Jay Woodcroft did a fine job behind the bench for the Edmonton Oilers last night, Dave Manson too. However, the credit this morning must go to the players, who chased every puck, contested all available shots and started on time while never letting up. That was a complete effort in a gigantic game, Edmonton now boasting a 6-4 record in the playoffs and a 2-1 edge in the quarterfinals. I have to tell you that’s the most complete game I can recall this Edmonton team playing.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Leon Draisaitl assists on all four Oilers goals in win over Flames
- 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
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith had a spectacular night, he stopped 31 of 32 (.969) on the night and sent the puck to good places. The wildest moment for Smith came late in the game when winger Milan Lucic ran the big goalie from behind and all hell broke loose. I don’t think the move by Calgary had the desired impact, as Smith’s welcome when he returned from concussion protocol was the most enthuasiastic cheering Smith has ever received from an Edmonton crowd. It was a bonding moment! Well, better luck next time, Mr. Sutter.
DEFENSE
Brett Kulak made a perfect Larry Robinson reach around stick check that was so sublime I damn nearly transported to 1975 again. My goodness he does some good things. Kulak almost scored a goal in the first period, his point shot narrowly missing the far post before trickling by the net. Kulak took two penalties, had three shots, GV-TK, one HDSC, drew a penalty and blocked a shot. Tyson Barrie also took a penalty, had five shots, three blocked shots, drew a penalty, and he even pitched in on the PK. Pairing is 5-2 in 98 minutes five-on-five during the playoffs.
Duncan Keith made some solid if subtle plays last night, got in the way of a Mangiapane shot and moved the puck to good places. Two hits, two GV, three blocked shots. Evan Bouchard had two shots, GV-TK, blocked shot, and he also spent time on the PK. Woodcroft has everyone pitching in. Pairing is 6-8 five-on-five goals in the playoffs, 4-3 against Calgary.
Darnell Nurse saw lower minutes (21:23 overall though) at five-on-five, this pairing went up against Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk for 10 minutes and went 2-0 goals and 8-6 shots. Cody Ceci took a shot off the hand but came back later in the game, so that’s a good sign. Two hits and two blocked shots, solid defense. Pairing is 12-9 five-on-five goals in the postseason, but 3-5 versus the Flames in three games.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane scored three goals, had 10 hits, took a penalty because they were looking for Oilers penalties, five HDSC. He has played 53 games as an Oiler, and has 32 goals. Leon Draisaitl is skating better, which is your basic nightmare for the Flames. His pass to Zach Hyman for the first goal of the game was sublime, and the other three assists were also fabulous. Four shots, took a penalty, drew a penalty, awesome night.
Connor McDavid is playing at a level not seen before, 6-17-23 in 10 playoff games and the Oilers are 10-4 in the three Calgary games at five-on-five (2-6 with McDavid off). There’s a sequence from last night where McDavid is on the bench and Kane is on the ice, during a break. You can see McDavid mouth twice “oh, it’s coming!” and then it did in fact arrive. The greatest player on the planet is in a zone, the highest level we’ve seen. Amazing player. Matt Tkachuk was talking after the game about “one guy” beating them, and it must be frustrating. Flames need to invent a cheat code of their own PDQ. McDavid’s passing is electric, and his execution on the goals (notice how he paused so there would be no offside?) had the precision of a surgeon. I’ve always stated that great players are great players and there’s no such thing as “clutch performance” but McDavid since Game 5 versus LAK is beyond belief.
Take a moment to look at the line above delivered by the No. 1 trio for Edmonton. Can Calgary find an answer?
Zach Hyman scored the opening goal early in the second period, after a strong first 20 that saw no results. It set off the flood of second-period goals and was as pretty as you’ll see for passing. Including all game states, he had seven shots and four HDSC, and has six goals in 10 playoff games this spring. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played 21:43, including lots of time in each of the three game states, he had one shot, took a penalty, and played a responsible game. He was 0-4 in five-on-five HDSC’s, he is 2-1 goals five-on-five away from Josh Archibald in this series. Jesse Puljujarvi was freewheelin’ for the third game in a row, he had one shot, three hits, a giveaway. He is still feeling his way through the game when the puck is on his stick, these games are good for him and should benefit JP. If he scores, we could see several in a hurry.
Warren Foegele had one HDSC and a hit in seven minutes, I thought he contributed to keeping the puck miles from danger. Ryan McLeod had three shots, two HDSC (both at five-on-five), two TK, one GV, won seven of 10 on the dot. He also played over three clean minutes on the PK. He’s emerging, folks. Kailer Yamamoto also helped on the PK, had a TK at five-on-five and played a rambunctious (if quiet) 16 minutes.
Josh Archibald drew a penalty had a shot on goal and three hits, 4-3 shot and no goals when he was on the ice. Derek Ryan had a couple of shots and played less than seven minutes, 3-4 shots, no goals and just one HDSC when he was on the ice. Zack Kassian had one shot, took a penalty and drew one, three hits.
WOODCROFT’S MATCHES
The two coaches appeared content to run the McDavid line versus the Lindholm unit, power v. power. The was a distinct advantage for Edmonton (3-0 goals, 5-1 HDSC) although the shot metrics were pretty much even. Nurse-Ceci were the top Oilers defensemen in that power matchup among the forward lines.
The Backlund line (Coleman and Mangiapane) are also a talented group, the Nuge line and Keith-Bouchard were asked to take care of business there. Against Nuge, Backlund went 4-0 HDSC and 4-3 shots, Smith a big factor there. I think Jay Woodcroft is going to have some very good days.
NEW for The Athletic: The coaching innovation Jay Woodcroft employs in Edmonton helped numerous current Oilers develop in Bakersfield (Evan Bouchard specifically). For Edmonton, getting the right coaching staff for the AHL team is a big job this summer.
https://theathletic.com/3327151/2022/05/23/edmonton-oilers-ahl-coach/
If I’m Mr. Holland, I’m not hiring anyone for Bakersfield without having talked to (getting input from ) Jay Woodcroft.
Even though Jay has told us several times, that he’s not a player, a referee, or a GM.
I hear Todd Nelson is looking for work…
How much input / influence does Keith Gretzky have in terms of this hire?
He’s in charge of BAK.
Woodcroft is the perfect coach for any young winning team.
Twilight Zone/switch him for MacT in 2006 Finals and they have a fair chance to win game 7.
It looked like 2 Oiler players crossed over to screen Mike from seeing the big dumb goof shoot a high hard one.
Looks like the road to the Cup is going to go through Colorado.
No easy outs remaining in the tournament, with the mighty Oil included in that statement.
Back when the Avs drafted MacKinnon I remember thinking that Edmonton and Colorado would one day soon be elite clubs in the West.
It has taken a bit longer than I originally expected, and when I did I thought the Avs core would be: Duchene, O’Reilly, MacKinnon, Johnson and Barrie.
The Oilers core is similarly very different than I would have expected back in the summer of 2013.
I wonder how much tix will be re-sold for
This has the potential to be the last home playoff BOA game for 31 years!
Brady Schenn nearly makes it interesting. And then a post
Screw off Kadri
It must be sickening for St. Louis and it’s fans to watch Kadri get a hat trick when he shouldn’t even be playing in this game. None of that however is justification for the death threats and racists comments directed at him.
Of course he racks up a friggin hattie in their barn the game immediately after eliminating their goalie. Probably no one more hated in St. Loo right now.
I thought the time out taken to bring back Mike Smith was a stroke of dramatic genius. It was staged so that Smith came rumbling through the tunnel in full view of the camera (someone knew where to point that thing, not an accident) and the hero emerged to the delight of the fans, bringing a bit of energy back to the last gasp of the game, and focusing the spotlight where it belonged – on a player who loves the limelight and who was having a great game. wonderful.
That was a team bonding awesome moment it kinda reminded me of a WWE wrestler barreling down the hallway to save the day.
it was a hoot. It caught me by surprise and was a big fu to the flames as well. They usually pan the camera to the returnee sitting on the bench, waiting for the next whistle. But this was theatre.
Did you see the wrestling link posted last night? Amazing
I think Dave Tippett was a good coach. Todd McLellan was also a good coach. The Edmonton Oilers have had many good coaches. I have nothing but respect for all of them. On the other hand, Jay Woodcroft may be one of the better coaches I have seen in professional sports, not just hockey. I really think the Oilers now have three superstars and an excellent group of players.
I’m not quite ready to anoint Woodcroft one of the best coaches in pro sport, but I have found myself wondering whether he might not just be ‘good’, but great.
We’re only 48 games in, so I don’t think we can be sure yet, but early returns have definitely been impressive.
I’d love to hear what Old Dutch has to say about Woodcroft, off the record, and behind closed doors, with a dose of truth serum.
Yes, I was thinking the same thing but thought I would go ahead with the “anointing of the rookie coach.” I also know that I am a biased Oiler fan. It’s a bold statement, but I just don’t see too many guys with such a complex understanding of so many concepts. He definitely could be a “one hit wonder,” it happens all the time. Of course he’s not Scotty Bowman, Bill Belicheck or Phil Jackson, but as of right now, at the moment, I bet he would have a good chance of outcoaching a lot of brilliant sports minds.
It’s also fun to say something that may be a little bit on the outrageous side. Sometimes it’s correct.
I think it’s possible he’s special, but he’s also still learning and not everything has gone perfectly. He hasn’t won a damn thing yet either, so we’ll see.
I’m enjoying the ride so far though, and I’ve got no issue having a Woodcroft superfan around. Another big challenge for the ‘3 superstars’ tonight!
Nope.
Tippett and McLellan were adequate NHL coaches who happened to be veterans.
Woodcroft appears to be the first good coach this team has had in quite some time. He has shown nothing approaching greatness as yet – but he looks good.
Don’t lower that bar. Don’t fog those glasses. We’ve been staring at straight up crap for a very long time – not average and not good. That can alter the view of even the best of observers.
Well that made me think, I didn’t consider serial incompetence clouding my judgement. I’ll just settle with being an outrageous Woodcroft superfan for the moment. Maybe he’s not the Connor McDavid of coaching. Yet…
I also just hate being reasonable and cautious all the time. Thanks to the community for your forbearance. :)))
Truth … every single word.
re Woodcroft:
Regular season then playoff success is good enough for me.
@easily pleased
ps: if they win the Cup I want the GM who drafted McDavid to get his own statue.
Tippett and McLellan were adequate. Too stubborn and set in their ways, no in game tactical moves and continually tried to fit square pegs into round holes. My way or the highway thinking. They never won shit in their entire careers.
McDavid dominating in round 2:
https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1528770208260837379
https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1528770894906245121
https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1528771569903861760
And the Bolts will advance tonight. Palat ENer seals the deal. Cats with 49 shots on net, no goals.
Meanwhile Perron stakes the Blues to a one-nuthin lead.
Patty Maroon with the game/series winner
The guy has the golden touch
wow, am just reflecting on the fact that our dysfunctional ragtag group of Oilers has outlasted the President’s Trophy winners.
That is some awful work by Huburdeau on the PP….
Lovely game!
Didn’t get to respond to LT’s query about would you cheer for the team in spite of how it was built?
Of course!
And as much as I complain, I’m in some ways much more bullish than even the most blue eyed of optimists. I did say I considered this team, at forward, to be the best ever. Collected my fair share of downvotes for it, and fair enough it’s a bit of an out there view. I am foolishly standing by it!
One thing: this team still needs Holloway.
Why? Because with 97/29 humming and Smith going, you ice your best lineup. Heck; without those guys going the way they are, ice your best lineup.
Now I like Foegele over Archibald/Kassian — goodness how far I’ve come, defender of Warren, me of all people — but you need Holloway to be a real threat on the road AND to be even more menacing at home, from a matchup perspective.
I’m bullish on him from curlock videos on Twitter and based on OP’s reportage.
Is there a better place for Holloway to debut than home? You know a Flames push is coming; Holloway can be the shove right back.
The preseason.
Tikkanen and Buchberger both debuted in the playoffs because Sather didn’t follow the script. Sather had balls and that’s why he was so hated even today by the personal he stream rolled over. Sather was a winner he dressed the best team possible and that’s one of the reasons he’s so loved by the day one fans.
Tikkanen and Buchberger played a whole 3 games each in their debut playoff seasons and I really don’t think have a meaningful impact on the Oiler’s success those playoffs. Both spent the majority of their next season in the minors.
I believe Woodcroft is dressing the players who right now he believes give his team the best chance to win on any given night. That’s not to say he thinks that in the long run Holloway won’t be a way better NHL player than say Archibald or isn’t more talented/skilled right now. But he would know better than us the likelihood that Archibald or whoever else will perform as expected vs. Holloway.
So far, his view has been that playing Archibald, Kassian, Ryan or Foegele vs Holloway give him a better line up for each night’s opponent so far. Maybe that will change in the coming games, but it will only be then that he decided Holloway improves his chances. I don’t think Woodcroft is coaching conservatively or out of fear.
When Buchberger was called up, Sather asked Low to send “his best player.” Didn’t even name anyone (according to legend). Low asked, “best or toughest” and Sather said he didn’t care, Low’s choice, just had to be able to play. So Low sent Buchy, the toughest. Fought Dave Brown I think on his first shift.
In the case of both Tikk and Buchy, the Oilers were already champions, knew how to win and could carry a yute on the roster. It’s a different situation now. We have a team that’s still figuring out how to win consistently and has yet to achieve much in the big picture.
The thing about Archie etc, is you know th minimum you’re going to get. The floor in any given game. Jay doesn’t know that with Holloway. Could be a Samorukov debut, could be golden. It’s a dice roll.
This is true although, of course, you are stating that Holloway will have a MUCH bigger impact than either of those guys did in their very limited ice in those playoff debuts.
Which he very well could.
I just can’t get past the fact the Dylan Holloway hasn’t played a single second against NHL competition. Tossing a raw as humanly possible rookie into a playoff game seems like a tremendously bad idea.
The kid hasn’t even dressed for a preseason game.
Watch the Lucic hit again. Kulak came in to that scrum and dropped his gloves like it was his job. Man, this guy just keeps proving better and better. A revelation.
With the Heat moving to Calgary next season. I hope the Oilers jump on this trend, all Canadian teams, Vegas, San Jose. The advantages are becoming very obvious.
Our top prospects sleep in there own bed as they break into the league. Prospects get the best training, doctors and other resources.
Great entertainment for Edmonton
Oilers, Condors and Oil Kings (can they squeeze a lacrosse team) in the winter.
Soccer, baseball, Football and basketball in the soccer. AND all the great sports teams at the University.
I would definitely go to Condors games if they played in Edmonton.
I like the AHL team being in Bakersfield. Nothing will have the prospects working harder on their NHL goal than the prospect of getting out of Bakersfield.
Right! Edmonton winter or Bakersfield winter! I can’t see why anyone would pick Bakersfield!
Someone has never been to Bakersfield!
If the Oilers were to do that, theoretically the AHL could have an all Canadian division.
Toronto, Laval, Winnipeg, Belleville, Calgary and Abbotsford are already in place.
That would be wicked neat.
LAK AHL team is in Ontario which is basically an LA suburb, the Baby Ducks play in San Diego and the Silver Knights play in Henderson, a Vegas suburb.
Seattle is building it’s AHL rink in the Coachella Valley so all the Pacific teams except Edmonton have their prospects within driving distance.
I wonder if the Oilers might look at Red Deer.
You think Seattle to Palm Springs is “within driving distance?”
Pretty sure they would fly…it’s only a couple of hours with no customs or immigration but it’s a far cry from Bakersfield to Edmonton.
https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=AHL1941&sid=2022
probably not too excited about the Bakersfield numbers
They were over 5,000 before the pandemic, suspect they could get back there. I don’t know what the magic number is, but 5,000 seems solid.
I think Bakersfield generally does quite a bit better – lets not forget that Covid-restrictions were heavier (and lasted longer) in that area.
It wasn’t until March 31 that all restrictions were lifted.
The Flames will try to shadow or double team Connor which leaves Kane and Leon to do their magic. Imagine how many Goals that line would produce playing 82 games. Patty kept his stick on the ice while driving to the net and scored 27. It’s to bad J.P doesn’t have the hands to do this.
Final thought:
The consensus around the league seems to be that McDavid is on a mission, and no one can stop him.
As in, who exactly is going to stop him?
The weird arrogant dudes with the vertical stripes and the orange arm bands?
By my hunter1909 eye sees two features about the playoff Oilers:
1 – They like to dump the puck into the opposition’s end over and over and over to make them keep skating 200 feet to get to the Oilers goal and it wears out the opposition.
2 – When the opposition have the puck Oilers like to stretch out their sticks to try to knock the puck from the opposition player into a random direction, that the Oilers themselves are able to retrieve about 60% of the time. And Oilers use a crazy fast counterattack.
It’s incredible, winning hockey at NHL playoff(still only Pacific Division) level.
Suddenly the Tampa Bolts don’t seem so impossible to beat since it’s they who have to face McDavid.
Ditto the Avs.
Flames fans : “Wait until Oilers play the Avs they will get crushed by a real hockey team”
It’s nice that they don’t think their team is a real team.
Man things get hard in life with terrible war and the plague, crazy weather.
At least I’m not a Flames fan.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
So apparently flames fans don’t think their team is any good anymore! Priceless!!!
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
The Flames series is so far from over Evil Knivel couldn’t jump that canyon.
The next game will tell us a lot about this team (which can be said about each upcoming game in the playoffs). If we come out of the gate with a Game 1 performance, you just have to wonder why they refuse to learn lessons. If they do a repeat of last game, they might be able to do something special.
This team has coaching they believe in and trust! It is up to us as fans to believe!
Been reading reactions from fans of other teams and have come up with these two beauties:
Re Kane(Leafs fan): “I don’t care how many goals Kane scores or how far Edmonton goes in the playoffs…Nothing feels as good as knowing our team was full of nice guys”
Re Kane(Bruins fan) : “We only have Taylor Hall while Kane scores at will – put Kane on the Bruins without McDavid and his production drops by 70%”
Obviously Kane benefits from playing with McDavid (and Draisaitl). But it should be just as obvious that Kane is lapping the field when it comes to producing with McDavid (excepting Draisaitl). Rattie didn’t score like Kane with 97. Kassian, Nuge, Puljujarvi, Yamo, don’t score at Kane’s rate when playing with 97. Attributing players’ success to simply playing with someone great is a narrative that should be dropped.
(This includes the Nurse plays with McDavid comments)
Agreed- there have been 3 perfect fits with McDavid so far out of many many tries. Maroon was first, Drai was second and now Kane. Many others have tried and not been as perfect a fit, including Puljajarvi, Nuge, Kassian, Hyman, Yamo, just to name current players who haven’t meshed as well as Drai and Kane. As well, having a physical player who commands respect seems an important attribute for a McDavid winger, and there is none better than Kane in terms of skill, speed, and a nasty streak that I can think of. I hope Kane recognizes the fit as well and takes a discount to stick around.
And P. Maroon says hi
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night- start to finish, and a little beyond… My stepdaughter and husband were over with their two boys (my grandkids). Grama (me) is the only diehard fan, but everyone had a side. We were alternating chants ‘Let’s go Oilers’ then ‘Go Flames go’. The grandkids were wearing two jerseys each, Flames underneath (for their mom) and Oilers on top (for their dad). The 4-year-old is slowly switching to be a Flames fan, much to dad’s chagrin, and he was trying to convince him back to the right side all night.
Finally, we convinced him (bribed him) to put back on his McDavid jersey for a popsicle, and at that point, the Oilers scoring barrage began, so I’m pretty sure he turned the tide (his name is Connor btw). My son, who is 14, has always been neutral- first a Bruins fan, then Chicago, then Vegas, but now fully an Oilers fan. He wants to change the name bar of one of my 91 Oilers jerseys from a previous Oiler to his new fave. Can you guess the name on the old 91?
Can’t wait for Tuesday!! I am loving so much about this current version of the Oilers, and our coach would make Sather proud- he is so clever with his adjustments in game and post game, but even his media responses are clever, and seem to be as intentional as his in- game adjustments! I love the verbal subtle digs towards Markstrom- first 7 goals, and now 63 games of wear and tear!
Kane’s swagger is also seriously wearing off on the rest of the team as well. Similar to Kassian’s effect during the 16-17 playoffs, except with an even higher skill level.
I hope it was Drake Caggiula
Haha- nope. Before Drake. Hint- it was when we had 3 young guys, who were deemed the upcoming next ones. I chose the speedy Swede rather than Hall and Ebs to buy the jersey of.
Back in the HOPE years.
Exactly- traded to St.Louis for Perron.
That lovable Swede with the Finn name.
Those were the years this blog taught me a lot about the draft, prospects and hockey math.
Thanks for this little nostalgia moment.
My we’ve really come a long way since then!
Yes we have come a long way! So good to remember the dark days of being out of the playoffs before Halloween.
Learning about the draft here because that is what our HOPE became.
Remembering where we were when last the Oilers had a real run (’06) and when McDavid and his lottery luck landed our way.
This is what is bringing the Oilers fans to a fever pitch. The old fans, like many of us here, remember the Alberta rivalry and the hatred that came with it from the 80’s teams that perhaps we took for granted, and all the steps in between then and now.
This is awesome! I love it!
Taking a page out of your book, sharing my story. Except with a lot less flair for the beautiful prose we all enjoy here!
You good sir are deserving of much credit!
I’ve complained endlessly this season about the small size of our defence, but Calgarys big and slow dmen have been exposed multiple times by our forwards, and not just McDavid.
Did Cody Ceci suffer an injury that I missed?
Took a shot off the hands, think it was in the third period? He went down the tunnel for a bit before coming back.
I remain concerned about this.
I expect him to play tomorrow but he very well could have fingers taped together, etc.
How did Chevaldayoff let Trotz leave Winnipeg without a contract?!
As some said, The Jets weren’t interviewing him. More like he was interviewing them.
They must have failed his interview (or more likely his asking price).
If a coach wants job security there is probably no better place than the Jets. Coaches have to quit there, they don’t get fired.
It will be a small money coach in Winnipeg.
Trotz is out of their budget.
I don’t think that’s fair!
The Jets are owned by the richest man in Canada.
Show your work?
Not sure Chipman is the richest man in Manitoba.
I can foresee Archie giving payback for the possible career ending knee on knee hit by the sleazeball Magpie.
The second most blatant penalty of that game. But the losing team did it so no-call.
Old school coach wants to disrupt the other team’s goaltending -> send some plug out to run their goalie, then act twice as shocked as everyone else.
New school coach wants to disrupt the other team’s goaltending -> clever media avaIls.
Stockton Heat moving to Calgary.
https://theahl.com/flames-to-move-ahl-affiliate-to-calgary
PFO
I hope this means what I would like it to mean!
Oh it does!
As I mentioned a few weeks ago when discussing this topic, I’m disappointed that Holland hasn’t made this happen with the Condors – and am somewhat surprised he hasn’t prioritized it.
Oilers at a disadvantage to both the Canucks and Flames on this.
So this means Calgary will be home to TWO AHL teams? Asking for a friend… :p
Can a coach get a Conn Smythe??
Not the way McDavid is playing.
Calgary Dmen on the four 2nd period goals.
Goal 1–Gudbranson & Zadarov: 97 beats a hard back-tracking Jarnkrok deep, Gud goes to the near post, 97 centers to the mid-slot, Zad forced to cover two men and cannot.
Goal 2–Kylington & Gudbranson: Gud sells out, sliding to block the pass fr 29. Kylington stays high in case the puck goes to 97, giving Kane time to make a play around Markstrom.
Goal 3–Hanifin & Andersson: 97 dances Hanifin at the blue line forcing Andersson to commit to 97, leaving 91 open for the tap-in
Goal 4–Kylington & Anderson: 97 plays a textbook 2 on 1 pass to a hustling Kane who outraces Ritchie down the ice for the goal. Andersson nowhere to be seen because he tried to make a hit on the opposite side of the ice from his position, by his bench, at our blue line. It’s likely he was changing.
Who are you going to hide? The only Dman not victimized is Stone. How are you going to hide five Dman behind your #7 Dman, Darryl?
Obviously, they can’t allow out-numbered attacks like goals 2 and 4. Gud (and Markstrom) have to be “Gud-er” than they were on the first goal too. And line changes played a role in at least two of the goals.
There is something synergistic going on between the Oilers speed and the long change in the second period that the boys have been exploiting these playoffs. Second periods have been absolutely killer for us.
Last night it occurred to me that McDavid is accomplishing something far more rare than merely NHL playoff dominance —impressive as that is—in actuality McDavid is transforming the game of hockey in his image. Superlatives aside and comparisons to the Mount Rushmore of hockey (Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, Howe) notwithstanding, McDavid is the new MJ—Jordan transformed the public consciousness of the NBA and how basketball could be played. I also wanted to be like Mike. Similarly, McDavid is reminding all hockey fans that there are levels to hockey greatness yet to be discovered. Sublime skill and breathtaking speed. Simply put, McDavid is the face of hockey. Period. I wish NHL marketing and its coverage reflected that fact. Expanding viewership will organically occur when genius can be witnessed; Bettman should bet the farm on 97. Of course, if you’re a Calgary Flames fan then this quote from the movie ‘Good Will Hunting’ may resonate: “Sometimes I wish I had never met you, because then I could go to sleep at night not knowing there was someone like you out there.”
I have Crosby and not Howe on that.
That’s no disrespect to Mr. Hockey.
The bar is simply that high.
Connor makes it the big 5.
The four mentioned are great players. Mr. Hockey tickets was what top ten in scoring for twenty years? He stays!
All about the era. People who saw the Rocket in his prime would have him up with the gods.
If 97 wins at least two cups and a lot more awards then maybe, just maybe, another name can be added.
I believe Gordie Howe finished no lower than 6th in league scoring for 19 consecutive seasons. Incredible.
Adjusted points is the best way to compare eras. Crosby’s peak is pretty similar to Howe’s peak. But Crosby would have to keep up his current production for another 7 seasons to equal Howe’s first career. (And then Howe came back for another 8 seasons.)
Crosby’s had a truly magnificent career, and his intangibles add something beyond his stats. Top 10 guy, no question, maybe Top 5. But I don’t see him getting on Hockey’s Rushmore.
Six team league! You are comparing apples and oranges!
As someone who has watched your fore mentioned, my question would be have you been paying attention or do you have a bias that we don’t know about. It would appear that McDavid has elevated another step this year! Numerous awards etc are merely hubris! By what I am watching he will be among the all time greats of the sport!
Tim opines “best athlete on the planet”:
https://twitter.com/timandfriends/status/1528881377436872704
The basketball reference is real. McD is rolling off of coverage and shake’n baking around guys like Patrick Ewing. Of course hockey is akin to the paint. McDavid plays off hard coverage better than any player ever has. The next best at that skill, imo, was peak Jagr. McD is just faster, smarter, has better hands. Best player since Gretz.
Small quibble – Crosby has had a magical career and does everything at elite level, but I can’t agree that he’s transformed the game like the others did, and McD is doing. Lemieux, maybe.
I don’t know I think it was Sid that changed it to a skating league.
Super Mario was called the best that ever played by a guy that is known as The Great One.
We all have our own lists.
The NHL is so very not the NFL in terms of marketing their players.
In the NFL it doesn’t matter where you play, if you are the best/most exciting you get the PrimeTime and the spotlight.
New York/LA or Buffalo/KC, doesn’t matter.
In the NHL they look at the city first and foremost.
Someone earlier mentioned being in a bar out East and the people were amazed at 97 and had Never Seen him Play before !?! Crazy. Crazy. Crazy
I have noticed espn/tnt/tbs be much more pro-Oiler than NBC ever was though.
agreed
That was an interesting expression on Woodcroft’s face that you used for this post , LT. I’m still not sure how to read it. I would have assumed he was pissed off that his goalie was just run over. Instead he has this oddly pleased grin, not quite like a Cheshire cat, almost bordering on unctuous.
They panned to him after the Lucic hit on Smith.
I hope Smith’s not injured. He seems to have a tendency to play injured, at times, when he shouldn’t.
Garbage play by Lucic. For $750k, he shouldn’t be doing that.
The legend of Jay Woodcroft is growing with each game. Count me as impressed. Pulling Smith in game one, letting him rest and reset has paid dividends.
Same, still wondering about it today, still unsure of that expression. Only can think it’s “nice try, yeah they’re getting desperate”.
Woody gets called “smug” near relentlessly on the Calgary boards.
I can’t say I ever saw that till the camera picked him up after the goal. Now, the cowjerks mean his general demeanour. I think in that picture he was just “delighting” in the moment and I can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same in his place…
Has he taken it the ‘smug’ up a notch in the playoffs? Or is it just this series?
He was pretty respectful vs McLellan and LA I thought. I feel like it might be a Sutter/Flames-specific thing, maybe to counter/equal their cockiness?
It’s interesting for sure.
Yep. Although I have no idea why I said “after the goal.” I meant after Lucic running Smith. Reading that now and I’m wondering “what the hell, Munny.” F@#k you, old age…
In the Kings series, he did at one point begin to harp on the shots-from-anywhere narrative and the lack of danger, so there were some little digs. But he went full-on respectful as the Kings climbed back in it.
Makes me wonder if some of the success management issues are of Woody’s own making. Not explicitly or overtly, but the players reading his body language and tone of voice.
I’d forgotten about that, he definitely did send some shade towards the Kings.
That’s interesting, I was thinking the exact opposite (if I’m reading you correctly). That Woodcroft may be intentionally tailoring his demeanour to the opponent, to affect his team and theirs.
Tough to know what’s going on in someone else’s head though.
I thought Yamo had a great game last night and he gets no mention here today. That’s too bad!
After a game like that, there isn’t enough air in Edmonton to pump the tires of everyone who deserves it.
I’m as big an Oiler fan as anyone and I didn’t think the Lucic play was that bad & certainly not suspension worthy. Smith can’t expect to play the puck like he does and not get any contact back there. Is Calgary just supposed to let him? Also, to me it look liked Smith turned/twisted a bit into Lucic which contributed to it all. It was a hard hockey play in the playoffs and that was rightly the end of it. It’s not like he pasted Smith into the glass or started throwing punches.
Lucic also showed great restraint (respect?) and class in game 2 when he had Kassian down on his back after Kassian went at him for slashing McLeod and didn’t throw a punch. All the players know Kassian shouldn’t be fighting anymore due to his concussion history, not all care.
Lucic has a history running goalies.
Apply the opposite test, if Kassian had run Markstrom it would have absolutely been a suspension.
Lucic had all the time in the world to adjust, stop, not smash into the goalie.
Smith was hit so hard he ends up on his back with his helmet off.
Lucic showed great restraint? He slashed at McLeod 6 times with 2 hands.
Is this Spector?
Didn’t say he was an angel, I said he showed great restraint not feeding Kassian when was down. He had him dead to rights, back on the ice and didn’t throw a punch.
Lucic is a proven no brain goon! You have the right to your opinion as does each and everyone of us! Connor got a one game suspension in season for a far less egregious play!
I don’t approve of the Lucic hit, but he clearly eased up at the last second Honestly, if Lucic charged him full force, Smith is likely getting stretchered off. I’m not absolving Lucic because he clearly charged him, but I saw many more egregious plays by Flames players last night, like Mangiapsne’s disgraceful knee shot.
You can’t check the goalie like a defender, sorry. Smith had completed the pass, it’s not as if he were shielding the puck Patrick Roy style.
You can wave the rule book all you want — “there’s nothing in here about NOT hitting goalies outside of the crease!” — but common sense wins out here.
If a forward can “finish his check” every time a goalie touches the puck outside the crease every star goaltender will spend the playoffs on injured reserve.
The goaltender is treated differently than all other players. Lucic knew that going for the hit. Even if he didn’t want to decapitate Smith, that play does not belong in hockey.
so how many games should he be suspended for that? I thought 5 and gone for the game was good officiating, but it wasn’t suspension worthy contact
I don’t think a suspension is warranted— 5 and a game makes sense. The Flames lost a giant chunk of time to try and tie the game and Lucic is removed to limit any retribution with the game out of reach.
I do think, however, that Calgary has lost any benefit to the doubt when it come to contacting the goaltender. Lucic’s play was NOT a hockey play. Even though he wasn’t aiming to injure it was a dirty attempt at intimidation.
Licic gets zero credit for not going full speed, or not following up WWE style after the hit.
So if Smith was injured then it was suspension warranted! Your thinking is why the league should do away with the instigator rule!
“Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t run a goalie.”
I think you have it right, Mel. The play didn’t look particularly dangerous, other than Smith laying on the ice during the scrum. Smith turned into Lurch back-first, he was more pushed than hit and Smith sold it a bit (as you would hope he would).
I’m happy with 5 and a misconduct. I don’t think Lucic had any intent to injure, but he had plenty of intent for tomfoolery and thus I think a major over a minor and an ejection is the right call in that situation (keep a lid on the game).
I have a far bigger problem with the NHL being allowed to a remove a key player from the ice for concussion protocol when there were no blows to his head. Smith got shoved down and basically got worse than a double minor for it… because he actually had to serve it himself.
Because he was back in 4 minutes and not 15, the NHL obviously realized their error after the fact. That needs to be handled by a quick conversation with a doctor on the ice before going down the tunnel.
Isn’t it 15 minutes of real time, not 15 minutes of game clock time? After he was sent off, there was a commercial break, 4 minutes of playing time with a whistle or two, and then Woodcroft called a TO just to get that extra little time needed. He was gone for 15 minutes of real time.
Good point, so I just checked. He was gone for about 11 minutes when Jay got notification he was coming and called the TO. So judging by travel time to protocol, somewhere in around 9-10 minutes in actual observation. So obviously they changed their mind at some point for some reason, but not as quickly as I had surmised. Good catch.
I agree. I didn’t see it in real time, but did know about the hit. When I watched the hit I was expecting worse.
For me there is no doubt that Lucic was going to bump Smith behind the net. When Smith change his play Lucic tried to as well. Lucic is such a lousy skater he couldn’t turn fast enough and in enough control to avoid Smith. It could have been much worse, but that doesn’t let Lucic off the hook. 5 & game was the correct call.
Now the refs have to get serious about protecting the goalies while in their crease. Maybe the Lucic hit will be the catalyst…but I doubt it.
Very old school – “Look what you made me do. If you had just let me win I wouldn’t have had to do this. This is your fault.”
If Smith is being good at hockey, maybe Calgary should try being better at hockey?
Twitter said it best. 5 min and a game was great.
Lucic has to come back next game and play 30 mins per game until they get knocked out.
I didn’t think it was that bad either and definitely not worth a suspension but, to answer your question, yes, Lucic is supposed to leave him.
All goalies play the puck behind their nets – they are off-limits from body contact by the opposition.
Two things:
Archibald is not the strongest player based on corsi, shots etc… but is there value to playing a player like him on the 4th line for 8 minutes a game? I think so. Especially in games like this. You don’t always have to be the best player on the ice but give the flames something to worry about and keep the energy from the first three shifts by playing archibald, but everything that moves, push the puck to the corner and get off. There is value in that and I think he’s shown well in the playoffs despite not as good stats otherwise.
Those harping on his Corskis refuse to look at his usage, like zone starts. He’s been running about 70% DZone through most of the playoffs and gets plenty of shifts during score effects time.
Archibald is the forward version of Russell on this team.
They serve as the cautionary tale that analytics is still not to the point where the numbers provide the whole answer. That fearlessness & heart have value even if we don’t know how to quantify that value.
They remind us that regardless of what the odds tell us you still have to play the game in order to know which is the better team on that particular occasion. That the pocket calculator is just a tool – not a rule.
An important part of the picture.
And still just in it’s infancy and constantly evolving.
Yup. But the outliers are always going to be there imo. The Russell’s and Archibald’s that the numbers don’t explain.
The numbers we have now, yes.
Smart guts will find metrics that identify the value these players bring it’s a matter of when IMO.
I admit I’m enjoying having our own Kronwall human cannonball. I’d forgotten the energy and disruption he brings.
Kris Russell’s analytics looked vis-a-vis possession, in particular Corsi which didn’t give him credit for blocked shots and, also altered shots (that are no longer dangerous as he’s closed the lane, etc.).
Where Russell always excels in the numbers is actual GA (per 60). Yes, GF (per 60) also cratered but the man consistently prevents goals against.
I don’t think we should put a number in front of the six zeroes Kaner is going to get until
I’ve openly questioned his character before, but I do start to wonder if Kane foregoes top dollar on the open market to have a shot at a few Cup runs with the boys in good old our town.
He looks like he is having fun. Not sure hockey has been this much fun for him for a long time. I guess we will see how important that is to him.
I think there’s a chance the character we were all “aware” of through media reports, tweets and video clips is behind him and a part of a colourful past. Jay made a point of praising his professionalism in a recent media avail.
Kane is definitely carrying himself well with the media, and he’s not being goaded into tomfoolery on the ice by Turtle and others. He seems to be more tactical, preferring to pick his own spots.
And I think you’re right, he does look loose. Like he’s enjoying himself. Which will go a long, long, way when it comes time to negotiate a contract extension. Hopefully he’s more concerned with etching his name into immortality than career earnings.
He is still young to be walking away from money but I think Holland will find a way to keep the cap hit manageable in return for a contract length that will make us all wince.
It’s go time for this team.
Worrying about what happens 5 years from now is not something that Holland should care about.
Agreed, especially on the worry bit. And I’d bet too the term is 5. If he can get a final year without a NTC, or with a weaker one, that would be a real win.
Five years would be a huge win for Holland.
This tweet from his agent, moments after his 3rd goal last night:
Dan Milstein-Hockey
@HockeyAgent1
·
21h
💰
Agree that’s the most likely scenario if he stays.
A material arb award MAY alter what Kane is willing to take on his next contract but that’s a MAY and an unknown. He very well could dig in on market value notwithstanding the other source of income.
Any determination of his Arb award and his next contract will likely be complicated. The amount he signs for is very likely to impact what the Arb award will be. His initial loss is primarily his forgone salary over the remaining term of the San Jose contract. Whatever he is able to earn on his next contract(s) for the same time period will be a mitigation against that loss and a reasonable consideration for any arbitration award. San Jose and their lawyers can probably legitimately get a deferral of the proceedings for any final award until his next contract is signed so his actual loss can be determined.
The Mike Richards settlement occurred after he signed his next contract, but he had little market value left. This could also result in a complex discussion related to the cap implications for both San Jose and the team that signs him. The outcome will likely not be that San Jose is on the hook for cash and cap to the tune of some $25 million dollars for the next 3 season or a sizeable portion of it, and then Kane gets $21 million from another team for the next 3 seasons as well.
From accounts, the second hearing, and the conclusion of this, it anticipated prior to free agency.
If the conclusion does not take effect until after Kane has signed his next contract then, contrary to the original post, of course Kane won’t be signing for less (based on a potential award).
— been at cottage for weekend. No power overnight on Friday. Internet not working untill an hour ago. Was an amazing unplugged long weekend. Kids were discombobulated for a bit but got into grove. Hope the don’t realize internet is back on. Can’t remember last time we’ve been days without internet..
— Nice treat to see result. Amazing that with a win tmrw and the series is basically over.
— We hang oilers flag out here for week (our neighbours just came back from Europe where he coaches plays on a team amd he’s well connected to Oilers so will be fun to hear his takes.). He was the guy who said years ago that the thinking in league was the Hall couldn’t be more than a secondary bit player on a Cup team if he ever wins one. Trading Hall was one of the things he was advocating. Good times when I posted that.
*scene from The Beach flashes on screen*
Its really nice to see some praise for Tyson Barrie as he has, in my opinion, been very solid through the playoffs (which was a continuation of his play down the stretch).
This is not new for Tyson – he’s had very good goal share numbers throughout his playoff career and, to my eye, was one of the team’s more solid d-men last year in the playoffs.
He doesn’t produce massive box-car numbers in the playoffs but that’s just fine as he is playing solid and tough defence and moving the puck well in a 3rd pairing PP1 role.
If, god forbid, Ceci can’t play on Tuesday, I would posit that its Barrie that moves up with Nurse (and Russell at 3RD) – far from ideal but Barrie has played 1RD with Nurse many games in the past (with up and down results).
Surprisingly feisty in the scrums as well! Did not see that coming. We yearned for Barrie for years while he was tearing it up in COL. He is here, and we like to beat him down for almost everything, but when he is doing his offensive thing he is close to elite in that subject. We yearned for the offense we saw in COL, I don’t remember anyone swooning for his Adam Larson qualities.
Side note: I’m just realizing how smart getting Kulak was. I didn’t think on it much at the time, but getting to the finals with MTL is a big deal. You can’t have a weak link on D and make it that far; therefore Kulak is not a weak link. Some real mathematical analysis right there. KH keeping things simple!
Barrie no longer looks nearly as one dimensional as he used to. Respect.
Coaching matters. Players will listen to criticism, when it comes from a place of truth and respect.
Glad that Lucic was not suspended. Now the 🦕 Sutter will play him. Jay can put anyone against his line and score.
It doesn’t work like that, hasn’t worked like that. He’s +/- 0 for the series.
He should be denied the joy and participation of playing in the next playoff game.
He should be left to have to watch.
Sutter will put him out for roughly 8 minutes and now perhaps permanently remove an Oiler from the playoffs through further reckless play.
Congrats.
It is part of the game.
We don’t have to like it, but it’s really old man shakes fist at the sky at this point.
If running goalies on purpose is part of the game, I guess we should have our worst player go goon the shit out of Markstrom? I guess that’s one way to get high scoring games – tough to make saves when you’re in concussion protocol!
I mean the general violence and thuggery it has been as long as I can remember it.
I hope it gets weeded out more but I’m not sure it ever really goes away.
It is exactly like that. Lucic provides no positive contribution to his team in the minutes he plays. If the flamers want to saw it off with 97 off the ice then great have a nice early exit. Flamers going 11/7 without Looch would benefit them.
Tuesday’s game is a 7:30 start, same with Thursday. I’m gonna have to watch Tues on delay as per usual.
If an Oiler ran a goalie like Mike Smith was run last night, he suspended. There’s no other answer, he’s suspended.
Nurse was suspended for an elimination game, Kassian was fined for a crosscheck you see 100x a period.
The NHL is bush league, it’s open season on tendies, I hope all these classless bastards lose their sense of taste.
There is, by all accounts, a hand full old brutal bastards who run BOG and therefore the league.
Until they die, this is us.
you look at growth under coaches, and one due to circumstance (Draisatl’s injury) is to me the biggest thing this playoff. Not to downplay the awesomeness that is McDavid, but the emergence of McLeod as a legit two way 3r line centre is massive for this team. they have searched for it forever, and it allows more flexibility to move Nige to the wing (where he is more effective scoring wise, but could also be the D conscience for Draisatl)
Kane at a reasonable price tag (around $5 mill or less and 3 years or less) would be great. But looking at the lineup next year and you can see Holland will have options and hopefully can play some hardball with Kane because of the choices available.
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
?-Draisatl-Yamamoto
Nuge-McLeod-?
Foegele-Ryan-?
Add Holloway and possibly Kassian and you have a pretty complete lineup. Move out Kassian and Barrie and you can afford Kane.
After game 1 against the Kings, the mood was somber and massive questions about Mike Smith were being asked.
Games two and three created pure glee in Oil Country including pure domination on game 3.
Aftet game – against the flames, the mood was more than somber and massive questions about Mike Smith were being asked.
Games 2 and 3 created pure glee in Oil Country and included utter domination in game 3.
Game 4 is FAR from a surety but the Oilers seemingly scoring at will is in the head of the flames and their coach and their goalie.
Game 4 is at home this time and I look for a much different result than game 1.
Remember Trent “the defenseman whisperer” Yawney?
Yeah, me neither.
That was excellent. This is great drama.
Big test, the next game. Big test.
Is our children learning?
Like clockwork…Sutter is complaining about the refs…same pattern as Dallas series
Jay Woodcroft is winning the coaching battle on this front.
“I’m not a Player, I’m not an Official, I’m not a GM”
I got no time for dinosaurs who insult the character of anyone who talks about reffing that benefits them, then whine like spoiled children when the reffing doesn’t benefit them. Unimpressed.
IDK. NHL reffing is a joke. When you can predict which team will get the next penalty based on the score and game state, there’s a huge problem. I don’t blame anyone for criticizing the reffing.
I agree NHL reffing is a joke, and it steams my cheese when people who point it out get spoken to as if they’re somehow bad hockey fans, or not “real” hockey fans, or whatever. I’m being unfair to Suter, I realize I said that not because I remember Suter saying this, but because I associate him what that old mindset. I do think that, over the next 10 or so years, we’re going to see fundamental changes to the way the NHL instructs their refs to call the games, or we’re going to see the NHL continue to diminish in relevancy. JMO
“When Love Comes To Town” U2 at their best and BB King kicking it up a few notches. As BB would say to Bono after the song, There’s a lot of emotion there young man…That’s alright!! The Oil are playing with a lot of emotion too right now….and that’s alright!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TGU35i8czo
Never heard that before. Very cool to hear U2 play straight up blues.
Pretty sure LT is referencing the Talking Heads song though.
My immediate thought was BBKing as well even though the title did not match.
Time to take a cue from Woody.
Enjoy last night’s win for ten minutes. But the next game matters, not the last game, and this series is closer than certain posters want to believe.
Some Flames are filthy head-hunters and will dial that up game by game as they realize it’s all they’ve got. Plus, they are due to catch a break and a bounce or two. Plus, shit happens.
Don’t count your chickens before they’ve crossed the road, or something like that.
Actually, Woody permitted them to enjoy for 30 minutes last night because of the early start time!
No suspension for Looch, of course. Guess Sutter is getting desperate and we’re only 3 games in.
If cheap shots is the response, they are scared.
No surprise and I think the “right call”.
If the Smith gets run again, and if him or an Oiler is seriously hurt as a result of it, I hope you lose the sense of taste for the rest of your life.
If they want to stop goalie runs, they’re doing it wrong. Oh wait it’s the NHL
Based on the rules of the game, I was accepting of 5 and a game.
Based on my emotions, I had a flashback to the 06 finals.
On the bright side of Calgary’s chippy play; Mike Smith (knock on wood) is not only winning over his detractors based on his play, but also on his durability which was perhaps the biggest knock against him coming into the season.
Absolutely this! Smith wasn’t injured, so “move along, nothing to see here.” What if he had been?
— Evander Kane
Gotta love Kane scoring a hat trick from a total distance of 3 feet from the goal line. He really was the missing ingredient in this cosmic gumbo.
Connor and Leon are always saying in practice how this is like a cosmic gumbo.
Only way to score on a dialled in Markstrom who was having a hell of a game up in till then. When they showed the speed at which Connor and Kane were barrelling in on from the behind the net camera was frightening to any Goalie. That Goal could possibly be the fastest 2 on 1 in the history of the game.
Hoping Marky stays ‘dialed in’.
The Oilers have scored, by game, 5, 5, 1, 5, 6, 5, 4 goals on Markstrom this season/playoffs.
5 am came early on the east coast this morning – so glad it was as a 8 pm est start. Work here done for now so headed back to flamer land. Shockingly, my colleagues in cowtown are not trash texting me like after game 1. GOG
They need to move the start times up. The whole bar in the Sheraton was rocking to the Oilers last night. Many of the people had never seen McDavid play and were in awe.
I am glad to hear that you found a good place to watch the game Elgin!
Thanks it was so much better than alone in a hotel room
When do they typically announce player safety meetings? Lucic better get suspended or it will be open (further) season on Smith.
They won’t suspend him just like they didn’t suspend Kadri. Both these series have some fisticuffs and ugly moments coming.
Nurse gets a crucial game for a love tap. Lucic will get squat he’s probably buddies with Parros plus George hates the Oilers.
To be fair, I’m happy Nurse only got one for that. It’s never been okay to headbutt people, just like it should never be okay for veteran players to intentionally run goaltenders.
There’s no suspension sadly.
Only because he pumped the brakes a bit before he pasted Smith into the boards. That slight stop prevented a suspension, imo.
It’s a disgrace, but it Calgary is determined to provide fuel for the onslaught. So be it.
Agreed that Lucic could have *ended* Smith there if he had chosen to.
And the funny thing is that probably hurts Calgary! When Lucic is playing by the rules, he’s a liability to his team every second he’s on the ice.
“The two coaches appeared content to run the McDavid line versus the Lindholm unit, power v. power. The was a distinct advantage for Edmonton (3-0 goals, 5-1 HDSC)”
Darryl Sutter seems a little intransigent, perhaps even stubborn on few things.
What adjustments will he make in game 4?
Tkachuk repeatedly made reference to the Flames losing to ONE MAN and to the NEED to stop that ONE MAN. I shudder a little to think what he means by that. (he’s the closest thing Calgary has to Neal Sheehy)
Not to make light of it because the potential for harm is there, but he may be feeling a little like a cornered turtle.
Tkachuk knows if he gets to lippy or aggressive on Connor Kane will punch his lights out.
When Kane was being considered for the team, I was remembering that years ago I saw him as this cocky, flashy kid. Around this same time Matt Cooke was just a menace. One night Kane put him in his place. I for one generally don’t care for most fighting but that night some respect for him took root.
Tkachuk is his team’s best player, and its a bit humorous to me that he is admitting McDavid is impacting the game in ways he cannot, and yet, he will be asking for similar money when his contract is up.