Game 56 2022-23: Rangers at Oilers

by Lowetide

Peak Lowetide in the world of hockey cards featured the 1972 O-Pee-Chee collection. I collected all of the cards, and put them in a specific order. Lines 1-3, featuring Center, Left Wing, Right Wing, the two extra forwards; then the two defensive pairings, the extra man, and then Ed Giacomin (starting goalie) and Gilles Villemure (starting goalie sometimes).

So, Jean Ratelle led off the Rangers collection, followed by Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert. My recall is that the Walt Tkaczuk line (Dave Balon, Billy Fairbairn) followed, and then the determined Peter Stemkowski (Ted Irvine, Bruce MacGregor) trio. Glen Sather was one of the extra forwards, I do remember that much. Was Jack Egers the other extra? Can’t recall. Anyway, it was great fun and I reminisce about those days often. Now wait a minute here. Dave Balon was a Canucks winger in that series. I think Bobby Rousseau replaced him in the O-Pee-Chee set. Isn’t this fun? Okay. Let’s talk about tonight’s game.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

  • On the road to: DET, PHI, OTT, MTL (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 2-1-1)
  • At home to: DET, NYR (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
  • On the road to: COL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: PHI (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: PIT, CBJ (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: BOS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • February expected result: 6-3-2, 14 points in 11 games
  • February actual result: 2-1-2, 6 points in five games
  • January actual result: 8-2-2, 18 points in 12 games
  • 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: 30-19-6, 66 points in 55 games

The Oilers are playing a quality team tonight, NYR are 8-1-1 in their last 10 (Edmonton 6-1-3). I hope Connor McDavid scores one of those incredible goals he seems to save for original six teams. If the Oilers win tonight, the points pace will be 100 points. The game tonight and the Colorado game on Sunday are going to be tough, I have Edmonton going 0-1-1.

THE STRANGE, THE BIZARRE, THE UNEXPECTED

It appears the Oilers are going to overcome the cap issue that is keeping Kailer Yamamoto out of the lineup by sending Dylan Holloway and Vincent Desharnais to the minors. This is an unusual path. In the last 10 games at five-on-five, Desharnais has a goal share of 83 percent and Holloway has a 67 percent goal share in the same time period.

It does save Jesse Puljujarvi from waivers, and this unusual process tells me general manager Ken Holland suspects a claim for the giant Finn. There is a deal available based on Mark Spector’s reporting (please click on link, this blog respects 24-hour rule when discussing any article with new information) but general manager Ken Holland is keeping his options open. I will say I knew Eric Tulsky would have interest in an intriguing buy-low opportunity.

THE LAST 10 GAMES

I wrote about Ryan McLeod today at The Athletic, he is having a nice run over the last 10 games. At five-on-five, McLeod’s 2.29 goals-60 in that span ranks No. 4 among NHL forwards, and his 2.87 pts-60 is No. 2 among Oilers forwards. Warren Foegele (2.09 goals-60) is almost as hot and the two men (along with Dylan Holloway) have given the team a lift.

On defense, the last 10 games have shown some real separation among the blue at five-on-five goal share:

  1. Vincent Desharnais 83 pct
  2. Philip Broberg 77 pct
  3. Evan Bouchard 75 pct
  4. Darnell Nurse 54 pct
  5. Brett Kulak 44 pct
  6. Cody Ceci 44 pct
  7. Tyson Barrie 22 pct

Desharnais underlying numbers (expected goals five-on-five: 49.8 percent) trail his actual goals, so regression is out there waiting to strike. Barrie’s expected goals (63 percent) soar compared to actual results, that too shall regress.

For the season, I remain impressed with the Darnell Nurse five-on-five goal share (52 percent) and wonder if some Oilers fans will acknowledge his fine campaign. In his last three seasons, Nurse is 181-163 (52.6 percent) five-on-five goals. In that time, he is 96-80 (55 percent) with Connor McDavid, 85-83 (50.6 percent) without the captain.

You know, Nurse bet on himself twice when the organization wanted to kick the contract down the road. He waited, trusting his value would increase, and cashed in on a long-term deal. Now, I know Edmonton well, it’s where I’ve lived most of my adult life. I know there’s a real respect for that kind of man, someone who forges his own path, takes some risk and finds success.

For some reason, Darnell Nurse doesn’t get that kind of consideration. I read about his being selfish, shouldn’t have asked for the money he received. Let’s be clear: Nurse didn’t ask for the money, he and his agent negotiated it and found common ground with Oilers management based on the marketplace. It’s fine to be angry at the organization for putting off the contract, but Nurse? I don’t understand. Seems to me we should respect a man who worked hard to become what he is today. Something to think about.

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AMD

You can’t count on the Oilers goaltending. Seems like a bit of a stretch for the Oilers getting to the cup with or without EK.

maudite

GF/g: 3.7 – 1st
PP: 31.5% – 1st
GA/g: 3.2 – 19th
PK: 74% – 27th

I hope they are sure nuclear offense can outshine standard team composition if they go in for Karlsson. I’m not saying it couldn’t gappen if they do and it’ll be entertaining as hell to watch….but no matter how hard I cheered for the Dutch in world cup just outrageous offensive skills never quite seemed like a winning it all formula. I do fear similar here.

Acciari was the type off non white whale targets that really might have tweaked weakness in less cost intensive manner.

Last edited 1 year ago by maudite
maudite

I think I may actually prefer if going whaling they put package together for ekholm with kulak plus whatever required going other way.

thehappyrabbi

I like Yamamoto, but he was awful tonight and has been all season. Yet he has been stapled to either the 1st or 2nd lines all year. Maybe trading injury prone Yamo might be a better idea than waiving hit leader, media enemy PJ?

Darryl8843

So Minnesota bought a 4th round pick for $1.875 million? Why?

maudite

No idea

Ryan

Why? Because it didn’t cost them $1.875 million.

The actual dollar cost was $74k.

They retained $557k in cap.

Darryl8843

That makes sense

godot10

To send O’Reilly east. Minnesota still has hopes to make the playoffs, so they want the arms race to stay in the east.

If O’Reilly went ot Colorado, then everyone in the West would be forced to respond.

McSorley33

Hopefully this Leafs trade sets the bar for 3rd party teams retaining salary.

Darryl8843

I hate losing but not sure I blame anyone or anything. We lost to a top team in the east which is a far better conference in ot. Is it really all that bad?

Sierra

Yes it’s that bad. The Oilers are supposed to be a top team and they were up 4-1 after 1. There’s no painting that pretty.

Tarkus

Summarizing!

Lachance led the way with his 26th goal and two assists with 5 SOG.

Schaefer also had two helpers.

Chiasson tallied his 15th goal of the season.

Brind’Amour was held off the scoresheet but dominated the dot, going 12-for-17 (70.6%).

Mazura was a scratch once again.

McSorley33

Sick
Refs

How about the PK?

Are we sure this won’t cost us in the playoffs?

2023 Understatement of the Year candidates from Jack Michaels on playing the Rangers:

” It’s a step up in weight class from Detroit”

Litmus test will be the first two weeks in March.

We still have still have Philly and CBJ to play here in what has been an amazing February schedule

Prior to tonight ( Feb 17) , our last real team we faced was Tampa Bay.….on January 19th.

From Jan 20th on, it has been an incredible easy schedule mixed in with a week and a half off, for most of the boys, in the Caribbean.

Inert obligatory comment that Oilers deserve credit for winning games of any kind. Very true .

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Analysts have short memories.

They remember Detroit but forget Vegas, Tampa and Seattle. Louie got into a lot of fights 🤷‍♂️

People get too carried away with the regular season. Harvesting points is all that matters.

Attention to detail a bit lax. Rangers are giving up 5 goals a game lately WITH Shesterkin in net lol. LA Kings 2.0 lol

maudite

The leafs now have 5 centers with over 50% win percentage on faceoffs and acciari gives them RH pk faceoff guy.

And like 2 picks in top 2 rounds of next 3 drafts….I actually kimd of hope they win a round. They’ve paid the freight

Last edited 1 year ago by maudite
McSorley33

Someone was just beating the drum big time for Acciari in here.

Amazing to watch an NHL GM acquire Him and O’ Reilly.

As jealous as I am – and I am- hard not to be impressed with Dubas here.

maudite

Munny2.0 pointed him out. Definitely looked like ideal bottom 6 defensive center.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Too bad their defense and Goalies suck 👍

Classic Dubas fixing the wrong problem.

Dumbass

dunterpunter

God you are a miserable tit lol

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Jack Campbell rocking another sub 0.880 game.

Give the man some smelling salts.

Not good enough

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Think of it this way if the Oilers have regular NHL goaltending they are running away with the Pacific.

Too much focus on the team when gloalerinf goes from NHL to ECHL game after game.

Goalies start playing consistently the team will win

FabioRoberto

are you actually pinning this loss on him? lol

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Felt like giving Nurse the night off so I’ll pick on the goalie who’s been sub .900 in 4 of his last 5.

I don’t like his play. I don’t like Stu’s play lately.

Sub .900 is shit and they need to smarten up.

If they play better the Oilers will win 👌

Last edited 1 year ago by SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!
Sierra

Agreed, but the flip side is that if the Oilers play better team defense the goalering should be better and the Oilers will win

Darryl8843

Was being down a player have an affect on tonight’s loss. If it did that’s a fail on holland

McSorley33

Apparently it is possible for a cap strapped team to acquire good players.

JOFA

Just have to mortgage the future out of fear of losing your job. 😊 But in all seriousness, It’s go time for the Leafers.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Bring in a rusted out cry baby. It’s Simmons’s or Marleau 2.0.

Classic Dubas.

Dumbass still doesn’t realize it’s his shitty defense and goalies that’ll sink him lol.

McSorley33

No question,,,,,unsure what leaf’s amateur scouts will be doing for the next few years here.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Dubas has done what bloggers want Holland to do.

He’s all in.

When he fails Matthews bails to L.A. and Toronto begins its slide into Flames style mediocrity.

All of it goes back to Tavares. The dumbest of dumb signings. A lesson to Holland I reckon.

teddyturnbuckle

The most disappointing part of the game for me is when the team is up 4-1 and they refuse to play a smart game. Same old problem the team is happy to trade chances with a 3 goal lead until eventually the Rangers get enough chances to tie it. Can’t stand it when the Oilers top guys fly by a pile up in the neutral zone trying to poke the puck loose only for it to come out the other way for a three on two. Stop on the puck and make sure it goes the right way when you have the lead. You don’t need another goal!!! Jesus Christ will these guys ever learn?

JOFA

It’s a systems problem. Woody needs to wake the fuck up.

prefonmich

I noticed it from puck drop tonight that the forwards were way too far from the defense on breakouts. Only exception was Ryan McLeod. Otherwise they were too far. Don’t think it’s a system problem as they were playing closer together and supporting all over the ice before all star break. Sometimes they forget what wins.. need to work together. Also falls apart a little when they get rewarded despite not playing the right way, as they were in the first period.

Offside

I’m so mad I’m gonna channel my inner Verdad.
Holland is inept
Blow this team up
Trade Nurse for Zegras
Campbell isn’t an NHL goalie

ok I feel better. We’re still in a good spot folks. After the TO trade, I’m guessing we make a harder push for Karlsson

McSorley33

Does Karlsson PK?

Offside

Once JP is traded, we go back to 11-7 and Desharnais gets recalled?

JOFA

The forwards need to reintroduce themselves to the defense. Playing 50 feet apart is not the answer. Same old.

JOFA

Completely dominated. Not even close. Lucky to get a point. This team is NOT a contender. Top 15? Sure.

TheGreatBigMac

Bob said guys have the flu.

JOFA

Yeah that was it😃

Crazy Pedestrian

Seems like the perfect time to hamstring the team with a shortened roster… 😒

winchester

You watched the first period. It’s there, but then it disappears.

NYR game is consistent, repeatable,

im not sure how the Oil get there, but they have it in them

JOFA

The PP is great.

Sierra

What makes you so certain they have it in them?

FabioRoberto

Where did all the team defence and attention to detail go? They better figure things out fast because Sunday will require changes.

Durag

Was that Draisaitl’s resignation letter from shootouts?

Darryl8843

I thought that was dumb myself. Almost zero chance of scoring that way

Jaxon

Why weren’t Kane and Hyman picked for shootout over Ryan and Yamamoto? Seemed odd to me.

Munny 2.0

Ryan’s been hot and trying to get Yams jumpstarted. One can come up with reasons for just about any player.

Psyche

Yamamoto = 4 goals this season. The point was too important to piss away on trying to “jumpstart” him. The team needs to make decisions based on winning. Oilers are slowly becoming the team that slips down the standings after the all-star break. Management and coaches need to figure out a line-up and a strategy that translates to wins, sooner than later. The details matter.

Munny 2.0

I assure you, Woodcroft did not base the decisions on losing.

And he is likely thinking winning longer term than your comment implies.

Last edited 1 year ago by Munny 2.0
Psyche

I assure you do not know what he based his decision on. To suggest that anyone thought it was based on losing is akin to selecting Yamamoto for a shootout opportunity.

Munny 2.0

And yet you did suggest that….

JOFA

I would be more concerned about how far away this team is from competing with the big boys😉

jp

Lol, what?

JOFA

Don’t let the score fool you. NYR are on a whole different level😉

jp

k, I’ll take your word.

Who are the next Oiler players off to Switzerland?

JOFA

Lolol Are you still cheering for Schremp?

OriginalPouzar

You mean playing the hottest (and one of the best) team in the league to a tie while shorthanded and the flu running through the team…….

JOFA

Bob?

OriginalPouzar

Because Kane has been awful in the shootout his entire career and Hyman, while not getting many chances, hasn’t scored when he has.

They are not great shootout players at all.

Reja

Well stone hands sure showed us.

flea

I won’t judge the team on the OT or SO. It’s not 5v5 and it won’t happen in the playoffs.

They (essentially) tied a pretty damn good team and it was an exceptional game- really enjoyed it!

My only thought is the team looked tired in the 3rd. Did they play with 11F? Maybe this is a wake up call to KH. It’s time to make the move, I think it hurt the team tonight.

Munny 2.0

Sick

McSorley33

We are just coming off the All star break where most of the team had 1/3 of a month off….

thelongdark

7 straight extra time losses.

jp

Glad you’re able to go home happy.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

This here is a valid point frankly.

I don’t begrudge teams when they snag loser points but failing miserably at gaining the 2nd? Losing 7 straight With McDavid and Drasaitl at 3v3?

That shouldn’t happen. Be better.

Team needs to wake the fuck up on this one 👍

Otherwise whatever 👌

godot10

Foegele the goat, not blocking out Kakko on the 3rd GA, and cheating up ice, even though the puck was heading to the corner.

He gave Kakko possession.

Kurri17

Pathetic boys. Team is looking mighty weak in the last several games.

prefonmich

I don’t think it was pathetic. They played well enough to win. Some poor calls and some bad luck leading to a few goals. A few of our forwards not playing well at all now. Kane is not looking at all engaged. Too much ice time for Drai and Mcdavid. They looked spent in OT. Cap issues led to this loss imo.

McSorley33

Even the Oiler PR letting it slip ….significant step up in weight class playing the Rangers

prefonmich

Holland has to do something to get us back to 11 and 7. Too many passengers on our offense right now to play with less than a full deck there.

Darryl8843

So who picks the shooters? Analytics? Leaving Kane and Hyman on the bench? So go full Crawford and leave Gretzky on the bench.

OriginalPouzar

Kane is AWFUL in the shootout and Hyman has taken many and, well, hasn’t scored when he was.

JOFA

Hyman has one move😉

Crazy Pedestrian

Karlson would have scored…

Psyche

I don’t understand the player selection for the shootout. Rangers trot out all their stud goal scorers. Meanwhile, Woodcroft is rewarding players for good effort? Ryan and Yamamoto? Hyman and Kane have to be ahead of those two.

winston

apparently the extra point is not overly important. Both McDavid and Draisaitle sucks on the shootout is because they spend all their energy on 3-3

OriginalPouzar

Hyman and Kane have been awful on shootouts for their career.

I 100% agree with the Derek Ryan pick.

Paulie

Very tough loss. Av’s on Sunday. Uh oh.

dsr29

Got a point. More than they deserved.

prefonmich

How does our team suck so bad in shootouts?!?!

Crazy Pedestrian

Used to be our forte in the good old DOD…

JOFA

It’s not the shootout you should be worried about😃

LMHF#1

Absolutely pathetic loss.

flea

If some part of you didn’t enjoy that game, you should probably step away from hockey for a while.

You know when I want the Oilers to catch fire in OT? In the playoffs!

That might have been a Stanley cup final preview. The Oilers have some holes but they are a pretty damn good team.

LMHF#1

Watching a team dog it and abandon what they’re good at for 2 periods because they scored 4 in the first and think they can coast or sit back is deeply frustrating.

The only thing worse is that Jack and the NHL flacks think the “managing” of that game makes it better instead of a sham.

OriginalPouzar

I don’t think that statement is a reflection of the game……

leadfarmer

Some very uninspired shootout attempts by the Oil

MushedPeas

sunuva

Gerta Rauss

farg

this one stings

Gerta Rauss

The first 5 Ranger shooters has been the ’27 Yankees

David

Draisaitl needs to take a break from the shootout.

thelongdark

You mean coach needs to stop picking him to shoot.

LMHF#1

WTF Leon??

Kurri17

What the heck is drai thinking?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

So, Nuge’s snapshot is back.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

EK65 would have… Barried that.

LMHF#1

Terrible. Giving that start away.

Only thing worse is having Jack trying to sell that as a “great game”.

YUCK.

Munny 2.0

Unreal save on Barrie

prefonmich

Just took my first breath in 4 min

Munny 2.0

And there’s the late hometown penalty finally

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Witchy Nuge jumped the Fox.

Munny 2.0

Nuge really bailed his own ass out there

Munny 2.0

56 and 71, wow

MushedPeas

Blue not playing as well as I’d like.
Offensive pressure on vacay thru 3rd.
Still feel this is great game between two good teams, and couldn’t always say that the past 15 years.

Last edited 1 year ago by MushedPeas
winchester

Three on three, somebody has to be there man, somebody has to make a move to beat their man, then it becomes a 2 on 1

Paulie

Oil hit two posts. 13 and 37 missed on grade A shots. Puck bobbled on 29-91 2 on 1. Grrr ….