The Right Profile

It was fitting that Kailer Yamamoto’s redemption came in Hollywood, because otherwise it would be difficult to believe. The winger has struggled for much of the season, and was moved down the depth chart during the series against the Los Angeles Kings. In Game 6, last night, he kicked out the jams and luck was a lady, too. What an epic hockey game. As much as the Kings enrage Oilers fans, the series between these two teams over the last two playoff seasons have been fantastic.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: 6 biggest AHL Bakersfield Condors stories from 2022-23 season
• New DNB: Oilers move on to Round 2 after Kailer Yamamoto’s goal rescues them from Stuart Skinner’s blooper
• Lowetide: What’s Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway’s future NHL role?
• Lowetide: Is Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto playing his final games for Edmonton?
• DNB: Oilers’ Game 5 win had Jay Woodcroft’s coaching instincts all over it
• Lowetide: Oilers should stay the course no matter what happens against Kings
• DNB: How Zach Hyman capped Oilers’ season-saving comeback
• Lowetide: Oilers’ forward-heavy pipeline suggests defence-driven 2023 NHL Draft
• DNB: Oilers need secondary scoring to get back into series
• Lowetide: Key early Oilers vs. Kings matchups that are impacting the series
• DNB: Oilers’ playoff excitement, expectations have already given way to Game 1 pain again
• Lowetide: How winning the Stanley Cup would change the Oilers organization
• DNB: Connor McDavid, the NHL’s best player, has ‘freed his mind’: Will an Oilers Stanley Cup follow?
• Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
• Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022

GOALIES AND DEFENSE

Evan Bouchard was at his passing best in LA, the opening goal the result of an inspired touch pass to Connor McDavid in the slot. He gave away the Oilers plot several times by not reacting to the Kings after whistle histrionics, a key element for Edmonton in reducing penalties. Mattias Ekholm picked up a high sticking penalty that was pure bad luck, but played well (and conservatively) over the entire game. What a gem. I love that he checked down several times on sorties to make sure he could mind the store. This pairing was 4-3 goals in 98 minutes five-on-five, with a 51 percent expected goal share during the series.

Darnell Nurse played a helluva game, strong coverage, major battles, and a sortie late (just before the Yamamoto goal) that left the Kings defense in disarray and contributed to the winning goal. His group got smoked by the Kempe line 12-0 shots (!!), including five HDSC, but zero goals. Cody Ceci’s defining play on the night was a desperation dive through the neutral zone to pass the puck back to Stuart Skinner. May have saved a goal. Played a rugged game, blocked some shots, head on a swivel. Tough night for the pairing but they didn’t allow a goal. This duo was 5-2 goals in 82 minutes five-on-five for the series, 46 percent expected goals.

Brett Kulak was cool jazz all through this series, going 3-2 goals five-on-five in 86 minutes with a 72 percent expected goal share. Kulak is an important, if subtle, part of this team. Vincent Desharnais had an adventurous evening, getting two assists and enduring Kings forwards passing him like a house on the side of the road. His possession numbers are fab from last night, but those single moments where he guesses wrong are chilling. He was 2-5 in five-on-five on-ice goals this series. I love that the coaching staff is sticking with him, it’ll benefit for the next several years. He’s a damn giant and intimidating, and that has value. Philip Broberg didn’t play much, but was on the ice for the GF. He was 3-1 goals in 29 minutes this series. For those who wish he was playing more, the 2006 Oilers had to play Matt Greene 181 minutes and he wasn’t quite ready for the moment. This is better. Broberg will get his chance to play this spring.

Stuart Skinner took a lot of heat between the moment the Danault goal was scored and the instant Woodley tweeted this out. What I loved about Skinner is that he skated to the bench, got a new stick and went back to work. Trust me when I tell you that is one of the best things in this series for the Oilers. He allowed the tying goal, circumstances be damned, but he hung in there and forgot about the GA. Music! Skinner was also flattened by Anze Kopitar on a clear trip, but no penalty for the Kings. He finished the series with a .925 SP at five-on-five, Joonas Korpisalo .920 for the six games. The point is, he pushed through, fate gave him every chance to be the big story in a negative way and he said to hell with that noise. If you’re making a movie, he’s the star!!!

FORWARDS

Leon Draisaitl was the best player in the series. He was 10-5 goals at five-on-five for Edmonton, the club going 5-6 without him. He is built for the playoffs and his numbers reflect it. During this six game series, he scored 7-4-11. Leon was the hammer, Anze Kopitar was the nail (7-1 goals at five-on-five for Edmonton), Mikey Anderson was the nail (6-1), Drew Doughty (6-1) was the freaking nail. Leon is magnificent.

Connor McDavid had an unusual series, scoring 3-7-10 overall but going 6-6 on-ice goals at five-on-five. He was checked closely (as always) in this series, and couldn’t get the five-on-five results until the glimmer twins were put back together. It’s cause for some worry, but the Golden Knights have less success against him historically. A reminder that betting against this man makes you Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island.

Evander Kane took a brutal high stick with no call and didn’t score, but I thought he was effective in the game. He scored three goals in the six games, with 12 HDSC. His 30 hits get lots of attention (that’s a big number) but the force of those hits certainly tired some Kings blue.

Kailer Yamamoto had a wonderful night, scoring 1-1-2 and lofting the winner very late in a big damn game. It’s been a tough year for him, and the playoffs are the most difficult time for this player because he takes a beating with no penalties as reward. I give him tremendous credit for last night’s game. Absolute dagger for LAK. Mercy.

Klim Kostin, as has been mentioned by many here and on twitter, is emerging as the 2023 Fernando Pisani. His timely goals in this series (three!) were vital to Edmonton’s series win. Due to the fact he doesn’t play much in any game, his 5.22 pts-60 for the series has him No. 1 in the NHL in his category among forwards who have played 30 or more minutes so far this spring.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may be hurt, because his performance and that of his line was shocking. Outshot 12-0 at five-on-five, he barely touched the puck. I do not recall a less effective game by RNH. Zach Hyman had similar (a little better) numbers, but wasn’t good enough by plenty. Nick Bjugstad was the center on this line (the Hyman-Nuge-Bjugstad trio gave up 13 scoring chances and six HDSC in 9:42 at five-on-five) and I expect the coaching staff to fire this idea into the sun. Injury is a worry for two men on this line, in my opinion.

Ryan McLeod isn’t the straw that stirs the drink on his line every night, but when he is there’s much merriment. Two assists, including fine work on Yamamoto’s winner. He creates chaos and has real skill, meaning opponents have a helluva time dealing with him. He had 2.41 pts-60 at five-on-five in this series. Derek Ryan is so damn smart it’s a delight to watch him. I bet there are dozens of great two-way forwards from the past (Craig Ramsay, Don Marcotte, Esa Tikkanen, Guy Carbonneau) watching Derek Ryan and smiling. He’s a smart assassin of progress for the other guy, dissolves opponents hard work on every shift. I appreciate him.

I swear he looked like Wile E. Coyote on those crazy roller skates during a trip into the offensive zone last night. I love watching Foegele, he’s like a really fit John Kruk out there. He just wants so badly to do good things. I honestly don’t know how anyone could cheer against him.