’t give up the first goal.
Holland is an abstract genius. Why is he not being extended right now? Before this game is over, there’s still time…
it is before 10pm on the West Coast….
right down to resting Smith for half the season so he’ll be fresh for the playoffs, sheer genius…
I damn near pissed my pants before seeing it’s verlefte. My goodness that was good. Thank you!
To whoever made this account….well done.
Agreed
Broberg caught flat-footed.
Pujo gotta make sure when the whole top half of the net is wide open
How the hell is that not interference on Meier?
Because Oilers
In my (admittedly not as high level) experience, two players looking at each other, or even with the assumption that they see each other coming, it’s not really an interference call unless one player gets caught in a vulnerable spot. Foegele’s gloves were in the face, and Meier sold it well
How is that even a penalty? Roughing? He was the one getting hit?
Getting hit without touching the puck. I guess you can do that now.
Game management…..
Fine line here between really skalling back Nurse’s minutes and giving the Lagesson/Niemelainen/Broberg a bit more and realizing that Skinner is doing what he’s doing.
With a game tomorrow night after travel…..
Barrie sure has trouble with outside speed. Leads to a grade A slot chance.
Larsson did last year too. It’s a bad sign.
Puljujarvi is abject failure: abject!
Another HDSC given up there
Would like to see Benson (and Yamamoto) with some offensive production this period – come on Tyler!
Ryan takes a spin on the first line after Yams fills in with the 4th, and 97 is still all whirling dervish leading to another glorious chance
I much prefer the shot clock tonight than the night San Jose shot the lights out against an amazing Scrivens performance.
Random note:
After dropping off about 600 lp’s at thrift store (culled from last collection of ablut 1500 Id picked up ovwr a year ago) and then foolishly going to friend’s mother’s place and deciding to buy her deceased boyfriend’s 750 or so records…I actually feel in my mid 40’s for the first time tonight.
Passed out for basically all that 2nd period and woke up wishing game wasn’t on so lake and thinking I shoukd get an ice pack for my lower back lol.
I feel ya. I’m barely hanging on, here, too. lol
Reimer makes two big saves and then lets that in, lol
Whoever was asking for some killer instinct – McDavid delivers.
McDavid scores. He was absolutely relentless on that shift. Wow!!
they have to call that stick hold on 97. Doesnt matter, the shooting gallery ends with Connor finishing the asskicking
Oilers are only beginning.
BOOM!!! McD with the dagger!!!
All those ridiculous chances in close and the goal that goes in is a ticky off-pacer by McDavid…..
Yea Baby!!!!!
McDavid with the insurance goal…woot!
Jack saying they are giving goal #2 to Nurse from Nuge
I thought I had seen everything with this club. Since halfway through the first ( 1.5 periods) we are outshooting them 25-5. Holy Hanna.
After Two:
2-0 Edmonton
25-12 Edmonton shots (14-2 Edmonton in the second)
30-13 Edmonton Corsi five-on-five (12-2 Edmonton in the second)
==
Just 12 shots for Skinner, but six have been judged as HDSC by NST. I think he’s played well in an inactive game.
McDavid is flying tonight, the pairings seem to be taking shape. The PP is rude but the team looks confident.
I hate a rude pp, manors people!
14 shots but only 12 Corskis?. Sumthin wrong there…
And wow, if that’s only 2 shot attempts allowed in the period. Although we did have a ton of pp.
Shots are total and Corsi is 5 on 5 (I think).
yep you’re right, my bad
Solid if unspectacular period.
If we’re ever gonna be a top team we gotta develop a killer instinct. That should be the focus of the third. Come out hard and put this thing away.
I swear, if they come out playing not to lose in the third, I’ll lose my shit…
When was the last time we saw the Oil hold the opposition to two shots in a period?
Third period of Game 7 in 1987?
Any other Sportsnet Now users on the site? My feed went black with about 3 min left in the 2nd and has not returned. 630 ched for me!
Same.
oh you’re watching ? any comments to make ? probably not since Oilers are winning :)…
Mine too
Mine too. Switched from SN Now to SN West and it’s working.
Thank you – working for me on the SNW channel as well.
Nice effort thru 2
A 3rd goal by the good guys wouldn’t suck
This is simpler hockey at the end of the period than we saw from Tippett’s teams
Right from Nurse backing off the zone all the way to behind his own net there was a kill the clock mentality to the shifts. Puck and clock management we haven’t seen since last season.
I don’t think that call is all that weak, but I do like Louie becoming a little bit more of a homer.
The interference call on Hyman? I thought it was chintzy. He wasn’t even looking at Cogliano so did not intend to throw a pick. Guilty of not trying to get out of Cogliano’s way, perhaps, but not a penalty imo.
Defending player would have the right-of-way on the ice, it’s one of those calls that gets made almost all the time.
Wow talk about a wasted opportunity. Our PP looking poor tonight.
Teams have figured out the PP over the last 25 games.
I hope that Woodcroft makes some changes. Maybe split up 97 & 29 and try running with 2 units. Give a few different looks and don’t be so predictable. I see lots of flying around the O-zone, but not too much puck control. Simplify things a little. Stop trying low % passes through 2 defenders and get more shots through to the net with traffic in front.
Man.
l love it when the penalties are so obvious. You get to hear the reluctance in the refs voice. lol
I can’t recall the last time I saw the double minor on the same guy (2 different penalties)
Virtanen at the world juniors.
Gotta score here