The Edmonton Oilers played an effective game against the Los Angeles Kings last night. It was the kind of game the team will need to play during the postseason, and it allowed the Oilers to skip past LAK into second place in the Pacific Division. It’s been a fantastic month for Edmonton.
Connor McDavid scored a huge goal, both as part of the game summary and as an historic event. Goal No. 300 for the captain came at an opportune time and it was a beauty. Stuart Skinner, who for some reason saw criticism in recent days, posted the first shutout of the season for the Oildrop. It was a fine evening for all Edmonites.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers post an incredible March with playoffs in sight
- New DNB: The Oilers ‘found a way’ against the Kings
- Lowetide: How many more college players will the Oilers sign this spring?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers at 2018 NHL Draft, making the final call
- 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
- DNB: Oilers’ recent play gives 3 reasons to be optimistic about a long playoff run
- DNB: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl shows he’s more than Connor McDavid’s sidekick
- 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
- 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
- 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 2-0-0)
- At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- March expected result: 9-6-0, 18 points in 15 games
- March actual result: 12-2-1, 25 points in 15 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: 44-23-9, 97 points in 76 games
The 300 club has been joined by McDavid, Draisaitl and Kane in recent days, increasing the lore of what is becoming the Oilers best team since 2006. Can these Oilers emerge as the best since 1990? That is the question.
Edmonton has a real chance now for the division title, it would be the first since 1987. Home-ice advantage would also seem possible (meaning second place) and the season is awash in positives after a stunning March for the Oilers.
GOALIE AND DEFENSE
Stuart Skinner delivered a strong performance, the team’s first shutout of the season, with 43 saves. Natural Stat Trick had the high danger chances at 10, if anything it felt like more. His .925 save percentage has him No. 9 among NHL goalies who have played 1,000+ minutes at five-on-five. He is manna from heaven for this organization, give the man who fought for him on draft day (I think it was Bob Green, but who the hell knows?) a major raise.
Darnell Nurse delivered a strong performance, played a steady coverage game and successfully suppressed the Kopitar line. In 14:06 (that’s a hard match), Edmonton came out 14-7 shots, although LAK were 4-2 HDSC in those minutes. Nurse simplified his game, played 23:31 and handled it well. Cody Ceci was solid and strong alongside, he led Oilers defensemen in SA-60 five-on-five (29.1) during March, narrowly beating out Nurse (29.81). This pairing is much maligned, but the coaching staff plays hell out of them and they’re pretty smart.
Mattias Ekholm had a shot on goal, drew a penalty, had two takeaways and played eight successful minutes versus the merciless Danault line (6-2 shots, 3-1 HDSC for Edmonton). It’s like that Paul Simon song about bridge over troubled water, Ekholm does ease the mind when on the ice. Finished his first month with the Oilers 22-10 in five-on-five goal share. Evan Bouchard had two shots, GV, TK, and he played a physical game to my eye. He isn’t quite battle hardened and coverage/speed are not his strengths, but this is a fantastic player who can outlet pass brilliantly.
Brett Kulak had one shot on goal, drew a penalty and had a couple of giveaways. His speed is so damned useful and he’s good in coverage. If he plays with a physical defensive partner, as he is now, Kulak is allowed to wheel and play to his strengths. I like on that third pair. Vincent Desharnais had one shot, took a penalty for being strong and generally made life miserable for the Kings. He finished 9-6 five-on-five goals this month. Philip Broberg barely played, but did have a couple of shots and there were no wobbly bits. It’s important that he continue to get minutes, now has played in 43 games this season, has seven assists and is 28-24 goals at five-on-five for the season. He’s coming along well, excellent injury insurance.
FORWARDS
Leon Draisaitl is playing some of his best hockey ever right now. He’s fast and furious, but also precise and electric. His pass to Evander Kane was all-world, coming on the heels of his other ridiculous pass the other night. I wrote about the Oilers in March today, one of the stories rumbling just as April dawns will be those two paired on a line. The chem appears to be real. Leon flattened some Kings last night, too. He’s ferocious right now. Kane had five shots, 3 HDSC, eight hits, and looked like his old self. As good as March was for the Oilers, getting the big man going would be golden.
Connor McDavid scored No. 300 in his career, and it was brilliant plus had high value. He took a boarding penalty on a fairly innocuous looking play against Mikey Anderson, and the defenseman didn’t return. I don’t see any additional penalties being doled out by the big moustaches at NHL Player Safety. McDavid is now at 61 goals and 144 points, could he hit 65 goals and 155 points? Don’t know, excited to find out. Zach Hyman had five shots, a takeaway and one real good look. He’s taken a lot of hits over the season, looks just a little off but still delivering. He is 4-2-6 in his last seven games.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had four shots, four HDSC and was generally effective despite not getting on the scoreboard. His best chance might have been a two-on-one with 97, he passed but the shot was there. A wonderful player having his career season, thank goodness it’s in Edmonton. Kailer Yamamoto was effective on the Kane goal, got in the way of pucks and had a good performance. He did have the remnants of a good look later in the game, but got crumpled before he could get a shot on net.
Mattias Janmark had one shot on goal, one HDSC, and should at least get .5 of an assist for his work on the McDavid goal. Jesse Puljujarvi used to do that kind of thing all the time. I’m a little worried about Janmark’s offense, he has posted just one assist in his last seven. Derek Ryan has zero points in his last eight games, and Klim Kostin also has no crooked numbers in his last eight games. As MacT said, you have to score a little to stay in the league.
I wrote this yesterday, received quite a bit of push back and that’s fine. The thing I don’t understand is why people have a hard time believing in Skinner. Bill James taught me that baseball players, even great ones, can slump for periods of time, but if they’re prime or near-prime, the numbers will correct over time. So, when Skinner struggled in February and into March, I thought we’d all be in agreement that he had established a level of ability. Right? James said three seasons. Well, Skinner announced himself in 2020-21 and this is three seasons later. His numbers are predictable, you could highlight any of them and believe the production was delivered by the same player. This isn’t me saying I told you so, someone like me babbles every day and a blind squirrel can find a nut by accident just like a sighted one. No, this is about Stuart Skinner and what he is telling you. Here is his five-on-five save percentage by month in 2022-23:
- October: .971 (in four games)
- November: .914 (in eight games)
- December: .930 (in 11 games)
- January: .934 (in five games)
- February: .897 (in six games)
- March: .918 (in 12 games)
I mentioned this yesterday, but it isn’t about me telling you and then saying ‘I told you so’ the next day. Believe me when I say that 10 things I write before the playoffs start will be wrong, I chronicle the team, you can look it up. No sir. Believe in Stuart Skinner. He’s earned it.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A fun day ahead on TSN 1260. We’ll talk to Daniel Nugent-Bowman from The Athletic, Steve Lansky from Big Mouth Sports, have Tyler Yaremchuk from Daily Faceoff and Oilers Nation, and talk Jays, too. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Had to go to bed before the game was over (5:03 am comes early) but Lavoie with the one-timer from the top of the circles on a 4-3 in OT wins the game – beauty!
Summarizing!
Petrov picked up a pair of assists (along with 6 PIM–including a double roughing minor!), and was named 3rd star.
Lachance registered his 31st goal of the season.
No soup for either Chiasson or Wanner.
Flames win 5-4 in OT.
If you think those 2 teams are playing close to what this playoffs is abou? I’m not trying to be mean, but c’mon friend you are losing the point. Let us enjoy, we have a top 8 team all day. The nhl these days is nuts, somehow we grabbed 2 of the 4 players in the league. Nuge has always been awesome (puck hawk). However you are right it’s crap shoot. Just think we are aiming better.
Sorry, the point I was trying to make was that, watch that oil-la game again and then watch tonight’s. Different hockey!! Still, great hockey, but differently plaid. You know it man, own up and say they now can play anyway you want. We pushed around LA
Evander Kane helps, first period he dominated, then ekholm and desharnais took over. They were mean, I love mean. However we are just big. We have 3 defense over 6’3 that are just mean. That’s a good team. Throw it to the forwards and see what they can do.
Toffoli scores. Flames live another day.
This OT looks so slow and unskilled…
The Canucks twice in the last minute and a half had a player with the puck in front of their own net who passes it back to another player in front of the net who is immediately pressured. They escaped both times but that can’t possibly be coached can it? What were those players thinking?
The flames are taking forever to lose… I have a life you losers
Calgary in the middle of a “must win” game since in their position every game has almost got to be thought of a must win…
Down 3-2 in the 3rd lmao
OT. 4 goals on 14 shots. Just listened to an audio from Friedman talking about how Calgary is getting saves now…
Lavoie first to the loose puck in the o-zone, back to the point and, Xavier Benard with a seeing eye shot for his first in the AHL – Lavoie quickly gets the puck for him.
With their season on the line Markstrom with the 667 save percentage
Thank god he didn’t want to go to Edmonton. lol
Very good hockey game in Bakersfield – one of those “exciting 0-0 games”.
A 4 on 4 and Holloways enters the zone on a 3 on 3, drops to Dineen who snipes his first from distance with 2 minutes left in the second.
They do give it back less than a minute later mind you.
2-0 Canucks over the Flames early in the 2nd
2-2 now
3-2 now.
Aidan McDonaugh with his first NHL goal.
OP will be pissed.
Demko with the stop on the penalty shot
Tyler Myers didn’t look good on the first goal, and was called on the penalty shot (granted, I thought the call was weak)
Winnipeg winning big earlier make this a must, must win for Calgary
Myers again
3-3
*edit-14 seconds later Van takes the lead again 4-3
Myers has been awful…and yep..do or die.
Very iffy penalty called against the Dys. Calgary player literally lifted Peterson’s stick up into his ow face. Shames score on the ensuing PP.
Lachance connects on the PP for his 31st tally of the season.
The Hobey Baker finalists:
https://www.nhl.com/news/hobey-baker-finalists-includes-top-2023-nhl-draft-prospect-adam-fantilli/c-342900404
Congrats to McDavid for hitting 300. I’ve never actually done that on the expressway myself – my previous car did 260 but my current car is governed at 245. Maybe one day… but by then no doubt McDavid will have reached new heights.
The two were actually fairly close in sv% in early Feb after Campbell had his strong stretch. Campbell was in the .885 – .890 range and Skinner was a shade over .900.
Things really blew up 5 or 6 weeks ago when Campbell couldn’t stop a beach ball. From there it was too late to address it by trade.
Pickard is probably a better option than Campbell at this point, but i suppose it’s not the time to bring a new goaler into the group.
Its ride-or-die on Stu Skinner
I wouldn’t say that I “expect” a bounce back from Campbell next season, but it certainly is a possibility. With a whole off-season of building his game back up with trainers, coaches, whoever, he “might” be able to rebound.
Personally I think there is “truly zero” chance of him performing better this postseason than what he has shown this season. Until he can reset and rebuild, he truly is done.
Goalies are Voodoo, one never knows.
Come Jets squeak in and play us we have a totally different team. We’re rougher tougher and able to score on all 4 lines. 5 Games then you’ll be Golfing.
I’d love another crack at the Jets and I bet most of the Oilers players would as well
Lavoie/Hamblin/Griffith
Holloway/Philp/Tulio
Esposito/McKegg/Bailey
Savoie/Berglund/Kambeitz
Peters/Kemp
Dineen/Demers
Bernard/Gildon
Pickard
No Xavier tonight?
He’s been hurt for a while.
I hope they don’t get Dostal’d or Gibson’d – there will almost assuredly be an emotional let down going in to the game tomorrow night. They need to guard against that and fight through but it’ll be there:
Jason Gregor
@JasonGregor
·
5m
“Terry won’t play tomorrow. Zegras is a maybe. Henrique is still out. The Ducks offence is lacking, and you can argue Fowler is their only legit NHL caliber Dman now. EDM only averaged 51 shots in their two games v. ANA. Could be tough.” Dan Wood on Ducks now on @TSN1260
McDavid knew exactly what he was doing when he clobbered Mikey from behind. He could have let up or skated on by, but he saw Sir Slewfoot and decided it was an opportunity to send a message. Good on our captain. Other guys step up for him all the time, so he wanted to show his team what it means to be a leader and how to play FOR a team, not just ON a team.
The amount of times McD gets cheap-shotted is outrageous…I don’t blame him for taking some justice into his own hands. Clap clap clap.
That all being said, I would really like to see us not be shorthanded in the first 2 minutes of a game for the rest of the season, and especially, the post-season. I think in the last 15 games, one of our guys has been in the box within the opening 5 mins. Playoff teams can’t be giving early opportunities like that to their opponents and expect to go far. Hope Woody brings some attention to this because we can’t rely on our PK to be bailing us out early and often.
The game was so good last night…I’m watching it again now. Playoff hockey is going to be so fun to watch after getting a glimpse last night. This team is good. Real good. GOG!!!
There are a lot of ways you can compare McDavid to Gretzky, but one thing that’s unique to McDavid is that he’s willing to bring the nasty.
These Oilers got pushed around by Getzlaf, Kessler, and the Ducks in ‘17 and then realized this isn’t a league for nice guys.
I by no means look at ’17 as the turning point for physicality. It’s been a journey. But I think it’s been lot’s of things. The superstars are older, and of course strength comes with that. There are a couple more players with bite to their game (I think?), and they have been physically punished by the Ducks in’17, the Kings in ’22, (I think that Kings series probably had a bigger impact then the Ducks).
Late to the party today. Great playoff style game by the Oilers last night. So nice to see that they can win this way.
Last night, as I was re-watching #97’s shorty, in game, for like… the 5th time, this thought hammered it’s was to the top of mind:
7,960,805,777 people on this planet (at the time), and we get Conner McDavid.
…and I was 15 in 1982… going to a school which had the arena where the upstart Oilers practiced.
So irregardless, of all else, I cannot say I have not had a charmed life!
Just a couple more cups, Conner… C’mon man!
I thought the same thing when they showed is older brother. They both look alike yet one has a regular job like us the other is the best Hockey on the Planet for a 15 year stretch.
Come on Jets – 2 points there for you.
Jets win and a Flames loss would make my night.
Petrov with the primary apple as NB opens the scoring in period 1.
People complained about Fuhr during the cup years, too. Fuhr let in soft goals, but buttoned-up enough for the Oilers to outscore their opponents. Unreasonable expectations pop up all the time.
He had some rough reg season games for sure
It’s soooo unreasonable to expect the goaltender to stop pucks.
~Damn Oilers fans and their unrealistic expectations.
Draisaitl has been dogging it all year. Him and Kane seem quite similar in a Rodman kind of way. They won’t give you their best all the time but you have to trust them that they will turn it on when it matters.
I know, right??!
Imagine if the second leading scorer in the NHL WASN’T dogging it all year . . .
Dare to dream, Fugee . . . dare to dream.
HH are you not entertained?
hes busy throwing feces at a wall
Yep.
That was a terrific game last night.
Looking forward to the rematch.
While it would be a tough series. If whomever emerges has enough limbs and bodies left they should be the kind of battle tested that is required to take the whole thing down.
I do wonder if LA seeks a little revenge at home next week
If they managed to get up 2-3 goals late in the game, they just might target McDavid.
Doughty can be one mean bastard.
I think constantly staring up at the likes of Kane, ek, bjug, Vinny d, nurse and the like probably causes a bit of deterant.
“If we start shoving these guys around we’ll probably lose”. They aren’t really shrinking violets.
The Kings acquired 6’3” 205 Zack McEwan at the deadline and wouldn’t think it was because of his scoring skills.
If he’s in the lineup next week, it could be a tell.
I forgot kostin. I’m sure he’d welcome him with closed fists.
It’s a murders row of big tough boys all willing to drop gloves.
Besides, if he can carve enough of a dent in that, daddy nuge is still on deck.
On the plus side he’s a beast
On the negative they’d have to play him
They could always simply out hockey him with the fastest player on the planet.
Catch him if you can
The Oilers will have a dozen men answering any targeting, while rolling out the best powerplay the league has ever witnessed.
If the Kings want to waste their time targeting McDavid, please do. You’re clearly completely in denial of the situation and McEwan’s putting fear into anyone ability. 6’6,6’4,6’4,6’3,6’2,6’1. The Oiler defense laughs at your gaslighting.
McDavid or Leon’s lines will score a goal per shift against McEwan.
Zack MczEwan was in the lineup last night and a complete non-factor in his 3 minutes.
I hope they play him more – that would help the Oilers.
Do you mean the same Zac McEwan that WAS in the lineup last night and had a major impact on the game during his 3 mins and 4 secs of icetime? Boasting a huge stat line of 1 shot on net, 1 blocked shot, and zero hits? That Zac McEwan??
Yep…we’re shaking in our boots.
Any goonery will be answered ten-fold by the many Oilers willing to defend their superstars. The Oilers can’t be pushed around anymore and that makes them even more scary to play. Great work by KH to broaden his team’s overall strengths.
He played last night Andrew.
4 shifts in the 1st period, 1 in the 2nd, none in third.
I think it was a tell.
At no time did the Kings have a 2-3 goal lead as I stipulated.
The would likely change the dynamics.
Got it.
So when the Kings are down by only 2, the Kings don’t want to run around cause they need to stay out of the box so they can catch up.
But if they are up by only 2, they will run around and put the Oilers historically good PP on the ice which is ok because they won’t catch up.
Makes sense
So he’d be a fourth line player…. don’t see him being on this ice with any of the Oilers good players. By all means, he can fight Vinny, but he may have a shoulder ripped out of it’s socket.
Both Oilers goals last night were (to quote Danny Zuko) “electrifying”.
I was speechless for 5 minutes after Draisaitl’s pass to Kane. My hands were on my head like Zegras’s Michigan-style assist to Milano last year.
And McDavid’s shorthanded breakaway for his 300th….priceless.
Derek Ryan has zero points in his last eight games, and Klim Kostin also has no crooked numbers in his last eight games. As MacT said, you have to score a little to stay in the league.
A guy playing 8~10 min 5v5 a game would get 1 point every 5~6 games even if playing at 1.5p/60 5v5. They are due for the next point based on usage but 8 games is still within the range of expectations.
Interesting 5v5 stat: Kostin has 10 goals in 500 minutes this year. Seven of them have come in the 167 minutes he spent with RNH.
When Woodcroft goes back to unicorns, Kostin’s scoring touch will return.
We’ve seen the last of the unicorn this season, pretty sure.
Unless Bjugstad or McLeod are hiding a horn under their bucket..
With Ryan McLeod coming back soonish, it’ll be interesting. Kostin is 0-3 goals in those eight games at five-on-five, he might sit.
I’m sure the coach’s like his size/speed and aggression and will want that in the lineup in the playoffs – along with his ability to hold on to pucks and make plays when he’s on. He draws alot of penalties as well (take quite a few but is still plus).
At the same time, yup, tough to see him in the lineup very often with McLeod so long as its fully healthy.
Wouldn’t mind seeing another Kostin-heater downs he stretch.
He won’t say it, so I will: LT told you so.
Hypothetical:
Ignoring the cap entirely. If you could swap Draisaitl with MacKinnon or Matthews for the rest of the year, would you do it?
I would say no, but I admit bias.
No to both. Drai is the mythical 5 tool beast. He’s a better sniper than MacKinnon, a better passer than both of them, is good on the dot, dominates on the boards, and can be very good defensively when he puts his mind to it like his idol Kopitar.
The only reason we underrate Draisaitl is because he plays on the same team as McDavid. Messier had the same issue playing in Gretzky’s shadow. It was only when he went to the Rangers that the rest of the league realized he was a legit first ballot HOFer.
Draisaitl and MacKinnon are very different players.
Drai is a sublime passer but MacKinnon drives play with speed on the rush.
A while back, Dom at the Athletic did an analysis of generating dangerous chances off the rush. No surprise that McDavid was 1st but MacKinnon was a close 2nd (Matthews was 5th) while Draisaitl was 21st.
What % of NHL goals are scored off the rush?
It depends on many things.
https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/seattle-kraken-analytics-with-alison-chances-off-the-rush/c-328173944
Much like McDavid, MacKinnon uses his speed to gain the zone but he has the advantage of having, Makar, Toews and/or Byram consistently joining the play while Connor often sings solo.
Often sings solo? That’s why the team is about to have 3 100 point forwards, Hyman at 80, traded a 50pt dman, have 2 more 40pt dmen.
You’re just a hater in complete denial.
Ah yes, good ol’ Dom, sniffing the model glue again.
I put as much stock in Dom’s “models” as I do your “unbiased” opinions.
MacKinnon and Draisaitl are very close in PPG (1.51 1.58) so tough to to make that call.
Colorado’s PP was average but is now purring so MacKinnon should benefit.
Worth noting that MacKinnon has played 11 fewer games but has outscored Draisaitl at evens 64-59
As for Matthews, it depends which one.
He apparently was dealing with a hand injury most of the season but reportedly that has cleared up. He has scored 8 goals and 16 points in his last 10 games which is a 65 goal and 130 point pace which would certainly put him in the Draisaitl neighborhood.
However, Matthews has entered the conversation about being the best defensive forward in the league and that likely adds value to a playoff team.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/upon-further-review-how-auston-matthews-has-changed-his-style-effectiveness/
It’s worth noting that Draisatl is an integral part of possibly the greatest Powerplay in the history of the NHL. As Calgary learned (I posed this very thing then as well) you can’t just take apart ‘the best’ of anything and expect to replicate easily. They had the best line in hockey and everyone thought they upgraded. It doesn’t work like that.
That may well be true but I have to wonder how many goals Matthews would score on that power play.
Draisaitl has the most lethal signature shot on The PP in the league since prime Ovi, you hate hockey.
Mackinnon plays the game like a winger with no regards to defensive play.
MacKinnon is +20.
Draisaitl is +2.
We have a large enough sample size that that stat DOES matter.
And the constant sucking of Matthews’ dick continues.
He can’t score so now he’s the greatest defensive player in the history of the game?
Matthews scores 60 and it’s the greatest offensive season in history. Give him everything and never write about another player for the entire season.
McDavid surpasses his scoring from last season and it’s all ho-hum, big deal, nothing to see here from the press.
Mitch for the Lady Byng, right?
Giordano for the Norris again?
What other trophies can be given to the leafs players?
Come on, there’s gotta be some other “best in the league” trophy the NHL can award them to make them feel positive about their team.
No to McKinnon it’s seems uncomplimentary to our best asset. Also even if separated makes game strategy easier (both micks drive it). We already have a bottom 6 mick that often drives zone entry same way due to speed.
Different looks better.
Matthew’s is hard though. He’s cutting some pretty solid defensive chops into program to back up lethal scoring and we have a guy like nuge in-house who could run another lime assuring he got puck on stick in right spots.
I’m a huge drai fan so I say drai (heart)
Head though, has a hard time justifying it not being Matthew’s.
Can’t imagine anyone have better PP chemistry with McDavid than Leon (and the rest of the group).
No a chance in heck I’d do either of those even if one could make an argument for either as a “better player” – of course, one could argue any of the three over any other of the three.
Many lists of best hockey players would have Drai, Mac and Matthews in the 2-5 range.
All 3 are powerful and can be Bulls in China shots.
Out of the 3.
Matthews best wrist shot.
Drai best passer.
Mac best play driver.
Splitting hairs who is the best out of the 3.
Drais and McDavids chemistry has evolved over the years and is quite special. and could not be replaced in just 20 games of McDavid and Matthews or McDavid and Mackinnon.
So to your question, Id say no.
But I do look forward to the day ( hopefully soon) to see McDavid and Mackinnon on a 2 on 1 on a World Cup ( Olympic) game.
Anyone here love that McD took Mikey out of the game last night?
🙂
Love it? Hell, I asked it to marry me*.
After all the unpunished thuggery that’s been perpetrated on the Oilers in recent years, a pound of flesh here and there is but just a start.
*Please don’t tell my wife!
The rest of the team had 2 chances previously to work over Mikey but it took McDavid to take care of the slew-footer. I see a scrap in McDavid’s future.
If they were smart, five other players would immediately step in to stop said scrap. And some of them may be playing for the opposition.
I can’t wait to see Kostin in the Playoffs if Woody gives him some leash he’s going to throttle the opposition. Vincent also needs to grab someone by the throat and send a message to the rest of the league.
As Kane gets his game up to speed, it looks like its important to keep him with 29.
Small samples, and 91’s time with 97 was when he first got back, but results are results.
Below is all March games
97 & 19 (no 29) (102.9 min) xGF% 41.6; GF% 36.4
97 (no 19 or 91) (94.3 min) xGF% 62.1; GF% 66.7
29 & 91 (no 97) (37.4 min) xGF%56.6; GF% 50.0
29 (no 91 & 97) (158.9 min) xGF% 57.5; GF%57.1
91 (no 97 & 29) (28.6 min) xGF% 42.2%; GF% 0 (0-2)
None of 97/29/91 on (266.3 min) xGF%53.2; GF% 54.6
Bottom 6 still doing very well
29 usually bets a meh xGF% with high SH%. Never seen 29 post xGF% this good. Lately he’s playing the most complete game I’ve seen him play
McDavid is on a mission.
Posted with on twitter with a table: https://twitter.com/Woodguy55/status/1641846396235182080
I don’t agree at all, simply because there’s such a large sample size of Kane-McDavid having success before Kane’s injury this fall.
All the same comparisons you’re showing but from when Kane signed last year up until his injury in November:
97 & 91 (no 29) (464 min) xGF% 56.1; GF% 66.7
97 (no 29 or 91) (363 min) xGF% 60.9; GF% 54.8
29 & 91 (no 97) (285 min) xGF% 41.8; GF% 66.7
29 (no 91 & 97) (480 min) xGF% 49.2; GF% 48.1
91 (no 97 & 29) (110 min) xGF% 47.8%; GF% 50.0 (3-3)
None of 97/29/91 on (1050 min) xGF% 47.9; GF% 44.7
Totally happy to keep the lines as they are, but I think 1) that the Kane-McDavid struggles were more about Kane’s injury than any issue with them as linemates, and 2) Kane shouldn’t be credited with Draisaitl’s resurgence, though obviously them working well together gives additional great options for the team.
Excellent post JP, and precisely what I was wondering about last night but it was too late in the day to go down the rabbit hole.
No where did I credit Kane for Drai’s results.
I showed he dragged 29 down much less than 97 and mentioned that 97 had him early and that Kane was “getting up to speed”
If I wanted to credit someone for Drai recently it would be Ekholm.
29 with 14 – 71% GF; 70% xGF
29 w/o 14 – 50% GF; 50% xGF
Uh.. I guess I didn’t read what you intended from “As Kane gets his game up to speed, it looks like its important to keep him with 29” and “Never seen 29 post xGF% this good”.
Regarding Kane-McDavid vs. Kane-Draisaitl going forward, I still think the larger sample from when Kane was fully healthy is more relevant than his results from his last 11 games when coming off an injury.
Guess we can at least be happy all 3 of them seem to be in top form as we approach the playoffs.
There’s only 37 min with 91 in my post and 159 min without and 29 has similar results with and without 91.
I can kind of see why you took it that way, but its not what I was intending.
Also,
I was aware that the results last year where switched for 91 with either 29 and 97
About 10 minutes before your post I responded to Dennis in my twitter thread with:
https://twitter.com/Woodguy55/status/1641867469035016192
Didn’t put it in the post as my post was about 91 not being a liability with 29 as he was with 97 in the month of March.
As far as Kane getting up to speed, his change when put with Draisaitl over the last two games was quite abrupt.
Here’s his xGF% per game since he came back March 9
9th at BOS 42.5
11th at TOR 32.7
14th vs OTT 74.2
16th vs DAL 33.6
18th at SEA 36.2
20th vs SJS 27.6
22nd vs ARI 48.0
25th vs VGK 45.0
27th at ARI 26.9
Up until this game 91 played 12 minutes with 29 w/o 97 for 28.4 xGF% and 10 min with both 97 and 29 for a 37.8% xGF%
Aside from the OTT game its not good.
Then last two games with 29 full time.
28th at VGK 60.3 xGF%
30th vs LAK 63.0 xGF%
He’s getting better, but the change with 29 over the last two games is stark.
Yes, fair enough, I certainly see what you intended now.
And for sure Kane has spiked in his last 2 games with Draisaitl.
A little bit being devil’s advocate here, but Draisaitl improved just as much in the last 2 vs. previous 9 as Kane did (xGF from 52 to 77).
Anyway, I’m interpreting Kane’s improved play as a due to a bunch of things, probably the largest being health, YMMV.
It’s working great with Draisaitl at the moment, but if Kane is ‘back’ then I see no reason he wouldn’t also be successful on McDavid’s wing again.
We’ll see, but there’s great signs pretty much everywhere for lately.
Stylistically Kane and Drai are a solid match. Things change given injuries and what the coaches are implementing of course
Connor doesn’t need much help usually. To me this season Kane being such a distraction and being one who can finish, it takes eyes off of Leon. And he can net the Cherry set ups
Also a heavy duty pair which coaches always seem to like in one of the top lines. Cognitive dissonance for defenders
This.
Ekholm
That was some enjoyable game last night.
And was I wrong to worry about the Kings thuggery. I thought the Oilers would ease in, be careful about injuries etc. (Although there was one instance of someone taking Ekholm over backwards which is a worry and in fact the exact cause of Leons high ankle sprain.)
But these Oilers would have none of it. They were the thugs. And the skill, and the top goalie. Worried about injury? The captain takes retribution for last year on the first shift. Sure, not a great look but the player did not go flying in, he was pushed in, a wee bit hard. If you want to see checked from behind, launched into boards, we can watch some hits Derick Ryan received this year.
Kings scared to respond because Oilers also had …..the powerplay.
This should put “worried about the Kings” talk away for a while.
Truth be told a puck bouncing this way or that can always change a game, so caution about celebrating too much. But the Oil once again demonstrated they are good, very good across the roster.
Haven’t read LT’s new post at The Athletic yet (that’s next!), but the Oilers in March were first in the NHL in:
Wins
Regulation Wins
Points
Points percentage
Goals
Powerplay goals
Powerplay percentage
Don’t think any of the remaining games tonight can change any of that.
Darnell Nurse has been so very good the last while. He is at the top of his game, contributing at both ends of the ice and in many facets of the game. Still playing big minutes and the toughest minutes on the team. Ekholm helps but numbers say the coaches still rely on Nurse the most on this role – he’s killing it.
This is MASSIVE as we head in to the playoffs. The impact of the torn hip flexor that he played through last playoffs cannot be understated.
If this team is going to win Stanley, a health Nurse as the top of his game will be part of it.
P.S. Ceci looks as strong as he has this season. We know he’s been playing through a core issue and I wonder if it’s healing.
Bob said today the Ceci ding has been ongoing for three months, so it didn’t sound like the injury is resolved.
I’ve especially liked Nurse’s game the last two matches – keeping it simple, all hustle.
It’s kind of sobering to realize he plays the actual toughest minutes in the entire league.
He’s been #1 in TOI vs elites over the past 2 seasons (#1 this season, #3 last season even though he missed 11 games).
I believe he’s also #2 in the in the league in 5v5 + PK TOI per game over the past 2 seasons. No cherry minutes, just the difficult ones.
That usage should fall back a bit now that Ekholm is an Oiler, but as you say Nurse has so far remained option #1 for the coaches.
Hit total TOI/G has come down about a minute (40 second at 5 on 5) since Ekholm arrived. Not sure how much of a break he’s getting vs. elites but, by eye, and recalling numbers from individual games, it doesn’t seem like much.
I would say that March has been Nurse’s best month of the year, by the eye test, and I don’t think its a coincidence that its been since the big acquisition.
Did my first puj check in:
Oof.
9 gp 0 pts, 23 shots, 2 PIM, -3
Read fluff piece yesterday that had aho comment roughly “it really broke him in edmonton. Mentally really suffered.”
It also made massive conjecture about “all the fans running him run of town”
He scores well on excuses/60 minutes.
Jesse was playing in the top league in the world, making incredible money, and was gifted with playing time with the best player in a generation, and the best passer in the league. Fans treated him great in Edmonton and the MSM broke their backs bending over backwards to fit every possible narrative to make it appear that Jesse wasn’t a bust.
Yes confidence is important. But if you’re that mentally fragile, then success will be difficulty to achieve in the NHL. And if you can’t shoot worth a lick, despite how easy todays composite sticks make it to rip the puck, then you’ll always be a black hole on offence.
I’ve been checking in now and then too. He missed a couple games for “lower body” and was day to day. Ice time has been around 11 ish/gm but was a titch higher in the first games he was there. I even watched part of a game a while back – did not notice much. He also had some PP time and still nothing. There was talk here about possibly trying him on the PK but that hasn’t happened there either, for what that is worth.
Agree with you and Diablo the “broke him”, “ran him out of town” narrative is not fully accurate – I don’t think. At least on here most were positive about him and pulling for him.
As Diablo says he got pretty good time with ELITE players and failed to produce. I too wish him well but really at some point it has to come down to him actually delivering.
There’s a difference between reasons and excuses and while it’s only been a short time in Carolina, so far it seems like more excuses.
Holty saying Condors should get Philp back tonight. Happy he only missed one game.
they remain really banged up, in particular on the back end.
Ryan Murray on the ice at practice.
I would think, at most, he’s a roster add for playoffs at #8.
Be good if he’s available.
Also be good if he doesn’t end up being needed.
Its reasonably likely that a team will need their 8D during the course of a long playoff run. Given his performance prior to out for a few months, its a scary proposition.
Yeah, they’ve got Niemalainen as well, so he may not even be #8.
And as scary as the proposition may be, it still beats Demers, Dineen or Kemp as the next man up. I don’t think having him available can possibly be a bad thing.
Better to have him available than not, I agree.
Of note, Niemo has been hurt for a while and no intel that he’s close.
I’d forgotten that Niemo is hurt, so all the more important to have another option available.
WOW. I am often accused of being unrealistically optimistic, so when I perused LT’s projection for March at the beginning of the month, I cleaned my rose colored glasses and confidently assured myself we would do as well as 21 or 22 points for March. Whay a pleasant surprise this month has been!
That said, my rosy glasses projection for end of season is thus: EDM 108 , LA 107, VEG 106, SEA 100. MIN 107, DAL 106, COL 105, WPG and CAL 94. WPG wins tie breaker with Calgary, so first round would then be EDM-WPG, VEG-LA, MIN-SEA, DAL-COL.
Let the fun enue!!! I hape I am only wrong in a GOOD way…
Prospectonia!
The CHL playoffs begin tonight, with all three Oilers CHL prospects partaking (and on home ice!).
Max Wanner (et al) returns to the lineup as MJ hosts Lethbridge, while Chiasson’s Blades face the Regina Bedards in the Bridge City. Out east, the Petrovian One’s Battalion battles Mississauga.
Youngstown (Lachance) @ 5 p.m.
North Bay (Petrov) @ 5 p.m.
Saskatoon (Chiasson) @ 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw (Wanner) @ 7 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Abee time.
What’s that saying? Never criticize a win?
Absolutely great game.
I have but one request, Guy’s when your best defensemen losses his stick with 1:00 minute remaining in the game for the love of Pete just give him your stick! 97-29-18….
14 was literally swiping the puck with his gloves!
just give him the stick boys!
How about that, having 18 out to protect the shutout in the last minute.
What’s odd about 18 being out there?
There’s a weird (and IMO massively overblown) narrative that’s developed about Hyman’s defensive game, but he’s been a penalty killer and relied on to protect leads throughout his career.
This is the first year of his career he hasn’t been a primary penalty killer (likely because he’s become a fixture on PP1 for this first time).
He’s also been among the top 3 forwards on his team in TOI when the other team has their goalie pulled all 7 years of his career. A curio about it is he’s been actually 3rd every single year, with different players in front of him. But he’s clearly a coaches favourite in those situations, across multiple coaches.
I think his recent downturn in goal share at five-on-five may have to do with health. From October to end of February, he was 62-49, 56 percent. In March he was 13-15, 46 percent.
That could be random, honestly. His March five-on-five minutes (196) is a significant total, but by eye he’s been not quite right and that added to the change in goal share is the most critical one could be about Hyman.
He’s a solid player imo. You could want him to pass more, but part of his appeal is that he drives to the net from long distance and short distance. I wouldn’t change a thing about his game.
Well as you’ve no doubt noticed some here have been much more critical than that, regularly questioning his effort and his ability on the defensive side.
But yes, the recent down turn could be health, could be luck, could be some of both (his xGF was 53% this month, so there likely was at least some bad luck in there).
He has seemed a bit off though. I also wonder whether he was so damn good for so much of the year that he re-set our expectations to a higher level.
He certainly isn’t perfect, but he is a really nice player, and his game is a good complement to what the rest of the forward group brings.
Reading elsewhere a debate about who is better: MacKinnon or Draisaitl. One interesting take: MacKinnon’s career highs, 41 goals and 99 points, would be considered a disappointing season for Leon.
That’s a shocking statement, but absolutely true. And then McDavid is on another level again. It’s a reminder of how special these guys are and how lucky we are to be able to watch them night after night.
Drai is way more valuable as he is available to his team for more games. Plus he is just better. MacKinnon is not even the best player on his team.
Leo isn’t the best player on his team either. Love Leo but Avs don’t win the cup without Mackinnon leading the way. He was fully available in the playoffs and full value.
They would have won the Cup if they had Draisaitl instead of MacKinnon though, so not sure your statement proves anything.
Mac: 20, 13-11-24
Leo: 16, 7-25-32
… with a high ankle sprain. Despite the injury, Draisaitl tied the record for most points in a playoff series last year (in just 5 games!) and is the current leader for playoff scoring rates among active players.
https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=allTime&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20222023&gameType=3&status=active&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pointsPerGame&page=0&pageSize=50
Point 1: It was in response to Elgin so…
Point 2: Drai isn’t the best player on his team. If you dispute that, good for you for believing something so controversial yet so brave.
Point 3: Speaking of not proving anything “They would have won the Cup if they had Draisaitl instead of MacKinnon though” Not only can you not prove that, it discounts the fact that while what he did was herculean, it was with 97 the whole time. I would suggest if the 2 switched places, the Oil would have lifted the cup. Even if they were both healthy. We’re talking about 2nd and 3rd best players in the league though so I don’t think any side should feel slighted here.
Drai on 1 leg is better for than NM ( as witnessed during last years playoffs).
My heart wants to agree with you, my mind can’t. Mackinnon is the 2nd best player in the world. If you think availability is the most important bit when deciding the better player, then you’d also have to admit Connor didn’t deserve the Calder. Or Nuge.
Mackinnon’s PPG and even strength scoring is insane and his defensive metrics lap Drai. I can’t believe I’m making a case against the German. Gonna give my head a shake.
I know that Drai isn’t considered good at his own end but Mackinnon is all out offense for more than two seasons running
It’s really close … two very different players, who are really hard to compare in terms of their impact. Fantastic players both, I don’t think that we know the answer to ‘who’s better’ until their careers are over.
Leon’s ability to be in the lineup every night vs. MacKinnon seemingly missing real time yearly – that’s a differentiator.
As widely reported, Edmonton is now at 300 goals for the season. That gives them the 10th best offensive season this century. But given their GF/GP is in fact 2nd best this century, they should continue to climb this chart over the remaining games.
Reaching Florida’s 337 total is unlikely, as they’d have to average over 6 goals per game. Second place 18-19 Lightning’s 319 is much more achievable. The other 7 teams are scattered between 301 and 313 – those guys are easy meat for this Oilers club.
Looking at our remaining schedule vs LA and Vegas the division title may very well be attainable
and I don’t think anyone wants to play us
Especially WPG/CL/NAS jaja
A nice W last night, nice to see the Oilers protect the lead (with a few lucky breaks!), and great to see the shutout for SS!
By my eye Skinner is fundamentally a very good goalie – his positioning, composure, reflexes, and more key components all seem top notch and I have played and watched this position closely for 40 years. He has been building confidence the past year or so in the NHL and as long as he does not burn out, could be the difference in a playoff series or two.
We should all keep in mind what has also been transpiring in his life this year:
A baby boy born in the middle of January
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-chloe-stuart-welcome-first-born-beau-to-skinner-family/c-340043896
A trip to the All-Star game
These significant life events can be challenging to manage for professional athletes, or regular humans (staying focused and rested!), and after a bit of wobble in February and early March he seems to be back in a good groove…
All Hail The Principal!
With a baby on the way signing a 3-year extension at 2.6 million in your home town would certainly be life altering.
The 3 pivotal factors for this year’s team imo.
1) Skinner’s emergence
2) Ekholm acquisition
3) Connor and Leon committing to the 200ft game and everyone else falling in line.
The lads have the look of a serious contender. If they get a rematch against the Avs, it will be epic.
Bottom six, not only stopping getting absolutely caved and sawing off but being a massive outscoring group for a material period of time.
Gotta add that one (and it was massive during the long period where Leon was getting crushed at 5 on 5)..
This doesn’t makes any sense. I’ve been following Skinner since his Junior days. When he was in the playoffs with the Broncs, I’d tune into his games via radio when I couldn’t find me a stream. He’s one of my favorite prospects in the new millennium. Love him. That said…
No way on this earth am I going to agree that 14 NHL games spread over two years, with almost all games coming in a lesser league (and some struggles there during that time) is somehow an established level of ability for the NHL. Not for any goalie, anywhere.
I’m not surprised you got pushback. It was well-deserved. You’ve jumped the shark on this one LT, lol, and I feel like Bill James deserves an apology too. If 14 games works for you, have at ‘er, but I ain’t comin with.
Yes, a 3 year evaluation sample size would seem to be a fairly arbitrary metric if the prospect plays a miniscule amount of games in that span.
FWIW I do believe in Disco Stu but like Steve Penney the possibility for going south still exists. Skinner will build that larger sample of success but we’re not there yet. That said, he had a great game last night and deserves nothing but kudos today.
LT definitely seems to be feeling his oats these days. A lot more commentary than usual that imo stereotypes a community that’s too diverse for such categorization. I think he’s excited as are we all. Let’s enjoy the ride!!
There’s three years of evidence re: Skinner. For me, it’s right there for all to see. Skinner is bona fide, people got antsy (I have no idea if you were one of them), we are here.
I like what he’s shown so far as well and absolutely hope he is bona fide. This team has a realistic shot at the Cup if he is. But as we well know, longterm consistency is the real magic trick for goalies in this league (hence voodoo). Binnington, Campbell, Murray. All goalies that found some early success in this league then regressed.
What I really like about Skinner is his calm disposition. Reminds me of another local lad that tended the twine for the hometown team. Let’s hope that lightning strikes twice!
Yes, agreed. He LOOKS like a goalie who can stop pucks and looks controlled in the net. Oilers had that in Dubnyk, but the swarm and MacT’s clear preference for another goalie did him in. I think Skinner’s approach, a more mature organization and better defense will all help.
I agree with Manny here – if you’re going to pat yourself on the back for Skinner, then maybe a mea culpa is in line regarding Puljujarvi …. 9 games, 0 points, playing the same 12 minutes per game under BrindAmour that he played under Woody. Can’t piss a drop of offence in the NHL, despite his great ‘fancies’. Likely headed back to Europe or a bet best catching on with another NHL team for the minimum next season.
The vast majority of young players do NOT turn out the way that you hope they will. When they do, they are in fact beating the odds. All these prospects that have over-hyped – Nilsson, Paajarvi, Yakupov, Slepyshev, Lander, Hartikainen, Puljarvi, Benson, Bear, Jones … the list goes on. Magic beans the whole lot of them … we still ‘hope’ for the best when it comes to our prospects, but in hindsight, most of them fail to meet expectations and have impactful NHL careers.
At the start of the season, it was not reasonable for anyone to expect Skinner to reach the heights that he has and become a bonafide starter in the NHL. Only a fool would have made that bet. Signing Campbell only to have Skinner take the starter’s job to that contract looks bad now … but that’s only with the benefit of hindsight as well.
We drafted tons of goalies over the past few decades … only Dubnyk really made it and he had first round pedigree. Skinner is really beating the odds, which has been a welcome, and very fortunate outcome. But stating that you knew he was going to do so in 2020-21 is bit disingenuous.
Good luck trying to change the narrative on Puljujarvi. It won’t matter if he washes out of the league, because his supporters will just default to their “The Oilers screwed up his development” excuse.
Nevermind that they gifted him cherry mins with generational players. Nevermind that the org successfully developed a number of other prospects while Jesse ran in place. Nevermind that another org is struggling to fix the broken toy. Jesse couldn’t learn English and that is entirely the fault of the Edmonton Oilers apparently.
This is Jesse Puljujarvi we’re talking about. We’ve never let the facts get in the way of a good narrative with this player. Why start now?
A note on Jesse: He did get 3 full games with Aho and Jarvis (and at least 2 games on PP1) before being shuffled down the lineup, out of the lineup and now back in the lineup.
Last night it seems he did exactly what we’ve become used to: off the chart possession numbers, to the tune of 95% plus expected goals but no drops pissed.
I look forward to his agent negotiating his next contract on the basis of his “off the chart possession numbers.” I’ll bet that really moves the needle with Waddell.
I don’t think Jesse/Lehto will be trying for anything over $1.5MM.
The question I am curious to have answered is what value Waddell and Tulsky will place on the “puck going the right way” metrics that Jesse continues to shine in while not pissing any drops. Of course, those analytics aren’t even advanced any longer and those two will be privy to much more data but his “on ice numbers” metrics (except goals) shine.
I didn’t mean for my comment to be a referendum on Jesse … though, yes, he sucks.
My point was this … most prospects fail to achieve their projections, even the ones drafted really high. For every McDavid there is a Lafreniere. For every Tkachuk, there are three Puljujarvi’s. For every Debrincat, there are 15 Bensons. For every Skinner, there are like 30 Pickards … guys who can put up decent numbers in junior or in the AHL/Euro leagues, but it just doesn’t translate once they get to the NHL.
Or put it this way … would anyone at the start of the season been willing to place a $10,000 bet that Stu Skinner would be the undisputed starting goalie and among the top 10-15 goalies in the game. No of course, not … we like our prospects, but we’re not delusional.
Signing Campbell looks bad in retrospect … that said, I’m not going to throw shade at the GM because of how things turned out.
This is also why I’d caution against over-rating what Lavoie is doing in the AHL. If he can do it in the NHL next season, that would be a blessing … but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. He’s more likely to be another Hartikainen or Slepyshev, than he is to be a legit top 6 winger.
There was probably a good half dozen posters that called Skinner to start half the season along with a James Reimer type. Skinner is a perfect example of the farm system, give major credit to Gretzky, Woody and Manson. Skinner has never been placed in over his head will see once the nerve racking Playoffs begin. the reason I’m most excited about Skinner is in the past he elevates his game come Playoff time.
Yup – I was all over Riemer, Allen, Talbot, Varlamov – an established vet with one year of term left.
Cited Husso’s development and the fact that the numbers favoured Skinner at every post-draft level of development (with Skinner being younger at each stage).
Wanted that one-year stop gap to see if the org needed to spend big cap externally.
Mea culpa on Puljujarvi? He was effective in Edmonton in helping his line outscore. Like Yamamoto, he had value until his contract made him a liability. He hasn’t played much in Carolina, I’d expect he’ll see the ice in the coming days and get re-signed. WAY too early to bury Puljujarvi imo.
As for Skinner, I stand by it. From 2020-21, through today, he has played well and turned a corner. The evidence is there. His performance in Bakersfield that first season was the first clear indicator he had figured it out. Now he’s saved the season.
Jmo, but we’ll see. Maybe Skinner fails miserably, but for me the last three seasons show an established level of ability.
Jesse got some legit ice when he got in the Carolina lineup:
12:47
15:31
13:46
17:46
13:52
The middle 3 games were with Jarvis and Aho and 2 of them with 3 minutes of PP time (apx – going by memory).
I’m not posting to criticize the kid. I like him and I think he adds on the ice but he’s played and he’s been given opportunity and it went almost identically as it did in Edmonton. Puck going the right way. Puck not going in the net.
I do suspect he’ll re-sign but its more of the same to this point.
Yeah, I think it’s going to be like Justin Schultz, who iirc didn’t play for the first few games. I think the reports of Puljujarvi being run out of town by the fans is just wrong, my goodness that wasn’t my experience interacting with fans.
His AHL performances in 2020-21 and 2021-22 are part of his progression. Skinner has been quality since, the only poor month this season was February (using five-on-five SP, which is the metric I prefer) and part of March.
If I’ve jumped the shark on Skinner, we’ll find out soon. The three year measure works well.
Hey gang, just a headsup that we should probably expect the site to go down when they release the Don’s mugshot. The meme generation alone is sure to crash the Internet.
So why disrespect the host
?
As opposed to Weekend at Bernie’s.