Edmonton Oilers fans are beyond thirsty for an all-time memory. One that can be called upon at any time to deliver that warm sensation we call crave. The excitement of Glenn Anderson crossing over the blue line and piercing the heart of the Philadelphia Flyers is the memory that comes to me most often, probably because the Kevin McLelland goal—the greatest in team history in actual fact—was not a sublime beauty. That’s what we’re all hanging around for, the laughter and the tears of joy. Last night was a damn good prelude.
THE ATHLETIC
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ Darnell Nurse impressive in all areas after coaching change
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Philip Broberg reaches crossroads as NHL defenceman
- DNB: Four reasons why the Oilers are very much in the Western Conference playoff race
- Lowetide: How is the Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects list shaping up?
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers find roster solutions on the NHL fringes?
- DNB: Oilers must address goaltending situation before it’s too late
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers making a productive goalie trade is an expensive proposition
- DNB: Who is new Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch? These 3 traits define his approach
- Lowetide: What Oilers management must reckon with in roster construction
- 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 2-0-0)
- 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: 6-7-0, 12 points in 13 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 8-12-1, 17 points in 21 games
This is serious now. The Edmonton Oilers are fixing to do some damage and there’s both more urgency and miles more calm feet across 200 feet. The team is making plays without being too far out of position (with some exceptions). The most important thing: The Oilers know who they are. Let the horses run and they will repay you. This is such a fun team.
THE NUMBERS
Connor McDavid is on some kind of roll. This reminds me of following Phil Esposito’s exploits during the 1970-71 season. McDavid is 2-10-12 in his last three games. Music! Esposito had many nines and tens in three games during that season, but I don’t see a 12 point run in three (I had a quick glance, well shy of “research” even in modern terms).
Evander Kane scored again, he now has 11 goals (one shy of rhymin’ Hyman) and things are looking good for the big power forward.
Mattias Janmark scored and made a lovely defensive play that surely saved a goal. He is kind of the “Euro that fans don’t appreciate” on this team, we could call it the ‘official Jaroslav Pouzar” award if we’re of a mind to as days go down. I was very impressed with his game.
Adam Erne owns a 67 percent five-on-five goal share and Sam Gagner is at 57 percent. Those two totals lead the forwards on this team. Music! I always like to look at the lines, using centers as proxy. Now that James Hamblin is the No. 4 center on the team, we get an idea.
- Connor McDavid (7-8, 47 pct)
- Leon Draisaitl (8-7, 53 pct)
- Glimmer Twins (8-9, 47 pct)
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (10-11, 48 pct)
- Ryan McLeod (2-9, 18 pct)
- James Hamblin (4-3, 57 pct)
- The rest (1-3, 25 pct)
We can see that the 97-29 solo and tandem is recovering, Nuge too. James Hamblin has been a revelation, have to say I’ve cheered for him all down the line but this is a truly pleasant surprise. The worry is Ryan McLeod. He needs a few pucks to go in, but the Oilers need him to be close to 50 percent in order to justify his presence on the roster. I’d say it’s officially a concern. You?
Darnell Nurse is playing very well and that will be key to a strong run through the rest of the season. Nurse with Cody Ceci is 10-9 goals (53 percent) at five-on-five and that’s a nice neighbourhood considering the qual comp and the 50 miles of bad road the entire team has been through. The Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard tandem is 13-15, 46 pct at five-on-five and recovering. The Kulak-Desharnais pairing is 4-11, 27 percent and I’d say that’s a concern but the team is winning so we may not see Philip Broberg.
Since the new coaching staff took over, Nurse-Ceci is 1-1, 50 percent in 101 minutes together. Nurse away from Ceci? 5-2, 71 percent. Nurse-Bouchard is 2-1 in seven minutes, Nurse-Kulak is 2-1 in 10 minutes and Nurse-Desharnais is 1-0 in 13 minutes. Weird.
Bottom line: It’s all good. I’m sure Stuart Skinner will be skewered on the internet today but I thought he played well. It’ll take one forever to get his save percentage back to normal but I like this goaltender plenty.
Noon-2pm today, Sports 1440, we will drill down on an emerging NHL story (the Oilers are back, baby!) and Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will help us. You can reach me in the comments section, @Lowetide on twitter, or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly.
I forgot to mention that when Chaulk was on Oiler Now earlier this week, he mentioned that Lavoie came to his office and said he wanted to be an NHL player and knows he needs to find other elements of his game and asked about getting on the PK.
He did PK last night.
There was a TON of special teams last night.
Lavoie was an absolute beast last night – he played like half the game, tied the game with less than a minute left with a one-timer from long distance and was an absolute bull all knight.
Jack Campbell played very well 38 of 41 plus SO saves I think.
Good for Ralph. He’ll get there, just a matter of when
One thing I didn’t like about Eakins, and also Woody made the same reference
Woody was Chop Wood and Carry Water. Woody talked about It’s Hard Work and Sowing Seeds
While these things are true, it also implies to many people on the receiving end that they weren’t making the effort necessary. While the execution may not have been to standard, that isn’t the same as effort. This usually does not go over well, especially with today’s younger folk
At one time that sort of work ethic / execution message would be received in a different way, that’s not today, at least in my experience. And watching old school coaches flame out of the league makes me think that more
KK spoke about positive reinforcement. He also said while it’s good, it’s also hard to actually do. I agree. Godspeed KK with our Oilers
Eakins chopped wood oops
Gretz didn’t like playing for Mike Keenan back in the ’90s.
No surprise that style isn’t popular today, either.
I know KK is a bore
But I like it. Simple, about hockey, no philosophizing. Not a prick like Sutter who also was not verbose. Not much to say bcs really there isn’t. The action is on the ice, the story told there, we all saw it
I see the players taking the cue. And just being jocks. Love the game, work to get what you want. Do it, don’t talk about doing it
Great point. John Muckler wasn’t entertaining like Glen Sather but he gave good information and he won a Stanley as head coach (did more than that, of course) in Edmonton. If Knoblauch wins Stanley, he’ll be regaled forever in this city.
It’s also kinda fitting he played under those classic years of Rob Daum with the Bears. His E-town roots are deep and you get that kind of Daum-esque vibe from him. Dustin Schwartz also played the same 4 or 5 years with him on the Bears.
Dont tell me what the poets are doing
I think Woodcroft is a good coach and not sure they wouldn’t have turned it around anyway. But Woody’s philosophizing was sort of hammy and when they were winning, it was fine. It was clear he loves coaching, and thinking about coaching and that’s all good. But the minute they weren’t winning, it started to feel pretty hollow, (“Well-Meaning and Forward-Leaning”? How is that helping?) and made his prior long-windedness seem perhaps a bit self-indulgent. I like K’s “just the facts” media approach.
and the Condors answer that goal right back.
Gleason with a great transition, weaves through a few defenders and enters the zone with space, drops to Griffith and his shot is tipped in by Grubbe.
Knights get it right back – Cracknell walks out from behind the net, tries to center, bounces off Niemo’s skate and in – no fault on Campbell there.
Early PPG for the Condors – double drop back for the zone entry, Dineen to Griffith to Pederson who gives to Caggiula on the half wall, rink wide to Griffith, back to the point and Dineen sifts one in from distance, under the bar – Drake with the screen.
Let me be one of the first to say:
Coffey is giving the team a serious boost. No one dares argue with him and he sounds like a cool dude anyway so there’s no need to argue lol
Caggiula/Pederson/Giffith
Petrov/McKegg/Bourgault
Lavoie/Malone/Wright
Savoie/Grubbe/Kambeitz
Dineen/Wanner
Peters/Kemp
Niemalienen/Gleason
Campbell
————
They play back to back this weekend to the org might be forced to give Rodrigue his 4th start of the season in a few days.
Oh, the horror!
I’m not sure they will. When do they play again after the B2B? I’m just wondering if the plan is to bring Soup back at the end of the five days off…. Big if, but if so, then I think there’s a strong likelihood he plays unless they can get him in one more game.
Oilers reportedly had 3 scouts at the Habs game tonight.
Something could be brewing.
And twice at Columbus earlier this week as was reported by MayanOil below. So clearly nothing is imminent.
So are we looking at a Josh Anderson for soup swap or we looking at Monahan?
Monahan ok (3C) we have JA in WF, one is enough
Allen, Monahan, Evans
for
Campbell, Kulak, Lavoie, 1st
??
Merzlikins, Roslovic (50%)
for
Campbell, Foegele, 1st
??
It has been reported that the Oilers have had three scouts at each the last two Columbus games. Is something in the works here during our six day break? WHo do you think are the pieces being discussed?
Enquiring minds want to know….
Hopefully no one. I can’t see a player that makes the team better for sure that is a low cap not named Fantilli
Elvis would help but he’s too expensive
Has to keep up Graceland
Jenner would be a boon at 3C if the money worked.
We should have drafted him when we had the chance.
Jenner was who I was coming in to post about.
Tough to get a team to retain on a good player on a good contract for 3 years – that would be expensive.
Andrew Peeke is also a thought.
The Oilers are back in the race but still a dark horse. Goaltending will be important and think they will need to trade for another tender to share the net with Skinner. I fear the plan will be to give Campbell another go and think that will go badly. I think he is done regardless of his performance in the A. Of course I could be wrong……
I don’t get what we’re doing with Campbell. You either trade him or let him sit in Bakersfield and buy him out in the offseason.
Cant imagine trusting him with a playoff game
Depends on who the deciderer is. Holland I’m sure thinks he’ll rebound , just needs to get his game back
That he never had
The last few games have been fun but I highly doubt they make the playoffs.
They are in a huge hole. The goalies + D combo will continue to lose to many games.
I like KK but he is a rookie and will also likely lose his share of games.
Oilers basically need to play perfect hockey the rest of the season. I don’t see it. Especially if the solution in goal is to reanimate Campbell.
I am going to name Nashville as the target as they are currently in the 2nd wildcard spot and that the Oilers will pass the other teams between them.
Last season required 95 pts (Jets) to make it. Nashville would have to play at 1.20 pts / game and the Oilers at 1.28 pts / game.
The last two seasons the Preds have played at 1.12 and 1.18 pts / game.
The last two seasons the Oilers have played at 1.28 and 1.27 pts / game.
I, for one, am confident that the Edmonton Oilers are more than 0.08 pts / game better than the Preds.
They need to be better than:
… Nashville by 5 points
… Arizona by 5 points
… Calgary by 4 points (with 1 game in hand)
… Seattle by 4 points (with 2 games in hand)
… Anaheim by 1 point (with 1 game in hand)
It won’t happen overnight but it doesn’t need to. They have 61 games left!
Its not a huge hole at all. They need to play better than they have until just recently but there’s no reason to believe they won’t.
It’s when a significant part of the fans are so downtrodden that even at the point that the team finally takes off, the argument against Oilers doing anything is the norm lol
There are still issues with this team, goaltending chief among them. However, it is not at all true that they need to play perfect hockey the rest of the way. To reach 95 points, they need 78 points in 61 games. That is an average of 1.27 points per game. Given the loser point, there are 3 possible points in every game played. They need less than half the amount of available points- easy!
This is partially tongue in cheek.. but it is not so overwhelmingly difficult. They need 6 wins and 1 loser point in each 10 game segment. This is more than doable for a Stanley cup contender..
The Oilers found themselves in a much deeper hole just before February in 2022. 6 points out with 46 games to play.
They made it to the semifinal that year.
Precisely. I was saying this at the start of the season when people were writing them off at 1-5-1, 2-8-1, whatever. “But look at HOW they’re playing” — yeah, poorly. 2-8-1 teams play poorly. But 82 games is the sample size. Now they’re playing very well. So I’ll return the favour: Look at HOW they’re playing: None of Nashville, Arizona, Calgary, Seattle, or Anaheim has this ceiling. Baring injury (same as always), I don’t even think the division is necessarily gone. I posted before yesterday they only needed to win 8 more games then VGK to pass them by season’s end. Well, now its 7 (Ok, 7.5, thanks Keegan) games.
Edmonton 61 GR
Las Vegas 59 GR
If Edmonton stays hot, and not even unprecedentedly so, and goes something like 43-18; and Vegas still puts up a respectable 36-23, that’s the difference. Of course LA and VAN would have something to say about the division, but the idea that this is insurmountable doesn’t work for me, and hasn’t all season.
The team has to play well here on out but as 97 reminded us earlier in the year they have 100 wins in the last two years. This is the normal, not what they just came out of.
I really just think the expectations were set so high and so publicly that the collective nerve to imagine multiple ways back became impossible, probably subconsciously fed by the out of town media and fanbases that were feasting on our misery. It also didn’t help that it came off the hop, and wasn’t buried within the larger season, when we could of otherwise been complaining that they were blowing the division, not questioning their playoff chances altogether.
I disagree. Unless the teams fighting for a playoff spot with us get a big influx of talent I don’t think you even need 95 points to make the playoffs.
Nashville who is the last wild card needs 73 points in their last 61 games to get to 95 points.
we dug ourselves a big hole
but the teams were chasing dug themselves only a slightly smaller hole
There are a lot of teams ahead of us still riding the PDO pony, while ours recovers. We can’t afford a losing streak of any significance though
It’s possible that LA Vegas and Dys don’t regress enough to catch them, but a wildcard is there for the taking so few points back with so much highway. And no bad injuries
61 games left to play.
Oilers play .900 they make 110 point pace
Oilers play .800 they make 96 point pace
Oilers play .700 they make 84 point pace
I don’t know anything about math.
Just because you made me curious:
1.000 = 139 pts (61-0)
.900 = 127 pts (55-6)
.800 = 115 pts (49-12)
.700 = 102 pts (43-18)
.600 = 90pts (37-24)
Honestly I think they land at around 100 pts, third seed in the Pacific. If Van keeps this gravy train going, then first wildcard. So a possible rematch with L.A.
Are we done trading Bouchard for a bag of pucks now?
Nobody was advocating trading Bouchard. We wanted to fix Bouchard.
This is not factually correct.
I don’t think a starting tender is a bag of pucks, but that’s just me.
Oh and I have to echo all the positives on James Hamblin. Smart player, sort of a less offensively gifted, but younger and faster, Derek Ryan.
Team certainly in a better place atm, a much different team compared to just one week ago.
Confidence is one hell of a drug.
The comments from Ekholm quoted by Munny below rhymes with both what Knoblauch said after the Canes game where he talked about how they were afraid to make mistakes and how the team has looked since playing the Caps the game after that. The whole group plays much more relaxed, a lot more creative, making more plays, much more active both with and without the puck. Even the bottom of the lineup guys are making plays.
It’s always been a pet peeve of mine that players should always be encouraged to make plays, no matter what their role on the team is. Ofc everyone needs to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses, Desharnais can’t do McDavid things, but if you’re in the NHL you’re there because you have certain qualities and you should use them.Too often role players and bottom of the lineup guys just tries to be in the right spot and not screw up.
When media and fans talks about difference makers we tend to mean the top of the lineup guys. But if you’re on a team and won’t make a difference what’s the point?
To my eye, biased by my own preferences as always, the message after the Canes game seems to have been keep the basic structure, work hard, make plays, mistakes happen and that’s fine just don’t be sloppy.
And it’s not just the role players that look rejuvenated, McDavid looks like a man possessed, he had started to look better even before the Caps game but from the first faceoff in that game he’s looked like someone lifted a big weight from his shoulders. He’s just jiving out there. Enjoying himself. Which is pure art for us fans.
It’s also clear they’re back to trying to go up the middle much more when moving up ice. Which is how this team has to play to be successful, dangerous turnovers be damned.
The Vegas game should obviously have been won in regulation but it happens. Getting the two points was the most important.
Ekholm, Nurse and Bouchard are playing really well the last few.
Desharnais struggles when the pace goes up but is moving the puck surprisingly well lately.
Janmark isn’t a top sixer but after a rough start to the year he’s putting together a nice stretch, another guy who benefits from getting a green light to do more than just get the puck deep, at every level below the NHL he’s a true skill player but in the NHL he’s a role player but even if his skill isn’t enough to hold a top six spot it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
It was a breath of fresh air to hear/read (thanks Munny) Ekholm talk about the confidence Coffey seems to be instilling to make plays. I don’t specifically have anything against Woodcroft and Manson but some of the plays being made the past couple of years in the defensive end that never made sense to me because they didn’t match to this team’s strengths:
Coffey doesn’t seem to be active on the bench in dialogue with players during the game, but if what Ekholm said is true about how he is communicating with them outside of game state, there is already a noticeable difference.
It always bothered me also when Woodcroft said we can play anybody’s game (this was said last year entering into the playoffs). I thought at the time, why would we want to be able to play another team’s style of game? Why aren’t we forcing teams to play OUR game? Last night, I felt like the team was playing to our team strengths… moving the puck quickly, being aggressive and controlling the play.
I hope it continues.. before the 2 goals in last 6 minutes, I was going to write that it was good that the 4th line had been noticeable in the game and that all lines were contributing. I guess you take the good with the bad in playing 4 lines consistently..
It would be a pretty nice turn of events if the new defensive system is better for Nurse and we are seeing him flourish into a 9 million worthy stalwart. That breakthrough alone would be a big damn deal for the Oilers getting a Stanley.
Apologies for too many posts today; but Coffey seems already to be designating roles for the players and Nurse is to my unqualified eye playing defence first; and offence comes naturally out of him doing what his job description says about him.
Nurse is quickly improving, as are many of the Oilers under the last 8 games new management.
Bouchard on the other hand is probably getting rush the puck lessons from Coffey.
: p
When Bouch had those rush/pinch chances the other day and they didn’t work out, I thought exactly that: Coffey had said “go ahead and try some moves”.
According to the math posted in LT’s article at The Athletic, Nurse is playing well, but most of his underlying numbers with Woodcroft were similar if not better.
As mentioned above, confidence is a hell of a drug.
It’s also a small sample with Nurse-Knoblauch. It does look good in isolation, though.
The Kulak-Desharnais pairing is 4-11, 27 percent and I’d say that’s a concern
I’d Say! They let Vegas back in the game.
That 4th goal was especially bad. Desharnais walk out to the puck and let’s the far post roam free.
While I believe you 100% – Vegas are the current cup champions and they certainly appear to know how to score quickly, when needed.
I think Vegas simply turned it up and Oilers got caught looking at the clock.
Agree w/your concern on Kulak and Vinny.
But on the tying goal, that was really more McLeod’s missing his mark. He was closest, need to rotate down and was too late to react.
We still have weaknesses, but the biggest weakness barely gets mentioned.
We are weak in the coaching department. Yet another rookie behind the bench. Am I the only one who likes old guys?
Hiring Woodcroft over the available Paul Maurice was a glaring error. We win Stanley last year with Maurice. And probably again this year.
Coaching is way more important than all of a 1A goalie, a better second pair, the fourth line, and a 2 way winger.
Missed opportunity.
Interesting take. Woodcroft had steered the Oil to the final four in spring ’22. Maurice had resigned from (?quit on) the Jets with some odd messaging. Hindsight is 20/20 – PM did some great work with FLA last year but there really wasn’t any reason to ‘change horses in midstream’ in the summer of ’22?!
And it’s not even a given that PM would come back to a prairie city, but it’s fun to speculate. The current coach shouldn’t be written off just yet IMHO
Ken Hitchcock.
Old Timey Coach.
Todd McLellan.
All perfectly old, once successful coaches from various top NHL teams.
I was never too sold on the last one. Or Woodcroft. Woodcroft seemed to be lacking that certain something and getting bounced in the playoffs has got a lot to do with it.
In a perfect world we can cherry pick an experienced NHL coach and shoehorn him into last year’s Vegas series and who knows?
In my case I got fed up watching McLellan throw away a 3-1 lead.
As of right now the current coaches seem to be improving the team by my eye in leaps and bounds. They just beat the cup champs, so what more they can do is beyond me – in November anyway.
Some pretty bold (and harsh) opinions without any basis provided except “older equates to better”…..
Older usually means cranky, set in their ways and a pain in the arse to deal with.
We had Tippett and Hitchcock?
Bednar – has only coached the Avs (hired as rookie NHL coach)
Cooper – has only coached T.B. (hired as rookie NHL coach)
Sullivan – has only coached PITT (hired as rookie NHL coach)
Berube was a 1st time coach when he won the Cup.
Quenville and Sutter had lots of experience. Cassidy experience.
Anyway, I think the data tell us that you can win with a new coach or experienced one, there is no clear advantage.
It depends on having enough talent, the coach reading the team correctly, and being the right personality to motivate and discipline that group
Is there one way? I don’t think so, each champion finds their way to it based on finding their identity, their advantage, having enough luck, and that changes each season based on injuries for all teams and all the things that go into a team
I think right now they are as close to their mojo as I’ve seen in years. They had the offense but now ‘seem’ to be figuring how to do that while playing defensively well enough
They also seem to have their ‘hockey player’ back on, as opposed to hard labour camp workers. Beware small sample sizes
I gave you a thumbs up because that’s excellent work. However, a follow-up question does come to mind:
How many won in their first year as rookie coaches?
I have a feeling I won’t like the answer to that. Now, if its never been done, it doesn’t mean the task is impossible. But I wouldn’t call it a good arrow either.
Berube
Thanks. Wasn’t sure if that was what he was saying. Rookie coach is a down arrow but by no means a dealbreaker.
Woody did and KK is also taking a team with the Duo in prime and the majority of the group having gone through the school of hard knocks already
Small advantage KK there
Those who thought winning 2 games in a row was nothing because it was the Caps and Ducks, what do you think after last night’s game?
Another good step.
Only meaningful if/when the teams the Oilers are chasing falter.
Given that the top 3 spots in the Pacific and Central are all but locked up short of some calamity, the competition for the two wildcards looks to be very fierce.
Nashville in particular is of particular concern after they’ve won 6 straight with Saros showing signs of recovery from an early season swoon.
Tomorrows game against the Jets in Winnipeg looms very large as the Oilers have a 5 day break after that and could see other teams build on their lead.
I also wonder if Nashville remains competitive if they will make some moves since they have almost $8 million in free cap space.
Nonsense
yeah, don’t bite on that!
Oilers have lots of games vs those team and will reel them in if they continue to play like they are.
You don’t even need to finish reading your post. Why? Because every time you post it’s thoroughly negative. And, like any narcissistic type you always seem to come up with the perfect answer to any question.
It’s not that you are particularly right either. It’s simply your pathology.
It was just the other day HH made up stats trying to push a narrative that the Oilers haven’t won against teams in a playoff position this year.
I see he has picked up that goal post and thrown it into the bushes and inserted his new one
“The playoff spots are all but locked up already”
As if the NHL has never had teams start the season hot and fall out of a playoff position before the end of the year.
Vegas was playing back to back with its backup goaltender, and two top four defensemen from the playoffs last year out of the lineup with injury.
The OIlers had Hyman out.
Suppose the situation was reversed and the Vegas was missing their 3rd best forward, and the Oilers were playing Pickard, and two of (Ceci, Ekholm, Bouchard) were out with injury. And the OIlers were playing the 2nd of a back-to-back on the road in Vegas.
You keep being you. 3 wins in a row is an important step for this team and there are positives we weren’t seeing before.
I think that shock was good for them. They have a habit as most teams do to take their foot off the pedal with a little success. I think they slip into ‘we got this now’ easily. I think many elite players do that. They are used to dominating, but a good team can neutralize that at any time, so you need the rest of it
It’s a matter of how quickly they can grow past slipping back
Ekholm was asked post-game what he thought of Coffey as a coach, given Ek’s experience. Here is the transcript…
What did you expect from Paul Coffey going behind the bench? what’s your experience so far, what’s his presence like back there?
I did not know what to expect obviously and you know everyone knows his resume and what he did in the league. What I really enjoy about him is that he wants us to make plays he wants us up in the rush, he wants us to close gaps, he wants us to be serving our forwards good passes, good outlets and not just flip it out when we’re tired or whatever. Even though we’re tired he still wants us to make plays and I really think that’s the way to go and it’s sometimes that’s something that gets lost when because usually I mean that’s natural in this world. You look at the the bad things you do out there what can you correct always. It’s not every time you come in and you pump tires but he seems to be a guy that more or less looks at the pumping tires situation where he he likes to encourage more than maybe look at the bad side. So I think that’s been a part where I’ve really enjoyed having him as coach.
Even through the losses you’ve had?
Absolutely! Yeah he’s he’s been very positive he’s been very direct and I think in my opinion at least, it’s been more positive than it has been negative. And regardless if we have won or lost he’s always been there trying to make us make plays and I think that’s a great thing.
He’s a big at move your feet, move your feet, move your feet?
Yeah I think every coach wants us to move move our feet and usually when we do good things happen but I think what what separates him is just that he wants… he knows we have forwards that can be… best in the world when they’re at their game, and that it’s up to us to serve them situations and rushes and passes where they can be creative and let their skill take over. If we just flip it up, so they have to go on the forecheck every time, it’s going to be less dangerous for us so I think that’s something.
==============
That last line he seems to mean the Oilers present less danger to the other team when they just flip it in.
Full interview can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3OB0dVqc_c
Just flipping the puck is for losers.
Paul Coffey, with a resume that not more than two score of NHLers can match understands this and is cool enough not to want to play the Dallas Let-me-hide-behind-the-players Eakins approach.
Instead he identifies the exact strength of the team(two crazy great players), while positively encouraging the spear carriers on the team to play more convincingly.
I don’t know that much about hockey, but I do know this is the way many of the finest leaders in life operate.
For more proof of this statement, Ekholm strikes me as one of the smartest players on the team, because when he speaks everything makes sense in a non-knee jerk jockspeak way.
Thanks Munny
I felt Woodman was regressing into McLellan / Babcock hockey. Which wins games but a hard go in playoffs against higher skill also playing well. For LA that is, for us it was neutering our natural advantages
It seems that green lights given is making the defensive side less of a slog for the guys, so they seem to be making more effort. KK has said they need to have fun too, and he’s right especially having a bunch of skill guys most teams don’t
so if the team continues to settle and gets rolling, will we see a Lavoie recall? I see the logic in sending him down when they did – no point having him learn the ropes while the whole team is struggling and the pressure is/was at 11 – but as they get going doesn’t developing the guy with the most upside make more sense than dressing say Erne.
Big kudos to Mr. Hamblin for his recent play. Great story and hope he continues to make it hard for the coaches to send him away as the team gets healthy
Lavoie had his chance and did didly squat so should now wait for injury replacement duty. They are playing approximately the same ATOI (Erne = 8.08 / Lavoie = 7.6). Erne has infinitely more points per 60 (2 to 0), more hits per minute (0.30 to 0.22), better CF%rel and better FF%rel.
RL will get another chance but being passive as a 4th liner is not the path to the NHL.
Prospects come up, play, go back down, and return multiple times. Ever since the world began.
Truth bomb. So well said, LT.
I think we see Lavoie again. I don’t get an impression from the verbal that the org has soured on him. Probably will take injury but that’s a nice option to have and part of good organizational depth. If the Oilers were a rebuilding team he’d be on the roster for sure. Might be different too if the Oilers had come out of the gates like a lit fire wagon rather than a smoking dumpster on caster wheels.
Two coaches have now not insisted on his services to the GM/POHO, so there’s a hole in his game somewhere. The Oilers have their own holes to fix and are already carrying four regulars that have less than a season’s experience each. That’s a material chunk of the roster. So it’s not like they’re anti-youth or inexperience. When the need is to reduce the on-ice mistakes with a Cup on the line, Lavoie becomes a victim of the circumstances. One young lad too many.
We should, though, be enjoying the ones trying to stick the landing: Skinner, Hamblin, Holloway and Desharnais. Be nice if we praised them as much as we pine for Lavoie.
I sat a few rows behind the Oilers bench last night. Coffey barely spoke to the players, to my eyes Stuart is the defensive coach during the game.
Are my eyes deceiving me?
You are probably right. I think coach KK’s answer to the question about Coffey was telling. Took the diplomatic path by saying he’s focused on the forwards so doesn’t really know what Coffey is doing.
KK isn’t about to start slagging off Paul Coffey after coaching in the NHL for all of 8 games.
With, incidentally a 5-3(100 point) pace.
Think of Coffey as a Maharishi/Ayatolla/Sitting Bull type.
He’s not there to play Vince Lombardi. Playing hard man ain’t Coffey’s style. He’s there to play brain surgeon to the perennially weak minded Oilers on ice product.
It sounds like the players love him.
Summarizing!
The House of Stone registered goal #9 of the season in a 3-2 OT win. Also had a game-high 5 SOG.
Between the incredibly ridiculous penalty awarded to PSG in squeaky bum time against Newcastle, and the 3rd period “game management” (a thousand eye rolls to follow) by the refs in favour of Vegas, sure was a day to curse the refs.
They need to get a goalie, Skinner is a sieve and didn’t have to make a save in the shootout (when was the last time we scored on our first 2 shots?) but man, the refs just gave Vegas every opportunity to come back in what was a very good 3rd period showing by the Oilers.
I’m not a goaltending expert — but I thought Skinner did fine in the shootout. He didn’t commit as the Vegas players tried to wait him out, which forced them to attempt extremely difficult shots that ended up missing the net.
That being said, screen or no the third goal looked a little weak to my eye and should have been stopped.
Agree that Skinner should probably have had that but there was a bit of bad luck in the lead up and the shot did magically get through Erne’s legs. Not an issue on its own but the problem is he lets in one of those a game.
Skinner at least is figuring out the Oiler’s vaunted: “We play hockey like Grant Fuhr is in goal” style.
There was a Vegas shot on goal from the slot that I remember telling myself: “Campbell gets scored on 100% of the time”.
ha ha yeah. Fuhr always made the one save necessary for the win.
The Oilers played an excellent game last night — full stop. They outs-hot and out-chanced Vegas at 5 on 5 and out performed them by an even wider margin once you take special teams into account. Vegas was tired, but you play the team the schedule tells you to.
They played an excellent third period — again out-chancing the Knights despite holding a two goal lead.
The Knights tied the game by scoring on two of the limited scoring chances they had, but neither was a grade-A chance that resulted from Vegas carrying the play. That the scoring plays followed some intentional non-calls by the game-managing officials made things even harder to swallow.
But this was not the case of the Oilers getting bombarded in the third scraping by through sheer blind luck — the stats reflected what the eye saw, the Oilers controlled play and deserved a better fate.
This game was also a reminder to watch the game on mute — what the play-by-play team saw simply did not reflect reality.
‘… and deserved a better fate.’
The refs were fully in ‘let-them-play’ mode in the 3rd which was really game management to let the team that was behind catch up.
I know that most, if not all, fans think the refs are against THEIR team. But really all we ask is for a little more consistency in the calls. What is called a penalty in the first period of the first game of the season should be a penalty of game 7 of the SCF.
I’m wondering if the growth of sports betting will impact officiating — after all, what’s the difference between “letting them play” and shaving points?
I know that the officials and NHL aren’t out to get the Oilers, or the Canadian teams, or (insert conspiracy theory here).
But there is a culture of “not wanting to impact the game” — which of course directly impacts the game:
• Teams that clutch and grab as a matter of strategy have an inherit advantage as officials rarely allow one team to benefit from significantly more power-plays in a single game
• The rules are different in the third period than they are in the first
• The rules are different if the score is close than if it’s a blow out
• The rules are different if one team has a dominant power play — officials hesitate to allow a team to put a game away too early. Looking at the LA / Oilers series two years ago when Edmonton scored at will at the PP — what constituted an Oilers penalty was different from LA’s. (Okay, that point is definitely bordering on homerism)
The Vegas defender clearly grabbed McDavid’s stick, ending what was likely going to be a scoring chance, denying the Oilers a power play, and allowing play to continue with Vegas in possession that resulted in a goal that artificially made the game closer than it should have been.
There’s also a culture of treating the approach of how the NHL chooses to officiate games as an unavoidable natural event and not worth comment. Everyone knew the Vegas defender held McDavid’s stick. Everyone knew the official chose to ignore it as it would likely result in the Oilers putting the game out of reach. Everyone knew this choice lead to the third Vegas goal. Everyone — hi Louie! — chose to ignore it.
LT any particular reason you removed my post? It was about the setup of the defensive zone faceoff on the Amadio goal. I’ve heard some asking why they would set up that way and thought I’d share a coach’s perspective. Even if it isn’t interesting I can’t imagine it was in anyway inflammatory lol!
I didn’t. Let me check the spam filter.
It’s published now. I do not have any idea why it went to spam. It wasn’t in “pending” which is what happens when I unapprove. For those who want to read it (it’s good post) it is time stamped 9:09.
Thanks LT!
you pended me the other day; not sure why
You said “Brown had a good game? Based on what?” but there was no comment you were responding to and it wasn’t going to move the conversation forward. Please be specific, and respectful. 🙂
I’m not concerned with McLeod at all right now. I think he’s getting it back, he’s been driving the net for the last week or more (wasn’t doing that when he first came back from injury). The fact that the coach had him out in OT is another tell, he’s getting the trust or at least the push from the team. Heck in OT he had our first scoring chance didn’t he? And funnily enough it was through driving the net.
Once he pops a goal the weight will be off his shoulders and he’ll relax. No concerns from me.
MacLeod’s game is most suited for the 3 on 3 OT. It’s about time an Oiler coach notices this. Credit to coach Knoblauch.
A young, fleet footed center without a goal in close to 40 games is a concern regardless of other impacts on the game.
If the Oil are to contend for the cup, they need scoring contributions from this player/line.
In theory, we should love the McLeod, Foegele, Holloway (when he’s back) line – all 3 players have size and speed. Unfortunately, they all have poor hands when it comes to finishing and I don’t see any one of those 3 suddenly becoming a regular goal scorer. I would say that unless McLeod can sort it out, he may be vulnerable to trade, but Foegele is the pending FA with the higher cap so maybe he goes. On the plus side for McLeod too, the only possible replacement in the system would be moving Holloway into the middle and it’s doubtful, and likely unfair, to expect him to be strong enough defensively in that role.
Which is exactly why I am a fan to having Sam Gagner in the bottom six.
He does know how to score and he’s really freaking good at it.
Those three you mentioned are big enough to make up for Sam’s less than Gordie Howe impact on the game.
John Shannon was talking about the goal that was called off by Mattias Ekholm against Anaheim in the 2nd period intermission last night and how they couldn’t beyond a reasonable doubt tell that it had crossed the line completely even with the new cameras they have now placed inside the posts.
With the technology they have now could they not place sensers in the back of the posts directly in line with the back of the goal line and put a microchip in the center of the puck?
If the chip goes over 1.5″ past the sensers that is a goal because the puck is 3″ in diameter.
That would have definitively told you that it was a good goal.
Or am I missing something?
It also has to be orientation sensitive as the puck is not spherical.
Questions that I don’t have the answer to.
The puck is also being impacted over on over. And will a signal pass through the vulcanized rubber. Will the sensor survive the manufactuing process?
It has in the past.
When fox took over nhl games they had pucks chipped.
If you remember the orange streak it would leave when they were passing or shooting.
It was a horrible idea but it has been done.
This is probably so that the league can maintain a level of subjectivity that empowers their staff to make the wrong decision, as per their brand. If you were to ask Gary, he’d happily add that fans have told him that they love a 6-minute delay in a goal call as that improves the flow and entertainment value of the game.
The answer is yes. My brother worked on a team that designed one and pitched it. Was turned down.
FYI, the puck must completely cross the line to be a goal, not just more than half of it.
Lol, I think you need to re-read his statement. An emitter in the centre of a 3″ diameter disk needs to be 1.5″ past the external sensor to be completely over.
I don’t believe that’s how gate sensors and emitters work, but his math is correct.
Anybody still keen on flushing the season and over-rotating on the idea of a re-tool?
And it only took less than a week.
Some further tweaking wouldn’t be out of the question. There’s always room for improvement.
I think we all knew a turn around was possible but there were few signs it would actually happen. Recent performance has been awesome but not totally out of the woods yet. Pedal to the metal boys!
How dare you question our ability to overreact to things and demand the nuclear option.
everyone agreed they wouldn’t go 20-60-2. Regression was going to come.
They still have:
1- Cap issues
2 – No reliable backup Goalie
3 – No margin for error the rest of the way. One 4-game losing streak at any point in the season and it’s probably curtains.
Great to see them playing better and getting some wins. Hopefully they keep it on the homestand.
Honestly I think you can make the playoffs with 89 points in the WC this year.
The team needs improvements, there is no question. Are you just satisfied if the Oilers make the playoffs, or is the goal to win?
Less than a week ago folks here were contemplating draft lottery scenarios and seismic trade ideas involving franchise players.
A few wins has quiesced such lunacy, but as Darth says that’s part of the fun of this little blog-o.
And for the record I’m for near term moves that improve the team’s depth and in goal.
After that game I’m sure the boys went out for a beer.
Let them lose their next 3 games first.
I did not know much of anything about Adam Erne prior to his signing with Edmonton.
Adam Erne career prior to Oilers
Nothing screamed wow Holland found a diamond in the rough!
He certainly seemed to be a few VGK heads last night and that is something that some of the other bottom 6 with size (Lavoie, Holloway, Highlander and Foegele) are not doing.
I now see a guy playing as hard as he can every shift just to stay in the NHL and knows his role. Keep it going Erne – oh and stay out of the box if possible.
Former Red Wing, all you need to know. Just kiddng (sort of).
Since the Oilers beat Vegas… now can I start planning the cup parade?
Oilers content on puckdoku today, guest puzzle master is apparently Marc Bergevin.
Please, never repeat his name – he who cost us Rollie and the cup!
No, no, not MAB…
Marc Bergevin: the former GM of the Habs.
Thanks, that certainly reduced my PTSD on the subject of MAB.
Final uniqueness score: 4.
Schneid status for Stonehouse: Off.
He scores the go-ahead goal late in the first for his 9th tally of the season.
Ryan McLeod has gone full Todd Marchant on us, and I’m on the fence about whether that’s a compliment or a criticism. I think McLeod slotted between Erne and a physical RW with size would resemble the 4th line most championship calibre teams have nowadays. Just go out and impose your size and get a cycle going down low in the other team’s end for 8-9 minutes a game while the top guys recover.
For the record, I loved Marchant.
I personally think McLeod has a ways to go before being comparable to Todd Marchant. Besides his game 7 OT winner against Dallas, Marchant was a consistent 40 point guy every year he played for the Oilers. Clouder has yet to put up even one 30 point season.
No doubt McLeod has played at a 4C level this season which is a regression from most of last season – and a 4C that doesn’t “create energy” with aggressiveness.
I know he CAN be a 3C, because I’ve seen it, not this season though.
As far a “full Todd Marchant” – adding Todd Marchant to this lineup would be a massive add.
McLeod is sort of Marchant, but without the offence or the defence.
Is James Hamblin sustainable as an 8-12 minutes bottom six center with some likely future PK impact – is this real?
Woodguy
@Woodguy55
·
1h
EDM’s “other” category for EV goals was 1-3 before Hamblin was recalled.
They are 5-3 since his arrival and out-performing his 47% xGF by a couple goals. Happy to see him continue as 4C.
Now they just need McLeod’s 18% GF to start to regress towards his 57% xGF …….
Well I guess I’ll do the Skinner skewering.
I really thought he had a good game up until the 3rd period. He looked like he had a plan for where to direct every puck he couldn’t control, there were times on powerplays when Vegas forwards visibly passed up one timers because Skinner was solidly in position, etc.
That 3rd period though, is the blueprint for how the Oilers get knocked out of the playoffs by Vegas again. They had played basically a perfect 3rd period with a 2 goal lead. Vegas might have had 1 or 2 shots through the first 14 minutes, the Oilers should have gone on at least one powerplay if the refs hadn’t deemed that scenario verboten. Then a stinky, stinky goal goes in and the game turns on its head. Then it’s 6 minutes left for a flukey goal, a lucky bounce to go in and tie the game, and of course it happens.
That’s the Skinner that got pulled 4/12 playoff games. An .852, .833 in regulation, and a certified stinker at the worst possible moment. I don’t think you can honestly look at him right now and say this is the guy who is going to win you a Stanley Cup. There needs to be a move to bring in a goalie, and I think you need to be able to look at the guy you bring in as a potential 1A, starter of playoff game 1.
Skinner had no chance on the 4th goal as 55 was all alone to tip the puck in. Nobody near him. Mcleod was closest, 15 to 20 feet up ice.
Agreed. It’s the 3rd goal I take issue with, which allows the 4th goal to happen/matter.
Who takes Skinner over literally any other team’s goalie in a 7 game series?
Fair critique… but he was equal to Thompson, who let in: a stinker (1st goal) 2 redirects / jams and a skill play (97 breakaway)… and Skinner was better, much better in the shootout.
Yeah I would not be happy with the Gagner goal if I was a Vegas fan.
Thompson is also their backup goalie, making league minimum.
People don’t like to hear it, but you’re right. That 3rd goal is a killer and is exactly the kind of goal the Oilers have let in that lost them games and series time and time again. At some point, the goalie needs to come up with a big save.
Skinner is a decent goalie who is developing still; the Oilers need a 1A now if they want to win now.
At some point, the goalie needs to come up with a big save.
Do you mean like Skinner’s save with 30 seconds to play that saved the game? I think Whitecloud was the shooter but could be wrong.
People often forget the big save simply because the goalie didn’t stand on his head all game.
2 points. It is all that matters.
We can’t let in 4 goals
PK is hot
Who are these 4th line guys .
McLeod needs to sit a game maybe. Just not sure he will.
Ekholm looks healthier as well.
Perhaps when Hyman returns Gagner stays in and McLoud sits. Gagner 3 goals, McLoud 0
Not a bad idea. I was horrified when the coach put he and Brown out in OT. I was like what the F. But we didn’t get scored on. So there is that . It would be so nice to have a good 3 rd line C man
Putting Mcleod AND Brown out in 3 on 3 OT is some kind of choice all right. The zero goal duo. Basically just a fill in until McDavid and Draisaitl catch their breath.
Coach must view them as responsible good skaters
Similar to Vinny, McLeod is relied upon on the PK and that gives extra leash.
If Bruce is on here this morning he was asking if any coaches could explain the face off strategy on the Amadio goal. The answer is yes and no.
The traditional setup on that circle (that Bruce seems to be expecting) would have Bouchard shoulder to shoulder on Amadio on his strong side , Nuge just inside him or outside him and Ekholm directly behind McDavid. Janmark would be on the wall.
That has been modernized with the following changes and for the following reason:
1 No defense on the back wall and flip their sides. So Bouchard where Janmark would have been, on the wall on his wrong wing. Ekholm shoulder to shoulder with Amadio. They do this because any faceoff win allows Bouchard to skate into the puck on his forehand. This allows him to rim to the far side, “wheel” or skate it, or show “wheel” and reverse it. If you put Ek there he’s on his backhand. And when you line up right behind the center then the puck can be won to your left, right or right in your feet. When you retrieve it you’re standing still and the pressure is on you. This formation is excellent and standard even in minor hockey.
2. Stack both wings on the net side- RW goes to LD. But this allows LW to curl through the circle and head to RD. Advantages are a) he can’t be blocked as he’s not shoulder to shoulder, b) in the shooting lane and c) can support the C on any scrambled draw. Off side D”s first move is through the circle too so he also helps with scrambled draws.
Here’s where it gets wonky. Ek is in the 1990s spot directly behind McDavid. Why? He’d be in Bouchards way on a win. And on a loss That leaves no defenseman in the net front which I’ve never seen before. So then I guess one wing covers net front (which neither 93 or 13 seemed to know) so then who goes to the point? Ekholm is literally in no man’s land. Defies logic.
Which is why Broberg with Nurse would probably also be fine.
But at this point, I would be happy with them just playing Broberg. He should be in the rotation with the other 3rd pairing D, Desharnais, Kulak, and Ceci.
Vinny looks like a 6 or 7 dman and mostly a 7 on most nights. Last night he was visually not good. He has the worst +/- of any dman on the team (and that includes Broberg).
Vinny is a valuable member of the team and will needed throughout the year, but it is time (well past in some people’s minds) to play Broberg.
Desharnais has played 55 NHL games, he has 1 goal & 8 assists for 9 points and is a +11. Broberg has played 79 NHL games, has 2 goals & 9 assists for 11 points and is a -4.
I think the his time on the PK is the primary reason he stays in the lineup and given him a longer leash.
I have not delved in to “the numbers”, but for a cursory look weeks ago, to see if they show a real impact and a delta vs. Broberg (who I believe has decent PK numbers in a clear small sample size).
Nurse & Desharnais would be fine. Then Kulak & Ceci could form the final third pairing.
Prospectorant!
The spotlight shines solely on the House of Stone, who could muster nothing but bagels on the weekend in a trio of games. He gets a shot at redemption as his 67’s are in action right now in a school day game–the puck dropped at 8:30 a.m. Tangent time.
Darnell Nurse is playing very well and that will be key to a strong run through the rest of the season. Nurse with Cody Ceci is 10-9 goals (53 percent) at five-on-five and that’s a nice neighbourhood considering the qual comp and the 50 miles of bad road the entire team has been through.
Nurse has had a very good season to me eye. Yes, there were a couple of highly visible mistakes early in the season that led to goals against but, overall, he has been solid and very good recently.
We all know this player is a lightning rod due to his contract and the “cool kids” will note EVERY mistake he makesm and social media will be littered with posts with “$9.5MM”, yes, $9.5MM, even when the actual number is $9.5MM.
What is almost never posted and under-talked about, its the quantity of little plus plays he makes every single game :
– thwarting any rush chance on the outside NEVER gets beat wide, he’s elite in that area
– the multitude of shot blocks both shots from the high slot/circles and those from the outside (and these are shot blocks that hurt, those where the shot has travelled from the outside and its not blocked right at the point of the shot)
– the tipped passes in the defensive zone where he gets a stick on a cross seam
– the won board battles in the defensive zone
– HIGH END on the PK recently – doing all the little things
He’s making these little plays on almost every shift. Ya, he ices the puck every once in a while. Ya, he chases sometimes in the d-zone or loses the backdoor (although, really, that’s RARELY happened the last 10 games).
Lets also not forget he is doing this with some of the toughest minutes in the league, competition wise and, also, lets not forget, he doesn’t have, and has never had, another legit top pairing d-man to play with.
He plays the toughest comp in the league with a 2nd pairing level guy beside him.
I wish you would highlight the quoted part. It’s confusing when you don’t.
100% agree.
One thing I would say, and I don’t know if this is fixable or not, but the quote feature never works right when the whole line or paragraph is copied. It bounces the shaded quote box below and leaves the pasted text above.
Only solution I’ve found is to not copy the final period and paste that into the quote box.
It’s annoying, but at least it works.
I usually do but every once in a while I forget – I apologize.
No worries.
I agree 100% on what you have said about Nurse, also would like you to highlite or at least use LT said “ “
4 points back of Calgary in 8th this morning (equal GP).
Lots and lots of runway so long as they can keep playing good hockey.
Calgary is currently in 10th. Nashville is in 8th, 5 points up on the Oil with same games played.
I give the fourth star of the game to Mattias Janmark.
I definitely didn’t like him lining up in Hyman’s spot but, hot damn, if he didn’t look fast and strong on the puck in the offensive zone. Don’t get me wrong, I look forward to Hyman being back there but Janmark did better than expected for one game in that spot.
Of course, he was massive on the PK – two fantastic stick plays to thwart what might have been goals, definite grade A opportunities.
Great game for him tonight.
This is serious now. The Edmonton Oilers are fixing to do some damage and there’s both more urgency and miles more calm feet across 200 feet. The team is making plays without being too far out of position (with some exceptions). The most important thing: The Oilers know who they are. Let the horses run and they will repay you. This is such a fun team.
They are back, back to playing pretty much as expected prior to the season starting. Much of that is the top players recovering to impact the game as we are used to (McDavid, Nurse, etc.) and much of it is commitment to hard play in all three zones and closing on the opposition fasted and being hungry.
The question is, is it too late, was the start too bad to recover from? I think the answer is no but the team no longer has room for any more real slumps.
Staying healthy – both in terms of injuries and illnesses is paramount. If a bad flu goes through the team, leading to a slump – it could be game over for the post-season
From my point of view: if this is a team that was planning to challenge for a cup, then making up a 5 point gap on WC2 over 61 games is a trivial ask.
If it’s too late for this team to make the post-season then I can’t see how they would have gotten past LA or Vegas this season.