We have a series! The Oilers looked good in game two, and should have the butterflies out of the system by now. Los Angeles has some youngsters, it’s possible nerves got the best of someone in the first home game, but this group looks prepared from here. LAK had a tough time with Edmonton’s physical play, not because the Oilers obliterated them, but because the hits took Kings out of the play. No return passes mean fewer options for the puck carrier. I expect Todd McLellan will have an answer, and am wondering if he has some speed merchants at the ready.
Momentum adds up to nothing in an NHL playoff series. However, Jay Woodcroft’s Oilers have shown an ability to lock in repeatable five-on-five performances. These two teams are close enough to equal, so luck be a lady tonight, but my goodness it’s fun to be watching a series.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Why Oilers line up as summer trade partner with Ducks
- DNB: Oilers end seven-game postseason losing streak, a party five long years in the making
- Lowetide: 5 biggest Bakersfield Condors stories from 2021-22 AHL season
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
- Pierre Lebrun: Can Jay Woodcroft’s message help the Oilers move past recent playoff failures?
- DNB: Should Oilers play Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on same line?
- DNB: Connor McDavid produces magic, Mike Smith mistake proves costly: 5 Oilers observations
- Lowetide: Oilers regular season report card for 2021-22
- DNB: Mike Smith never stopped fighting. A playoff run would be his ultimate redemption
- Lisa Dillman and Lowetide: Oilers vs. Kings position by position: Who has the edge?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Shayna Goldman: Inside Oilers’ adjustments that saved their season
- Lowetide: Oilers’ exceptional April saves a turbulent regular season
- 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: 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
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s Hart case
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers free-agent targets for 2022 offseason
- Lowetide: 7 Condors who could impact Oilers’ fortunes in the playoffs
LINES
Everything is early stages so there are no trustworthy numbers yet, but I wanted to look at Edmonton’s forward lines to see how much they’ve been together through two games.
- E. Kane-McDavid-Puljujarvi: 17:34, 10-11 shots, 2-1 goals, 58 xGF%
- Hyman-Draisaitl-Yamamoto: 16:37, 9-10 shots, no goals, 58 xGF%
- Archibald-Nuge-D. Ryan: 7:34, 2-1 shots, no goals, 85.2 xGF%
- Foegele-McLeod-Kassian: 7:00, 6-1 shots, 1-0 goals, 65.4 xGF%
- Foegele-Nuge-Ryan: 4:01, 3-3 shots, 0-1 goals, 70 xGF%
The top two lines are doing well, Draisaitl’s trio has been solid but no goals yet. Nuge’s two lines are good, but haven’t scored yet and have surrendered a goal (all of these numbers are five-on-five).
PAIRINGS
Although game one had some mix and match, one of Dave Manson’s staples involves a fairly consistent set of defensemen. Here are the numbers after two games.
- Keith-Bouchard: 27:22, 26-22 shots, 1-1 goals, 52.7 xGF%
- Nurse-Ceci: 26:18, 17-19 shots, 3-2 goals, 48.2 xGF%
- Kulak-Barrie: 18:13, 11-4 shots, 0-0 goals, 62.7 xGF%
- Kris Russell: 7:40, 2-2 shots, 0-1 goals, 41.8 xGF%
Keith-Bouchard has played well, both men making exceptional passes and staying out of big trouble. Keith should have been arrested for those crosschecks in game two, my goodness. Notice the player he was hammering on? That’s right. Not some fourth liner but the guy who was driving the Oilers crazy. Nurse looks slower (injury), I wonder if Kulak-Ceci becomes a thing if the injury persists. Russell’s numbers in game one were poor, and he was scratched for game two. The world is turning as it should.
JOSH ARCHIBALD
He looked fine to my eye, and his line was effective. Did good PK work, looked fast.
XAVIER BOURGAULT
I well remember the upset among Oilers fans when Bourgault was chosen, but he was a value pick at No. 22 based on my list (I had him No. 14, saying there was too much offense to ignore). Bourgault had a hat-trick in game one of his QMJHL playoffs, I don’t know if Jesper Wallstedt will be a better pick, but Bourgault is tracking like a good selection. His regular season (36-39-75 in 43 games) was dominant.
EXPECTATIONS
I think we all have expectations of each summer, and the range is usually very wide. For me, I thought it would take a win in the first round and then a deep run (like 2017) to ensure Ken Holland and Dave Tippett returned for another year. Holland made his coaching change in February, but even then you could see him dumping Woodcroft/Manson and hiring Jeff Blashill.
I think we’re past it now. I think it impossible for Holland or any manager to stand at a podium and explain why Woodcroft/Manson are gone. I think we have contact, we have traction, and these good things will come to Oilers fans. Woodcroft is a coach, that’s an important position on an NHL team. He values analytics and smart thinking, so the Oilers have changed and will be influenced by his presence. It’s like when Mick Taylor joined the Stones, it just fit and chemistry is the damndest thing to predict but Woodcroft/Manson behind the bench might be Sticky and Exile merging. We don’t know what we don’t know, but the first cut we’ve heard is Tumbling Dice and we’re screaming for more. I don’t know how an organization can turn down the volume on success. We have takeoff, from the minor league system left for dead 20 years ago. The irony is overwhelming, the wins even better.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
We’re live on location at the Terwilliger Rec Centre for Hockey Helps the Homeless today 10-2. Steve Lansky will join us at 10:20, and we’ll have guests from the rink all day. I’m excited to be out and doing live interviews on the show again, hopefully this will happen lots over the summer. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
I went to the game in the lower bowl surrounded by oilers fans, we were chanting let’s go oilers. Best experience ever.
I think it was said on this board by someone way smarter than I “90% goaltending” the boys have cracked that by a bit. The kings are a really hard working team, just lacking the 2 of the top 5 players in league. We should beat them, I’m glad we are. Long series.
After game 1, the thought/hope was a long series but, now, after game 3, there is a clear better team and I think a 5 game series is possible – may go six though.
Calgary Puck concerns:
oilers kids looking up to Kane
oilers flying to Vancouver to avoid covid testing
entire NHL now slanted to make McDavid look good
best of all:
Flames fan mentioning how Oilers are scoring like crazy, while Flames have 1 goal in 2 games
That last goal means Kane takes the NHL scoring lead.
TMac’s post-game lasted 31 seconds.
“We weren’t any good, we’re really disappointed, ask about anyone, they weren’t very good, so and so was out due to injury. Does anyone have any other questions? Good.” Leaves,
Flattop not happy in his rapid post game interview. Yikes.
That stress cold sore is getting bigger by the day.
I forget who it was here that kept calling TMac a “thoroughly mediocre coach” … props to you cause you totally nailed it.
That was our friend Godot
During the game there was a close up shot of Mike Smith’s mask, specifically the top of it… the name FUHR was as clear as could be. Has he had that there before the playoffs or is he actually “channelling” one of our OILER heros? He’s performing like he wants a big silver cup before he hangs it up.
It’s been their since the start of the regular season. Love how he’s paying respect. Hope it continues bringing good karma.
I believe Smith already had it last season too.
Woody describing the LA offense…
“Lots of shots on net from angles and all that.
…The shot clock shows a lot of numbers up there but when we go back and look, we look for chances…
We certainly gave a up[ a few chances but we did well to limit high quality ones.”
Does that describe TMac’s strategy or what?
#Master #Pupil
Holy crap is it nice to be facing a TMac coached team.
Lot’s of talk about Kane lately and I was thinking about how I would describe him… and I think that the word I would use is efficient. Kane never seems to be chasing the game but also never seems to be out of the game. Just always showing up at the right time, playing his cards when they are most effective. Looks like someone who has figured out how to best play his game and not over exert or drain his batteries. #thegambler
knows when to hold em, maybe even when to fold em ya say?
NHL d-man scoring leader – Evan Bouchard with 5 points in 3 games.
I’ll be honest and note that Makar has 4 points in only 2 games.
Very impressive
His points have been great, but more impressive has been his physical play and intensity level. Looks very complete and has a ton of room for improvement still.
Very balanced of you haha
Not many kids can play like mcdavid but they all have the ability to hustle like Hyman. Pleasure to watch.
It’s contagious. Some guys pull up when the lane is looking tight. Hyman takes every inch of that lane and if the D give him another inch he’s getting to the net. He’s even better then Smytty at that since his wheels are better
Good analogy with Smytty.
I just don’t think it can be overstated the difference in this team with Woodcroft as coach. A young fresh voice. My opinion is these guys were tired of the old guard. Tippett, Mclelland , Hitchcock etc. There playing for him like no coach I’ve seen since MacT.
He rolls the lines gets everyone involved plus Kane as most of us know
was a gift from above.
So refreshing and I liked Tip as well. Sometimes need a new perspective to take the next step. He seems extremey motivared. Recognizes this is his time to pave the way for a long career at the highest level. His presser was spot on. Need talent throughout the org. Check mark at HC
I have a lot of time for Smith. You can say a lot about him – he is polarising. The one thing nobody can dispute is that he is an absolute warrior. He has the sort of tenacity you quietly point out to your kids as you watch the game together. They won’t ever have McDavid’s speed or Draisaitl’s passing or Bouchard’s shot. But Smith’s steadfast refusal to give in? There’s a thing a kid can learn from.
So many scenes from Major League apply. Holy fack im so happy to watch them execute this well!
Did they.ever show what got Lemieux kicked out? Not that I’m complaining
He tried to take a run at Kassian and missed, then kept challenging him to a fight, so got the 10 minute misconduct.
Game management
The nice thing about that last goal or two – there’s no mental game of coming with the backup in game 4 – he didn’t do any better! I was actually more concerned about Peterson stoning us than Quick before the season began.
Agreed. Sometimes the backup comes in and gets hot and can turn a series. The answer isn’t in G for the Kings
I thought Quick was better tonight than last game. The only iffy goal was the fourth.
This is an oversimplification but the 1st period was McDavid’s when the game was in doubt, the 2nd was Kane’s to crush the Kings’ hopes of making a comeback, and the 3rd was Nuge’s to tell the league the Oilers are legit.
I think you have to do whatever it takes to re-sign Kane in the off-season. Could there be a better fit for this team?
Ya but its tough – he’ll be 31 to start the season….
Heavy player with a solid frame. Slightly longer career horizon…? It’s a stretch, I know.
His 31 is better than any winger other than Draisaitl he’s ever had at any age. I’d resign him.
I guess if he wants a long term deal you have to walk away, but anything in that 3 year range has to be a no-brainer.
Lol guys – with every goal that Kane scored for us in the playoffs, he’s making himself more bank on his next contract. Enjoy the ride while it lasts cause the Oilers are not going to be able to afford the next contract.
Helluva player though …
Sometimes players take less to play in an ideal situation. Hopefully that is the case for Evander.
If he gets the big payday from SanJose I say he signs in Edmonton.
It’s a dangerous signing. His personality seems to come out after the second year on a team. It’s very very tempting though.
JP with another assist, Nuge finally got rolling with a big three point night, Kane with the hattie, weakass two assists from McLightning lol, Hyman who I’m pretty sure was one of The Incredibles had three points, Tsetse with three points, Boosh two assists…
Gotta love eight goal games.
We’re not even “runnin and gunnin” either. Taking care of business in the Dzone and capitalizing on chances. It’s the Woodcroftian way.
Hyman is a machine. Puck just goes in the right direction 95% of the time on the LW when hes out there.
Coaches dream
Started the stream late, just caught up. Loved this hockey game! Very satisfying watching the Oilers be convincingly better than a team that is playing well and putting up a fight. Puzzling about individual calls by refs is a welcome change to wondering what the refs do for a living. Really happy for Hyman, woulda liked to see an ad-hoc PP of Kane, Nuge and Hyman there at the end. Kane got the hattie and looked like he deserved it. Barrie was really physical and engaged in front of his own net in the first two. Smith was quietly excellent, granted I don’t think he faced many HDSCs, 45 shots is 45 shots. I really noticed his puck handling taking a lot of pressure off our D a few times. To my eye Edmonton was much the better team and got the better chances. Even that stretch they were being outshot something like 17-6 – the first two goals were tap-ins, and LA wasn’t generating quality chances. The 2-0 felt right. Tonight, it’s possible to believe.
Nuge and Hyman were out right before on the PP, but I hear ya.
Kings are playing like the Oilers when TMac coached them. High volume, low percentages. Old dogs don’t learn new tricks, it seems…
Kings are peeling off to D and W when smith plays the puck and he’s realizing he doesn’t need to rush a play
A complete beat down. Had a few ups and downs but when they did play Oilers hockey it was unstoppable! 8 goals in a playoff game against a team that nearly got 100 points? MAGNIFICENT!!!
This is gonna be a Fun Playoffs!!!
Kane three goals, nine shots, eight hits. Wow.
To: Calgary Flames
Subject: RE: Built for Playoff Hockey
Added 500k AAV to his next contract in 6 days
Such an amazing, tremendous, incredible stat line.
The MacBlender will be out in full force Sunday night for the Kings.
Woodcroft gave Kane and Nuge extra shifts at the end to get the hatty. Usually it’s only one player who has the chance to get rewarded but in this case, Woodcroft had double the odds. Nice to see one of them cash and the other assist.
Surprised Hyman didn’t get his shot too…
When I saw Kane and then later Nuge on the PP, I thought it was nice of Woodcroft to give them a chance for the hatty. I totally forgot Hyman had two goals too. Maybe Woodcroft forgot as well! Hard to keep track of so many goals!
Nice problem to have!
I will be very surprised if this goes 6 games. LA has no answer for this team if they keep the focus and play like this. Calgary or Dallas may be in for a rough ride too…
The next period is huge. If Oilers continue to be on the D side of pucks it’s over in 6
Home ice advantage regained.
McDavid played 16:18 and Drai 14:57 tonight.
That’s two games in a row and it matters, it matters alot.
The D toi is also beautiful.
IF we can keep this up what an advantage over Dallas next series after their slog against that other team.
Flames are better than Stars this year (I picked Flames in 6) but either way I like Oilers chances of getting to conference finals
But, but, but that goes against the fLamer fan’s mantra that McDavid and Drai are always way overplayed.
I might have to listen to Tmac’s post-game tonight lol
You deserve a couple of laughs on a Friday!
But Jeff Blashill?
Ha ha! LT is trolling because HH is suspended.
The question is if these days should count towards the suspension – we know he wouldn’t be posting the night of or the morning/afternoon after these last two games.
He’s currently sitting at home, torn between having a nervous breakdown and putting on that McDavid jersey he hides in his closet.
He’d pull whatever buzzkill fringe fact he could out of his …. , for sure. To the effect of, “teams that win my 6 2-games in a row are never actually good”.
Welcome back, home ice advantage!
Scoring depth is a beautiful thing.
Great smack in the face by the Oilers tonight.
Foot on gas. Never stop.
Wait so now the Boomer likes the young generation effort?
Who’s a boomer in this conversation?
Another classic call from Mr.Electricity Harnarayan Singh on Evander Kane’s playoff hat trick.
You love to see it!
PP unit 2.67 scores……
Nuge with a beauty pass to Kane for the hatty
Bring on game 4
Harnarayan Singh with the worst hat trick call of all time. What a pass by Nuge.
TBS has been fantastic.
Man I got to watch. Are they pro Kings? (Not like it matters…)
It was a Nationnal broadcast so far more balanced than the Kings home crew (who are awful homers). After the first goal, were stating 97 should win the Hart, for eg. Looked at both teams in their intermission commentary (Biz Nasty, Anson and Tocchet, and they’re hilarious).
Still up on nhl66 will be till at least noon.
They got Biz?! Oh man I’m changing
La hatreek
Hat trick for Kane
BOOM!!! Kaner Hatty!!! What a pass!!!
Hatty for Kaner!
Hopefully Ryan was only winded at least they gave him a assist.
He’s sneaky important. Such a smart player.
Everyone that fanboyed for Sutter and the Flames will feel shame
Archie has, however improbably, completely redemed himself.
Good on him.
Credit to Holland and Woody getting him ready for to be made possible.
Oilers are all smiles on the bench after that penalty. I Love It!!!
Ah, garbage time calls.
Right?
Gary can go to hell.
LOL, you can have your Kucherov, or Landeskog come off LTIR in time for playoffs, we’ll take Archibald
I was hoping against hope for Klefbom though… heart goes out for him, hate to think his career might be over and done. Hope he is still able to enjoy his post hockey life after the surgery… you know, important things.
Oh boy, if Nuge gets rollin like this look out
Nuge on pace for 50 points in the playoffs!!!!
McDavid high fives from on the bench (those near him) after Nuge goal (1st one), Puljujarvi oblivious, McDavid pats him on the back of the helmet 3 or 4 times. Classic.
Also nice for anyone believing McDavid doesn’t like him or something.
Great to see
After seeing more interactions between them over the last couple years, it seems less like McDavid doesn’t like him or whatever and more like Jesse is in the role of awkward kid brother who is loved but the team gives the business to
What a pass by Archie. Looking like Drai
Hopefully that legend that flew his family to LA to watch this game is forgiven by his daughter for buying the Pulju jersey instead of the Yamo with the outcome of this game.