Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft has been hesitant to shuffle his lines and pairings, but a Game One loss to the Colorado Avalanche might offer an opportunity. Among the options worth discussing: Leon Draisaitl at No. 2 center, 7D (Kris Russell or Philip Broberg drawing in) and (less likely) Mikko Koskinen sliding in to start over Mike Smith. The one fans want, overwhelmingly, is Dylan Holloway drawing in over Josh Archibald. This should be an interesting day on the way to an exciting hockey night for Oilers fans.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Why the Oilers should play Dylan Holloway against the Avalanche
- Lowetide: Oilers GM Holland gets how much credit for playoff success?
- DNB: Why Cale Makar’s unquestionable goal did in the Oilers in Game 1
- DNB: Oilers vs. Avalanche is Manson vs. Manson
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Ryan McLeod uses blazing speed to move up depth chart
- DNB and Dan Robson: Connor McDavid is the best skater NHL’s skating greats have ever seen
- Peter Baugh and Lowetide: Breaking down Oilers vs. Avalanche
- Lowetide: Why Jordan Dumais could be NHL Draft steal for Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Zach Hyman’s value continues to rise in playoffs
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins having effective playoffs before big goals
- DNB: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets his chance to shine in the playoffs
- DNB: Cody Ceci making himself ‘irreplaceable’ in playoffs
- Lowetide: Oilers future relies on quality coaching replacement in Bakersfield
- 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’
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
JAY WOODCROFT
When Jay Woodcroft was hired as coach, and had some early success, I made a comment on the Lowdown one day about his honeymoon period. I suggested that a few months down the line, fans would begin to pick away at his decisions and the online conversation of the day would go from “brilliant” to “give him time he’ll figure out his mistake” to “why, he’s just as dumb as the last guy!” but the fans haven’t turned on the coach even a little.
In yesterday’s comments on this blog, Woodcroft was mentioned about one dozen times. Not one comment could be construed as negative. On twitter, fans badly want to see Dylan Holloway in the lineup and I hope it happens. Tonight would be a good night, I think, but the club may decide to run Archibald or seven defensemen or maybe Derick Brassard gets another chance.
Anyway, Woodcroft has been coach for almost four months and I haven’t seen even one Datsun driving around carrying a trailer with a sign that “Jay can’t stay!” It’s a good feeling, talking and reading people who haven’t given up on someone yet. I think the comments on the blog recently have been fantastic and I thank you.
So much of online conversation on the Oilers in recent years is a black and white world. That’s a difficult position, and leads to disagreements, name calling and bullying. None of that is constructive nor enjoyable and for some of us ruins a wonderful opportunity to discuss ideas, change minds and learn. Thanks for elevating this forum with your good posts and thoughtful prose. I needed to see it again.
I do this every year, kind of a quick overview of players worth looking at, signing or in some cases, drafting if they re-enter. Here we go.
- RW Ryan Francis, Calgary. He was No. 54 on my 2020 list. I wrote “playmaking winger who plays a smart game” at the time, and I think he’s worth pursuing. I’m not certain but believe he is eligible for the 2022 draft. If he isn’t chosen, he will become a free agent.
- LD Filip Johansson, Minnesota. First-round selection from 2018, I didn’t rank him. He’s a free agent and the numbers in the SHL a solid.
- LC Evan Vierling, New York Rangers. Playmaking center spiked late. Excellent passer. I had him No. 101 in 2020, he didn’t play last season but scored 20 for the Barrie Colts this season.
- RW Connor McClennon. I liked him on draft day, No. 44 in 2020. He is undersized and skilled . Scored 43 goals in 62 games for the Winnipeg Ice and goes back in the draft.
MATCHUPS IN GAME ONE
Connor McDavid
- Avs hard matched Devon Toews-Cale Makar (14+ minutes) and 97 was outscored 2-1 and lost the shot battle 14-8.
- McDavid faced the Nathan MacKinnon line for 13:04, lost the shot battle 10-9 but outscored line 2-1.
- Josh Manson was outshot 2-0 in 1:21 (1-0 Edmonton goals).
- Jack Johnson was on the ice for just 40 seconds against McDavid.
- Could Woodcroft get 97 some clean air by double shifting him on the fourth line?
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
- Nuge faced the Kadri line 8:31, 4-4 shots and 1-0 goals. That’s a damn tough match, if Nuge can do it all series expect Woodcroft would love it.
- Nuge lost the goal share (2-0) in 2:25 against the MacKinnon line.
Darnell Nurse
- Played 11 minutes against Toews-Makar, lost shots 10-4 and goals 3-0.
- Played 10:34 against MacKinnon line, lost shots 8-4 and goals 2-0.
One of Woodcroft’s greatest powers since arriving from Bakersfield is recovering after losses. He has been doing his MacGyver work since Game One ended, and I’m looking forward to seeing his tweaks. No guarantee of winning, Colorado is Everest, but it’s so much fun to talk about a coach who has knows he has some moves available on the chess board.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we hit the ground running with a Game 2 preview. Chris Johnston, TSN Insider, will join us to talk about the Oilers-Avs and the Rangers-Lightning. We’ll devote the entire show to the Oilers game tonight, examining it front to back. Also, there will be a special announcement at 11:45 this morning on the show, if you read this blog or listen to the Lowdown you’ll want to tune in. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Game 3 in Edmonton is going to be must-win. In our own barn. Away from altitude. Best chance to make a dent!
Did anyone see a different angle of the Landeskog hit (blindside?) on Yamamoto?
Is everyone pretty sure it was clean?
No.
Holloway and Russell in for Archibald and Kassian. Go 11-7.
If Yamamoto can’t go, then Shore I guess.
The Oilers really don’t have a contending defense. Unless the forwards really commit to tracking back hard and battling along the walls and the corners of the defensive zone, it become really tough.
Archibald and Kassian are just not useful at all against the Avalanche.
Darnell Nurse is a competitor, and even at $9M he’s a player I want on the Oilers (that’s a self-inflicted wound by Oilers management). He’s versatile, plays lots of minutes in all disciplines, and paired with a good defender can handle the very toughest of minutes. But Woody needs to have a hard talk with him. He’s always been a player whose incredible physical gifts compensated for some less than optimal decision making. He can’t accelerate right now, it’s clear, and that is making his decision making even worse while also robbing him of his greatest tools to fix his mistakes. He’s hurting the team playing too many minutes, and too many hard minutes. That’s on Woody, but Nurse needs to be honest with himself and the team. I’m not even certain he can compete in a soft minutes role, but it’s a start. 11/7, Broberg/Russell and Holloway in, Arch and Kassian out. Koskinen vs Smith is a tough one, but Koski has played Colorado well and Smith is always so deep in his net. Desperation time, let’s see what they do!
“Let ’em know you’re there” – Reg Dunlop.
I’m not saying goon it up, but so far the Oilers seem to be the Charlestown Chiefs at the beginning of the final game – just happy to be in the WCF. Somebody needs to set the tone at the beginning of Game 3, and let the Avs know that the free ride is over. Nothing stupid like Kassian on the bench tonight, more McDavid on Durzi. Somebody in that room has to pull a Shoresy…..
“We’re not losing another f’n game”
At the risk of sounding like a homer or making excuses for the team, but two of our most important guys are playing through significant injuries. It’s a big damn deal. We might limp through victories against the Kings and Flames, but the Avs are simply better than those teams. Things might be different if MacKinnon and Toews were hurt and Nurse and Drai were healthy. The Oilers are a very good team, with miles ahead of them yet.
Remember when we were scared to even make the playoffs? Then we made it and said we should win Round 1, but maybe lose out in Round 2…and the season would still be considered a somewhat success? We’re now in Round 3 and the opponent we’re playing is considered the favourite to win the cup…and they’ve played two games in a row to prove that status.
We, on the other hand, haven’t showed up yet like it’s the WCF. Or even like the team all of us on here have seen this season…a very good hockey team. So now we’re down 2-0. This team is one thing and that is: consistently inconsistent. A true heart attack team. And it’s too bad because this series would be crazy amazing if they just showed up.
It’s time for a home crowd and desperation to turn this series…I am really hoping to see Holloway in on Saturday too. Throw him into the fold and at least he gets to see how elevated your game needs to be to play in this league. How great would it be to see him score that big goal we need in his debut? The team could use a boost, and he could help with that. Now that Yams may be out for a while…Holloway is a logical replacement on the 3rd line IMO.
And finally, the Avs don’t have Makar (Nurse) and Rantanen (Draisaitl) playing injured. Imagine us at full health and playing our game like we can with their #1 Dman and #2 Forward hobbled…do you think the Avs stand a chance? No way. We know this.
LT said it best…win or lose…just enjoy the ride. GOG!!!
Sadly, I think he may be in for Yamamoto.
well said. I think this team has turned a corner. There are many warriors including those that are playing injured. Sure I wish they had won a game in Denver, but they did not and yet I am proud of how they battled especially Nurse and Drai. lets hope that home cooking brings a win on Saturday
My one concern with continuing to play Smith is that he plays pretty deep in his net, and the Avs are chalk full of guys who are going to pick corners mercilessly. Is Koskinen the better solution?
The better solution would be to play the trap
In defence of Nurse: if you are as hurt as he appears, you cannot make good decisions. Little plays like that botched pass to Nuge, with something like a core injury, everything is going to be worse.
I like the player and look forward to seeing him healthy next season. As for now? Please no.
Well, small consolation, but the Oilers haven’t been the worse chokers in major league sports tonight – GSW on the verge of losing via a 40 (!) point swing in the 4th quarter. Yikes.
How can choke when you don’t even score a goal on a supposed backup goalie? Choke implies you were in the lead at some point or favoured to win
3 goals in 2 minutes qualifies in most books. Perhaps you’d accept the word ‘collapse’?
Welcome to lowetide, by the way!
May as well put in Holloway at this point. How much worse can it be? Perhaps he provides some needed speed and jam, and energy. I would also put in Russell and Broberg and sit Nurse. He is clearly hurting and playing him is a detriment to the team.
I’m for this move but I fear many ppl here don’t realize how fast and rough the NHL is compared to the A. I predict, at best, Holloway will stay on the right side of the puck and perhaps skate it out of trouble once or twice. He’ll likely be a non-factor (which is already superior to Arch & Kassian).
Avs won’t know what hit them with all the extra oxygen in the air!
I hope you’re right. Because, if you aren’t, it may get ugly….
Booby Orr is in the discussion as GOAT
The Habs stole his thunder
Makar is a nightmare
Steal his thunder
Wouldn’t he look great in an Oilers’ jersey instead of Nurse? According to money they are worth the same……the reality however….
So what made you decide that tonight was the night to try and usurp HH as resident troll? I appreciate the thought, but frankly the position is already filled by the superior version.
I am just being honest….what are you referring to?
Way off base that is a fair comment
Regardless of this particular reply (which ignores important context, like UFA vs. RFA) they’ve been sending needling replies on practically every post-game comment.
There’s a difference between complaining and trying to get a reaction out of people, and Fabio has consistently been trying the latter.
According to money Cale Makar is worth almost twice this year. Checks out. Nice try.
lol are you gonna tell me that you would prefer to have Nurse rather than Makar?
Next season…Nurse will get paid $12 million…Makar $8 million.
Makar will be playing his 23 year old season…Nurse will be playing his 27 year old season.
Wonder how that will turn out?/
I thought he got 9.25
Both will be better than Rafferty, ya jackass.
If actual salary in any given season has any value in discussion, then we should talk about Keith and $1.5MM next season.
Nurse will be an Oiler for life….no one will touch that deal…..and everyone thought the Lucic and Koskinen deals were bad….lol
Don’t worry, when Makar comes off his entry level he will make far more than Nurse, or any other dman in the league for that matter.
Sorry. He already makes $9 mill
No problem
He is making less than Nurse for the next 5 years…..at 23 years of age….and will only get better. Nurse’s deal will be way worse that Lucic’s and Koskinen’s
Ffs ppl. RFA years are generally cheaper than early UFA years. The team has more power in the negotiation.
Avs played damn near a flawless game. Zone entries at will.
They’re sick. Honestly an amazing team.
It reminds me of the Sakic/Forsberg Avalanche team. The Stars team of that era would grind you and then Modano would burn you, but they had plugs like Hatcher and Ledyard.
Avalanche? Just a bunch of rockets that would smoke you out.
Kadri for Barrie + and Toews for a couple second rounders. Two of the most lopsided trades I think ever.
Shows you how dumb Toronto was to dump him to pay Tavares 11 mil???lol
And expiring Duchene for Bryam, Girard +. Straight robbery. Byram on an entry deal in their top 6 is ridiculous. He’ll be a top pair guy soon, injury the only thing that’s held him back.
It’s weird how strong a team can look
But it’s a reflection of the opponent
We’ve seen it with the good guys enough
We rolled over and played dead these two games
There are some people who are upset with the Avs, but hold on: you bring an Archibald, a Kassian, and a one legged Nurse to a gun fight and you get blown up. Sorry. That’s what elite teams do.
If you can’t turn, that’s a big problem against Makar/MacKinnon. Can we agree? Also forgot how fast Kadri/Rantanen/Landeskog are. Wow.
The Oilers, as an org, would rather be old-timey and lose than do something out of the box and win. Same goes for half the posters on here. Yes Broberg and Holloway will be better next year, but you might not be here next year. Ask Ovie. Ask Matthews/Marner. Ask Ray Bourque how long he waited for his cup.
Not icing your best lineup in the final four is a disgrace, particularly on the road, and particularly against a coach in Bednar who is no dumbass.
You don’t want the crowd singing with 10 minutes left? Ice your best damn team. Want more to cheer for than Kass copping a feel on Byram (despicable play, hate it) or Archi doing whatever it he does? Play your best players.
And if you were cheering on this terrible deployment? That singing is for you. Enjoy.
i bet you were the teachers pet in drama class!
Hi Johnny Skid! I know you loved the game, all your favourites were out there! Congrats!
You really, really think the 4th line was the difference tonight?
You have me at Holloway for Archie…but McDavid and Drai pitched shutouts tonight.
Shuffle deck chairs at your leisure….the Avs are just the better team
Not only 4th line but decisions on D deployment.
How many Oiler defencemen would start ahead of their Colorado counterparts?
I don’t agree
They are being coached and playing like the better team yes
Beauty
Time for some cajones
Because this is weak sauce no chilis
And Smith didn’t get it back, bye
The second goal was an absolute back breaker.
As disappointing as tonight’s result is, we have shown we are a top eight team now on merit. Just not yet a top contender, unless they prove me wrong at home. No shame in that, it is not a Stanley Cup, but it is definite progress.
Funny thing is, I think we could beat either Tampa or the Rangers in a series, but Colorado is the toughest opponent in the playoffs by far.
Nice comment
But it is pale shelter when you have two league top players
Connor is in prime
Sleepy old managers can bugger off
You don’t get him forever even if he stays
The league isn’t an incomprehensible labyrinth for everyone, that takes drafting luck and rising caps to get on top of
See: Gorton
Done it twice so far and not all draft
I am not sure we are going to have an answer for Makar and Byram.
2 Elite skaters than can nullify a lot of sorties…
We may not but it is doable
A team that can properly enter a zone by choice of options can get in their grills
The Oilers haven’t timed a dump in or line change consistently in years
Small skatey- hit a lot no space, as it ever was
As in our small skatey out with a ‘hit’
Small skatey can’t take a lot of big skatey that hits
Here’s an answer, use Kassian to run them. Gotta make it count though. Need to have done enough damage to take ‘‘em out out this series, but no longer.
You forget Toews.
What a depressing, abysmal game. Ghastly. Where to even begin? There’s something in the playoff water in Edmonton when it comes to melting down. 3 goals against in 2 minutes. Feels too familiar.
I hate that I was right…
I’m not worried. It was a thrashing, but the Oilers haven’t iced their best lineup.
Now, why precisely they haven’t done that is extremely concerning, but perhaps today is the wake-up call.
please share your best lineup
Holloway in, Archi + Kass out. Russell + Broberg in, Nurse out.
Seems like a no brainer to me:)
Koski in net?
And I’m in full agreement – it’s desperation time.
Yeah I think you bring him in
going home- gotta win the next one. You know the team can play so much better than this. I’d put Mikko in, take Nurse out, or at least play him no higher than against the 4th line of Avs. put some pressure on the piss poor refereeing as well at home crowd.
Mr. 9.25 will be an Oiler for life…..and in doing so will prohibit this team from taking the next step
LOL a healthy Nurse is the second best D in the arena when these 2 teams play.
I don’t think I’ve seen HNIC less enthused about a Canadian team in the semis. Even when the game looked closer. They just gloss over the Oilers.
Also, did someone get a timeout? It’s almost like someone thinks this is an Avs fan page.
I thought the Oilers had a good first period.
The problem is, there are so many elements that are just ticking time bombs.
Well it only matters until you lose at home.
If anyone is good at lip reading, you’ll have seen how Darnell feels the reffing went today
Darnell should give half of his salary to Oscar Klefbom……because if it wasn’t in part for Oscar’s injured shoulder he wouldn’t come close to the salary coming his way…..
If they keep taking liberties, the whole embellishment thing the Avs do looks less bad.
Based on this last two minutes the Oilers are done.
Well this is going like most folks thought it would.
Lots of vitriol here but the Oilers collectively weren’t mentally tough enough to regroup after the first goal or 2. Defeated play since then.
“you’re not out of a series until you lose at home”
Woodcroft’s glow is starting to ebb but the series ain’t over yet and he has a few cards (although they’re J’s and 10’s) up his sleeve. Will he sit Nurse? Its the humane thing to do , IMO.
Well, technically the Oilers can lose the series, but not lose at home.
True, would be happy with game 7, though!
That only happens if Nurse decides to sit himself……
Since Manwood didn’t downgrade his minutes or match-ups, even playing him at the end of the game there, I’d say that there’s little chance he’s coming all of the way out of the line-up
So a little Tippet stubbornness sneaking in.
Was kinda wishing Darnell would headbutt an Av in those last minutes…
I can’t stand this loyalty BS
Play the best players available. Get the best players available and everyone else grow up
I would so rather have Danault on the team than Nuge
So much vanilla and excuse making
No risk no reward right?
Holloway in for Kassian. He’s a liability
I never bought that Woody out coached Sutter
The players win the games
Woody’s players are playing like shit
Woody isn’t putting his aces in their places and it will cost if he doesn’t grow a pair
Forget pecking order and salary
Perform or be replaced
Such an opportunity sitting there
Kane gets it
Kadri with the slash that knocks Smith’s trapper off.
After the chop to the back Drai’s neck.
Filthy filthy plays, if karma is a real thing he may have something coming.
Kane should have taken Kadri out
Your singing sucks ass, Denver
Well it was a fun run, i had almost forgotten the Oilers propensity for making backup goaltenders look like Vezina winners.
Beating the Avalanche 4 times in 5 games seems to be a virtually impossible task, lets see who’s got the mental toughness to fight to the end and who throws in the towel and gets a swift kick out of town this summer.
Looks like their Stanley Cup was beating the Flames
Board the plane…
Go home , talk to the wives, sleep in your own beds and get ready for 2 home games. They can beat Colorado but gotta get their collective heads outta their asses…..
I see the same. Everyone looking at Col through rose coloured glasses. They’re beatable.
I thought it was pretty even until the first goal. That bottom 6 is terrible. I still don’t understand why we don’t have unicorns.
This is tough to watch.
May as well play loose now boys. Nothing on the line.
Bullshit
Break this fucking shutout
Well that’s the game there. And of course a personification of how stupid they’ve played tonight. Lost their cool over Yamo. Bonkers turnovers. No puck support. Low% passes. Too many 1-man rushes.
They’ve played so poorly. Avs are good but not this good. They barely tested their backup.
Also, are blind-side hits ok? Scott Stevens is smiling on that Yamo hit.
Yeah 30 games easy, thanks for the input.
Buncha divers holy crow Makar. And Mackinnon.
I hate these guys more than the Flames I think. At least they didn’t snap their heads back any time someone enters their area code.
The whipped head on these Avs, it’s ridiculous.
looked like a backhanded glove swat
Divas
From top to bottom, from the coaching decisions to the goalies, to the D, to the forwards, the Oilers have all been atrocious tonight.
LT outlined it well after the second, but nobody should be hanging this on Smith.
How about giving the Avs credit, no?
Hey! An offside call!
Is it true that Colorado have Kadri, Manson, Burakovsky, and Nichushkin as free agents this summer?
yes
and Kuemper
Yes.
And they also have $27 million in cap space to navigate with while having ZERO dead cap.
Not enough to sign all those players
And last season of cheap MacKinnon.
So, in other words, Kenny has virtually zero chance stealing any of them correct?
They will sign Kadri and Burakovsky. As you saw tonight, when you play defence Francouz is more than enough.
If you dress this 4th line against the Colorado Avalanche, you’re interested in something, but whatever that thing is, it’s not winning.
Nurse has been completely exposed. D is way too slow.
Are we all enjoying Archi wearing down the D? Kassian grabbing Byram while sitting on the bench? Closer to cowardice than toughness, ymmv.
A silver lining: third line not on the ice for a GA. I think McLeod and JP have been effective.
That’s been their best line:)
What’s hard about this is watching they play so below what we’ve seen. Not taking it away from the Avs but they look defeated.
who are these Oilers?
‘We’ll choose the hard way please Alex’
Kassian finding a way to take a penalty, even when he’s not playing.
Useless
And I’ve boostered him
No brains
The stupid is strong with this one
I’m done with it
Time for thinkers where they’re at as a team
Too much dense happening