There are two games left in the NHL season, and I’m hopeful the Oilers see fit to experiment a little with the lineup. I know the Condors play Saturday and the only recall is Philip Broberg, but there are some things worth looking at during the games to come.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Why Oilers star Leon Draisaitlβs value peaks in the playoffs
- New DNB: How Connor McDavidβs season is so stellar and why itβs not getting enough attention
- Lowetide: 5 reasons Zach Hyman was a quality free-agent signing for Oilers
- DNB: Oilersβ need for a healthy Darnell Nurse becomes apparent in first game of absence
- Lowetide: Inside Oilers top prospectsβ first and second half splits in AHL
- DNB: Evander Kaneβs banner Oilers performance was fitting. And there could be more
- Lowetide: Should Oilers re-sign Brett Kulak based on early results?
- DNB: How Oilersβ Matvey Petrov mastered English and became a promising NHL prospect
- Lowetide: Is Ken Hollandβs unusual approach to team building close to success for Oilers?
- DNB & Lowetide: Why the Jesse Puljujarvi criticism in Edmonton misses the mark
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchardβs deployment is working, despite play in Wild loss
- Lowetide: Evander Kaneβs scoring prowess and what he brings the Oilers
- DNB: Connor McDavidβs 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 Oilersβ 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 1-1-0)
- 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: 9-2-1, 19 points in 12 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 47-27-6, 100 points in 80 games
TONIGHT’S LINEUP
I would like to see Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman on the wings with center Leon Draisaitl. The trio has been together very little this season (60 minutes, 4-3 goals) but if the Evander Kane-Connor McDavid-Kailer Yamamoto line (192 minutes, 17-9 goals) is going to hammer like Dick Pound at a drug-testing convention, then the big Finn should be placed with the second line.
I’d like to see the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan line play both games, and lots of minutes. The trio has been together for just 108 minutes, while scoring 7-5 at five on five, 55 percent shot share and 54 percent expect goals. Why not run them for another 30 minutes five-on-five before the end of the regular season?
I’d like to see Jesse Puljujarvi on the power play in the final two games. In 94 minutes this season when he’s out there, Edmonton has scored 19 times (12.15 goals-per-60). As a comparison, the goals come at a 10.1 goals-per-60 rate when Zach Hyman is out there (179 minutes). Get the big man’s confidence up. Why not?
I’d like to see Philip Broberg play RH side with Brett Kulak. They played just 3 minutes together while Broberg was up, but it might be an effective third pairing behind Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci and Duncan Keith-Evan Bouchard. By the way, CapFriendly had Broberg recalled, but no other source yet. Sometimes these things get pulled back for whatever reason, I can’t imagine Darnell Nurse will play in either of the last two games, though.
OTHER RECALLS
There won’t be any, but if I were king of the world, the Oilers would recall the following players:
- LHD Philip Broberg. He’s No. 8 on the defensive depth chart, there’s a good chance he plays in the postseason.
- G Stuart Skinner. One more tune up start in the NHL just in case.
- LW Dylan Holloway. I am very interested to see if his speed/touches in the AHL translates in any way to the NHL.
- LHD Markus Niemelainen. Big man with some bite could come in handy.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy day on the Lowdown, TSN 1260 beginning at 10. Chris Johnston, TSN Insider, will preview the possible NHL playoff matchups at 10:20. Dave Naylor from TSN will talk CFL rule changes and NFL draft (Canadians getting picked) at 11. Matt Bonesteel from the Washington Post previews day one of the NFL draft at 11:20. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.
Milestone night.
—Broberg with his first ( a beauty snipe too)
—Nuge with 50. (The fifth time he hasn’t done it.)
—Yams with 20-20 and 40. (stunningly matching linemates Drai who haz 55-55 and Hyman with 27-27. Is this line even-steven like Jerry Seinfeld? What the hell do you call these guys? Mirror Men? Deserves a damn nickname a freak of nature like that.)
—Barrie with 40. (nice)
—Ryan with his 10th.(deserves it)
Kulak now has 7 points in 17 games for the Oil, a better ppg rate than Duncan Keith (small sample size alert) and earning himself the final shift of overtime.
Flames are 2-0-1 against Dallas this season. 1-0-2 against Nash.
Avs are 1-2-0 against Dallas, 1-1-2 against Nash.
I’d say best path for us is COL-DAL and CGY-NAS. I don’t hold much hope for either underdog though. Nashville has just come through a killer two weeks so maybe they surprise having had played at a higher intensity. Tough to surprise in a seven game series though. And they could just as equally be dog-tired. Both dogs will need stellar goaltending and a commitment to patient mistake-free hockey to win.
Still lots to be decided tomorrow: Edmonton vs. LA with Edmonton at home is the only series set in stone with only one day left in the season (we know Wild Blues but not who has home ice advantage). Even though all 4 division winners are set, none of them know who they are playing yet.
Boston can overtake Tampa for 3rd in the Atlantic by getting one more point than Tampa in their games. Boston plays Toronto while Tampa plays the Islanders. It would be ironic if Boston beats the Leafs and that gets them into a series with the Leafs.
Pittsburgh will hold onto 3rd in the Metro if they beat Columbus or with an OTL. If the Pens lose in regulation, Washington needs a win of any kind over the Rangers to take 3rd.
A St. Louis win of any kind over Vegas combined with a Minnesota regulation loss to Colorado, will get Blues home ice in the series over the Wild. Any other results in those two games and the Wild will host the first two games.
And Dallas can only get the 7th Wild Card with a win of any kind over the Ducks combined with a Nashville regulation loss to the Coyotes.
Interesting factoid at least to me
Without doing an exhaustive study it would seem the Oilers have the most Canadian roster in the playoffs
Oilers – Canadaβs team!!
Summarizing!
Tullio had a PP goal and a game-high 8 SOG, but Oshawa lost Game 4 and now trails the series 3-1 as it moves back to Kingston.
I’d rather see Nashville play Calgary. Two big teams, the one team left standing will be tired
Playoff preview Preds and Avs into OT
Duchene with only SO goal
All the Preds need now is one point against Arizona and they will finish ahead of Dallas and face the Flames. That or Dallas loses in regulation or and OTL.
The Nashville win in OT means Colorado will play Dallas in the 1st round.
Very probably But a Stars win and a regulation loss by the Preds would reverse Not likely but powerful is the HH jinx
Big Save Dave wants Calgary.
What a player is RNH. He is often compared (negatively) to Courure. Ridiculous Despite the age difference, RNH is much the better player.
And Nuge finally has a 50 point season!
Donβt lie. Nuge will never have a 50 point season π
ZERO reason to play McDavid and Draisaitl tomorrow. Woody better have the balls to sit them if they want to play.
Yes sir along with old man Keith and Smith. Thereβs no reason to start Smith against the pissed off dirty Kanucks.
Calgary officially has three forty-goal scorers. Pretty impressive. I just threw up in my mouth typing this comment.
Thatβs a DSF commentβ¦
Feels good to be on the opposite end of a game like this after the DOD.
That shot of Ben Stelter celebrating right after was perfect
That kid is a beaut. Gotta love him!
Also he’s on a 9 straight games winning streak when he attends. That’s 11% of a whole season. The Stelter Swagger is real.
Let the playoff run ride for wonderful memories for Ben.
Love it. Wins are always awesome. It’s so great the Nuge got signed.
Play LA BAMBA
What is the story behind this?
Oilers win song.
Favorite song of former Dressing Room Attendant Joey Moss.
Pretty sure it was Joey Moss’ song
Wooooooooot!
BOOM!!! What a pass by Nuge!!! Hyman buries it!!!
No Reimer reason, but that works for me.
Good bounce back after slow start. These guys always play hard now.
Wasted a 4 min PP
So what do I know. Didn’t know that Broberg read this blog and took umbrage at my comment.
Broberg has had a rough night…..and just totally redeemed himself!
BOOM!!! Broberg is back into the good books!!! Great shot!!!
Broberg!
We just cannot have nice things tonight….like the lead. Draisaitl went walkabout there.
I watched that goal many times. I thought Mclovin got it with his skate. But nope. Off the defenderβs stick, that was kicked by Foegleβs skate.
either way
big goal
BOOM!!! Ryan with the great tip!!! Such a smart player!
Speaking of heating up at the right time…..I like the Nuge/Foegele/Ryan line these days.
They’ve been great. With McLeod that’s 10 forwards deep I’m quite happy with.
Random thoughts during this game…
Broberg does not look NHL ready. I know he’s been injured but this is not a good look. Woof.
Hope Pool is just rusty. He looks baaaaaaad tonight. My biggest issue with him is his tunnel vision. He does not have a creative mind when he has the puck on his stick. I dunno…if I was Kenny…I’m not giving this kid anywhere near 5mil. He might have the most value of his entire career right now…I’d ask around the league and see what ppl are willing to trade for him.
I like McD/Drai at about 10 mins of icetime. No need to be pushing it and risking an injury.
Mikko leaks goals for a living. Nothing has changed and after 4 years there’s no reason to believe it ever will. Nice guy…but will be nicer to see him leave. Good riddance.
McLeod is the guy I’m locking up long term for as cheap as possible. He has never regressed and has just been becoming a more complete player every game. Lock him up.
Yamo is heating up at the right time. 20 goals is a big deal and I love his tenacity. I’d try and get him to sign a multi-year deal.
Also hope Kenny can get Kulak to sign for a 3 year deal. He’s a perfect 2LD on this team right now.
And then there’s Kane…we need him on this team. Badly. If he wants 6mil that’s still a bargain. Trade Barrie/Kass and make it work!
You have a good honest eye.
Seeing Broberg real bad today. Maybe he is stil hurt?
Agree. Game looks too fast for him right now. Better today than if he gets in during playoffs.
Agreed. Heβs been hesitating and fumbling the puck. Hope he gets next game, as well, to work out the kinksβ¦
THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE CONTEST KNOWN TO MAN NOR BEAST..
ο»ΏHunter1909βs Playoff Death March for 2022β¦
1 β Predict how many playoff wins Oilers get
2 β Predict how many goals McDavid gets
3 β 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
ps: Contest entries close at puck drop Game 1 of Oilers playoffs
eat shit and die, haters
Donβt let them get to you! Thanks for doing the contest Hunter! Itβs fun!
Every time I hear Vlasicβs name I crave a pickle.
Forget the goal, I’d love to see some more of that kind of hit by McLeod.
Rolling shoulder on shoulder in the corner and leads to a clean zone exit then entry.
He had a few last game, too. Ramping it up just in time for the playoffs!
McLeod is an excellent NHLer.
Naturallaiment Leako lets in another goal.
Another Nice one you Finnish frick
That goal is not one to complain about goaltending on. Nice deflection completely changed the angle.
Great goalies same impossible goals.
Average goalies save next to impossible goals.
Mikko leaks goals then everyone makes excuses lmao
Donβt bother, Reja and Hunter think that every Oiler should make every save no matter and that every opposition goalie makes every save except when they play the greatest goal scorers ever.
Mikkoβs not getting resigned thankfully Skinner should be backing up Smith if heβs in the future plans.
Yeah go with the downvotes. As if Leako is going to be your NHL saviour once poor Mike Smith leaves the centre stage.
That goal was on Broberg who failed to tie up the San Hose player’s stick. Not on Kosko. Anyway looks like McDavid has mailed it in. Have not seen even one rush that was promising. Might as well not have played.,,, I guess he doesn’t want to embarass Huberdue by distancing himself too much on the points table.
Broberg looks awful we are 1 injury away from L.A dumping it in to his corner with the Kings hammering the piss out of him. The knock on him I believe was his IQ well Brown and company will spew that out of him in no time. Playoff hockey is not easy on the leakiest links.
He scored exactly as I posted this lol
Keith buries Couture into the net right in front of the ref, no call. Playoff officiating is here.
Yama!
Yamamoto is the best.
BOOM!!! Yammo rewarded for all his hard work!!! Great pass by Drai!
If we’re going to win this, there cannot be only one.
BOOM!!! McLeod is Johnny on the spot!
Second unit keeps it simple. Puck to the net. Guys to the net. Simple.
Bouchard is Larry Murphy good at getting the pucks through to the net.
Thatβs a great comparison. I totally agree. Always hated that guyβ¦
The best thing about tonights game? I get to drink JD+Budvar while mourning the death of my former martial arts master who incidentally died from Parkinsons disease after having several punches thrown at his head either in Hong Kong(he was a HK colonial cop in the 70s) or in those full contact tournaments they used to hold in SE Asia, baaack in the day.
RIP Dan.
Honest question. Is Mikko the all-time worst starting goalie for the Oilers? Iβm frustrated for sure, but I think itβs an interesting question too. Conklin was bad, but was he the starter? Which starters were worse?
He has got to be one of the worst goalies of all time in the NHL.
How many goalies are virtually guranteed to leak goal after goal after goal, as is our Mikko?
Talbot let in the first shot, for what seemed like forever. And he was/is a better goalie.
When a journeyman hockey player is laughing after he scores you know your Goalie is shit.
There you go. Lots of downvotes to a poster simply telling the fucking truth.
What did I miss?
Very little. Ryan was simply asked about the diff between old school(Tippett) style coaching and modern details coaching. Media trying to make something out of nothing (shock horror)
Jack saying that so far Huberdeau has no points. Thatβs because Florida rested him. I wonder if heβd been closer, if they would have done that. The 4 points in Pittsburgh probably sealed the deal for Connor.
Florida is sitting 5 regulars.
Toronto sitting Matthews and Marner tomorrow.
Johnny Hockey scores his 40th.
Will you be jacking off about the Flames? After all, they are pencilled in as a top seed for the playoffs to come “hockey fan”
I’m happy at least for that local Edmonton player who got 2 goals.
Looks like the good guys are already thinking of the Monday game.
Leaky goal Kostagame.
Leako Kostagaime?
If Smith goes down I hope Woody is Smart enough to go with Skinner.
LOL at this most sensible post getting downvotes.
Kostagaime is beyond putrid. With his appalling “skills” + Mike Smith’s 40 year old body Oilers are virtually doomed to no more than a 1 or 2 series playoffs.
Watching guys bounce off JP after engaging a bodycheck will. never. get. old.
How many shots/goals are we gonna spot em til we decide to get in the game?
Ha ha ha, prescient comment ππ