If you were to visualize one moment to describe the Dallas Stars versus Edmonton Oilers, it would be Mike Modano flying past Oilers defensemen like they were houses on the side of the road. Edmonton’s all-time record versus Dallas is 53-66-26, but if you told me it was 10-150-0 I’d believe you. The Stars are a frustrating matchup for Edmonton. Tonight: Same as it ever was.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Should the Oilers keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together?
- Lowetide: What’s wrong with the Edmonton Oilers?
- Lowetide: Can Oilers prospect Reid Schaefer make the NHL leap next season?
- New DNB: Oilers throwing away points as defencemen continue to make crucial mistakes
- Lowetide: Inside Oilers’ Philip Broberg’s progress as an NHL defenceman
- DNB: Why the Oilers need to make a trade to give Darnell Nurse more help on defence
- Lowetide: Ranking Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 5 best trades in Edmonton
- DNB: Oilers’ Klim Kostin much happier in Edmonton than he was with Blues
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
- DNB: Connor McDavid questions NHL rules, Darnell Nurse’s gaffes prove costly in Oilers loss
- Lowetide: Will Oilers pro scouts help identify quality at the deadline?
- DNB: If the Oilers can trade Jesse Puljujarvi, where is he likely to end up?
- Lowetide: How Edmonton Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi is redefining his role
- DNB: The Oilers don’t need someone like Zack Kassian. They need more efforts like this
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers avert disaster with strong finish to November
- DNB: Oilers GM Ken Holland Q&A: Can the team be improved? If so, how?
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ Jack Campbell will be better, but can he be a true No. 1?
- Lowetide: Oilers rookie Stuart Skinner is chasing history
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- On the road to: MIN (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: MTL, WAS, ARI, MIN (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 3-1-0)
- On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- At home to: STL, ANA (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-1-1)
- On the road to: NAS, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
- At home to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- December expected result: 9-5-1, 19 points in 15 games
- December actual result: 4-4-2, 10 points in 10 games
- November results: 7-7-0, 14 points in 14 games
- October results: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
- Oilers in 2022-23: 17-14-2, 36 points in 33 games
I don’t think the Oilers will win tonight, it was the most certain loss on the December list for me. The Stars lead the Central, are secoond in the Western Conference and the sixth best team in the NHL right now. Edmonton? fourth in the Pacific, eighth in the Western Conference and the No. 17 team in the NHL currently. A loss tonight and Edmonton falls out of the playoffs, with a very good chance of remaining there through Christmas. I predicted a Dallas win, and all of the arrows are pointed in that direction. I will say that betting against Connor McDavid is unwise at any time.
UPSET
Fans are upset with the players, the coaching staff and management. I believe it’s reasonable to wait until the deadline to make a trade because this team should win enough as is to make the postseason. However, there are signs management is overlooking obvious solutions (Jakob Chychrun) for cost or evaluation reasons. I get not trading for Chychrun if the ask is too dear, but if the Oilers genuinely don’t see him as a strong solution, then the trade is going to fall short.
I’m all for a shutdown type but the pool of talent at the deadline will be far richer than the group that is currently available. Prices are crazy based on reports. The big issue? It’s clear based on reporting by various sources management isn’t aiming high enough. Perhaps Broberg’s injury changes the opinions of management.
One final item: We don’t know who is hurt, and what Holland might be looking at in terms of deadline list. That could be a factor. All that said, not trading for Chychrun right now is a mistake. If the cost is futures, then send them. It’s go time.
RAPHAEL LAVOIE AND OLIVIER RODRIGUE
Raphael Lavoie scored a wonderful goal last night for the Bakersfield Condors. It was the winner in a sometimes frustrating game for Bakersfield (they can’t put the puck in the ocean right now) and for Lavoie it was a badly needed goal. Olivier Rodrigue had another good game, his .920 save percentage ranks No. 9 among qualified AHL goaltenders.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy day, 10-2 on TSN1260. We’ll preview the Oilers-Stars and talk about possible shuffling of the lines and pairings. NFL and Bowl talk, NBA and more on a morning when victory occurs when the car starts. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Kane/McDavid/Hyman
Foegle/Drai/Yamamoto
Kostin/Nuge/Janmark
Holloway/McLeod/Puljujarvi
Ryan
I’m sure many will have their tweaks to the deployment, and fair enough, but, if the forwards are ever fully healthy, hot damn…..
Caught the game late on PVR after some Xmas cheer with the In-laws…I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath to downvote my observations……….
First and foremost, these Oilers always get up for big games, and obviously play extra hard when their dads/mentors/bros are in the building….compounded effect tonight…looked like a playoff game from start to finish. I specifically recall when Hemsky’s dad would come visit from Pardubice once per season and he would play like Denzel Washington…unrecognizable.
Kostin is found money, his opportunity might be the only silver lining to the Evander Kane injury….Kostin hits extremely hard, has good offensive vision, holds the puck, makes plays, has a very hard shot, and is obviously a character. Samo for Kostin might be the greatest 1 for 1 straight across trade Holland has ever made! (note his last such trade was in 2010, He acquired Jordan Owens for Kris Newbury)
Skinner was possessed tonight! going head to head against the best young goalie in the league in Oettinger and came out on top…props on the new contract, and congrats on the upcoming child…this man is on top of the world right now.
Holloway keeps getting better…huge open ice hit tonight, great vision, he constantly makes plays and puts the puck into good spots…kid will be a star by April.
Nuge is a monster, he was always slated to be a late bloomer…sleek, fast, smart, quiet, loyal.
Neimo will be a mainstay after this season. Apart from “puck polish” he’s nearly a complete player…just needs to spend some time practicing with a tennis ball and he’ll put it all together….smart money says he’ll play 1000 games in the show. Go watch Chara bobble the puck back in his Islander days.
As frustrating and emotional as it is being a hockey fan….we need to check our perspectives….watching the boys lose to Anaheim it struck me…that used to be our boys eeking out a rare win against a powerhouse team..I used to watch 20 loses just to watch the oilers beat fluke out and beat a powerhouse contender on a rare night….now we’re on the other side of the coin.
This team is spectacular, hold on to your hats folks because the next few years are going to be amazing….don’t blink…don’t miss a game…
CONNOR MCDAVID IS 25 YEARS OLD….enjoy the ride
The power of Fathethood was on full display tonight.
10th in league scoring (alone).
13th in goals.
PP, defending a lead, PK.
Nuge!!!!
Its fairly cold in Dallas (5 degrees) but these boys are in for a shock in a few hours….
Stauffer calling it the Oilers best game of the season. Brown qualified it by calling it the first true team victory this year.
Just caught the third and it was pretty awesome!
1) Jay frappeed the lines by surprise, practicing the old lines this morning, changing them for the game, and it pays off. Kostin set the tone with a big hit 4-5 seconds in and the oil played with physical intent and swagger for the rest of the night. Most notably Nuge. And of course, the spread scoring
2) Lots of high forwards tonight, strong backtracks
3) Actually managed the puck well tonight, making smart, safe plays, not pressing for offense or risking much with passes and forcing the puck.
4) Skinner was good. Always good to see after a big signing.
5) Bottom pairing had a heckuva good night. Forwards helping was a big part of it, but credit to them, they played well too.
Both correct.
That Lowetide fella not very good at predicting outcomes.
Pretty even TOI tonight amongst the forwards and D.
1 – LD is so much more involved defensively when playing C.
2 – JP 2 points in 2 games!?! He made a nice play to 97 from the corner…97 with perhaps too fine a pass attempt.
3 – Nurse was good this game IMO. Yes a bad gap on the Johnson goal, but he was breaking cycles all over the place and advancing the puck smartly. Saved a goal on the PK star fishing. Tower of power out there. Had a couple of nice chances and a *great* pass to Yamo (Yamo’s gotta shoot that). I think he easily outplayed Heiskanen.
4 – This is peak Nuge! Sit your children in front of the television like it’s an Apollo launch. This guy is a delight. Skating, battle level, defensively, offensively, terrifying wristers, playing with Janmark/Kostin doesn’t matter, just piling up points. He was always sneaky, but now he’s stronger. What a player.
5 – Foegele. What a snipe. Good man.
Stay healthy Nuge……
You just knew Leon was going Foegele’s direction after spoon feeding Yamo went unsuccessful earlier.
That was a full 60-minute effort.
Great performance in a tough building.
Top 3 lines each produce a 5 on 5 goal.
4th line didn’t play a ton but gave up nothing and sustained momentum.
PPG.
ENG.
Tending was solid – good enough.
Leon played 17 minutes.
McDavid just over 20.
Nice to see Connor giving the big smile/cele to Pujo in acknowledgement of his role in the goal.
That is leadership my friend!!
Sadly not always on display with 97 imho.. worlds best hockey player and I’m sure he is genuinely a nice person but he was given the C way too early
Connor has been unfairly judged I believe. You can tell in the game tonight that this group of players, when it wants to, can raise its game. Great to see the passion and respect among players.
Bouchard with a +4 tonight.
Nugey at 41 points
Hyman at 36
Four Oilers over a point a game.
Gimme a good one against Vancouver, come on make it a good one!
With Kane we were almost at 5 before the injury. That will be something to behold if we can play our bottom 6 and get secondary scoring on more consistent basis
We’re going to have to talk about Niemelainen.
This has been a good stretch of games, with a fantastic outing tonight. +4 along with Boosh and he looked smart and industrious and effective tonight. He’s eliminated the big highlight reel hit and and replaced it with calm feet.
He has looked good lately..the type of D you don’t notice much (and that’s a good thing)
Broberg will be in when he gets back, but I feel comfortable with Niemo as the depth if eh can maintain this level of play.
That was the best game of his NHL career.
Who is that team and what did they do with the Edmonton Oilers? Helluva game tonight! It was anything but the soft, passive, and lack of intensity team we saw the last 3 games. That was a great game. Loved the hitting and aggressiveness. Very enjoyable to see some grit. I especially loved the first and third. That is the team I expected to see from game one. Good job fellas!
Niemalainen-Bouchard were +4.
Including the ENG, right?
Yes
Bouchard with a tidy +4 tonight. Nice spread of minutes for the defense.
Nurse 22:29
McDavid 20:24
Draisaitl 17:10
When you’re not in chase mode all game this is what’s possible.
I wonder what % of the year this team has been leading. 40%?
Looks like 46% leading, 54% trailing (removing time tied obv).
Scoring like a minute after Dallas took the lead, twice, was huge.
This team shows once again they are not out-manned and can win when they play the right way. Why should Holland go looking for a complicated add?
Oh there’s still big holes to fill
Loved the work ethic in the last 4 min. Thats how you close out a game.
Funny… I mentioned after the Nashville loss that it would be so oilers to drop 3 straight to inferior teams then beat the elite team afterwards. Vegas bookies must really hate the oilers.
GOOD JOB OILERS!
Who could have ever predicted Kostin would do so well up higher in the lineup
Ken Holland 😉
Well, technically, he has played some 3rd line as an Oiler – of course, the 3rd line is a bit different when McDavid and Drai are on seperate lines.
whoa, is Dry okay?
Psst, Jack and Louie, Klim was a BIG part of that line….. credit please.
There was a crazy thread at the Athletic. Blues fans are not happy.
Recently or back in October?
Recently. https://theathletic.com/4007846/2022/12/16/oilers-blues-klim-kostin/
Thank you – I will take a look.
Huge win.
Most satisfying game since G5 vs Flames last playoff.
Good line combinations tonight. McLeod in place of Hamblin either Friday or next week.
Lol, with the 3-goal lead in the dying minutes, now they get a shift…
They’ve had two shifts between the last Dally penalty and that last shift there
Kostin, Janmark and Nuge get the sugar time deservedly and Janmark buries one from just over the blue line
93 another point.
Nice Board work by Kostin
Exactly-Kostin making a nice play
Yeah baby!
McDavid goal. Great play by Ceci to get it there.
That should get it done.
More. Nuge. Points.
Kostin deserves an assist on that one – more great work.
Good play by pujo on that goal
Concur:)
Puju made that happen in the D zone. Hustle and won a battle
Yes he did:)
McDavid with the game breaker
It’ll be Ceci with the primary…not sure if they give an apple to Jesse
Jack saying it’s Hyman with the 2nd assist but that’s not what I saw..that was Jesse chopping at it along the boards that wound up on Ceci’s stick and the subsequent pass to McDavid
Puljujarvi’s been credited.
Box score on the Oilers website has Jesse with the 2nd assist. That’s what I saw
his first shot on net and he scores
Watching that rush start. you almost knew that McDavid was gong to simply shoot and score….
Heiskanen with the Nurse giveaway on the 4th and Oettinger going down early on the third looking like Campbell. Hockey is a game of mistakes and good players make them.
Foegle will get you 10 goals a year
Heiskinen not benched. That looks familiar.
Now do it every game
I love Kostin’s physical presence. He bangs hard, in all zones.
Look forward to him and Kane being in the lineup together.
Nice to see size speed and skill in a winger. Kane Kostin Jesse Hyman . . . There’s getting to be quite a few of them and they’ve completely changed the dynamic.
This team should be a nightmare to play against in the playoffs again this spring.
Have to out-work MArchment and Kulak did
Heiskanen gave the puck away. The Dallas fans must hate him.
2nd pair defenceman.
Dallas’ 9 mill #1 dman with a pizza up the middle.
Their fanbase should probably crucify him.
See, good teams have top tier defenseman making blunders in key moments too.
Oh, what a nice play by drai and foggy!
Elite D…
Draisaitl made a sick pass to Foggy there.
That’s a gorgeous goal by Foegle, off the Draisait pass.
Other teams # 1 D cough it up too, who knew?
Shhhhh
great steal and Foggy rips one by Oetrtinger
hahahahahaha…..Foegele!!!
What a pass.
What a finish.
That looked like McDavid to Drai….