The Edmonton Oilers currently sit in the Pacific Division’s second spot, four points up with a game in hand on the Los Angeles Kings. When the LAK faceoff on the left coast against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, the Oilers-Golden Knights game in hand will be spent. A six-point lead (if Edmonton wins) is a significant gap with six to play, that could be the case by five tonight.
The Oilers play the Golden Knights this afternoon, five points up and both teams have seven left to play. An Edmonton win would give the home team a seven-point lead with six to play and enough breathing room to flash a Sather smile.
If Vegas and LAK win today, and Edmonton loses? The Oilers would be two points up on the LAK with a game in hand and six to play. Vegas with a win (and obviously an Edmonton loss) would be three points behind, both teams six to play.
The game doesn’t start until 2pm local time, but it’s close enough to High Noon and the plot fits. It’s going to be a big day.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Ryan McLeod’s comparables are encouraging for young Oilers centre
- DNB & Lowetide: Why the Jesse Puljujarvi criticism in Edmonton misses the mark
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s deployment is working, despite play in Wild loss
- Lowetide: Evander Kane’s scoring prowess and what he brings the Oilers
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s Hart case
- Lowetide: Oilers signing Noah Philp latest connection with Golden Bears
- DNB: Dylan Holloway call-up? Jay Woodcroft extension? Zack Kassian trade? Oilers mailbag
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
- Lowetide: Finding Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ wingers elusive challenge for Oilers
- DNB: Oilers player poll
- Lowetide: Making the final call on the Oilers 2017 draft
- Lowetide: How many more college players will Oilers sign this spring?
- Lowetide: Strong March puts Oilers in position for top-3 finish in Pacific Division
- DNB: Connor McDavid at 100 points
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers free-agent targets for 2022 offseason
- Lowetide: Are Oilers approaching a crossroads with Zack Kassian?
- DNB: Should Oilers budget for Evander Kane beyond this season?
- Lowetide: 7 Condors who could impact Oilers’ fortunes in the playoffs
- DNB: How Jesse Puljujarvi, as a player and person, became perfect fit for Oilers
- Lowetide: Revisiting the Oilers’ choice of Evan Bouchard in the 2018 draft
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM APRIL
- At home to: STL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: ANA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- At home to: COL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
- On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- 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: 5-1-1, 11 points in 7 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 43-26-6, 92 points in 75 games
Edmonton is 20-8-3 under Jay Woodcroft with seven to play. That’s 43 points in 31 games. Under Dave Tippett, the Oilers posted 23-18-3, 49 points in 44 games. Can Woodcroft get six more points to pass Tippett, despite coaching six fewer games? Can Woodcroft grab eight points in the last seven games to find the century mark? April is a hammer for Edmonton so far, will it continue?
OILERS FORWARDS AFTER 75 GAMES
This is five-on-five offense, with rank among NHL forwards who have played enough minutes to qualify. I’ve included both goals and points per 60 and rank. The top 96 are first line players, so that’s Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman in goals-per-60, with Hyman just outside in points-per-60. Derek Ryan is posting second-line totals from the depth trios, and the young skill wingers (Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto) are shy of second-line production. In the case of Puljujarvi, he’s just shy (there are 192 skill forwards in the NHL) but Yamamoto’s production is not close to the range. One weird item that only the nerd patrol will appreciate, and since I’m the only one it’s silly to point out. The top three lines are populated by 288 forwards. Ryan McLeod, who is at No. 287, is producing at a third-line level. Zack Kassian, one measly point off McLeod, falls below the line. Math is funny that way.
DEFENSE
This is sorted by expected goals and is about what one might expect. Bouchard is doing well on a depth line, his goal share (all of these numbers are five-on-five) should increase before the end of the season. Darnell Nurse is having a fine year, but many Oilers fans will balk at the thought. Cody Ceci had a tough start to the year but has come on over the last several months and at this point should be considered vital to the roster. Duncan Keith has delivered consistently since the start of the season, the contract aside he’s done well. I think he would be better deployed with a veteran who had foot speed, Oilers moved Ceci up and now he’s playing with Bouchard. Tyson Barrie has some wobble but his actual goal share is strong. No one is arguing for him but Philip Broberg’s fancy stats were headed in a good direction when he was sent to the Bakersfield Condors.
TODAY
Vegas is strong currently, rolled over the Calgary Flames like they were a gopher on the highway. If Edmonton can win this afternoon, the final games of the season will be more about individual stats and we’ll argue about Mike Smith making Ken Holland look like a genius (THAT should be epic!). This is a massive game today. In the six games this month that have Colorado as bookends, I had Edmonton going 2-4-0. Currently, the Oilers have delivered 1-1-1, and a win today would mean exceeding my prediction with two to play. I love these kinds of games, they’re an excellent test for a team trying to reach for higher ground.
Calgarys big 3 FAs combine for 5 goals and 5 assists against NHL fodder tonight. Love to see it.
Its going to be an expensive off-season for the Flames.
The way to keep “the gang” together (Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangiapane, Kylington) is to dispose of Monohan but that would be quite expensive to rid themselves of.
I do have a feeling that the flames will be “saved” by full-season LTIR for Monohan – not a great place to be (as we’ve seen with LTIR hell for years now) but it would at least allow them to come close to signing their incumbents.
By the way, the player that led the Oil in HDSC tonight was Warren “Commission” Foegele.
I’m telling you, man, this guy’s a player and I’m not just spouting conspiracy theory.
He has found his game at exactly the perfect time. It’s a beautiful thing
Kings win, collect 2 points.
Last year I was cheering for a Jets series over the Habs because Jets had injuries as I believe Ehlers, Dubois were out. Plus the Habs were so hard on the puck physically with guys like my man Josh Anderson and we also beat up on the Jets all year. Anyhow I didn’t learn from last year and I’m cheering for the Kings. I’m secretly hoping for a Vegas Calgary rock ‘em sock ‘em series that goes 7 games into OT.
I’m not certain the Knights would be more physical than the Kings.
DAL 2-1 final over the Sharks
There is some separation now between the 2 wildcard spots (91 points DAL/NASH) and Vegas (87 points)
LA is up 2-1 late in the 3rd
Rough night if you’re a Vegas fan
Vegas has 6 games left. 3 against playoff teams.
LA has 5 games left. 0 against playoff teams.
I’m rooting for the Kings. Not sure if they are a better match for the Oilers or not.
I just want to see LTIR shenanigans blow up in the face of the Golden Knights.
Yes. More of this please.
After tonight I kinda think I prefer the Golden Helmets as a first round opponent. But, I also think as you do, and are hoping for the Kings too. Can’t disagree with a single word.
And it didn’t get any better. Kings held on.
Going to be curious to see how Vegas plays their next one, And will Lehner be back by then? At some point doubt and nerves are going to set in. That’s a veteran team and maybe they keep it in focus, but they’re in a tough spot right now. They might pack it in.
Just checked… they play Joizy on Monday and the Caps on Wednesday. Joizy is fast but fragile. Dangerous team if you’re not attentive to detail—doubt can be a killer. And the Caps are motivated, chasing the Pens for 3rd and the right to face the Rangers instead of the Canes.
Well except the Rangers have now caught Carolina. They each have 104 points with 6 games to go. New York is as hot as the Oilers since March 1, and Carolina has the 18th best record in the league in the same time frame. Carolina does have the easier 6 games remaining though. Not sure which team Washington or Pittsburgh would rather face, but the team with the leading Vezina candidate would seem scary in a first round match up.
You’re right they have! I shouldn’t assume. That Carolina team is composed of antichrists though. I feel like they can put the pedal down when they need to.
I think ManWood will run 7 D in the playoffs, as many have called for.
Beyond the obvious ‘it works’, I’m relatively sure of it because of a specific deployment change.
Q: what does 7D Kris Russell do?
A: ‘Defend’. Also, ‘defend on the PK’.
I’d noticed after the trade deadline that all 3 D pairs were killing penalties. It wasn’t a usual PK deployment, Nurse-Ceci took more than half of all PK minutes (~28) in the first 10 games after the deadline, and all of the other 4 D played between 10:30 and 15 minutes. Tyson Barrie played 12:18 on the PK in those 10 games, after playing 20:49 in his first 111 games as an Oiler.
Since Russell has been back in the lineup the last 2 games, the team has gone back to a more normal PK rotation. Nurse-Ceci played about 5:45, Kulak-Barrie played 3:50 (and Keith-Bouchard played about 1:25, so not totally out of the rotation). Barrie played 3 seconds.
ManWood are about specialization and using guys to their strengths. We’re left with:
Nurse-Ceci – heavy even strength minutes and PK1
Keith-Bouchard – heavy even strength minutes, some PP2 and PK3
Kulak/Barrie/Russell – 3rds at even strength and PP or PK (Barrie heavy PP, Kulak-Russell PK2).
There’s a strong logic there, and playing players to their strengths, so my guess is we’ll see it continue. Also, it works.
Edit: I should note that the Oilers PK was stellar overall in this 12 game stretch. As I mentioned earlier the team went 4GF-2GA on the PK. Only the Nurse-Ceci (1GA) and Kulak-Barrie (1GA) pairings allowed a GA. Ceci-Nurse actually went 3GF-1GA, and Keith-Bouchard 1GF-0GA. That is to say none of them performed poorly at all, despite the coaches deployment changes in the last 2 games.
I should also have mentioned.
Kris Russell doesn’t only defend, and defend on the PK.
Sometimes he also scores GAME WINNING GOALS BABY!!!
This is creative and so makes sense with what ManWood inherited – strong top-end F and middling but wide D talent. the 10th – 12th F are different flavours which can be rolled into the lineup depending on the predicament.
But let’s not fool ourselves, Mike Smith’s resurrection is the real driver hire. Massive credit to whomever in the Oilers org who knew whatever about his health and potential, many of us were writing his eulogy not 3 weeks ago…
That’s definitely part of it, but I really think it’s a mix of a lot of things.
The Oilers are winning the 5v5 battle (real goals and underlying numbers) for the first time in forever (OK, for first time since 16-17, but aside from that you need to go back to MacTavish as coach).
Woodcroft and Manson also have the PP and both PK humming again. The first time all of 5v5, PP and PK are above average together since I have no idea. Maybe the 80s?
Some of that is Smith. A lot of that is ManWood’s systems and deployment (as above) and getting full engagement from the team. I think adding Kane (a legit 1st line forward) is also a big part of things clicking.
Kane and Kulak may just be temporary, but they’re both plugging important holes that were in the lineup. And Smith, yeah, he appears to finally be ‘up and running’ at just the right time.
This is a great catch, JP.
I think the right/left ability that KRusty provides is the other factor. Manson has the option to fill on either side with KRusty in the line-up.
Gives you the ability to protect either side of the pairings, or manage their minutes (Because at his age, Keith can use some management too). If someone is struggling, doesn’t matter which side they play.
I also trust Kowboy more than most to play minutes against tough opp. I don’t trust him to score, like he did tonight lol, but I trust his effort and composure and experience in our zone. He’s Steve Staios on that regard.
That comment from Woody tonight about Russell’s Jr scoring was quite funny though. Tells me he gets saddled with the mean horse most often and not the easy gallop.
Yes, agree Russell being able to play both sides (didn’t I see Kulak playing RD with Russell too?) and be spotted with anyone is key.
In terms of managing minutes, with 7D really everyone has been playing less than they’re used to. That said, I was surprised how the even strength pairs remained more like a top 4 + 3rd pair, while the special teams saw big changes.
Even strength minutes/game:
Nurse-Ceci 18:04
Bouchard 17:30
Keith 16:12
Kulak/Barrie/Russell 9:52-11:30
Total TOI (per game average now):
Ceci 21:02
Nurse 20:52
Bouchard 18:25
Keith 16:57
Barrie 13:48
Kulak 13:25
Russell 11:49
I guess Ceci is at his season average, but everyone else is 1:30 to 5:00 below their season average TOI/game.
Summarizing!
Chiasson gets the one assist, though he had a team-high 4 SOG. And this being the final game of the Wheaties’ season, he will finish with six goals–and no better than a share of the Smyth Cup.
Lachance was held off the scoresheet.
Just a heads up, but the shortie is now Nuge’s goal. Ryan with the only assist.
With the Kings jumping out to a 2-0 lead on Columbus, this day is just getting worse and worse for the Knights.
I love it.
A Dark Knight
That’s a shame.
Columbus (or should I say Merzlikins) is hanging tough. 2-1 Kings on top almost half way into the 3rd. The Kings have outshot Blue Jackets, 32-20 so far. LA is just teasing the Knights right now.
Chiasson picks up a secondary apple:
https://mobile.twitter.com/bdnwheatkings/status/1515516261182193670?cxt=HHwWjIC-8dGAmYgqAAAA
Condors with a solid PK on an early Berglund interference penalty – Marody with a nice zone entry, puck squirts to Griffith with some slick stickhandling to create separation – back to Kaldis who sifts one home from the point.
1-0 Condors early.
Ben Meyers, the prize NCAA free agent signing for Colorado in the lineup tonight.
Scores.
Yay garbage time goals!
He scored on his 1st shot and second shift in the NHL.
Stop mentioning this kid before you ruin his NHL career, just like you did Rafferty.
darn! that kid will get such a good education in pro hockey vs the Oilers in the Western conference final. sakic wins again
Montreal really hanging that kid out to dry in net tonight. Hes been in for all 8.
The organization does have a history of doing as such – with a not so great record of positive results.
He may never play for the habs again…or in the NHL for that matter.
What history is that?
Patrick Roy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCBWqwgbQ_0
I fully remember the Roy incident with Tremblay. One incident is not a history. I doubt OP has a clue whether this type of thing happens any more in Montreal than with any other team.
Well OP isn’t big on history but once in a 113 year history is a glaring pattern.
Yes, fair enough. I also thought after the first post to ask if it’s happened between 1995 and 2022.
I can remember being so happy with Tremblay when he did that, a guy I really liked as a player (I have a thing about #14s, which was my number. I hated the Habs). Yes, mess with Roy’s head, please. Probably had it coming anyways.
And then the buggers traded Roy to the West. And that was it for me and Mario. If I had his phone number, I would’ve called him personally, and told him it was over between us. #14 to #14.
Mike Griffith
@MikeGriffith54
·
13m
Injury plagued
@Condors
taking on Abbotsford. Marody slots back in. Lines:
Benson-Malone-Kambeitz
Schaller-Hamblin-Sceviour
Marody-Cracknell-Griffith
McPhee-Esposito-Brosseau
Kaldis-Desharnais
Kielb-Kesselring
Peters-Berglund
Skinner
Ryan McLeod at 5 on 5:
9-4 CF
9-2 SF
2-0 GF
6:31 TOI (close to 9 min overall)
Most common linemates: Ryan, Foegele, Kassian
19 seconds with McDavid and just over a minute with Drai.
One of the wounded are back:
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
9m
Alright here we go…
Skinner (4-1, 2.19, .908 v ABB) gets the nod.
Condors get Marody (missed 6) and Esposito (suspended) back.
Great atmosphere already. Big two points on the line. Talk to ya in 15 #Condorstown!
Ten game thoughts after the delayed viewing:
Has TMac sent Jay a gift basket yet? At least a “thank you” text? Huge favour the Oil did for LAK today…
And a shout out to Jack Michaels for the third base story. Pretty sure snot came out my nose when he joked about beaning his mother in the stands, the line was so unexpected.
Could I add #11?
Broadcast mentioned Mike Smith as the SEVENTH NHL goalie over 40 years old to record 2 straight shutouts… what a backhanded and obscure compliment. I’m wracking to think of what company he’s in Hasek… ????
Haha, I noticed that too and was shocked. No clue. I’d guess we’re going back pre-1980 for the ones other than Hasek.
Courtesy of nhl.com:
Smith became the sixth goalie in NHL history with back-to-back shutouts at age 40 or older, joining Dominik Hasek (twice), Johnny Bower (twice), Martin Brodeur, Dwayne Roloson and George Hainsworth.
https://www.nhl.com/news/mike-smith-second-straight-shutout-for-edmonton-oilers/c-333091824
Perfect, thanks.
So more recent ones than you’d think, but you’ve got to go back almost 90 years to get all of the ones on record.
That’s pretty good company. While Roloson didn’t hit his stride till he was 32-33 and only garnered a few Vezina votes in his career, Bower, Hasek and Brodeur are on the NHL list top 100 players of all time, and George Hainsworth was probably close to being on that list too. Hall of fame career and won the first 3 Vezinas awarded. Vezina died suddenly from TB and Hainsworth replaced him in the Habs net. Hainsworth also holds the single season shutout record of 22 in 44 games.
That’s incredible company. And if it wasn’t for era, Hainsworth probably makes the list. That said, a list like that needs a separate one for goalies.That position could easily be a quarter or more of the list.
22 is incredible. I think Sawchuk only hit 12 in his best year. And I don’t think Marty ever beat that.
Yes, you may definitely turn it up to 11, and that is a worthy addition.
I was a pretty hard marker above, but Smith definitely deserves kudos for the B2B. I thought he played the puck a lot more tonight than he did against the Preds (where he seemed more cautious), and a couple hiccups resulted. Plus he was down and out I think three times and the Kniggets couldn’t cash. Hence my ‘lucky” remark.
But…
He made many quality saves, and out-played the rook at the other end. Any game you are stoning Patches on multiple clean looks, you deserve praise. Got Marchessault couple of times too.
Lol and that said, the only odd man break Veg got today, IIRC, was the one Yams back-checked on. Really good team D too.
In fact, I’ve watched a good chunk of the game again and I’d probably give the Oiler offense more credit. Some of the issues were bad choices, some were simply bad passes (which happen), some were great D by the Knights.
97 didn’t get a point but his line set the tone all game long. in fact the team’s first three legit hits in the game came on one shift, L1’s second. Eichel can’t match him, and I wonder how Vegas would line match if this was a home game.
Due to a technicality, modern new age defenceman Evan Bouchard’s wonderful rookie season isn’t being talked about much in the media or by the general public.
1st in ES points for rookie blueliners. Plays the PK. Makes startling good passes and has great offensive vision.
He’s been a little up and down over the course of the year, but has good underlying numbers and the worst PDO for Oilers blueliners has him underperforming his XGF%.
This guy looks like a keeper. Might be my next jersey.
There should be room for “Bouch Bomb on a jersey, right?
It’s all about Peaking, Peaking, Peaking!
Stomped them cap cheating baggers old schools style. My favorite play was the Yamo back check to disrupt Old Patches on that 2-1. Beautiful stuff.
One of the things that key here is a good chunk of these guys have played together for a few years now and they are playing for each other. There’s the old story of an early 80s Oiler player walking by tge Islander dressing room after a Cup final game and seeing nothing but blood sweat and tears. The NHL isn’t a video game and constantly turning over half the roster messes with team gelling. Watch every post game hug fest when Smith pitches a beauty or Mikko stands tall and look at how damn happy McD and Nurse are. The hugs are real and spectacular.
Im so happy Foegele is hitting his stride now. I watched a bunch of Canes games last year and thought he was a really astute pickup but he had me doubting a bit. Great to see him round into form on that 3rd line.
Vegas was fresh off a full on beat down of the Phlegms and in a must win game that got taken to the WoodMan shed.
Ahhh this is fun. Dammit this is fucking fun!
Keep it rolling boys the promised land is only a few weeks away!
Yamo looked super fast on the back-check – faster than I can ever recall before.
For me the best thing form this game is that the Oil can roll with VGK, so it doesn’t matter who gets 3rd in the Division.
Second best thing is a relaxed family Easter weekend evening.
Third best is the Oil are bulletproof to trolling for a bit!
Smith proving me wrong everyday.
Attaboy
That makes two of us😉
3!
Two really excellent performances after the Wild debacle. Mike Smith is an easy guy to root for and I am delighted he is playing so well. Warren Foegele is a good player but is not a guy who will excel on the fourth line. I just hope they will stop moving around this third line – it has been great.
Jesse Granger
@JesseGranger_
·
1h
This is probably the most complete defensive performance I’ve seen from Edmonton against the Golden Knights in 5 seasons.
The Oilers have limited Vegas’ chances in transition, and kept the Golden Knights out of the slot entirely when Vegas has sustained zone time.
Oilers are 3-1-0 against Vegas this year too. That right there is what separates them from a playoff spot. 😁
Oilers magic number (points) to stay ahead of Vegas and ensure a top 3 finish in the Pacific is now 6.
That is, even if Vegas goes 6-0 to finish the season, a 3-3 finish by the Oilers keeps them ahead.
If Vegas goes 5-1, the Oilers only need to finish 2-4-0, and so on.
Great to feel good going into a Saturday night, thank you boys. Just caught the start of Jets/Lightning game. Killorn gets away with a high stick deflection goal. Whoever the color guy is, he’s blind and a Lightning fan. Same as the review morons at NHL. Check the reviews and I dare you to see it hit his glove in any of them. This league is so Micky Mouse at times
Usually all of the time
There’s no consistency on some calls it’s like they picked some random guy off the street and paid him $50 and a bottle to make these calls.
Yeah, and he finished the bottle before the game.
If Smith is healthy it’s almost time for a few posters to end this narrative that leaky oops I shit the bed again Mikko will start the pressure packed 1st game of the playoffs.
Has anyone had a narrative the Koskinen would start is Smith was the better goalie going in to the playoffs?
Of course, some/many/most didn’t think Smith would get back to this level but that’s not the implication of the post.
If the shoe fits young fella.
Including Reja…who, by the way, was cheering hard for Mikko only a few weeks ago.
Its notable that he’s gone from “Kosh” to “Leaky Mikko”…….
Nice talk – grow up.
You should hear the talk in a real men’s locker room, you would be absolutely horrified.
I called Smith being the starter for game 1 of the Playoffs weeks ago because Mikko can’t be trusted in my opinion. The only other poster on board with Smith was Ashley. I also called for Skinner over Mikko and it was to one of your posts. I’m a Oiler fan and if Mikko ends up starting I’ll definitely cheer for him.
Same as it ever was.
Flavour of the week.
Don’t be so hard on yourself it’s ok to like Smith again.
Yeah. Haven’t they both been playing well? Where did this leaky Miko come from?
I missed the game. Checked the score when I got home. Wow. Statement game.
Smells like rubber hitting the road.
Mike Smith I have never doubted you! You beautiful man.
Mike Smith is now 7-1-0 in 8 appearances since turning 40. 1.97 GAA, .942 SV%, 2 SO.
And the one loss was in relief against the Flames, because the Oilers ended up scoring 5 and letting Mikko off the hook.
Up to .922 under Woodcroft, and .911 on the season. Crazy.
Mike just needed 3/4 of the season to limber up. When other players age, their performance falls off a cliff. Mike just needs more runway to get up to speed.
Oilers goaltenders continue to do their job, especially when the Oilers re committed to team-defense.
Cheers to ManWood to enable the team to focus on a “one day at a time” mentality. This is a team as focused and prepared as I’ve ever seen.
At least since 06
What. A. Win.
I noticed a tonne of VGK offsides and neutral zone turnovers. The Oilers had that extra step or reach to disrupt their entire game plan. I credit coaching and goaltending for this one.
How great is that 3rd line? Unicorns! Funny how Ryan looked ready to retire with one coach and a resurgent wily vet under JW. Just wow. What a turnaround for this team. It being so unexpected and unimaginable makes it so much better.
There’s a lot to be said for coaches that are open minded and creative and use players to their current strengths, instead of marginalizing them. Team building is at the core of the gig
Ryan is one of the hockey smartest players on the ice. He’s not big or fast, but he is looking for a play all of the time
For me it’s not surprising he’s good with Nuggy, a similar and of course better version
And the perfect bookend is a big fast net driving disruptive player to balance the smaller not blazing fast two
Just have to find that balance for the 4th
They are best served to be able to roll 4 lines and three pairs in the playoffs or they’ll run out if petrol
With this roster, I like 7-11.
You’re welcome city of Angels. Now do something with your easy peasy sched.
538 playoff odds
Kings 56%
Knights 47%
Never Say Dys 12%
Stars reach 90%
Oil past 99%
Insanely huge win!
This is an exact representation of how I feel about everything HH has said regarding Vegas and Edmonton. Suck a lemon!
Right?! And he’ll keep on trolling while happily ignoring how regularly wrong he is. And not it’s a little wrong…
My grandad was in the RAF during WWII and beyond. He used to tell the story of this cafeteria rule. Every time you entered the cafeteria you had to do 5 chin ups on a bar that hung above the doorway, or you wouldn’t get your meal. There was one older officer (I couldn’t tell you his rank) who was shaped like a bowling ball, who never did the chin ups but always got fed. One of the guys finally called him out for it. He didn’t say anything but he walked back to the chin up bar and did 5 one-arm chin ups no problem (not the cheater kind where you hold your wrist with the other hand too). Nobody ever called him out for it again. I’m pretty sure Mike Smith just did 5 one-arm chin ups.
Foggy showing all of us that were hoping for more that there is more
He has been an absolute beauty for the past couple of weeks. Love it.
A solid player for sure. I’m also hoping for a lot of hard ass play in the playoffs. I think by nature he’s a civilized guy, put it away for a month Foggy! It’s only cheating if Gary calls it
Since everyone is in a good mood…
Hunter1909’s Playoff Death March for 2022…
1 – Predict how many playoff wins Oilers get
2 – Predict how many goals McDavid gets
3 – Predict how many goals Draisaitl gets
eg: Wins 11; McD 7; Leon 9
Its easy!
note: Make sure to keep the McDavid/Draisaitl(tie break) predictions separate
Folks are gonna want to revise their predictions if the Oilers aren’t careful!!
Not allowed.
This is why I wait until the last possible moment before making my predictions
I usually do too, but I got all excited the other day and put mine in early this time!
Guilty.
The defence looks solid. Who would have thunk it?
My spidey sense tells me the team loves Duncan Keith.
0 points for McDavid and Draisaitl
Bums
Trade ’em and weaponize the cap space.
Holland was a genius for bringing Smith back at such a team friendly contract
Congratulations to the Oilers for making the playoffs. I never doubted you
In actuality, I think the Vegas regulation loss did clinch for the flames…..
I think you’ll find us at 100% for playoffs on all models in the am
We have to help them with everything. So needy
Another shutout for Smith. Not bad for an injured backup. I would have thought our 1A would get this game. 😉
But it’s important to be consistent. If we are going to blame the team (especially the forwards) for 6 GA a game and 15 ten bell chances that Smith and Koskinen do their best with, then we must also praise the team (especially the forwards) for their attention to defensive backchecking and covering the open players in games like this. This is a totally different team than what we saw all year, even two weeks ago. 10 bell chances were kept to a minimum and Smith was able to bail them out when they faltered and allowed a few.
This style of game is how you win championships. Suddenly, the hapless Oilers look anything but and like a serious playoff threat.
Regardless of whether it is fair or a good idea, Smith starts game one of the playoffs. Book it.
Unless Smith is bad, his attitude will get him the start
He’s the most aggressive player on the team. Nobody will get in his face because he’ll kick their butts and they know it, and that is a good thing given the D corp
Players go for pucks but nobody is crashing the net and violating his blue paint on a regular basis
For a team of less aggressive players he’s a good foil. Mikko is fine when on his game, but he is in the quiet non aggressive camp
Great team win. I think we need to stick with the 7-11 as long as we have the big 3 C’s healthy.
This is a game that can do some serious damage in the playoffs! Offence from the bottom six! Forwards backchecking like their life depends on it! Good sticks in all zones! Defencemen with excellent transitions! Smith looking calm and composed and being smart with his passing!
Bring on any team. With this game, we’re gonna be a Beast to play against!!!
Incredibly satisfying game.
Exactly the game I was hoping to see before the puck dropped!
They brought their A game and we stomped on em!
Bring On The PLAYOFFS!!!
👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
I’m amazed we never see NHL coaches kicked out of games. How do they not simply lose it on refs sometimes? The oilers win 4-0 and I’m pissed about reffing yet again. It’s not even the missed calls – it’s the random nature of the calls. Blatantly obvious interference calls are missed time after time, and then they call an interference penalty for some incidental obstruction.
Blue Jays skipper Charlie Montoya was ejected today for arguing a pitch. No question the ump blew the call, but he was making the same awful call all game. At least he was consistent. Montoya would lose his bloody mind coaching a hockey game.
Agreed. I give nhl coaches credit for not blowing a gasket in some games.
Just one of these games I’d love to see a Playfair stick tossing incident to bring more attention to the officiating issues
The shock of the season since the new coach – Oilers playing competent defence.
Attaboy Smith 1st Goal was huge and you made some tricky saves before that happened.
Flames better watch out .
Well folks, that right there is some kind of statement game for your Edmonton Oilers.
Just a huge win, wow. And a total dagger to Vegas!
Another extremely strong game by Mike Smith.
Despite 39 shots I thought that was a pretty complete effort. If any Oiler had a poor game I can’t think of him.
So damn impressive!
I asked after the 3-2 win over the LA Kings when the rubber road was coming and I got a response “Right Effing Now!” and then a post of the upcoming schedule starting with Colorado.
Since then, 2-1-1 with back to back fully deserved 4-0 shut outs in massive games.
My goodness!
Hah! Let alone how Vegas was going to “thrash” the Oilers once they were healthy…
What a third period. And back to back shutouts for Smiddy.
Grandpa goalie is going streaking!
Ouch! Thanks for a mental image I will be telling my therapist about for years…. LOL.
BOOM!!! Smith with a well deserved ShutOut!!!
About that 7 game rubber meets the road stretch against playoff contending teams starting in LA….Who all had the Oil reaching 7 points with 2 still to go?