If Darnell Nurse can’t play the rest of the season and into the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers will be in a spot of bother. Bringing Philip Broberg to Edmonton is one of very few internal options, which also include Mike Kesselring and Slater Koekkoek if available.
The organization is being coy, that’s not good but also not a clear sign of impending doom. One thing we can contemplate: Is making the playoffs the highlight of Edmonton’s season?
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: 5 reasons Zach Hyman was a quality free-agent signing for Oilers
- DNB: Oilers’ need for a healthy Darnell Nurse becomes apparent in first game of absence
- Lowetide: Inside Oilers top prospects’ first and second half splits in AHL
- DNB: Evander Kane’s banner Oilers performance was fitting. And there could be more
- Lowetide: Should Oilers re-sign Brett Kulak based on early results?
- DNB: How Oilers’ Matvey Petrov mastered English and became a promising NHL prospect
- Lowetide: Is Ken Holland’s unusual approach to team building close to success for Oilers?
- 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
- 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: Making the final call on the Oilers 2017 draft
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers free-agent targets for 2022 offseason
- DNB: Should Oilers budget for Evander Kane beyond this season?
- Lowetide: 7 Condors who could impact Oilers’ fortunes in the playoffs
- 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 3-0-0)
- On the road to: CBJ, PIT (Expected 1-1-0) Actual 0-1-0)
- 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: 8-2-1, 17 points in 11 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 46-27-6, 98 points in 79 games
The Oilers can hit the century mark with a win tonight, and have a chance for a 10-win month. I think this season should be titled something like ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy” but am unsure of the order until after the playoffs. Ordinarily, a season has maybe one or two big stories in it. Connor McDavid wins scoring championship, Leon Draisaitl scores 55, Evan Bouchard emerges as a quality puck mover.
Added to those stories: Three free agents (Zach Hyman, Cody Ceci, Evander Kane) occupy feature roster positions and flourish. Stunning start (16-5-0), mushy middle (7-13-3) followed by the Woodcroft-Manson bounce (23-9-3) and a record of 46-27-6. What a ride.
OILERS ROOKIES (GOALIES)
- Grant Fuhr 1981-82: 48 games, 3.31 .898
- Jeff Deslauriers 2009-10: 48 games, 3.26 .901
- Ty Conklin, 2003-04: 39 games, .242 .912
- Devan Dubnyk 2010-11: 35 games, 2.71 .916
- Anders Nilsson 2015-16: 26 games, 3.14 .901
- Fred Brathwaite 1993-94: 19 games, 3.54 .889
- Joacquin Gage 1995-96: 16 games, 3.77 .871
- Laurent Brossoit 2017-18: 14 games, 14 games, 3.24 .883
- Stuart Skinner 2021-22: 13 games, 2.62 .913
- Andy Moog 1980-81: 7 games, 3.82 .882
There aren’t many really, not for an organization over 40 years old. The first decade is only Grant Fuhr, I included Andy Moog because, well, it’s Andy Moog. Even the 1990’s saw very few rookie goalies play for Edmonton, owing to a veteran group and a great list of exceptional (Fuhr, Moog, Ranford, Joseph) stoppers. Conklin had a strong 2003-04, NHL.com doesn’t list him as a rookie, he must have been too old. Since 2009, there have been five men of note. Stuart Skinner? Second best save percentage of the bunch. Top three goalies who were Oilers rookies? Fuhr, Moog, Dubnyk. We’ll see about Skinner.
PHILIP BROBERG
A recall of Broberg makes sense from here. The young defender is just back from injury (in two games, he is 1-1-2 with an even-strength goal differential of 3-0) and the Condors play tonight, so we could see a recall tomorrow for the final two Oilers games of the season against the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks.
Broberg has great wheels, and as a mature player will be able to eat minutes ala Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom (if he continues to develop). Two home games, dressing seven defensemen, I think Dave Manson would be able to shelter his minutes while giving the other six men a little more rest.
Q AND A ON 2021-22 CONDORS ROOKIES
- Best AHL rookie? Philip Broberg, without question. His skating is exceptional, he developed from role player to feature defenseman this year, and played huge minutes before injury. His last NHL audition was far better than the first one, and I’m certain he’s NHL ready. An NHLE of 29 (Klefbom was 8.3) suggests he will have some offensive impact, but we should remind ourselves power-play time (he was 0-10-10 on the PP) is unlikely in the NHL. Still, he has that gear.
- Best AHL rookie forward? Dylan Holloway (NHLE: 26) who is an exceptional player at the AHL level, age 20. His speed and determination had him in possession of the puck (or in pursuit of it) more than any Oilers AHL rookie I can recall—and that includes Kailer Yamamoto, who was also exceptional in this area. I don’t know if his offense will allow him a top-six role in the NHL for years and years, and it’s probably fair to wonder how much he’ll bring at the offensive end. However, injuries (two surgeries and then a hip/thigh) impacted the scoring, so we’re still in discovery on this player.
- Best AHL rookie goalie? Ilya Konovalov. He had a disappointing season, and one wonders if he’ll be back for the final year of his entry deal. That said, he didn’t get the net consistently and his SP (.893) ranks No. 12 among AHL rookies this season.
- Other rookies? Raphael Lavoie went 13-13-26 in 56 games, and did manage consistent production for a time. He’s not progressing as hoped, will need a big spike next season to stay ahead of the kids graduating to pro this fall. Mike Kesselring did take a step forward (2-10-12 in 53 games) and I think he has a chance. Phil Kemp (55, 3-6-9) is a shutdown type, he’s also in photo.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy morning on the Lowdown, we start at 10 and will spend significant time previewing the Oilers game, talking Raptors and Jays, plus the NFL draft. Tyler Yaremchuk from Daily Faceoff and Oilers Nation will join us and we’ll talk Raptors-76ers too. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
What a game. Like Louie said at one point, “leaning on them all night.” Hemmed them in their own end a half dozen times, relentless pressure.
The Pens were playing their 4th in 6, which is a tough row to hoe. But the Pens did come to play and Smith had the answer every time but one. He was very good at stopping the puck behind the net tonight and thwarting the forecheck. And he nearly scored. What a game.
Bouchard 6 shots, 8 Corskis, 1 goal, …and one of each category disallowed. What a game.
McMoney with 4 points, including a world-class snipe that likely broke the laws of physics. Again. What a game.
Woody had Foegele, Ryan and the Highlander out for key moments in that game—defending the one goal lead at the end of the first period and taking on Crosby-Malkin coming out of the Oiler powerplays. Even Kass had a good game and was rewarded with some sugar time and a goal. The bottom six was fantastic tonight.
Lots of safe, patient puck management tonight. Lots of physical play. Lots of back pressure from the forwards. D were able to hit incoming puck carriers at the blue line or just past it. Plenty of help down low in their own zone. They’re just grinding teams into pixie dust. It almost looks like Jay’s full court press + backcheck + safe passes+etc has become natural to them, second nature. They are all true believers now.
Century mark was a big internal goal for this team. They hit it tonight. And a 100 points gets them home ice in the first round. I imagine there’s some M*A*S*H-style “R&R” happening on the trip home tonight. Good for them.
Honorable mentions for What a game:
Yams for such a pretty no-look pass.
Drai for being Drai, including another backhand beauty pass. He was all over the ice defensively.
Kulak, who really stepped it up against tough comp.
Jay Evens vs TMac, that is some story telling.
Summarizing!
Tullio picked up two assists and was named 3rd star in Oshawa’s comeback win. They still trail 2-1 in the series.
Chiasson collected an apple on the Wheaties’ only goal as they lost Game 3, and are now down 2-1 as well.
Wanner was held off the scoresheet, but Moose Jaw prevailed to take a 3-0 series lead.
Lachance was held pointless in Youngstown’s Game 2 loss, and their season is now done. Next stop for Lachance: Boston University in the fall.
Savoie gets a shift with Marody – makes a nice neutral zone pass to Kesselring for the zone entry and then follows the puck to the slot – his first notable shift of the game.
Tullio with 2 aPPles as Tarkus would say, helping lead Oshawa to a W. They’re now down 2-1 in their 1st Rd series.
Chiasson with the primary assist on Brandon’s line goal tonight in a loss.
Lachance and Max “Kesselring” Wanner both held off the scoresheet.
Hmmmmm, I could think of worse things then going to a Condors’ playoff game and and Oilers playoff game in LA…….
Just you and HH on an Oilers roadie. Superfriends!
I’ve come to imagine it as an 80’s movie where the main character has split personality that are 180 of one another. Like it’s George Carlin all pessimistic and contrary but when he sees his reflection it’s gene wilder and they argue with one another.
In my mind that’s a long plane ride if they get a window seat but at least it’s only 1 ticket!
Stars get the only shootout goal of the skills competition in round 7
Dallas/Vegas heading to a shootout
The OT result officially eliminates the Canucks
And it’s official – DAL 3-2 over Vegas in a shootout
That means LA in EDM is official
Long ass shootout. F vegas
That’s not good for Vegas – they needed the reg win.
Yup- Vegas still has a hope via the wildcard, but the path to 3rd in the Pacific is over
Vegas magic elimination number is down to 1 pt .
oh- check that – Vegas may not have a path to the wildcard..the tiebreak may not fall in their favor
Yes- thanks, there it is…regulation wins
So the path is precarious, but there is a path for Vegas
Barely.
Looks like Nashville clinched tonight too (if VEG finishes 2-0 and NSH goes 0-2, they’d be tied by points and RW, but NSH would still win the ROW tiebreak).
VEG still has a chance to pass DAL, but the magic number of points is 1 (both teams with 2 games left).
Can’t get closer to done than that.
yep
RW Preds 33 Knights 31 Stars 30
ROW Pred 41 Knights 38 Stars 40
I’m pretty sure you could hear Eichel saying it was “just a flesh wound.” And as the stars spilled out into the nights you could still hear him yelling “Come back and take what’s coming to you! I’ll bite your legs off!”
he he he
I’m unable to muster a lot of sympathy for the Vegas Golden Knights
Should be an entertaining summer for the organization
If Mike Smith plays one more game and gets a shutout with say 30 shots, he would have a .918 save % good for 8th (3 way tie) in the nhl.
Mike saved the season again we probably don’t make the playoffs with Mikko’s 901 save percentage. In saying that it’s time for Mikey to produce and get this team to the conference final.
You spelled “Stanley Cup” wrong…
Smith has been huge for the team over the last few months but Mikko is 25-12-5 for a .658 points percentage – better than the team overall on the season…..
But Smith is 16-9-2, a .630 points percentage, also better than the team overall…
Uh oh.
Mikko save percentage goes down once the games get more intense. Mikko is not resigning if he plays in the playoffs it means Smith shit the bed and we’re on the verge of losing. I’m putting my money on Smith who’s in the zone.
Griffith, Marody, Cracknell with a marvellous 3-way passing play but an amazing save by DePietro – Griffth jams home the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
Yeah. That save was tasty. Almost looked like the goalie pulled it towards himself and put it in.
That’s it… I vote, like it matters, to immediately give (extend?) Woody a 2-3 yr. contract, and they can do a group deal and sign Manson as well. They have (the hearts of) the locker room and they have the players’ ears as well. They seem to have a well communicated plan that the players are “in on”. IMO, our best coaching duo in a very long time.
GO OILERS
With Tippett we had a 8 or 9 man team with Woody it’s a 20 man team including Assistant Coach Manson. Ryan said it best that Woody plays and trusts the bottom half of the roster which Tippett had lost 30 games in. I loved Woody giving a bone twice to the 4th line when Pittsburgh pulled the netminder.
Savoie’s first pro shift ends up in him heading to the penalty box as he got the stick in the face of a player on the forecheck.
Looks like Savoie will start on RW with Esposito and Brosseau – i’m not overly enthused.
Of note, the pre-game with Holt and Chaulk spoke about Holloway returning so, even though he isn’t, he must be close.
Worth noting, thanks.
Be nice to see him get up to speed and finish the year on a good note.
Savoie makes his pro debut tonight…. no Holloway though.
First Smith shot was dead on. The empty net attempt was inches right He almost doubled his career shooting percentage from 0.65% to 1.3%
at the Condors game tonight. Taking my girls to their first hockey game. Twice rescheduled due to flood and Covid. Let’s go!!
Yes! That’s a dream of mine (Condors game).
Well, lets just make it happen.
Bakersfield is not far – once the playoff sched is out lets just go get tickets, book flights and make it happen?
I’m in for sure.
What a fun game. I don’t think we dominated that third so much as the Pens faded and we didn’t. We just kept doing the things that we’ve been doing the last 10 games or so. Hard work, determination in getting the puck and getting it to the net. Forwards backchecking like demons. Good outlets by the D and solid goaltending.
Sounds like a recipe for success, eh?
McDavid was outstanding! Drai was a force both sides and Bouch just keeps getting better and better.
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE!!! Two agonizing games to get through before the bullets start flying.
This is Gonna Be FUN!!!
The Pens were out of gas but that was a dominant period for sure.
The Oilers were the better team through the entire game as well – without Nurse and Jesse. I know the Pens were missing Zucker (not sure who else).
I’ll be in Vegas for the last two games (well, on my way home for the last game) – just realized, the NFL draft is happening while I’m there….
I’ve waited so long to see our team play this type of game. It killed me to see so much talent yet not enough work. Every since ManWood showed up it’s been a revelation! The effort, from top to bottom, along with the talent is awesome to watch.
I’m a homer, readily admitted, but I really think this version of our team is going to do some serious damage in the playoffs!!!
Atta-boy Smith take a break till the Playoffs start. Mikko can mop up on aisle 5 for the final 2 games.
He’ll play one of the back to backs – then 2 or 3 full days off with no travel.
That’ll be perfect.
Better than 6 days between games for sure.
Home ice clinched. Magic number for Kings to finish 3rd is 1.
DAL just tied it up with Vegas 1-1
Dallas can bury Vegas tonight with a win in regulation
Props to Mike Smith, solid outing. Nice to see him get hot at the right time of year.
Confirmed.
good Karma pays Kassian back with an empty netter
Mama Kass
BOOM!!! Kassian gets a little Karma and gets the goal this time!
lol Damn. So we should actually have 6 goals? Ah, well…maybe a brush up in the video room about dragging that back foot, eh?
Fine, let’s see Smith get another chance.
BOOM!!! Brassard gets the gravy!
That may have been the first time I heard Rakell’s name tonight – I had forgotten PIT traded for him
That would have been sweet if it had gone in.
Man, That woulda been sweet!!!
So close Smith, just a tad too much English.
Smith, DeSmith
That’s not fair. 4 pts on the night H to H vs Crosby to make rhe Art Ross a no doubter and all we will hear about on the national highlights is Mathews hitting 60 goals
Well, 60 goals is pretty special.
What a freaking snipe by Conner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOOM!!! WHAT A SHOT!!!
Connor serves up a McBeauty with extra top cheddar!
Zach, Hyman in the slot!
Boom
Hyman
*edit- McDavid with his 3rd assist on the evening
BOOM!!! Hyman with a hard working greasy goal!!!
Bouch is angry for having that goal taken away. Taking it out on the goaler!
After Two:
2-1 Edmonton (1-1 in the second)
27-23 Edmonton shots (16-15 Pittsburgh in the second)
34-32 Edmonton Corsi five-on-five (16-15 Edmonton in the second)
==
A fine game by Edmonton through two periods, you worry about fatigue on defense and Smith’s magic wand wobbled in that period.
Yamamoto’s pass was gorgeous, McDavid was arrested for going 120 in that period.
Solid period. Back and forth but I think we got the best of them. Our hard working determination to get pucks and win battles is so refreshing to see. Reminds me of the MacT Oilers but with more skill. A lot more skill.
I was just about to brag up Ryan for jumping the play and stealing a pass, then he took a penalty. Hes been super solid with Nuge and Foggy. Really able to use his high IQ effectively with them.
Keep up the good work! One Period to go!
Old Man Strength.
Yikes! Keith, come on, dude…you know better than that…
Can’t believe that hard work the whole team is putting in! Nobody quitting on any play! I’ve waited soooooo long to see this!
Hey, Mike…skip the fancy and just get the puck to a defenceman, how about? I’m not allowed to use my wifes fancy glasses cuz of your antics…
Not sure why but this game has an OT feeling to it!!!
Can’t believe they called that…amazing…still missed two hooks on Hyman…
Why stop the play? He didn’t go down?
McDavid now with a 5-point lead (plus the tiebreak) on Huburdeau and both are at the same point of their 80th games.
Its done.