The Edmonton Oilers won the Saturday game in Sunrise, but the only statement made came from giant Finnish goaltender Mikko Koskinen. Using baseball parlance, he ‘announced his presence with authority’ to a team badly in need of top-notching goaltending.
Koskinen’s best game in Edmonton allows the organization to breathe a little and contemplate the next step. Mike Smith may get the start today, and if he does the pressure will clearly be on him. Koskinen’s work in the net recently, and Stuart Skinner’s strong work in Edmonton and Bakersfield, may force the issue in net for general manager Ken Holland.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Positive early returns on Oilers’ 2021 draft class, but there are miles to go
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers’ quiet man, is making loud noises on a new line
- Jonathan Willis: Salary cap limits Oilers’ options, no excuse not to look for a goalie today
- DNB: Mike Smith keeps showing he’s not the Oilers’ answer in net.
- Lowetide: 3 trade targets that could help Oilers this season and beyond
- DNB: Oilers trade deadline expectations? Mailbag
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s new role with Oilers and the promising early results
- Jonathan Willis: With easy upgrades done, hard work remains for Oilers as trade deadline nears
- DNB: Oilers setting their sights on challenging trip ahead
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Raphael Lavoie has turned the corner as an NHL prospect
- Lowetide: The furious race to land Oilers’ open job on left defence
- DNB: Derek Ryan flourishing under new Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft
- DNB: Oilers picking Philip Broberg over Trevor Zegras is still debated.
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s remains a transcendent talent. Here’s why.
- 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 2-0-0)
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 0-2-1) (Actual 1-1-0)
- Overall expected result: 6-4-2, 14 points in 12 games
- Actual February results: 7-4-0, 14 points in 11 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 29-20-3, 61 points in 52 games
Edmonton is on pace for 96 points, that’s the playoffs and should be good enough for top-three in the Pacific Division but that answer is miles ahead. This month has been a mighty long way down rock and roll, through the Bradford cities and to Oriole. You could write a book.
GOALTENDER
Mikko Koskinen stopped 44 of 47, .936 save percentage, and his total for the year spiked all the way to .901 (.899 going in). His won-loss is 18-8-2 and that’s a solid record on this team. Since he signed in Edmonton, the 47 shots against ranks in a tie for the fourth highest he’s faced. He also saw 47 shots and made 44 saves in a win against the Calgary Flames on January 22 of this season in a win. As of this morning, he’s the starter on merit.
DEFENSE
It doesn’t look pretty and watching it meant all sphincters on high alert for sure. Darnell Nurse played a rugged game, nine hits, three blocked shots and had four shot attempts and a couple of great passes. Disrupted a breakaway by Ryan Lomberg enough for it to be less than optimal. Tyson Barrie picked up an assist and displayed some calm feet in a game that was played in a crossfire hurricane. He wasn’t strong defensively all day, but he made some plays. I think that’s the outer marker for him defensively. Nurse is 11-4 goals five-on-five since Woodcroft, Barrie 10-5. Don’t tell the haters, it’ll just ruin their fun.
William Lagesson didn’t impact the play leading up to Florida’s second goal and he needed badly to get player or puck. He played a steady game for the most part to my eye, the ask for this player is high and he has for the most part delivered. Cody Ceci had another strong game, he inevitably blocks shots that are certain disaster and I like that about him. Ceci is 5-1 at five-on-five goals since Woodcroft, Lagesson is 5-3. I think this team misses Duncan Keith but Ceci has been a rock in his absence.
Markus Niemelainen is emerging as a long-term keeper blue in real time. He had five hits (he’s a cement truck, it’s so violent), one takeaway and his first NHL assist. Evan Bouchard had a miserable game, starting early when he seemed unaware of winger and puck and helpless to keep them apart. I lost count of the plays he handled poorly or didn’t handle at all, but the young man is struggling. Philip Broberg played less than any other blue, I thought he played well. Better with than without the puck. Niemelainen and Broberg are 5-4, Bouchard 3-5 under Woodcroft.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane made a gorgeous pass to Derek Ryan for his third goal, took an accidental penalty (it was more a collision) and made a couple of subtle defensive plays. Leon Draisaitl scored a goal and made some nice defensive plays (including an early stick that robbed a point-blank chance) and took a couple of penalties. That seems to be creeping in to the Oilers game. Kailer Yamamoto made six or seven astute defensive plays, he’s gone cold as a shooter again though. I like this line and much if the Corsi-Shot-expected numbers above were score effects, but they have to get more done while taking fewer penalties.
Zach Hyman is a player I like because he doesn’t write cheques he can’t cash. When he carries the puck through the neutral zone, he might carry, push or shoot the puck in, but that puck is getting deep and he’s working the whole time. He was a little quiet offensively but has been on a nice run. Connor McDavid had two assists, he made a dangerous back pass that was a nightmare scenario made possible, but he was a net positive by several parsecs. Ryan McLeod skated miles, made some nice passes and picked up an assist. Played a little in all three disciplines.
Warren Foegele did fine work in the game, including a terrific assist on the first Ryan goal. He’s coming around now, more involved offensively (7-13-20 in 52 games now). Derek Ryan had the game of his life, it’s such an amazing story. He made smart plays all over the ice and now his numbers (48 games, 7-6-13) look strong. He is 9-4 goals since Woodcroft took over. Devin Shore picked up an assist but was uneven otherwise. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played just three minutes before his injury. If lighting candles would help, I’d burn down a candle factory, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Tyler Benson got some power-play time and had one reasonable look. I had him good for 10 points in my RE, he could still get there but needs to push for more regular duty.
REPLACING NUGE
First of all, the Oilers can’t replace Nuge with one guy. He’s a strong option in all three disciplines, can play center or wing and is open to anything that helps his team win. His personality is such that he’s underrated, and he’s not the first forward you think of when contemplating the team in any scenario. However, he’s a smart player who saves the day (30-25 five-on-five on ice goals this year) and delivers enough offense (1.7 points-per-60) in various roles.
Shayna Goldman and Dom Luszczyszyn at The Athletic have Nuge about $2 million in actual value above his cap this season, and he’s such a wonderful shadow hunting danger and suppressing it. I imagine Derek Ryan takes his place and Edmonton is lucky to have him, but the Foegele-Nuge-Ryan line was building something out of this world on the third unit. Hope the Nuge isn’t gone long.
I believe the IIHF is meeting today to discuss how to proceed. I think it’s a no-brainer that Russia will no longer host rhr 2022/23 WJC (or any other international event). The question will be if they ban the country and it’s athletes from events (or not invite them). I’m personally not on board with that – imagine being a 18 year old playing for a draft ranking and not being able to go the the WJC (or U18) to try and propagate a career?
I respectfully disagree. I think it’s important and well done Wayne Gretzky for speaking up
Already done…hours ago.
Duncan Keith has travelled to meet the team on Philly – will practice today and could be an option for Tuesday – per Gregor.
Great news!
Wait, someone was saying last night 38-year-olds can’t recover from concussions..
Vancouver quietly creeping back into playoff contention winning their 3rd straight and 7th in 10 games 5-2 over the Rangers in NY.
Now only 3 points back of Dallas for the last wildcard spot.
Given they’ve played more games, still a massive long shot.
NJ, NYI and TOR this week to complete their eastern road trip.
Goaltending is a thing where would the Oilers be if we had Demko instead of the flaky goaltending that has 1win and 8 losses in the last 9 playoff games. You can’t win a cup with shoddy goaltending.
Agree, Demko has been a big part of that but Vancouver has also been scoring goals at a relatively prodigious pace.
In 9 games in February, they’ve scored 39 goals…4.33 GF/G.
Florida leads the league for the season at 4.08 GF/GP so it seems Boudreau has unleashed the hounds.
Equivocating a nine game stretch to half a season is dangerous folly. Beware small sample sizes, and all that.
It goes beyond that.
Since Boudreau took over the Canucks have scored 92 goals in 29 games…and have gone from a goal differential of -22 to +1
I’d say the Oilers dealt with their Florida/Carolina trip fairly well, wouldn’t you?
Certainly played and fared better than the Flames did.
Ryan:
That feels a lot like the OEL trade, with the Oilers clearing bad money in the short term but assuming bad money in the long term.
Edit:
My bad, I thought Murray’s deal ran for longer than that. Interesting idea.
It seems like a lot for the Oilers to give up (specifically the 2nd and Lavoie) for Ottawa to rid itself of a big contract.
Yes, but as HH points out Murray is having a rebound season.
A lot depends on how much you value (positive or negative) Kassian and Smith.
Murray would only cost (offsetting with Kassian and Smith out) about $1M more in 22-23 and $3M more in 23-24.
I still don’t think I’d make that trade since I have no idea what to make of Murray, but I can see the merits, and it could be a big win if he’s actually back to being a plus goaltender.
Murray has a .920 save percentage and the Senators have huge amounts of cap space.
Why would they trade him for a bunch of junk?
Consecutive sub-.900 SV% seasons before this would I’d think would be a factor.
That of course would be balanced by the subpar performances of Kassian and Smith. (and their cap hits).
Not sure why they would do this to save so little considering they would also have to pay for a Murray replacement.
It would be much easier just to keep him and hope for the best.
It really depends what all parties think of Murray.
In any case, Ryan is the one who suggested the trade, and I already said I wouldn’t do it if I was Oilers GM. I’m not going to argue with you about it.
Consecutive sub .900 seasons and he cleared waivers and played in the AHL this year. One would think that 18 NHL games this season doesn’t take that entire stink off of Murray but, of course, that would be the negative to the Oilers position to take vis-a-vis trading for him so that is what he get – night, after night, after night.
There’s more there than you’ll admit to.
The call/contract on him precludes the risk. Plus the Sens want to see it out.
But good starting pitch, regardless.
Murray has lots of miles left in him l would take him in a heartbeat.
I depends on your view of Murray – he was once considered among the elite goalies, which is more than we can say about Smith or Koskinen. Were the last two seasons just a blip, and he’s now back on track? He’s still in his prime, so that would be a reasonable bet. Or maybe he was just another Jim Carrey.
The dollars are almost a wash with Smith and Kassian out.
Murray-Skinner next season would not be much more in cap dollars than Koskinen-Smith this season.
Given that Ottawa waived him earlier this season, they are still probably looking to move him.
There are no other 27 year old, Cup-winning goalies available on the market either.
That being said the Smith-Koskinen tandem just turned in a pretty good performance this weekend. Would the team be better off long term waiting for this summer to see what shakes loose on the goalie market?
From the Senator’s perspective, yeah it could be hard for them to take both Kassian and Smith since that’s $8.3m against Murray’s $12.5m contract in real dollars.
The relationship between Murray and the Sens management has gone sour.
They’d obviously prefer to give him away for free, but that didn’t work. They’ll have to take some bad salary back to trade him. The question is how much?
Thanks, I had hurriedly dropped this in an old thread by accident.
I signed it “E4” though I don’t really remember the Eklund trade rumour ranking scheme.
As others have mentioned, Ottawa had placed Murray on waivers this year. Dorion absolutely does want to trade Murray. I don’t think 18 games changes that. In fact, those 18 games are exactly what Dorion wanted..
It’s been mentioned that they didn’t want to package him with futures to move his contract earlier this year.
If the Oilers could include Smith and Kassian in the deal it lessens the risk this year and next. Ottawa doesn’t care about cap, but they do care about real dollars. Kassian’s last year of his contract is $2.3m, so that helps a bit. I wonder if there’s insurance on either one or both of Smith and Kassian’s contracts? That would certainly help.
It’s obviously a tough goalie market right now. I thought this was a fun trade idea. It’s easy to forget that Matt Murray is only 27.
I love the idea of getting a deal here for the Oilers, particularly in a tough goalie market. Ottawa is also a nice trade partner because they can eat cap. Obviously some other parts would need to be tweaked.
Still, I was just having fun here.
Murray absolutely represents risk. He’s had some concussion issues. I’m not sure if I would make this type of trade either, but I’m not sure that I wouldn’t.
Yeah I moved it here figuring you’d follow.
I guessed E4 meant something but didn’t get the reference.
On the trade, I have no doubt they’d like to be rid of Murray’s contract. And no question there’s upside, but it doesn’t look like high probability of being realized (even if there were salaries out).
On top of his 2 recent ugly seasons, he hasn’t been a really high end goalie since 16-17.
If Holland does make a move for a goalie it would be awfully nice if it looked like an obvious upgrade on the day of the trade.
These last 3 games make it obvious that this roster with health can challenge any team.
With a few tweaks, and a little more time with the new way, they can go as far as their will does.
My big hole filling deal
Out:
1st
Smith
Archie
Konavolov
Lagesson
Turris
In:
Varlamov (1.1M retained)
Chara
2nd (Colorado)
Non NHL contracts if necessary
Resulting in:
Hyman Connor JP
Kane Drai Yama
Foegele RNH Ryan
Benson McLeod Kassian
Shore Sceviour
Nurse Barrie
Keith Ceci
Chara Bouchard
Varlamov
Koskinen
Skinner
I’d bet money on that roster as things seem to be going
This of course depends on Holland talking players in, which is completely possible, and having the stones to keep his 2nd best goalie
It’s easier and riskier if you trade Koski
How are you disposing of the outs?
It’s a trade with the Islanders to address goal and D at one time
I think RD is a bigger D issue but I also don’t think Holland will trade Barrie
That might actually work with the key being the 1st….not sure they would want to give up the 2nd but it’s likely to be at or near the end of the round so not worth all that much in any event.
I think we’d have to pay more or at least completely drop 2nd round pick coming back – to even stand a chance of getting Lou’s attention.
If Holland couldn’t dump some garbage on the Keith trade were screwed. Instead we also gave up a 3rd rounder for probably a L.T.D case for rest of this year and next. Getting a concussion at 38 is not good could be a career ender.
I like the idea of Varlamov and Chara for the 1st-ish (if they’re willing to come to Edmonton).
I assume Archibald and Turris are included to even out the money?
I’m not sure about expecting a 2nd coming back or including Lagesson/Konovalov (not sure NYI would value them enough to bother), but the bones are there for sure.
I know you’re holding Koskinen because he’s less of an injury risk, but the salaries work a lot easier if it’s Smith who stays (NYI taking him, AND retaining on Varlamov for next season might not fly either).
From an Oilers POV they’d still have Smith and Skinner as injury cover for Varlamov, and with Koski out NYI wouldn’t need to retain. I figure Turris will end up on LTIR, not sure about Archibald, but it sounds like there’s salary relief if he doesn’t get vaccinated.
Anyway, I like the idea. It seems plausible, though likely in a more stripped down version.
“The Other Nuge” is reporting the Oilers have recalled Malone and LTIR’ed Russell.
Summarizing!
Petrov was the star of the day among Oilers prospects, netting 1+2 (including his 30th goal) and 2nd star in a North Bay win.
After setting career highs for goals and points last game, Tullio got an assist to give him a career high there too. (BTW, Tullio also leads the OHL in SOG with 221 shots in 48 games, averaging 4.6 per game.)
Wanner was held off the scoresheet in a MJ loss, while Lachance and The Bourg are out due to injury.
No prospects in action again till Tuesday…but do you like stats? Damn right, you do! You will get some tomorrow.
In the meantime and in between time…
OHL kids continue to impress. Did not realize Tullio was such as shooter, yet another up arrow indeed.
Imagine the team of shooters next year on the Condors if Lavoie, Savoie, Tullio and Petrov (hopefully, has nothing left to prove in the OHL after this season) are all there. Even Bourg with his sneaky release, but more likely wracking up assists passing to the above firing squad. I left out Holloway because he is already too good for the AHL and shouldn’t be there next year.
I can’t remember such a promising group of young guns simmering in the juniors. Everytime this club has this type of young talent they’re all playing above their heads on the big club.
Maybe the Oilers should use their amateur scouts for all things scouting, spend the professional scouting budget on analytics, which seems to be professional scouting anyways.
Feels like alot of promise in the new day.
Three road games and the only win for the Oilers came in the game they absolutely didn’t deserve to win. Hockey can be pretty random.
The team looked good in the last 2 periods, and may have deserved a better fate, but they were unable to recover from some of the self inflicted damage in the 1st period.
That 1st period turned on 2 plays. The Foegele offside, and the brutal 4 minute PP after the McDavid injury.
I guess it’s great that Woody is remaining positive and is not throwing anyone under the bus. But I’m not Woody, and I have a real problem with that offside. Not to mention the totally disorganized PP. It’s one thing to lose when you play bad or when you’re not getting the breaks, but losing by shooting yourself in the foot doesn’t sit well with me.
On a side note, Ethan Bear looked solid. I think he’d be playing a top 4 role on this Edmonton team.
Believe the terrible reffing was far more at fault then a single offside but let’s agree to disagree.
Ethan Bear is a 3rd pairing defender that can fill in top 4 in a pinch but not ideal just like a developing Bouchard, and just like puck moving Tyson Barrie. None of these players are top 4 defenders currently but all very good 3rd pairing. Bear could definitely be playing top 4 for the Oilers, and it would cost them all the same for it. Some days great some days terrible, if Holland approaches the off season looking to replace Adam Larsson instead of believing he’ll be resigning him then maybe Bear is kept around. It’s Adam Larsson’s fault and for all the trickle down effect of Larsson waiting til 11:59, I’ll never look at Sweden the same again. Truckelainen is my new heart warmth.
You had me until you slandered Larsson.
We don’t know the internal timelines and the communication involved, or at least not that I’m aware of. Giving both Holland and Larsson the benefit of the doubt I’m sure there were internal conversations that the latter had decided to accept the offer from the SEAmen prior to the expansion draft.
Tullio gets the primary helper as Oshawa finally gets on the board with seven minutes to play in the third.
EDIT: He gets the puck near the left dot, draws two defenders and slides a backhand pass to Harrison for a one-timer:
https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1498104643586387977?cxt=HHwWksCj1Y2Pq8opAAAA
@Lowetide, it dawned on me today that we could be seeing Derek Ryan becoming the “Pisani”.
It’s a great point. Derek Ryan looked good early, ghastly later, and now he can legit be compared for Saint Fernando. What a season.
Tough loss best game I’ve seen them play this year even though we couldn’t cash in on at least ten 5 bell chances. If Holloway is healthy he definitely needs to be called up, with him working the boards with Kane this will lead to Leon going on a beautiful heater.
Best game you’ve seen the Oil play this year? Seriously?
You really do seem perpetually oblivious to development timelines and injury recovery. Despite the information that’s constantly offered to you with your entreaties to call up Holloway, such that he’s playing in pain, that he lacks certain fundamentals, hasn’t shown consistency of soft skills, lacks strength and conditioning, needs time to adjust to the AHL, et cetera, you keep banging this drum. Bizarre.
He’s going to be a game rooster. But he needs time to prove he’s ready to fly the coop first.
Agreed. Good chance it’s by playoff time even, but give the kid a chance to heal a bit and get his feet fully underneath him as a pro.
Honestly, this is where I’m glad Old Dutch is at the helm.
I’d rather be a bit cautious with the lad and let him play out the season in BAK, then train hard in the off season before making a legit case for the NHL next season.
Holloway is a mid-first round pick coming off a lengthy time off, who’s still nursing an injury. Expecting him to push the river in the NHL is foolhardy.
Was thinking of this as it relates to Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson who both suffered similar wrist injuries.
It took Boeser most of two seasons of recovery to get his shot back and Pettersson just revealed last week that after missing half of last season and being mostly ineffective for most of this season, that his wrist is finally back to normal (apparently it was taped all season limiting his shot).
In other words, it took more than a full season to get back to some semblance of normal.
I expect Holloway could be ready next season and calling him up now would be counter productive.
Were they both scaphoid injuries?
At any rate, rushing back from injury would be so Oilers. I’m hopeful Holland will erase that from the corporate protocols. Though the fact Kenny didn’t shut down Broberg at the WJC playing with two not-insignificant injuries is concerning. Tough to say definitively without the full slate of details.
Agreed that next season is likely the ideal timeline for Dylan.
The officiating today was playground level. Just terrible.
Lachance out again today, as is The Bourg (as reported by Todd Macallan).
Another apple late in the third for Petrov gives him a 3-point game as North Bay wins 6-2.
Named game’s 2nd star.
As easy as 1-2-3.
Woody:
Powerplay has some things that need to be cleaned up. Thought our compete was off the chart. The team showed me a lot today.
Yams isn’t anything major will be day-to-day.
We’ve had a chance to win every game on this road trip. The compete level has been impressive. The level of oppopnent has been difficult with each providing different looks or problems we had to solve, and we’ve played them all pretty well.
We have some bad things to clean up and some good things we need to accentuate.Lot of real good details in our game today. We’re going to stick with it and continue to grow our game. Looking forward to Tuesday night.
Woody definitely a breath of fresh air!!!!
The PP definitely needs some work.
Incredible game of refs today.
If you operate from a position of “what’s best for the league” the reffing is logical and fair.
Unfortunately it’s not.
What’s best for the game is to grow it by promoting skill and showcasing it’s stars.
That was 2006 frustrating had lots of fringe players playing with purpose just couldn’t get the result. If Holloway is healthy get him in the line-up we need players who go to the net and cause chaos.
Guessing there will be call ups. Wonder who gets the nod?
My guess Holloway and Marody.
Let it be written let it be done.
I thought I saw the Canes breath a sigh of relief when the game ended .
Holland assembled and inherited a substantial forward group
D and goalie he is suspect
This group currently when healthy can play with anybody, and sometimes even when not healthy
Add some help and who knows….
Do all comments require approval?
No, but several posters refuse to respect my request for no political posts. We seem to be having some respect issues, so about 30 people have been timed out for 30 days. I expect the number to go higher, as lessons are slow to hit our group.
So slow learners then!
I’m quite positive I’ve never made a political post. Rarely post in general.
Actually, you posted a political phrase I have repeatedly asked people not to use on this board. I apologize if you didn’t mean to, but I’m not willing to spend my midnights cleaning up messes.
I know your time is valuable. Do what you must. I assure you if something I said was construed as political it was done by genius naivety. Not a Canadian, barely American, purely a hockey fan.
Okay, I’ll release you from the bonds of overlordery!
I just had a flashback and laughed out loud when I thought of you as Basil Fawlty in a classic episode of Fawlty Towers.
Any idea why I wasn’t able to post from my laptop just prior to game time (all awaiting moderation, then subsequently deleted on page refresh) but was okay to use my phone? After the game my laptop was working again when I gave it another try.
I did peruse the prior day’s blog to see if I used any of the verboten words I can recall (m ilitary, t rump, t rudeau, v iagra, c ialis, b itcoin, not sure what else) and I didn’t. And no generally offside comments that I could see which may warrant a time out.
No, but we have been having problems today with more than one poster. Apologies, but you’re not on any list.
Thanks LT. Just wanted to make sure I’m not running afoul.
Tough loss. Played well enough to win.
Draisaitl was very poor today. Lots of giveaways and poor awareness.
For a power forward Drai can play a very finesse game that leads to Hail Mary passes and odd man rushes the other way. Of course, when he hits on one of those passes we all talk about the greatness in his game. Can’t have one without the other.
Drai’s hinderance is his skating
Lately he looks injured to me. Woody has been cutting Connor down in toi but not Drai. I think Drai also needs to play less. He lumbers for so much of the game, often doing little, until it’s desperate and or there’s an offensive chance
He is so talented he gets his points regardless
But for my eye he at least lately has been forcing plays and it seems because he is struggling with his mobility. He is turning a lot of pucks over, by risky passes in non dangerous areas, trying to pass through players etc, game management poor for a player of his level
The problem with this is it increases pressure defensively. And chances against. A more mature team works , as Woody is preaching, to contain that in the O and N zones. It saves risk and importantly energy
Jesus a helluva game while facing the deepest depths of adversity
One thing this ACC Conference swing has shown… there is no team in this League Manwood can’t beat when healthy.
In your court Kenny
The team is impressing me on this road trip. Not getting the results no but playing well.
We gotta figure out that Carolina thing where you’re allowed to hold opposition forwards along the boards regardless of where the puck is.
Exactly. Im tired of complaining about calls. If you can’t beat them, join them. Otherwise, the team isn’t maturing. Playoff hockey.
The pleasure was all ours.
Well give the team credit- they could have easily come out the other end of that game against a top team on b2b. Smith finally played well enough to keep his time in it. Foegele half awake to begin the game carries this loss- grrr. The little details.
I’d say the PP carries the loss if we’re looking for scapegoats.
On the 4 minute PP, we were seriously missing Connor & Nuge…2 critical, contributing parts.
For sure there were complicating factors. I don’t agree with Nuge, though. Nuge wasn’t in the line-up, so couldn’t have been counted upon regardless. I mean we can add Pujo too, if that’s the case. 97 was a factor though, and the Canes have the best PK in the land so that also makes things a little excusable too.
But in a tightly-contested game like that special teams need to win their mini-game or at least saw-off. They weren’t able to do that today and it was the difference.
And that’s not to say Foggy’s offside wasn’t egregious or costly because it was truly awful. I just tend to not put the whole game on one play when there are broader options.
Other teams don’t have the players we do and have good PPs
Foegele is used to playing with the speedy Derek Ryan .
Missed the first half of the game. They battled pretty hard to stay in it. Pretty good effort considering the opponent, the injuries and 2nd half of the B2B. Couldn’t get it done but they can play with these big boys from the south east.
They can definitely play with these teams. Need a full, healthy line-up.
Heck of an effort on the B2B and 3rd in 5 days on the road.
Goalie did his part again.
Credit Oilers, they played hard on a back to back while shorthanded. Smith played well.
Another good game scuttled by a Vezina caliber performance by the other guy. Le sigh.
Not sure I saw it that way.
Near the end the NHL Network said Oilers kept mostly to the outside today and few 2nd and 3rd shots.
Not much of a threat with the goalie pulled
Tough loss but I give the team – what’s left of them – a lot of credit
Drai has GOT to shoot from that spot!
I didn’t see Drai good today.
Petrov has just been belatedly credited with a secondary aPPle on North Bay’s third goal as they take a one-goal lead into the third.
Foegele mauled by Bear.
Need a bounce
Have seen Benson good today. About on par offensively with yams (low bar), not as good forecheck but stronger down low.
Kane being completely held on the doorstep and not happy about the lack of call
Canes do a lot of holding….and get away away with it.
Even on Ryan’s goal Cole grabbed Ryan (by the face) as he went by at the Oilers blue. No penalty was being called so good thing Ryan kept playing and buried it instead of throwing his hands up.
That was one of the most egregious misses by the refs this game
As was the hold on Draisaitl
So close on one end no then so close on the other. Huge save by Smith.
Smart play Sceviour, unlucky, and then Smith snuffs the counterattack
How about the Butler serving that up on a platter for Sceviour in the first place.
Sweet pass, Very deft considering how fast the decision-making had to be
Agreed. It almost looked like Benson was going for an intentional pad pass.
Refs have decided that since they don;t know what a penalty is, best just not to call anything.
Oilers have no puck luck in front of the O net. Many pucks go to the net but so few get a stick on it or a second shot.
Nice smart play by Hyman to create that shot
The Canes are getting frustrated. Good on the Oil . If they can muster a point today that’s fantastic.
The puck doesn’t even have to pass the hash marks for icing now apparently.
Barrie with nothing but time and space passes it away
So has nearly every Oiler today.
You’re going to feel silly when he gets a second assist to tie it.
Ceci lucky to not get a penalty behind our net there
Carolina’s equipment manager should have asked to be paid by the letter for cresting jerseys:
Teravainen
Niederreiter
Svechnikov
Kotkaniemi…
…But maybe not for:
Aho
Fast
Cole
Bear
Smith his own worst enemy again
recovers though
If we had Lagesson and Nemo as our third pairing for the next decade, I would not complain.
I’d wait to see what we have in Samorukov first.
For 2022-23, I’d like to see Samorukov and Nemo as 3rd pair, Nurse & Ceci as 1st pair and Keith & Bouchard as 2nd pair with somebody like Pysyk as the 7th D. Trade Barrie and Lagesson and have Broberg in AHL for 1 more year of development.
Nemo pinches for completely different reasons than most dmen lol
these ice reversals really wear a line down