The Edmonton Oilers win on Friday gives the club a small advantage in the series, but only if the team holds serve with two home wins over the next three days. It won’t be easy, and it’s reasonable to expect a major push right at the beginning of tonight’s contest from the visitors. Through two games, Calgary has outscored Edmonton 5-2 in the first period. Heaven and hell in the NHL continues tonight, don’t be late!
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Has Oilers goalie Mike Smith earned the net in 2022-23?
- DNB: This is how Connor McDavid wins: ‘He’s like a shark circling the waters’
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ emerging NHL Draft selection destination
- DNB: Oilers’ biggest worry after Game 1? Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl’s health
- DNB and Hailey Salvian: Flames beat the Oilers in a wild, high-scoring Game 1
- Lowetide: What should Oilers do on right wing this summer?
- DNB and Hailey Salvian: Flames vs. Oilers: Key matchups, injury updates and storylines
- Lowetide: Inside Oilers’ stats from wild first-round series win over Kings
- Lowetide: Oilers defence prospects, who’s staying and who’s going?
- Lowetide: What’s Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway’s future fit on depth chart?
- Lowetide: Reasonable expectations for Oilers could not see chaos ahead
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers’ options for 2022 NHL Draft
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
- Lowetide: Oilers regular season report card for 2021-22
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
EV STRENGTH POINTS IN DRAFT SEASONS
Years ago, I made the assertion that even-strength point totals have more value than total points for draft-eligible prospects. My reasoning was that if the Oilers had been wise enough to take the special teams air out of Sam Gagner’s numbers, perhaps Jakub Voracek would have been the choice in 2007. That kind of thinking led to a bunch of players being rated high on my annual draft list, Andrew Mangiapane among them. However, a few very good prospects (who went on to great things) didn’t show well, so I adopted the idea that overall points (or points-per-game) was the best plan. A player with huge PP numbers and below average EV numbers is rare, so isolating the even strength is an interesting exercise but didn’t shed any new light.
I haven’t tested it in many years, does that still hold true? If even-strength numbers have special powers to illuminate, we should see highly rated even strength players go later, and then emerge as true NHL players on skill lines. Here we go. CHL forwards drafted by Edmonton, even-strength totals and I included Evan Bouchard for fun.
- 2015-16 Connor McDavid 47, 33-42-75 (1.60)
- 2009-10 Taylor Hall 57, 22-33-55 (.965)
- 2011-12 Nail Yakupov 42, 18-22-40 (.952)
- 2016-17 Kailer Yamamoto 65, 31-30-61 (.938)
- 2013-14 Leon Draisaitl 64, 22-37-59 (.922)
- 2006-07 Sam Gagner 53, 14-33-47 (.887)
- 2020-21 Xavier Bourgault 43, 19-19-38 (.884)
- 2018-19 Raphael Lavoie 62, 24-28-52 (.839)
- 2019-20 Tyler Tullio 62, 19-29-48 (.774)
- 2017-18 Evan Bouchard 67, 14-36-50 (.746)
- 2015-16 Tyler Benson 30, 7-14-21 (.700)
- 2010-11 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 69, 20-27-47 (.681)
- 2009-10 Ryan Martindale 61, 13-28-41 (.672)
- 2012-13 Marco Roy 65, 16-25-41 (.631)
- 2007-08 Jordan Eberle 70, 25-19-44 (.629)
- 2017-18 Ryan McLeod 68, 18-23-41 (.603)
- 2009-10 Curtis Hamilton 26, 7-8-15 (.577)
- 2012-13 Jackson Houck 69, 15-24-39 (.565)
- 2012-13 Greg Chase 69, 13-23-36 (.522)
- 2020-21 Jake Chiasson 23, 5-7-12 (.522)
- 2010-11 Tobias Rieder 65, 17-14-31 (.477)
- 2011-12 Daniil Zharkov 50, 14-8-22 (.440)
- 2016-17 Kirill Maksimov 66, 12-15-27 (.409)
- 2012-13 Kyle Platzer 65, 4-17-21 (.323)
- 2010-11 Travis Ewanyk 72, 12-10-22 (.306)
- 2011-12 Mitchell Moroz 66, 11-8-19 (.288)
There doesn’t seem to be a line in the sand here, no number that (say .500) represents probable NHL success, although Rieder spiked in a big way draft plus one so can be ranked as an outlier. Mangiapane as a prospect came in at .647 (a little ahead of Jordan Eberle on the Oilers list) so maybe .600 is the line in the sand. Here are the CHL players this season who are ranked in my current top 20 draft eligibles.
- Shane Wright 63, 23-41-64 (1.02)
- Jordan Dumais 68, 24-45-69 (1.01)
- Matt Savoie 65, 23-33-56 (.862)
- David Goyette 66, 27-29-56 (.848)
- Conor Geekie 63, 22-30-52 (.826)
- Jagger Firkus 66, 24-27-51 (.773)
- Luca del bel Belluz 68, 16-31-47 (.691)
- Nathan Gaucher 66, 21-18-39 (.591)
- Danny Zhilkin 66, 15-23-38 (.576)
- Reid Schaffer 66, 21-17-38 (.576)
This identifies Jordan Dumais as outstanding draft value, but the NHLE and points-per-game identified him, too. I think it’s worth the exercise each season, and recall Michael Parkatti talking about this kind of thing back when Marco Roy was drafted.
“The model really liked Marco Roy. There’s a lot of things to like about the player outwardly, and if you look at the statistics diagnostically it’s not just the point production but also the situation he found himself in. The team he played for this year was very good, but it was one of those situations where he wasn’t being dragged along by anybody. The way I like to look at it was he was the good player on the team, he played an integral part on that team. And you really saw that in the playoffs.”
Roy did not increase his scoring in the years after he was drafted, but I think he was worth the pick and the Oilers were wrong to pass on signing him. Dumais is a different kind of player (Roy had two-way ability, Dumais is a small skill forward), but the point stands. Dumais isn’t getting zoomed by any other Mooseheads, he’s the real deal. I expect him to go after the top-20 overall and he could be an incredible steal at that point in the draft. If we had his overall time-on-ice, including even strength, I think math could do a stunningly good job at projecting Dumais.
WHY WE FAN
I got married 39 years ago, and at that time my life plan involved moving to bigger radio markets, eventually landing in Vancouver and working at 14 CFUN, the ultimate radio station of my youth. Well, things changed along the way and my life has rolled out in the prairies. I wouldn’t change a thing, have been blessed every step of the way and had the sense to realize it. When you get to be my age, an understanding arrives. The goal at the beginning, whatever it may have been, is less important than the journey and the people you share it with along the way. Huh. Maybe my parents were right all along!
My favourite part of sports is watching a team build from a second division club or also-ran team into a championship winner. I grew up an Expos fan, but was in awe of Whitey Herzog’s transformation of the St. Louis Cardinals. He took over in 1980 and won in 1982, and the roster he won with didn’t resemble what was inherited.
When I started this blog, the idea was to chronicle the day-to-day, and hopefully discuss interesting items in the comments section. My goal was to cast the net wide, invite as many people as possible, and to have vigorous arguments made using words and numbers to make a case. It has worked fabulously, I’ve learned very much and have developed real friendships along the way. It was one of the best things I’ve experienced on a social level. I wish it had been available in 1975.
My sense of the adventure is that the blog would chronicle Edmonton’s build toward the sixth Stanley Cup in team history, and we’d learn about this new math along the way. I’ve learned much, but the team itself had more false starts than 1000 track meets.
Blogs have given way to twitter, which has been a blessing. Why? The way people follow teams has changed. It never, not ever occurred to me that the Edmonton Oilers could win a Stanley Cup while a large portion of the team’s fan base tut-tuts disapproval over how it was built. Yet we are here.
So, for today’s GDT, I have a simple question for each of you: Will you be completely happy, absolutely thrilled and fulfilled as a fan, if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup with a roster you believe is flawed or could have been constructed more efficiently? Does the journey have to be a certain way in order for you to enjoy it completely?
For me, I’ve been fascinated by this team since Connor McDavid’s arrival, and have reached the conclusion that the team would have been better off by keeping Craig MacTavish as a general manager through these years. I never, ever thought I would get here, but these are the gifts this community has given me. Enjoy the game!
Will you be completely happy, absolutely thrilled and fulfilled as a fan, if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup with a roster you believe is flawed?
Yes!
The 80s were before my time and age has now shown me that many franchises won’t ever win one!
Who cares how it’s built if it wins?
Hell yes!
Will the roster be flawed in that case? I mean, is the goaltending position flawed if Mike Smith keeps performing like this for the next 5 weeks?
Mike Smith is becoming a cult hero!
Rollie, Cujo (borderline) Ranford, Fuhr, Moog.
Lucic ……what a meathead. Oiler’s MO is to come off a game like this feeling fat and happy with themselves. Now they will be spitting fire in game 4 looking to revenge their goaler and leader. Nice work meathead.
Many may have forgotten … after all, it’s been such a very, very long time. But this is what hockey looks like when the guys behind your bench consistently outperform the guys behind the opponent bench … night after night after night. Music.
Drai’s 4 assists in a period. Mcdavid’s multipoint games.
Kane’s natural hat trick also unique in that he served a full two minute minor between the 2nd and 3rd goal, scoring 16 seconds after getting out of the box. Is that the fastest playoff hatty to sneak a minor penalty in there?
That game was fabulous to be at. That is
all.
Markstrom vs. Oilers in 2021-2022
1: 28-32, .875
2: 26-30, .867
3: 27-28, .964 (was at this game, Oil dead tired on a Mon night)
4: 26-31, .839
5: 22-28, .786
6: 35-40, .875
7: 30-34, .882
Overall: 194-223, 0.870
As my friend was saying, expectations for the Oilers going into the playoffs was Jekyll/Hyde goaltending, so in that sense, Smith has exceeded expectations.
Markstrom is no slouch, but credit to the Oilers for making him look consistently like Hyde.
A christmas tree
A christmas tree
Markström is
A christmas tree
Lol….this tweet with Mike Smith return entrance with Stone Cold Steve Austin Intro Music.
https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1528569767686295554?s=20&t=f_gILkBHiblam5bamySj2Q
ha! I don’t even like pro wrestling but that shit is great!
Outstanding! Hahahaha
So I guess OilersTV doesn’t show highlights on the post game broadcast anymore, that’s a shame. I always enjoyed getting the differing take from the radio broadcast on review. I just went through the Sportsnet highlights of the last two games (usually opt for the NHL videos), and noticed they elected to NOT show Lucic running Smith.
The mind boggles.
That was a pivotal moment of the game, potentially the series.
In what parallel multiverse does that even make sense to not include as part of a clips package of highlights?
Who are these people at the helm and what are their qualifications?
They skipped the brutal goal called back last game too (the early whistle). Not sure what the rationale for that is…
This might be something worth LT asking Lansky….
At the end of the day, hockey is a vicious sport.
Watch 29 get slashed on the ankle repeatedly:
https://streamja.com/9EPz3
Targeted.
I counted at least five infractions, by three players.
Yikes. That is absolutely ridiculous. This is the year of “take liberties on key players”. League isn’t doing anything about it.
All it takes is a 5-on-3 to mitigate…
Someone get that vid on twitter!
That’s why you didn’t disclose injuries if you can help it. Man.
Guess who instructed them to all do that. Shows you his sportsmanship!
I am hoping Sutter goes full on stoic and stubborn mode.
Tkachuk’s post game interview talked about “going back to the drawing board to figure out how to stop McDavid”.
But, I don’t think Sutter will do that and instead will just demand the Flames execute better. Sutter has already mentioned you can’t stop McDavid, you can only slow him down.
I am hoping this potential disconnect between coaching staff and players continues.
People seem to forget that players get tired of Sutter’s schtick eventually. I believe Dustin Brown called Sutter out on it before.
It’s one thing if you are in a tight series with a team like Dallas where execution is important, but in a game against an entirely different team like the Oilers, you’re going to need a lot more than just your coach telling you to execute and be better.
If Sutter doesn’t want to line match and wants to start Markstrom next game where his game 4 strategy is “just be better”, then I am all for it.
Further to the parallels between Tippett and the Viking Rancher, your comment about slowing down McDavid being the best they can do reminds me of something Rodman said in a biography of his that I read as a teenager.
He said when he was with the Pistons, they decided to just let MJ do his thing, and instead limit his opportunities with teammates by shutting them all down. Basketball is much more dependent on the superstars, but it makes logical sense. If Connor is forced to do it all by himself, all the time, CGY would have a far greater chance to capitalize on mistakes.
The wrinkle in that tactic is we have Draisaitl, Kane, Hyman, et al who’ve been exploiting the gaps in coverage as the Phlegms converge on Connor.
McDavid is an “Invasion” in “Chuk’s” head
I think it wasn’t played up much, but Leon tonight set a new NHL record for most assists in one playoff period with 4. Lots of dudes have done 3.
He also tied the NHL record for points in a period. Many people have had 4, but previously all of them have had at least one goal among them.
Effing eh!
can someone clever tell me how to take a screenshot from the Sportsnet broadcast? My daughter was in the opening montage and I wanted to capture it for her
I just went to:
nhl66 dot ir
and the game feed is still live. You should be able to boot it up and get to the spot in the broadcast and take the screenshot yourself.
Thanks! It came on just late, but I will keep trying!
Blog programming note:
Prospecting is off till Wednesday…but both Petrov and The Bourg will be in action.
3G (in six minutes), 8 shots and 10 hits – Kane
Holy Hell!
Looks like lots of flames bore the mark of Kane last night.
Four minutes – he was in penalty box for 2.
Mark Spector on Twitter:
“Say what you want about Milan Lucic. He knows his role and he ain’t afraid to play it out.”
Now that’s a brilliant old-school hot take.
For fuck’s fucking sake.
Spector trying to make a friend in retirement
His role is to take an unnecessary 5 minute penalty and game misconduct at a salary of 6 million per year? I got to admit I’m more than a little envious
FTFY
Spector is a dinosaur and deserves to be forgotten.
Woody keeps talking about how Smith only played 28 games in the regular season – it’s not like he’s played 63. Specifically me thinking 63 twice.
Jacob Markstrom played 63 games this regular season.
Came to post this just now haha. Oh Woody
Not only is he throwing shade at Markstrom’s performance, he’s showing more gamesmanship at Sutter for his well known habit of running his starting goaltender into the ground.
haha- I like this young fellow behind our bench.
He has spunk the team is finally taking on his personality.
Haha, I checked his games played as soon as he said it too. Wonder who will be the first reporter to tweet it.
Gregor had it pretty quick.
He had a smirk on his face after the Lucic hit. Almost like this was a benchmark for him. Once the Flames start running around like this, you’ve clearly got them on the ropes.
Woody with the casual shade saying ‘Smitty has played 28+10 so he’s in midseason form, it’s not like he’s played say 63+10’.
Jacob Markstrom GP: 63
Hahaha not too subtle but awesome all the same from Woody!
It’s almost like a coach can get inside their kitchen too.
Woody knows what’s up.
LT, re your comments about MacT. Loved the guy… articulate, engaging personality, open to new thinking… but there were times he was not cagey enough. At least early on, did not keep his cards close to his chest and somewhat undermined his position. I have been similar in my past, and it has made me a bad poker player! Less tells, more poker face and he could have gone much further. I wonder how he would do now with more water under the bridge… he seems a smart fellow and I am sure on reflection would have learned from his missteps.
That said, my bucket list dream item would be to have a lunch with MacT and talk hockey, life and other important matters. It would be fun and illuminating!
You would also be on my list for a similar outing on my bucket list. Love your site and have been following it for years.
If either of you find yourself in Merida, Yucatan, the first round is on me.
Merida is one of my favourite places, I had life altering tamales there just off the parque central late one evening.
Also bought a traditional sisal Mayan hammock at the weekly market that is an heirloom treasure.
I have to say I’m eating crow right now I questioned mcdavids leadership last series. Against the flames our captain has set the tone defensively while still being the offensive juggernaut we have all come to expect.
it’s not eating crow,
you’re adapting to real-time events and not being stubborn
that’s a good thing
Wild and entertaining loss (comeback from four goal deficit).
Strong comeback and good goalering for a win (comeback from two goal).
Dominate from the 6 minute mark with a much healthier looking Draisaitl in a win.
I see progression, Im giddy with the win and awed by the numbers 97-29-91 are putting up.
^ this is why we’ll all be extremely happy with the Holland era. It’s coming for real this time. We’re getting close. Maybe not quite there but they’re getting close.
This is so much fun!
Go Oilers!
Nurse with the most invisible 22 mins and +3 ive seen.
Love that for him, i think that’s a high compliment to his game tonight.
Kulak played terrific as well.
They only said his name a couple of times.
97 accelerating.
22 points in his first 21 playoff games.
23 points in the last 10.
Went from getting the pick all series last year to dosing out picks of his own every game.
That 45min game 4 probably made them realize how much he wanted this.
Non COVID protocol suspensions this season have ranged from 1 to 6 games.As is the playoffs, cut that range in half. So, if Lucic is suspended, expect a range from 1 to 3 games. Personally, I don’t think the league has the stomach to NOT suspend him for some time. I am thinking they come in at 2 games… what do you all think?
Hopefully the NHL really brings the hammer down and forces the Flames to play that plumber for 15-20 minutes a game. Now that would seal the series!
Non-suspension would be a tacit approval of his asshattery and counter to player safety and league consistency concerns in a big way. I think he deserves 3, must get at least 1, and will settle for 2 games, as that could be the rest of the Flames postseason if things break right.
My guess is he gets one game.
My guess is no suspension.
(Edit: though 5 and a game, plus Smith having to leave for concussion protocol due to the hit sets up a strong argument)
Duder who features in the top left left of the lead photo/article on TSN.ca looks like he’s on the ice. I hope he can find the photo and frame it! Just awesome!!
I’ll just say, no they’re not perfect, but they are damned good. When we get NHL level goaltending, we are hard to beat… Smitty is giving us that.
All season we absolutely marvel at Connor’s skill and creativity, then this, he finds yet another level to rise up to. Just an incredible player and fine leader. We are so fortunate. BTW, I think Kane is earning an extension… only if its team-freindly can we afford him.
Like you all, I’m happy tonight. GO OILERS GO!!!
I love we did t score on vladar. Highly unlikely but it does leave open the possibility that sutter starts him in desperation.
Highly debatable Farmer’s 3 stars.
3. Draisaitl, Leon. Gutsy performances piling up, legendary stuff. Lead all skaters with 4 sauces.
2. Kane, Evander. A power forward clinic, the bark with bite. 3 goals, 6 shots, 10 hit!?!
1. Smith, Mike. I feel shame for ever doubting such a warrior. Suspend Lucic.
.
#1- 95% of us did. The other 5% don’t believe in science.
Is this about hockey or vaccines?
Mine would go:
3 – Kane
2 – Smith
1 – McDavid
Who puts a natural hat trick scorer third? Me, apparently. I just think Smith contributed more to the victory than Kane, and McDavid contributed more than Smith and Kane put together, to my eye. A giant skates among us.
McDavid was honestly 1st in my original write up of the Farmer’s almanac.
But when the best athlete some have ever seen came back out of the tunnel to show the Flames there is no mercy. I just assumed McDavid being the righteous Gord that he is, is on board with me shining the light on his hairy tender and exceptionally amazing line mates for this one evening.
CHED crew kissing Lucic’s rear in the post-game.
These guys carry water for the weirdest people. You’d think they would’ve learned when he came here and immediately quit on his new team.
McDavid is on pace for 37 playoff points.
That would be a 188 point regular season.
he’s no Paul Coffey
😉
That rate would tie Coffey. The only high score era players ahead would be Lemieux once and Gretzky regularly.
Will Leon end up besting all but McDavid’s post season in the last 30 years? It’s remarkable he’s still within reach.
37 in how many games, though?
Every possible game through game seven of the SCF?
So you saw what I was doing there
What exactly were you doing?
He has 23 points in 10 games. Every possible game through the SCF would give him 64 points.
I don’t get it.
Thanks. For some bizarre reason I used 16 games.
Right now 4 rounds would be somewhere between 20 and 28 games. You’re correct. That’s a 46-64 point pace for 4 rounds..
No worries, I just didn’t understand what you were saying.
He’s on a historic pace. Arguably, era-adjusted, the best first 10 playoff games of all time.
In what way? Not to be awkward, but it’s unknown how many games he will play, win or lose. So how can he be on pace for anything?
Tied for third all time after 10 playoff games is pretty sweet, considering the other three (Gretzky, Lemieux, Rick Middleton) were from the happy offense era.
If we somehow go all the way, the Wayner’s record of 47 points is at risk. Gretzky set it in only 18 games in 1985 and Connor would most likely end up with a lower PPG, but adjusting for era what we’ve seen so far is arguably the best single player playoff performace in history. So far.
It’ll be interesting to see what the numbers say — Natural Stat Trick is taking a well deserved nap at the moment — but it felt like the Oilers dominated.
I’m sure the stats favour Calgary in the third — the Oilers took their foot off the gas once the game was decided — but the Flames will have to make some significant adjustments if they want success in game 4.
Hrudey can’t get Mcdavids name right? Seriously brau..
Hrudey should be barred from Rogers
Or all broadcasts.
Smitty really wants that Conn Smythe hey?
Have at er boss.
Fill yer boots Smitty, but I think you’ll find the “Conn” is short for “Connor’s.”
EVERYONE (Oilers) will be happy if both of them are on the short list.
Well, that was a really good game of hockey by the Oilers. Good hockey game in general until Lucic’s asshattery. Running goalies on purpose is bush league garbage and it’s a bad look for the NHL to tolerate it. Glad Smith’s okay, hope like hell Ceci is. Connor’s amazing and nobody can stop him. I think Leon’s healing. Loved the mental game from the team – executed the game plan consistently all the way through. Wish Smith had gotten the shutout. Loved that he stoned Tkachuk a few times with the game in balance!
I think the NHL prefers long series. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Flames get a bit of zebra love in game 4. The Oilers will need to be sharp, but they’ve given us reason to believe.
Speed. The deciding factor. You can’t teach it and Calgary can’t defend it
Holland has built the fastest Oiler roster that has ever taken the ice.
I love watching Gudbranson plod along chasing our players.
@OriginalPouzar
Regarding your trip to Canmore and looking for a decent hike.
May I suggest Burstall Pass? It’s probably one of the most scenic I’ve done, and I’ve hit dozens of trails. There’s a backcountry campground where you can have fires, so you can make a great meal while you’re there.
If you have a little less time, Chester Lake is basically right across the road from the Burstall Pass trailhead. Also has some exceptional views, but not quite as stunning. Worth the trek, all the same.
You can get to both from that gravel road that goes in back of Canmore by Spray Lake, then hit highway 45 on your way back to Calgary via hwy 1.
Thank you sir.
Yes, I know of all those trails (but have not done Burstall Pass before, the wife may have).
Some of my favorites in the area are Rockbound Lake, Sentinel Pass, Buller Pass and the Plain of the Six Glaciers.
Best Hike I’ve ever been on in the area is Twin Falls in Yoho, but Yoho Valley road doesn’t open for another month or so.
All the hikes listed in this thread will still be snow bound except Yamnuska.
Right you are. I’ve been too far from the trails since moving to Edmonton from Calgary after university.
One that may be somewhat snowbound but still worth the short and steep hike is Ptarmigan Cirque/Rae Glacier, south of Kananaskis Village. Especially with shorter timelines, as it’s only a 45-minute hike in the summer. Or Elbow Lake, just down the road, which is much less vertical and more accessible.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/burstall-pass-trail
It’s a relatively easy hike up and in with a full pack, I have no doubt it is doable as a day hike with some pace. Especially since there’s no need to go west over the ridge once you hit the summit.
Sounds like you are very familiar with Canmore, so you are probably already aware of the Rockey Mtn Flatbread Co. If not, I will highly recommend for a great new age flatbread, wood oven pizza spot. I am biased because my gf’s aunt and uncle own and operate it but it is still a fantastic spot of you haven’t been!
Oh, yes, we’ve eaten there many many times – a great spot.
Very cool that its owned by “family”.
It’s our favourite dining spot in Canmore, although admittedly we don’t go to a lot of other places since it’s so good!
We did Mount Mamnuska yesterday, snow at the top and chilly
Mamnuska or Yamnuska?
Solid, solid win.
So happy for the team right now.
This is a win that gives the team a wicked boost of confidence. Next task is to take it to them and go up 3-1.
Lucic should realistically get a game suspension for his hit.
Sutter,
Had Tkachuk serve the Lucic Penalty,
Had his 1st unit powerplay stuck on the bench on a PP in the second.
Kept Vladar in when hes down by 3 and had a powerplay with 2 minutes left.
He had a bad night.
Maybe he is just a huge McDavid fan and wants to see him advance.
Probably his biggest mistake was getting Lucic’s line out against 97 twice 5v5 for two penalties.
Shit sorry, the second time he got the 4th out there, Lewis took the penalty. The first penalty was on Archie after some wonderful work by him.
If he was trying to “send a message”, he sure has bad timing.
Strange to see Calgary just concede the game like that — down by three with another late power play, but they keep the goalie in.
Now we have to see if the Oil can manage success and repeat that performance.
Barely managed to chew my arm off after getting a very flustered 2 year old to sleep on my side, so no in game commentary from me tonight.
Did give me a chance to soak it all in intently, even if I had to be totally subdued. A quietly intense experience. Wonderful, loved every minute. Great game boys.
Clearly an Oil fan in the making. S/he could feel your angst, haha
Our wee bairn was born the day before Connor roasted Reilly with the infamous look-off stutter step in TOR, which I watched — quietly — on my phone in the delivery room at the Royal Alex as they slept.
He has the woo woo woo’s down pat when a goal is scored, though not always for the home team haha. It’s building.
And I fully expect he’ll take the torch when our next arrives in two weeks. It’s a great time to be an Oiler fan in the GretzkyJersey household.
nice, congrats man
Where’s Hrudey
halfway down the QE-II hopefully
Calgary totally deflated.
They don’t have the most to keep up and they know it.
Tonight I feel as giddy as Scrooge on Christmas Day.
I feel as giddy as a billionaire on tax day!
Domination.
Again
Flamerz never had a chance since the puck dropped.
If we can play like we did in the first and second we can go all the way.
Long ways to go but he have the horses and style that dominates in the playoffs!
I guess Sutter didn’t want to see Smith score.
Why didnt they pull the goalie on a powerplay with 2min left?
That went well. Let’s hope they don’t suspend Lucic — we need him on the ice as much as possible.
The player that will fill in for Lucic will be just as useless and most likely doesn’t have a history of running goaltenders.
Suspend Lucic.
Plus, if the league sets a precedent here it might keep them from trying to run someone again.
Especially with Kadri looming on the horizon.
I agree that suspending Lucic is probably addition by subtraction for Calgary. I still think he needs to be suspended. Taking out a goalie is a series-altering event, and doing it on purpose has to be punished consistently, or else people will sometimes decide to do it. Like Lucic did. He’s a veteran player, hard to watch the replay and think he didn’t understand what he was doing every step of the way.
wooooooot!!!
god speed CC rider
That was awesome.
tbh I hope Lucic isn’t suspended. He’s such dead weight on the ice, he’s more useful to us playing. (Provided he doesn’t injure anyone)