Leon Draisaitl is one of the greatest stories in Oilers history. There was excitement (as described above) on his draft day, but few (and they may have all been on the Oilers staff) could have dreamed of what he has become. Leon Draisaitl is one of the best players to skate with the Edmonton Oilers. He is a giant in this league. He plays tonight in Vegas.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ young players taking on bigger role in 2023 playoffs
- New DNB: Why Oilers’ playoff fate depends on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finding another gear
- DNB: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl’s 4-goal outburst doesn’t mask Game 1 disappointment
- Lowetide: 6 keys to Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft’s playoff success
- DNB: Why Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combo is the ultimate luxury: ‘It’s magic’
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers beat the Kings — and can beat the Golden Knights
- Lowetide: 6 biggest AHL Bakersfield Condors stories from 2022-23 season
- 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: Oilers’ forward-heavy pipeline suggests defence-driven 2023 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
LINES AT YESTERDAY’S PRACTICE
I’m not thrilled with this lineup, but Jay Woodcroft is three of four in playoff series over the last two years, so we’ll have to see how it plays out. The top line is 3-3 goals five-on-five (49 minutes, 52 percent expected goals). I wonder if the coach shuffles the line during the game. Woodcroft is a smart coach. He believes this line can win him the game.
The second line (Bjugstad between Nuge and Hyman) have had a difficult time together. Outshot 20-5, the trio is 2-0 goals, a wild and crazy line that would appear destined to regress like the French in World War II. It’s a curious decision to keep them together, however based on the seasons delivered by these three men it should perform well.
The third line (Foegele-McLeod-Ryan) is on fire. In 30 minutes this postseason, the trio is 26-7 shots, 84 percent expected goals. I think Ryan being out of the lineup for Game 1 was a big issue. His return should settle down the bottom six.
The fourth line is Kostin-Yamamoto, and when you put Draisaitl at center the line (1-0 goals in six minutes) or McDavid at center (60 percent expected goals in two minutes) good things should happen.
Defense is the same, meaning Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard (115 minutes, 6-3 goals, 51 percent expected goals); Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci (95 minutes, 5-3 goals, 46 percent expected goals); Brett Kulak-Vincent Desharnais (64 minutes, 2-3 goals, 68 percent expected goals); Darnell Nurse-Philip Broberg (15 minutes, 2-1 goals, 70 percent expected goals); Brett Kulak-Philip Broberg (11 minutes, 1-0 goals, 84 percent expected goals); Darnell Nurse-Brett Kulak (11 minutes, no goals, 76 percent expected goals).
HARVEST MOON 2014
- Round 1, No. 3 overall: C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert WHL. 64GP, 38-67-105. NHLE: 82gp, 15-25-40. Bruce McCurdy compared him to a nose tackle, and I think that’s a very good description (if the nose tackle was the quarterback). Wonderful possession center with size, expert passer and creative thinker. Oilers love the big brains, imagine he has a big that, too. An extremely valuable young man.
- Round 4, No. 91 overall: D William Lagesson, Frolunda Swedish Jr. 44GP, 8-12-20. Scrappy defenseman with size and an idea about how to get the puck up effectively, he was very impressive at the U18’s (7GP, 3-0-3 +5) and is a worthy selection. He’s 6.03, 203 so the size that opened with the Draisaitl selection continues here, although I would not call either a Coke Machine selection.
- Round 4, No. 111 overall: G Zach Nagelvoort, Michigan NCAA. 24GP, 2.20 .929 I don’t think they needed to take a goalie here, but if they were going to take one Nagelvoort was a good one. A .929 save percentage out of the box in college? Yes, please. He’s 20, so may not turn pro until his prime, but I’m fine with the player.
- Round 5, No. 130 overall: C Liam Coughlin, Vernon BCJHL. 53GP, 18-27-45. NHLE 82gp, 4-6-10. This is the ‘Evan Campbell Special’. At 17, Jujhar Khaira—who is shy offensively as an NHL prospect—scored 1.46 points-per-game in the BCJHL. At 19, Coughlin scored less than a point-per game. Kirk Luedeke’s text to me: “Big kid, can skate. Had him as my “super sleeper” a year ago, but didn’t see him at Vernon. Raw as hell but passionate, industrious.” Saw him good. I like that. Would love 20 more points from the BCJHL season and it’s hard to justify this pick at No. 130 when there was so much left on the table.
- Round 6, No. 153 overall: R Tyler Vesel, Omaha USHL. 49GP, 33-38-71. NHLE: 82gp, 15-17-32. This is our Hartikainen. Although he’s an older prospect, and should have dominated (which he did), there’s a nice history of offense with this player. I don’t really care about his obscurity, and those numbers are just really good. There’s plenty to criticize in this draft, but the Vesel pick isn’t one of them.
- Round 7, No. 183 overall: G Keven Bouchard, Val d’Or QMJHL. 27GP, 2.95 .887. I’m not going to speak at length about goaltenders, because they are miles from my area of expertise. An .887 save percentage is not a good one. Suspect someone saw him good.
I think the combination of Craig MacTavish and Stu MacGregor had good results (they were responsible for scouting and selecting the 2013 and 2014 drafts, and laid all of the groundwork for the 2015 draft), but 2014 had some strangeness to it. Before the draft, Jim Matheson wrote “Oilers’ GM Craig MacTavish has told the scouts to pick more talented guys later, rather than guys to slot into role positions as bangers on a third or fourth line, hoping for a home run or a ground-rule double in the later rounds.” I had Andrew Mangiapane at No. 52 on my list, that’s the player MacT was looking for in 2014.
So, based on that quote, I’ve never understood what came after. Tyler Vesel was a pick that matched the quote, but everything after Leon Draisaitl is a counter trey. I expect the general manager and scouting staff walked away from that draft with completely different opinions on Edmonton’s draft. It wouldn’t matter. Leon put it all to rest.
TONIGHT
It’s too early in the series for a “must win” but going down 2-0 is not a great place for any team. It means a long, grueling series and a lot of time chasing. A win tonight puts the pressure on the other team. I’ll be looking for Woodcroft to check down rapidly if something isn’t working. I also believe most of the third period will be spent rotating nine forwards and five defensemen.
That was a risky strategy. Vegas is in tough now.
If you’re getting thumped in goals and decide to goon it up you better win that gooning battle. If you saw off or lose it the other side will smell weakness.
Speaking of weaknesses, last night Vegas let the Oilers gain the zone with possession damn near at will. Extended zone time was the result.
Now they won’t learn the proper lesson and they’ll keep up with their aggressive forecheck game but they’d have way more success if they shifted to a Kings style game.
I repeat – Vegas cannot win a track meet against this version of the Oilers. They don’t have the goal scorers or the goaler to pull a rabbit out of their hat in this situation. Like Calgary last year this isn’t the fight they want to fight.
“This also allows Vegas to make adjustments.
They will focus on limiting damage from the Oilers top line while freeing up their considerable forward depth.
Interesting that Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith have yet to score a goal in the playoffs…that may change today”
Ah, HH, both had chances. Too bad the Oilers are a better team.
There were a few ledgers after Game 1 so tough to rag HH now.
Glad to hear you’ve put the Oiler goose back in the oven after game two 😉
Was Tyson Barrie holding this PP back?
I think they really let go at the right time. Tyson killed it until Bouch was ready. I think it helped Bouch develop into the superstar we’re seeing
A lot of criticism of how Bouchard was handled a couple seasons ago.
Looks like Kenny knows what’s he’s doing after all.
I remember a lot of it was based on the assumption that playing every single night is the most important thing for development and sitting in the pressbox is wasted time. Weird considering how many rushed prospects we’ve seen over the years.
I’ve seen the the same criticism in regards to Broberg this year..
I agree. People underestimate the difficulty of the modern pp for admen. In addition to all the offensive pressure, you’re also the only defender, high probability of odd man rushes, board battles, stretch goalie passes on both sides. Requires some experience.
Barrie’s a great puck distributor, with the occasional sneaky wrister, but no one fears his shot. So, now with the Bouch-bomb threat, teams have to play him close, opening seams for the ultra-forwards to cash in… or he unloads that laser.
Bouch has matured in the PP1 D role, too – he is much better at holding the line.
History!
Ek comb mentioned Leon and Pisani. This is it exactly. Drai is our pisani. Except the drai version of pisani which means he something that words cannot capture.
Kostin is Pisani.
The 2006 team needed a Pisani and a Roloson touched for the run by the hockey gods.
Like the 80s rhis team ices hockey gods leading a band of mortals learning to give their all
Haha, well said!
Best part of that game, imo was the Drai and Mcdavid presser after. They are taking zero joy in this win. It could have been after a loss. Only joy you will see is maybe briefly after a series win but also truly only if they are lifting a silver chalice. They are so focused and driven. No messing around, and the message is consistent from Woody as well. Enjoy for 15 minutes then focus on next days work.
Stylistically, how would you label Bouchard? Player comparisons?
Scott Wheeler has compared him to Ryan Ellis.
It’s a hard comparison though because he is a part of a historic pp unit with no precedence.
Good question – I think he’s cut from the same mold as guys like Housley, Larry Murphy, Gonchar, John Carlson.
Seriously? he’s the freakin’ second coming of:
Al MacInnis
(Conn Smythe pending)
Larry Murphy
Larry Murphy
Exceptional offensive defenseman who could booed out of two cities because of suspect defense.
Bowman made sure the other five D could defend in PIttsburgh and Detroit.
Also Woodcorft – “we have honest toughness”
that’s a shot straight across the bows…
The Knights stick work from the second period on was atrocious. For some reason Singh, Louie and the panel were mum about it. I wish Vincent would of rag dolled Carrier who acted like Tim McKraken from Slap Shot. Anyhow we have Kane who is tied with Tkachuk for delivering pain without getting caught.
Come on Reja, any Kane-Tkachuck tiebreaker definitely goes to Kane for last year.
Both are so smart at reading the Refs Kane would definitely pound on Tkachuk He neutered Tkachuk in last years playoffs and Kadri will never act up are even glance in Kane’s direction.
Kane’s a legit tough guy. Folks are scared of him and for good reason, he’s been knocking out, and I mean out cold, NHL tough guys since he was 18.
Kadri and Tkachuk are just filthy cheap shot artists that only fight when they have to or are cleanly the superior.
Tkachuk ran as far away from Kane as possible the first moment he could.
Woodcroft – “we have some big humans out there”!
Love it! This team committed is tough to beat.
Woodcroft-“Honest toughness “!!!!
Summarizing!
Lachance incurred no soup tonight and the Phantoms lost 5-2. The series is now tied at 1 as it moves to Youngstown for the next two.
What’s happened to OP? Did he get an LT timeout?
Was here recently after acquiring some series tix
I like his commentary.
OP!! Show yourself! Hope you’re well, dude.
Yes, seconded!
Great game! Played like a true contender, and got the results.
Saw Ryan Whitney on Twitter talking about 29.
He’s actually at 13 goals. 7 goals away from breaking the record
and it’s the second round…
That took Pisani four rounds, but Fernando was a playoff avatar not a playoff god like Leon.
Listening to Cassidy… I’m glad Woodcoft doesn’t whine like a pre teen, or my eldest child.
Hasn’t been mentioned but depth was great tonight as well. Early on Ryan line was in offensive zone shift after shift, drawing 2nd pp.
I think Ryan just played himself into the lineup permanently. He had a great gsme
I am rewatching the game right now (missed the first) and Ryan is flying. Hyman has had a good first too
three year extension!
So apart from our heavy checking, our deadly powerplay, and some pretty good goaltending, I would give big props to our forecheck… it was killer the last 2 months, and was extremely effective almost every time down the ice tonight. Fun to watch.
Very cool game. Huge to get the series tied up.
Got family visiting so I didn’t watch as closely as usual, but what a dominant 1st, then they cruised from there.
Skinner was strong when he needed to be.
The team stood up when Vegas tried to push them around.
Only Nurse and Nuge over 19 minutes of TOI (Ekholm 3rd at 19:04).
McDavid, drai, Hyman, Nuge, Bouchard all sat for the last chunk of that game starting a few shifts before the final powerplay.
Well, LT did say he expected they’d be rotating 9 (or so) forwards the last few minutes in the 3rd. Doing think the ones on the bench are who he predicted 😆
Woodcroft wouldn’t risk any goonery against them. Smart move.
Big win – impressive all around. But I am SURE everyone saw the REALLY big news?
Canucks sign Lekkerimaki! Wow! Am I right?
“We’re a team that I don’t think we can be punished physically.” #music
“We’re not the type of team that can be punished; we like to do the punishing” — Evander Kane
“WE are the ones who knock.”
I remember Craig Button laughing and rubbing it in that Bouchard was a bad pick that Dobson and Ty Smith would of been the proper pick. Why doesn’t anyone call him on it, Oilers media is so lame
Ya can’t stand that guy. Someone should definitely remind him of his take on the Bouch pick.
Button hated McTavish and Lowe they tortured the piss out of him.
hey look, Bouchard is great and all but he will never be Rafferty ;)…
Funny you mention this. I just looked up the 2018 draft year about 30 seconds prior to reading your comment to check on those players. I remember there was a lot of conversation of who would end up being the best dman in the group. If I recall, weren’t you a Ty Smith booster LT?
The other take away from my googling was McLeod was an amazing pick!
Good problem to have but how do we sign Bouch??
At any cost. He is now officially the third pillar.
Wonder if another team does an Rfa offer for him?
But he would have to sign it and Bouch probably wants to win multiple Stanley so he stays. 🤞
With a bridge deal.
Great game. 5/5 stars. I laughed, I cheered out loud, I jumped out of my seat. Would watch again.
Was not expecting this tonight. Quite the statement game. Vegas apparently forgot that we have a world class power play and the Vegas penalty kill is a team weakness. Hope they forget again in Game 3.
100%. I did not expect that either
HATS OFF to the OILERS !
Kane knows exactly what he can get away with and what the limit is. He’s a savvy veteran that’s a gamer. I really enjoy his presence and making his teammates a inch taller.
Maybe that didn’t age so well, but we did win.
Anyone who’s surprised by the antics of the Golden Knights didn’t watch the series against Colorado two years ago.
That series, every Knight walked around two inches taller because they had Ryan Reeves.
They did the same thing when they were down in a game, but Reeves added to the intimidation factor and the Avs weren’t built to withstand that type of physicality.
This iteration of the Oilers is built a lot differently than the Avs team that lost their series against Vegas.
Hell of a game!
Great game. Maybe their best yet in the playoffs. Game 3 should be wild. Is it still on Wednesday?
Game three is Monday, with game four Wednesday. I’ll be at game four, cannot wait.
My bad. Thanks.
Excellent response. Made them pay with PP. For the most part they were better handling the forecheck tonight. Skinner steady. Recipe for success.
Great game!
shot clock flattered the Knights by the end.
Knights gotta be petrified after how well the Oilers executed their game plan.
I’m really glad Ken Holland
traded the 84th pick in the 2017 draft for the 31st pick in the 2017 draftis our GM.Kane shoulda knocked out Carrier.
He headbutted Hyman.
That was a strong game across all facets of the game for Edmonton. Impressive.
The Oilers did not just beat the Knights, they took them completely off their game. They made them lose all composure. This was not just a hockey game, this was psychological warfare. This team is amazing.
Best game they’ve played so far in the playoffs. Total team effort.
Anyone know the MOST Oiler goals in a playoff game with EVERY goal scored by Wayne, Mark, and Paul?
All five goals tonight by Connor, Leon, and Evan #GreatCompany
Five to one, baby
One in five
No one here
Gets out alive
The old get old
And the young get stronger
May take a week
And it may take longer
They got the guns
But we got the numbers
Gonna win, yeah, we’re takin’ over
Come on!
I missed the first 15 minutes of the 3rd period, but otherwise looked like a very good game by the Oilers. They let their foot off the gas a little bit in the 2nd period, but tightened-up shortly after that.
Well that should give the collective panic button a break for a couple of days.
Just needed to play better and they did.
Adin Hill with a shut out! First star????
We got our split yeah! I expect Vegas to come out with a vengeance in game 3
I expect the Oilers to be invigorated by the home fans.
Dear Oilers, when I said to show a killer instinct I did not mean literally XD
Still, this is a huge win. Probably as huge as the comeback win against the Kings. Oilers won on the scoresheet and on the fightcard.
Also, Carrier is a clown.
Monday Night Football finishes faster than this game.
(not really)
Alright gents. This has been thoroughly enjoyable. Hope it’s a preview of coming attractions.
Knights know that they can’t intimidate us. They look like they collectively took a punch in the stomach.
I love it. It’s like playing Kurri and Gretz with the squad from 2006.
That was Kane delivering the punches to the stomach.
Didn’t like how much of the third they spent in their own end, coupled with several moments of panic when they flubbed it.
But they held to it it and got the win while not breaking in the slightest.
Score effects
I’m sorry, I gotta put the little one to bed. It’s his third playoffs and he’s starting to grasp the game.
What. A. Game.
LT, you are a gem among this crazy world. Bless you.
I told the misses (still wondering what’s going on with her team… the Flames), if Oilers play like this, they’re hard to beat.
Carrier grabbing onto anyone without a Kane on the back of their sweater!
Love it. Huge W. Lets freaking GO.
Carrier might have an appointment with Kane later this series.