The Edmonton Oilers are just out of reach of the postseason with the toughest part of the current road trip in the rear-view mirror. Tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers sees Edmonton face the first opponent on this road trip outside the league’s top-four clubs. If the Woodcroft Oilers can play the game as they did for most of the first three, there should be two points placed in the standings for the Alberta team tonight. One area of concern? Injuries.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: February tests Oilers’ mettle but playoffs are still in sight
- 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 MARCH
- On the road to: PHI, CHI (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: MON (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: WAS, TBAY, DET, BUF, NJD (Expected 3-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: COL, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ARI, LAK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-2, 18 points from 15 games
- Actual March results: 0-0-0, 0 points in 0 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 29-21-3, 61 points in 53 games
The key to this month is a fast start and I do believe Edmonton has a nice beginning to March lined up. The two Calgary games, the Lightning and Avs and the surprising Los Angeles Kings are my five losses. If Edmonton manages to post the predicted totals, the end of March will see the record sit at 37-26-5, 79 points after 68 games. Edmonton would be on pace for 95 points. That should be enough to make the playoffs. The winning percentage I have projected here is slightly below the Woodcroft Oilers pace in February.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE ROSTER LOOK LIKE?
- Goalies (2): Mike Smith, Mikko Koskinen
- Left Defense (4): Darnell Nurse, William Lagesson, Markus Niemelainen, Philip Broberg
- Right Defense (3): Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Evan Bouchard
- Center (5): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Devin Shore, Brad Malone
- Left Wing (4): Ryan McLeod, Evander Kane, Warren Foegele, Tyler Benson
- Right Wing (4): Zach Hyman, Kailer Yamamoto, Derek Ryan, Colton Sceviour
So Nuge won’t play and Yamamoto may not play. Kyle Turris could be activated, Brendan Perlini will be available if he clears. Duncan Keith could play but that would mean Philip Broberg gets optioned and I think that would have happened yesterday. We’ll see.
If I’m guessing, it’ll be the 7D (without Keith) and 11 forwards: McLeod-McDavid-Hyman; Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto; Foegele-Ryan-Sceviour, Malone-Benson. Perhaps we find out this morning.
INJURIES
It’s a long list with good-to-great players on it. Here is a list, alpha order, via hockey-reference:
- Josh Archibald: Myocarditis has kept him out, he is healthy now, no return date set.
- Zack Kassian: Likely to miss as much as another month or more, broken jaw.
- Oscar Klefbom: Career-altering injury may have ended it, contract rolls on.
- RNH: Shoulder, expected to miss 1-2 weeks. This is a major concern.
- Jesse Puljujarvi: Lower body injury, could miss two more weeks.
- Kris Russell: LTIR now, status uncertain.
- Kyle Turris: I believe he could be activated at any time.
- Kailer Yamamoto: Foot injury, could play tonight.
FORWARDS FIVE-ON-FIVE POINTS PER 60
There are exactly 384 NHL forwards who have played over 320 five-on-five minutes this season. Here are the Oilers forwards, slotting into first-to-fourth lines based on offensive output.
- No. 1 line: Leon Draisaitl (2.46); Connor McDavid (2.39); Zach Hyman (2.16).
- No. 2 line: Derek Ryan (1.86); Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (1.70)
- No. 3 line: Warren Foegele (1.58); Jesse Puljujarvi (1.57); Ryan McLeod (1.47); Zack Kassian (1.40); Kailer Yamamoto (1.26).
Edmonton has only 10 forwards who qualify as regulars, and as you can see, they all qualified for top-nine status among NHL players who played 320 or more minutes (via Natural Stat Trick).
Both Warren Foegele and Jesse Puljujarvi are close enough to top-six status one could reasonably suggest the Oilers have scoring appropriate 1, 2 and 3 lines.
THE ATHLETIC
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Good boring road victory. Only 15 hits, which seems low for The Manwood Era. I want to point that out because I don’t think they were feeling their best tonight. Normally they would lose a game like this one but they ground hard, especially in the third, and their goalie helped them out big time. That’s a real good win and an important two points.
Malone, Ryan and McLeod were responsible for eating up big chunks of the third period and they were very good at it. Unsung heroes of the game.
Below someone pointed out that the core’s ice time had ballooned again. We need to keep in mind that 97 and 29 had well over six minutes each on the powerplay. As far as 5v5 TOI goes, the top two forwards were 18 and 56, followed by 97 and 91.
I can’t imagine this team without Hyman now. He’s like Nuge. He does everything well. He might even be more of a river-pusher than Nuge. What the hell did we do before we had him? Along with Kane, that’s a 33% turnover in the Top 6 and all of it substantially for the better.
Woody is relentlessly positive after the games. I’m beginning to suspect OP modeled his persona after him.
If someone could courier enough amphetamines to wake up Jimmy Hoffa to the team for the next game, that would be really thoughtful…
Yeah I liked their 3rd period as well, and how they kept things calm.
Definitely not a masterpiece, but the did what they absolutely needed to and were in control most of the night.
Relentlessly positive is a great description. Lol.
I’m glad he doesn’t throw players under the bus, but I’m taking most of his comments with a large grain of salt. He’s just a little too sugary for my taste.
For instance, the Oilers won this game because Koskinen stood on his head and the Flyers muffed on numerous scoring chances. As a team, the Oilers looked sloppy and tired. I also saw shift length for the big boys becoming an issue again.
Happy for the win, but I like to be honest about the quality of their play.
Oilers has more slot shots, more shots off the rush and more odd man rushes than the Flyers (as per Gregor and his Sportligiq subscription).
I seen a lot of missed High scoring chances by the Flyers as well.
I am absolutely delighted Koski pitched a no-no tonight. No one deserves a shutout on their season’s record more.
I wonder if Holland has asked Koski’s agent what they’re looking for next season… I think someone out there will offer him $2M.
There’s six mins to play in the first and he’s already made four 5-bell saves. Lol… and now he heaves it over the glass.
Have a game, Mikko!
Even though Smith can be buried and only count apx a million on the cap, unless Holland knows he can move him or he’s retiring, it’s tougher to resign Mikko even at a huge pay cut.
Skinner is on the roster, right, so even if Smith is fine, that is committing to a Mikko/Stuart combo
Watching this on delay but it’s late and I’m not sure if I should after seeing the game called “hideous” and “putrid” below, lol. Might not make it to the ENer.
How are people feeling about the goaltending now after the last few games?
Koskinen has been very good, but he’s had runs like this before. I don’t think I trust him to do this over an extended period of time.
Smith looks like he reverted back to how he played before last year. Deeper in his net and relying on athleticism instead of positioning. This makes it very hit and miss.
I’d still like to see Skinner and Koskinen split the net before the trade deadline but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
For me I would try to move Smith for sure if they can find someone to take him. Then if they can find a clear improvement on Koskinen (I prefer Vharlamov) move him as well. If they can’t find an improvement, just run Skinner and Koskinen. Then get a #1 over summer.
Same as it’s been all season long … inconsistent.
I think it’s good enough to make the playoffs, but neither goalie is good enough to steal a playoff round.
Not convinced that any of the possible options discussed really move the needle enough to pay a first round pick for.
Amazing to see Mikko turning this season around. Also, McLeod sure looks more and more like a solid NHL bottom 6 C every game. I believe that’s a quality player there.
Oilers looked sloppy and disjointed tonight. Still won 3-0. I know, but know. Quality of competition. But what more of a score do you want?
Philadelphia with a dreadful display of finish.
Could easily have won the game if someone could hit the net.
Would you credit the Oilers if it were 4-0? How about 10-0? At what point would you give them credit for a win? Please establish this.
Apparently 3-0 can be lucky and easily a loss….
And if your grandma had balls, she’d be your grandpa. Accept the loss with a decent single malt my friend. Dalmore cigar malt or a glendronach 12 year treat me well for a loss.. maybe they’ll do you proper for a win. Love the banter HH!! Good game.
That Koskinen and his league-leading winning record and his undeserved, flukey, lucky, cheating 39 save shutout! If only the Flyers could hit the net it would have been a loss. If only the Flyers had all their guys and weren’t so tired and had some fans cheering or the refs not cheating, the Oilers would have fur Shure bin duh feeted. Guaranteed!
This is 100% THU truth, cuz Herpes Harhar knows stuff about things, but mostly is a ex-spurt on hawk key and the hen aych hell.
Herpes Harhar has a pirate feel, and is delightfully funny.
Yes! an annoying condition that bubbles up unbidden.
Loved that Yamamoto goal, great net crashing by he and Kane
Last night in Costa Rica and was only able to stream the 1st period but the numbers show Keith/Bouchard had a solid night.
Once this road trip ends and they play a game in Edmonton, will that be 10 straight games with travel in between?
They had two single games in Edmonton.
Of course they are tired, even with a couple days off here and there.
I told you this would happen based on the schedule but you denied it would be a factor.
More tired because we’re back to playing the big guns 25 min a night than travel
Both will be factor as the season grinds along.
The Oilers are 2-2 on the road trip after playing the “daunting SE trio” and have one more against a non-playoff team and probably deserve at least another point if not two or three more points (outplayed Tampa without a doubt and definitely deserved a point yesterday).
The Oilers performed among the best in the conference during your posited toughest part of the schedule.
You also told us this is where the rubber hits the road on our season but here we are
He also told us that Bill Guerin was a genius as he was going to trade those massive buyout cap hits to cap floor teams…… you know something that is prohibited.
Calgary has a poor record at home and will not win the Pacific Division.
Oops.
Calgary won the division with 31 games to play?? Good grief Andrew
You also told us we were at the start of a losing streak?
Talking about shameful… pot!
Meet keHHtle.
Viva Las Vegas!
Oh wait, this team is going to blow the Oilers out of the water when Eichel arrives. And their 1-3-1 record with him in the mix is proof positive, yup.
Also, the leading scorer for Vegas is Mark…, no Jonathan…., no Max….., William, no…. Alex, no……why it’s Chandler Stephenson!!!
Wait! What the…what!???
The rubber hit the road about 6 time last year…
Every time HH says the rubber is about to hit the road the Oilers go on a winning streak. I predict that by the end of March Edmonton will be sitting in 2nd in the division solely based on the HH reverse uno prediction.
I thought that they should credit Draisaitl and Bouchard with assists on Yamamoto’s goal. They’ve listed it as unassisted. Don’t they usually credit the shooter before a rebound as an assist. No Flyer gained control of it after Bouchard’s shot. As I saw it: Bouchard’s shot kicked out by Hart, Draisaitl chips it into the crease, there’s a scrum and Yamamoto chops it in. Shouldn’t that at least be a Draisaitl assist if not Draisaitl and Bouchard?
From the overhead replay, in the scrum after Draisaitl shot bounces around in the crease, Lindblom takes a swipe to clear the puck and makes clear and solid contact but it ricochets off Hart’s legs back into Lindholm’s feet, then Yamamoto shoves the puck in the net. Because Lindholm made a positive play on the puck that moved it forward away from the goal (effectively change of possession), it negates all the Oilers’ prior plays on the puck when it comes to awarding points. If he hadn’t made solid contact, or just deflected it, then Draisaitl and others could have gotten assists.
Perhaps Koski’s style is well-suited to Woodcroft’s tactics. Centres hanging back to cover the slot are enabling Koskinen to square to shooters on the sides. He’s very good at covering the angles and the bottom of the net.
Oilers D seem to be less unpredictable, at any rate.
Bruins against the dementor.
Go Bruins go!
Dementor 3 Bruins 1…end of 1
The Bruins won the important game…against LA. The demented Ducks are not really a concern.
Happy for Koski. He’s been far from perfect this season (great when he’s not over worked) but I’ll never forget that game earlier in the season where he let in a few soft ones early in the game. The camera did a close up and even with his mask on, he truly looked heart broken.
Summarizing!
Tullio finished with the one goal–#29 of the year–and added four more SOG to his OHL-leading total.
Munzenberger, alas, did not get a goal, but his Vermont squad did get a rare win today in upsetting 13th-ranked Northeastern 1-0. (Vermont improves to 7-23-2 on the season.)
Thanks, Tarkus. I underrated Jeff Petry the year his Michigan State team struggled and regretted it soonafter (I had him lower in the rankings than he should have been).
Not saying you’re doing that, but I always remembered that about college defenders. It’s tough to look good on a bad, bad team. He, and they, will be better next season.
No worries.
Even in the little action he got at the truncated WJHC, one could see he was fully capable of being a two-way defender. (I know, “tournament of small sample sizes”.) What his ceiling is, I couldn’t say.
Probably left handed Adam Larsson.
Very long shot to become that, but I’d think that would be the outer marker.
This is 100% accurate. I kept telling you Petry was a diamond in the rough but you were too damn stubborn to see it. I blame it on MAP 😂
Just another first star for Koski on the road trip. Ho hum.
Koski 2-0. Smith 0-2.
He really is better than we give him credit
What’s the GSAx for Koskiwood? (Koskinen with Woodcroft)?
1.36 in 4 games which would include the back-up performance.
Not sure if that includes tonight yet (and its from NST).
Oh, that was at 5 on 5.
Well deserved shutout
Koski gets it!!!!!!!
Not the prettiest effort, but a convincing win.
Great game by Koskinen.
Mikko sure looks good since NYE!
The AHL line with a good job cycling and killing time.
BOOM! McDavid with the reluctant goal!
I wish Drai had taken the G, the year he lost to oven chicken due to zero ENG’s was annoying…
Not exactly a masterpiece but take the two points and get out of town!
Good Good, the Oilers are porous*
*except Koski – full credit, that’s 2 Rinne-esque performances in a row
Man does Philly suck. No luck at all for those guys. Good 2 pts for the good guys.
The Oil aren’t exactly rolling in luck either.
Mikko stones Atkinson.
I’m thinking we need to put together a trade package for Koskiwood.
McDavid, Drai, Kane and Hymen being run like rented mules.
Heck of a shift by Malone there.
Koski having a very good game so far.
Philly crew is heaping praise upon the Koski.
Watching Matt Damon pitch krypto after he narrated Inside Job is definitely a sign of the times, Snafu
I’d keep Malone up and waiver Shore if this is what he’s bringing to the table.
Shore usually gets noticed for the wrong reasons.
Saw the trade suggestions on the Athletic. Everyone wants to get rid of Samurakov, can we see him play before we run him out of town ? He was projected to make the team out of camp-or be the first call up.
I must admit I am trying to forget that one time we did see him play, it was Ninja Turtles 3 level bad.
His wife was in town to watch him, he was trying to force things, running at people, of course he might have settled down but we’ll never know I guess, Tippet never let him on the ice for the rest of the game.
I saw an interview with Tony LaRussa, and he was asked what a manager’s most important job is, and he said that the X’s and O’s are less than most people think, and that it’s really about putting his players in a position where they have the best chance to succeed.
I didn’t think that Samorukov was helped in that way in that St Louis game.
I’ve been as bit a Sammy supporter over the years as anyone, and I’m not looking to trade him, however, there is a massive difference between “running a player out of town” and trading a player for value.
Nurse
Keith
Lagesson
Broberg
Niemelainen
Samorukov
I’m not putting the d-men below Keith in any particular order but just indicating where the Oilers have an abundance (prospect LD that are NHL ready).
Why do we need to see him play? What’s important is that the organization sees him play, practice, in the film room etc and make a proper assessment.
Another goal for stone hands.
After Two:
2-0 Edmonton (1-0 in the second)
25-21 Philly shots (12-11 Philly in the second)
32-30 Philly Corsi five-on-five (18-16 Edmonton in the second)
==
Nice to see Yamamoto score that’s 11 and he’s fifth on the team. He’s on pace for 16-17 goals for 82 games, that’s a total that is close to expectations (I had 15 goals in 70 games in my RE).
McDavid is flying, Draisiatl is turning over pucks and I’d yell at him but he has two points. I’m liking Malone, he’s the right combination of rude and responsible.
Leon is down to 1pt officially, you may have at him now.
The boys look fatigued, Koski playing well, see if the new coach can get the Oil to manage this game better than they usually do
Playing down to our opposition? Guys are totally outta sync. Ended with the worst looking PP I’ve seen in ages. Atleast we’re up. We can dually come out on the wrong side of these types of games. Get It In Gear!!!
This game is hideous to watch. My lord.
Truly, just putrid.
I understand the appeal of going 11/7 when half your D are rookies. But this lineup looks tired…injuries and schedule are starting to show I think.
That was the worse PP sequence I’ve seen in years…just brutal…
Wow crappy looking PP…..
Risto is chaotic.
Wow Flyers careless with their sticks. Make em pay!
BOOM!!! Goal mouth scramble!!! We never score those!!! Yammo!!!
Kudos to Kane for trying really hard not to interfere with Hart.
Isoroku!
Nice greasy goal.
Yup, Yamamoto is the one who put it in.
Yamfry!!!!!
Lovely dirty goal!
We seemed to be playing down to Flyers level. Having trouble completing pass’s. Seem pretty flat???
Agreed. Lacking intensity. We’re looking pretty sloppy.
OK looking better now!!!
I like Lags in D zone coverage but he still, still isn’t comfortable handling the puck on offensive. Irks me…
Score a goal then someone punch that dummy in the face.
I agree.
Koskinen must be receiving outside the org goaltending coaching on the hush hush.
Aggressive, confident and solid. I could re-sign this Koskinen.
If he performs like this for the rest of the season, I’d offer him a pay cut.
Somewhere a bear in a fire helmet is smiling.
After One:
1-0 Oilers
13-10 Philly shots
16-12 Philly Corsi five-on-five
==
A rock solid road period, including a BIG penalty kill and some fine stops by Mikko Koskinen (who puck over glassed himself for one of the penalties).
Lovely goal by Draisaitl, my favourite winger was Hyman although Tyler Benson looked good with McLeod and Ryan.
Hyman is a very good player. So smart, all the tools except elite scorer, and never quits on anything
Great penalty kill, especially by Koskinen
Thought the Oilers looked pretty flat otherwise. Missing a lot of passes on the breakout and through the neutral zone and they’re not creating much in the ozone.
Maybe they can pick it up a little in the 2nd.
Holy man. Oilers all lost their minds in the last seconds and nearly gave up a goal…
Other than that, lol, a decent period. Started well, brutalized a penalty and lost momentum. Philly pushed back a bit but we gain momentum from a good kill(mostly Kos), got a PP and Drai delivered. All he did was get it on net, too. Who knew?
Gotta up the work level but atleast Kos is the good Kos, tonight.