2021-22 Game 69: Blues at Oilers

by Lowetide

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has played in over 700 NHL games, and he’s about to turn 29. He is in about the same spot as Ryan Smyth when Edmonton dealt the popular winger. I believe Edmonton did a wise thing in signing Nuge, and would have had two veteran lifers (Oscar Klefbom) who grew up and then became elders on the team if not for the damnable injury to Oscar.

This month is a big one for Nuge and the Oilers. The club has made the postseason two years in a row, and could do it a third time. That would be the first time an Oilers team did it since the turn of the century, when three different coaches (Ron Low, Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish) accomplished it 1999-2001.

It’s been hard nose the highway for Nuge. I hope there’s something good on the other side. Opening night 2011, his first linemates were Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky (9:55 at five-on-five, 10-5 shots, 1-0 goals), and the other three lines that night were Ryan Smyth-Eric Belanger-Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarv-Shawn Horcoff-Linus Omark and Ryan Jones-Anton Lander-Darcy Hordichuk. Steve Tambellini’s big free-agent signing, Ben Eager, had been concussed in the Joey Moss game. Ah, memories.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM APRIL

  • At home to: STL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: ANA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: COL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: VEG, DAL, COL (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: CBJ, PIT (Expected 1-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: SJS, VAN (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
  • Actual April results: 0-0-0
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 38-25-5, 81 points in 68 games

The hardest decision on the list is tonight’s game against the Blues. I like Edmonton in this spot, but for me the Blues have their goaltending figured out now and that was my deciding factor. If my 7-6-1 prediction for the month lands correctly, the Oilers will finish 45-31-6, 96 points. That should be enough for the playoffs, possibly second place in the Pacific.

XAVIER BOURGAULT

The Oilers signed the team’s 2021 first-round pick, Xavier Bourgault, yesterday. He’s likely a winger when and if he hits the NHL, but I like this player (did on draft day) and believe he’ll have some impact as a pro in the AHL next season.

For the record, I had Philip Broberg No. 16 (Oilers took him No. 8 in 2019), Dylan Holloway No. 25 (Edmonton chose him No. 14 in 2020) and Xavier Bourgault No. 14 (he went No. 22 overall). Bourgault is a fine prospect, I think some Oilers fans are sleeping on him a little.

Bourgault is a difference maker at even strength and on the power play, and should have moved up to pro (one day I’ll do an article on the CPHL from the sixties, some of you would have read a variation of it possibly 20 times). He should be able to slide in on a skill line and does have some two-way ability, he’s my favourite Oilers draft pick since Evan Bouchard. Look at that crazy 2021 draft! Bourgault and Petrov are trending in a good way.

OILERS 2022-23 50-MAN LIST (39)

  • Goalies (5): Mike Smith, Stuart Skinner, Ilya Konovalov, Olivier Rodrigue, Ryan Fanti
  • Left Defense (7): Darnell Nurse, Duncan Keith, Oscar Klefbom, Slater Koekkoek, Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen, Dmitri Samorukov
  • Right Defense (6): Cody Ceci, Tyson Barrie, Evan Bouchard, Vincent Desharnais, Phil Kemp, Mike Kesselring
  • Center (7): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan McLeod (RFA), Devin Shore, James Hamblin; Xavier Bourgault
  • Left Wing (7): Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway, Brendan Perlini (RFA), Tyler Benson (RFA), Ostap Safin (RFA), Matvei Petrov
  • Right Wing (7): Jesse Puljujarvi (RFA), Kailer Yamamoto (RFA), Derek Ryan, Zack Kassian, Seth Griffith, Rafael Lavoie, Tyler Tullio.

The list is at 39, there are six rfa’s, I believe McLeod, Puljujarvi and Yamamoto are locks (unless traded), not sure of Perlini, Benson, Safin. Cooper Marody is a category 6 UFA. He won’t return.

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meanashell11

I am sure I was told STL gave up the 3rd least goals in the league. Well I guess we have some offense! Kulak may not make it to the playoffs!

OriginalPouzar

Archibald can only play one of the next 6 games. In any event, he will likely be “suspended” while the Oilers are on the road and the Oilers may fill the roster spot.

Marody and Lavoie are hurt (not that Lavoie would be an option).

Benson has not played well since re-assigned.

Griffith is still Griffith but he’s also Seth Griffith.

Holloway is ROLLING again.

I wouldn’t be adverse to him joining the team during the road trip – see what happens in the course of three games – not that he’d be a lock to play but, shit, why not?

They have the cap room, even if they weren’t suspending Archie which removes him from the roster and gives additional cap room.

Munny 2.0

It always bodes well to start out the month one win ahead of LT’s “What to Expect” series. Buys them breathing room. A crucial two points was notched tonight. Start as you mean to go.They want a successful month and they started it well.

The process right now is ugly. They’re making sausage, but at least they’re out-scoring their mistakes… and at evens at that.

Some really tough waters lie ahead. Great tests to have going into the playoffs… if you can solve them.

They’ve actually shown some composure in the last couple blown leads and didn’t let it get all Dallas Stars like. And maybe that’s a step forward too.

Victoria Oil

Not a pretty victory tonight, but the Oilers are starting to benefit from these 3 point games, which was not the case last year or this year until recently. Unless the Jets have an amazing finish, the Oilers will only need to beat one of Nashville, L.A., Dallas and Vegas. Oilers, Nash. and L.A. are each +14 games above Bettman .500, Dallas is +13, VGK +10.

Diablo

The forth goal was on Barrie – he got beat cleanly at the blue line and again in front of the net.

Fifth goal was a deflection … lucky bounce after sustained pressure in the Oilers zone and several lost puck battles.

Lots of blame to go around on all five goals, with Smith only letting in one obvious stinker … he made up for it on OT with a stop on a pretty good chance by STL before Connor put it away.

Neither goalie gives me much confidence … the team needs to improve their d-zone play.

Abbeef

What was his save % on HD chances? Must have been very low, it seemed like most of the dangerous shots went in.

Being an NHL goalie isn’t about only making the easy save.

Last edited 2 years ago by Abbeef
Munny 2.0

He stopped 7 of 9 HD shots on net.

Typically it is the person making the claim–you–that should be looking this up.

Abbeef

So he was scored on 5 times in a game with 9 HD shots against. That is worse than I thought. D- zone play wasn’t good, but Smith was the worst player on the team. First goal and five hole goal were both awful goals.

Also I made an observation with a guess, not a claim. If you want to look up the stats to see if my observation is accurate go ahead, if you don’t want to then don’t.

Munny 2.0

No, you didn’t make an observation. You simply made a guess, one that was quite obviously wrong prima facie.

Abbeef

Well you made me look it up, because what you said seemed wrong based on my observations.

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20212022&game=21087

11 HD shots against.
7 saves
4 goals
HDSV% 636

Expected GA 2.55

I made an observation, it was correct.

Munny 2.0

So glad you were able to figure the internet out. The numbers I provided were 5v5 btw. You can blame tthe goalie for allowing HD goals against on the powerplay if you like, but you will never find a goalie that doesn’t, so fill your boots.

Abbeef

I’m not sure why you’re so confrontational. I was saying Smith didn’t make many saves on HD shots, he didn’t (HDSV% 636). Both STL goalie were over 800 and Binnington played bad (2GA on mid-danger shots). Most teams won’t win if 36.4% of all HD shots go in the net. (All goals count no matter the game state).

If you disagree and thought Smith was fine and it is all the poor dzone coverage then argue that.

Calling my observation a guess and providing partial numbers to try to make me look bad is immature. The reason I didn’t take the time to look it up was for 2 reasons.

1) I have work to do and was making a quick comment. (I’ve now wasted a bunch of time, when I should get work done)

2) I watched the game and was reasonably sure I was correct. (Which I was)

Anyways have a good day.

Munny 2.0

Backcheck and net front were the two areas needing attention, Woodcroft noted when pressed in the post-game.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
hunter1909

Oilers, hoping to keep the fans entertained like always are Winning games but letting the fans feel like they’re still losing games.

OriginalPouzar

All of these playoff spot teams on the Oilers schedule I have been told about daily…….. Oilers keep coming away from playing them with points in the standings.

DevilsLettuce

This team wants to reach 100pts, it’s possible.

jp

On pace for 99 with that win, though the games remaining are no gimmies.

OriginalPouzar

Skinner down and beaten high on wrister from the top of the circles.

5GA in 23 shots tonight…….

Reja

Pull him bring in the Russian.

hunter1909

HUNTER1909’S INFAMOUS DEATH MARCH UPDATE:

Oilers currently on a 100 point pace.

Believe it or not!

rennavate is currently leading the pack; congrats to rennavate from the Death March team

RENNAVATE

I don’t expect this to last, but this is fun!

KnightRain

After two glasses of three finger scotch I’m gonna have a beer to wind down. This team is gonna kill me, someday…
Smith is fading and it’s sad to watch. Mikko has to play 3 of every 4 from here to the playoffs. Kenny won’t bring up Skinnz.
Our D was terrible tonight…think its three games in a row that they’ve played like crap. Gotta figure that out..,

JimmyV1965

It’s sad. Another big win, but the team is a sitting duck in the playoffs. The Oilers have a good team, but even with a 4-1 lead you know it’s just not safe. This team can dominate even good teams, but it simply can’t sit on a lead. They aren’t good enough defensively and the goaltending isn’t even remotely good enough. There’s some real nice things about this roster, but it feels like it’s almost been squandered. 

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

The Oilers are 27-1-1 when leading after two.

Your narrative is dead wrong.

JimmyV1965

My narrative is the Oilers are sitting ducks in the playoffs. If you feel comfortable with our goaltending and defence, I’m not sure what to say.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

I feel perfectly comfortable lining up against LA or Vegas in the playoffs yup.

Both are iffy on defense and in goal and don’t have the firepower up front as a trump card.

And I’d be extremely comfortable against the Flames, or more likely Dallas cause the flames will crap the bed, in the 2nd round.

And yup I’d take the Oilers against The Blues after Colorado folds when their PP advantage wilts away.

The Oilers are beating teams they’ll
meet on the playoffs or sawing it off until the last possible second. That’s too be expected from a team that is damn good but not quite in the Tampa Bay level.

This is wildly entertaining and one helluva stretch run here. Am I supposed to expect blowouts every night? Is every close game with a team neck and neck in the standings supposed to be a crisis of confidence and reason to crap all over the good guys?

Nah this is fun and it’s still building up.

Reja

They should be 29-0. Fire somebody now!

Pretendergast

11 shots by Connor, 7 by Leon, woah.

jzed

I have watched Oiler goals scored by forechecking, throwing pucks at the net, going hard to the blue paint. Then I watched Keystone Cops defence and floppitis between the posts. I’m sorry, but even offensive D men have to take the body in D zone. Bobby Orr was offensive D man, but was nasty all day in the D zone. If the foresrds are bagged on the forecheck, get the hell off. The coast from blue to blue is BS.

Gerta Rauss

That’s just how the coaches drew it up!!

danny

Well that was… something

jp

3 stars:
Kane
McDavid
Hyman

Yup.

(from an Oil fan perspective at least!)

SKOilerFan

97 loses his man going to net, Smith bails him out then he wins it. What a swing

Reja

Smith was jacked up so was Connor.

KassHat

Smith still needs to retire.

jzed

The lyrics , spot on, the opening hide my junk shot, well the Oiler D were pretty exposed…..

OriginalPouzar

This is a take:

Mark Spector

@SportsnetSpec
 · 12m
It’s such a knee-jerk to just blame everything on Mike Smith.
In reality, the Blues goaltending has been worse tonight, on the whole.
The difference in this game is that one team shows composure late in a tight game, and the other does not.

Material Elvis

Husso played great for the Blues. Smith won with an .861 save percentage…

Derek

Surprised he didn’t say Mcdavid and Draisaitl need to be better. Fucking hack.

Munny 2.0

If Smith had made that save Husso dropped to Nurse’s stick…

godot10

MS’s have to hang together or they will surely hang apart.

fishman

Well thats a big two points!

norm2015

sphincter release

OriginalPouzar

That was a perfect pass by Drai!

jp

Well that goal feels god damn good!!!

Beauty too, Nurse to Draisaitl, with the lovely touch to McDavid!

Edit: guess I should include the big save by Smith before heading up ice for the win.

Last edited 2 years ago by jp
nelson88

Ok. They only had to score 6 to win. I gave the blues too much credit.

Material Elvis

Beauty goal! Wooooo!!

OriginalPouzar

The Oilers played their back-up, who was AWFUL, and the OIlers got two points!

Mikko back for Califronia – three very winnable games coming up.

KnightRain

BOOM!!! McDavid Drai magic!!! All they needed was ONE chance!!!

Diablo

Points!

David

So satisfying to see a team that won’t go for it lose.

Reja

What your strategy be facing Connor, Leon and Nurse.

Munny 2.0

GAME OVER!!!!!

Tarkus

A rush and a push and the win is ours!

MrEd

Strangeways the way it went.

Last edited 2 years ago by MrEd
OriginalPouzar

Two points!

Derek

Ahhh, ya hear that? Mike Smith wants more difficult games down the stretch to teach the team how to win. It’s all a part of the plan for Agent Smith.

LMHF#1

He also appeared to need something to eat before OT…that was weird.

Pretendergast

That’s like telling your older brother ‘ok now im actually trying’ when he knows full damn well you’ve been giving 110% to try and beat him. Who are you trying to fool Michael.

Munny 2.0

MacT is so good

LMHF#1

Two straight games with no business
going into OT.

Not good…

Last edited 2 years ago by LMHF#1
SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

And yet they’ve come away with four points against teams ahead of them…

There is a way to not see darkness in everything.

nelson88

Sorry. Guaranteed one point

nelson88

Smart play by Kane. Have to play for the one point here

Munny 2.0

blues finally screw up and the oil pounce but don’t capitalize

Munny 2.0

the oilers are playing they’ve been told “don’t fuck up the point”

Munny 2.0

Lol, that was a little more than an eyelash. got a little excited

teddyturnbuckle

Smith hasn’t been great but I don’t put this on him. Stupid penalty by Foegle, sit him next game. Kassian is terrible. Two turnovers on his first shift. Nuge has been invisible.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

In 2018-2019 the Sharks made the western conference finals. During the regular season, Dell had a .886 and Jones had a .896. Jones rocked a .898 in the playoffs.

Oilers have a chance!

Reja

Wow!

danny

Being an Oilers fan feels like a real life version of PC Load Letter

SKOilerFan

Skinner and Nemo better have plane tickets bought already. Never seen a softer D corpse as this.
And we knew Smith was done.6 weeks ago

Pretendergast

**months

knighttown

**years

Tarkus

Summarizing!

Tullio got an aPPle, scored in the shootout, and had 4 SOG in a 4-3 win.

Lachance also procured an aPPle.

The Bourg and Chiasson were held pointless, while Wanner remains out of the MJ lineup.

Munny 2.0

Both Dmen at our goal line and all three forwards standing at the opposition blue line on that breakout

thelongdark

So not playing the system.

Munny 2.0

glimmers of a shift