Whenever the Oilers play a big game in Los Angeles, it feels to me as though both sides are returning to the scene of the crime. I know many of you who are younger look at this series and think losing would be the worst possible outcome, but I’m here to tell you 1982 spring remains searing pain for those who witnessed the Miracle on Manchester.
Daryl Evans made a career out of the goal, Grant Fuhr (according to Dick Chubey in The Hockey News) threw up in a sink after the game and Garry Unger defined his Oilers career for all time in that stunningly awful hockey game. The loss was so devastating Glen Sather was talking about trading the first-round selection in the spring of 1982. To put that in perspective, Edmonton was on a run of first rounders that included Kevin Lowe (1979), Paul Coffey (1980) and Fuhr (1981).
Slats also talked about his two juniors who played 1981-82 for the Saskatoon Blades (Marc Habscheid and Todd Strueby) and (late, not much) for the NHL Oilers.
I loved reading about Sather’s procurement ideas, they were always fun and innovative. Right after the Oilers were gutted, he was talking about dealing the 1982 first rounder and kids who were graduating from junior to pro.
The reason I’ve picked this little corner of Oilers history to discuss today is the other thing Sather was talking about that spring.
Quoting the May 14, 1982 edition of the Hockey News, Sather talked about choosing one of the three Czech national team veterans who would be available at the 1982 draft. Milan Novy, Miroslav Dvorak and Jaroslav Pouzar were thrown into the 1982 draft pool and it offered Sather a quick fix and a plug-and-play. Edmonton would draft Pouzar, a left winger on a team piled high at center and on right wing.
As frustrating as Unger’s time with the Oilers was for me, Pouzar’s arrival and career in Edmonton remains a beautiful memory. It’s funny how the mind works, isn’t it?
For instance, if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup this spring, Dylan Holloway’s two-goal performance will have elevated status, especially if he continues to contribute. I bet Adam Henrique signs if Edmonton wins it all, and maybe Corey Perry, too.
A happening like that would serve as a bookend to the 2009-10 Oilers season. That was the final NHL campaign for Robert Nilsson who was just 24 at the time. He never did get to spend time in his own zone while playing in the league. Damn shame.
I bring these memories to you as my way of saying there will be a tomorrow no matter what happens against the Kings. I believe this team will win the day, I believe Stuart Skinner is a fine NHL goaltender and I believe the glimmer twins are bound for glory. I do not know the year Stanley arrives at the doorsteps of 97 and 29, and I do not know the logo on each man’s chest when it happens. Only that it will, in due time.
At noon today, we set the scene for a big game this evening on Sports 1440 and the Lowdown. Scheduled to appear: Mark Spector, Steve Lansky, Tyler Yaremchuk and we’ll have Declanations with Declan Krueger. 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.
As I was watching Evander raise hell, I thought, “Good! Let the hate flow through you!”
Good gord that was satisfying.
Special teams – holy hell!
Would be nice if the so called NHL Dept of Player Safety would do their job and call out some the Kings dirty slew foots and low bridge hits. Don’t hold your breath….
Unlikely. Just ask Louie. Nothing to see here.
I think the message was sent to the LAKings tonight.
Kings played their best game and still needed two lucky goals to beat us in overtime. We played decent but not great. Two games we played really well and shelled em.
Play our game and they have no chance.
Tried to take it to the alley and got settled! lol
The only thing the kings are better at is being dirty.
Really have a hate on for this team. Put ‘em outta their misery.
Huge mistake to go after Kane. He will take all the attention and stand up for himself while all the skill just dissects you.
Ok hard to pick negatives out of this game but Holloway playing 8 min is my choice
Due to all the special teams time. Can’t do much about that.
Fantastic win. Hopefully no one is hurt or the bruises are too bad.
Skinner was better.
Bouchard my man, just ragdolls big useless Dubious. Proud of you.
Yep, Dad took him behind the woodshed.
Haha😂
If your mis-spell was intentional… brilliant!
Great performance all around. Kane and Skinner deserve their kudos.
Just when I thought LA couldn’t stoop any lower… this game was chaulk full of plays you hate seeing in the game.
Thugs
I’d give first star to Evander “Gordie Howe” Kane.
First Howe trick since MacT in 1986.
That’s wild it’s been that long, you’d think a Guerin or someone would have had one before now.
Overall, or strictly playoffs?
playoffs
Felt like in the beginning of the game, the Kings were taking some odd shots on the net hoping to get a softy or a flukey goal. Then when they realized their luck ran out, they thought they would goon it up and started crying foul when the refs called 10% of their bullshit.
What a bunch of losers.
That’s a great synopsis. They pushed hard for first 5 mins of period and 3 mins of period 3, where they had some consistent o-zone time on the cycle, but the Oilers did well at keeping them to the outside
Anyone have an inkling why Bouchard was given two and 10?
The TNT crew had no idea, and frankly neither do I.
Both Bouchard and Dubois got 2 and 10 for their altercation.
I guess my point is it’s clear from the first frame that Bouchard isn’t escalating with PLD, merely holding on and preventing himself (or a teammate) from being hit.
Bouchard even has a conversation with the zebra in the corner, mid altercation, about not engaging.
The Ol you killing them get outta here punishment
Doing him and Kane a favour by preventing further abuse
I figured all those Dubois jabs to his head garnered a concussion protocol.
Side note: that TNT feed was solid, eh? Biz & Gretz between periods, play-by-play was fine, colour was pro-Kings but not delusional. That was WAAAYYY better than CBC.
Zero breakaways surrendered seemed to make a bit of a difference.
Let’s not beat ourselves again against these bums
Exactly. Eliminate the big breakdowns vs an inferior opponent and you’ll be fine
Nice game, Oilers.
IMO this series is looking a lot like I thought it would. The Kings aren’t pushovers, but if the Oilers play well they can cleanly dispatch them. The problem is keeping the intensity up and keeping track of all the Kings change-ups.
Real strong game. That’s 2 of 3 this series.
The thing I was most glad to see tonight was the 1GA for Skinner. He played well and he wasn’t victimized by the weird bounces from games 1 and 2.
Seems like no injuries from the Kings dirt either.
🤞
Gotta hand it to Skinner. I rode him hard after G2, but he was Mr. Dependable back there.
That’s 2/3 where the Oilers speed bagged these losers. lit them up for 6 to go along with 4 and 7. Defensive stalwarts my ass. Rented Mules and nothing more.
Holloway had a good night, Nurse had a good night, Bouchard had a good night. The goals flowed and Hyman is a Beasts Beast right now.
Finally, Stu was Rock Solid. Good angles, confident. Wonderful to see!
Kane should be the first star.
And to think that someone suggested that Hyman should be replaced on the PP.
Happy to be wrong on this one. Though he was an EV demon in the regular season.
But He’s played unreal. I wanted to swap him out for a bit cause he takes a beating and I didn’t want him hurt for the playoffs.
But he’s stayed healthy and all he’s done is score. Sweeet
Mikey down like a sack of hammers!
A sack of… something. 🙂
Trip? lol Whatever…
“There it is, Foegele with that little bit of interference….
….
…
Tripping call”
Zebras with another tough game
They have a tough game to do. I wouldn’t count this one as an easy one
Well yah it’s a tough gig. Game management continues to become more of a priority.
Nuge with 3 assists and beautiful PK work tonight.
There’s guys that don’t get their name called much during the broadcast that still have a significant affect on the outcome. This is 93
This Oilers PP unit number 3?
Vinny D starting the PK is an eff you to the Kings – love it.
Is that the guy you wouldn’t re-sign at 2 mil per. It’s getting hard to know.
He is a 3rd pair dman. 2 mil would be too much for that spot in the line up with our top heavy cap structure.
Can’t overpay for this ability. This is where your pro scouts earn their pay. Find the next Vinny
Can we start a petition to replace Singh with the smooth genial baritone of our host?
I can do colour with generous helpings of tortured punnery and general whimsy.
Everyone wins! (Except LA.)
Consider it signed!
Dirty play by Fiala
That looked like ankle, not skate. Dirty
However bad the Oilers have played at times this playoff series, the Kings have played worse almost this whole game. They could hardly get a shot this entire third period.
I know it’s 6-1 but Skinner has been super solid tonight behind better focused d.
Absolutely. There’s been some tough traffic shots to fight through
Pull the goalie! Pull the goalie!
Bunch of shitbirds
The Kings are just getting what they deserve Louie.
I don’t think even the officials know what they’re calling. Everyone is confused out there.
They’re not announcing many of the penalties on the PA system.
Talbot was half way to the circles…but whatever…lol
Not a penalty. Incidental contact outside the crease
Exactly. Zebras don’t know the rules
Talbot was like 6 feet outside his crease and ran into Foegle in the slot……
It’s nice that we got six goals tonight. I just hope they keep playing Talbot
Nice to get home ice back in pivotal game 3!
Did Bouchard’s shot take a roughing penalty?
Louie knows he’s not employed by the Kings right?
Why are so many guys going down the tunnel? What’s down there anyway?
Now let those two get to dressing room early!
I’ve always liked Louie, but man is he out to lunch.
He’s no Ray Ferraro and never will be.
Oilers by 30!
Ok but seriously Drai Mcdavid Bouchard should not take another shift
Wounds, meet salt.
KING Leon.
BOOM!!! All business, bitches.
SN not really on top of the infractions tonight, are they?
I mean did Bouch get a misconduct or something?
This broadcast is even more embarrassing than the Kings losing their minds on the ice.
Gregor says he got an 10 min – matching with PLDB (as Struddy calls him).
NHL.com has been slow updating the penalties. Bouchard and Dubois got 2 and 10’s.
If it’s any consolation, the TBS crew in the US couldn’t keep up with it either.
Good. Pound in a few more goals.
Mature Kane to not respond to Mikey Andersen. I hate that guy. Even his name is stupid.😂
Who names their kid Mikey??!
Kane’s discipline has been incredible. Saintly