The Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders are connected by history. Telling the glorious story of either franchise must include the other in order to be complete. The Grant Fuhr shutout, the Kevin McCelland goal, the Clark Gillies hat trick, Bryan Trottier’s goals, Mark Messier’s stunning goal in Game 3 that was pivotal to winning the most important game of the series. That series, the 1984 final, will be in my memory forever. The 1987 Stanley Cup team is my favourite, and in my opinion the best team ever. The 1984 Stanley was one sweet ride, made all the more enjoyable because of the legendary Islanders (who were pushing for five in a row).
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Making the call on young Oilers in need of a contract this summer
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Klim Kostin’s sudden impact, injury and immediate future
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ December sleep walk a touch of deja vu
- Lowetide: Bakersfield Condors’ 2022-23 season review to date
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen pursue final defence spot
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Darnell Nurse remains the top defenceman despite struggles
- DNB: How Oilers are different yet similar to last season through 35 games
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Evan Bouchard’s difficult season disguises elite talent
- New DNB: Why the Oilers should, but probably won’t, acquire Jakob Chychrun
- New DNB: Oilers throwing away points as defencemen continue to make crucial mistakes
- 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
- Lowetide: Will Oilers pro scouts help identify quality at the deadline?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY
- At home to: SEA, NYI, COL (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 0-1-0)
- On the road to: LAK, ANA, SJS, VEG (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: SEA, TBAY (Expected 0-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: CBJ, CHI (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- January expected result: 7-3-2, 16 points in 12 games
- January actual result: 0-1-0, 0 points in 1 game
- December results: 7-6-2, 16 points in 15 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: 20-17-2, 42 points in 39 games
The Oilers have a hole to dig out of, but there’s plenty of opportunity for a team willing to play 60 minutes a game. Last season, the No. 8 team in the Western Conference (Nashville Predators) finished with 97 points.
In order for the Oilers to finish with that point total, the club would need to go 25-13-5, 55 points in the final 43 games. The final record would be 45-30-7. That’s one tall order, especially for a team that is so genuinely challenged on defense and by injury. Tonight is a big test, the Islanders (22-15-2) have a better record so far this year.
POSSIBLE LINES AND PAIRINGS
Connor McDavid was at center with Klim Kostin and Zach Hyman at practice yesterday. That’s a lot of aggression on the wings and some pop offensively. Since December 1 (all numbers five on five), McDavid is posting a 3.11 points-60 total, while Kostin (2.91) and Hyman (2.09) are both productive. All have goal shares above 55 percent in that time period in the discipline.
The second line is loaded. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (1.7) is on left wing, Leon Draisaitl (2.18) is in the middle and Kailer Yamamoto (1.92) is on the other wing. You may recall this line set the woods on fire beginning January of 2020 when KY got the call to fly up from Bakersfield in a crop duster. The trio is 44-23 five-on-five goal share since Yamamoto was recalled in in 2019-20. The third and fourth lines seemed uncertain based on reports (Jason Gregor via twitter) from the rink.
I expect the defense will remain the same. Since December 1, five of Edmonton’s defensemen are over 50 percent goal share: Darnell Nurse (58 percent) and Cody Ceci (50 percent) remain the top pairing based on qual comp via Puck IQ; Brett Kulak (55) and Tyson Barrie (61) are enjoying successful runs; Markus Niemelainen (56) is running some luck but delivering a solid goal share. Only Evan Bouchard (42 percent) and Philip Broberg (43) are below par.
RAPHAEL LAVOIE
The Bakersfield Condors won last night, Raphael Lavoie playing a major role on a line with center Brad Malone and winger Justin Bailey. It was Bailey who was the most dynamic of the trio, the veteran on an AHL contract but has delivered five assists in his most recent four games. Lavoie is on one of those exceptional hot streaks again. He went on a heater around Christmas 2021 (in 20 games during that period, he posted 11-9-20) and appears headed to another (4-2-6 in his last six) run this season. Lavoie is one of several first-shot scorers in Bakersfield, good to see him having success. Justin Bailey is earning an NHL contract by the way. I don’t know if he gets one, and it might be summer, but he’s big, strong and powerful. Oilers right-wing position could use a boost.
DESTINY
Anyone watching Connor McDavid play the game of hockey knows he’s a stunning talent and deserving of all honors and awards available. Hockey doesn’t give the Stanley on individual merit, it’s a team game. That requires everyone to buy in. The general manager must deliver the best possible roster, the coach must find answers and the players have to execute their responsibility in a consistent way.
The Oilers made the final four last season. This team is many miles from getting back. On Monday, an expansion team made this veteran group wear their ass for a hat. What kind of push back will we see tonight? Where are the reinforcements? We will see if the Woodcroft tweaks (Kostin up, Puljujarvi down) work.
For me, the recent losses to Vancouver, Anaheim and Seattle indicate this is still an immature group. So what if they play well tonight? The Oilers have been inconsistent around the holidays for years, you’d think someone would notice. Whatever the rest of this season holds, I am decidedly unconvinced glory awaits this team. There’s something missing, we’ve seen it in three games against division rivals over the holiday break. I don’t know what’s wrong, only that the team is vulnerable to fracture. Was last spring a mirage? It might have been.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
10-2 today, we’ll preview the WJ gold medal game and talk Oilers-Islanders, plus some NFL. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
RNH possibly getting through the 50 point barrier this season…
mmmmkay methinks shall start up my very own Oilers season in a season.
Starting with the Seattle Away game; Oilers are:
2-2-0-0
Think will make this a 30 game season, which will be completed at the end of the Boston Away game – the biggest game of the season with Oilers lining up against Taylor Hall and the big bad Bruins.
Think this works. If you hate the idea please remember to give it a downvote.
According to NaturalStatrick the boys didn’t concede a single HDCA at 5v5 tonight.
More of that please.
On another note with a -2 tonight Cale Makar is +3 this season. Nurse is now +14 and has more non-PP points.
Weird world.
On digging further the numbers overall are sorta crazy for this game. Bouchard had a very good night.
PK came out ahead in the GF battle tonight.
Defensively this was damn near a master work if you scoop the fancies. Two lazy plays… gotta tighten that up.
I look forward to LTs recap tomorrow when he gets into these numbers.
Nuge back up to tied for 8th in NHL scoring (with Ovie) – Nuge has a game in hand.
i went to the game and my fiance won a year supply of mc cain hot pockets! we had to roll tires from the corners of the ice to center ice during intermission. Whomever was closest to the center ice won and she rolled hers perfectly! What a game!
Awesome – sounds like fun.
Back when I was in law school (so sometime between 1999-2002), one of my classmates also worked for the Oilers and was able to get me on the ice for an intermission event. I believe it was called “Musical Mayhem” which was essentially musical chairs.
I do have to admit that I was booed by the crowd as I hip checked and “older lady” out of the way on the lsat chair on my way to victory. I have no regrets, the prize was a gift certificate to Bonny Doon mall – I used it with my crush at the time to get wasted at one of the restaurants in the mall. A great day.
Thats funny, made me laugh cause I could just see it. Good intensity, good focus man.
It was Bonnie Doon mall though so you are lucky the older lady and her bowling gang didn’t come and find you at the Rock Pit for some smackdown.
Oh hell, im in yesterdays blog. Sigh
One has to wonder if the Sedins were moved from advisors to the GM to player development because the month after they were hired to advise the GM, the GM made the OEL trade?
Excellent team game tonight. The starts to games have been much better, but unlike the game against the Kraken, they did not take their foot off the pedal. Yamo was all over it tonight, really moving his feet.
The ice time is still being dominated by the top 6 forwards and Nurse-Ceci. Woodcroft needs to get the rest of the roster more engaged.
Campbell looked solid but the team in front of him gave him more than adequate run support, and maintained good defensive structure for most of the game.
Soup looks to be more comfortable. But I’d still like to see them get another solid veteran defenseman.
Soup had a .909. That’s his 6th quality start.
Only 9 minutes at 5 on 5 but I thought Philip Broberg was very good – solid and made some plays with his feet. Faced the Parise, Beauvillier, Page line mainly
2:51 on the PK (2nd to Ceci) – wow.
The game is definitely slowing down for him. He’s starting to find the time for outlets and transporting the puck. Finally starting to get outta the way of he is, too. All good signs.
If he keeps growing and playing stable, maybe Kenny rolls with the 8 D he has and saves the picks and assets
Maybe finds the RS PK C they really need. Too bad ROR is a LS C, but even so
I thought he was better than Kulak and good with Bouch
Satisfying win. Hard work from top to bottom. Can’t remember seeing the Oil lock down the third since..,can’t remember…
Happy for Soup. Hope it helps his confidence. Having two good goalies is the dream…cure for what ails ya.
Nice
A clear victory, by 2 or more reg time
Keep it rolling. Owe those Abominables a whooping
The Yeti’s next .
Textbook endgame, i was bored to tears. Perfect shutdown hockey.
Well done boys.
They took chances when appropriate and stayed on the right side of the puck. I’ll take that any period not just lock down time…
Good point
That’s a nice win
Everyone inclduing Campbell should feel good about that
Now do it again against COL
Done – Fantastic third period (fantastic game).
Well done.
Leon’s really cleaned up his game
Not
Yams has been terrific tonight by these eyes
Skating hard and WAY more engaged
Nurse with a poor outlet costs Kailer than empty netter……
Obvious small sample size but liking Yamo and Klim with Conner
I think I’d like to see Kane & Kostin with McDavid.
Will be interesting to see who the top 6 are when Kane returns. First 5 are easy!
Man would Connor be wheeling with those two beasts
I imagine he’ll have tonnes of space with those two bruisers patrolling the wings. Mess around with Connor and you know one of them will make you pay.
The bonus is they can both score, skate and run you through the boards.
Ceci using his size this game, it’s been effective
Sorokin is damn good.
Clearly there has been a full team commitment and dedication to being “tougher to play against” tonight but one that sticks out for me is Ceci – he’s been particularly physically below the hashmarks to me eye.
Nice set up!
McLeod not going sniper there
Nice play by the 2nd unit – would have been nice to bury there!
The D let a spectacular number of bad guys between them and their goalie
Feature or breakdowns I wonder
86 seems to have learned how to avoid crushing checks. Been good tonight too using his reach and stick. Progress.
Take advantage of that mental mistake and dagger this game!
Was that #2 with the big body? Thats one way to get your game going. Well done
Yea that was a bit surprising!
I’m digging this lower event third period…. so far….
Seeing a dedicated effort from the forwards tracking back from high in the o-zone through the neutral zone.
That should be every game, every shift…..
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times…
Seriously Leafs?
Seriously Canes?
Seriously Bruins?
Seriously Penguins?
Serious Canucks?
I can’t believe that Toronto result – that’s a big win for Seattle
Leafs goaltending is due for a correction
Seattle can put any team to sleep.
Canes outshoot Nashville 67-24(!!) but lose 5-3. 64 saves by Saros.
Islanders play a very physical game. Out hitting Oilers 2-1. They have some bangers.
True. Oilers ain’t getting rattled or intimidated.
True but the Oilers had the puck most of that game, right?
Whoa, McDavid is lucky – think Dobson could have absolutely massacred him on the back boards there…..
I will take a second insurance marker please….
McDavid tries to create a fast break on the kill, doesn’t get it out…… pressure ensures……
I hate that they have to use him. Good penalty killers have to get in lanes. They get hit with pucks. It’s fine if they use him in the playoffs but he’s going to get hurt if he’s in the right positions.
It’s great to see they aren’t letting up at all . Nice slash Nuge . I even love when Nuge gets penalties. Lol.
That’s a slash but, ya, there were some other infractions being committed.
Kill. This. Off…..
Smelt like game management to me.
Well done!
Drai looks pretty damn strong on his skates tonight – doesn’t seem on the verge of LTIR….
But he doesn’t have 3 points yet what a freeloader
I’d be in favour of a McDavid goal this period. Tage is something special, Ovi is right there and, well, 70 is tough and would be something special.
Lock. This. Down.
After Two:
4-2 Edmonton (2-2 tie in the second)
27-15 Edmonton shots (11-9 NYI in the second)
38-18 Edmonton Corsi five-on-five (14-13 NYI in the second)
==
Good push back from the Islanders and then the Oilers counter punched and it was good. That late goal can’t happen, puck must get out. Shame. Oilers attention to detail has been miles better but there’s still work to do.
Good period. We mostly did what we wanted but that last goal bugged me. You can’t let up got a minute in a game. Looked like the puck was going out(should’ve) and the guys hesitated and got caught looking instead of covering. We need to get that outta our game.
A lucky goal by that sniper Klutterbuck.
Rough shift from Barrie. Puck watching as Clusterf$&@ sneaks behind him, then tips it to him for his tip. Probably goes into the corner if Barrie doesn’t touch it
He has as much awareness of danger and who to cover, and why, as our youngster Bouch
I’m surprised his goal diff is still positive
Another big period and they’re all big period.
Summarizing!
Petrov and Mazura would not add any more offense, so they finish with an assist each.
What happened to Petrov’s goal scoring? …How much does he miss Coe and Russell?
What’s the point of dressing seven defencman if one only gets one and a half minutes of ice time per period?
Neimo’s only played 1:57 total. Did he get benched for something?
Not benched, per se, but Broberg is having a great night and is the better player, the more dynamic player, has the higher ceiling, etc. He deserves that ice.
I wonder if they know something we don’t know. Maybe one of the top 6 has a lingering injury that may or may not be a problem, so it’s better to have that 7th d-man ready to go incase they need him. There may be more value in that than having shore chase the play for 5 minutes a night.
I don’t mind the 11-7, if the alternative is a full 4th line that plays ~5 minutes.
In case someone poops their hockey pants
Bobby-Lou’s pants.
Barrie at LT’s swim up bar again. Cut him off!
Punishing punishing team and they’re punching them in the mouth so far.
Hope the players only meeting involved the leadership telling the youths to play their own game and be confident in it. Don’t defer. That’s what I’ve seen so far this game so I’m running with the made up narrative.
That play by Hyman at the blue was extremely weak.
He does that…..
He also scores goals.
Yes, and the subject of this thread is a seperate aspect of his game.
Yea that was limp alright. Wished he would have worked harder for Soups sake.
So was the play leading to the first goal against. Got a little loose with hanging back in the dzone at the start of that period.
With the two GA Woody with two more frustrating but very teachable moments.
Overall I’m extremely pleased with everyone’s play tonight.
Keep. It. Up!
The whole team is weak at the blue lines and puck battles on the boards. Buck battles everywhere. I’d say they lose more than win easily
Causes them a lot of troubles. I hope it’s an area of focus for the coaches, better sticks there, and knocking pucks down/disrupting passes, would revolutionize their collective D
Ughhh,, here is hoping that late saves on Drai and Hyman don’t come back to haunt the team with that late goal against.
Woodcroft is back at using the 7 d trick.
Not really, Nemo with 2 shifts a period.