2023-24 Game 41: Kraken at Oilers

by Lowetide

This is the summer 2016 “Leftorium” defensive depth chart for the Oilers. That’s 17 LH blue, seven RH defenders. Who is left? Darnell Nurse, Markus Niemelainen (two points in Bakersfield last night) and Vincent Desharnais. Here’s an interesting fact: There are seven defensemen on this list who have played in the NHL this season for other organizations.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY

  • At home to: PHI, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
  • On the road to: CHI, DET, MTL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
  • At home to: TOR, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: CBJ, CHI, NAS (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 7-3-1, 15 points in 11 games
  • Actual January results: 6-0-0, 12 points in 6 games
  • Oilers in 2023-24: 24-15-1, 49 points in 40 games

The Oilers have won 11 in a row and you can see the schedule eases after the Calgary game. Important not to look past the Kraken, who are a tough out every night. Edmonton is on a 100-point pace now, borderline impossible on Remembrance day.

LEFTORIUM PRESENT

  • LHD (10): Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak, Philip Broberg, Ben Gleason, Markus Niemelainen, Cam Dineen, Noel Hoefenmayer, Luca Munzenberger (unsigned), Nikita Yevseyev (unsigned)
  • RHD (6): Evan Bouchard, Cody Ceci, Vincent Desharnais, Phil Kemp, Max Wanner, Beau Akey (slide rule)

There were 24 on that 2016 depth chart, but eight names were either unsigned or slide rule. That means 16 names for the Oilers and Condors. Currently the club has 16 names on the depth chart, two unsigned and one slide rule. So, it’s 13 names instead of 16, with the Condors AHL signings (Alex Peters, others) filling in the gaps.

One thing I will give Ken Holland: There are many many recall options from the farm. Here are the updated even-strength goal share by defensemen (through last night):

  • Philip Broberg 14-6 (70 percent)
  • Alex Peters 14-9 (61 percent)
  • Markus Niemelainen 16-11 (59 percent)
  • Phil Kemp 17-12 (59 percent)
  • Ben Gleason 14-13 (52 percent)
  • Noel Hoefenmayer 16-17 (48 percent)
  • Max Wanner 19-23 (45 percent)
  • Cam Dineen 11-17 (39 percent)
  • Xavier Benard 0-3
  • Connor Corcoran 0-5

Several things stand out, beginning with Philip Broberg’s 70 percent goal share. That’s amazing. He has played in 19 games, and plays heavy minutes. Six goals. That’s incredible. Also, a goal-per-game for Bakersfield when he’s on the ice at even strength. I hope the Oilers don’t trade this player.

Max Wanner has played in 30 games, and he is high event. When he played with Cam Dineen, they played a lot and goals were going in from everywhere. Since checking down to Alex Peters, the goal share is 8-8 in 11 games. Still high event but less bleeding.

Markus Niemelainen was out for a time and is back in style. In his first 15 games, the big man was 9-10 goals at even strength. Since returning, in five games, he is 7-1 goals. For that reason, I believe he has moved way up the possible recall list.

EDMONTON’S DEFENSE

The current construction of the blue in Edmonton is very strong. However, there are players who are not 100 percent (Brett Kulak) and for the life of me I don’t understand why the club doesn’t recall Broberg so they can give Kulak a rest. Risking further injury is a bigger factor than the winning streak, and there’s a good chance a healthy Broberg will be more effective than Kulak less than 100 percent. These things matter.

Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440, we preview the Oilers-Kraken, talk about Holloway’s recall (it’s apparently imminent according to Bob) and ponder the idea of Edmonton winning the Pacific. What an incredible rollercoaster ride for Oilers fans this season. You can reach me at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section or on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.

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OriginalPouzar

The Oilers are now at a P% of .622.

9th place in the conference (i.e. out of the playoffs) is .522.

This turnaround is something else.

Lewis Grant

Oilers at 7th in the league in regulation win pct, which is more comparable to playoff hockey. Very close to 6th.

Ryan

Hmm. The less I post, the more the Oilers win. You’re welcome.

Admiral Ackbar

Does Gourde deserve a suspension? THAT is a play that deserves an auto-suspension. Not a bloody instigator penalty when it’s clearly 2 players that both really wanted to go at the end of a game.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

He was acting the fool, no doubt about it.

Mayan Oil

Final tally for my for funsies records after 41 games each…

Team actual (predicted) variance

Arizona 44(46) -2
Nashville 49(47)+2
Calgary 41(41)0
Edmonton 51(49)+2
Los Angeles 59(53)-3
Seattle 45(41)+4
Vancouver 57(55)+2
Vegas 51(53)-2

I got close, kind of .. that was fun.

Ice Sage

OK, Oilers – you’re rocking now.
So, a challenge – how about scoring the first goal or 2 next game?

Mayan Oil

Against Calgary I can see that happening…

Munny 2.0

Preds survive a 6 on 5 barrage late to take the win 2-1 in regulation.

Side

Dubois – 0 points

Munny 2.0

If only he had someone like Huberdeau to spark his offense…

PLD now trails Foegele in scoring.

Admiral Ackbar

So.

They’re winning games. They’re winning them and deserve to win them. They’re outplaying the opponents and getting results.

This is weird. I don’t understand this feeling. Why am I calm even when they’re losing?

My only comment: keep Stu warm and let him get his confidence oozing but by gord don’t burn him out! I still think he was gassed against the Knights last playoff. They do have shooters though.

Sea had clean goals on him tonight. I guess high and far side is the scouting report on him…? Any goalies in here to give their take?

khildahl

It takes a truly incompetent referee to somehow make Chris Lee look good.

Kozari put on a show tonight.

Prairie_Sentinel

Kozari was the show tonight

Munny 2.0

Reid wondering if Gourde will face suspension.

Reja

The Flames get burned Hrudey won’t sleep until his soapbox moment Saturday. I love it.

Munny 2.0

Only three teams in the conference posting a W in their last game. That will change later tonight pending the Preds-Kings outcome but still a thing of beauty.

hunter1909

Both Foegele and McLeod are everything fans have dreamed of the Oilers developing –

Now both are basically mini – Hyman style players. Astonishing.

Last edited 9 months ago by hunter1909
Munny 2.0

I posted on the similarities of Foegele’s game to Hyman’s last year but it wasn’t favorably viewed. I still stand by that observation though.

W

When he is at full speed ahead he often looks like McDavid.

hunter1909

99% correct!

Munny 2.0

I wasn’t thinking about looks or skating stride so much as how they play and the toolboxes, like the motor, and board play. IIRC the distinction I made between the two was that Hyman was smarter and stronger but Foegele had better vision and shot.

Last edited 9 months ago by Munny 2.0
Lewis Grant

I think we have to give Holland some credit for the Foegele-Bear trade, especially since Bear has bounced around so much since that time. Many hated the trade at the time.

Funnybird

This is how I envisioned being an Oiler fan in 2023-24. Relaxed and confident. What a crazy road to get to this point.

Reja

Foegele will sign in California next year with those surfer like looks.

hunter1909

Then return to 20 points per season lol

Mayan Oil

On a seven year NTC/NMC deal for too much money. With LA.

Zelepukin

Drai was 13-1 on face-offs. Insane.

hunter1909

Oilers now 3rd in the Pacific Division;

LAK are now in the 2nd wild card spot.

Mayan Oil

At the 41 game mark for all teams we are second due to tie breaker..

KnightRain

No panic in this team. Even when we start off like crap they stick to it and grind em down. What confidence, this group has. The trust they have in the system and each other is awesome!
Pop the tape. Rewind. Let’s see it again next game.
I love the ending!

Reja

Have you noticed the boys get in more scrums defending each other. It seems they’re not worried about losing ice time if a idiotic ref signals one of them out.

Last edited 9 months ago by Reja
Munny 2.0

That changed completely with the Kane signing and has been that way ever since.

KnightRain

Agreed. Kane made everyone taller and tougher by being willing to wade into any battle his teammates were in, no questions asked. I think he’s a underestimate glue guy, when he has his head on straight.

Munny 2.0

He was insta-swagger

hunter1909

In this way they’re the Anti-Torontomapleleafs.

Last edited 9 months ago by hunter1909
KnightRain

Absolutely. I think thats a product of the guys playing for each other. Tight groups won’t let their guys get pushed around. Definitely not scared of penalties!

hunter1909

“Toronto is (an) overrated team like the Oilers”. Calgary Puck

Munny 2.0

Flames burnt out in regulation.

Munny 2.0

Well that last five minutes turned a bad game into an interesting one.

Skinner and the PK get the kudos tonight, with Drai and Fogs earning an honourable mention. No soup for anyone else

Munny 2.0

Dammit, forgot. Meant for Vinnie D to get a bowl of soup too

Diablo

12 straight. Fun game. C’mon Preds, beat the Kings.

Boil-in-the-Oil

and hey Arizona … beat them knuckleheads. Beat ’em good.

Crazy Pedestrian

Someone needs to play the Sesame Street “12” song!

Ice Sage

1,2,3,4,five
6,7,8,9 ten
eleven
twelve!!!!

thx for that ear worm, imbedded since 6 years old!

pixel-bender

That’s now stuck in my head, and now I want to play some pin-ball.

Side

You go back to November 2023 and the Oilers are in the bottom of the league. Woodcroft is fired. Fans are talking about trading Draisaitl and blaming McDavid for sewering the team by being a shadow GM.

You post that the Oilers will turn it around and go on a 20 win 3 loss stretch and climb into a playoff position. How many downvotes do you think you will get?

Dee Dee

Hockey is a strange business.

Goalies, Coaches and GMs are good if they win, bad if they lose.

Forwards are good if they score, bad if they don’t.

Any unique tactic/strategy that an innovative coach/player comes up with is immediately copied by the 31 other teams.

“Luck” is the most important advanced statistic but is never acknowledged.

Woodcroft for all his intelligence was unable to alter his tactics on the fly in games and went down with the ship over his new system.

Knoblauch’s best attribute seems to be his ability to change systems based on what the other team is doing and change the course midstream..

Last edited 9 months ago by Dee Dee
hunter1909

“Woodcroft for all his intelligence was unable to alter his tactics on the fly in games and went down with the ship over his new system.”

This doesn’t seem like intelligence at all. More like arrogant stupidity.

Last edited 9 months ago by hunter1909
Dee Dee

Stubbornness? Conviction of one’s own self? There could be many reasons. I wouldn’t say that Jay is a stupid man, but he certainly had some arrogance.

Knoblauch has to be the leading candidate for Coach of the Year at this point.

Abbeef

I’d assume it’s Tocchet.

Munny 2.0

Followed by Torts.

hunter1909

Getting schooled regularly in the playoffs, only to show up at the start of the season trying to force feed a defensive system that the team clearly hated playing is stupid in my opinion.

Furthermore, refusing to accept that it’s not working in the face of a 2-9-1 record is arrogance personified.

The current coaching has taken this team to a whole new level. One that Woodcroft can only dream about.

jp

That was a stifling 3rd period (even aside from the PP).

You can’t win them all, but they keep doing it.

Still impressed.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

La Bamba, baby!

Bring on the baker’s dozen against the Gordless fLames.

Sanderson

Is there a… test… to be an NHL ref? Do you need to know stuff…? or is it just done by AI now and that is why they need to look at the damned iPad 10 times a game.

Sanderson

Who cares. 12.

KnightRain

For reals, Brownie is never gonna score again…

fishman

Never, ever!

MushedPeas

Not once more! Not ever again. Not one single…!

Sierra

Nice win. Well done.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Ohhhh Brownie.

Gerta Rauss

Brown on with the empty net

C’mon!!

Gerta Rauss

oh….the defender blocked it…damnit!!

Diablo

He’s never going to score. But that’s OK cause he’s terrific on the PK.

Sierra

What’s the double minor and 10 mins for?

Diablo

Man Foegele is winning someone’s hockey pool tonight.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Refs trying to be the stars of the show with these kinds of calls.

KnightRain

Foggy. 2 minutes for looking so good!

Prairie_Sentinel

These guys are making me look like a good ref lol

Prairie_Sentinel

Next game vs Seattle is gonna be interesting

Munny 2.0

Kane’s fist should be healed by then…

KnightRain

I think the Viking is gonna have a few words…

KnightRain

BOOM!!! Keep ‘em coming!!!

Diablo

Lovely pass by McDavid.

Sierra

Way to make them pay

Munny 2.0

hyman finishes a nice tic tac toe

LMHF#1

Gourde comes unglued because he dove and didn’t draw a penalty??

What an idiot.

Last edited 9 months ago by LMHF#1
fishman

Oh gotta love that one! Hyman from his office.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Review pending?

jp

That’s it. 12 in a row.

Hot damn!

jp

Guess it’s not quite over yet, but…

Prairie_Sentinel

Call that one back, I dare ya!

KnightRain

He’s gonna have to answer for that hit next game.

fishman

Definitely some dislike developing between these to teams.

Prairie_Sentinel

This PP makes no sense – 3 minutes?

delooper

5 and 2, difference is 3.

Prairie_Sentinel

Completely opposite to other levels of hockey. Just for comparison, Hockey Canada rules would have had that 4v4 for two minutes, then the 3 minute PP.

delooper

I can see the rationale for this — you should front-load the PP otherwise if this happened at the end of the game, you might never see the advantage.

Gerta Rauss

yeah, that’s a weird one

Jack and Louie were saying it’s just how the league scores/records the penalties – the 5 minute major is appied first, and then the offsetting penalty(Ekholm) results in an even strength to complete the other 2 minutes

Prairie_Sentinel

This would have been easy to avoid too – 5 for the charge, 2 for slash for pitchforking Skinner, 2 to Eks for roughing. Cancel the minors, apply the five.

Munny 2.0

Credit to the refs being consistent on this the whole game

W

It’s against the law to praise the refs here.

Diablo

Love how McDavid got under Gourde’s skin like that.

Neumann

Has to be 5. The standard was set in this game and that was beyond the two soft calls from earlier.

fishman

That was a vicious run at Ekholm.

Munny 2.0

the Viking is still seeing red