Game 62 2022-23: Maple Leafs at Oilers

by Lowetide

It is so good to see these two proud franchises pushing for Stanley in 2023. It wasn’t so long ago (March 2015) that my pre-game ramble about these two teams involved the McDavid lottery. Here’s the intro, funny how time slips away.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

  • At home to: TOR, WPG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: WPG, BUF, BOS, TOR (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: OTT, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: SEA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: SJS, ARI, VGK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: ARI, VGK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • March expected result: 9-6-0, 18 points in 15 games
  • March actual result: 0-0-0
  • February actual result: 4-3-4, 12 points in 11 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: 32-21-8, 72 points in 61 games

If my prediction comes true, the Oilers will finish March (and pretty much the season) with 76 games complete and a record of 41-27-8, 90 points. It should be a short flight to the playoffs, and those last six April games might be for something special like the division championship. If this holds true, Oilers made the playoffs via a single month, January. The rest of the year has been matzah balls.

SAIL ON, FINLAND SELECT

There’s a song by the Beach Boys called “Sail on Sailor” that I’ve loved since hearing it as a teenager. Part of the lyric, which never made it to the record, goes “fill your sails with fortitude and ride her stormy waves; You’ve got to sail on, sail on, sailor” and I wish they’d kept it. Today, Edmonton sends a favourite son across the stormy waves, and worries all the tomorrows.

Jesse Puljujarvi is the latest, and perhaps the most famous example of a player-type who arrives in Edmonton and carves out a place in the soul of the city. He’s from Finland, but could be from down the block or a small town in Saskatchewan. He could have come from anywhere on the planet the produces honest, down-to-earth young men who are fun-loving and full of life. JP’s fame off the ice is and will be legendary, I’d guess the good people of Raleigh will fall in love with him around the time he makes quick work of a pile of barbecued ribs sometime this week.

Puljujarvi as a human is pure. As a hockey player, he has enormous gifts but is still looking for his place in the game. I hope he finds it in Raleigh. I’m not an envious person, it’s a silly way to be, but do admit that being 24 and starting a new life in a new town was exciting. The entire world is out there, and I trust the good people of Raleigh will recognize a good heart when they see one.

Why do things fail? Lots of reasons, I expect. One thing we can say about Jesse today is that he never lost his humanity, his smile, his zeal, his passion.

I’m a Dad, and among the most difficult things in my life is watching my children try and fail. It is often supplanted by extreme pride in watching them succeed in something that had eluded them in the past. Perhaps this is the next chapter for Jesse Pulujujarvi. I think he’ll find that in life it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it. I think he’ll be fine. God speed, Jesse Puljujarvi, you taught all of us about the power of being genuine and real in difficult times. Be well, young man.

THE TRADES

Mattias Ekholm is going to help the Edmonton Oilers win hockey games down the stretch and into the postseason. He is a big man, who plays an intelligent game that features good positioning, calm feet, size and strength. He isn’t a big open-ice hitter but does lean on players and can clear the net front. He has a fine shot from the point and can move the puck. I would play him with Evan Bouchard on the second pairing, or with Cody Ceci on the top pairing.

In the last three seasons at five-on-five, he has posted a 57 percent goal share, 51 percent expected goal share and averaged 17:07 per night. His rel numbers are rel rel good, and he should make Edmonton better right away, possibly as early as tonight. He is mobile, tough but not prone to taking penalties because of it and a very strong addition to the hockey club. He will help in suppression and I dare say mentor young Philip Broberg and others.

Patrik Puistola just turned 22, was wondering what to do, and the closer they got, the more those feelings grew (grungy guitar line here). I had him No. 50 in 2019’s draft, Philip Broberg No. 16 and Raphael Lavoie No. 26. Puistala has an NHL equivalency of 10-15-25 in 82 games based on a strong Liiga season. He owns a 25-36 even-strength goal share on a team that is well underwater and has a 10.1 shooting percentage. He needs to be signed.

The big get for Edmonton is the $3 million cap relief and that’s a win for Ken Holland. Puistola probably lands about No. 12 on my Oilers top 20 prospects list, but we’ll have to wait and see the next installment.

That brings me to assets out. I believe you know my opinion of Jesse Puljujarvi, so that doesn’t need repeating. I will say that if you’d given me a vote on destination, it would have been the Carolina Hurricanes. That team is made up of like minded players and JP should thrive there. Eric Tulsky is a smart man and will have valued him for some time. We can’t guarantee anything in life but Carolina showed faith in the player by using $3 million in cap at the deadline. I wish the Oilers were run this way, but can appreciate a team run with a combination of old fashioned scouting and a keen analytics eye to boot.

Reid Schaefer was my No. 4 prospect in the winter top-20, and I do think it’s worth mentioning the Oilers traded the player farthest away from the NHL among the team’s top five prospects. In keeping Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg and Xavier Bourgault, Ken Holland did not deplete his 2023-24 roster options. That’s a positive. Schaefer currently looks like an excellent bet for NHL middle-six duties when he’s ready. I have no quarrel with dealing him as part of the Ekholm package.

If the season ended today, the Oilers first-round pick in the 2023 draft would land at No. 20 overall. Scott Wheeler’s 2023 ranking is just out at The Athletic and he has Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves at that number. He has a 38.5 NHL equivalency and would be the top prospect in the system on my list this summer (Broberg and Holloway have now graduated as prospects). He would be a fantastic prospect for any team.

I have no quarrel with Edmonton surrendering this pick in the Eckholm deal. It’s go time.

Tyson Barrie is the pivotal name in the trade in my opinion. It shows a recognition of duplicate skills on the roster and puts to and end what has been an uneasy RH side on the defense. I do believe Brad Holland and analytics had an impact on these trades but there’s a river of logic and reason running through it. Barrie is more expensive than Bouchard, who is younger. Schaefer is the least NHL-ready of the prospects and the one whose skating is the most worrisome in the group near the top. Jesse Puljujarvi was the one forward who Edmonton could trade because his contract was expiring, but only if no money returned. I’m convinced the transition from Archie Henderson to Brad Holland helped the Oilers yesterday. I hope the Oilers hire the Puck IQ folks this summer, even if it means my favourite site on the Al Gore vanishes like the usual suspects.

The Oilers had a good, good, good, day.

LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON

At 10 this morning, TSN1260. A complete breakdown of Oilers trades, TML-EDM game preview and more! 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!

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jp

Elliotte Friedman@FriedgeHNIC·31s

8x$11.25M for Pastrnak

Walter Gretzkys Neighbour

What do you suppose it would take to get Wade Allison or Owen Tippett and Ivan Provorov from Flyers? Is that a potential deal that – if a way can be found – would be desired?

I am not looking at any analytics at all, just age, position and size….

Thoughts anyone?

ArmchairGM

Isn’t Provorov another lefty?

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Why do the Oilers need a LHD? Also, it is nearly impossible for the Oilers to accommodate Provorov’s cap hit.

Walter Gretzkys Neighbour

Good point – was just skimming rosters looking for an appropriate age/size guy.

RD is the need.

Bulging Twine

I’ll take Allison fo’ sho’

€√¥£€^$

I’ve read that Allison might be relatively easy to get (injury, age, inconsistency), but not sure if a 4th would do it, or if you could get Allison + a 3rd rounder for Yamo.

I think Ryan and Yamo will be moved (size/salary) and Bjugstadt is a primary target. I think there could be up to 3 additions, a scoring RW, a bottom 6 forward and a vet depth defender.

I don’t see Tippett being available and Provorov would be costly and unnecessary.

Last edited 1 year ago by €√¥£€^$
Walter Gretzkys Neighbour

Thanks!

ArmchairGM

With Washington selling, is Tom Wilson available? Does that seem like a Holland move?

Walter Gretzkys Neighbour

Would love that type of player but he seems to be on the injury cusp.

jp

Sounds like Bertuzzi to Boston for a 1st and a 4th (per Friedman).

There goes one of the potential forward targets.

jp

I’m pretty strongly expecting Yamamoto to go on LTIR today or tomorrow.

No idea whether he’s got ill effects from the head shot or not, quite possibly he does.

Even if there are no ill effects though, it seems pretty likely Holland was on the cusp of dealing either he or Foegele to open space for other moves.

I don’t normally suggest this stuff, but both sides of this particular equation seem to be faced with a ‘trade or LTIR’ decision. I imagine neither side would prefer ‘trade’, and the other option has presented itself. So, I expect that’s what we’ll see (and of course it may actually be legitimate if this does come to pass).

jp

And I’ll add, until we hear otherwise (and for the next 30 hours or less), I’m going let myself dream about what the Oilers can do with the slightly more than $4.5M in cap space that they now find themselves with.

With salary retention that should be able to buy a Dman AND a forward of some note.

W

I doubt Holland is on the cusp of dealing Foegele.

jp

Lol. Well Seravalli (I think) mentioned both names as potentials to open cap.

jp

Has anyone posted that McDavid has fully 2X the points of Matthews on the year? (118 to 59). Solid.

Ice Sage

but, but… ‘defensive responsibility’, ‘best 2-way forward’

LOL

Munny 2.0

Wow, what a game. Looked like with the big move done, everyone
on the roster was feeling a lighter, and freer, because the juice was evident up and down the line-up.

McSupernova joins another elite club with a chance to move up one notch against the Oiler’s last remaining nemesis, the Jets. An absolutely gorgeous goal too. Liljegren is still looking for his jockstrap up in the rafters of Rexall.

I loved Ekholm’s comment on 97 in the post-game: ” It’s kind of nice to see he doesn’t just do it to you.” He of course saw the most McDavid minutes out of the Preds’ killer row of LD (and what does that say about Ek?). He also complimented the forwards back pressure and how easy they made gapping up.

Notice who was standing beside the net, threatening to bang one in the wide open net as Hyman locked into shooting and fired that second shot that scored? Ekholm. Went there after he fed Hyman. This is his first period as an Oiler and he already fits like a glove. He’s going to get some points here.

Drai with his best game in what feels like eons and not just those sick slick passes in the OZone but the defensive plays he made too. He was a force tonight.

McLeod. My god. That was a freeze-the-goalie, no-look backhand feed over to Kostin. McDavid shit. Draisaitl shit. Nuge shit. This is what you get when you practice and play with good players. Everyone learns from them, everyone’s game is raised.

But the best for last: Rocky Nugent-Hopkins. Stands up for his linemate and delivers. Who is this guy? What Jay is getting out of him no coach has ever got out of Nuge. Flybys per 60 are way down. He gives as good as he gets out there now. I wonder if this comes from watching McDavid transform in this way? See para above.

But any time a Leafs fan is shit-talking you and your team, remind them that one of their big tough Leaf defenseman, present day torch-carrier for Tim Horton and Bobby Baun, got a beatdown from Baby Nuge. Baby Nuge can beat up a Leaf, that’s how weakass yo team is.

Except I’m never calling him Baby Nuge again. He Man Nuge now. Rocky Topkins.

Side

I don’t think Ekholm or his family will want to leave any time soon:

“Mark Spector 🇨🇦 🇺🇦
@SportsnetSpec
Mattias Ekholm’s wife is from northern Sweden.
She skis, loves the snow, and according to her husband, can’t wait to get to Edmonton with their kids to raise them in a proper winter climate.
Finding a hockey wife that loves EDM weather.
Perhaps Ken Holland’s finest hour.
9:41 PM · Mar 1, 2023”

https://twitter.com/SportsnetSpec/status/1631152730831216641?s=20

Bulging Twine

sheesh what a game!

1 HDCA! Look at the NST Heatmap! Nice

Loved Nuge standing up for Yamamoto

Loved Kostin cutting to the net

Loved McDavid with 2 great plays in his own crease

So PK1 was Ekholm – Desharnais
PK2 Nurse – Ceci

jp

So PK1 was Ekholm – Desharnais

You were certainly correct on that, except you’d said they’d be PK2.

Diablo

The bigger the Oilers get throughout their lineup, the more Yamo stands out as too small. Love his motor but he keeps getting clocked repeatedly. He’s got terrific skill as evidenced by the goal he scored, but I can see the desire to upgrade his spot in the lineup.

The Leafs looked small against the Oilers. Not sure how they’re going to survive the Lightning.

Faustkarz

Think with yams, have to think opposite

if he looks smaller rel to team all the better

Yam plays a good solid game when he is active and making issues

he can not make a lick of difference as a bystander

Admiral Ackbar

This. I’m not sure how the relative size of a player to his own team matters all that much. Obv durability matters. I’ve always seen Yamamoto as navigating tough areas of the ice well but that all changed with the Landeskog blind side. He’s never been the same. It actually looks like he’s lost a step. I really feel for the kid if that’s what’s going on…

Reja

For Yamo to be successful he needs to play like he did last night going to the paint tough on the forecheck. When he plays perimeter hockey he’s beyond useless but becomes a negative asset to the line and team.

Ryan

comment image

Vic, could you please have MacLellan call Holland and send Trevor Van Riemsdyk our way?

Hat tip to JP for the player idea.

EW 3-year numbers. Overall percentile / offense 5v5 percentile / defensive 5v5 percentile

74-52-74

6’3″ 191 pounds, Right handed.

expiring $950k cap hit contract.

Edit: –>

Plays PK1 for the Caps. 3rd pair at 5v5.

Last edited 1 year ago by Ryan
€√¥£€^$

I’ve read that he is 6’2” from 2 different sources, so I am not sure what he is. Maybe, unlike Seaweed Man, they rounded up 😀

I’ve scoured the league for such a target and in the <$1 million UFA cap hits & TVR is #1 for me. I do like Mayfield better, but his team is still the mix and he is a bit over $1 million.

Other targets, in order of preference would be:

Kovacevic
Seeler
Holden
Braun

smellyglove

Can anyone explain to me how the Kings, who are in the mix for the division title, have a +0 goal differential when the teams just above and below are fielding big double digit pluses?

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Heinous goaltending. They have been running two Jack Campbells all season.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Third worst team sv% (89.88) 5v5 and second worst PDO (981) in the league.

jp

Heinous goaltending.

Sure, that’s why they have a 0 goal differential.

But goaltending doesn’t in any way explain how they’re 2nd in the division and 4th in the conference with a 0 goal differential.

innercitysmytty

It gets worse, because in real time they actually have a -5 goal differential that is inflated by a 6-1 shootout record. The shootout record partially explains how they could have such a heinous goal differential but still have a plus 14 Bettman win/loss record. They’ve won a lot of OT games and other one goal games and on the flip side have gotten blown out a number of games.

Crazy Pedestrian

I know right?!

Victoria Oil

They’ve been in a lot of three point games.

Diablo

Their record is a mirage – I can’t wait to beat them again in the playoffs.

Redbird62

Yup – 4 OT wins and 6 shoot out wins to go along with 8 OT losses. That’s almost 30% of their games going beyond 60 minutes. I

TravisTDK

It’s a weird thing to see but less blowout wins and losses. The oilers have a talented scoring group but when you win 7-2 in games more often scoring in “garbage time” as they call it, but lose the 2-1 games when they happen, it really skews the look of the goals for/goals against.

hunter1909

Oilers tonight deliver the best game so far in the Season in a season I’ve been running ever since they also looked great whipping Seattle 7-2.

I wanted to post something about how tough some of the Oilers are like: Nurse, Kane, Kostin, Ekholm and several others now RNH

Fantastic win on so many levels.

Thank you and Welcome to the Oilers Mattias Ekholm.

jp

Truth be told, they’ve looked quite excellent in 3 of their last 4 games (PIT, BOS, TML).\

Ekholm is a most welcome addition though.

Ryan

Do you still live in Boston? I’m not sure why, but from your Gravatar, I always had the vibe that you live in the UK. Who are the people in your Gravatar?

Hockey Project

Unless I’m seeing that wrong, it looks like Jack Palance.

Ryan

Actually, it does bear a resemblance.

innercitysmytty

Wait until Kane is back in the lineup!

DevilsLettuce

Sugar Ray Nugent is welcoming all combatants to take a stroll down jabroni drive.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Well done.

OriginalPouzar

If we thought that the new top 4LD was going to cut Nurse’s minutes down, well, he played 25 minutes tonight. I think the Ekholm did help with the tougher minutes but Broberg was at 7 and a half and that’s where the overall minutes where cut.

I hope that’s not the every game strategy – as good as the group was tonight.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I think Woody is going to transition to 12-6 deployment.

11-7 was necessary to shelter 4-5 dmen.

With Ekholm, hopefully, Manson can build two pairs to eat tough minutes. 11-7 becomes less necessary.

innercitysmytty

11-7 also necessary until Kane is back because we only have 11 F available until then (IIRC).

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Waiting for speeds to confirm.

smellyglove

Maybe Nurse gets fed less elite competition?

Diablo

With the elite forwards we have in our top 6, I’d rather dress a 7th d-man than a 12th forward. That 12th is basically just keeping the bench warm, opening the gate, and keeping the backup goalie company.

jp

Hopefully Yamamoto is alright after the hit to the head. If he’s not, I’ll feel as bad for him as for Barrie having to move on.

If Yamamoto is out for a bit though, it would sure make it easier for Ken Holland to make adds over the next 36 hrs. Just saying.

Ryan

Now that you’ve broached that subject, and I feel bad for Yamamoto too…

Who could the Oilers add with the $3.5m if Yamamoto is on LTIR?

Gudas keeps getting mentioned. He has a $2.5 m cap hit. Looking at the minutes below, the Oilers really like Vinny though.

Last edited 1 year ago by Ryan
jp

They have to add a RD.

Even if it’s only for depth they NEED more than just Desharnais there.

Braun, TVR and possibly Mayfield are low AAV options. Stetcher too I guess. Gudas and lots of others if some more money opens up and they chose to spend it there.

Adding up front would be pretty important too though, if it turns out Yamamoto actually is injured.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Mayfield, by far (now that Zub has been locked up long term). But Lou is adding, not selling…

Last edited 1 year ago by BornInAGretzkyJersey
jp

But Lou is adding, not selling…

100%, hence the possibly.

Ryan

I don’t know why and I haven’t watched or noticed him this year, but Stetcher is a player I always seem to see him good when we play against him.

His EH numbers are putrid this year though 2-1-14 … $1.250 m cap

Gudas would be great if the cap can work and he isn’t too expensive.

I was surprised Schenn only went for a third. I would have probably paid that, but Evolving Hockey would have disagreed with me (9-58-5), playing 3rd pairing minutes.

It will never happen, but I’d be thrilled to see Bear playing on our third pair. He has a $1.8m cap.

Braun would be injury cover, but I’m not sure much more.

TVR looks like an amazing target. $950 k cap. EW: 85-84-56.

Last edited 1 year ago by Ryan
jp

Yeah, there’s lots of options of all different qualities and price points. It’s so hard to try to evaluate players by numbers. None of the attempts are yet very satisfying IMO. I feel like Braun would be close to equal to TVR even though I know the numbers would laugh at me.

And I’m still kind of intrigued by Klingberg even though the numbers say he’s no good any more. He’s been a really high end player in the past, and he’s only 30.

Ryan

Let’s look at the TOI for the D.

At 5v5

Nurse – 19:07
Ekholm – 17:04
Ceci – 15:46
Bouchard – 14:18
Vinny – 11:40
Kulak – 11:16
Bro – 7:22

PK:
Vinny – 3:04
Ekholm – 2:28
Nurse – 2:16
Ceci – 1:39
Bro / Bouch / Kulak – 0

PP

Bouchard – 4:28
Nurse 3:25
Kulak – 0:58
Ekholm – 30
Broberg – 13
Ceci / Vinny – 0

Total

Nurse – 24:55
Ekholm – 20:49
Ceci – 17:55
Bouchard – 19:04
Vinny – 14:54
Bro – 7:36
Kulak – 12:16

Last edited 1 year ago by Ryan
jp

Think you missed Bouchard’s PP time (4:28).

But yeah, they sure as hell don’t need 4 LD with Nurse and Ekholm in the lineup.

I suspect someone plays off-side next year. But for the playoff run I’m expecting a 3RD added with Broberg-Desharnais waiting in the wings as depth (Niemalainen in that group as well).

Ryan

Yeah, I fixed that. thanks. Certainly looks like Broberg was just along for the ride tonight.

Bag of Pucks

Jo-Anne is looking down on your Oilers tonight LT and she is very pleased.

OriginalPouzar

Evan Bouchard – fantastic game.

He was ripping the puck around with authority – bullets up the ice and right on sticks.

With confidence and authority!

THAT Evan Bouchard is the player that has legit top 5 scoring d-man potential.

THAT d-men is who we saw developing last season.

Is he back for good – and getting better?

One game but he was a different player tonight.

Last edited 1 year ago by OriginalPouzar
Genjutsu

Confidence comes from knowing big E is covering his back.

Diablo

I was less than impressed with Bouch tonight – thought the PP1 looked less organized when breaking into the offensive zone with Bouch on the ice, than with Barrie. He failed to hold the zone a number of times, standing still too often and not moving his feet. He was slow with his passes and got caught pinching in deep a few times.

He played better at 5v5 partnered up with Ekholm though.

He needs to keep his feet moving and make faster decisions with the puck. He still processes the game too slowly.

Last edited 1 year ago by Diablo
oilinthepeg

I saw this tonight as well. I felt he did have a lot of confidence, but his reaction time is much too slow, still. I think this might get better with time as the game slows down for him. The PP will likely take a hit for a while, which does matter, but matters less in the playoffs. Let’s hope that the increased ice time leads to progression. The D overall looked solid tonight. We will miss having a super offensive threat on the blueline that can skate, reacts quickly, and has great hockey sense. Will miss Barrie, but the new look D just feels more balanced overall.

Tarkus

Desharnais has now played 17 NHL games. He has finished even or plus in all but one of them (the BOS game the other night).

dangilitis

“ If this holds true, Oilers made the playoffs via a single month, January. The rest of the year has been matzah balls.”

Wait, what’s wrong with matzah balls?

Ryan

If Holland, can make one more trade what’s our biggest need

[+] Right wing

[-] Right D

Ryan

Daily Faceoff still has Vinny D as our 2LW.

Kert

Depends on if either of the RW or RD can also play G.

Reja

Domi please.

Diablo

Domi is an empty calories scoring forward, with some of the worst defensive metrics in the league. Hard no.

jp

Where does this idea come from?

I’ve heard it a bunch of times but why? I can’t see anything in the numbers that would suggest any of this is true.

He’s routinely in range of 2.0 P/60 at 5v5. The worst season of his entire career he was 1.57 P/60.

His on ice numbers are thoroughly team average. Sometimes better, sometimes worse, but I don’t see where ‘worst defensive metrics’ could possibly come from.

Can anyone at least shed light on what ‘smart’ person is spreading this info? It seems like baseless narrative to me, but I’d love to know if there’s something I’m missing.

Pretendergast

Colorado just scored another ‘mini dump in’ goal like Makar last playoffs. I’m thinking it’s coached. loophole for offside, smart to exploit it.

Gerta Rauss

Very enjoyable game

Loved the Nuge beatdown

hunter1909

Kind of like seeing your kid brother batter the local bully.

hunter1909

Suddenly Nurse starts laying on the lumber and going forward – both thanks to the changes to the team.

Ekholm instantly makes Nurse the 2nd best defenceman on the Oilers. Nurse is going to start playing fantastic hockey, now that he has another player to admire on defence.

Faustkarz

Nurse had 2-3 great rushes into the O zone

figure it was more not energy, but dependency to reserve energy that helped

Redbird62

Nuge can handle himself. Holl is a big guy at 6’3, thought only 197. Seemed like a decisive victory for the feisty Nuge.

That was a shoulder right on the chin. Yamamoto looked okay on the bench but still had to leave for concussion protocol. With that, he didn’t play another shift, but there probably wasn’t time anyway. Hope he is okay.

Ryan

Yeah, I was surprised to see Nuge win that fight decisively.

Nuge was giving up 3 inches of height and 13 lbs.

Boil-in-the-Oil

I don’t know, but that looked really nasty bad, direct hit to Yamo’s head… I will be shocked if that wasn’t concussive. Hope not, but… who’s due for the next callup?

No penalty was called, will the league review it?

Ryan

The NHL, unfortunately, is a garage league.

They didn’t do anything about the Carter hit on Makar.

flea

That is insane. I didn’t realize a suspension didn’t occur on the Makar hit.

I thought Holl’s hit was a little blind too but not as bad as that Carter one. Even the announcers are convinced it’s a dirty hit.

Ryan

I was shocked. One day this league will decide to protect it’s stars.

I hate Makar sort of in the same way I hated Sergei Zubov… as in if they changed their sweater to copper and blue, they’d instantly be one of my favorite players.

I’ll never forget Zubov wearing that damn thick gold chain around his neck walking the line on the power play terrorizing me.

Still, the league should protect their stars. It’s an embarrassment.

Mr.Snrub

>Button believes trade for Gavrikov, Korpisalo vaults Kings to top of Pacific Division>Chychrun is better in every way’: Button believes Oilers missed with Ekholm acquisition

Always good to see Craig still seething over the Oil, throw in TSN hiding tonights Oilers/Leafs game off the front page of their website and tonights game was top tier entertainment indeed!

hunter1909

So far “Button” looks like a fool.

Faustkarz

as opposed to Button not looking like one lol

khildahl

I like to believe Pat Maroon sends Button unsolicited pictures of his cup rings.

MADOIL

Oiler coaches should play this tape to the players before every game as a motivation to beat their opponencts especially the when playing the Kings. After beating them for the division title, sthe team should ,collectively, show the middle finger to Mr. Button for his take claiming Jacob is better than EK, both offensively and defensively. 🙂

Bulging Twine

Button: Oilers should add Klingberg who has been a great playoff performer for the Dallas Stars the last few years.
He has not! At least last year anyways. He was really really bad.

Bag of Pucks

It feels like Geno is on a permanent mission to get Connor to humble brag about his individual accomplishments and #97 never NEVER takes the bait.

Team first. It’s a beautiful thing. If I ever have the pleasure to meet Brian McDavid, I will shake that man’s hand on a parenting job well done.

Last edited 1 year ago by Bag of Pucks
hunter1909

…telling 7 year old Connor that all he has to do to be guaranteed a shot in the NHL is to put a hole in the wall.

Boil-in-the-Oil

Glory.

Victoria Oil

I like how 97 is calling Ekholm ‘Ek’ already. Using his nickname on day one.

Bag of Pucks

Agreed.

Redbird62

I was thinking of posting before the game that Hyman had been somewhat quiet for a while and he needed to get going tonight, but I forgot. Sure looked like a typical Hyman game (except with McDavid causing the no goal call). Plenty of chances, and a couple of points.

registerme

I want the leafs to beat calgry…but man is beating them sweet.

theDjdj

There was a brief moment in one of the last power plays that tells you everything about Ekholm as a player. Edm forward bobbles the puck high up the line and it floats off the boards and travels towards the blue line. Tor player has the step on the Edm forward as he peels off to attack the puck. Ekholm, who had just come off the blue to play the puck back in sees the Tor player and rather than pushing to keep the play in, doubles back immediately and goes to play the zone defense on the Tor player potentially having a breakaway.

Was a nothing play and didn’t result in anything. But I’ve watched Barrie dive at those 50/50 pucks and find himself caught on the wall on the outside of the play. Just an interesting observation on the different mindsets of how Ekholm thinks about the game.

Faustkarz

decision to protect is better than indecision to make a decision 100% of the time

Ranford.85

A lot of positives tonight. The new guy was great. McDs 5th 2 goal game in a row. Nuge takes on Holl and wins. 3rd line goal. Skinner solid. Bouchard and Nurse seemed calmer.

Beating TO handedly is a real treat. Matthews who?

Rough seeing Yamo get hammered like that. I thought he was looking more like his old self tonight.

Last edited 1 year ago by Ranford.85
theDjdj

Matthews was proper invisible tonight. At this point I don’t think he’s even the best player on his team.

Crazy Pedestrian

He never was. It’s always been Marner.

rich tm

Toronto won a lot of board battles earlier but I liked the fact that the Oilers had their men marked tonight in front of Skinner. Coverage was really good.

Faustkarz

agreed on early part, fancy stats be damned.

Tor came out on fire to make a point and it was snuffed

grats to the home crowd

KnightRain

What a game. PP goal against aside, I had zero stress in the third. Skinner didn’t have much stress, either.
What a difference a defensive pillar makes, eh?
Liked that My Cousin Vinny was on the ice with EKS with just over a minute in the game. Coaches recognized that he was killing it tonight.
Different team tonight. No panic. No cheating. No quarter given.
Am I a fool for dreaming?
One scotch a game might become a thing…don’t tell my wife…

AsiaOil

If somehow you could turn Kulak into Gudas – that would balance out the defense very nicely and would be a real miserable group to play against.

godot10

Kyle Dubas was a genius 3 hours ago. Now it’s back to burying himself in his AI-enhanced big data excel spreadsheets. Kenny, looks at Kyle. Says, “have you ever seen one of these”, and toss him the NHL Guide and Record Book.

Faustkarz

lol

I do love an old man winning against new smart guy technology narrative

some people get lost in noise, you can watch hockey while deaf

Bag of Pucks

Oilers undefeated without Jesse Puljujarvi.

jp

OMFG.

HD chances tonight 16-2 Oilers (14-1 at 5v5).

Sorry if that was already posted, but gheez.

Bag of Pucks

Oilers undefeated with Mattias Ekholm.

hunter1909

I pressed Thumbs Up and the count went from 6 straight up to 9. This is from Ekholm running the Oilers defence.

Bag of Pucks

And he seems like a likeable dude to boot. Bonus!

cowboy bill

Leafs looked frustrated. Oilers snuffed the Leafs. Looks like the maple leafs need to make some more moves.

Last edited 1 year ago by cowboy bill
jp

Rest assured, Dubas will remain frantic.

Bag of Pucks

After acquiring O’Reilly, TO fandom was suggesting they had the best 123 C punch in the league.

Note to The Center of The Universe. That group lives in Oil Country.

Redbird62

McDavid and Draisaitl down the middle with Brad Malone and Derek Ryan would probably be more formidable than any other teams 4 best centers. Leon is at the top of small group of centers vying for 2nd place. McDavid is in a league of his own by a wide margin.

Faustkarz

I know b2b fri-sat

its not unheard of

Id play skinner in both and give JC the game against the sabres

Faustkarz

maybe with the retention of being blown out friday but for real

Jets are sneaky one of the better teams in the west let skinner take both and take a meaningless EC game

Side

I still think Draisaitl’s better than Matthews.

Last edited 1 year ago by Side
Fuhr and Lowething in Vegreville

And I don’t think it’s even close tbh.

theDjdj

I still think Draisaitl the second best player in the league

Genjutsu

Because he is.

Genjutsu

Yessir

Right now, he is by exactly 3:2 point spread.

He has been throughout their careers.

I like Mathews a ton and in the future who knows? But the numbers aren’t close one has 90 points, the other 60.

Abbeef

I think the legitimate debate is Drai and Mackinnon. Matthews is top 5 but not in the 2nd best debate imo.

jp

What a nice game.

Quality vs. Boston as well despite the result.

Keep that up boys, very nice.

flyfish1168

To think that I will be cheering for the leafs tomorrow night.

Side

“Tonight on Sportsnet’s 3 Part Special, the Quest for Matthews 30th goal to make him ONLY the 17th person to do so this year. Incredible, isn’t it?”

Faustkarz

lmao

hunter1909

Hunter1909 Season in a Season Update: 2 minutes left to play in the game

Calling tonight a W with Techno Viking(Ekholm).

14 7 6 that’s an improved record from last time.

Does Techno Viking settle the Oilers defence down more than anyone thought he would?

If Yes: press Thumbs Up

If No: press Thumbs Down

jp

Wow, that should have been a call on Ceci too. Haha

Redbird62

On the replay it sure looked like Bunting put his stick under Cecil’s arm and that Ceci didn’t do anything to make that happen.

jp

Thought the replay showed Ceci did put his arm down once that stick found its way there. But whatever, the Oilers had earned more than one favourable call by that point (if it was in fact a favourable non-call).

Tarkus

What a treat to listen to a PBP guy who doesn’t sound like he’s announcing at a monster truck rally.

LMHF#1

This. This. This.

And doesn’t say Pawwwck or Boo…..shard.

theDjdj

I will not hear a word of slander against Jack Michaels he is an absolute gift and one of the best in the business.

LMHF#1

…of calling wrestling matches…but that’s not the sport we’re watching.

theDjdj

He is exciting and funny. That might not be for you. But he is good at his job. Shame you cant get into it.

LMHF#1

We had Rod Phillips man…Michaels can’t come close.

Wrong style. Wrong market. Wrong everything. We should have a classic game-caller…not someone who tries to be the show.

Faustkarz

I like Jack

he brings energy for a team who rarely and now sometimes does

DevilsLettuce

I’m just happy Jumbo Joe has nothing to add.

W

Jack just needs to cut down on his story telling.(quite a bit)

KnightRain

Great pass! Thought for sure Hyman was gonna go backhand.,,