Years ago, an innovative songwriter wrote about a couple who didn’t like the shows on television. The song’s author put the couple to work, one inventing situations and the other scouting out locations. Turns out, they were more interesting than the television they’d been watching.
I think the Edmonton Oilers invented their own situation on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Place. If you watched the game between the Oilers and Golden Knights yesterday, I think there’s a chance you said something like “haven’t seen an Oilers team do that in a long time.” I swear Michael Peca and Radek Dvorak took a few shifts yesterday, and maybe Craig MacTavish was behind the bench telling the ref “you can’t possibly be this bad” at some point in the second period.
Attention to defensive detail, quick thinking, support from all areas. Judy’s in the bedroom, inventing situations, Bob is on the street today, scouting up locations. I swear it happened just this way.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Recent rash of injuries to Oilers prospects a familiar story
- 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 1-0-0)
- 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: 6-1-1, 13 points in 8 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 44-26-6, 94 points in 76 games
Jay Woodcroft is now 21-8-3 as an NHL head coach and if the Oilers don’t sign him and Dave Manson you’re going to see a prairie mutiny from the fan base. Woodcroft has coached the Oilers to 45 points in 32 games, he is chasing Dave Tippett’s 49 points in 44 games (except he only has six more games this season). Yesterday, the coaching staff received buy-in from everyone, and sacrifices were made at the very top of the roster for the greater good. There was definitely a little 2006 MacT reminiscence about last night.
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith is now sporting a .911 save percentage, the man is using a neuralyzer on the Guide and Record Book from earlier this season. Smith’s .925 five-on-five save percentage ranks No. 11 among NHL starters with 700 or more minutes. What an incredible run.
DEFENSE
Darnell Nurse had a strong game, picking up an assist, two shots, created a rebound, blocked a shot. He also made several quick decisions with the puck net front, clearing it down the ice or sending it on a quick outlet. Edmonton seemed on top of its defensive game last night, including all skaters. Nurse contributed to that success. Cody Ceci scored, I have no idea how they didn’t give Jesse Puljujarvi the goal (it’s impossible it didn’t hit him). Ceci had two giveaways but kept most sorties to the outside and recovered quickly when beaten. A solid effort, much of it against the best VGK forwards.
Duncan Keith had two shots on goal, blocked seven, ate the puck when he had to and made effective short passes. Evan Bouchard had two shots, plenty of good passes and seemed (by my eye) more fluid in his skating. It’s a long season, I’m sure health and rest have a lot to do with it but Bouchard was moving well yesterday afternoon.
Brett Kulak had two shots, a blocked shot and six hits on the night, he also played two clean PK minutes. You can see him earning a contract with every stride, don’t know where that puts Dmitri Samorukov and Markus Niemelainen, but that’s a summer issue. Tyson Barrie got a good look on the power play and a reasonable chance on the five-on-five, what would have been his best look was called for off side. He played responsibly to my eye, meaning there was less on the offensive end, but it’s good to know he can commit to that style when needed. Kris Russell scored a goal! It was the game winner too! Huzzah! Two shots, two blocked shots, the puck was heading in a good direction whenever he was on the ice. This is season No. 6 in Edmonton, I don’t think he’s won over many people with his play but the GA/60 results at five-on-five shine like a diamond. Did you know this? Maybe you didn’t, let me catch you up. During his Oilers career, at five-on-five, Russell is 193-190 in goal differential. That’s 50.4 percent goal differential. The Oilers without him in those years? 702-737, 48.8 percent. I know about third-pairing minutes, but Russell played second pair for much of his time in Edmonton, and his off side a lot, too. I’m happy he was able to make a difference in such a big game.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane had an assist, two shots, three HDSC’s (all at five-on-five), but also took a penalty and had three giveaways. He adds much to the team, if he doesn’t sign, replacing Kane will be a big part of the summer. Took a penalty, still don’t know what he did to earn it. Connor McDavid had three shots, two HDSC, drew a penalty, had two giveaways but four takeaways and was strong defensively all game. His overall game is maturing by the day. Jesse Puljujarvi had two shots, both reasonable looks, blocked out the goalie on the Ceci goal (it hit something, and I can’t see how even the slowest of mo could identify whose stick it hit) in what was a strong performance by the entire line. It is possible to return both wingers next year, not sure it will happen.
Zach Hyman is the human-being lawnmower. Three shots, one HDSC, he took a penalty on a night when all infractions were curious. Leon Draisaitl won 18 of 27 faceoffs, had a giveaway, blocked a shot, it was a quiet night for the big man but he was responsible. Kailer Yamamoto got in the way on the PK, tracked Max Pacioretty across 120 feet to interrupt a shot from a good location, rang iron and more than made up for his two giveaways.
Warren Foegele might have been the Oilers best player last night, his breakaway goal was a defining moment in the game. He had four shots, four HDSC, a takeaway and was doing good things all over the place. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was wildly effective on the PK, scored a goal that was 75 percent hard work and 25 percent skill, or maybe it was the other way around. Five shots, two blocked shots, three HDSC, what a hockey player. Derek Ryan had an assist, three hits, and is the George Harrison of this line but that’s a lot, too. I think this line will be heard from in the postseason.
Zack Kassian had an assist, took a penalty and five hits. His assist is one for the ages, not certain if the proper coaching etiquette is laughing or yelling but it all worked out. Ryan McLeod had an assist, two shots, four giveaways (that’s too many) and a HDSC.
HAPPY EASTER
I hope you and your family are well, important to check in on each other these days I think. Ziggy is doing fine, she loves the snow and this weather suits her because she gets carried home on walks (what a spoiled dog, don’t know who spoiled her but they did a good job). Mrs. Lowetide is fine, although there was a sound in the bathroom a minute ago but it was her turfing a spray can so it’s all good. The kids both have jobs and one of them has met someone but I can’t say anything because Dad has no sense of these things (apparently) so the world is finally turning as it should again. I wish you the best turkey ever, long hugs with the ones you love and a spring plus summer of true happiness. We all deserve it, and that’s a fact.
In response to Stauffer’s tweet re: Petrov and how he’s repped by Dan Milstein, the same agent as Kane and Kuzmenko, here is Milstein’s qoute replay (and this makes sense as he’d need to clear waivers to play in the NHL this season in any event ):
Dan Milstein-Hockey
@HockeyAgent1
·
2h
Kenny Holland knows very well how to draft gems, develop and manage star players. His word on many levels means something which is a rarity in 2022. Process of interviewing teams for Andrei Kuzmenko would start in May. No rush and don’t expect imminent decision. #WeAreGoldStar!
Thanks, OP. Sounds like Milstein is a big fan of KH. That is a good thing
I would imagine most player agents are fans of KH’s contract negotiation techniques.
Ziiing. “Compliment” and insult at the same time. Well played
So, Mike Smith. He’s certainly looking like our best hope right now.
I recall that he had a .923SV% last season. He’s now at .911SV% this season. And since Woodcroft was hired (which coincided with Smith was at least beginning to get healthy) he’s got a .922SV%, almost identical to last year.
I thought I’d look at Smith, and other relevant goalies, over the last 2 seasons combined.
51 goalies have played at least 40 games (sorry Logan Thompson and Stu Skinner). Of those, Smith ranks 8th with a .918SV%.
A list of ‘relevant’ goalies and their rank of the 51 qualifiers:
Shesterkin .927 (1)
Sorokin .925 (2)
Saros .923 (3)
Swayman .922 (4)
Varlamov .922 (4)
Vasilevskiy .920 (6)
Kuemper .919 (7)
Smith .918 (8)
Fleury .917 (9)
Demko .917 (9)
Markstrom .915 (13)
Oettinger .914 (14)
Husso .914 (14)
Talbot .912 (19)
Reimer .912 (19)
Hellebuyck .912 (19)
Nedeljkovic .910 (23)
Lehner .909 (25)
Binnington .907 (30)
Peterson .904 (34)
Quick .904 (34)
Gibson .904 (34)
Grubauer .904 (34)
Koskinen .901 (38)
Holtby .901 (38)
Georgiev .901 (38)
Korpisalo .887 (51)
Smith shows quite well in this look. It seems quite possible that the Oilers won’t actually be at a goaltending disadvantage in their playoff series. Of course we all know things could also go sideways fast.
So, I’m not asking you to believe, I’m just asking you to believe there’s a chance.
Two seasons don’t mean much since more than a few of those goaltenders have changed teams, systems and coaches.
For example, Markstrom admits he had some difficulty last season adapting to Calgary’s style of play but now feels completely comfortable.
Try just this season and it will be much more informative.
You’re being selective. That goes totally against the principle of larger sample sizes.
If all those goaltenders were playing for the same teams, coaches and systems, you would be right.
But they aren’t.
Well we know Smith has struggled with injuries and his full season numbers aren’t as good, though still quite respectable.
Once healthy he doesn’t seem to have had any issues adjusting to Woodcroft’s new system though, as Markstrom apparently did.
Looking at relevant goalies (10+ games; 54 in total) since February 10th:
Kuemper .938 (1)
Sorokin .932 (2)
Shesterkin .932 (2)
Thompson .923 (5)
Smith .922 (7)
Markstrom .919 (10)
Oettinger .918 (12)
Demko .916 (15)
Francouz .914 (17)
Saros .911 (22)
Husso .911 (22)
Fleury .910 (24)
Lehner .908 (only 8 GP)
Binnington .907 (27)
Koskinen .905 (29)
Talbot .904 (30)
Quick .896 (38)
Peterson .890 (45)
Gibson .875 (54)
Is this more informative? Smith still shows quite well (and better than Markstrom again).
Much better.
I’ll give you a non-goaltender example.
Someone in the Leafs analytics department identified Michael Bunting as a low cost replacement for Zach Hyman.
Bunting split last season between the Coyotes and the AHL scoring 13 points in 21 NHL games.
As of this writing, he has scored 63 points in 76 NHL games.
Different team, different coaches, different systems.
It matters. A lot.
This ‘example’ makes no sense.
How do you know the Toronto analytics department identified Bunting?
How does a smaller sample size account for the variables you listed?
Do you think the Leafs threw a dart to find Bunting?
Of course not.
The smaller sample size is much more reflective of what is going on right now…not what happened a year ago when many of these goaltenders were with different teams with different systems and coaches.
Did that same analytics department identify Nick Ritchie and Petr Mrazek as top 6 forward and starting goalie?
He is not a 6 million $ man.Numbers inflated being where he is. Wait till next season after everyone leaves the phlegms. His PO stats are nothing to write home about.
.
Who the hell are you talking about?
I’m responding to YOU on markstrom
Health and injury were always the concerns for Smith.
Injury is unpredictable in athletes on an individual basis but age is definitely a factor in a general sense.
There can be a disagreement about when you have to factor age into the discussion regarding goalies but somewhere around age 35 you need to have confidence in your #2 to carry you for periods of time because you know it is ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ you are going to need him.
That said I expect Smith and Skinner to be our tandem next October barring something exceptional happening between now and then.
Yes, health was the biggest concern, in part due to his age.
I guess Koskinen don’t qualify on the ‘having conference in him’ part, but he was/is a reasonable #2.
In terms of Smith/Skinner next season. I agree it’s a real possibility. More likely if Smith does well in the playoffs. A bad playoffs changes the equation though I think.
Holland went after Markstrom in 2020, and Kuemper last summer (after a much more confidence-inspiring season from Smith). I suspect he’ll enquire about Kuemper again if he reaches market.
He can’t be fully comfortable going with Smith/Skinnner, though if he’s going to make a serious play to retain Kane it’s hard to see how he can spend more than $3M on the goaltenders.
The last time I heard Holland talk about the goalies he expected Skinner to be in the NHL next season. As you say the playoffs could change things but as it stands today I am expecting Smith & Skinner next October. If Kane decides he likes Edmonton that makes it even more likely since, as you say, he has to save money somewhere.
He’s gone looking for a goalie each of the last 2 years, he may well again (of course he may not be the highest bidder again, either).
What do you think of Skinner as the #2? I suppose that’s sort of in your first post though.
What I think is that Skinner is capable of providing average, predictable goal tending at the NHL level while remaining healthy & logging starting duties over a length of time should his partner be injured or unable to play for a very small cap hit by NHL standards. Maybe Skinner is more than that. I don’t know but I think he is at least that.
In a cap league not every position is going to be filled by a name or star and Holland has won with average predictable goal tending in the past where the talent in other positions was strong enough to compensate.
He has Smith signed and no money to waste. I am just doing the math.
Yeah, I agree it’s the most likely scenario. And whatever else happens, I think Skinner is probably more certain of being on the roster next year than Smith.
Skinner has paid his dues, hopefully he’s up to the task.
Hoo boy.
STL pounding NSH 8-2 after 2 periods.
Should open the door a crack wider for VGK to take a wild card spot.
My pick for playoff dark horse is the Blues…a deep, deep team who could end the regular season with NINE 20 goal scorers.
Isn’t every team your pick for the playoff dark horse?
15 of the 16 playoff teams not named Edmonton Oilers are dark horse underdogs.
The list is incredibly long of teams considered dark horses with a possibility of NINE 20 goal scorers lol.
Colorado and Florida, as just two examples, of teams that are not dark horses.
They have no holes in their lineups.
A object lesson came last night when Colorado thrashed an excellent Carolina team despite missing two great top 6 forwards in Landeskog and Kadri.
Darkhorse means a candidate or team that unexpectedly wins and usually whom little is known about.
Cept the Oilers, of course.
The Oilers don’t strike me as a dark horse although anything can happen.
Marek and Friedman have been going on about this for weeks, saying looking at regulation wins is a great way to assess the quality of playoffs teams since neither 3 on 3 OT or shootouts exist in the playoffs.
Here’s the Western Conference by that metric:
COL 45
CAL 41
STL 41
EDM 35
NSH 35
VGK 33
MIN 33
LAK 31
VAN 30
DAL 29
The Oilers certainly have an advantage over the Kings but the second and third rounds look like a huge mountain to climb.
Colorado is locked in to playing the 2nd wild card team and then will likely face the winner of STL and MIN.
Calgary is all but locked in to play the 1st wild card team which could be any of DAL, NSH or VGK.
So, it will likely come down to CAL vs.EDM in the second round.
Should be fun.
Well, that is really surprising..
8-3 final.
You’re like the Jim Cramer of LoweTide. A reliable bet is to short every long you take…
Can I short the Blues?? I guess that means bets on Min & Col?
Summarizing!
We can do this a little early because Wanner remains out of the MJ lineup for today’s match. He and Chiasson share the Smyth Cup.
Petrov did not claim the Gretzky Cup, but he did reach the 40-goal plateau as his PPG in the final minute of the third forced overtime. He also scored in the shootout but North Bay fell 5-4. (He also drew an assist earlier in the game.)
Like Petrov, The Bourg also went 1+1 on the day, but his goal was an OT winner for his 32nd but of the season:
https://twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1515806681300672522?cxt=HHwWlIC5saiJnYkqAAAA
Tullio was not in Oshawa’s lineup, presumably being rested for the playoffs as the Generals’ playoff position was already set.
Matchups are set in the Dub:
#6 Wheat Kings @ #3 Red Deer (begins Friday)
#4 Moose Jaw vs. #5 Saskatoon (begins Friday)
And also in the OHL:
#2 North Bay vs. #7 Ottawa (begins Thursday)
#6 Oshawa @ #3 Kingston (begins Friday)
Totals for the 4 Oilers prospects whose CHL regular seasons are done:
Chiasson: 20-6-12-18
Wanner: 55-6-17-23
Petrov: 63-40-50-90
Tullio: 65-42-44-86
Prospecting takes a break until Thursday.
Quite a season in the CHL for the prospects.
Bourgault, while still playing, essentially did what was expected in his draft plus 1 as a 1st round pick – top offensive guy and made the WJ team. Too bad he missed some time with injuries.
Tulio, somewhat as expected – perhaps exceeding expectations a bit in his draft plus 2.
Warner – great development season with the arrows up.
Chiasson – of course, overall a disappointing season as he missed 3/4 with injury but heartening last 20 games near a PPG, somewhat in line with expectations I would think.
Petrov – there is the huge up arrow surprise story. Who knows what this season means or where he’ll play next year (OHL vs. AHL) but he’s certainly on the map. You of the few things to thank Covid for (kept him from coming across to the OHL the prior year after being selected at the top of the important draft) and, of curse, thank you Kyle Dubas.
I read the title of the article and immediately thought it would be about HH. Glad it wasn’t!
There is no way VGK qualify as WC2
If they have enough points to beat out DAL or NSH then they’re ahead of LAK for 3rd in the Pacific.
They have a slim chance to over take LAK and almost no chance of over taking NSH or DAL
Nashville definitely leaving the door open tonight.
Happy Easter to everyone. Still no comment on Vancouver having won five in a row; and are just three points behind Vegas with a game in hand. To me it is not just a Kings Knights either or scenario.
The Oilers record when scoring first is something like 26-2-1 (I do not have the exact number) which seems incredible. I have not seen any equivalent league wide stats – are the Oilers an extreme example here or is this becoming a score first and win league?
The Canucks were 8-15-2 under Green and Benning since Boudreau and Smyl have taken over they are 29-13-8 that’s amazing. They say you build a team from the Goaltender out if that’s the case they have the right piece in Demko.
NHL Power Rankings: Things we learned about each team this season
Glass half empty, glass half full (yet).
Vancouver faces a pretty tough final schedule:
vs. DAL
vs. OTT
@MIN
@CAL
vs. SEA
vs.LAK
@EDM
They do have 2 games in hand on LAK and 1 on VGK so there’s a chance but both the Kings and Knights will have to falter.
Compounding things though is that Bo Horvat may be out for the rest of the season after blocking a shot and both Brock Boeser and Tanner Pearson are also out with injury.
Because this is an Oilers blog – well most of the time. Van is like the Jets (except they have an airport) – stuck in the middle with no way out. Actually Van may be like the Habs – a goaltender good enough to keep them from getting great draft picks.
Playoff series wins in the last 10 seasons?
Gee – strong comeback. Vancouver won two series in 2020, one in the qualifying round and one in the first round. So once in the last 10 seasons, Vancouver made it to the second round and lost. And once in the last 10 seasons, Edmonton made it to the second round and lost. So including the qualifying round, Vancouver has a massive 2-1 lead in series victories in the last 10 seasons.
I am guessing you miscounted since the Canucks trip to the Finals was 11 seasons ago, but that mistake is not surprising coming from you. And we can almost be certain one of those teams won’t be winning a playoff round this season, while the other will have a decent opportunity to do so.
But the one that is leading 2-1 is hopeless while the other isn’t?
Hopeless is your word not mine. I provided no commentary on the comparative states of the team other than making sure the facts were clear. And you were not referring to the 2-1 margin in your post or you wouldn’t have referenced 10 seasons.
Had I been trying to skew the numbers massively, I would have included 2011 but that would seem unfair.
Point stands, neither team has much to brag about.
Meaningful comments in the last 10 seasons?
Between 2016 to 2019, they drafted 5th, 5th, 7th and 10th and got Juolevi, Petterson, Hughes and Podkolzin. So far 2 out 4, but there is still time for Podkolzin who is up to now behind the curve for a forward. It also remains to be seen if they will ever have anything to show for going for it sending away firsts and a bunch of other picks to get J.T. Miller, Conor Garland and OEL. Good players to be sure, but a very hefty price to not make the playoffs in 2 consecutive seasons.
I believe HH has called that ‘half pregnant’, is that right?
I would do the Miller trade over again all day long and if Vancouver trades him in the offseason they’ll get a massive haul for him.
The OEL/Garland trade was just dumb but Benning was trying to save his job as often happens.
All he had to do was wait a year and all the shit contracts would have been off the books and The Canucks would have had a ton of cap space and first round picks in the system.
Of course we never know what the directives from ownership are.
Well given that they have almost no prospects a massive haul may get them out of the bottom 5
Lots of work to do but Jim Rutherford has proven himself to be pretty capable.
He says his priority is to create cap flexibility so I wouldn’t be surprised if he trades both Miller and Boeser at the draft.
On his side, he already has an elite goaltender, an elite young defenseman and an elite #1C so the bones are already in place.
Worth noting, after suffering a wrist injury and taking a long time to recover (Dylan Holloway reference), Elias Pettersson is now better than ever and scoring above 1.5 PTS/GP in his last 10 games.
Horvat was also trending to well over 35 goals before getting injured so #2C is well covered.
I seem to recall you defending the OEL trade when it was done and you were praising the Sedin’s for having a hand in it.
But now it is “dumb”.
Now you say the OEL trade was dumb. In the summer you were calling it a coup for Vancouver. Which is it?
Wait, now you’re not a fan of the OEL trade?
https://lowetide.ca/2021/08/05/houses-in-motion/#comment-1035571
In this thread, HH supports the OEL AND Garland trade.
Good stuff.
Pffft, but that was NINE months ago.
Pretty sure you haven’t Ben paying attention to Podkholzin’s progress.
Perhaps a time to remind you he is only 20 and is earning praise from both his coaches and team mates for his strong two way play
Of late, he’s been on PP#1 and is delivering results.
As for Bennings miss steps, do you want to have a discussion about Chiarelli while we’re at it?
Pretty sure I left the door open for Podkolzin’s to demonstrate he is worthy of a upper half first round pick. I did see some of his game against Vegas. He may be moving in that direction but still not there yet. Yes he has 6 points in 6 games, but that is a pretty small sample size. And he will be 21 in 2 months.
Why would I waste my time on a discussion of Chiarelli? He was fired for his miss steps and rightfully so. Why does Benning still have a job?
You know Benning and Green were fired months ago, right?
As noted above the Canucks are 29-13-8 under the new Rutherford-Boudreau regime despite significant injuries to key players.
My bad for forgetting that. I’ll own that mistake. See how that is done?
Vancouver sucks, Edmonton has a far better roster, far better centers, far better defense, far better everything. You suck, Canucks suck, and you suck again.
Here’s a current update for you.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-confidence-vasily-podkolzins-potential
I guess what else are they gonna do now. Looks like a terrible decision to draft him over Boldy
At least they didn’t pass up Zegras to take Broberg.
Broberg is the second coming according to one poster who has rose coloured glasses. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that Holland stuck with the pick that the Detroit organization was going to take. I believe that Red Wings would have taken Broberg if Seider was already gone. Holland went with that script and yes I know Kelfbom probably told Holland about his early retirement but I still think Holland picks Broberg with a semi healthy Kelfbom in the ranks.
Broberg might very well turn out to be a very good NHL defenseman but he is not tracking all that well for such a high pick.
It appears to be a classic “drafting for need” pick when the need was very uncertain.
He was most certainly not the PBA as the subsequent time has demonstrated.
Sounds a lot like what you said about Bouchard. That doesn’t look like it is aging well at all.
Your publicly stated assessments of defenseman, which change often, are generally worthless: Valimaki, Juolevi, Nate Schmidt (elite puck moving defenseman in your words), and the constant BS regarding Brogan Rafferty.
You also previously incorrectly related the history of Roman Josi, who didn’t fully blossom into an elite defenseman till he was 24, his 4th full season in the NHL. John Carlson didn’t earn that distinction till he was 25.
Which poster is that? I don’t recall reading that view in this community?
You’re entitled to your opinion, as alone as you may be in that opnion. I just feel sorry for anyone that feels a discussion with you is worth while. You’re void of integrity, respect and social etiquette. A black hole and a sickness to the healthy comment section of this blog.
Even worse
they passed in Boldy Knight Caufield for a Belanger triangle
Scoring the first Goal is huge for us as well as how the opposition defend themselves. Smith made some tricky saves with the score 0-0 especially on the bullshit Kane penalty. If Smith is up to it how can Woody not go back to him against Dallas.
With three full days off, it would be shocking if Smith doesn’t get the start next game. Mikko will get a start shortly thereafter I would presume.
Yeah, we were all talking about the Krebs cycle until he had that draft year injury. I can’t recall what the specifics were, but that’s why he fell outside of the top ten.
Achilles tendon.
Jack Eichel is the NHL version of Moe Szyslak. Grumpy, ugly, curly hair.
And is easily duped by prank phone calls.
“Looking for someone, last name David, first name I’mnotasgoodasmc”.
So the whole Mike Smith is the 6th goalie over 40 to record back to back shutouts made me wonder what the record is for longest shutout streak over 40. It was Brodeur. 192 minutes long in Nov of 2013. He was 41 years old. Mike Smith is at 133 minutes so far.
Wow another shutout breaks the record unless Mikko has to takeover for a bathroom break via Roberto Luongo famous number 2.
Happy Easter LT and family, All…
Tonight I will be Easter feasting on my hat, seasoned with a little salt n peppa. Seems I was about 6 games premature in crapping on Smith and Foegele. Yum yum.
Fingers crossed they can continue to roll…and if this team can continue to play hard, stay healthy, and make necessary in-game adjustments (seems that way now maybe?!?)…they can have success in the playoffs this year…
Happy Easter to LT and his family.
As usual, our fine host summarized last nights game very succinctly and accurately.
“Edmonton seemed on top of its defensive game last night,*including all skaters*.
I don’t recall such a top to bottom attention to defence like that in a long time, either.
(2006 was a very apt description)
That was playoff hockey.
Chag Sameach all – I believe there are various holidays going on at the moment.
Chag Pesach sameach, OP
Tullio is not in the lineup (intrigue!), so Petrov has a chance to catch him with a hatty today (more intrigue!).
Holy Hell.
I’m afraid to look – the schedule must turn overwhelming at some point, right?
You mean like the rubber’s gonna hit the road?
When’s the last time a goalie has posted 2 shut outs in a row in 2 different sets of crispy gear?
Koski won’t be back, Smith will be here until he’s 45.
Yup, Holland is probably thinking extension already.
Smith is on the TB12 program.
Interesting news on the Oilers perhaps signing Andrei Kuzmenko from the KHL.
https://oilersnation.com/2022/04/17/apparently-khl-free-agent-andrei-kuzmenko-is-leaning-towards-signing-with-the-oilers/
+1, first time for everything. Harpey Easter!
This pun is more delicious than Easter supper.
Kudos to you, good sir.
It’s amazing what having Mcdavid Drai and Nuge as centers does to a team
Yeah HH posted both about the Oilers and it wasn’t negative!
It’s Easter miracles do happen.
You could see ALOT of tell tale signs that Woodcroft is getting through to the crew on exactly how to play with the lead late in the game.
#PlayoffPreperation
Happy Easter LT. I don’t post very often, but have been reading pretty much daily for years (and subscribed to the athletic for a little more LT in my day). It’s been an interesting year, the kids are 1 and 7 and are both little angels and devils at the same time, like only kids can do. We bought a cottage 50/50 with the in-laws just before Christmas, with the plan they would live there, but come into town regularly to help with the kids. Early new years morning there was a fire while our little guy and the in-laws were sleeping. We just feel very fortunate that everyone got out pretty much unscathed, and then insurance will take care of the rest. Now we have the in-laws living in our basement, which is both a blessing (lots of childcare) and a curse (the in-laws are living with us!). Thanks for all the your articles LT!
Wow. That’s a lot of living in a short space of time. Thank God everyone is okay.
Still trying to figure out how putting Kane out on the penalty kill immediately turns it into a powerplay but it’s just another reason to extend EvenWood for another 5 years.
Between new editions Kane and Hyman add in RNH, Yamo and Nurse which makes our penalty kill as aggressive offensively as the Sather led Oilers of years past.
You must not forget about Dre.
Yes to Leon. Someone is giving them the green light SH goals are back breakers. A shorty also keeps the opposition from selling out on the PP. I wonder what the winning percentage of a team is when scoring SH? I would bet between 650-700 out of a thousand.
Yeah, they’re only 25 shorties away from the franchise record! 🤓
That’s amazing how good they were for a half-dozen years. During the regular season I was sometimes happy we received a penalty so we could witness some magic by Gretzky and company. I remember Esa Tikkanen being a absolute warrior when SH.
Not a couple days ago you and Dave were talking about that on the pad – what did Wayne have that year, 15 or 16 shorties? Imagine, the team scoring a shortie every third game…..
I thought Yamamoto’s game was fantastic. Please, nobody tell him he’s 150 pounds because he doesn’t know it. He hits and blocks, gets in the way, picks up his man, disrupts. I don’t know if I have seen anyone quicker, lord he can move, twist, turn.
I have heard, “he takes a beating” no. not really, he initiates much more and gives more than he takes. At times he gets overpowered but it is because he’s in the fight. He could perimeter but he doesn’t. The purpose of a hit is not necessarily to truck the other guy, but to disrupt and create a turnover.
Brilliant.
The way he scoots in and slides under the arm.. Seeing the immediate anger of the player that was scooted and pick pocketed.. Unable to contain the rage of being bullied by a minor.. It’s beautiful.
I sure hope his foot is OK with the skate off (and potentially a shot or something worn off)…….
If not, I guess the Oilers are now in a good spot to rest it prior to the playoffs, of course, if necessary.
His PK work was great last night.
“sacrifices were made at the very top of the roster for the greater good. ”
This may be the key to everything.
“They might be better off I think the way it seems to me.”
“Judy’s in the bedroom, inventing situations, Bob is on the street today, scouting up locations.”
It sounds like Judy was bored and looking for a little more adult type television!
Oooh, and the Lowdown gets a little bit naughty this Easter morning!
Happy Easter to all who celebrate, or Ramadan or Passover… it’s a true Holy Trinity.
Someone asked me on Twitter when was the last time Oilers had back to back shutouts. I knew that Cam Talbot had done it multiple times in 2016-17, confirmed there have been none since. As for actual dates, it’s a cool coincidence:
2017 Apr 14: EDM 2 SJS 0
2017 Apr 16: EDM 1 SJS 0
…in Games 2 & 3 of their first round series. These were the Zack Kassian Games, with #44 scoring in each while creating mayhem all over the sheet. Oh yeah, Cam Talbot was alright in these games also.
Compare & contrast the dates of the current streak:
2022 Apr 14: EDM 4 NSH 0
2022 Apr 16: EDM 4 VGK 0
5 years to the day for both shutouts!
Really nice catch. BTW, been loving the podcast you and David do after games. Happy Easter.
Thanks for listening! Glad you enjoy them.
A very Happy Easter Bruce to you and yours.
That is freaky.
The odds of that seem astronomical.
Did it happen to coincide with any celestial events? 🙂
Syzygy happens. Especially with Bruce involved 🙂
Happy Easter!! Given that both our offspring are engaged we broke with decorum and had Turkey Friday (along with a feed of Sasky walleye) for one group and shall again today. Balance in the universe must conform to jobs, travel, days off and busy lives endless rigours. Love conquers all (even convention). Given the breadth of my personal interests one couple attended Slipknot with me before heading home and the other the game yesterday. All tests were passed with flying colours… theres hope!! LOL.
Sad news this morning. Bill Bourne, a wonderful Central Alberta musician has passed.
Sad news indeed. Bourne was & remains a folk music legend in these parts.
Folk Music = the very best music.
Not many people know this.
Being a musician is a hard, hard life.
Web3, particularly NFT’s and community tokens should make it easier.
Very sad.
Saw him a while back with Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim as part of Tri Continental one of my favourite musical groups of all time.
I upvoted this & am (mildly) shocked anyone would do the opposite.
People are great, but also jerks.
It’s sad.
Sad news indeed. First saw him with Shannon Johnson of the Mcdades at Fort Edmonton. Loved his signature top hat. Will be missed.
if the Oilers don’t sign him and Dave Manson you’re going to see a prairie mutiny from the fan base
If Holland goes a new GM gets to bring his own coach. A new GM likely faces off with a Black Pearl fanbase in no time at all.
Explain to me the circumstances of Ken Holland’s departure.
not at what I would recommend, but… Skaters make Woody look great, Goalers make Holland look bad. Fans are in uproar until Katz rolls the dice and then even louder when a new GM hires his own coach. Very Oiler scenario
Happy Easter group!
Puljujarvi will never score again, even when it looks like he has, you’re tricking yourself!
I love listening to Woody. What a class act. So complimentary of his players and so positive. It is refreshing.
I used to think he didn’t look remotely like a hockey coach until someone commented that he looks like a virtual reality human. Then I felt better.
He’s actually the Peter Laviolette I’ve been hoping for since 2006(youthful, engaged).
It’s a close race, but I think my favourite Woodcroft quote to this point is “We like to pay our players the compliment of high expectations.”
Nice!
Profound and Practical,
Something a great Coach would say.
Leadership 101, credits to the players for success blame for losses shouldered by the coach. Woody is an astute man whose leadership and attention to detail are commendable. I think his job as head coach should be secure for the foreseeable future given his results to date.He has also shown patience under duress but spoken up for the team when required.
Kings Win
Oilers Win
Vegas Loses
One step closer to the doughty-less kings in round 1.
Exactly.
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
16 wins
McDavid 14 goals
Draisaitl 15 goals
Thanks for doing this Hunter!
No sweat!
9wins
McDavid 8 goals
Drai 10 goals
Thanks Hunter
Happy Easter / Palm Sunday everyone!
I loved Kassian’s answer to a reporter asking about his ‘frozen in time’ moment and then his dish to Russell for the goal. (I paraphrase) he deadpanned that it would have been easy to flip it over the sprawling goalie and into the virtually empty net but because Rusty had bought him so many meals on the road he chose to pass it off to him. And that now Rusty owed him more. Total deadpan. Watch the media avail from last night. Comedy.
Kassian’s a family man now, it definitely changes your outlook on life.
The Oilers were as good last night as anytime this millennium. Our playoff story is soon to begin and the sky’s the limit!
For Vegas their story is coming to an end. An expansion team waltzing to the finals, then scooping up some of the league’s top talent was a burn to fans in hockey markets who’ve endured the re-built cycle like Edmonton, Ottawa or Buffalo.
The Oilers are delivering spring playoffs, and it makes me giddy. Sabres fans should be excited that the Vegans aren’t making the final-16 and at this juncture Buffalo may win the Eichel trade in a walk. I hope for them the Sabres play a playoff game before their ex-captain ever does.
My goodness John…that’s some hyperbole.
With even average health this season, Vegas is likely comfortably in a playoff position.
As it is, they still have 7 players on LTIR and had to rely on their 3rd string goaltender yesterday.
They may well miss the post season this year and have a lot of work to do in the offseason but their management has shown repeatedly it is willing to execute bold moves to be competitive. And they have the player assets to put into play.
Sounds like the rubber has hit the road for the Vegas Weaponized cap space
Which means a double re-wrapping next year. They’ll win the Stanley in October!
What kind of karma have you earned that each and every of your predictions go horribly sideways?
Youre like the shit-Midas. Everting you touch turns to shit.
I don’t think a lot of people feel sorry for the Vegas injury woes. It was the only reason they could activate Eichel without having to shed major salary and, also the only reason they could activate Stone and Martinez without having to shed major salary. Other than missing Lehner yesterday, the 19 players in front of the goalie still constitute a full cap roster. They royally screwed up the Dadanov deal, and even that luck has gone their way so far. They also traded away the wrong goalie.
Dumping MAF in search of the latest shiny toy/s has bitten them on the ass. Too bad, so sad.
Given the $2 million difference in their cap hits, the minimal difference in performance is inconsequential.
Are you talking about Lehner? They used to have both of them, & an ace netminder every game. Now they have just one, & he can’t stay healthy.
Yes, they had almost the same stats (deliberate pause with a snicker) – while Fleury was playing for one of the worst teams in the league. Chicago’s goals against is up quite a bit since Fleury left.
Lehner is below the league average, but with Minny, Fleury is up to a .917. And only one of those guys got his name etched into the Vezina last season playing behind that same Vegas Team and its vaunted team defense -the clearly better goaltender.
It made no sense to get rid of the Vegas cult hero. He still has a lot left in the tank and he took Vegas to the final on his back. For them to discard him in the way they did makes believe it was something personal.
Feeling sorry is hardly the issue.
In pretty confident they would have 3-5 more wins had their best players been more widely available.
How would they manage that with their cap? We’re all confident you’re just talking out of your ass.
Injuries happen, need to deal with them.
especially when the injuries are the only reason you have a legal roster
I’m even more confident Oilers in 2006 have 1 more win with a healthy Roloson.
MAB thumping Ladd bit us in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides.
I’m pretty confident that they would have had 3-5 less wins if they had managed to trade away Dadanov at the deadline like they tried to do. That he could still play for them and was effectively their best player since the deadline is just pure luck.
Prior to the game, I bet you would have hyped up Vegas goalie as being part of the reason why Vegas is having such a strong push to the playoffs.
But after the game he becomes:
“3rd string goalie”
You’re so far offside pal that your sideburns are broke down on the side of the rubber road.
Crying about hyperbole while using ifs, buts, woulda’s and coulda’s..
It’s likely you’re clueless about the situation and grasping for straws.
Both your predictions for 1st and 2nd place are looking like they’re missing the playoffs and you’re trying to yell and cry at this group about if only Vegas didn’t have 30mil on the LTIR while also still icing a full cap space roster at the same time.
Can’t make this up! Lol fraudulent hack you are.
You forgot “butwhatabouts”!
LOL some of those players in ‘LTIR’ are just being hidden because Vegas is woefully over the cap. And no, lately their managerial moves have backfired – the Dadonov fiasco is something even Tambellini or Chiarelli would be ashamed of.
3rd string goalie (boasting a .920 SP before yesterday) doesn’t help them score, which they failed to do against the Edmonton team.
Is it so hard to admit the Oilers are good?
Pretty good.
Wonder where they would be if playing in the Atlantic or Central.
Ahead of Vegas either way.
Considering how they did during your rubber is hitting the road through the top 5 level difficult schedule you kept posting for last two months I’m guessing about the same
Hahaha, nice mental gymnastics. More “what ifs” as you struggle to process the Oilers’ turnaround.
I’m personally shocked that Vegas lost yesterday despite the “cavalry,” led by the formidable Brayden McNabb.
This group of devoted fans are happy to see our team on track to qualify for the playoffs, and then we’ll see what happens. I trust that you will continue to try to “spook” us with doomsday predictions as if we’re school children fearing the boogie-man. Or latch on to teams enjoying even more success than us, as if it matters to us.
Anyways, lovely win yesterday. Onward and upward!
Name those sad-sacks!
68 79 91 84
67 76 81 72
63 59 61 69
51 57 49 54
The bottom of the Atlantic is a self-licking candy bar.
Judging by the number of teams deeply below .500 in the East, I’d wager quite well. Most of the talent is unevenly concentrated within a few top teams in that conference.
Their 3rd string goalie has the best save % and gaa on their team in what is no longer a small sample size. I don’t think that suggests a handicap.
I’m not sure how many of those players are actually injured.
Assets can become liabilities when other teams know you have to move players to get cap compliant. Buyouts are an even worse scenario. Sing a happy tune but not your problem because you don’t have to pay the piper! Move the goal posts and keep those rose coloured glasses clean!
Eichel, Theodore, and this new goaltender are a pretty good foundation to build around. They should be able to rebuild on the fly without a complete teardown.
This has been a pretty exciting week. I’ve gone from thinking the Oilers don’t have a chance of winning a playoff round to thinking that they could make it to the final 8 and maybe more depending on their commitment to this style of game and injury luck.
We all want to blame the goalie and defense when we lose and praise the goalie when we win, but I maintain that save percentage is a team stat and a shutout is a team accolade that should be celebrated by everyone.
These shutouts get pocketed by Smith, but the entire team should be proud of what they are doing, especially the forwards. This is a complete 180 from what we saw earlier in the season with Drai, McDavid, and Kane leading by example. Hyman and Puljujarvi always came back down low, but many didn’t. Yamamoto (and others) would come back, but then space out without paying attention to the threats which is almost as bad. I even saw Kassian coming all the way back, sometimes below the faceoff circles if his man went there or drove the net.
It takes awareness, anticipation, and effort rather than just coming back inside the blueline and wondering when the puck is going to be retrieved and passed to you for a breakout. The breakout is also way easier when players are deep for short passes rather than 40, 60, or sometimes over 100 feet away. It’s not possible to support the breakout if a player has already wandered out to the red line at the first hint of a turnover.
McDavid and Draisaitl may be learning that they don’t have to score every game to have a massive impact on the game. They look like totally different players out there and their speed, intelligence, and strength in the backend make it very difficult for any team to set up prime scoring chances. This is how it’s done. Keep the puck out of the net first, then take your scoring chances when they come. They may not come some games. Other games they will come in bunches.
Ultimately, this all reflects most strongly on the coaches. Congratulations to them. It’s not easy taking on a new rig part way through the season let alone making a massive change in player philosophy. I thought it was a mistake to hire Woodcroft with Manson when Maurice was available. I’m still not sure it was the right call, but I would love for these two to prove me wrong.
Great post.
That was a very heartening game yesterday – team commitment and structure wise, even moreso than the Nashville game on the road. At least to me.
This was a dangerous offensive team and, despite 39 shots in the end, the high danger chances seemed to be quite low and this was a function of strong and committed play in the danger area and great forward support when the puck was going towards the Oiler net.
The commitment to front pucks, get sticks and bodies on pucks and be the first to loose pucks in the slot area was immense. Part of that may be “puck luck” where the puck bounces closer to an Oiler as opposed to an open attacker but some of that is earned.
McDavid is indeed leading the way by example – his “battle” in both the offensive zone and defensive zone has picked up markedly to my eye. His physicality in the offensive zone loose puck battle is something to behold.
LT, have yourself a merry little Easter. Glad things are coming up Milhouse for you.
A full house this weekend with the in-laws bringing our camper trailer down from Peace River to Hinton. A surprise visit from a dear friend. Ribs, wings and ham on the smoker with a fine selection of craft beer. And the promise of spring as we look at the mountains.
The oldest graduates this year. My nephew has moved in and has an apprenticeship at the local Ford dealer. The youngest’s broken arm has nearly mended, so he’ll be biking soon and the middle boy wants to be fishing like yesterday.
I wish you all a great weekend. We might have our differences of opinion, but we’re all good Oilers fans at heart and just want the best for the team.
Oilers domination to follow…book it!
Happy Easter to you and your family! Loved reading your situation, makes me think of old times, and new times.
What a couple of games. I was at the Montreal game and thought for sure Smith was done. Hard to believe what we are seeing. I am hopeful for a good playoff run but history still nags away. I went to one of the anaheim games back in 2017, incredible crowd.
Going to the Dallas game, I have yet to see the Oil win a game at home when I am at Rogers place this season. Please win on Wednesday. Suspect we will see Miko.
Happy Easter to all. We do an Easter basket hunt with the grandkids. First time since 2019. Always fun. 11 kids running around finding clues is a joy.
Well so much for Easter dinner at our home. Covid in 2 families, Looks like my poor wife worked hard so I could have a turkey sandwich.
Bah! Hope all recover quickly and are able to steal some leftovers!
Thanks LT, sounds like no one is overly sick, my wife and I had a great dinner and lots went into the freezer for a later date. One of the people that has covid was supposed to come to the Dallas game with me. Now he has to stay home. .
After last night’s game, I am left with a Jethro Tull song stuck in my head,,, Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of a New Day)… happy times.
This is my private anthem for this year’s playoffs!
The three things needed to lead us to the glory land
1) A more consistent commitment to the defensive side of the game. CHECK
2) Legit Grade A goaltending. CHECK
3) A fully functioning 3rd line. CHECK
When thinking about this Team and what the future might hold I’m filled with a whole lot of Cat Stevens this fine morning.
I’m On The Road Now
“I listen to the wind come howl
Telling me I have to hurry
I listen to the robin’s song
Saying not to worry
So on, and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
So much left to know, and I’m on the road to find out”
OH!
And 4) Overcoming Adversity/Bad Officiating
It’s too bad that needs to be an option
We do turkey at Thanksgiving (good news, living in the US we get to do that twice!), ham at Christmas, and lamb for Easter.
I wish everyone Happy Easter and want to say I too enjoy this corner of the Al Gore. LT, thank you for this.
cheers
Finally, a normal person.
Turkey at Easter? How bizarre.
Happy Easter to you and yours LT. Was at the game yesterday and it was a magic moment. Great crowd in a playoff atmosphere. Mike Smith was pumped in response to the crowd in his on ice post game interview. The man is a competitor.
What I am seeing with the new coaching staff Is a game plan made to offset the team they’re playing strengths. Against the kings for example a willingness to stick with the dump and chase which is the best strategy to beat a one three one ( trap ). This would have been unheard of under the previous coach who believed if his team played their game as coached they would win! It is also refreshing to see the buy in by the players on the game plan of the day. With success comes belief! Belief is the mandatory first step towards a championship! Go Oilers!
Good point – I think it was Smith in the post game that said the team has learned to play different ways to win games. This is critical to playoff success.
I am not sophisticated enough to comment on team structure play to that degree but remember how Tip would always respond to questions about the opponent with something along the lines of “we worry about our team”,
Now, I never took him at full face value, of course they game planned for the opposition, but I think we are seeing a refreshing change in this regard.
Prospectorization!
‘Tis the final weekend of the regular season in the Dub and the OHL. That means the Smyth and Gretzky Cups will be awarded by day’s end. Who shall gratefully receive? Well, if Wanner does not return to the lineup today, he and Chiasson will share the Smyth as the Wheatie was unable to break the deadlock last night.
Over in the O, Tullio enjoys a three-goal advantage (42-39) over Petrov. And just like this past Thursday, they play each other today. Can Tullio fend off the rushin’ Russian? Or will Petrov, who began his season with a hatty, pot another to potentially draw even? What sort of skulduggery will ensue? We wait.
The Q’s regular season continues for two more weeks because of the holiday hiatus that extended into early February. Even with The Bourg’s ailments and his (albeit truncated) WJHC appearance, he is tied for 1st in the league with 16 PP goals…and the three players he’s tied with have all played at least 20 more games. Overall, he is 38-31-29-60 and has a wicked 21.2 SH%–and it’s not even his best season in that stat.
North Bay (Petrov) @ noon
Oshawa (Tullio) @ noon
Shawinigan (The Bourg) @ 1 p.m.
Moose Jaw (Wanner) @ 4 p.m.
As always, all times are Two Hills time.
Love me the Two Hills
I’m glad the Oilers finally realized when you have Mcdavid Drai and Nuge at center. Who the hell cares who the 4th line center is
When you can roll out Ryan McLeod on the fourth that’s a pretty big deal too.
When you dress 7 D there is no fourth line. McLeod is wasted in a four line limited minutes role. Given TV timeouts etc the four line concept is or should be a thing of the past. It is years of tradition un hampered by progress. A luxury that cap restraints have rendered untenable.
This roster is built for 7-11. It keeps all the D (apart from Nurse) on their toes. And the one can spread the minutes around more D, and play them situationally to their strengths. And Kassian knows he is #11, one braindead mistake or half-hearted effort from the pressbox.
McLeod is a multipurpose #10 forward. Can play multiple positions including centre in all game states and situations. Makes 11 forwards much easier to go with.
I notices last night that, for the most part, the coaching staff was NOT rotating a top 9 forward on the the 4th line but was rotating the two “extras” in to the top 6/top 9.
Just looking and the numbers bear it out, Kass played just 1:42 with McLeod, his seventh most common forward linemate.
Last two games have been revealing. A lot of us thought Oilers don’t play a style that wins in the playoffs. They have looked damn good defensively last 2 wins and are getting solid net minding. Bring on round 1!!!! (And Happy Easter to all!)
Prior to this past week, Warren Foegele came as advertised; This last week he has been everything we had hoped he would become
He was always that player! The coaching staff has correctly identified a role and line mates to allow him to flourish.
“The kids both have jobs” Yeah RIGHT?!
OH…and one of them’s fallen in love…….Such a Dad way to put things 🙂
Oh…and in the the grand scheme that is life, metaphorically speaking, it’s Ziggy that;s carrying you….ama right?! 🙂
Happy Easter LT and Mrs. Tide. We count you both among our blessings.
Happy Easter all
May you all have great weather in between games of a long playoff run