I have been watching NHL hockey since the 1960’s. I have seen a version of last night’s game hundreds if not thousands of times. One team has the edge in play by some margin, but gives up a goal in the first half of the proceedings. The chasing team continues to play well and push. I haven’t counted, but the most likely scenario in my mind was a second Jets goal. Credit to the Oilers structure it held. Credit to Stuart Skinner, he made some big stops. Credit to Darnell Nurse, who found a way. To the glimmer twins for the winner. To Ryan McLeod, for working through the most difficult slump of his career and coming out the other side. You know, the injuries to McDavid, Ekholm and McLeod had a big impact. I think now, today, we can say the battle is joined by those men and the others on the roster. It won’t be easy, but a 6-3-0 run by the Kris Knoblauch Oilers has us here.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Is it time the Edmonton Oilers expected more from Ryan McLeod?
- 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?
PERSONAL NEWS
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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 1-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual November results: 7-7-0, 14 points in 14 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 9-12-1, 19 points in 22 games
The 6-3-0 finish saved the season, or at least appears to have done it. The main factors are McDavid’s return to health, the defense settling and Stuart Skinner going well (.921 save percentage at five-on-five in his last four games). In those four games, every defenseman is over 50 percent in goal share (via Natural Stat Trick) and 10 of 13 forwards are over 50 percent.
THE NUMBERS
The coaching staff ran all forwards for 10+ minutes save Derek Ryan and James Hamblin. I think Sam Gagner over Adam Erne is the right call, Samwise was effective with McLeod and Warren Foegele. It reduces Derek Ryan’s time but gives that third trio a different look. It’s interesting to see Ekholm and Evan Bouchard getting more of the five-on-five icetime a couple of times in recent games.
I don’t bitch about referees. Connor McDavid gets manhandled against the Jets and it’s gone on too long. Someone needs to stand in front of a microphone and call it out. It’s BS.
Darnell Nurse is getting some love from folks who have torn him apart verbally over the years. Good to see. You know, it’s okay to acknowledge his ability and performance while also realizing he isn’t a perfect player. I sometimes think Oilers fans have a defenseman in their brain (Chris Pronger to be exact) and want Nurse to be that player. He isn’t, and Pronger made mistakes too. Pronger’s advantage in Oilers lore? He was here for just one season, not enough time to pick apart his game. I’m thrilled for Nurse.
People are coming after Nuge today, he’s 6-2 goals at five-on-five in the last four games. Sure. He is shy offensively compared to 97, 29 and even below Zach Hyman and Evander Kane this season. He has a defensive conscience and he’s wicked smart. Let’s at least wait until he can shave before trading him.
Stuart Skinner was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season, and answered the bell this season when the team’s veteran once again was unable to run with the lead role. It’s going to take forever for his numbers to look anything but ugly, but I give him credit for his work through the storm and hope fans recognize it after the rain.
I’m now convinced the Oilers have to slide Philip Broberg into the lineup, send him out or trade him. Hanging around in an NHL pressbox is ridiculous. Send him to Bakersfield. Today.
At noon today, Sports 1440, we’ll look at the Jets game and review November to remember. Steve Lansky will be by, Tyler Yaremchuk too. We’ll preview the NFL weekend and talk about the Oilers goalie targets. One of them is off the table as of today. You can reach me in the comments section, @Lowetide on twitter, or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly.
Merlikins looked pretty good tonight. Will Elvis be in the building soon?
Stars with some good pressure with the goalie pulled – get the puck to the front of the net and the rebound goal ties the game.
Condors going to play over 62 minutes even without OT. A play at the Stars’ net, play goes on for a few minutes longer but, when stopped, its reviewed an Caggiula gets his first goal to put the Condors ahead.
Wait: its being challenged – we don’t know what for.
Damn, a shot from the point with a ton of traffic in front is deflected and the 31st shot aginst ties the game at 2 with 3 minutes left.
Rodrigue must look massive to the Stars – Stankoven shoots wide on a penalty shot.
Caggiula and Pederson with a give, a drive, a go and Pederson taps it in early in the 2nd for the 2-1 lead.
Summarizing!
Lachance was the star of the show with a pair of PP tallies. (Thanks to Munny 2.0 for the intrepid reportage.) He also went a surprising 6-for-7 on draws.
Copponi, however, was ejected for boarding early in the second. And since he didn’t draw a point on Merrimack’s only goal, his point streak ends at 12.
Määttä, Münzenberger and Mazura missed the mark, maybe murmuring madly.
Epic shift by the Condors to tie it with 90 seconds left in the 2nd. Tremendous pressure and cycle. Pederson the catalyst with the most touches but Gleason and Grubbe and Wright all involved (a partial line change was made) and, eventually Wright, wraps in his 1st AHL goal.
Gleason with a VERY nice keep in at the left side blue moments before the goal.
Of note, Rodrigue let in the goal on the 2nd shot – no real chance on it – has made 21 saves on 22 shots through two.
Looking at the BU highlights and, damn, LaChance is a monster out there (size wise).
Can he skate?
I’m currently at the Oil Kings Teddy Bear toss game with the fam (first time for all of us). The Oil Kings (last place team in the league) is playing the Everett Silvertips (3rd place team). And man they are getting slaughtered 22-5 on the shot clock (but only down 2-1) after the first period. Definitely was an experience when the home team scored. Sooo many teddy bears…
I heard this morning that the O. Kings have 8 players out with injury….
Oil Kings pull off the comeback/upset with 2 PP goals! Scored the go-ahead goal with 1 minute left. Final score: 4-3 Oil Kings. (Shots 39-25 for Everett)
this game felt like watching a Dallas-Edm game back when Dallas was the cream of the crop, and oilers just happy to be there.
2nd shot of the game, 90 second in goes in – a neutral zone turnover, some terrible D and Stankhoven in all alone with a beauty – a very pretty goal.
Just bought two tickets to Edm/NYR at MSG Dec 22nd. After almost 40 years of fandom I’ll be catching my first NHL game, pretty stoked 😍
absolutely great my friend. You will love it.
Enjoy the experience! Years ago took my son to a game their (Rags vs. Leaves) and he still talks about it.
Congratulations.
You couldn’t have picked a better venue to see the Oilers play.
Except, maybe, Rogers Place.
Oilers still have a hill to climb but it’s a lot better than the mountain they had a couple weeks ago.
And the thing that hasn’t changed… their shot attempts and expected goals still look great.
The shooting percentage is normalizing. Skinner has remembered last year’s form just in time. He doesn’t have to be great. He just needs to be good.
A bad stumble can still sink them. Little room for error. But reports of the Oilers demise have been greatly exaggerated.
At 5v5 and Evens EDM’s xGF% is down under Knoblauch, while all situations xGF% has increased due to success on special teams.
Shooting percentage is up. But Knoblauch’s Oilers have not faced a red hot VAN SV%. If you exclude the VAN games as outliers, things look fairly normal (leaving-in the Rangers shut out against EDM).
This is to say that short-term QOC SV% in this case was a big factor here. Not just lady luck.
EDM vs All teams 5v5
557 SF, 41 GF, SH 7.4 %
EDM vs VAN 5v5
76 SF, 2 GF, 2.63 SH%
EDM vs All Teams but VAN
481 SF, 39 GF, SH% 8.1
Ryan Holt was on the Gregor show today and FINALLY an update on Ty Tulio who, as we know, hasn’t played a game this season.
His issue was that he cut his hand in a fight against San Jose during training camp and ended up with an infection.
Good news is he’s close and he may play tomorrow – if not, next weekend.
———————–
Also, Gregor is adamant that they are going to call Campbell up after next Friday’s game.
Lachance, ensconced at the front of the crease, just tipped in his second PP marker of the night. He’s too big to move at this level.
Copponi by the way, was ejected from the game earlier in the 2nd period. It has been a feisty game to say the least, with the penalty box for both teams at SRO for most of the time I’ve been watching.
And now in the midst of another stoppage for another major penalty, someone has puled the fire alarm. Refs have been off the ice, under the stands, back out again. No announcements of evacuation. Finally going to play the last 30 secs of the period. Nope, the clock is wrong, more delays.
They’ve given up on the second period and are headed to the dressing rooms. Over an hour to play the second period and it still isn’t finished.
It’s Merzlikins v Korpisalo tonight as Ottawa hosts the Jackets. These two make for an interesting side-by-side study.
Korpisalo was pretty good with LA last year after departing Clb. He’s been okay as Ottawa’s #1, or at least way better than Anton Forsberg and his putrid .850 sv%.
I suspect Merzlikins, who for the most part has been the better of the two goalies, last season aside, would flourish on a good team.
His deal expires exactly when Jack Campbell’s does and their cap hits are very close. Hmm 🤔
Well your n = 1 game case study produced a clear winner.
Merzlikins – W .953 SV% (2GA on 43SA) (4.06 xGA)
Korpisalo – L .826 SV% (4GA on 23SA) (1.46 xGA)
One game doesn’t mean much, but as you allude to, Merzlikins has been the clearly better goalie in 4 of the 5 years he’s been in the league.
So Kane joins Detroit and Kostin on his way out?
I wonder if Detroit would retain salary?
I would not trade that moves someone useful, I’d like to see him added at 1m.
Is it possible?
I imagine if Yzerman took on the 2-year buyout dead cap hit on Yamamoto for the privilege of signing Kostin to $2MM X 2 contract (one that Holland wouldn’t agree to) and the retained $1MM to trade Kostin away for MAYBE a depth draft pick
Erne for Kostin with 1 million retained?
Kostin’s Puck IQ closest forwards are Shore Hamblin and Benson
Kostin was a jolt of personality. He was on a heater. But he’s not a good NHL player at this point
Kostin seems like a guy who needs a good fit and a defined role. He had that under Woody, but I wonder if KK would see him in the same light. The boys really liked Kosty though.
He was for the Oilers. In anything, you need to find the right fit. Not trading out Erne for Kostin would be madness.
Looking ahead, I LIKE our schedule through to the end of January. 6 game homestand, followed by three games in four nights in the NY area (less travel wear than three different states – might not even change hotels the whole trip).then 3 game roadie through California to end December. In January, only game that worried me is one against Toronto, the other opponents for the remaining ten games are teams they can beat playing reasonable hockey, no miracles required for any of them. I am looking for good things from this stretch, health and goaltending holding up.
5 days off right now, extended break over both Xmas and the AllStar weekend and that takes us into February. Nothing too crazy in back to backs also. Nice spacing of games overall. Toughest part of the whole stretch is the upcoming 6 game homestand. Get through that OK and we have an opportunity ahead until after the All Star weekend to make some serious hay.
Matheson on Broberg.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/matheson-the-clock-is-ticking-on-edmonton-oilers-philip-broberg
Thanks, bud! Value add!
Thank you for sharing Oilers content on this Oilers blog!
Keep up the good work, this is appreciated.
There is a danger that information that strictly conforms to the Walled Garden of Oilers content doesn’t represent things that actually matter to success or failure of the team.
For example, the Canucks acquisition of Nikita Zadorov is a big damn deal.
While y’all are fretting about why Broberg can’t unseat Kulak as a third pairing D, the Canucks have added Hronek, Zadorov, Soucy, Cole and soon to be Bear in a total remake of their D.
Both teams entered the season with effectively no cap space but one management team is working the angles while the other is still relying on McDavid and Draisaitl to cover up the serious warts that remain.
Obviously, the results of these differing approaches remain to be seen but ignoring significant moves by other teams like, say, Dallas loading up their third line is folly since the Oilers do not operate in a vacuum.
I was worried that the Canucks would actually get a useful defensman like Tanev from the Flames. Instead they got another overrated pylon.
Gritensity
Lmao. I was logging on to say the same thing.
Zadorov is a f ucking pylon. As an Oilers fan, I am stoked he is staying in the division. McD and Drai made him look like a human statue in the playoffs.
As for Soucey, Hronek, and Cole, they are a dog’s breakfast of mediocre third pairing D. The only thing holding the Canucks D together is Hughes, who is amazing, and Demko.
To be fair, everyone is a pylon for McDavid.
A human statue who can score and defend at an above-average NHL level. He would be a great #4 defender on EDM.
https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1723201877653827620
Hair Bag. You forgot to emphasize the part where the Oilers have McDavid and Draisaitl. That’s better than anything the cannots can do.
Are you talking about the cannots we cannot beat? The same that threw Connor and Leon into an existential crisis and got Woodcroft fired?
To Hollands credit he’s doing a hell of a job keeping Jackson and Coffey lattes topped up.
Seriously, look up all the D you just listed. They are all riding a PDO pony touched by god.
“but ignoring significant moves by other teams like, say, Dallas loading up their third line is folly since the Oilers do not operate in a vacuum.”
You post this as if Oilers fans have any control on what the Oilers or other teams do.
Guys, someone call Katz and Jackson and tell them that other teams are making trades!
Clearly Vancouver is a shit show of a franchise under Rutherford and team under Tocchet. Which is why they’re leading the Oilers 18 – 6 so far this season.
They’re good no doubt about it. Their best players are just rolling. But Zadorov does not move the needle for them. He’s a pylon. I’m stoked that they didn’t get Tanev cause that guy is a PITA to play against.
Leon said after the game that it was a very mature win in that they stuck to the game plan.
That’s a good sign from leadership.
The PP marker also suggests LEON IS BACK.
Great 60 min effort.
CLAP CLAP stick tap
Age 19, Sergachev played 79 games for Tampa, a legit Cup Contender.
I’m not saying Broberg is on that level (he’s not), but it’s ridiculous to suggest he shouldn’t be playing third pair at 22 based on his resume, or that this team has too much depth.
Yes this team has great depth at LD.
This team also has the luxury of slow playing Broberg until he forces the GM’s hand.
We have had (knock on wood) a very lucky stretch of Dman health the past 100+ games, hurting Broberg’s opportunity.
If Broberg was good enough, the team would trade Kulak to make room on the depth chart…that day has not arrived (regardless of how good Sergachev is)
They are not slow playing Bro. They are literally not playing him.
Slow playing him for the opening of the new arena.
At evens:
Broberg 4-5
Desharnais 6-11
Kulak 11-19
The funny thing is Desharnais and Kulak are trending up. Still 35 and 37, respectively, at GF%.
Broberg was at 52 GF% last year. At 21. Desharnais at 53, in fairness.
Broberg has kicked the jams out of the AHL and struggled IMO less than Bouchard, Nurse, and others in their early NHL careers.
What’s going on is not a Broberg problem. It is a management problem, it is a not having a cogent development plan for any of their prospects problem.
The Holland development model has been one of the most “cogent” plans for a generation.
Stop trying to be the smartest guy in the room.
I can’t tell if this is a joke or not?
The Holland development model does not work in the cap era. Teams need cheap young players to contribute to be competitive.
Cogent means clear and logical, doesn’t matter if you agree with the results.
Guys like Bouchard, Mcleod, Holloway, Skinner, Desi and even Nurse were developed slowly into their current roles.
Broberg, Neimo, Lavoie, and Bourgoult are knocking on the door…makes more sense to me to have them making rookie mistakes somewhere else and filling in when injuries hit. If any of those 4 guys blow the doors off in the AHL, a spot will be created for them or they will be traded for real value.
This team is in a great spot now, near term and long term…only issue I can see is goaltending and the Campbell contract.
Truth be told, in the last 4 games, its not a management problem – management has provided Broberg as an option to the coach who has made the decision not to play him.
Both coaches have felt the same way about Broberg … he just doesn’t make enough plays to stand out. Broberg needs to drop the gloves or hammer some guy and make some sort of impression.
This is exactly true. GMs set the team, coaches play them.
Goal differential has narrowed pretty rapidly. Now among the highest scoring teams too. Was the McLeod goal the lifting of the Weight? Man if he that line could score every second game we’d be a very happy bunch. So many breakaways for Foegele and Janmark.
Coming up
Canes are high event and their goalers are Oilers level. Should be fun.
Minny isn’t great and has way less defensive depth than previous years. Jets redux with less firepower. 2nd of b2b.
New Jersey has acute injury issues but is also less defensively astute and getting less luck goalering than last year. 3 in 4, 2nd of b2b, end of road trip.
Chicago will be a fun game. Hawks will try to start a track meet.
Tampa is very leaky as long as your head is on a swivel. Stu will want a do-over on his last game against em. Late in a long road trip.
Florida is high event, and is late in a road trip, this will be a fun game.
The NYC trip could be icing on the cake to what is a very winnable schedule on the homestand.
From there they launch in to Sharks, Kings, Ducks, Flyers, Sens, Hawks, Wings, Habs.
Lots of winnable games. Few Western Conference opponents. Gotta make some hay in this part of the schedule.
Looking forward to the Chicago game, where the world is reminded who’s the OG Connor
A Rodrigue sighting tonight, for only the 4th time this season:
Petrov/McKegg/Bourgault
Caggiula/Pederson/Wright
Lavoie/Malone/Griffith
Savoie/Grubbe/Kambeitz
Dineen/Wanner
Peters/Kemp
Nimeo/Gleason
Rodrigue
Petrov scored the beauty on Teddy Bear Toss night last week and then the shootout winner last game – confidence growing, coach’s trust growing.
Sweet! On both Rodrigue and Petrov. I have high hopes for Petrov and am hoping he posts very interesting splits this season.
Wanner has been such a revelation for the Condors. 20 YO Rookie RHD on the 1st pair.
He is trending to be the Ceci replacement in 2-3 years, good stuff!
Gregor today (with Ryan Holt) was saying that he doesn’t think Wanner will need an excess amount of AHL time like many d-men do.
With that said, I don’t think Gregor actually watches that Condors’ games.
Then again, for a 20 year old rookie D to acclimate to the AHL so quickly and be able to play 19-20 minutes per night, well, that is the definite exception.
Really happy to see the Oilers starting to rescue their season. Did they need the personnel changes to get here? I doubt it. Seems like their slow start was probably due to 1) the long season last year and 2) lingering injuries.
Agreed in part but they’re actually playing differently, which is coaching. It’s subtle but there are now sticks in lanes, tracking on the back check, much better puck support – the marvellous little touch passes are back! Deployment has been more creative too. They look like an NHL team, and a good one at that.
Agreed! Coffee may be the key that unlocked this teams identity. Watching the defencemen play with the level of confidence they are currently displaying is a complete 180. Previously they were caught in between and had so much hesitation. Now they are all skating and passing quickly. Watching Bouchard last night was a thing of beauty. He was all over the place, in a good way. This team is finally playing to their own strengths rather than trying to be a better defending team. They are defending less because they are always thinking offense. So much more fun to watch!
Friedman (32TP): “The circumstantial evidence makes a lot of sense that they (Oilers) would be looking at Columbus for goalies, however this person that came to said to might be more than that, that they might be looking at some of the other players Columbus has on their roster”
Laine?
The Oilers play hockey, not fortnite.
Almost a perfect fit for our classic D zone defense. ( save for last night)
Maybe they’re looking at Boone Jenner? 3rd line centre, physical and can score goals.
I wonder about this as well. Much better version of Bjugstad.
That would be a boon
I mentioned Jenner the other day and there was a decent discussion.
I would anticipate he’d be quite expensive to acquire.
Couldn’t resist, could you? 😉
He would add a lot of jennergy to the lineup.
They already have him and better for free in Lavioe
I’m going to throw cold water on the Jenner idea. I’d love to get him but Columbus has been so hard up for centres that they tried to convert a life long winger in Laine into one.
CBJ does have a glut of RHD though …
What is the over/ under on Kyle Shanahan mixing it up and deciding to block Hassan Reddick this weekend?
I know you’re joking and I’m a Niners fan but I’d still probably take under. Shanahan doesn’t program a lot of hot routes into his plays and some plays are even designed to leave the DE unblocked. I don’t think he will give Reddick any special attention. In fact, he’s not even giving the weather special attention. Very un-Belichick of him.
I am joking.
Just trying to coax a discussion about this big game. Very few really good teams this year. So really looking forward to this match up.
It drives me crazy the schemes that leave DE’s unblocked. You see it from so many teams, though. ( have to assume a mixup on that play that got Purdy hurt though)
Perhaps a more pertinent question is… will the Eagles actually show up to play a full 60 minutes?
Agreed….the issue is even by their own admission and everyone else’s . Eagles have not really found their game. Yet, only 1 loss with an *insanely* tough schedule.
Nominal Vikings fan here – but if Hurts does not just drop a fumble last SB – they probably win.
Its sports – but almost impossible to imagine anything else but a
SF / Eagles vs KC ( maybe Ravens) – SB this year.
Agreed. I don’t think either team is playing to their full potential yet, but I think the Eagles, on offense at least, have more room to grow to their ceiling than the Niners. Ie, they’re playing more under their potential. The Niners issues lately have seemed more limited to plays or drives rather than entire quarters.
Bills were able to stop the Eagles run in the first half, which really limited their offense. The Bills were rotating the weak side safety down to spy Swift and that guy was nailing Swift on some of the Eagles staple running plays just over the line of scrimmage.
It was effective, but the Eagles used that very strategy against the Bills in the third quarter, springing Swift for that big run up the left side. That play unlocked their offense. Their pass playbook is very geared to providing counters off the formations and motion that the run game sets up.
I don’t think Shanahan or rather Wilks will choose the same solution. The preference would have to be to stop the run without making any special commitment to it and adjust if necessary from there. Warner and Greenlaw are far better than what the Bills can field at LB, so I think that’s the way to go.
The Eagles have a sneaky run game though. Besides the fact all teams call two run plays into the huddle and then it’s up to the QB to decide whether or not to check down once at the line, a good chunk of the Eagles rushing plays are options within themselves… dual runs or run-pass. Like having four plays available.
I don’t see either team’s O-Line being able to win consistently against what are two outstanding D-Lines, interior and exterior. That young guy the Eagles have at tackle is going to end up in the Hall of Fame twenty years from now. So we will see how well either offense can produce.
I expect the Shana-plan will be to throw on running downs early, especially on the opening drive. Use that to put the DLine on its heels and set up the run.
All signs say this should be a great game for fans of lower scoring, hard-nosed and hard-running trench warfare. Both coaches love power football. Two physical personnel sets. And there is a possibility of emotion and shenanigans on the field on top of that. Could be quite the laundry day. Penalties might even decide the winner. Or maybe with so much on the line both teams keep their cool. We’ll see. The set-up whispers promises of a slobberknocker of a football game either way.
So it should be the game of the season and a preview of a repeat of the NFC Championship game. I know that Bills game was entertaining, but it was sloppy. Hurts had to stage a miracle comeback because he was directly responsible for the team being down. Romo used to get credit like that. Entertaining yes, but not really a good game in the sense of well-played. I think this weekend is more likely to be one for the purists. Hopefully a classic and both teams come out healthy.
Was at the game yesterday…..Winnipeg players and their fans not happy about the hit on Morrisey – at all.
Enter Adam Lowry and his hit on a generational superstar an hour after the puck left McDavid’s stick.
Unsure if the Broadcast crew picked it up- but pretty heated after that Lowry hit.
McDavid and Lowry constantly “talking” to each other . Pretty animated on both sides.
Like Big Buff before him – Adam Lowry took a kill shot at a star NHL player. And nothing happened.
Next meeting could be interesting….although not until March 26th so maybe everyone will forget by then…
I think in the post game highlights the commentator said something along the lines of
“And Lowry caught McDavid watching his own pass”
I mean, the hit was so delayed they could have said Lowry hit McDavid while he was on his couch at home and would still try to make it seem like it was McDavid’s fault.
In case you missed this exchange…
https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1730432282283086175?s=20
That’s good
Saw that …pure gold
Agreed. I find this type of hit to be *so* dirty and I thought a ( Pecca like hit ) thing from the past.
Shocked what little reaction it seems to be getting. Though it could just be me.
@DarrenDreger
Good to see Oliver Kylington on the ice in Calgary. He’s been skating with a trainer, on his own, for weeks. No timeline for his return. That will depend on how Oliver feels moving forward.
If you bought 50/50 tickets online and bought a holiday bonus jackpot ticket yesterday, double check your emails to see if you got an email advising of a technical issue with the tickets resulting in them providing you a refund.
Its the D structure. Very impressed how it held up even while pressing for a goal.
We were owed that 1st goal given up by Helly.
Great team effort here.
I watched the game last night and from watching the highlights, I noticed a subtle constant on all 3 Oiler goal sequences. That constant was the movement of the Winnipeg defender’s stick and an Oiler taking advantage.
First goal – McLeod looks like he wants to pass it to Nurse but the Winnipeg player has his stick in the lane. McLeod pretends to pass along the boards instead, so the Jets player swings his stick toward the boards, and immediately McLeod passes it Nurse, now that the Jets stick is out of the way.
Second goal – McDavid has the puck up top. Everyone watching knows he wants to give it to Draisaitl, including the Winnipeg defender. So the Winnipeg player has his stick in the way, but when McDavid looks toward the net, the Jets player moves his stick ever so slightly to block McDavid from shooting. This small movement of the defender’s stick is all the room McDavid needs to send the puck over to Draisaitl.
Third goal – McLeod has the puck and the Winnipeg player sort of has his stick in the way, but he drags it over toward Hyman’s direction, thinking McLeod might unselfishly pass it over to Hyman. With the Jets player’s stick out of the way, McLeod shoots it down the open lane.
Rest easy, Shane McGowan. May you find more peace in heaven than you ever found on earth and may all your fairy tales come true. Your too-short presence in our midst will endure in the memories of those that abide on every Christmas for years to come.
#doffshat
Loved the Pogues. Great band.
Also, I just found out that MacGowan was born on Christmas Day, which may have influenced ‘Fairytale in New York’.
“This morning on the harbour, when I said goodbye to you
I remember how I swore that I’d come back to you one day
And as the sunset came to meet, the evening on the hill
I told you I’d always love you, I always did, I always will.”
The Body of an American
a couple of thoughts. Steve Mason won a Calder but didn’t do too well after that. Skinner is playing better, but he needs a real backup. If Broberg can’t play top 6, Bake or trade
Steve Mason had a .911 career save percentage over 476 total games with only one of his 10 seasons having a save percentage under .900 and only 2 seasons he played less than 45 games. I would 100% take a Steve Mason Career from Stuart Skinner and be happy to get it.
Montembeault as $3.15MM for 3 years seems a bit risky given what we know about goalies and the history, or lack thereof, with this player.
Jake Allen has a negative value contract – assets should NOT be given up for this goalie unless Campbell’s negative value contract is going the other way. Thankfully he has a 7 team no trade clause.
Primeau isn’t any sort of locked in upgrade is he? He’d be a clear back-up, as opposed to a 1B, similar to Pickard, no?
In any event, I don’t see management spending assets on a goalie at this point – I think they are hoping for Jack Campbell to have another good game (or a few good games) and then call him up and see how that goes.
If he regresses in the next bit in the AHL or isn’t good enough in the call-up, then the goalie trade acquisition search heats up.
The Oilers need around 80 points out of their last 60 games to ensure playoffs. There’s not really a lot of runway to “see what you have” in Campbell, and hoping like hell that what you have is much better than the 41 games he’s already played for the team. It’s antithetical to the cup or bust model.
Campbell going back the other way for Allen would be necessary. Of course it means giving up our 1st overall this year, which will limit their ability to do anything else more meaningful to other positions of need. Maybe you can sell them on Bourgault.
Allen is solid if unspectacular … but he’s a good pro, who’s been a stabilizing influence in both St. Louis and Montreal.
The current pace of the Blues/Coyotes is 93/92 points. If the Oilers get 74 points in 60 games, they would get to 93. Last season the Oilers 109 points was a 80 points per 60 game pace over a whole season with essentially the same team and Jack Campbell at .888.
Just my opinion on management’s plan/hope.
Short sample, but very positive GSAE
An injury to Skinner, and we’re looking at a Campbell-Pickard tandem.
They still need to address the goaltending.
Other teams might try their hot 23 YO guy, just in case he’s ready to help
Oilers were scouting the Blue Jackets more than Canadiens, no? (Portzline said Montreal was the 2nd BJs game in a row the Oiler scouts took in).
I think Merzlikins makes more sense anyway. He’s been quite good aside from last season, which was bad enough to make a swap for Campbell plausible (his other 4 years were .907 or better). They have very similar contracts as well, but Merzlikins is 2 years younger.
Aaaaaauugh! This would so appeal to me and my erstwhile radio self but for two things:
(a) I live 8 hours away, and
(2) I am onstage that night.
If only it was during the Xmas break when I’m visiting the outlaws in the vicinity. Again I say, aaaaaauugh!
It’s worse for me I’m not even in Canada for the next while… ut yeah. It would be an amazing experience
I think it would be much to difficult to not say “This is Dr. Fraser Crane, and I’m listening” on live radio.
I think the greater temptation for me would be to drop a “Booger!” on live radio.
I thought they had sent Bro to Bakersfield. Didn’t realize he was wasting away in the stands. wth.
One more quick comment before I move on.
As a coach I’m super interested in the system we’re trying to play and I’m still trying to process that Kolesar goal. I think the general public puts 75% of the blame on McLeod for “leaving his man” out of the corner and 25% on Desharnais for giving Whitecloud so much time and space. We need to remember that these are man-to-man defense concepts. In man-to-man, McLeod undoubtedly has to stay with Kolesar and Desh can follow Whitecloud out as far as he wants.
But in zone remember, that isn’t what they’re supposed to do especially Desharnais. The Zone concept requires that Desh NOT chase Whitecloud out too far and vacate the front of the net. It also requires that McLeod support the puck.
I met with the coach of the local Men’s CIS team here in Halifax and he talked about a zone having three layers of support. He drew it as half circles around the puck…D1 is ring 1, C (or F1) is ring 2 and D2 is ring 3. But this is of course, down low, in either defensive corner. I need to find out how this changes if the puck is halfway up the wall.
This other piece is often missed and I think is crucially important. A zone must “build walls” so the puck can’t cross to the other side of the ice. His team builds a wall behind the net. They do not want a rim pass to happen and if you think about McLeod you’ll understand why.
As soon as that puck is rimmed from the right corner to the left half-wall we’ve got a problem. McLeod must get 70 feet across the ice to again, be in the support zone. I don’t see how this is possible.
If I have to guess, I think Desh is supposed to stay home on that play and an F1 needs to attack Whitecloud. Probably Janmark the RW. If the puck was in the corner Desh probably goes and goes hard but out that high and at that angle, I assume that is Janmark’s man. Desh and Kulak stay at net front and McLeod covers for Janmark.
Every system has weaknesses and I think this is the weakness of zone and if I had to guess, one of the errors on the play was Janmark allowing that puck to go through him (front one side to the other) in the first place.
Not absolving McLeod at all because if there’s a breakdown he for sure needs to ensure Kolesar, who he sees, is covered.
Cool breakdown. Thanks.
That was my take as well about McLeod not going to the most imminent danger there. The puck is far less dangerous away from the net, so regardless a man alone in front is the biggest worry if you are there and nobody else is
He’d read that Kulak was supposed to go there and Desharnais has the other down low responsibility.
Janmark and Kulak were the problem here.
After a breakdown stopping the imminent HDSC becomes primary. As in if you are right there you do it. Regardless of who caused the problem. Hope to live another day, the guys get back in structure
Janmark is absolutely at fault on that play regardless of system.
He has the man beat quite easily with a decisive play, and gives time for the other two forwards to take up the rest of the responsibility even if Whitecloud can move it.
His hesitation and back off led to everything that happened after that.
Given the break we’re in, would their be cap savings to sending Broberg down (paper transaction or not) since we don’t play again til Dec 6th? Figure that every day makes a difference for the deadline, or Connor Brown’s bonus.
They can’t accrue cap space with a player on LTIR.
This is correct and, on the note, I also read that Broberg asked to stay with the team during the break to get the benefit of the 3 straight days of practice they will have (not wanting a 90% paycut may have also had something to do with his request).
If not, I would have thought they’d get hit to the AHL for the two games this weekend.
If being positive during a bad run is allowed and encouraged I hope you’ll allow me a little rain on this sunny day.
I saw Ceci, Nurse and Draisaitl get absolutely slaughtered by the dastardly Connor, Scheiffele, Ehlers line. Ceci specifically had so much trouble with the pace and must have had a hand in 4-5 Grade A scoring chances against.
Natural Stat Trick backs this up as Ceci was +7/-14 in scoring chances and +1/-7 in high dangers yet somehow they “won” their matchup in goals 1-0.
I had full Ceci/Nurse/Drai vs Eichel in the playoffs flashbacks. I still saw too much immaturity and hubris in their games. Someone needs to be in their ear telling them that the Jets have zero chance to win if Drai/Nurse/Ceci/Kane/Brown can win their matchup because the other three Oiler lines were so dominant.
Kyle Connor had at least 4 great scoring chances and misfired. If he scores 1 or 2 it’s probably game over. Not sure who to blame for him getting so many great looks but luck on our side a bit last night. Now as far as officiating that’s another story. After watching the Vegas diving team draw several calls and the Jets clutch and grab go unpunished you really have to wonder about the NHL!
The Jets are a fine team and that line is fire. I think Eichel slaughtered the Oilers last spring and Edmonton didn’t have an answer. It’s an issue for sure, and I do think a RH defenseman and a two-way winger are needed.
LT What do you think about Sean Walker from Flyers as a target for the right side D? I think if we can parlay Ceci and a late pick for him, it’ll be a great fit and improve our overall defense quite a bit.
The Edmonton Oiler players had an answer for Eichel – it was Highlander. Video-Jay would not move away from the slow and overmatched Bjugstad. Subsequently the at least one game, and possibly two, games were lost due to that decision.
Connor and Ehlers are always a problem for us. They are good and mobile
Ceci at his best is reliable, but having two not great skaters on the right side D doesn’t leave Coffey a lot of options against quick skating LW that can also score first shot if they get enough space
Nice to get some puck luck there with them missing shots etc
The Jets had more than their share of puck luck last night, good and bad.
But yeah, Ceci was getting torched, though he did make an incredible play to break up a 2-on-1 with Ehlers standing all alone in front of the net.
Agreed. Ceci by and large has been good this year…but against fast, quick, forwards – he has trouble.
I’m now convinced the Oilers have to slide Philip Broberg into the lineup, send him out or trade him. Hanging around in an NHL pressbox is ridiculous. Send him to Bakersfield. Today.
I read somewhere that Broberg asked to stay with the team during the break so that he can continue to practice with the team (and its not often the team has 3 straight days of practice).
I would think not wanting a 90% pay-cut also factors in to that desire.
I absolutely agree, his deployment/development/usage is bordering on egregious and its not just the last week, or this season but over the last few years – in my opinion.
Only once in Broberg’s NHL career has he been afforded the opportunity to play a regular shift for a stretch of games – that was this past Jan-February where he partnered with Bouchard in a 3rd paring and they played apx 14 minutes nightly for 6-8 weeks. In that stretch, they did very well, actually excelled (in their role). Broberg was spiking and we started to hear and read and speak about his potential coming in to view.
Two things then happened: (1) Vinny D. was called up in the name of helping a PK that was cratering the season and (2) Ekholm was added to the left side as Kulak was struggling to hold the 2LD spot.
Since then, Broberg has had maybe a handful of games where he’s played in a 6D set-up getting a regular shift. He’s almost always been deployed in a 7D set-up, getting spotted in on different pairings and flip-flopping between sides.
No, he hasn’t “forced anything” but, at the same time, the deployment has been the opposite of setting the player up to suceed.
——————————–
I see no value in trading Broberg now as I think his trade value is neutered to the point where he is much more valuable to Oilers going forward.
No matter what happens for the rest of this season, we know cap space will, once again, be an issue next season, and Broberg filling in at 3LD at a cap savings of apx $1.75MM – $2MM on Kulak will be great – not to mention an asset for moving Kulak.
AS MENTIONED YESTERDAY, PLEASE LEARN HOW TO USE QUOTES. Sorry, I’m not yelling, I’m drafting with CAPS LOCK on. But, I do want to emphatically ask you to use quotes, haha. “Emphatically” reminds me of A Few Good Men.
AS MENTIONED YESTERDAY – I generally do but the odd-time I forget or AS MENTIONED YESTERDAY, sometimes it doesn’t work (and I don’t notice in the 5 minute period to edit).
Now boys, settle down. Jaxon, get in the back seat.
Ok mom
Yeah I’m of that mind. Sucks for the player and they’re not maximizing his potential but this year or next Bro offers depth or cheap cover for the blue. Needs TOI tho. Send him to the farm if that’s what you’re about but enough of dragging this prospect through limbo.
They need Bro to take Kulak’s role next season to save that cap
Correct, or, I guess, agreed (as this is more of an opinion than a fact).
Yes it’s opinion but if you have an expensive depth player with a cheaper replacement and have to choke down an extra 3M cap penalty …..
I ripped on Skinner’s performance after the Vegas game, so I feel compelled to acknowledge that he was excellent last night.
He still needs a tandem partner 😉
I wonder if there will be some pressure now to trade Allen, now that Montembault has signed?
I really like KKs in game adjustments with running McDrai when Morrissey was out on concussion protocol. Then splitting them up when he came back. while he looks like a statue on the bench, he’s actually quite active back there.
Coffey’s got Nurse playing the best hockey of his career since the pandemic season.
Is he getting love from those noted or are they just staying quiet until the next time he ices the puck and the Oilers get scored on the next shift?
Darnell Nurse has been having a fantastic season overall but, over the last number of games, and maybe it lines up with the coaching change, he’s been a stud, all but elite, if not elite.
What a player!
I was gobsmacked when McDavid was called for an interference penalty. Although it was clearly interference, McDavid was being clutched and grabbed all game.
Prospecticity!
A quintet of NA amateurs will ply their trade this eve, and all five toil stateside.
40% of the prospects will oppose each other with Copponi vs. Lachance. With a point, the former can extend his point streak to a baker’s dozen.
The Vermonters have the mother of all schneids upon them, particularly Münzenberger who hasn’t found the net since the 2022 WJHC.
St. Lawrence (Mazura) @ 5 p.m.
Vermont (Münzenberger, Määttä) @ 5 p.m.
Merrimack (Copponi) @ 5:30 p.m.
Boston University (Lachance) @ 5:30 p.m.
All times are just two times and both are St. Isidore time.
I don’t see anyone discussing Brown’s value as a trade chip. Fancie good, current production lagging. Miniscule potential CAP hit this year if a buying team cap shoulder the bonus hit ito next year, which has REAL value in the right circumstance. If necessary, he may be the piece that lessens the cost of doing an otherwise difficult trade, such as Campbell For the example of Campbell, imagine a team gets into forward trouble due to age regression or injury and needs a replacement stat and is OK with Campbell either as a short term backup or buried in the minors and is open to buying him out in the offseason as an option. As paty of another deal, I think Brown has real value. It would mean replacing him with likely Lavoie on the roster, when he is deemed ready.
If you think Campbell is more likely to be retained and bought ut by the Oil in the offseason, Brown could be used as an inducement in the right circumstance to perhaps upgrade RD? Upgrading Ceci perhaps? Options abound.
Interested to know who would be an upgrade on Ceci who is both available & would fit within the cap.
From this distance Ceci is providing good value at a relatively modest cost. Sure doesn’t get a lot of love, though.
It’s the same conversation that we were all having last summer … sure, in theory it would be great to partner up Nurse with someone better than Ceci. But who? What’s the cost in terms of assets out and cap space. Which team is willing to deal?
I liked the idea of targeting Tanev but admit to not knowing how he has been playing this year. Now that Vancouver, which is where I thought Tanev was going to land, has blown their cap space on Zadorov, maybe he becomes available to the Oilers?
Healthy he is better than Ceci and Des still
Or upgrading other positions. The point is he has a unique value in the right circumstances due to his contract structure.
As fans, we really don’t know who is available unless they’ve gone public with a trade request.
Would Kulak + Bourgault + 1st bring back the right-handed version of Ekholm? And who would that be? Personally I’d give up a lot to get Andersson out of Calgary, but everyone says he’s “not available”, just like Ekholm was not available last year (until he was).
He will be over-ready by deadline, if we know Holland. But good timing for your proposal and the. He can slot in as ‘24’s Kostin.
One heck of a hockey game last night.
Wouldn’t say it was domination but I would say the Oilers were the better team and it started from the first shift of the game.
I can’t say Stuart Skinner “stole the game” as the Oilers were the better team however, while Connor H. was looking like he was going to steal the game, he let in one weak goal and that was all the Oilers needed as Stuart Skinner did not let in that weak goal and made his fair share of solid to plus saves – that’s what this team needs consistently.
Kudos to the entire group for not cheating as the game wore on and time ticked away with a one-goal deficit. My eyes saw the team continue to commit to playing the right way the entire game, commit to being on the right side of pucks and not engaging in high, or even medium, risk plays in the name of pressing for offence – yes, there were some mistakes, of course, but not egregious mistakes and Stuart did his job.
I think the coaching staff did a great job with deployment as they seemed to realize that, despite no goals, the lines were working and the team was playing well. Of course, there were a couple “situational load-ups” but McDavid and Drai were put back on their separate Iines even down a goal late.
The fourth line didn’t get much ice but that’s OK – the nature of this type of game with a decent amount of PK time (3 I think) and a tight game. They did their job when deployed.
Arrows Up!
Agree on Skinner — while he didn’t have to steal the game he did put in the type of performance the Oilers need to succeed. He didn’t let in any weak goals and stopped most of the scoring chances the Jets did have.
I almost think Oilers fans have become so used to weaker goaltending that when our goalie does stop a scoring chance or two the reaction is “oh, there we go we need Skinner to steal one for us — we have to right to win this game playing like that.”
You won’t see too many games — especially against good teams — where a goaltender won’t have to stop a few grade A chances in order to win.
Great game by the Oilers — it was a lesson in what it takes to win consistently. They controlled the majority of play, out-shot, out-chanced, and out-raced the Jets to loose pucks. They kept the play in the offensive zone.
The Oilers controlled play to the extent anyone commentating on the game kept repeating how Edmonton should have been up a goal, that if they kept playing like this then good things will happen.
I’m far less hesitant to call out officials. They allowed the Jets to interfere, clutch, grab, and as our host said, manhandle the best player on the planet without any repercussions.
If McDavid doesn’t let go of his stick, leaving the Jets’ defender holding two while standing in front of the ref, then that penalty doesn’t get called.
Watched the local TSN post game comments and the only mention of officials was the supposed non call on Janmark for a pick on Morrissey.
Oilers need to be more proactive and shaping the narrative. We should start a fund to pay off coach K’s first NHL fine.
I was pretty discouraged last week. It felt like the lowest point in franchise history wasting the freak privilege of having 97 and 29 on the same roster.
I’m going to NY for Christmas, I contemplated not buying tickets to the Dec 22 game at MSG. I’m a lifelong fan that has never attended a live game, so that was a big thing.
Happy to say seeing the structure return and the fire in the eyes of 97 again, has me rejuvenated and cautiously hopeful again.
My only question now is, should I attend the Devil’s game on Dec 21st instead, as the Dec 22nd MSG game smells a lot like a scheduled loss.
Please for the love of everything do not miss the chance to go to MSG to see a hockey game.
I’m heading down from Halifax for that NY trip Danny. You’re Nfld right? Anyway, this is the kids Christmas present; Oilers @ Isles, Devils and Rangers. And yes, I’m so thankful that these games should matter.
As an effing aside, my son’s main dream was to see an NFL game so are flying in to Boston to catch Monday Night Football vs the Chiefs. And this week it was announced that the NFL had flexed the game to Sunday afternoon and we have plane tickets bought for Monday morning. Thanks NFL.
That really sucks.
Yeah that is an amazing trip it would have sucked if we were talking draft by Christmas.
That sucks about the NFL game, I wanted to extend our trip a few more days so I could catch 49ers in DC on NYE but the timing just couldn’t work.
Regardless enjoy!
Ouch!
Knightown and Danny
i will be at the NJD game with my 2 kids
go oil!
Any event in MSG is an amazing experience. From the Circus to Billy Joel you can’t go wrong. But hanging out in the rafters with the Blueshirts with McDavid in the house would be a fine experience you won’t soon forget.
saw John Lennon in the olg MSG in August 72
Why not both?
Lol that’s been on my mind but it’s our honeymoon and NJ is the first day we arrive, so I didn’t want to hog the entertainment for the first two days. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she will suggest it 🤞
You’re a good man, Daniel Chapman.
My sons and I will be in NYC as well. We should try to arrange Lowetide beers!
NJ tix would likely be a fair bit cheaper, FWIW.