The Edmonton Oilers won a high-scoring game in the desert last night, and chances are we’ll see plenty of goals tonight. The Oilers move from the Sonoran (which runs all the way to Osoyoos) to the Mojave desert and move several flights up in terms of quality of competition. The club received good news on the out of town scoreboard, as Seattle Kraken lost and are now five points back of the Edmonites with a game in hand. This will be a tough battle this evening for the road team, as the Golden Knights spent last night (and every night since Saturday) home and dry.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers at 2018 NHL Draft, making the final call
- New DNB: How the Oilers’ playoff path looks rockier after loss to Golden Knights
- Lowetide: Should the Oilers re-sign trade deadline acquisition Nick Bjugstad?
- DNB: Why Edmonton Oilers and their star players believe Pride night is ‘important to celebrate’
- Lowetide: Evander Kane, Zach Hyman and the Oilers’ ideal Connor McDavid line
- DNB: Connor McDavid joins the 60-goal club
- Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ defence deep enough to win the Stanley Cup?
- DNB: What I got wrong: Jack Campbell hasn’t given Oilers a goaltending upgrade
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Matvey Petrov and his possible impact in 2023-24
- DNB: Oilers’ recent play gives 3 reasons to be optimistic about a long playoff run
- Lowetide: Is Oilers defenceman Brett Kulak the odd man out this summer?
- Lowetide: Is Oilers AGM Brad Holland having an impact on trade success?
- DNB: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl shows he’s more than Connor McDavid’s sidekick
- Lowetide: Are the Oilers carrying too much youth to win the Stanley Cup?
- Lowetide: What to expect from the Oilers’ 2023 NHL Draft after trading first-round pick
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s importance to the Oilers keeps showing no bounds
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers spring signing season preview
- DNB: Why Mattias Ekholm is a big addition for an Oilers team that needs to win now
- Lowetide: Oilers’ mediocre February shows importance of protecting the puck
- DNB: Inside Brad Holland’s scouting process
- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie turns a corner, now NHL-ready
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- At home to: TOR, WPG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG, BUF, BOS, TOR (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 2-2-0)
- At home to: OTT, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: SJS, ARI, VGK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 2-0-1)
- On the road to: ARI, VGK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- 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: 10-2-1, 21 points in 13 games
- February results: 4-3-4, 12 points in 11 games
- January results: 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: 42-23-9, 93 points in 74 games
The Oilers appear to be settling in at the No. 3 spot in the Pacific, would need to win out against Vegas and Los Angeles then receive some help. It’s possible, but from there I believe a first-round matchup with the Golden Knights is most likely. If Edmonton wins tonight, and Calgary beats Los Angeles (stop chortling!), the Oilers would be within one point of LAK (the Widings with a game in hand) and three points of Vegas (the Flying Elvises with a game in hand. It’s a big ask of both Alberta teams.
GOALIE AND DEFENSE
Jack Campbell won the game and made several outstanding saves. Some of the chaos was self-inflicted worry, owing to his kevlar rebounds that appear to be focused on finding Coyotes and dropping in front of them. Damndest thing. I wouldn’t play him again this season. Bring him back in the fall, see if a fresh start will help.
Mattias Ekholm was solid, and his passing helped the team send the puck in a good direction often. He did have a GA but it was more poor luck than anything. Ekholm’s five-on-five goal share as an Oilers defenseman is 20-8, 71 percent. Pristine! Evan Bouchard had a nice night, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He looked the wrong way as Campbell leaked a rebound, the photo looks poor for sure but the goalie who lets that slip is going to get punished often. His five-on-five goal differential for the season is now 58-55, 51 percent. Music!
Darnell Nurse scored a huge goal, giving Edmonton a much needed lift on 80’s night. A couple of shot blocks, some good passing and 3:36 high event minutes (1-1 goals) on the PK. His five-on-five goal share this year is 68-66, 51 percent. He has been especially effective against elite opposition this season, Puck IQ has him at a 58 percent goal share five-on-five v. the best. Cody Ceci got caught on the first Arizona goal (Matias Maccelli), he pinched down low and was behind the net when the turnover came. I don’t think it’s a sin, if Edmonton scores there it’s happy fays. He was also on for the third Arizona goal (also Matias Maccelli), Jack Campbell passing the puck past him for an easy interception by Arizona. I would frame his evening as unlucky as opposed to inept, I’ve been seeing him better lately. He is 51-58, 47 percent on the season. Edmonton needs to him to effective in the playoffs.
The third pairing of Brett Kulak and Vincent Desharnais bent but did not break. It seems to me Desharnais is a target in games against teams he hasn’t played yet. It’s an indication he comes up in pre-scouting, likely due to his delightful nastiness. Sometimes guys hurt with slashes and hits, and can overpower and that saps energy. Desharnais is such a player. His 60 percent goal share shines like a diamond.
FORWARDS
Connor McDavid had two great chances early but did not cash. Picked up an assist, and a couple of high danger chances, great pass to Hyman for his goal. I thought McDavid was physical and aggressive on the night, others saw a gingerly manner from the captain. It’ll be a big test tonight. The problem for 97 is that his linemates have kind of been trash lately. Last night the trio went 3-9 shots, 0-1 goals and 17 percent expected goals. I know Woodcroft has a certain balance in mind, but at some point even Angelo Dundee threw in the towel. I would shuffle before the game tonight. Kailer Yamamoto picked up an assist on the Nurse shortie, and Evander Kane had a couple of looks, but these two men have earned a trip down the depth chart. Does Woodcroft hold the line in another important game tonight? It’s an important question. I still like his stubborn streak.
Leon Draisaitl is in fine form down the stretch this year. His 300th NHL goal was pure Leon, sees puck, shoots puck, raises hands in celebration. What a player! He is now 66-67, 49.6 percent at five-on-five scoring. He’s already one of my favourite all-time players, and has given me the gift of knowing, at some level, what it must have been like to see Jean Beliveau in his prime. He has 46 goals now, and is in good position to get 50 in a season for the third time. Rare air. Rare earth. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the game winner, an important goal for the Oilers in the game and season. He is such a joy to watch after all these seasons, his offensive game delivering on expectations one decade old. Ken Holland will never get credit for signing him, but the Oilers usually send late-20’s players away, that’s been the template since Paul Coffey. I’m delighted by the course change. Zach Hyman scored again from the slot, he has 32 goals on the season. Both Nuge and Hyman are at 54 percent goals at five-on-five this season.
Mattias Janmark started with the big line but that lasted like a snowflake in a hot place. He had a shot on net, a takeaway and some nifty passes. He reminds me of Jaroslav Pouzar and Radek Dvorak, not in style but in playing a quiet, effective game while also receiving little love from the fans. He’s a smart player, people. Nick Bjugstad had a strong game, he had some extra jump and turned that into an assist,a takeaway, three shots and astute play with and without the puck. My bet is old Ken Holland signs him in the summer. Warren Foegele had an assist, three shots, two HDSC, was involved all over the ice. Along about Feb 1, he decided to put the boots to trade rumours and critics alike. That all died away a month ago, but he’s still kicking the dead horse, God love him. I’ve seldom seen a more determined player who responded to that kind of trade/new home pressure. The last Oilers forward I can recall is Marty Reasoner, the ultimate example being Nelson Santovenia who you’ve never heard of, I expect.
Derek Ryan was quiet again, this is several games in a row and that’s a little surprising. It doesn’t mean anything really, he has enjoyed a strong offensive season, has a 53 percent goal share and performs well on the PK to my eye. He’s good. He just isn’t posting crooked numbers five-on-five in the offensive columns lately. No shots the last three games, doesn’t have a point in his last six. Someday he’ll do that for 25 games and that will be his last season. It won’t come this year, though. Klim Kostin hit a guy and then looked hurt (back of the leg, opposite the knee it looked like). He had a point-blank chance, wish he’d have scored because his quality season is leaking its way to good. Devin Shore is more quiet than Ryan, and as the last forward on the roster is vulnerable. I’m not sure he plays tonight.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
We’ll have the review of last night and preview of tonight for you today on Lowetide and Jamieson, 10-2 TSN1260. I’m not sure what we can expect in terms of lineup changes, but if anything breaks we’ll talk about it. MLB is close to opening day, we’ll chat a little NFL and CFL draft, too. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
The only thing worse than the ice last night were the goalies. J. Quick .824, Skinner at .818 and LB at .800. Yuck.
Great game by Nuge and Kane.
I fell asleep during the first intermission and just watched the extended hilites… (1130pm start times are tougher these days)
Skinner’s goals-against looked mostly due to ugly turnovers.
Quick looked shakey, nice to see.
Vegas’s 4th goal looked odd, Kostin blew a check high in the middle, and the way he turned and slowly lumbered back during the rush, was he at the end of a long shift or injured or something? Hard to get context from the replay. Wasn’t a good look for the guy.
11 forwards tonight, end of the dreaded 2nd of back to back 3rd in 4 nights on the road. Emotional game with a playoff feel and it was well over and into garbage time.
Just got caught up. Dear lord was that horrible ice. I think I counted six goals it played a role in. Add another if it had an effect on Broberg’s attempt to clear the stick.
It was funny how quickly the universe paid Connor and Nuge back for the bad bounce on the first goal, gifting them one back a shift later. and you can say Quick played like dog-ass, but he made a save in the first on Drai that will be in compilation highlight reels for years to come. Nuge frog-leaping MacKinnon and Marner in the points standings warmed my heart. Passing Turtlechuk next will be sweet. Sometimes you have to wait eleven years for your draft picks to truly pan out, lol. 😉
And someone had better buy Holland a nice bottle of scotch for signing Nuge to that f*cking unreal contract. 100 points never came so cheap.
We still would have won regardless of the ice, simply on special teams play, which was magnificent despite the goal against (see said ice, but Boosh needs to get his focus off the puck and block out the attacker better (or somewhat, or even at all). Kulak’s goal, although 5v5, came off a good kill.
And Boosh is going to be a star regardless. Pick corners like that with a wicked wrist shot (and one of the whippiest twigs I’ve ever seen) and you’re going to get a lot of leeway on the slope of the defensive learning curve.
Not to say the 5v5 wasn’t good. It was very good. Great shot suppression. Veg had a couple looks they didn’t cash on, but generally made the best of the sparse opportunities they had, sadly. Skinner could’ve been better too, but was good enough on a night when the puck was cleverly evading the sticks of both teams.
Speaking of highlight reels for years to come, Draisaitl’s play on Kane’s 300th… Somebody should probably tape that, lol. Fuck a little yellow duck. What a play. The speed at which that all occurs… the give-and-go and the dipsy-doodle and then the trademark backhand sauce… was just unconscious. I’m not sure if there’s ten players in the league who can make a play like that at that speed. Obviously Connor can, but not many others. Now how many can do it at that speed, and then finish it with a pinpoint, on-the-tape pass off their backhand? Yeah.
Vegas looked like us when we’re crap, not all there. But a great game, either way. Have to put your foot on the throat of teams when they’re like that and we did. Oilers take the season series with an exclamation point, and serve notice to the Kniggits that they’re going to need their best game to beat Team Slick.
Would love to face them in the first round.
Good read: https://theathletic.com/4348003/2023/03/28/nhl-most-underrated-defensemen/
Didn’t see the game but with a goal and 11 SOG, it looks like Kane was fully engaged tonight. Nice to see and hopefully he can build off of this.
I imagine having his bankruptcy case hanging over his head has been a challenge. Hope he can put it behind him as he continues to steer his life in a good direction.
So we are here. We are playing very good hockey. I believe Woody has timed this rise rather well…again.
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.
Reimer on a mission from God saves 41 for the shutout blanking the Jets 2-0.
3-0.
Its baffling knowing that Calgary might still squeak into the playoffs since the Jets are shitting the bed, and they have 15
BettmanfLame points.Jets singing the blues, brother.
If the Preds or Flames can shake a tail feather, boom boom, “sweet home chicago” is just waiting there. But time is tight.
Jake and Elwood
Flames vs LA might be good for us … I’d welcome a chance to send the Falmes packing in the second round again.
Leon: 18:09
McDavid 17:49
That’s total TOI
The Oilers are just hammering Vegas tonight. Quick looks terrible (was there really any doubt). I’m really hoping we get to see them in the first round.
Then again, the Kings couldn’t even beat the Falmes tonight.
Skinner with a sub-900 Sv% tonight should calm the tits of all the Campbell bashers … this is our team, the reincarnation of the 80’s Oilers … with all the high and lows that comes with that style of play. Both of our goalies numbers suck, but our forwards are putting up ridiculous numbers with lots of “run support” to go around for both. I like Skinner better than Campbell right now, but he’s not been that much better over the most recent stretch.
When the team ratchets up the intensity they can roll over any team in the league.
Didn’t love the late vegas goal….but that was pretty fun.
You know Vegas is a pretty good team, first place in the conference.
Oilers played a back to back and went into Vegas and kicked sand in their faces and stole their girlfriends.
But I am a glass half full guy and will gladly take the 4 points after a scheduled loss and Doom was predicted.
Skinner needs some rest.
Good to see RNH get to 49 points for the year !
I like how they put Kane, Kostin and my cousin Vinny after that little dust up. This isn’t the Oilers of old. We can play it rough if we gotta.
That was a hell of a game folks. On scheduled loss night too.
I am impressed.
Back-to-back scheduled loss nights against two of the three toughest opponents in the conference… and we’re 1-0. The Kni looked like the team on scheduled loss night, truth be told. Good.
Nice to know there’s another gear there if the schedule demands it. They do it again in two nights against the most offense-suppressy team maybe in the league and that will be an accomplishment most impressive.
I will then be terrified at facing the
TrappersDucks.6 teams in the mix for top of the conference
3 teams in the mix for top of the Pacific
3 teams in the mix for top of the central
4 teams in the mix for the last 2 spots
Damn you Bettman for your loser point working and making for compelling hockey at game 75!
It hadn’t even occurred to me that in the Pacific becoming the Battle of the Somme did it also become the defacto conference winner
Colorado is 9-1 in their last 10.
rolling.
k now pull the goalie so Nuge can pot the EN.
Watching Derek Ryan tonight – very impressed. Would like to see him resigned for next year.
If his body can still almost keep up with his brain, sure! Great bottom trio guy. He’s played like a champ since McLeod went down
Sheesh, would have liked to see Oilers maturely close out this game without giving up a late 4th goal.
Oilers are making it look easy.
I know that game is very likely out of reach and “over” but I’d very much like the Oilers to NOT give a late goal like the generally do, even in laughers.
Uh oh
Nope sorry can’t do it
Lol
This was the jinx…
Well you don’t get your wish, but this has been a dominant game. Not a lot of danger in the 3rd.
Are they playing unicorns tonight? Or is Nuge with McD?
Have to be honest, quite enjoyed the national coverage in this game. Normally can’t stand other teams calling the Oilers. They’re either horribly bias, know nothing about the Oilers or simply repeat the same tired talking points. None of that tonight.
Could this be…respect?
Was that Brett Hull or Brett Kulak with the laser beam to the top corner?
the team need to hit the casinos on the strip after this game. Luck is shining it’s face on them tonight.
A lot more than luck at play tonight though.
Ferraro is a solid colour commentator.
He’s been excellent tonight
One of my favorites, love his insights, knowledge of the game, but best of all, calls em like he sees them with as little bias as I’ve seen for a commentator.
The best.
It’s time to send cheap shot McNabb a message.
I wanted a pound of flesh from Kessel, but at least we shamed them on the score-board. Very sweet.
Ha. Ha I say.
Coolak .
Kulak….getting warmed up for the playoffs?!
Kulak chop-chop!
Brett fucking Kulak 🙂
BOOM!!! Kulak with a wicked wrister!!!
Whoa, Kulak – that should do it.
What, is Ceci next?
Nice touch that Kostin-X-Ryan have started each period.
After Two:
6-3 Edmonton (3-1 Edmonton in the second)
34-12 Edmonton shots (21-6 Edmonton in the second)
47-19 Edmonton Corsi five-on-five (28-11 Edmonton in the second)
==
THAT was a dominant period. Woodcroft flipped the lines, now Nuge-McDavid-Hyman and Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto and both are working well. Encouraging period. Keep it going!
This team is historic. Nuge with one period to pull a Gagner.
That’s my kinda hockey, right there.
Drai is on a level I didn’t know he was capable of. The plays that led up to the Kane goal were amazing! The stickhandling, vision and passing at full speed were incredible. Did I mention it was all at full speed?
Bouch on the keepin at the line before the Hyman goal was sublime. I don’t think Barrie could’ve made that play. So calm, so confident.
Nuge. Holy crap, man. Gunning for Gagner.
This is how we need to play. This is our template.
ESPN for reasons nobody can explain don’t show the shot clock so I only just checked. Holy hell. 33 – 12. I hope they keep the foot to throat though worry weariness might take a toll in the third. Give the Golden Knights something to mull over.
That ice must be pure shit. The first 2 Vegas goals were caused by pucks bouncing over Oilers sticks. Same for Nuges goal. Without those 3 bounces it’s a 5 to 1 game.
Seems about right based on flow of play.
My goodness they look awesome. I wonder if they were half-assing it for a couple games, saving up for tonight and Thursday. That’s a lot of fight for a tired team tonight.
The team does seem dialed in tonight as opposed to playing a bit looser against the other teams. It’s frustrating to watch the Oilers play down but I love when they play up. Do wonder if guys like McDavid and Draisaitl manage their own energy at this point in the season.
omg Calgary sending LA our regards. Thank you dear rivals. I wish you nothing but misery.
😆 my favourite comment of the night!
chaos is
a ladderthe standingsHoly gord what a period! I am entertained!!!!
Zebras itching to call a penalty against this assault.
They would if they could.
Liked Kostin following up on Hague there.
Same. He had intent, there. Good message sent, too.
they need to be told that if they get pissy, superstars are still off limits. Kostin & Vinny are knuckle chuckers to back up Nurse. Good.
Kings lose in regulation.
Love how you highlighted the losing team, avoiding having to spit.
That was indeed intentional.
Which team is on scheduled loss night?
Too early OP.
I thought it was the Oilers scheduled loss. They still have a chance to pull this one out of the fire. Dreaded 3 goal lead late in the 2nd.
Good to see Bjugstad out there, and no worse for wear.
Bjugstad sets up Kostin for a nice chance.
Only 5 points so far for Nuge. What were you thinking Mr. Kane?
Keep the pedal down gentlemen.
It has you up by 3 and outshooting 30-12.
My thoughts, exactly. Give ‘em something to think about come playoffs.
That is such a sick, totally unfair, incredible power play. Wow.
Hyman from McDavid in the end. My goodness.
Good to see Kane playing with some emotion for a change.
Saving it for the real season.