This is a snapshot of the first steps made in pro hockey by Connor McDavid back in September of 2015. The best players on this team (McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse) played at Rogers Place last night, losing the third game in a row to the Colorado Avalanche. This team has injuries, the burden of being the second best team on the ice, and made mistakes time and again last night. The truth: Edmonton could have won that game.
While the Avalanche work hard and smart, the Oilers work hard but make small mistakes that add up. Add the fact Colorado has been enjoying some grand luck (Evan Bouchard rattles the post, inches from being a hero, then grabs goat horns from fans later in the play), and it’s a miserable Sunday morning for Oilers fans. This too shall pass.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ Warren Foegele may be victim of cap crunch this summer
- New DNB: Oilers’ offense quickly devolves from strength to weakness against Avalanche
- Lowetide: WHL’s 2022 defence crop attractive target for Oilers at NHL Draft
- 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
A FEW THOUGHTS
The Oilers have lacked discipline in this series, the game plan appears to involve matching Colorado’s physicality but the Avalanche have been on the power play double Edmonton so far in the series. It hasn’t been a major factor, Jay Woodcroft’s PK is one of the stories of these games, but the lack of discipline is something the team needs to overcome.
Evander Kane took away the momentum last night in a careless moment. Connor McDavid had just scored, the joint was rocking, and the five-minute penalty (it’s quite possible a game will be tacked on) was ill-timed and dangerous.
Mike Smith was at times Glenn Hall and at others Red Light Racicot in the same game, the range of emotions for fans river deep, mountain high. His high-wire style is ill-suited to a team with this many holes defensively.
Evan Bouchard also had an uneven game, with at least a couple passes to no one at all in the neutral zone, and less than ideal positioning on the second Colorado goal. He was almost the hero late when his shot hit iron, and then things turned completely around on the winner when the young man lost a battle. I expect some will blame him but for me this splendid young talent is learning on the job and I’ll take those learning pains 10 times out of 10.
Darnell Nurse was once again at the center of controversy, although the goal off his skate is bad luck. The puck over glass is something a veteran can’t do, and the own-goal hurt like hell, but he remains the defenseman of choice by Woodcroft even in a series of struggle. I respect that, even though I don’t endorse it. Respect for Nurse as well, who is giving all he can in the part of the game that is most difficult. One hopes he arrives at next season’s playoffs completely healthy.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a nice rebound game at five-on-five, I think he would have been more valuable in this series if the team had been able to get some footing in either of the first two games. Nuge’s subtle approach to the game doesn’t work when chaos rules.
Jesse Puljujarvi had a good game, his line was rock solid (4-0 HDSC) when he was on the ice. I would have preferred JP on the top line, but the No. 3 unit is finding traction with the Finn along for shifts. Then again, the McDavid line had seven HDSC in the game and Zack Kassian delivered three of them according to Natural Stat Trick. Kassian’s issue, as always, is defensive coverage, and he was not good enough in this area again last night.
Ken Holland should take a little time this summer to hire an analytics department. The team could use help in pro scouting, this team will need an edge in the years to come when making trades. I’m not anti-Holland, the amateur scouts are rocking and credit to him for Kane, Cody Ceci, Zach Hyman and deadline acquisition Brett Kulak.
What the Oilers really need is someone to build a list of possible targets in free agency, trade and minor league acquisitions. Not every useful player costs two picks and $6 million. This team needs to get smart in the subtle pro procurements. Edmonton used to do that kind of thing, grab Steve Staios in free agency and plug him in for five years. Is Jonas Siegenthaler of the New Jersey Devils turning a corner? Is he available? I think the Oilers need to have that covered just in case.
Ryan McLeod reminds me of the Boys on the Bus era Oilers. That young man is going out there and playing the game, using his speed to drive defensemen to distraction. I believe the young men (Bouchard, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, McLeod) who have contributed to this run made a great account of themselves.
Jay Woodcroft’s decisions in this series have people questioning him for the first time since he arrived from Bakersfield. Several things he’s tried, or not tried, have the look of stubborn this morning. You’ll have to look long and hard to find a more zealous Nurse defender than this blog’s author, but placing Kulak with Ceci was the play here after Game One, and Woodcroft didn’t pull the trigger.
Keeping Puljujarvi on the third line helped the third line, but this team needs a strong No. 1 line to succeed. I think the organization has lost the truth in Puljujarvi’s game, and it’s a shame for all involved.
There has been much made about Dylan Holloway drawing in, for me it didn’t make any sense until the Kailer Yamamoto injury. Last night would have been a reasonable game to include the rookie in the lineup, but it didn’t happen. Game Four could be the moment, depending on Kane’s availability.
It’s clear the Avalanche are the better team, but for me the Oilers have contributed to the 3-0 status with dozens of poor plays around the puck, inconsistent goaltending and several miles of penalties. Woodcroft mentioned the penalty totals were out of balance in this series, suspect the organization will need to reflect on that over the summer. Sometimes not retaliating and not running a guy into the boards is the best tactic.
The margin for error in this series was always razor thin for Edmonton. This series could easily be 2-1 this morning with a sliver of luck. I hope the Oilers coaching staff reflects on specific deployment and lack of discipline against Colorado. It may aid in future success.
I am with Godot, Kassian does not contribute to a WCF team. Holland has a lot of work to do for next year. The Oilers can still win this series (although the fat lady is warming up). GOG
LT’s plan walks Kane, the Oilers leading goal scorer in the playoffs.
Whatever happened to “Get good players. Keep good players?”
To be fair, LT did say he was done with the Oil if they traded Nuge.
Puljujarvi is going to break a lot of Oiler fans hearts. Kid is a bust and it’s going to be a sad day when the stragglers finally come to that realization ala Yakupov.
Stauffer just tweeted:
Given Evander Kane’s 1 game suspension and Kailer Yamamoto potentially missing another game I suspect that Dylan Holloway will merit serious consideration for game 4 vs Colorado.
The 2020 1st rounder’ had 10-16-26 in 38 GP (Reg/Playoffs) with @Condors this season.
This was my favorite McDavid era year by far. If tomorrow is the end then the year is was all up arrows for me.
Holland has some decisions to make this summer but so will the eventual cup winners.
I want to see Holloway next game and I want him to show well so we all get excited for next year in what we have in him.
does anyone know if the suspension can be appealed and Kane play tomorrow>
It would appear to me that JW has employed the best lineup as his intel allows, a veteran group that coaches generally favor. With no young talent of Makar’s level available from college or elsewhere as he was at his first playoff, JW’s decision to keep young talent out of the lineup is correct. Saddling young players with playoff responsibilities before their careers at the NHL begin is non productive and they don’t need that baggage. The veterans have discovered how hard is their favorite playground having been smacked around and departed the ice with slumped shoulders. The patch of youth is too small to hide the holes in the roster.
All the remaining teams have dinged or injured players and find the going tough. The coach of the year professied that playing the Avs would be a waste of 8 days. I hope it’s not less.
Hyman, Foegele and one of RNH or Draisaitl are LW. Holloway, Savoie and Petrov are all listed as LW too.
Does Kane (LW) (31yrs) for money and term make sense?
Hyman and Kane can both play RW. It is still an interesting thought. If we sign Kane, JP, Yamamoto, and McLeod. With Holloway, we’ll have 9 top 9 forwards not including Foegele, Bourgault, Savoie, Petrov, Tullio
Fine for next year but after that if the prospects keep coming, it’s not optimal cap management to have a top 9 player not playing. If we picked a couple to move, Kane is on my keep list. But so much depends on the terms of the contract Kane gets.
How much money and how much term are key questions there.
In terms of the players, Foegele will almost certainly be moved on if Kane re-signs, and Nuge likely plays lots of 3C next season once Draisaitl has two functioning legs again.
Savoie and Petrov are nice prospects, but not the quality of prospects you plan around, because 1) they’re a year or more away, and 2) they’re far from sure things to actually make it as NHLers.
There’s lots of room for Kane/Hyman/Holloway/McLeod (with Holloway and McLeod getting reps at LW and C). And as noted multiple of them can play RW too.
“I think the organization has lost the truth in Puljujarvi’s game, and it’s a shame for all involved”.
Jesse was so dynamic at the start of the year. And even now seems to make everyone better. I’ll be disappointed if he goes.
Just wait till you see how they replace him…..
JP’s journey to this point has had more twists and turns than the Pacific Coast Highway. I really want to see him take the next steps in his pro hockey journey in Oilers silks, but I fear that management and certain media members can’t see past the lack of goal production.
The Bison King is an NHL level player, signed and developed by the Oilers. Personally, I like him for what he is, and enjoy the game more when he’s on the ice.
Summarizing!
It was a much closer game this time, a seesaw affair that saw C’town dominate the shot clock and go ahead with just over a minute left, then Shawinigan tied it with just six seconds left to force OT.
Enter The Bourg.
He tallied 2:50 into the extra frame to give the Cats a 4-3 victory and now head home with a 2-0 series lead. It’s his third OT goal and fifth GWG of these playoffs. He finished 1+1 and was named first star.
Game 3 on TSN 3 Wednesday @ 5 p.m.
Game 4 on TSN 5 Thursday @ 5 p.m.
Game 5 on TSN 4 Saturday @ 2 p.m. (if necessary)
All times, at all times, are Gwynne time.
Video evidence of the Bourgoal:
https://www.rds.ca/videos/hockey/lhjmq/finale-lhjmq-xavier-bourgault-tranche-pour-les-cataractes-en-prolongation-3.1407923
Does anyone know what the linesman controversy was that the colour commentator was so torqued about? Obviously a Charlottetown homer, because he and the PxP Announcer was none too pleased and were still going on about it after the XB OT goal either.
Wow, Gwynne. Locally famous for the Gwynne Valley Ski Hill and the Chickadee Trail. You’ve been everywhere, man!
How much is Kane going to cost?
$6 mil x 3 yrs
That deal could crush the team’s depth.
Not if Holland can dispose of Foegele, Kassian, and Barrie to do it.
Foegele, Kassian, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi, Barrie, Kulak.
4 of the 6 have to go.
To be replaced by Kane, Holloway, Bourgault, and Broberg. Plus, vets on million dollar contracts.
4mil 5 years
Also, so many good comments today.
Great write up by LT – followed by almost every topic being covered by all the people.
Right, wrong or indifferent we all share A LOVE FOR THE OILERS !! Game 3 Loss was heart breaking as it signals the end is near.
I am so Happy & Grateful for this Oilers Playoff run. It wasn’t 80’s Glory or 2006 Magic; but it had it’s own Amazing Emotion …. maybe Game 4 will provide a few more memories for us all.
CHEERS ALL
Courtesy of low tide if anyone wants to read some 2006 series 1 Oilers versus Detroit magic here’s the link and thank you so much low tide for the article that was tremendous Cinderella run that I would never forget and when Edmonton knocked out Detroit i knew we where going to win the cup. And by second period of game 7 i knew the cup run was dead. But it was truely magic. Believe always believe. We still have one game.
https://oilersnation.com/2016/05/19/2006-flashback-round-one-oilers-vs-red-wings/
So KANE takes the 5 min penalty ; which cooled off all the momentum for Edm ..
Now out of the lineup for Game 4. It was a selfish play and possibly cost Edm a chance to be up 2-0 in GM 3 ….. and now he is unavail for Game 4
Poor Play Evander. Selfish play. Suspension deserved.
Usually a team gains a huge amount of momentum after killing off a major without being scored on.
So are you suggesting players should try and get Majors? That they are a positive for a team?
They killed off the penalty if you want to bitch about a penalty how about Nurses brain dead delay of game call. I don’t think that Kane intended to nudge him square between the numbers. Kadri killed us in game two,with Kassian converting to Flower Power and Nurse playing no contact hockey somebody has to do the dirty work. Kane’s the only one besides Archie that has it in him to Neutar the dirtiest player that doesn’t fight in the NHL.
I agree with Reja that a team often gets a momentum boost after a strong PK and, in particular, killing off a long 5 on 3 or a major. I believe the Oilers did have a few strong shifts right after as well (which included McDavid passing off with a wonderful look on net).
Of course, noone would suggest taking penalties intentionally in order to try and create a PK boost but, once they killed off that major, the Oilers were rolling and were in a good spot.
Lets not forget, the Avs had ONE 5 on 5 shot in the period and it wasn’t even a shot, it was a pass that got deflected in.
Of course, the above does NOT condone what Kane did in any way, including as a way to “neuter” Kadri.
Kane did not lose the oilers that game and scoring again had there not been a 5-min major was not a given. The Oilers may have also benefited from the loss of Kadri.
lol
Overall, Woodcroft has done an amazing job. The Oilers likely miss the playoffs with Tippet left in charge, and who knows what the results would have been like if they had chosen one of the available good ol’ boys from the NHL’s coaching carousel.
That said, there are a few decisions he’s made that are hard to justify:
I am bullish on the Oilers next year. Bouchard and McLeod look to be ready to take on larger roles within the team, and the forward group remains absolutely top drawer.
Go Oilers.
Kulak
He’s eliminating rush chances/zone entries against a great rush team.
He’s successfully executing set plays in the Ozone of face off wins leading to scoring chances
Even carried the puck out of his zone, through the neutral and into the ozone at least a couple times last night
Hasn’t made boneheaded mistakes (that I have seen)
Other LHD have struggled in this series
But you dress 7 D so you can lower his 5v5 ice time to 11:10?
I must not be seeing something
Bourgault stuffed on a breakaway. Potatoville has been the better team this period. The only time the Cats look dangerous is when Bourgault’s on the ice.
Kane suspended for Game 4
We may have watched his last game as an Oiler. Or not.
Palat scores with 42 seconds left to give Tampa their first victory
Opposite luck for the oilers, kinda.
Excuse me if it’s already been posted but have you all seen the 5v5 #’s from last night?
SCF 29-9 76.32% Oilers
HDCF 14-3 82.35% Oilers
xGF 2.37 – 1.38 63.28% Oilers
GF 2-3 60% Colorado
Bruce McCurdy had high danger chances in all game states at 10-5 Colorado.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/player-grades-edmonton-oilers-fire-but-fall-short-4-2-to-avalanche-in-crucial-game-3?r
I think Kuemper’s injury has actually helped Colorado in this series. He was playing like Markstrom in game 1, very beatable. I don’t know if his injury played a role, but I think the Oilers might have gotten a few more by him than Frankie if he had continued. I also think the Avs have since rallied around their backup to play a more sound defensive game in 2 and 3. Credit to Kuemper for taking himself out when he was injured…
Franzous made 4-5 sneaky excellent saves from the point. Barrie had 2 from the point that Franzous never saw because of the traffic. He went down to his knees at the exact time the shot made in through and he ended up making pad saves. Call it luck call it better than the opposing Goalie but Franzous was the 1st star of the game.
One of the very few times a team came back from 3-0 the difference was an injury to the leading teams 2nd line Center.
Boston was up 3-0 on Philadelphia. Krejci was hurt on an open ice hit (iirc) and was out for the series. I believe it was a wrist/arm injury too.
Philly went on to win 4-3.
*could be wrong on some details here, I haven’t looked it up, just going by memory
Bang on. I was thinking about this too. Nice to dream..
Wow that was a terrible goal allowed by Francouz on McLeod!
one Colorado reporter stated Francouz glove hand can be weak at times
It was terrible.
Would love to extend this series as long as possible. Even if we lose.
The players are getting a great education.
The coach is getting a great education.
The GM is getting very valuable information.
It seems The Athletic believe the Oilers have no chance tomorrow as the notification I received stated that he’s been suspended for one game and will miss the remainder of the WCF.
A new, less presumptuous notification just came out.
Shawinigan picks up where they left off yesterday, striking first on the PP less than six minutes in. The Bourg gets the primary helper.
https://twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1533575939430424581?cxt=HHwWioCxnaLMrcgqAAAA
On game suspension for game: official.
Warren Foegele is in his prime.
26 years old.
12 playoff games:
1 measly assist.
And more flybys than Maverick.
6’2 -200 lbs
Agreed he’s been mostly invisible. Holland has a decision to make on him.
LT’s article at The Athletic had some good info on Foegele.
While I fully acknowledge that he struggled through the playoffs, his regular season box-cars essentially mirror’d those as a Cane, and with vastly inferior third line compadres.
He looked like a professional journeyman that was relentless on the forecheck when I seen him with Carolina. It goes to show you what confidence can do for a player. How the hell did he miss that one all alone out front when Franzous had lost sight of it?
Tampa Bay and Rangers diving left and right out there.
Refs don’t call the book, they manage the game more and more and more and teams will simply manipulate this and now it’s just kabuki theatre out there.
Greg Wyshynski
@wyshynski
·
11m
Evander Kane ruling will be made public today. Might wait until after this ECF thriller is in the books.
@Avalanche
@EdmontonOilers
If McLeod is 3C and Kane is resigned where does Nuge fit?
I was thinking about this exact issue on a walk yesterday. And moreover, what is Nuge’s trade value?
This is what the throwing up emoji is for.
Would Nuge get you Carter Hart?
I’d “try” and move Nuge for a D man and I’d “try” and move Nurse and that unf*ckingbelievable contract for a Forward. Think about it. That’s how you’d have to do it. If you could. But you probably can’t.
The Oilers went on their longest losing period under Woodcroft when Nugent-Hopkins was injured.
If McLeod is 3C is RNH the best option for 1/2 LW? I think the Oil would take a look around.
Tampa had Point, Stamkos, Cirelli, Gourde, Johnson, and Goodrow as centres on their two Stanley Cup winning rosters.
The best possible outcome, aside from winning the cup, is getting swept and embarrassed by the Avs. After beating the Flames, the narrative from the media was “see, Holland is a genius, the fans and math nerds don’t know what they’re talking about”. Losing this way, it becomes obvious Mike Smith is not the answer, and our defense simply isn’t good enough. We will be much better off next year. Hopefully.
This is common way of looking at things but strikes me as strange. Surely making the finals and pushing to game 7 and just falling short is the second best thing to winning the Cup. That means you had a team (defence) that could beat the Avs, but maybe not the Lightening/Rangers (following from this thought experiment), and therefore the changes that would need to be made to get better wouldn’t “just”* as significant – why would we assume a loss in the Finals would have the team throw up their hands and think, “good enough, let’s do it again!” if a loss in the Semi Finals wouldn’t?
This is the kind of thinking that doesn’t respect the elite company we share in the top 4 of a 32 team league. Please people don’t fall into the trap that this is a 6 or 12 or even 21 team league.
*using “” in an Original Pouzar manner here.
You need to be extremely creative and make bold moves for that to happen.
This might get me banned. But I think durability becomes an issue for Yamamoto if he plays in the top six. I think he will be hit less on the 3rd line. There are just too many big good smart top six players.
He has a hockey sense edge on the 3rd line, which will help him survive.
I think Yamamoto is best viewed as a 3rd line player who can play up the roster when needed because of injuries.
Probably not enough even strength minutes for everyone, but this would be a fun lineup with everyone healthy:
Kane-McDavid-Pul
Hyman-Drai-Bougault/cheap addition
Foegele-Nuge-Ryan (tough minutes)
Holloway-McLeod-Yamamoto (soft parade)
Nuge lots of both special teams, Ryan lots of PK, McLeod and Yam lots of PK and a bit of PP
Why would that get you banned? Playing talented players further down the line up is usually an indication that there is a strong group of players ahead of him. First they need a RW better than Yamamoto to do that.
Go after Filip Forsberg
Forsberg’s contract will be huge dollars and huge term. He’s a great player but unaffordable for the Oilers.
If the NHL actually protected its players I would have more confidence in his durability.
Agree it would be great if the Oilers have enough quality above to play Yamamoto on the 3rd line.
On the injuries though. I know yours is a popular take because of Yamamoto’s size, but I believe he’s only missed 9 of the 191 games the Oilers have played (regular season + playoffs) since he was called up at the end of 2019. Pretty damn healthy.
Only McDavid and Draisaitl have played more in that span.
The Oilers haven’t lasted long in the playoffs till this year. The regular season I’m not so worried about. It is 20-25 playoffs games every year where most every team you are playing is good. Yamamoto is pretty much always going to be outmatched in the top six in the playoffs.
By the time Tampa was contending, Tyler Johnson was on the 3rd line.
Well that doesn’t sound like a concern about durability or injury at all any more.
The frustrating thing about the result last night — I think the Oilers were the slightly better team, and were a better bounce or two away from winning — is that we’d be looking at a fighter’s chance of winning this series if the home team woke up today down 2-1.
Kadri out for the series is basically a wash with Drai playing injured. Avs are still the better team, but Woody scheming against a Kadri-less Avs would be a far more favourable proposition than what he was dealt for Games 1 – 3.
A missed opportunity.
That said, I’m hoping there is still some fight left in the dog and we get the win tomorrow.
Thing is, both Rantanen and Landeskog can and have played centre before.
In a media availability this morning, Bednar indicated Rantanen will get the nod and he said Burakovsky may be ready to come back in.
Depth,
Well, last night’s lineup played out about as you would expect. Kassian’s ability to get the right spot and do the wrong thing is impressive. Our breakout continues to be predictably shut down by the mobile Avs defenders. It’s not even the wingers’ fault, corralling a bouncing puck up the boards and finding an outlet while being pressured by the defender is near impossible. Need more short support and need our defenders to take a second and find the right outlet. This is supposedly a strength for Keith, Bouchard, Barrie, but it sure isn’t apparent.
Assuming Kane and Yams are out, I’d like to see Holloway play in a top 6 role. It’s extremely unlikely we win more than a game or two, so let’s get him some experience. I don’t think 29 can drive his own line on one leg, so maybe
29-97-13 (play them 30 minutes, I don’t care. First line out after every TV timeout, etc.)
Holloway-93-18
37-71-10
14-44 (would rather sit Kassian but whatever. 14-10-44 might do OK for a couple shifts)
Put Kulak with Ceci, maybe Nurse with Bouchard. Keith-Barrie-Russel rotate, or get Broberg in there too. I’d start Koskinen, but that won’t happen. Not because he’d be bettter, just more predictable. If Yams can play, or Kane isn’t suspended, move Holloway back with Mcleod.
Nurse with Bouchard?? My goodness you have a short memory my friend.
Ha ha. Maybe, but I was thinking in sheltered minutes. I don’t have strong feelings about how they rearrange the defense, and with 7D it matters less. I do want to see something innovative up front and would use this opportunity to get the youth some experience (given they are likely equally effective than the players they are replacing).
LT-I think the organization has lost the truth in Puljujarvi’s game, and it’s a shame for all involved. I completely agree with you. How many more times does this organization need to “lose the truth” on players before it learns?…..They better pray he turns out to be another Yakupov….
Patrice Bergeron wins the Selke…again.
Bergeron had an unbelievable season. 40% of his TOI vs. Elites &…
CF 66%
FF 66%
SF 67%
SCF 67%
HDCF 69%
xGF 69%
GF% 66%
He had a 49-25 goal differential with a PDO below 1.000 (.997). That is hard to do!
Wow…to do that at his age is remarkable.
Some players get better with age Perron, Martin St.Louis even Backlund at 33 was Calgary’s most dangerous player.,
Puljujarvi finished 27th for the Selke – received a fourth place vote.
Ryan Kennedy from The Hockey News with the vote (and now my eyes hurt from spending 10 minutes looking through the 2-font chart).
Are Woody and company aware of this?
“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.
He went on to say “its unfortunate he lost his balance and got injured”.
Also, when a follow up mentioned “you don’t think Evander did anything wrong” – Woody immediately said “no, no, I think Evander took a 5-minute penalty”.
Smith, Nurse, Yamamoto – not skating today.
I’m not of the opinion that Smith has been solid. He’s making the saves he’s expected to, no more. Last night Smith was clearly labouring last night, flopping around and lost. In my opinion, he put his ego first by not pulling himself. That 3rd goal cannot go in on an NHL goaltender. He’s finished and if he is here next year, we’ll be having this same conversation.
I disagree. I think he’s making spectacular saves on chances we wouldn’t really complain about if they went in, and letting in ones that should be routine saves.
I hate this in a goalie.
Which ones did he let in that is a routine save? Nurses? The 2nd that looks like it changes direction? Or the 3rd one? McDavid’s goal came from nearly the exact same spot.
Didn’t he fall down for no reason they showed a quick highlight and that’s when Mikko got his gear on. They never did follow-up on it. Was this brought up by the media was it cramps? Was it fatigue? Could it have been a injury?
It did look like that on one reply. Another that TBS showed, it looked like McDavid got a piece of Smith’s skate as he passed causing the ‘fall’ but it wasn’t clear.
As for the Kane hit. Absolutely a penalty. But shouldn’t be a suspension as we see those hits more than we’d like to. But because it’s Kane I’m guessing a game probably.
I really hope this organization starts to take seriously the minutes played for McDavid, Drai and Nurse seriously. No need for them to play 25-30 min in November. It has improved a lot under Woodcroft but we are going to need these guys as fresh and healthy as possible for any hope of making it deeper in the playoffs.
They need to find a 4th line.
Foegele-Ryan-Kassian
is a good 4th line in the NHL you just have to play them 12 minutes a night
That line is FAR too expensive to be a 4th line.
Kassian should not even be playing in the NHL anymore, let alone at over 3 mil.
Kassian is better suited to the pressbox.
In November Leon averaged 22:51 and McDavid averaged 22:25.
Nurse was at 25:42 – which was 6th among d-men in the month.
I don’t disagree with your premise re: managing minutes but your 25-30 is exaggerated (and, yes, I know there were a few games over 25 minutes but those were indeed the exception).
23 minutes for a forward is extremely high and unsustainable so thank you for proving my point
You aren’t accounting for the fact that they play 1.5 of each 2 minute power play, which is less taxing than 5v5 play.
As I said, I don’t disagree but your reference to Drai and McDavid playing 25-30 minutes was/is exaggerated – my point.
It really did improve under Woodcroft.
McDavid 21:29
Draisaitl 21:47
Nurse 23:22
(regular season)
Sometimes you just gotta give the other guy there due. Colorado is a better , deeper and smarter team. That’s not a criticism to the Oilers. Colorado lost these series for a couple years and now it’s there time. I e we I’ll suggest we will learn from this and in the next couple years our time will come.
Some chatter about Av’s top line outplaying Oiler’s top line. I wonder how McD’s line would fare spending much of its time against the equivalent of Nurse at 60% and a solid Ceci while NM’s line went up again Maker and Toevs.
Bang on!
Playing Kassian with Connor will do that. Playing an injured Draisaitl with Connor will do that. McDavid leaks goals against without Puljujarvi.
Is Woody and Oilers’ management aware of that though?
This series has exposed the fact that, although Woodcroft may develop into a very good coach, he is no Bednar / Quenneville / Sullivan / Cooper. Sorry fanboys. JW is NHL orthodoxy wrapped up in motivational / self help books.
Lots of ass/back patting for winning two rounds, but Woodcroft has been completely owned by Bednar. Incoming: a deluge of downvotes from Woodcroft zealots.
1 – Nurse. Painfully obvious that Nurse could not be the 1D option. I advocated removing him from the lineup, but at minimum you elevate Kulak and fade 25.
2 – Fourth line. This was a ticking time bomb. Holloway was the best option, but Shore/Brassard are also better than Kass/Archi who are complete liabilities.
3 – Puljujarvi. Got away from utilizing Puljujarvi. Yes JP has helped the third line, but the top 6 has had their souls owned and the best winger at making possession numbers and goals for better was effectively sidelined. Why is our best defensive winger not out there for Makar/MacKinnon?
4 – Foegele. If Foegele can be part of the solution against the Avs, he can be part of the solution to the Kings/Flames. All’s well that ends well; but what if it didn’t? There is no planet in which Archi is superior to Foegele.
5 – Fourth line shift after goal against in game 2. If you want to do this, don’t dress a terrible 4th line.
6 – Malone. This player is JW’s guy, but Shore is a superior player if you want to go the vet route. How/why is JW making decisions?
7 – Kassian on the first line. There is not a universe in which Kass checks effectively enough to be up there. THIS is JW’s big plan to thwart the Avs? Kass is replacement level, sorry JW, and can’t check his hat, has been that way for years.
The way I feel about this series is that JW did not do all he could have done to help the team win. The Oilers will have lost this series without ever having iced their best, and that’s a damn shame.
Further, I also feel that these deployment decisions are the exact same ones that Tippett/McLellan would have made.
Overall grade (for this series): F
Yeah JW should play goal next year and make a statement 🤣. Sign the man. He’s a keeper. (Not a goal keeper ) 🤪
Eh, this reeks of hyperbole.
Q, Cooper, Sullivan, and Bednar have all been schooled in playoff series. And have all made questionable decisions in the process. It happens. High pressure + inexperience.
JW will bounce back.
Bednar has owned JW with a vastly superior roster. Colorado has like 4 Bouchards who can skate.
I agree that JW could have done more but this Avs team is very good.
Brutal take on the current situation.
1) With regards to Nurse, I agree 100%. Makes you wonder sometimes who calls the shots.
2) His reluctance to play Holloway instead of the 4 players mentioned when ne needed speed and talent is surprising. I would add Broberg deserved consideration, and received none.
3) JP is not valued to the extent that he should be. Playing Kassian on the first line and not him is an utter insult to the player. He will be given away for peanuts unless Kane does not return and Yamamoto asks for the moon.
4)Foegele so effective in Carolina, but lost his game in Edmonton…..wonder why..
5)Disastrous move.
6)The Malone made no sense to me.
7) Kassian, Archibald, Brassard……can you believe Ottawa traded Zibanejad for Brassard……..Brassard should have been out of the league 3-4 years ago…..Kassian should retire. He is done.
Ottawa traded Zibanejad & a 2nd for Brassard & a 7th. One of the worst trades in the past decade.
Thank you Bruce!
Why does it seem to me that it’s always the Canadian teams making these disastrous deals?
Woodcroft is a rookie NHL coach, who brought a team that was outside of the playoffs to #2 in the Division. This team made it to the Conference Finals, this is only the second time this franchise has come this far in 31 years.
Here are rookie records of each man you brought up, along with their playoff results in their first 6 years behind an NHL bench:
JW 26-9-3 0.743 win %
Rd3
JB 22-56-4 0.293 win %
DNP,Rd1,Rd2,Rd3,Rd2,Rd3+
JQ 40-18-15-7 0.538 win%
Rd1,Rd2,Rd2,Rd1,Rd3,Rd2
MS 41-19-15-7 0.634 win%
Rd1,DNP,SC-C,SC-C,Rd2,Rd1
JC 5-9-0-3 0.382 win%
DNP,Rd1,SC-L,Rd3,DNP,Rd3
Clearly none of them had the same success as Woody their first season behind the bench. There have been some curious certainly coaching decisions, but as an interim coach we do not know if he was over-ruled or influenced in some of his decisions. He took this team further all but one version of it in the past 31 years.
Next season is his alone to own.
In the meantime we should be celebrating the massive accomplishments of this team and this coach.
Small correction, the first Rd3 was Rd3 of 5 (play-ins) and not the normal Conf Final Rd3.
Bit of a strawman argument re: comparing Woodcroft to coaches with multiple Stanley Cups. Is anyone here seriously arguing that Woodcroft is Joel Quenneville or Jon Copper?
Last I checked, Cooper coached a historically dominant team to a first round sweep/loss.
He has not coached a perfect series, that’s for sure. But, Dylan Holloway is not an answer for what the Avs have done to the Oilers top 6. They have done a splendid job defending McDavid and Draisaitl.
Cooper and Bednar lost a lot of playoff series before winning. Sullivan was on his 2nd gig before he won.
Woodcroft, like those three, paid his dues in the AHL. Although, Sullivan was on his 2nd gig, none of them were old retreads.
Woodcroft has done far more good than bad. The Oilers D just isn’t very good. We all know this. It is Nurse, a young inexperienced Bouchard, and not much else. Kulak and Ceci are 3rd pairing D at best on a non-overachieving contender.
So when it isn’t that good, why is it so hard to commit to playing a system that protects that D?
— take those -10 as a badge of honour. I don’t get this place: whether I agree or not with the analysis it was reasoned.
— ProTip: here’s how to get +10 when discussing Oilers:
1) McD: deadly
2) Drai: legend maybe a little hurt
3) Holland: made so many great moves
4) Woodcroft: amazing turn around
5) Nurse: : deadly maybe a little hurt
6) Nuge: deadly
7) Kane : sign this stud
8) Keith: had some amazing games to teach the kids was worth it.
I think that’s how you do it to influence and win friends here.
— Kids: downvoting analysis because it’s not fan boy is weak. Be better. Retort. Offer an opinion, counter. Be deadly
Actually caring about the voting is, in my opinion, even weaker – the votes are 100% meaningless.
Although Kane’s penalty came at poor time indeed, the Oilers need more players who play like Kane, not less. He is one of the last true power forwards.
58gp, 35g, 21a, 46p since becoming an Oiler. While bringing speed, toughness and plays with an edge. Even if he is shooting on a bit of a heater, he has a proven record of being a 30 goal scorer year in and year out. The guy knows how to finish and knows how to deal with dirty rats on the ice. The Oilers have too many nice guys on the team and Kane brings an important element – meanness.
All this is to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Kane’s time as an Oiler, if this was in fact the last game he ends up playing in the blue and orange. I think the Oilers don’t get to the WCF without him. Kenny’s best move by far.
And yet a number of posters are advocating against even attempting to resign him.
The only concern with me on this player is term. If the mantra is still, “Get good players. Keep good players,” then you move heaven and earth to keep Kane. Otherwise you’re making decisions based on something other than winning.
Sign Kane. He’s needed.
Agree with all of this. Important player who made major contributions in a lot of areas.
Minor correction, you made a typo. His boxcars so far as an Oiler are: 58 35-22-56.
So Kane gets 5 minutes and a hearing for a dangerous play (it was and anything else he gets is deserved).
However, the slew-footing MacKinnon doesn’t even get 2 minutes for a dangerous play on Draisaitl? A slew foot is clear intent to injure. Total bs.
Slew foot? What slew foot?
Headshot? What headshot?
Offside? What offside?
*Checks last 2 game summaries: Leon Draisaitl drew the last 4 penalties for Oiler PP opportunities.
Let’s be perfectly clear, here. Teams do not play dirty or target injured star players. That would be horrible. The NHL has a Department of Safety and a Union to look out for the best interests of it’s players, for the integrity of the game and because it is simply the right thing to do.
**Entire post written in sarcasm font**
I know Kulak has been playing 3rd pairing so I presume the quality of comp isn’t the toughest but game after game after game the eye test meets the stat line and it’s good/very good.
A great skater and a solid defender. He’s entering the prime 3-4 years of his career and I think a contract should be a priority for Holland.
If they can get him inked for 3-4 years at an AAV of $2.5MM, I think he’d provide full value for that deal. Broberg is coming and Sammy (and Niemo) are in the picture but developing prospect and injury depth is essential.
I want this guy on this team.
I agree. He’s been steady and has a bit of offensive flair. Knows his role…
Kulak has been nice addition.
That spot 3LHD needs to be Broberg’s spot in the line up. He needs to be 2LHD by 2023/24 and he needs the reps next season.
in 2021-22 we never platooned Bouchard and Bear and Bouchard missed a year of NHL experience.
I don’t disagree necessarily except that graduating prospects should have to “win the job” over established players as opposed to “gifting them the spot”.
I mean, there needs to be competition for Broberg in training camp, doesn’t there. I believe that he is “3LD” ready but at the same time, prospects don’t develop in a straight line and is he ready for 80 games, the grind, starting in October? Maybe but we don’t know that based on results.
There is also the potential to have him play 3RD with Kulak at 3LD. I am normally vocally against moving players to the off-side based on success in non-NHL leagues but Broberg has played the right side most of his career, in various pro leagues, and his small sample in the NHL on the right is encouraging.
I also think Kulak has material NHL experience on the right side.
I agree with all this – I am looking for Broberg to be 2LHD, graduating from 3LHD vs. 3RHD seems the best use of 22/23 minutes.
The best use of 22\23 minutes is for the best players to play, whether it’s Kulak, Broberg or someone else.
You have to invest in player development in the AHL and in the first 200 or so games in the NHL … it is part of growing from within. Broberg needs those minutes to grow into a 2LHD and Kulak is what he is a good steady 3LHD – growing a 2LHD is part of winning imo
Btw did anyone else think the McLeod goal was clearly offside and possibly a little recompense from the league for the call on the Makar goal?
No, the Colorado coaching staff looked long and hard and decided against a challenge
I think they may have feared an “even-up” call and didn’t want the two-minute penalty that would have come with it.
Good decision by them since it wasn’t offside. Great effort by Ryan..
I don’t see much off season work to be done here, they are a good enough team to expect to make the play-offs next season.
Holland has a couple of important decisions to make here.
Sign his coach
Upgrade the confidence in goal
Pass on Kane
Sign his three RFAs (JP, KY and McLeod)
Third pairing is Broberg-Barrie
Woodcroft has a couple of important decisions to be ready for the 2023 play-offs
Nuge into top 6 role and McLeod is 3C
Broberg, Holloway everyday players by spring
More goals from bottom 6
Load management in goal
I’d much rather have
Kulak-Broberg
then
Broberg-Barrie
Why the pass on Kane? He fits so well. Depending on what his settlement with the Sharks is he might come cheaper then we think….
Kane is a great fit – I value the depth of McLeod, JP and KY vs all that Kane brings at this point in his career.
The Kane signing will cost you depth.
His priority will be Kane.
Can someone show the NHL this unpenalized hit in Kane’s hearing?
https://twitter.com/ryyyan61/status/1533292706922868737
Or the Game 2 blindside hit to Yamamoto’s head which put him out of two games, so far.