Connor McDavid is the most incredible hockey player on the planet, and I’m not sure there’s an athlete on this crazy blue rock who can deliver with the force of 97. Last night, the captain led his team through most unfriendly territory with panache, finesse and determination. Once he sets his jaw, the hockey world has a tremor. What an incredible game by an unprecedented hockey player.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: What’s Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway’s future fit on depth chart?
- New DNB: When the Edmonton Oilers needed them most, McDavid and Draisaitl rose to the occasion
- Lowetide: How Oilers can finally fix salary cap nightmare
- DNB: Five reasons why Oilers are facing elimination against Kings after Game 5
- DNB and Lisa Dillman: Why Oilers-Kings series has been a roller coaster through 4 games
- Lowetide: Reasonable expectations for Oilers could not see chaos ahead
- New DNB: How do Oilers solve depth issues up front after first shutout loss of Jay Woodcroft era?
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers’ options for 2022 NHL Draft
- DNB: Mike Smith a big part of Oilers win in Game 3
- DNB and Lisa Dillman: Inside Oilers-Kings matchup between Jay Woodcroft and Todd McLellan
- Lowetide: Why Oilers line up as summer trade partner with Ducks
- DNB: Oilers’ Derek Ryan’s under-the-radar play instrumental in Game 2 success
- DNB: A long travel day, dim lights at morning skate and who’s on the real PP1?
- 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: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith had his best game of the series to my eye, stopping 30 of 32 shots (.938). Several were outstanding and he made some good plays with the puck. The penalty was unnecessary but the referees made more than one curious call including his penalty.
DEFENSE
Brett Kulak played a fine game, stepping in and playing 21 minutes. He picked up an assist, had two shots and three hits. Cody Ceci played 23 minutes, had two assists, played some tough minutesand came out the other side on the good side of the ledger. Pair is 1-0 in the series (18 minutes), Nurse-Ceci 8-4 against Los Angeles in the playoffs.
Duncan Keith had two shots, two giveaways, hit some people and blocked a shot. I thought he was at his aggressive best, including some high-danger moments in the slot where he cleared away what could have been sure goals. Evan Bouchard had one shot, which created a rebound, and made more good decisions and quality passes. Pairing is 2-5 in the series.
Tyson Barrie will be remembered by Edmonton Oilers fans for a long time. His goal late in Game Six on Thursday night came during a time when candles were being lit, promises to a higher power were being made and some of the older set were openly worried about bladder control (it’s a thing, you’ll get there). Barrie’s goal will live in infamy, like Joey Smallwood’s selling the water, Punch Imlach inventing the name Malahovich, Kevin McClelland’s monster goal and Fernando Pisani’s shorthanded goal for the ages. Where it ranks doesn’t matter, not this morning. It’s a good day, sunshine!
Kris Russell had two shots, three blocked shots and scrambled to defend. He is 1-1 goals through 20 minutes at five-on-five during this series. Philip Broberg played 3:16, blocked a shot, wandered not far from the blue in his own zone when LAK had possession in pursuit of the puck. Stay at home, young Philip!
FORWARDS
Connor McDavid played 21:31 at five-on-five, 1-1-2, six shots, six HDSC, three rebounds created, two giveaways and myriad slashes against, plus an open field tackle by Arthur Kaliyev that was brutal in its force and a clear penalty. Add that to some diving and shenanigans against 29, and it’s easy to create a storyline that involves the Oilers taking on ALL skaters and winning. If the Kings get that kind of freedom in Edmonton, the league’s credibility should be openly questioned. My goodness that was a poorly called game.
Leon Draisaitl had an assist, two shots, two HDSC and looked like a wounded warrior for much of the game. The fact he gutted it out tells you everything you need to know about him. Herculian effort under duress. The big man is a true giant, Oilers fans are blessed to have him.
Evander Kane is the first-shot PF scorer Connor McDavid has been looking for, to the point where each time they connect I sing (out loud) the Lionel Ritchie line “Hello, is it me you’re looking for” to the delight of all around me (this is a lie, I can’t sing even one note without catastrophe). Kane was 2-1-3 at evens, six shots, two HDSC, four hits.
Kailer Yamamoto had one shot, one HDSC, took two penalties (one very late and a poor decision) but was useful on a big line. Zach Hyman had two shots, two HDSC and was perhaps a little unlucky he didn’t score in the game. He was very effective with 97 and Evander Kane.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three shots, a penalty and a giveaway. He was a strong option for Jay Woodcroft as a second-line center no matter his linemates. Nuge was 9-7 on-ice shots at five-on-five. Derek Ryan played a heady game for Edmonton, just one shot and one hit. His key utility imo is placing the puck in good places (place and chase) and being a backup Nuge on danger plays in the defensive zone. Josh Archibald missed an empty net late, and added to the drama of the win, but a goal by any means would have been welcome for the veteran winger.
Ryan McLeod played 13:58, had a couple of good looks and was noticeable. Jesse Puljujarvi played 5:30 and worked hard along the wall, made a couple of good passes. Zack Kassian had one shot (HDSC) in 6:57.
CONDORS
Bakersfield plays tonight, down 2-0 but at home. If the Oilers win Saturday, and Bakersfield doesn’t advance, we’ll see the so-called “Black Aces” get the ticket to spend spring in the NHL playoffs. It’s always a sound indicator of the organization’s opinion of players. One would guess Stuart Skinner, Markus Niemelainen, Dmitri Samorukov (if he’s around), Vincent Desharnais, Dylan Holloway, James Hamblin, Brendan Perlini, Tyler Benson and others are candidates.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, a shortened version of the Lowdown, 10-11. We’ll review last night’s game, look forward to tomorrow and tee up the World Hockey Championships (we have the game at 11 on TSN1260). Steve Lansky is our guest at 10:20. Reach us at 10-1260, or @Lowetide on twitter. It’s FRIDAY!
Final Shots
EDM 42
LA 28
Domination!
https://youtu.be/aDACorIaxNw
Condors notes, from my perspective:
The good – Holloway, all day everyday. 8 shots (2 more than Kirkland, 7 more than Zary who was unnoticeable to my eyes). He was a beast out there and seems to be bashing the biscuit with more authority with each game.
Philp – starting to look good, but stapled to the 4th line. Next season will be interesting, he is a good 2 way player, would like to see him play with more skill.
Niemelainen skates good and can hit good
The bad:
Kesselring not dressed, I thought he was the most consistent Dman recently and was looking much improved. IMO he was more engaged than Broberg in the O-zone.
Skinner, he’s had better games.
Broberg: he looks lost out there sometimes and was directly involved on 3 goals against, that last being the Duehr breakaway (not his fault but made an awkward aatempt to catch him and ended getting knocked down easily, while Duehr walked in untouched from just inside the blueline. Duehr is the guy who broke Sammy’s jaw in preseason and I think he’s got a shot at an NHL future).
Berglund: He’s been pretty steady lately, but he will be going back to Sweden, he’s been very meh
Hamblin: He was mostly a non-factor, very few real scoring chances in any of the games.
Marody: He isn’t the same player he was last season and for good
chunks of this season. Very disappointing showing.
Perlini – Yup he scored on a great open sshot in the high slot on the PP, but he should be a dominate player at this level. He was far from that.
I am not a fan of this coach, we’ll see if he gets the job. If he does it will be a mistake, he won’t be good for player development I fear.
Thanks for the notes, as always. I have mentioned before I’m hoping next season they bring in some fresh faces behind the bench, such as Brad Lauer who has done well with the Oil Kings and the org would know well.
Ohhh, I want to gloat and wish bad on a certain franchise but I can’t risk karma. Gonna be a stressful weekend in Alberta. May the best team/s move on.
Condors swept by the Heat.
The likes of Hollway, Malone, Skinner, Broberg, Niemelainen, Perlini, etc. are call-up options.
I don’t think we’ll see Chaulk returning as coach.
Condors get another PP and make good.
Perlini with some great battle work on the right side half boards (yes, it was true), he digs it back to Kaldis, over to Holloway, walks in to the top of the circles and rips one home.
Down 4-3 with 8 to go.
Condors ineffective on a PP chance to tie it up and allow the guy out of the box to get a breakaway and Skinner can’t keep it a one-goal game.
4-2 Heat with 9 to go.
With the other series going 7, if the Oilers make it to round 2 tomorrow night, they should get at least 2 FULL days off before game 1.
Zadarov trying to be the first player to get suspended for 2 seperate incidents in one game (I’m presuming).
I’ll be surprised. League will see it as really big guy hitting a smaller guy.
And they secretly love the late game scrums. Have to let the loser send that message for game 7 you know. This is the way
and there will be a game 7 in Calgary on Sunday!
Heat with a PP goal 6 minutes in to the third.
Yes, the Heat player walked in to the top of the circles but the slot shot was NOT unstoppable.
Skinner just not near the top of his game.
Hasten down the wind,great Warren Zevon song.An artist who’s music just gets better by age.I think the salary cap makes almost all teams marginally close,but then we have McDavid. I think we will comfortably win tomorrow.
Coleman crashed over the stars goalie similar to the Yamo penalty last night and refs don’t flinch. Only difference was Yamo actually had the puck and Quick initiated the contact.
Thought the same. Zebras were really searching high and wide for Oiler calls last night
Holy hell what a save by Markstrom.
Deharnais with the cross-ice corner dump, Griffith gets the puck out of the board battle, to Alex Peters at the point and he walks in to the top of the circles and beats Wolf.
Yup, Alex Peters who I was disappointed had a lineup spot over Kesslering.
Condors running around.
A point shot is NOT played well by Skinner, a terrible rebound to the slot (weak point shot with no traffic) and its buried.
3-2 Heat.
Skinner having a tough series for sure.
Great start to the 2nd period.
Kambeitz and Malone with some great work on the aggressive forcheck. Malone with a bad angle shot that goes off Wolf’s pads to Holloway in the slot – Wolf with a marvellous save on Holloway but he sticks with it and buries the second rebound.
Oop, Stockton gets it right back.
Remember that Ryan McLeod turnover carrying the puck in the defensive slot? Well, Hamblin does a carbon copy and the puck is scrambled and buried.
2-2
Holloway 1G/1A.
I wonder if he read LT’s Athletic article.
Zadorov just got away with a headshot. He might be looking at a suspension for that. No penalty, of course. Bowness was losing his mind.
I’m debating with some friends. I think it will be a game for sure.
McDavid got two games for a chicken-wing elbow to the head. Zadorov should get at least that many. That was a heavy arm/elbow directly to the head.
Yup, however, as we know, a suspension for a game 7 in the playoffs is equal to like 5 regular season games.
Massive no-call for the Flames. Zadorov near took Clendenning’s head off, blatantly targeting it. Drew blood.
Should not be available for Game 7….. perhaps not game 1 of round 2 either.
Friedman didn’t seem convinced (Zadorov did also play the body), but Hrudey thought a game. If Hrudey thinks a game, as a Flames fan, then two must be possible. Although probably more likely if it didn’t straddle series.
Holloway draws a PP with some great offensive zone pressure.
Holloway on the left point on the PP, as usual, takes the puck, goes to top of circles, back to Kaldis over to Perlini for the one-timer goal.
1-1.
Summarizing!
Moose Jaw jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but Winnipeg scored four straight and would go on to a 6-3 victory to put the Warriors season on…ICE.
Wanner had been listed on the starting lineup posted on the Warriors’ Twitter page, but did not appear on the game summary at all, so presumably a late scratch. He finishes with 3+4 and a +3 in nine playoff games.
Whoa, Markstrom didn’t look good on that one.
1-0 Stars.
Condors dominate the first 6 minutes or so, Griffith take a neutral zone interference penalty and a point shot is tipped in.
1-0 Heat.
Lines to start:
Holloway-Malone-Kambeitz
Perlini-Hamblin-Marody
Schaller-Cracknell-Griffith
Brosseau-Esposito-Philp
Broberg-Desharnais
Niemelainen-Kaldis
Peters-Berglund
I haven’t been following prospects over the past several months. How has Berglund been tracking?
He’s actually stepped up quite a bit over the last couple of months.
I think he’ll be heading back to the SHL…..
Hey guys, wheres the best place to watch the Oilers game in Calgary?
Saddledome, next week.
-preferred part of town?
-ease of entry/no reso important?
i’m a bit out of the loop on the downtown scene, but the Ship and Anchor (17th Ave) is always an awesome place to watch sports, but I don’t know if they’d put sound on for Oilers, especially on a Saturday night. Other potential options:
-Local on 8th ave – popular spot, mid size, good tvs
-National on 10th Ave – great draft selection, big projection TVs,
bench seating, will be busy
-bottlescrew bills- close to National, just converted to a brewery, the original “80 intl beers in a year” passport joint. My name might still be in the walk. Cozy vibe, a favourite. Small TVs though as I recall.
-Leopold’s on 12th -pretty sweet dive. I think they’d have it on
Looks like I’m making you a pub crawl here.
So far I’ve briefly been in Cat ‘n Fiddle and Courtyard for Oilers this year but I’ve mostly watched from home, but both have had sound on, but if you’re not in that area they don’t make much sense. Hopefully younger, boozier local posters can give you better/current advice.
Love it! I’m in NW. National sounds good. Watched the last game at scotsmans well. There was us, another couple with oilers jersey and a couple not watching sports. Completely dead.
Ah, yeah National is where I went to watch one of those 5am Men’s Olympic Games several years ago, was lots of fun. Been plenty of other times too.
Oof, you’re pretty far north. Perhaps Jameson or Kilkenny on Crowchild by the University.
it’s Saturday night so most places should be rock’n
Adding: Kane, Kulak, Archie to the lineup in the 2nd half of the a season.
What a difference they have made and, yes, I am going to include Archibald. I know there are some (many) that don’t think he should be in the lineup, that he’s a detriment, that getting ice over Jesse (or even Foegele) is egregious, etc. but he has been on the ice for ZERO goals against at 5 on 5.
Sure his possession and expected numbers aren’t good but his actual results 2-0 goals with 2 minutes played with McDavid and 1 minute with Drai – that right there is massive. Not to mention his PK help and, yes, his physicality does make a difference and he has caused d-men to move pucks quicker and less efficiently and has helped create some scoring chances.
Kane and Kulak speak for themselves.
Only change for the Condors, Broberg in for Kesselring.
Disappointing that Kesselring is out and Alex Peters says in…..
I’m filled with so much rage, disgust, and sadness after watching that refereeing. Crosby gets concussed, Leon tackled, McD speared/punched in the face. This pathetic league treats its talent like cattle. Maybe worse.
The only saving grace in all this is that teams generally clean things up in game 7. A call against is just too risky now. We’ll see…
First it happened to Mario Lemiux, and I did not speak up – for I was not a Penguins fan.
Then it happened to Pavel Bure and I did not speak up – cause f* the Canucks, amirite?
Then it happened to Sidney Crosby, and I did not speak up, see my above point re: screw the Pens, also, the greedy f*s already had Lemiux,
Then it happened to Connor McDavid – and everyone else though it was okay
A more knowledgeable hockey fan could have made a better version of that, but I think the point loosely fits..
FYI for LT and the many Stones fans on the site, Amazon Prime is now streaming a number of their classic concerts including a Sticky Fingers show where they play the masterpiece in its entirety.
Was blasting Star Star today and wondering “Why don’t bands gig with giant inflatable penises anymore?”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rolling-stones-trivia_n_55afe729e4b08f57d5d35c03?
And the Stones have also released a live album from the Toronto gig they played at the El Mocambo in 1977 when they were billed as The Cockroaches “opening” for April Wine. It was actually vice-versa:
https://rollingstones.com/el-mocambo/
Thanks for this! Love me some Stones!
Beautiful! Thanks!
Canadiens with an analytics hire.
https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/christopher-boucher-appointed-director-of-hockey-analytics/c-334042534?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=CHCcontent&utm_content=EN-0513-ChristopherBoucher
Formerly on Sportslogiic.
How the Canucks and the baby Canucks doing…Oh right….they aren’t playing
Canadiens neither. Won the lottery, better hire a guy to build around him properly. Neat concept.
Woody was asked today how Drai is and he said “he’s good” – not surprisingly, no elaboration and it doesn’t mean anything.
Haven’t seen a Drai media avail pop up mind you…..
I don’t like McDavid with Draisaitl except on special teams or tailing with 10 mins in the game. For example, I thought starting them together in game 5 OT was dumb. However, I feel like this is different from Tippett turning to them after one loss last year.
For instance, the first goal of the game is clearly a killer and getting it is essential. I’ll also agree that Draisaitl has not looked right and his numbers reflect this. I wanted Woodcroft all season, and I’m just hoping his ability to read and react to the situation is on.
Big win leads to an even bigger game Saturday. I hope that first goal wins doesn’t extend to the whole series.
Maybe, if we’re running 50% Leon, we shouldn’t rely on him to anchor his own line. Then it would make sense to put him with Connor, move Nuge up, and hope for a bottom 6 by committee. Maybe.
re: the waved off / non-challenged goal. More evidence it likely wouldn’t have been overturned. Looks like Woodcroft made the right call by trusting his video coach, who has been excellent at these in the past.
Tim Peel
@TimCPeel20
Replying to @zjlaing
We have a call called incidental contact in which we can wave off the goal and not asses a penalty to the player who makes contact with the goaltender. The correct call was made here!
Dave Jackson
@ESPNRefNHL
Zach, Hyman chose that lane. Pressure was from the side, he could have chose to stop. They can challenge it (maybe they did? I wasn’t watching) D-man has no obligation to give up his own ice. Penalties are called when contact is deemed deliberate.
Dave Jackson
@ESPNRefNHL
Hyman should not be in the crease. Again, he was not pushed from behind. He chose to battle for that line. It’s a textbook call. I’m honestly not trying to be condescending, I’ve watched and studied video of this rule for over 20 yrs. It’s an obvious call for me
//
There is a long thread replying to Zach Laing that you can Google where Dave Jackson explains at length his rationale beyond the two tweets I cherry picked if anyone is interested.
I’d rather hear about the lack of calls on the clear intent to injure going on.
The fans have the power, but don’t act like they realize it. The NHL does things we don’t like and we shrug and say, ‘that’s hockey,’ instead of ‘let’s put the heat on the NHL to do better.’
And I bet they’d all rally behind the exact opposite call in the same situation if that had been what the striped mafia wanted.
Only complaint about last night was the officiating, just awful. WTF!
Hoping Nurse comes back rested and vengeful but controlled. What a game that was to watch. Seeing Mcdavid in overdrive is unbelievable. I was pissed about the non calls all game but that take down on Leon during a scrum was beyond brutal, NHL supposedly all about protecting players, unless the whistles been blown. Than punching, crosschecking and take downs on star players is all good.
Nuge went 11-2 in the faceoff circle last night – Oilers dominated on the dot (except when SH which is much tougher, of course).
A friend of mine who reads a lot in the analytics circles was telling me the other day that ‘faceoffs are overrated’ or something to that effect. I didn’t get a chance to ask him what data he had for this or whose work it was that was proving this, but I thought it a bit odd… Seems like in situations like special teams faceoffs mean an awful lot, and I would assume that FO wins would drive possession metrics…
I think the basic idea is that a 51-55% faceoff advantage, which most games will have, will only end up being 2-4 (ish) extra wins. Big picture it doesn’t scream big deal. Each faceoff taken inside one of the teams’ zones does present an opportunity though. This is obviously magnified on the PP/PK.
Faceoffs are a controlled battled for a ‘contested’ puck. A slow-mo version of what happens over and over along the boards when two or more players fight for the puck. I suspect, hope, that modern analytics folks and their minions/bots are keeping track of success rates in those many board battles. And I suspect that many someone who can come out of the board scrum with the puck or get it to team mates is valued for that skill. The eye tends to see and the brain remembers the lost/won faceoff immediately before a goal or chance.
Great posts this series, LT, like Pisani you bring another level in the playoffs!
The LA Kings are a bunch of slugs masquerading as thugs.
Boy they’re tough, but unfortunately they had the upper hand and lost the CORSI battle 55-45, the Fenwick battle 55-45, the HD CORSI battle 63-37, and hilariously had a red heat bubble *by the side boards* (all per NST).
Imagine being so tough that you assault 97 in open ice, pull a mini Bertuzzi on Drai, and then plant your ass on the side board in the offensive zone and slap away like an incel in their Mom’s basement. This analogy works because like an incel, the Kings were at home. What a bunch of damn hypocritcal nincompoop coward losers.
I likened this series to Dragonball Z yesterday, but really it’s Space Jam, and like MJ McDavid is dunking on these fools in all manners, including from the foul line, meanwhile Mike Smith is Bill Murray, let’s hope his leg holds up.
Kopitar is amazing at skiing, but does he know he’s supposed to be skating? I finished rolling my pennies for his power skating lessons, next up nickels, then quarters, I’m sending all my spare change to that tortoise geezer.
Kane with the 7 gesture on his 7th goal but meaning a 7th game but for all we know it’s a premonition for 7 goals on home ice.
I say that because McDavid and Kane have been posterizing these clowns all series long, can’t wait for tomorrow, nothing sweeter than Californian tears in times of drought (my heart goes out to the farmers, but screw the Kings and their shiny helmets, you losers copped that from the Golden Knights, go ahead and have an original thought/idea you unloveable jackasses).
Go Oilers.
I regret that I have but one upvote to give this.
Good, Good…let the hate flow through you…
Forget McDavid going to TO once his contract ends. Now I am worried he might seek out a US team because it will prolong his career when calls start going his way
*sniff* *wipes away single tear*
The reffing was bad last night, everyone could see it.
But these posters who keep going on and on about some ref, or league, conspiracy really need to get a life. Sometimes refs are just plain bad at their job. That is all.
Interesting decision by Woodcroft NOT to challenge on the disallowed goal. Despite what he said in the post-game, I think the staff decided it was too close to risk the minor penalty with a 2 goal lead.
I think they would, or at least should have, won the challenge.
If you watch the replay Hyman tried to sneak between the goalie and the defensemen. The defensemen steered him into the goalie, but didn’t really shove him into the goalie. The goalie lost his balance. If the point shot is taken at that moment, it’s definitely a no goal.
But the goalie regains his balance. He is then tripped by his own dmans skate, as the dman chases Hyman across the top of the crease. That’s how Quick ended up on his ass as the shot came in.
And I’m damm sure Hyman didn’t push the dman into Quick. Should have been a good goal.
Kane hadn’t yet shot when the whistle went. I don’t think—but can’t say for sure—that continuation of play rules would apply.
If “some ref” is “just plain bad at their job” and the NHL allows them to a) continue to ref games just generally and b) allows them to ref in the playoffs, then the League itself is culpable.
And it’s not a conspiracy as has been demonstrated at length.
The rest of your comment I agree with.
Referees tend not to overturn their own judgement calls. Considering the way the game was called, the probability of this referee overturning his own judgement call was low.
It seems just beyond the realm of possibility that any ref or league would ever try to manipulate games.
Then again Tim Donaghy exists.. And he claims he wasn’t alone.
Unrelated, does anybody know where Bettman worked before the NHL?
The NBA
I don’t think many people actually believe the league is conspiring against their team — it’s more a conspiracy of valuing poor officiating. NHL is a poorly officiated league. And it’s chosen to be a poorly officiated league.
The NHL wants its gritty, heart-filled grinders to grab, hack, and smash its elite talent. The media loves the fourth line hero. The officiating is intended to bring that about.
Add in the toxic belief of “let the players decide” and officials being terrified of being seen as deciding a game and we get what we had in LA. And Mathew’s getting held for 10 seconds last night. And Crosby’s injury.
Ok – but… how could they have possibly called that a goal? The whistle had blown. As soon as the whistle blows, then Quick isn’t expected to keep playing. So how could you overturn that? Doesn’t make any sense.
It could have been counted on the “continuation rule” if they deemed no goalie interference.
What is the continuation rule?
This is the only reference I can find in the rule book (sec 38.4) :
“This would also include situations whereby the Referee stops play or is in the process of stopping the play because he has lost sight of the puck and it is subsequently determined by video review that the puck crosses (or has crossed) the goal line and enters the net as the culmination of a continuous play where the result was unaffected by the whistle (i.e., the timing of the whistle was irrelevant to the puck entering the net at the end of a continuous play).”
This does not apply as he blew the whistle for goal tender interference.
That pasted phrase does not include an exhaustive list of the situations where the rule would apply.
Then paste the exhaustive list!
You are correct, once the whistle blows the paly is stopped and any goal afterwards is disallowed and can’t be reversed.
That isn’t necessarily true given the “continuation rule” and its use in the past.
I think the NHL has the best referees in the world. I also think the NHL sometimes tells them to interpret the rulebook in certain ways, in certain circumstances, at certain times, for certain teams, and then publicly denies doing so.
I don’t think the refs are against the Oilers, I do think the refs are not attempting to call the rulebook fairly.
I don’t think the refs are anti-McDavid. I do think the NHL is anti-skill.
I don’t think “if only we had gotten X call we would have won Y game.” I do think there are recognizable patterns where calls of type X are routinely not made, and we are expected to pretend not to notice.
I don’t ask for unfair advantages for my team or my player. I do ask for one standard of refereeing, all the time, for everyone, even when it means my team loses. Conner should be able to do whatever can be done to Connor, and if Connor can do something to anyone, everyone should be able to do it to Connor.
I don’t think the refs are trying to choose the winners and losers of individual matches. I do think the NHL has given the refs a secret set of instructions that they believe will, over the long term, lead to certain desired outcomes happening much more often than they would otherwise – close games, long series, overtimes, big hits, fights, artificial parity, etc.
I do not think the NHL does this because they are evil villains. I think they do it because they think it will make their product more exciting, and therefore more profitable.
I do not think we need to have a revolution and put Gary Bettman’s head on a stick. I do think we should use our clout as customers to show the NHL, as a business, that this is not how we want them to do business.
Finally, I don’t have any evidence that match fixing is happening in the NHL today. I do think that if match fixing was happening, it would look like a normal day in the NHL.
I don’t have Twitter but is it true LA fans are making fun of little Ben?
That’d be so low and far more infuriating than any missed calls/dirty plays from last night.
Having a quick read over at La Kings Insider Blog.
Hat tip to our boy AA. Once an Oiler, always an Oiler!
Some real gems.
rant
The take down on Drai and the Connor hit mid ice: Dirty tactics by shitbirds who can’t play against them. Ridiculous. That Connor hit was hard, it was like skating into the turnbuckle at top speed. Things get broken. That Kaliyev needs to be sorted out, but that will have to wait for next year.
I could see Kassian wanting to line up several Kings for a good beating. Yet he goes out and draws a high stick and while it was there, he sure sold it. Good job Kassian.
Scrum after scrum the Kings rushed in as a group, vicious crosschecks with no penalties. Im including past games here. Oilers go to defend themselves and penalties are called. Refs were disgustingly incompetent.
Connor was speared at the start of the Drai injury scrum, why the hell would McDavid start mixing it up? Cause he was speared in the stomach / groin, you can see it on reply.
How does a skater with the puck on his stick, going for a deke get called for goalie interference? (Yamamoto)
Yet goal disallowed for goalie interference pushed into net. Refs make that call thinking they will just have a closer look on reply once coach challenges it. Its 2-0 in playoffs dumb ass.
As I write this Im getting more worked up (again lol) about that Kaliyev meathead. McDavid has been fined and ejected from games for lesser hits.
Maybe Mess can come in at camp next year and do a seminar called ‘best served up cold, Moose style’
That would be they way
As an aside, just mention Mess and that dam spoof they had going on Mess/Connor jumps into my head;
“Hey Connor” …. “Hey Connor, Its me Mess” ….. “Hey Connor, want to hang out?”
Haha just youtubed ‘mark messier elbow’ and watched the first video that came up, am reflecting on how much the game has changed since I was a kid. It’s a different era.
Vinny Deharnais is not under an NHL contract. He’s not an option.
I said this after the first period last night and after the game as well but it bears another mention, Kulak/Ceci, holy hell what a fine game in a tough situation
We’ve come to expect that game from Ceci but it’s a tougher ask of him without Nurse by his side.
Brett Kulak, stepping up just like he did in the regular season.
The pair was so solid last night (to my eye) that I do wonder if it makes sense to play Nurse/Barrie tomorrow (Russell rotating in as the 7D) to start.
Presuming that Kulak is willing to go in the 3 X $2.5MM range, I think he’s a must re-sign. It would be like Ceci where the contract is for his absolutely peak prime years.
I’m not worried about “blocking” Broberg, Sammy, Niemo – there is ice to go around in an 82 game season and, truth be told, Broberg may be 3RD next season.
When you talk about Broberg for 3D next year, do you mean “Broberg=good” or “3D=weak?” I’ve been out of touch.
Well, what can I say except what I’ve said multiple times before;
I am going to enjoy watching every minute Connor McDavid plays in an Oilers jersey.
I almost didn’t see the game. I only have CBC for my TV, and of course, they weren’t moving from the Leafs game. Switched over to my NHL app on the Roku, and NO COVERAGE! Finally went to nhl.com and able to view.
Exciting game to watch and 29 & 97 are the real deal. For 29 to gut it out through that game was unreal. I cannot say enough good things about 97. I was lamenting that he wasn’t able to hit top gear due to the all the BS going on, but wow!
Insane player.
Unfortunately, I have an event tomorrow night that I cannot get out of so PVR time for me.
Go Oilers Go!
Useful tips to get free for the game:
1)I have volunteer commitments for National Decency Day (which actually exists and actually is on the 14th)
2)I am travelling overseas to join the fight in Ukraine (when they see you next week, your paperwork fell through. You want to watch the game or not?)
3)I have a rare variant of explosive syphilis that needs to be treated ASAP for the safety of everyone around me (nobody is going to want to ask follow up questions)
4)Fake your own death (make sure to create alternate identity and get life insurance first)
Broberg re-assigned to the Condors. I wonder if he can get ready in time for tonight’s game?
I saw 2 plus plays in his 4 shifts last night. One solid blocked shot but also, off a defensive draw win, he took the puck, skated behind the net to the other side and sent a fine outlet out to the forward beyond the blueline.
Only 3 minutes but it will be GREAT experience for him and, truth be told, after the Oilers win tomorrow night, he may be needed going forward in this playoff run.
At least twice his man had the puck and he effectively kept him to the outside allowing nothing dangerous to happen, his excellent skating used to solid results.
When the Kings were cycling he was alert and would pick up the open Kings rather than floating unaware.
Surely he didn’t wait until the assignment was announced to start his trip to Bakersfield. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play tonight, especially given he only played 3 minutes last night.
Likely was on a plane last night.
LA to Bakersfield looks like it’s about 200Km away. Being Manitoban I understand that’s just a short jaunt to lake country….
or to the city airport that happens to be in Grand Forks
Guess how many hook/slash calls have gone against LA in the series
If you guessed zero, you’d be right
Incredible.
Cleanest hockey I’ve ever seen played by a team
I would like to see Anderson get a hearing or at the very least a fine for his intentional headlock and takedown on Leon. This is much more of a dangerous play than Zack cross check. That I feel is a suspensionable offense
I’d like to see the Oilers up by at least 3 with 5 minutes left or less (at the risk of Anaheim collapse happening) and someone send a message to let him know the league doesn’t care but we do. Jake the Snake would have been proud of the on ice DDT on Nuge the other night…man.
Best left for next season. 8 games to remind Kal and Mike what they aren’t going to be doing moving forward
Have you not seen the Oilers blow 3-goal leads in the plsyoffs?
I learned my lesson last year when Archie smoked Stanley. I said, “good time to take that penalty…”
Nope. Not unless it’s 6-0. Unless that, there’s no good reason to sacrifice certainty.
This is a great blog read today and great comments.
That was a satisfying win. I will remember McDavid as absolutely stunning performance.
I was boiling as I watch the officiating, Im glad I was not alone. It was not just one game, it has been a pattern of Kings rushing into any scrum and never penalized. Penalties to Oilers each and every time.
Chris Russel performed as expected, he was good. Kulak gets the playoff game and he really responded. Broberg okay but yeah I watched him wander as well.
I prefer the two goal lead, that’s enough of a nail biter for Oiler fans. 2-2 late in the third oh my.
To me it was same as game 3. Oil up 2-0 refs did everything in their power to call penalties against edmonton to give LA a chance…when oilers trailing you don’t get feel they’ll just keep calling penalties against LA even close to same degree. It’s far too uncanny at this point. And the lack of coincidental minors has to be frustrating. They can pull shit after whistle but if oilers react they will be penalized…again to ridiculous degree.
I’m fine if you call cross checks then call all of them both ways. That penalty seems like low hanging fruit. You have both hands on stick and jar shaft so there clearly is impact due to wind up – you sit.
But arbitrarily calling shit one way and not the other is ridiculous. If Hopkins cross check deserved 2, there’s a few the other that also deserved at least one call.
I won’t type out again my biannual rant about the NHL, except to say that, as usual, this league has it bassackwards compared to other pro sports leagues. The other leagues promote scoring, want to see superstarts in positions of success, and guess what, the best and most skilled teams often even win!
The NHL keeps punching itself in the nuts repeatedly, and seemingly encourages scrubs to go after superstar players without consequence.
Last night was both an embarrassment and business as usual for the NHL.
Bettman and Colin Campbell can’t get fired into the sun quickly enough.
Bettmans analytics say dragging down skill with thuggery sells.
For sure he has some data somewhere that says this.
Betty and Soup are replaceable.
It’s the old men that pay their salary and tell them what to do.
If they win tomorrow I hope the team tweets ‘Lights Out’