Leon Draisaitl had a helluva game against the Washington Capitals on Friday afternoon. He leads the Oilers in scoring so far this season (8-18-26 in 19 games) and owns a five-on-five goal share (15-16) of 48 percent on a team that is 17-28 (38 percent) when he is at rest. Leon has been framed as a player struggling, and the power play has its issues. In fact, at five-on-five he has been carrying the mail relative to teammates.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers find roster solutions on the NHL fringes?
- DNB: Oilers must address goaltending situation before it’s too late
- Lowetide: What’s leading to Connor McDavid’s baffling season?
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers making a productive goalie trade is an expensive proposition
- Lowetide: Oilers’ top prospects impacted by struggles and injuries
- DNB: Who is new Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch? These 3 traits define his approach
- Lowetide: Oilers winger Connor Brown and the question of his optimal usage
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway’s injury highlights concern over offensive potential
- Lowetide: What Oilers management must reckon with in roster construction
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers’ transition of power happening in real-time and the stakes couldn’t be higher
- Lowetide: What if the Edmonton Oilers end up in the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery?
- Lowetide: Can Connor McDavid come from behind to win another Art Ross Trophy?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: DAL, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-2-0)
- On the road to: VAN, SJS, SEA (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 1-2-0)
- At home to: NYI, SEA (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR, WAS (Expected 1-3-0) (Actual 1-3-0)
- At home to: ANA, VEG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual November results: 4-7-0, 8 points in 11 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 6-12-1, 13 points in 19 games
If the Oilers run the table (I know, I know) the month would land the team 14 points in 14 games. That would be one fewer than my projection. I think 2-1-0 is more reasonable. I have no idea if they’ll do it, this team has long ago shown the possible results for a single game are infinite.
THE NUMBERS
I don’t know which of the Glimmer Twins had a better game, went with Leon for the cover but Connor McDavid had four assists and could have had several goals. Draisaitl’s strength on the sequence leading up to the first goal, and then the pass, is evidence of what kind of power forward he has become. That was major league.
I thought the second tier of the Oilers roster was also excellent. Zach Hyman had two assists and looked brilliant, Evander Kane scored again, Darnell Nurse was effective and the Nuge had three points.
The youth brigade was led by Evan Bouchard (what a shot!) and Stuart Skinner. Skinner made a huge save on a turnover maybe five minutes into the game, the Oilers lacked confidence and if that puck goes in maybe we have a different result.
Tweaks made by the coaching staff that might be actual factual and not circumstance: The pairings seem to be rotating almost evenly, that’s new and yesterday it worked well. It also seems the staff is trying to use the third and fourth lines a little more but that might have been due to the score.
Connor Brown played well but he sure gets hit a lot. Are you noticing that?
THE CONDORS
Bakersfield has a late game tonight versus Coachella Valley. Things I’ll be watching for: Raphael Lavoie’s shot, Xavier Bourgault’s anticipation, Ben Gleason’s speed and passing.
I’m also curious about a guy named Cameron Wright. He’s 25, out of Bowling Green University and University of Denver. He has had one strong ECHL season and a total of 7 AHL games with a mere assist. That is not a strong resume, but his last game was strong strong strong. I’m not kidding. I’ll be watching him.
One of the things I always like to check is EV scoring for prospects. It’s a tell. AHL kids aren’t going to get playing time in the NHL on the PP, so these numbers are interesting.
- Raphael Lavoie 5, 1-3-4 (.80)
- Philip Broberg 4, 0-2-2 (.50)
- Ben Gleason 10, 1-4-5 (.50)
- Noel Hoefenmayer 9, 1-2-3 (.33)
- Xavier Bourgault 11, 1-1-2 (.18)
- Jayden Grubbe 11, 1-1-2 (.18)
- Max Wanner 11, 1-1-2 (.18)
- Carter Savoie 9, 0-1-1 (.11)
- Matvey Petrov 11, 0-1-1 (.091)
- Phil Kemp 11, 0-1-1 (.091)
A few notes: Xavier Bourgault needs some even strength offense and soon. Carter Savoie, too, but staying healthy is job one for this player. Raphael Lavoie is NHL-ready. I think the organization is making a mistake not playing him.
If you are going to contribute to the comments, then contribute. Drive-by comments aren’t welcome here. We are having an adult discussion. If you text was deleted, I encourage you to rephrase with substance. Thanks.
I lost my Dad this summer (83) – throat cancer battle for 9 months. I know what you went through, sincerely sorry for your Loss.
But my point was you kind of remind me of my Dad. Firm but Fair. I don’t know you, but I respect you.
Cheers,
Yes
I’ve lost four close family in the last few years to it. Also some friends who were customers, too soon
The last years personally, having a small business, with the cvd crap on top, have been brutal for me
Thank goodness I had enough staff support
Thanks to you LT for keeping this place up. And blessings to you and your family
I have enjoyed being able to come here to find my mental space that I enjoy dwelling in
Thanks also to everyone for contributing and engaging in discussion
I agree Slushy. This place has been a safe (sometimes) and humurous place to come. We can all be GM for a day. turn the page and try again. Some days I don’t comment or comment much, but I always read all the posts and love it all.
cheers to the community & LT
and I should clarify. I didn’t mean to say I know what you went through. What you went through would be infinitely more difficult. I meant to say, I lost a loved one with a battle with Cancer – sorry if that came across wrong.
Me as well LT
The team will be home right up until the week before Christmas, nearly a month at home! They do have to play in Winnipeg once this week but that might not even be an overnight considering the schedule -after Winnipeg they get a huge break.
I hope they can get to the break with a few more wins and then KK will get some valuable practice time with the team.
The west is pretty mushy this year up to the top six. Some teams playing well, but Van, Cal, Vegas all lose tonight. It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll.
Summarizing!
Day turned in a better effort tonight, stopping 35 of 38 in a 7-3 win. He was named 3rd star.
Copponi had two assists in a win, now has a 12-game point streak.
Lachance assisted on BU’s only goal in a loss.
Stonehouse did not incur soup. Mazura did not dress.
This has turned in to a hell of a hockey game.
Condors with a massive o-zone shift but can’t score and the puck goes the other way for a breakaway and Campbell with a big save.
Tied at 2 half way through the third.
Condors give the puck away in their own zone egregiously (shockingly Phil Kemp) and Campbell didn’t make it look pretty but a couple diving and sprawling saves to keep it tied.
He’s now stopped 21 of 23 after letting in the two early goals on odd-men breaks.
The Petrov snipe:
https://twitter.com/Condors/status/1728632831256215882
Peters puts the puck on net from the slot and McKegg all alone in front gets a couple of whacks at it and ties the game up at 2.
Kudos to Jack for keeping the deficit at 2 while the Condors slept-walk through the first period.
Congrats to Matvei Petrov on his first professional goal.
Picks up a loose puck driving down the left wing and snaps that shot he has from the circle far side.
The Teddy Bears fly!
Campbell ended up having a decent period despite giving up 2 (on 17 shots) – Condors were dominated (but did have a few chances: Bourgault and Lavoie).
Bourgault charges to the net on the PP entry, takes the pass, splits the D but rings the post. He’s in the mix tonight!
2-0 Coachella Valley now.
Devon Shore zone entries on a 3 on 2, cuts to the middle and goes cross-ice for a one-timer goal.
Ya, it was a one-timer goal but very slow developing and Campbell didn’t recognize at all.
It was a one-timer but not one that was unstoppable.
No second shutout for Jack as he’s beaten short side off the rush by Shane Wright – from the circles.
Wouldn’t say it was a great goal.
Bourgault with a great chance from the slot off the rush but a blocker save.
Caggiula/Pederson/Griffith
Petrov/McKegg/Bourgault
Lavoie/Malone/Wright
Savoie/Grubbe/Kambeitz
Dineen/Wanner
Peters/Kemp
Hoefenmayer/Gleason
Campbell
At least Savoie only missed one game with this most recent injury – lets see if maybe, just maybe, he can play more than 5-10 games injury free.
Niemo, once again, hurt and out – like Savoie, this is multiple times per year, every year, it seems.
Dave Gagner not interested in Oilers GM job.
https://sportsnet.ca/
Lowetide commentors not interested in Harper’s Hair comments.
‐ Irrelevant, since he is clearly a sad little man that can’t help himself from being a sad little troll, so we’ll all embrace and support his sad little man habits.🤗🤗🤗
I am not a fan of iPads on the bench
Need to watch the game and stay engaged
Video is for off days if at all. On the ice and instruct. If Bill Gates and his colleagues send their kids to analogue schools that’s all you need to know
Bill Gates is a very smart man. But the assertion that technology should have no place in learning is an odd one to me. I dont know if ipads are net positive on the bench or not, but i do know the answer to this question is not found in where Gates sends his kids to school.
Flat top seems to have the Kings cooking …
Top of the division / conference may be out of reach, but the Wildcard is well within reach. As LT said, it will be a slow haul. But doable. 🙂
Have to say I didn’t have the confidence that he could take the Kings to the next level but it seems he has.
In the last few Kings games I’ve watched including todays 4-0 win over the Habs, they’ve been absolutely dominant with relentless pressure all over the ice.
They are also are getting offense from their bottom 6 and are running a 2A 2B forward lineup that’s working like a damn.
Could be President’s Trophy contenders.
Remember San Jose.
They’ve got depth. Several teams are following the VGK inaugural season model of populating 4 lines with middle 6 players that can all play tough minutes. I don’t think they’ve got the offence to hang with Dallas, Vegas, and Colorado, but they could win a round or two.
GF
VAN 85
TBL 78
LAK 76
COL 73
VGK 69
Easiest schedule in the league out of the gate…
Patience.
Brown will get on a roll eventually but my expectations arnt high
But he pays the price so Mcdavid can play his game and thats something! Hard work will be rewarded eventually
someones gotta block and create space out there. Yams was great at making space and Puli wasnt bad either but they whernt piling up the points wither while playing on the top line! thats my 2 cents
I understand the frustration with Brown, but some forget he missed all last season due to injury. I expect him continue to muck it up and the points will come.
What have you seen so far in his game that to suggest this though?
Massive pumps at times to play with the Gods – and as someone else mentioned – still no pulse.
Seen very very little evidence evidence of any skill, really. Even checking…is not that very evident.
He sure gets hit a lot.
I appreciate your optimism and hope you’re right.
The challenge is if they are so far back by the time his game comes together is it too late?
I get making bets, but this is one with long odds.
The funny thing about that is if Brown is going but the Oilers are out of it, his 775k cap hit will make him a valuable trading piece.
The best was that he was going to provide crazy value for his league min $775K cap hit this season – in particular down the stretch and in to the playoffs. The best was extremely good and its shocking that there is a chance it may not come to fruition (although, a slow start was expected, this type of slow was not).
The contract was signed knowing the bonus would vest and, unless something unforeseen happened, like the team being terrible and becoming sellers and fitting the bonus in this year, it would hit the cap next year.
It wasn’t really a bet so much as a decision to pay for the player next year in a “all in” type move that almost everyone was on board with 2 months ago.
It seems that RW slot is not meant for glory.
Copponi picks up two assists in the middle frame, extending his point streak to a dozen games.
I know its his 3rd season of NCAA and he was drafted in his 3rd year of eligibility, but he’s only 20 and over a PPG.
Is this a potential gem that has a chance to play NHL games in a few years or is this just a slender 180 pounder who’s game won’t translate to the pro game?
Some people on Twitter are clamouring for a trade.
It feels like we’re in the Strome for Spooner market with Ken Hitchcock exclaiming “thank god we traded for those NHL defensemen.”
is there any D man that will marginally be better that would fit under our cap space? fans want egg salad out of egg you know what
Methinks this is a chicken or egg conundrum.
If Corey Perry and Chicago are on the outs, maybe that’s an avenue to get out from under Connor Brown’s bonus, extra cap space next season and improve this seasons roster?
The bonus hits the cap of the team the player was on when it vests – that was the Oilers and $3.25MM will be added to the Oilers final cap hit at the end of the season.
They will not necessarily incur a bonus penalty for the entire amount – in particular if the season doesn’t recover and they sell off some players and reduce aggregate cap hit.
Nice to see Pitlick get a goal today if you have wheels you can play well into your 30’s. Oilers missing Holloway our bottom 6 is so vanilla you need a little crazy yet Holland went with the nice guy and passive personality route.
i never understood the love for Pitlick. Team after team signs him. He is often injured and has scored more than 8 goals, once. Great team guy? Good Defensive Forward?
he keeps getting signed year after year, so there must be merit.
He has a decent scoring rate (goals/points per game) for a min. contract fourth liner who can skate, is reasonably big, a right hand shot and doesn’t take a lot of penalties. There ends up being lots of talk of these types of players because they’re usually available when the summer game of musical free agents gets to slim pickens.
How in the world did Brown get that contract
The power of friendship?
Holland couldn’t keep Kailer Yamamoto because he was too tight to the cap (self inflicted I know). So, he traded Yamamoto, used that money to sign Evan Bouchard (which he had to do) and then Connor Brown was willing to sign a deal that used next season’s bonus money.
It looks terrible now, but the premise showed some imagination. Making bets is not an easy game. It certainly hasn’t worked out.
Was his market really 4 mil per for a 0.5 ppg player after a major surgery?
I didn’t like that signing on the day it was done and hate it even more now
Well you see, the thing is, he was getting multiple offers of more money elsewhere (& anyone who knows the Oilers, knows that’s all they need to set the value of a free agent & what his contract should be – this is not a new issue with this franchise).
I would think the bonus was an incentive to get Brown to forgo a longer/more secure contract. Signing a 3x3M deal would be much safer for Brown than a deal that could be his last real NHL contract.
There’s no way for any of us to know, of course. I understand the outrage. I didn’t personally sign the player. 🙂
I know that Ken Holland fitting the mayor Humdinger narrative is popular lately…
It’s always hard to know with these negotiations.
What were other GM’s really offering.,. Where did Brown prefer to sign?
Most here didn’t like the bonus structure… it’s hard to imagine that there wasn’t a handshake agreement that he wouldn’t be parked in the AHL if he was playing poorly (To avoid the bonus)
When Ken Holland sails on, the Holland Oiler era will be remembered as one where he preferred vets and showed a lack of imagination at finding alternatives.
He was a GM who didn’t enter negotiations with a walk-away number or a plan B (see Nurse, Darnel).
There wasn’t much available this past summer at RW. Sprong?
I do wonder when Toronto decided that they were going to cut Sam Lafferty loose.
I thought the signing creative but the bet unnecessary. Wish Ken had kept his powder dry. Same with going long on an unproven goalie just as the team is peaking in other regards.
Caleb Jones getting a promotion in Colorado with Sam Girard entering the player assistance program.
https://theathletic.com/5087910/2023/11/24/avalanche-samuel-girard-player-assistance-program/?source=user_shared_articleAvalanche defenseman Samuel Girard enters NHL/NHLPA player assistance program
It would be a very good thing to get Vinny and Bro going well and use them based on opponents
Vinny against thug slower teams like the Caps and Bro against fast teams and aggressive forechecks
Are they perfect? No. But maximizing what you have is free. Also a sign the group is playing well and the coaches are getting through
Is it just me, or is anybody else worried that with these Corey Perry (and possibly Mrazek) trade rumours, Kenny (or Jackson) is going to do something stupid in the next few days?
Seeing how I like Perry and also Pat Maroon, I’d like to see both on the team to give them that extra certain something. Neither is going to cost much. Neither will be detrimental to the team.
That 4M cap hit might be a problem
Nah. Oil into evidence-based decision making now. They promised!
How does Perry’s cap hit fit, exactly? No team is taking Campbell, the only way Campbell’s contact gets moved is via buy-out.
Maroon is far more in the realm of likely, but there won’t be any moves until Feb or March and even then there is no cap space. Only Kulak and Foegele are potentially moveable, but due to their minimal value to others they will cost this team extra assets to move.
No matter the wishes of some on here neither Nurse nor Bouchard are going anywhere and Broberg will cost to move.
McLeod might be the only viable, reasonable moveable piece, but what is he really worth to another team vs the hole his departure would create?
I don’t see much this team can reasonably do within the next few weeks.
2021-22 GAA 3.32 SV .888
2022-23 GAA 3.66 SV .894
2023-24 GAA 3.24 SV .904
^ This Mrazek? The one that got injured over and over? The one with a cap hit of $3.8M? The one that Toronto had to pay a second rounder to get Chicago to take off their hands, and it was considered a win to get rid of him? I would be concerned if the Oilers even considered getting this goalie.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38977200/blackhawks-corey-perry-away-team-foreseeable-future
OP, what’s your ratio of time with weights to cardio? Thoughts on zone 2 cardio training vs HIIT? Both? Thanks.
the only ratio to be discussed on here is:
liquor to soda ratio
or
liquor to ice cube ratio
I prefer my whisky neat, thank you very much.
Liquor ratio is 0% since August 17, 2012.
Ratio Gaga
Cardio is the biggest lie for fat loss. Unless you actually need to run a marathon its less effective then weight training.
when you lift 12 reps and do heavy weight feel your heart; its pumping way harder when your resting between sets
The rest between sets and the recovery after is when fat burns
This isn’t quite accurate or, maybe better stated as, too simplistic.
Neither cardio nor weigh-lifting is required for fat loss – technically.
All that’s actually required is to consume less calories than one burns.
Resistance training on its own (standard: do a set, recover for 2-3 minutes, do another set, repeat) does not actually burn that many calories. x
Even just steady state running at any sort of decent pace will burn more calories than resistance training in the same time frame but that is also overly simplistic.
Steady state cardio generally doesn’t increase the metabolic rate post exercise and weightlifting does but its not significant. HIIT has shown to materially increase metabolic rate for higher and for longer.
Of course, there are other benefits of weightlifting such as the more muscle you have, the higher your basal burn rate, etc.
Ratio is 95% weights – maybe 80% weights when I’m cutting or trying to stay super lean like (8%).
Do weights for apx 2 hours every morning first thing.
When I’m cutting (or trying to stay super lean), I do HIIT about 5-10 times per week (sometimes I do it twice in a day) and these days my HIIT sessions are almost exclusively 19-25 minute sprint sessions on the treadmill (I’ve done alot of Tabatta in the past though: squat jumps and burpees).
I REALLY don’t like cardio and stick to the shot high intensity sessions.
Bouchard was -7 in October and is even in November.
EV scoring rank amongst D (min 250 min): 27
PP scoring rank amongst D (min 50 min): 3
McDavid and Draisaitl starting to heat up, Ekholm starting to get into his groove. I suspect there is more (positive) regression to come.
Bouchard haters must be in absolute shambles.
Since Mar 1, 2023 he’s been scoring at a ppg, including playoffs. 3rd pairing though.
Your point about Ekholm is astute. As he gets more comfortable moving around, and not turning the puck over…, it opens space for Bouch. Bouch can drift over into the top of Ekholm’s circle for a one timer, or he can swap with a forward at the blue line and find Ekholm as a trailer if he carrier low.
So many possibilities.
He absolutely ruined Oshie, and didn’t even mean to. Guy is Swedish a brick wall.
Hasn’t Bouchard been almost exclusively in the 2nd pairing (or 1B pairing) since March?
Yea, sorry that didn’t translate well, meant it as an eye roll to a very large chunk of the blog who want to demote Bouchard. Huge fan. He’s playing just peachy for the start of his 3rd full NHL season.
I don’t think there are any “Bouchard haters” here.
There is absolutely some disappointment to certain aspects of his game this year. Rightfully earned. I would suggest that the majority here would like nothing more than his game to round into form and watch him lift Stanley.
But “haters?” Nah.
Any chance someone has time to swing by United Cycle and pick up a new stick for McLeod today? Asking for a friend…
Connor Brown’s line yesterday:
16:25 TOI, 0 points, 0 shots, 1 hit.
Maybe the advanced stats were good?
FF% 43
Now that the financial thing is over with (mistake), can KK stash this guy in the press box already?
Dating back to last season, Connor Brown has 0 points in 17 GP and is -10. Woof. That isn’t a slump; that’s pulseless electrical activity.
Brown has been gifted with seemingly infinite leash with primo linemates by two coaches whilst Holloway, Lavoie, and Broberg have gotten zero push whatsoever.
I have stated in the past — with regard to Yamo and JP in the top 6 — that sometimes that third guy doesn’t have to score that much, so long as they are good at digging/chipping pucks for McDrai so that those two can work their magic.
Brown doesn’t put up any points and he doesn’t do any of that dirty work particularly well, either.
But enough of that, let’s get back to bashing Bouchard!
I don’t really see a good internal replacement for Brown right now. Maybe Holloway, but he’s injured.
Lavoie looks to be a totally different player type. First shot scorer, who may be able to cycle and maintain possession in the ozone. So far it looks like he is going to struggle with pace in transition either way, and he really doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s going to create a lot of loose pucks for his linemates.
Right now he looks like a younger version of Alec Chiasson when he was an Oilers.
And in his last 82 games before that he was an 82 22-34-56 player.
He’s 29 years old.
There is a reason they’re letting him work his way back from knee surgery.
I’ll also be watching the goaltending, no matter which tender plays.
I’ve been VERY critical of the organization for not giving Rodrigue nearly enough starts (during the 2nd half of last year, at the beginning of this year and in real time now after the goalie swap).
We KNOW the org has not given up on Campbell and him being an impactful goalie for the Oilers this season – they’ve said it and he started 3 straight when he went down, Rodrigue got ONE START on a back to back and, even through he sparkled (as he has in all THREE of his starts this season), they went right back to Jack.
Given the shutout by Jack last game (full credit to him), of course he’ll start tonight and, given the Condors don’t play again until Wed, I’m sure he’ll start that game too.
I guess I get it, hey maybe that shutout last game sparks a revival, but poor Rodrigue.
I said before the Carolina game, lets just do a full re-set and essentially go back to the opening night lines. Split McDavid and Drai, split Hyman and Kane, put Hyman with McDavid, put Foegele with McLeod and lets go.
In connection therewith, while the 4th line remains a non-factor as far as positive impact (until they get Holloway back and call up Lavoie and add some skill to the depth), 7D should never happen by choice as it effs up the defensive group too much.
I think Broberg should be playing every night in a 6D set-up but hot damn if Vinny didn’t have his best NHL game and played almost 20 minutes – I don’t think its a coincidence that it was in a 6D set-up.
Would like to see more Broberg as well.
Don’t think it was a coincidence that against a team that seems to be a little slower that Vinny did really well – and full props to him. But against faster teams, he does get in trouble.
Does Broberg need a change of scenery? And could the Oil get a player in return that possibly also needs a change of scenery that could make a difference?
The Samarukov / Kostin trade comes to mind.
Maybe but I would suggest that he hasn’t got the full opportunity to become part of the current scenery. I mean, I get it right now: Nurse, Ekholm, Kulak – what are you going to do, right?
I believe that Broberg has only ever had one stretch of games where he got to play nightly in a 6D set-up, which was Jan-Feb earlier this year where he and Bouchard played as the 3rd pairing, 14 minutes or so per night for a good long 6-8 week stretch and they did very well in that role.
Vinny was then called up in the name of fixing the PK that was cratering the season and has Broberg played more than a game or two in a 6D set-up since then?
The 7D formation is terrible – Broberg gets spotted in with various different partners and flip-flops between sides.
I mean, talk about NOT putting a player in a position to succeed, right?
I’m sure he’s available in a trade but, for me, I’m not sure there is much trade value there and Broberg has more value on-ice as an Oiler over the next number of years than he does in a trade.
He’s still on his ELC – tons of runway and, of course, his next few years will also be VERY cheap and Kulak likely needs to be moved this off-season and Broberg will be under $1MM on his first RFA deal next season – that’s a big savings at 3LD (with upside).
Where does Lavoie best slot into the line-up?
Seems to me that with Brown struggling offensively that Lavoie would be the candidate to bump him down?
Brown does those little things that make a difference. As long as he does things right, Kane & Draisaitl can score goals and that’s OK. Lavoie has what exactly? A good shot that we haven’t seen at the NHL level. What else does he offer?
That’s the question. Does he have the boots, physicality and/or defensive acumen to play lower in the lineup?
He’s massive, and he has had a fight in the AHL this year, so you’d think he has the physicality. Seems he’d be a perfect Kostin replacement – add offence to a bottom 6 line and pinch hit in the top 6 as required.
Nuge/McDavid/Hyman
Kane/Drai/Lavoie
Foegele/McLeod/Brown
Janmark/Holloway/Ryan
Nice. Bang on I think.
Nice to see the Oil play a full hard 60 minutes for the 1st time this year. Keep that up and they will win a lot of games.
I think old age has caught Ovi like a freight train. He looks fat and slow.
I think the Oilers just proved that it’s not so much the roster itself, rather extracting the proper game from this roster.
They have enough. So hope the crazy trade options drop and we go back to strategic boosts. I want to see Bouchard fixed, not traded for a player who will run his course in 2 seasons.
go back to control what you can control. And fix what you can fix. There are lots of recent weaknesses that are fixable. Effort, desire, tactics and coaching can result in substantial improvement.
While they may have enough to get things turned around, it would be unwise for Holland to sit on his hands. A goalie drop-off will reverse the tide in an instant.
The win yesterday, and how they did it, was a nice bit of relief.
They need to bring that game they played against the Caps on a consistent basis. Tomorrow is Sunday their heads might not be into it. Who knows? They tend to not play well against lesser teams and save their best for the better teams. But that was last season, this season is another story. It’s a mystery.
That was a wonderful performance by the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team yesterday and an enjoyable afternoon for the viewer.
I would like that to be the norm – let’s see what happens tomorrow night.
It was a good performance yesterday by our team. I’m cautiously optimistic since it is only the Capitals. I don’t believe the Caps are a playoff team this year. I’m going to reserve my optimism when we play against PF teams
It seems to me as well that the opposition was not as strong. I know the Capitals have been winning games but there was much more open ice than against Florida or Carolina. The Oilers certainly played with more purpose and confidence than they have been showing and it was terrific to see
I do hope that McDavid can avoid any more toe picks like yesterday as that fall was worrisome. The captain does look like he’s finding his way back to previous form so hopefully that can continue.
The PK was excellent. When Darnell Nurse decides to play a solid rugged style he is a force on the ice. He has been playing a game that would be difficult to replace. Very refreshing.
The fourth line is weak. Very weak, without any additional intangibles.
Bring Holloway and Lavoie back and it looks better
But still, not enough depth. It is possible to provide a player or two at low cap hit. The analytic dept needs to get busy.
Please expand on why you feel the fourth line is a strength
4th line played great yesterday. Even Erne had a good game
Holland couldn’t figure the cap out for a decent 4Th
I agree, they aren’t skilled enough to be effective and don’t playa physical game
The only hope is Pederson turns out to be a player that can help the wingers more
They need 4 lines as many say. Fresh Duo is far far better for end of season and health
According to NST Brown ranks 16th among the 22 Oilers skaters in Hits Taken/60. He likely ranks a lot higher in Crushing Hits Taken/60. Sure took one for the team yesterday, oaid the price to make a clear on the PK.
I cringed after that Wilson hit on the sideboards – that was a heck of a bang.
I’d say that Ryan likely leads in all those real and imagined stats as well as illegal hits taken & not called per 60.
Prospectulating!
The Vermonters get a weekend off and Akey and his bum shoulder gets the rest of ’23-’24 off, so just a quintet of NA amateurs this day.
Not sure what the Merrimack point-streak record is, but Copponi can get one game closer to it with another crooked number. Currently at 11 games.
The House of Stone rebounded from a slow start to his season with a point streak of his own, though he was denied soup yesternight. His 3-in-3 weekend continues.
Day got lit up in his last start, so he seeks the .500 plateau once again.
Mazura and Lachance round out the docket.
Ottawa (Stonehouse) @ 1 p.m.
Merrimack (Copponi) @ 2 p.m.
St. Lawrence (Mazura) @ 4 p.m.
Flint (Day) @ 5 p.m.
Boston University (Lachance) @ 6 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Therien time.
Luck is a funny thing. Oilers played well by all accounts (some of us had to work) but watching the extended highlights, you see a couple of moments where, as LT mentioned, it could have gone the other way.
You do things the right way, you get more luck, and then more confidence, or maybe when you’re confident, you make your own luck?
Love that backhand to forehand play by Draisaitl, I want the team to win the Cup, but most of the joy from the last few years is seeing world-class skill sets in real time and we finally had a taste of that again.
Here we are now, entertain us.
A 2 on 1 in the 2nd showed how luck is funny. Although Brown busted ass to get back, which coach will be showing video of what he wants to see from his players, the Cap got the pass off. Nurse deflected the pass. Skinner slid cross-crease in anticipation. The puck got deflected back towards other side of net. Earlier in the year, that puck was deflected into the net (think Desharnais and Broberg own goals). Last night, it missed the net. Brown getting back allowed him to tie the guy up so he couldn’t retrieve the puck and get it back out front.
Connor Brown needs to get some production – he should as his all-situations PDO is currently 88.8. But man this team needs him now. Kenny should have based bonus on production not just showing up. I, for one, am cheering for him just so the Oilers win some more. All the negative will be forgotten if he gets 35+ pts and the Oilers win the cup.
I think I was the first person to express dislike of the contract structure back on July 1 – immediately after the bonus structure was made public.
At the same time, I can’t agree that Holland “should have” had a real performance based bonus structure as, from all accounts, Brown had MANY offers for guaranteed money nearing the $4MM mark.
It was either structure this “bonus” at essentially cap deferral that guarantees Brown his $4MM and the Oilers defer most of the cap hit, or don’t do a deal.
In hindsight, the latter seems to have been the better choice but a real performance bonus deal was not an option (seemingly).
Mentioned there was a disturbance in the Force last night. Seems like they woke up. Early days but that was the McLeon we all know and love.
Some more love for Holland’s UFA signings that are now all scoring at a ppg with Hyman on pace for 43 and Kane 39. Four guys at a ppg with two more right behind. Cool.
I’ve counted six to the net rushes by McLeod in the last two games. I’m not sure there was six all year before that.
As OP pointed out, Stu made a helluva save early when I think Vinny and Bouch got caught out, Vinny with the turnover. He made another great save on a trailer later in the 2nd. He looked calm and in control. Rare this season, perfect when he needed to be.
The PK has quietly killed off 15 straight going back to the Florida game.
Washington isn’t a good team. They had a reputation as a stingy team giving up little. Actually, it was mostly goalie and they have been getting whooped all season.
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/games.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=ev&loc=B&team=WSH&team2=All&rate=n
A quick peak through team wide numbers and then a drill down into player Rels is easy scouting. Goal differential in the Central is narrower and getting narrower for the top teams. Look at the 2nd and 3rd Dpairings for all of Avs, Stars, Jets, Blues and Preds. Not that deep.
Fun run for the Ducks, its over now.
Vegas has been middling for a few weeks. Not a buzzsaw right now.
Jets running mostly goalie. Ripe for an upset.
Canes got pumped for 8 last night (so many similarities to our gents)
Minny has lost six straight
Miles of runway left if they want to play like they did yesterday.
8 back with 6 mediocre teams to pass. The season is a marathon not a sprint. The Oilers will get there, just too much talent.
8 back, with two games in hand
Pretty quiet here. Too much celebrating the win last night?
Everyone is out setting up their chairs along the cup parade route.