2021-22 Game 82: Canucks at Oilers

Kailer Yamamoto has a great line this morning: 80 games, 20 goals, 20 assists, 40 points, 40 pims. The impressive young right-winger reached the 20-goal plateau in his fifth season, and his second full year. He is the fifth Oilers forward to reach the plateau this season.

Among forwards drafted by Edmonton since 2000, 11 have scored 20 or more goals in a season: Matthew Lombardi, Ales Hemsky, Jarret Stoll, Kyle Brodziak, Andrew Cogliano, Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid and Yamamoto.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: Oilers junior and European prospects deliver strong seasons
• Lowetide: Why Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s value peaks in the playoffs
• DNB: How Connor McDavid’s season is so stellar and why it’s not getting enough attention
• 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 1-1-0)
• At home to: SJS, VAN (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
• Actual April results: 10-2-1, 21 points in 13 games
• Oilers in 2021-22: 48-27-6, 102 points in 81 games

A fantastic finish to the season by Edmonton, the 10 April wins created a gap between the Oilers and the Kings/Golden Knights and allowed for some breathing room. The 102 points is the most since 2016-17 (103), if the club beats Vancouver tonight the 104 points will be the most in team history since 1986-87.

GOALTENDING

Mikko Koskinen stopped 39 of 43, I think the other Oilers felt he needed two games worth of work in one and so provided it for him. He had a .907SP on the night, .901 for the year. I think he gets an NHL contract next season, many Oilers fans do not feel that way. His 26-12-4 season was key to Edmonton’s success, and he answered every bell, even when the team looked sideways. I wish him well, hope he finds his place in the sun.

DEFENSE

Duncan Keith got fed by the Sharks forwards, he blocked four shots, had one giveaway and was outCorsi’s 11-33 (OH MY GOD!) at five-on-five. Evan Bouchard had a shot on goal that created a rebound five-on-five, while also picking up a power-play assist. He was out Corsi’d 10-33 (JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH!) and unlucky to have a goal bounce off his skate and into the net early on. This pairing is 21-12 goals five-on-five since Woodcroft-Manson arrived, what a rush. Let the banners be unfurled. Hold the red star proudly high in hand.

Brett Kulak had an assist, two shots, four hits and a giveaway. His skating is a big asset for this team, I think he’s going to author a strong playoff spring in his current role. He isn’t Scott Stevens, but he’s an effective coverage defender and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. Cody Ceci played the Don Awrey role (nothing happened) with a 9-9 shot share five-on-five and just one GA. Ceci is 28-26 since the coaching change, and has been a strong addition to this team.

Philip Broberg scored his first NHL goal and it was a nice one, great feed from 97 and a goal-scorer’s shot to secure the tally. He had some vapor lock moments early, but you can see his effectiveness in moving the puck to good places, and the shot was a beauty. Now, you’re going to have to be patient with him defensively, he has many natural tools but will need many sorties to get the feel of the NHL road. Don’t make me find your comments on a young Oscar Klefbom as a reminder, because you know I will. Tyson Barrie picked up an assist, had a couple of good looks and a giveaway at five-on-five, I liked his quick passing on the PP but he didn’t get paid for good work. Barrie is 30-19 five-on-five goals since Woodcroft and Manson flew Bakersfield, Broberg is 8-8.

FORWARDS

Zach Hyman had an assist, two shots and two HDSC at five-on-five, also blocking four shots. Had three more HDSC on the PP and scored the overtime beauty for the double you. He’s going to be one of my all-time favourite Oilers and is getting there in a quick hurry. Leon Draisaitl’s gorgeous behind the back pass to Yamamoto for his goal won’t make 29’s top 100 but it was lovely all the same. He had three shots, two HDSC, he got pressed along the wall late and I worried, but he had plenty of gas in overtime. Kailer Yamamoto had a goal and an assist, three HDSC and a couple of giveaways. The line got caved, but is 49 percent in shot share and 8-8 goals five-on-five since Woodcroft (128 minutes).

Evander Kane had three shots, two HDSC, took a penalty and had a takeaway. He didn’t get into any major scuffles, but there were a few conversations and hello whacks from the old fam. Connor McDavid had an assist, two shots, HDSC, GV, TK, breakaway. 123 points on the season, don’t know if he’ll play tonight, so that may land as the career high for a season, until next year. His pass to Broberg, while simple, is another example of the vision and touch he brings to the game. He plays with a window to another dimensional available to him. Jesse Puljujarvi returned, he picked up an assist, a couple of HDSC and drew a penalty. Woodcroft’s choice to place JP back on the No. 1 line is a credit to the young man and what he brings. I honestly didn’t think the coach would break up the chem, pleased to see the belief in Puljujarvi is that strong. This line is 10-1 goals five-on-five since Woodcroft.

Warren Foegele didn’t have much going in the summary, but he showed up in good spots and engaged the ruffians among the Sharks. He helped on the Ryan goal, too. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hit the 50-point plateau for the first time again, he also had three HDSC’s and was noticeable in good ways. Derek Ryan scored a big goal, nice tip and now owns 10-12-22 in 72 for the season. Trio is 8-5 goals since February 11 (117 minutes) at five-on-five.

Derick Brassard had one shot on goal, a couple of promising looks, three hits and a blocked shot. Ryan McLeod scored a nice goal, had two HDSC and drew a penalty. He’s 9-12-21 in 70 games, he’s what they used to call a promising rookie. Zack Kassian had a HDSC and drew a penalty after get clubbed in the head. I worry about him, he’s had some concussion issues and that was a damned dangerous play.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

This is a busy week and we’re going to cover things like a blanket. We kickstart the weekend at 10, TSN 1260. Steve Lansky will get the definitive opinion on the Hart Trophy race, and we’ll chat about the idea of an Oilers-Flames playoff series. We’ll also talk NFL draft (Eagles, baby!), Raptors-76ers and the Blue Jays. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!