I love watching Connor McDavid versus the Los Angeles Kings. The battles are fabulous, and the captain seems to take special delight in winning in all areas versus left coast royalty. The Kings are free falling, have a new coach and will be hungry. The Oilers expended much enery winning against Ducks last night, and may not be at their best. This lines up as a fabulous tilt, the best fight over water in LA since Chinatown.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Kris Knoblauch’s lineup decisions just pan out as Oilers get back to winning ways
- Lowetide: Oilers’ right wing makeover nearing completion after years of tinkering
- DNB: Jack Campbell is regaining confidence in the minors, but an Oilers return doesn’t appear imminent
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ winning streak is over but they’re finally a 5-on-5 wagon
- DNB: Oilers come up 1 game short of NHL win-streak record. What went wrong?
- Lowetide: 7 reasons the Oilers should be all-in at the NHL trade deadline
- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault’s season and what it means for his future
- Lowetide: What’s changed for Oilers’ Evan Bouchard in his impact season?
- DNB: Quizzing Oilers All-Star Leon Draisaitl on the top 10 NHL goalies he’s scored against
- Lowetide: Everything that went right for the Oilers in their perfect January
- DNB: Ranking the Oilers’ top 5 trade assets: Which ones could be in play?
- Lowetide: Will the Edmonton Oilers go all-in at the 2024 trade deadline?
- Lowetide: Which Edmonton Oilers prospects spiked in January?
- DNB: Jeff Jackson Q&A
- Lowetide: Why Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais’ next contract could be bigger than expected
- DNB: Oilers winning streak lives, but improvement is needed: ‘We got a lot more in our group’
- Lowetide: Why Oilers forward Sam Gagner is having success in his role
- DNB: Stuart Skinner’s superb play should give Oilers more trade deadline flexibility
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: VEG, ANA, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- At home to: DET (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: STL, DAL, ARI (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: BOS, MIN, CAL, LAK, STL (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-4-1, 15 points in 12 games
- Actual January results: 1-1-0, 2 points in 2 game
- Oilers in 2023-24: 30-16-1, 61 points in 47 games
If the Oilers win in regulation tonight against the Juha Widings, Edmonton will own a seven-point edge with a game in hand. Kings have lost 10 standings points in the last 10 games, the coach has been fired and some of their fine young talent dying on the vine. The script for tonight’s game is a delight.
THE NUMBERS
The Oilers were loose and out of tune for much of last night, but the appeal was obvious and powerful. The team reminded me, as they often have over the last 20 years, of Neil Young and Crazy Horse (live at the Fillmore). Spectacular mixed with ragged, a high-octane tightrope, comedy and poetry in a death struggle.
The northern men look like a bunch who have just returned from a beach, and that’s kind of the truth. I don’t think all of the coaching experiments worked, but have time for Corey Perry on the No. 2 line and am very intrigued by Nurse-Desharnais. I watched the game again this morning, there are some very interesting things to discuss.
The goaltending position is set. Let me say it again. The goaltending position is set. Calvin Pickard, the backup tender, has delivered in all kinds of weather. Backup goalie in Edmonton is not a spot that implies future glory (everybody knows this is nowhere) and Pickard is in the “starting in goal for the Providence Reds, Johnny Bower!” portion of his career. Stuart Skinner was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season, and his .934 save percentage in all strengths since November 24 ranks No. 2 in the entire NHL. He is bona fide, even though a segment of the fanbase hesitates to believe. He saved the season winterlong a year ago, and is doing it again. I suspect Skinner will need to win several playoff series to make some believe. Proud to say I’ve been on team Skinner for some time.
The worst example of NHL defense I’ve ever seen came in the mid-70’s, as Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Keon noticed Washington Capitals defenders Doug Mohns and Yvon Labre were too far apart at their defensive positions as everyone lined up for a faceoff at center ice. I think the game was played November 30, 1974. Keon pushed the puck past Washington’s center, and skated unmolested on what was in reality a breakaway. Mohns was a veteran, so I blamed Labre, but as a kid I’d never seen such shoddy blue line play, and I watched the Leafs a lot!!
The Oilers six last night weren’t terrible, but they weren’t certain either. The second shuffle (mid-game) that kept Nurse-Desharnais together and reunited Ekholm-Bouchard allowed the club to avoid a down by the river ending. I’ll be interested to see if the pairings run the same tonight. Nurse-Desharnais as a solution would give the Oilers a different look and perhaps make Ceci a trade deadline candidate.
I was most interested in the two stories discussed here, but the headline on the night came from the forwards.
The line of Evander Kane (3 goals), Leon Draisaitl (1-1-2) and Corey Perry (0-1-1) had their ‘meet me at the wrecking ball’ evening and my goodness it was a delight. Corey Perry, number one on the most wanted list for Oilers fans for myriad crimes over two decades, had a sinister purpose as he drove behind the net and knocked John Gibson’s stick out of his hands. Filthy, filthy, filthy. Mere seconds later, Evander Kane scored his first of three. Leon is homegrown, but Old Dutch procured the other two and this trio had the air of success on first blush. Make no mistake, this is a ‘the good, the bad and the filthy’ trio that opponents will grow to despise should they stay together, but after all the crap this team has been through I’m delighted to see a real ‘bullets and bad guys’ line in Edmonton. Credit to the coaching staff for putting them together.
The McDavid line dealt with minutiae for much of the night, McDavid starring as the man with no name and Radko Gudas starring as Tuco. The McDavid-Hyman duo helped find Bill Carson’s gold stash in the third period and owned the edge in flow of play. The three men on the top line are championship quality. I know you know, but sometimes it’s important to say things out loud.
The No. 3 forward group was the other story line I anticipated but it was a poor reunion. Kind of like Crosby, Stills and Nash without Young. You can listen to Almost Cut My Hair, but you’d be better often moving the needle to Helpless. No matter, given time that fast train kid line should do damage.
For me tonight is an excellent HNIC tilt. So much history between these two teams, their lore tied together from Eddie Mio’s tough night in the first game the two teams ever played through Miracle (my ass, it was Unger’s fault) on Manchester, through the Gretzky sale and the Smyth return and the now.
I love the Kings kids, love that my friend Rob Vollman has been a part of the procurement success, love that the Oilers have arrived at this game with a significant lead. I hope Arthur Kaliyev impresses Oilers’ brass enough for a trade to happen, while also knowing it will never happen. Come on, baby, let’s go downtown.
Heavy hockey ……
Some of our forwards disappeared…..
How many times did Hyman get cross checked tonight? And if the refs aren’t calling it, maybe we should do the same.
We went 0-4 on the PP
Refs can only do so much to help us beat – Dave Rittich.
Hmmmm…
bcurlock
@bcurlock
Learned a bunch about Vinny Desharnais tonight. That’s about it.
Other than if the Kings get goaltending, they are my Stanley Cup favorites.
Vegas Stanley cup odds
Kings +1800Low +2300High
Oilers +650Low +850high
All bookie dependent
https://www.vegasinsider.com/nhl/odds/futures/
Haha
So selling high on Foegele.. That bridge is nearly burnt to the ground lol
Reilly should get 10 games at least. That was effing garbage.
They’re all talking severity of the hit.
Nope. It’s Dale Hunter garbage.
Only reason he might not is he’s a damn Leaf.
Why did Greig hot dog it? I get that he’s still a kid at 21 I’m sure his older teammates will tune him in.
Doesn’t matter. Irrelevant to what happened after.
Besides – finish the play and make sure it’s in the net. He did.
Good grief.
Is Quinton Byfield still a bust as many of you insisted?
Knew you’d be on here chirping.
Back on the King’s bandwagon.
Are kings still going to finish first, as you suggested?
I didn’t.
I had the VGK first in the Pacific but it seems the Canucks have taken care of that although that is still far from certain.
Dahell was that? Killing the clock? That’s just weak looking. You coulda scored a fluke goal. Sure the hell can’t if you give up and don’t bother.
Didn’t like the game but didn’t hate it either.
Sure hated those last 20 seconds, though.
Not a big deal. But that isn’t how I would ever want any team I cheer for to play. That’s not how I would ever play anything.
Whistle to whistle.
Oilers needed that loss. They have been playing some poor games even at the tail end of the winning streak – and getting away with it.
This losing thing feels weird
I think the Kings played really hard tonight, they wanted it. Finished every hit, took every cross check and slam to the face.
Oilers did not want physicality, maybe they are tired but they had no desire to finish a check early or late in the game.
I think in these games you have to answer the bell in the first period. Force the refs hand. Call things refs or it will be a war. If Oilers don’t neutralize all the BS early then you will be living with it all game.
Just another clue to what their trade deadline pick up should look like.
This should be no surprise to the Oilers. LA has played this game vs this team for 2 years now and it has been a struggle most games.
We may have to sacrifice a goat before a puck enters the net tonight
Or pull the goalie with 5:37 remaining
I really don’t see the point of this. Games over. Run your 4th liners, let Kane and Perry get a pound of flesh and rest your horses for the next game.
They can rest now
4-0
Tough road trip and a less than desirable result(s) but lots of season left
Agreed. NHL hasn’t caught on to load management yet
Princesses wait til the lil forth line in on the ice to jump guys.
Still time for that pound of flesh.
Kings tonight “who here is going to do anything”
crickets
Beauty steal by McLeod but completely negated when he proceeds promptly to give it away.
One thing I’m not loving about the second line with Draisaitl is his game is in slow motion. He is hanging on to puck too long and looking for a sneaky pass. He is at his best when he is skating like the locomotive he is, then looks for those passes rather than so static. I think playing with slower players like Perry may just slow his game down too much.
The Broberg hit:
https://twitter.com/bcurlock/status/1756539376115294243
Ouch
thanks for the link
McLeod on fire.
Back to back. Kings playing really well and hard. Bouncing puck. Lots of reasons for the game state but these games happen in a long season.
That’s the kinda bounces you get when you clog up the scoring area. Something we haven’t done nearly enough, tonight.
Still trying to play the skill game on crappy ice…
And it’s over.
The Oilers need another scorer at the deadline.
Honestly what is this team doing?
Still think they can just turn it on.
Not a chance they win the cup with this kind of night off garbage.
You do realize ALL the elite teams and cup winners have off-nights – LA is playing well also.
I truly hate when they play the “we’re not going to drive the middle” game and expect to win.
LA is getting a seriously easy ride tonight.
I don’t like the kings.
Desharnais is a #6.
And he’s been put in a position to be exposed.
trying to get that contract number down lol
If Vinny was offered $1.5MM for 2-3 years tomorrow, his agent would ensure he took it.
Draisaitl couldn’t find his man.
He’s had a good stretch. I wonder if this has been peak Vinny though? Next contract a concern
Apparently this is LA’s first game since the all-star break. They sure have jump.
They have alot of useful pieces. Didnt see the end of days games for flat top but hard to believe they struggled as much as they did for 4 weeks considering the talent available
Similar to the Oilers – their struggle period just didn’t come to start the year, right?
I think they are a dangerous team, especially to the Oilers. Lots of depth
Another McDavid puck-drop.
Fatigue in full affect
Man, if fatigue is a factor tonight, this team is going to be in BIG trouble given how many games they play in starting Tuesday through the end of the season.
Compared to the opposition
He’s had a bunch of those this season, especially recently. Almost looks like somebody cut a half inch from the length of his sticks. Hmmm, conspiracy anyone? Not likely.
McDavid received the heater waist high pass from Vinny no problem and them bobbles on the stickhandle – sigh.
Not sure which I want more. Pound of flesh or a comeback win? Can’t I have both?
Second scotch says I can have both.
Make it so. 👉🏽
Max Patches has the worst injury luck.
Just saw the Anderson replay. That guy needs to pay a heavy price
I agree.
Hyman is so good though isn’t he. He would answer the bell with the same doggedness that he plays with. But he quickly assesses and takes the power play.
Yah there’s other guys with retribution in there job description. Just can’t let that be acceptable – especially this team of dbags
I can read the frustration in the comments and you can see it on the Oilers, but this LAK team is desperate and playing well for a new coach. The dead cat bounce in full flight,
Totally agree. The Kings are giving er like it’s an elimination game.
add to the fact that the Kings probably hate the Oilers more than any other team. Doughty plays McD with a deep deep hatred.
“Dead cat bounce” is now my favourite phrase to describe what the puck is doing tonight. Ice conditions poor at best.
The way I look at coach firings is the owners pay 5- 8 mil for a good chance at 4 or 5 more wins via the new coach bounce.
In the case of the Oilers Katz got great ROI
A couple home playoff dates comes close to paying for that, no?
I just hope this game and the Vegas game clues Holland in that they can’t stand pat and also that Ryan and Brown aren’t going to get you where you want to be.
I think It’s obvious Brown is the guy to come out for an answer to heavier teams
If you are you’re going to fight, fight. Don’t talk.
Tuco watching the game
Well, they’ll get a PP with 1:15 remaining to start the 3rd, although the PP has not been our friend tonight
Could have used a TO there to rest PP1 – there is something to say about giving PP2 a chance but PP1 was on the verge.
Yep agreed. Timeouts are seriously underutilized in the NHL. The idea of saving them in case you need them late is outdated. Should use it almost every game.
LA with all the shots on this Oilers PP.
Dubois – what a dumb play. Signals he’s changing then stays on
One of the things Knoblauch needs to learn about this squad is when to turn them loose.
They need to open the game up and get odd man rushes. This is not a roster that can play slam and muck hockey and score 4 against the Kings or Knights. Take chances already.
Isn’t that exactly what the Oilers did when they beat the Kings at the end of December?
The mantra has been “stick with it” – don’t change the structure, the goals will come.
For almost the entire last few months, the goals have when needed.
That was the first PP with some urgency.
Another Kings penalty
3rd time’s a charm..?
Time to get 93 off of PP1. He’s the clear weak link right now.
The Oilers’ PP has been like near 50% for the last 5 games or so.
In spite of his weak play. He’s losing the puck, making stupid passes and reacting late.
They have 4 capable wingers on the bench who can do his job. He can go work with PP2.
Someone needs to tune Anderson in…..
Time to show some urgency now.
One potential adjustment for tonight could be to swap Nuge and McLeod.
Excellent follow-up shift by the Brute Squad.
2nd game of a back-to-back against a hungrier team. The boys just aren’t playing with any pace. Kings are playing likes it’s game 7.
Another dominant shift by line 2!
Can’t win if you don’t score, Oilers.
Miserable decisions with the puck all night long.
Few of McDavid’s passes are finding their targets. Burnt that PP.
Hopkins needs to wake up already. He’s been nowhere the last few games. Weak shots and reaching for the puck instead of skating.
What the hell was Bouchard doing on the 2nd GA? He could see both Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins are in deep with him, and only four Kings skaters are in his field of vision, and he lets a soft puck up the boards just go right on by him to avoid getting rubbed out in the corner.
The shot against on the PP where he just let the LAK walk into the slot was particularly galling. He can’t just give free passes up the royal road like that and expect to get paid from putting up points.
He’ll continue to have these moments off and on. This is the player he is. Thankfully the frequency has decreased since the first 12 games
Man, if that counted, I’d truly believe in the Perry-effect.