In the days after Connor McDavid was drafted (and signed), we discussed the 2015-16 roster and how long it would take for Stanley to visit. For most of his first seven seasons playing for the Edmonton Oilers, the team has sputtered. This year’s team was only the fourth to make the postseason and the first to push to the conference finals. McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are the only two remaining players from the group discussed as opening night options in 2015.
Edmonton is in a tough spot this morning, but it’s not impossible. Last change, home fans, and the desire to keep the dream alive. The Oilers are about to show what they can do against a team that could win the Stanley Cup later this month. Enjoy the game, it’s the most important home game for these Edmonton Oilers since June 17, 2006.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: WHL’s 2022 defence crop attractive target for Oilers at NHL Draft
- New DNB: Oilers on brink of disaster after a crushing 2 minutes in Colorado
- 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
THE PLAYOFFS
As the Oilers progress through the conference finals, it’s normal to begin putting the season in perspective. It’s my belief the Edmonton Oilers made real progress this year, with the arrivals of Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson a quantum leap for the organization.
For me, the entire postseason has been pure fun. Watching this team play in huge games all spring has uncovered some expected strengths, some emerging talent, and a few players who may not be on the Stanley team should it arrive.
Connor McDavid and his other-worldly gifts powered the Oilers through the first two rounds, with Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane and Zach Hyman providing elite support. Three of the four are signed for next season, and one of the major stories in the summer will surround Kane’s next contract and a possible re-signing with Edmonton.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leads the complementary offensive forwards, and help in this area is increasing. Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi cemented roles as regular contributors, and Ryan McLeod is pushing to join the group.
Among players from Bakersfield, Dylan Holloway appears ready to play as an NHL regular as early as tonight. Excluding Kane, that’s eight players with enough skill to play in the top-nine next season.
The group who may be questionable for return due to a combination of cap and performance include Warren Foegele, Zack Kassian, Derek Ryan and Devin Shore. Ryan has the best chance to return, he’s an effective depth player who can help in multiple roles. The fourth line and extra forwards are going to need a long look over the offseason.
Darnell Nurse will lead the defense again next season, Puck IQ gives us an idea about how Manson handled the team down the stretch against elites. These are revealing numbers.
- Darnell Nurse 9:07 per game vs elites; 53.5% DFF; 9-5 goals
- Cody Ceci 7:45 per game vs elites; 52.5% DFF; 6-10 goals
- Duncan Keith 3:55 per game vs elites; 50.8% DFF; 8-2 goals
- Tyson Barrie 3:29 per game vs elites; 46.5% DFF; 7-2 goals
- Evan Bouchard 3:22 per game vs elites; 50.4% DFF; 10-4 goals
- Brett Kulak 3:10 per game vs elites; 56.6% DFF; 2-3 goals
This is a striking view of deployment by the new coaching staff, it’s Nurse-Ceci and then two third pairs down the stretch versus elites. Puck IQ also has a version of the “Vollman Sledgehammer” that I normally don’t use because this is Puck IQ’s innovation not mine, and everyone should click and visit please and thanks. I’m using the Sledgehammer because it’s an effective visual aid.
That’s a team that needs more defensemen, and the coaching staff recognized it immediately. Nurse is injured now, and the coaching staff is still convinced he’s the best available. That’s fascinating to me, I’ll be watching tonight to see if there’s a tweak on home ice. As for Nurse, well he’s getting ripped over the last two games and one hopes for a better result in the days to come. His contract means several years of the Shawn Horcoff Experience, but the evidence during the regular season (and in the playoffs) tells us he’s quality. In the LAK series, his five-on-five on-ice goal differential (10-4) reflected a strong performance against a good team. In the Calgary series, Nurse posted 9-6 goals in spite of a tough Game One (1-4). Against Colorado, it’s 1-6 and I do think backing off his minutes is the right choice. We find out tonight.
REACTION IN REAL TIME
I don’t use twitter like I used to, my preferred usage now is a couple of lists devoted to specific things. Once in a blue moon, I’ll zip on to the main highway and have a look. There are some incredible takes currently on Jay Woodcroft’s coaching and I just want to take a moment and remind you that it’s possible to be very intelligent, have a keen eye about a specific sports team, and still let your emotions run away with your typewriter. I’ve done it, still do it.
There are things about the Oilers current deployment I don’t understand. Nurse still playing big minutes, the existence of the fourth line. However, I think we can agree Woodcroft has access to more information than we do, he may also have pressures from upper management that will never see the light of day.
It happens you know. Davey Johnson, newly hired manager of the Mets, had to beg GM Frank Cashen (who hired Johnson) every day of spring training to keep Dwight Gooden on the opening day roster (Gooden would go 17-9 at age 19) even though the entire baseball world was buzzing about the young righthander spring 1984.
If you’re mad about Woodcroft’s deployment of Nurse and Archibald, I understand. It’s best to wait until the season is over, and a time of reflection allows us to see the results in the light of day. You do you, but keep in mind there’s much we do not know at this time.
“To me, we’ve seen that type of hockey play during the playoffs. Its unfortunate someone got hurt. – Woody on the Kane/Kadri play.
He then went on to talk about being assessed, and killing, the 5 minutes.
There’s a lot of good losing going on here, nice to see. Got to lose like a winner, not a loser.
The Woodcroft Oilers have arrived. GM has some work to do to patch some leaks but this was a massive run. In October, many said this team had to win a couple rounds in order to prove they’ve taken then next step, and they did just that.
A loss to Colorado in the conference finals. A massive Battle fo Alberta victory. Pretty nice consolation prize. They smell it and can feel it now.
This has been one helluva entertaining year of Oilers hockey and I can’t wait for game 4, let’s see if we can get another win. Go Oilers!
Well said. We have taken the next step. GM work this off-season is going to be important. Kane is an important piece and gives us something that is needed. I’m still cheering we sign him to something reasonable. We really need to rework our 4th line especially seeing what the NYR have
First of all….for the record…I’m a huge fan of Bouchard and can see him developing before our eyes into a top pair Dman for the next decade+
But….I can’t help but wonder….if he had logged a bunch of minutes last year in either the AHL or NHL….would he have made that mistake tonight on the 3rd goal?
That mistake reeked of inexperience. He took the direct path to the puck instead of to the net…cavalier? miscalculated? inexperienced? It’s too bad he learned that lesson in the conference finals…I bet we never see that mistake from him again.
my opinion then was that the biggest error during the winnipeg series was not playing Bouchard, and my opinion now is that we are repeating the sins of the past with Holloway.
There is a consolation prize if you get your top prospects into deep playoff runs. There is no consolation prize if youre running Archibald and Malone.
Out of curiosity, which defenseman would you have sat in order to play Bouchard last year?
I would have played him in the AHL last year
That’s a committed team sittin on the other bench. Turned the other cheek. Hands down in scrums. Took hits to make plays, blocked a ton of shots. Refused to give up ground, you had to take ice from them….
Hope the Oilers were taking notes.
That Avs team has finally learned. After years of failure. We will too. Plus we have a year of growth to come and an off-season to improve.The more success the Avs have the more their cap is pressured with all those free agents and MacKinnon looking for a deal.
We will be better.
Remember Woody said (something like), “the team that is committed to playing the right way harder for longer wins.”
That hasn’t been us.
But we also don’t quite have the horses yet.
Lady Luck is a harsh mistress.
Bouchard’s shot is an inch to the right and the Oil would have won this game.
The two deflected goals… lots of inches in this game.
Tough loss. Lots of work to do in the offseason.
Hopefully one of Bourg or Holloway will be a relevation next season
Keith led the D in 5v5 minutes tonight
One more note on The Bourg:
His first goal tonight turned out to be the game-winner, his fourth GWG in 12 playoff games thus far.
Only one player in the entire CHL has more GWG–Brennan Othmann with 5. He did it in 19 games. And his team (Flint) is out.
Fair to say The Bourg has assimilated clutchiness.
What a fun run. Very proud of this team.
Young Oilers getting important experience.
The health of Nurse and Drai is obviously a factor.
I do not think this team is far off. Need to improve goalie and 2LD.
Sign Woody forever.
I wonder if Kadri is done. If he is, Binnington is smiling somewhere. Without their 87 point #2C, I’m not sure they can get past the eastern conference team. I’m definitely cool with that after the Leon slewfoot.
I hope Kadri never wins a cup.
Just feels like a big slap in the face. This series is proving that this team will be carried forward with youth, speed and skill. I get what having guys like Smith and Keith can bring but this organization will need to start handing the keys over to players like McLeod, Broberg, Holloway, Bouchard, Yamamoto and Puljujarvi
The Athletic NHL
@TheAthleticNHL
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6m
“The hit, it’s the most dangerous play in hockey.”
Nazem Kadri will miss the remainder of the Western Conference final, head coach Jared Bednar told reporters after Saturday’s Game 3 win over the Oilers.
Dangerous hit indeed. So are slew foots and blindside head shots that go unpenalized.
https://theathletic.com/3349584/2022/06/04/evander-kane-nathan-mackinnon-lazerus?source=user-shared-article
Blind side hits to the head are pretty dangerous. I wonder if Yam will play again this season.
As for Kadri, you turn your back and wait for contact when in a vulnerable position, you get injured sometimes.
Also, have you no shame? This is an Oilers blog and they just went down 3-0.
Also, what a strange malevolence to come here now with this. I can’t even imagine exhibiting behaviour like this. My goodness. Go to an Avs page and rave about knowing it all along.
Brandon Hagel was only fined for a dangerous cross-check on Florida’s Eetu Luostarinen. I think Kane’s cross-check was no worst but Kadri may have an injury and Kane has a history.
https://scoutingtherefs.com/2022/05/34293/lightnings-hagel-fined-after-boarding-penalty-reduced-from-major/
Lol yup. A little emotional tonight
I usually say if the team that beats us i hope wins the championship but if we injured them before they could win well damn we doing the Eastern conference the favour!
@Lowetide please incorporate my prayer i said 7 years ago hours before those lucky balls droped for mcdavid sensation for your game 4 article. Amen
Woody very clear “I thought that was a slew-foot”.
I love that this was his response to being asked about the Kane hit. I’ll be so happy for him the day, soon, when he and Manson get their big deals.
Well, he was asked about both in that question – said he didn’t see the Kadri one but the MacKinnon one was right in front of him and he thought it was a slew-foot.
Those 3-year contracts may happen next week (probably the week after).
A PP there could easily have changed the dynamic of this game.
What a playoffs for Bouchard and McLeod to experience
And Broberg and Holloway got a chance to get used to the atmosphere
Good chance both are in next game.
I agree. Great experience for them for sure
It’s not a knock on the guy, but I’d have busted my stick over the net on that. I’m sure he was just overwhelmed and nauseated. But I’d have let it out right there.
He doesn’t seem to have that anger in him. And maybe that’s a good thing.
You know how the knock on him has always been his urgency backtracking for pucks and that lack of urgency bit him in the ass tonight and he knew it. I think you’re right there was a lot of emotion in that moment, especially having to skate back to the bench. but hopefully that’s also an incredible learning moment. He had a lot to process right then and there.
would like to see Holloway over Kassian for next game….nothing to lose at this point
he’ll be in for Kane.
Tough to beat a team as strong as the Avs. Even tougher when #1D and 2F are as hurt as Nurse and Drai are.
Oilers have scored 2 goals in the last 2 games.
Yep, and respectfully, one of the goals was a beer league goal. From some distance.
All said I know I’m in Fantasyland but we win Monday steal one in Denver come back and win Friday just because we will and game 7 is there for us
there’s going to be no Kane next game
Think so? He got the major. No penalties on the Yam blindside and Leon slewfoot is a true kick in the nards. Oilers haven’t got the benefit of the doubt on a single call this series. Aves have def got it multiple times per game. Just a bit of skew.
Ill never suspect conspiracy when incompetence explains it perfectly too.
He will be suspended. I’d say good odds more than one game. Word is, Kadri has a broken wrist.
Hanlon’s razor.
Shaving tonight, gonna wash my Leon jersey, and sleep a drunken sad sleep. This was a great season boys. Flawed team that gave us the second best prize: crushing the Flames. There’s no shame in tonight. They’re losing to a better team. I’m proud of our boys.
You can’t shave before the series is over.
Im sure it’s written in the unwritten book of die hard hockey fans
That said. I agree, i do think it’s a successful season
I won’t be shaving till it’s over.
Despite the fact I want to rip my face off.
The Oilers played hard, but Colorado is more disciplined and playing structured hockey more effectively. We had more penalties called on us, but we made reckless plays right in front of the referee. I think we have a bright future, but we are outclassed in this series. Sure Nurse and Drai are hobbled, but they lost Kadri, Girard and Kuemper and still kept coming.
The referees were blind to everything illegal by the Avs! When the talent is equal the refs can make the difference and in this game they did exactly that! The blindside hit to Yamamoto with his head targeted could have broken his neck!
Not putting this on smith at all, but has he stolen us a game yet? Every game he has won we have outplayed the opposition. We have lost a couple where the other goalie has stolen one.
You actually are and by the way your not wrong
Smith was brilliant in the 5 minute major. Too bad that’s not enough for people. He gives up 3 with one being a deflection by his Dman and the 3rd is no worse than the 2 the other guy gave up after Bouchard made one of the worst defending plays I’ve seen in a long time.
Goals 1 and 2 were both deflections.
I don’t think folks are going to get past ‘bad bet, too old’ at this point.
Oilers we’re in games 1 & 3 at the end. Had a chance to send both to OT if they had some better puck luck but Av’s are the superior team. Makar maybe 2nd best player in world & Toews is elite. Gonna need better goaltending next year, continued development from 13, 56, 71 and 75 (hopefully one pops into a real difference maker), Broberg emerging as 4/5 D, and better health come playoff time.
We outplayed them today and deserved this one. Chalk it up to bad bounces and the other goalie standing on his head.
U watching same game?
Shots on goal while ignoring scoring chances and high danger chances?
obv
Oilers with a massive edge in 5 on 5 play in each of the first and second periods. HD events massively in favor of the Oilers.
The “shot advantage” was all PP.
How many of those shots were on the PP?
Are we no longer counting special teams?
No one told me.
We’re not out of this yet. Call me optimistic but we’ve been playing better in each game. We win the next one and who knows. Just please let’s see Holloway. He can be a difference maker on the third or fourth line.
One quarter of the Oiler goals in this series have come from McLeod
Half are by a dude with a last name that starts with Mc!
That one hurt.
It’s like this team hit the wall in this series. Not playing with a lot of jump or confidence.
Granted, we have players playing injured but, man, this is not the same team as the first two rounds.
It was a great ride but even I, the eternal optimist, know we are done now.
I was at the game and there was no replay of Bouchard’s shot right before the third Colorado goal. Everyone in the building swears to god Bouch scored.
Can the TV watchers confirm what happened?
No replay due to the goal – looked like crossbar to me – like the 15th time for Bouch….
Now saw a replay – post.
Post
No – it was bar. My seats had a great view of it. So damn sad. That had the makings of an absolute hero shift.
And as a defenceman – someone should have been covering for him once the play started the wrong way. That’s my job if I’m on his opposite side.
It was about two feet off the ice almost dead middle of the post
Came straight off the post. Hit it dead middle almost.
I see this place is back to the same old whipping posts regardless of what else happens out there.
yeah, am ok with letting folks vent, this was a frustrating game for the home side
am wondering what we’re gonna see Monday – so many possibilities
How does anyone blame this on Smith? He made a half dozen Super A grade saves, and the first two that went in were deflections and bad luck. Smith kept us in this game.
Because Colorado goalie made 1 more.
And that’s on Smith? The Oilers scored 2 goals.
Yes. That’s what he’s paid for.
What’s that, scoring goals?
No stopping them. Stands on his head making ridiculous saves is great. But he has to stop that 3rd goal every time and doesn’t. Look at game 1. Gave up a goal right after we scored a huge 3 times. Literally cost us the game. We got 6 goals
The other goalies must be garbage too them, right.
Both Oiler goals were weak, especially McLeod’s. But like I said, the Oilers have scored 2 goals in 2 games against a back-up goalie, but sure let’s blame Smith…not the lack of scoring, not the lack of scoring depth, not shitty weak-ass plays like Bouchard on the 3rd goal.
No question we needed to score more. My opinion is if we a true #1 goalie we’re up 2-1. You disagree and that’s fine. I do respect your opinion
It’s not all on Smith. But that wasn’t a good goal.
Bear got run out of town for a play that was a minor flub compared to what Bouchard did tonight and Nurse last night. We’re not going to drive these guys to the airport too are we?
Nurse is an excellent player, but if we can drive him to the airport before that massive overpay kicks in, ill chip in for gas.
Ha!
You and others are all for driving other players for far less
Quite the opposite. I don’t think single plays in the playoffs should result in an escort to Leduc. Bear, Eberle classic recent examples of quality players outed for a single suboptimal play in the playoffs. Ridiculous.
Bear’s done real well since being traded…
Was Bear run out of town? Didn’t realize.
That’s a really tough game to lose. The Oilers played very well.
Probably still not their ‘best’ game, but that was a lot closer. They definitely did not get the bounces tonight though.
Not a fan of conceding this game with 34 seconds left by putting smith in net.
Is Nuge injured?
I presume that noone is feeling great in the body.
He was second best in a lot of battles tonight…
Still excellent progress since Woody arrived. VERY proud of these men. Top four on merit, only a couple of pieces away from being the team we had hope they might become. Holloway? Bourg maybe?
Going to be a very interesting offseason for this squad. I think we have the attention of a LOT of players now as a desirable hockey destination.
I’m not sure they will be players in the UFA market though….. need to keep the team together this off-season, plug in some high pedigree young talent (Holloway, Broberg). The following off-season should have more free agency money.
The D is not good enough to play teams in the conference final.
no, it is not
but also comes with a guy on one leg and a rookie.
I really don’t know which it is for Mike Smith , is he good to be lucky or lucky to be good. He makes huge saves , then let’s in a couple he should have had . Now Oiler need to win four straight . Not likely .
I can’t believe that dribbled through Smith.
Koskinen next game? That was a brutal goal.
Yes, I’d absolutely start him next, and I’m not his biggest fan. Smith’s bad goals are always at the worst possible time and cost yet another game. Koski is the only Oiler goalie to beat the Avs this yr. Get him and Holloway in there asap.
I imagine there is all but no chance Koskinen starts game 4.
I agree, but I think starting Smith again is the wrong call.
Hang this on Smith and Holland. 3 games in a row he’s the second best goalie. It’s not the ones you stop but when you stop them.
Bouchard?
You know I’m on the anti-Smith train and have been for a long time…
But they’re going to lose this series because Darnell Nurse didn’t pull himself out of the lineup. When your “#1” is responsible for so many GAs, extended zone time, and can’t skate, you have very little to work with.
Woodcroft should’ve scratched him by now of course, but that’s a whole other matter.
And no – there is no profound nobility in stinking the joint out, costing your team games and continuing on while you’re hurt and there are capable pros ready behind you.
Nurse has been a trainwreck. But the only person culpable for him playing is Woodcroft.
I agree with this. I don’t know if Nurse is being dishonest about how much he is hurting or Woody doesn’t feel he has any options. But based on how Nurse is moving, Woody should be overruling the situation and putting Russell in. A healthy Russell is better than an injured Nurse.
Woodcroft clearly feels he’s the best option
What, Nurse should have pulled himself from the line-up? Some people are bat-shit crazy.
if anything, lets discuss Woodcroft’s lineup decision with the the D.
Timely goaltending does not exist for the Oilers. Fix this, Ken. And one can talk all you want how the Defense needs to be better (very true) and the forwards need to be better (very true) but every team in the league needs a save at key times if they are ever going to win.
No team has ever won a championship without their goalie stealing a game here and there.
Twenty-eight GMs and goalies failed to get this far. We don’t have Vasilevsky or Shesterkin in net. But under the present cap environment messianic goaltending is going to need to come from within. And the Avs have just shown that even with a backup playing aginst one of the most potent offenses in the playoffs, you can play good enugh D to limit goals against.
It’s not lost on me that the Oilers are in the final four (although it seems to be lost on the pathetic Sportsnet Panel); however, my frustration stems from my view that the Oilers came this far on the backs of having a pretty good team with a driven McDavid and strong coaching (minus some questionable decisions in the current series).
We may not have Vasi, but I would speculate that the Oilers would likely have had a different result (especially in games 1 and 3) if we had, say, Francouz in net. Or James Reimer. Or a goalie of that calibre. I guess we cannot say for sure, but I do know the bad goals have come at the worst times in this series.
So true. Smith makes huge saves but gives up the killers. We could outscore that vs LA and the Flames but not Colorado
How does stopping all of what you call “killers” but not making the “huge” saves change anything though?
Nuge should have skated that up….Leon with his tunnel vision for 97…low% pass frustrating.
Terrible play by Drai on that one
Drai’s was a pylon since being slewfooted (again)
Except when he walked Johnson for a high danger shot.
Bouchard held that puck in on that pp in a way Barrie has not all series and then got a shot through that hit the post…the luck involved in that shot hitting a post and springing a breakaway is just brutal. I wish he woulda won the puck battle but that shift was 90% good for him. Few bounces for us this game.
Honestly so hard to even fault him. You’ve got a guy who was just out on the ice for a minute verses a guy who just got to sit for over two minutes.
Malarky. He needs to get the puck, or get the man. Letting a guy inside and behind you, with a loose puck, is not an option.
100%. Also just thinking about being the second best team in a series…you are hanging on those little bounces because you NEED the luck to go your way to stay in it. We were the better team against Calgary and they got hung up about that called back goal because they NEEDED it to go their way. We have been beaten fair and square by the Avs but the missed calls and lucky bounces just put it completely out of reach. Gotta improve the team to where we can compete with the Avs now.
Nonsense. All he had to do was poke it into the corner. Weak-ass play.
Valuable lesson for Bouch though. If he had skated back to get between the puck and the net, instead of trying to win the footrace to the puck, that’s probably not going to lead to a scoring chance.
I agree. Some element of mistake. Saw a lot of good in his shift, kind of wish he’d been out for the empty net as Barrie has just lost that extra gear offensively it seems. Bouch has the ability to get the puck through.
Smith had a monster game.
and monstrous at times
Smith was great. I think the Oilers got a high quality start from their goaltender and a strong push from the crowd. That said, for me, the story of the night was “Colorado played better.”
I don’t even agree with the last part.
Colorado’s first 2 goals were bad bounces, and they got an extra 7 minutes of PP time. The Oilers were the better team tonight, and yet Smith didn’t lose it for them.
And Nuge decides to pansy out at the point.
Man o man that one sucks.
PP can’t cash, Bouch forgets his man strength and Smith got punked.
Man that sucks
Good summary.
Especially disappoinintng with Kadri out, vs back-up goalie, at home with Woodcroft’s ‘wizardry’ supposedly in play.
Truth is the Oilers have reached their peak.
Not sure what we see Monday???!!!
It was a very tightly checked game.
They were right there. Had the PP to win it. McDavid robbed, Bouchard hits a post and then loses a battle. Can’t believe Smith let “that” one in.
Rookie defense can break your heart.
Bahhh that was deflating. Broke the heart that one.
Oh Nuge
Good season boys. Could not buy a break tonight.
Bummer 🙁
There she goes.
Still no shot thru from Barrie
Still can’t get point shot thru
Ceci dumps in from the point?