You know, the Edmonton Oilers played a truly brilliant game for 51 minutes, plus a little bit, before almost pulling defeat from the jaws of victory. The Love Rollercoaster that Oilers fans have been through since Connor McDavid’s draft lottery moment is an epic story. The entire city should be on benzodiazepines 24-7. Wow.
I don’t want to focus on the negative today, because there’s so much good to discuss. Suffice to say that this train is bound for glory Dallas, and maybe glory later this spring. That’s something to celebrate. Music! If a sports team can make you feel alive, part of something beyond, something special, then surely this morning is a special experience. Your. Team. WON!
In a lifetime as a sports fan, I’ve had many wonderful experiences. Some things I’ve watched over never did happen as hoped, like the Expos winning the 1994 World Series or the Oilers winning the 2006 Stanley Cup. One thing I believe will happen is Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers of this era winning it all. Is it this spring? We wait.
THE NUMBERS AND THE STORY (all numbers five-on-five)
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman: 1-0 goals, 6-2 shots, 57 percent expected goals
This line played a strong game, with the wingers doing the scoring this time around. Connor McDavid is not 100 percent (I mentioned this early in the series) so his efforts in this series must be viewed through that lens. Zach Hyman is such a smart player with a tireless motor, he’s a joy to watch. It is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from this group who I will highlight for praise. A huge goal, great PK work and back checking, it’s like all of those years of frustration were vanquished in one perfect game by 93. I’m so happy for the Nuge. He earned and deserves the spotlight this morning.
- Kane-Draisaitl-Holloway: no goals, 6-5 shots, 30 percent expected goals
Despite the shy numbers, I thought each man had an impact on the game. Evander Kane has taken a toll on the Kings and Canucks defensemen over two series, and has four goals in the postseason. Leon Draisaitl picked up an assist (2-8-10 for the playoffs) and played heavy minutes. His awareness across 200 feet later in the season and in the first two series this spring represents the best run of his career. His head is on a swivel and he is effective in all zones. Dylan Holloway has been a revelation this spring, arriving just in time. His rambunctious style, added to the goals (his brilliant rush and goal in Game 6 was the spark that ignited the Oilers fire to end the series) and speed is a game-changer.
- Janmark-Carrick-Brown: no goals, 1-0 shots, 65 percent expected goals
If Ken Holland is heading to Columbus, he might want to take this line with him. They remind me of those old Habs depth lines with a bunch of replaceables (Jimmy Roberts was a guy you’d disregard when reading the rosters for Game 1, and then swear at the whole damn series) who found a way to ruin your team. Mattias Janmark is gritty, dogged on the forecheck and has real skill. Extremely valuable player. If he was from Caroline he’d get more love, but he can’t help where he’s from. Sam Carrick had a fine game and his utility was on display all night. He was an astute acquisition.
- Foegele-McLeod-Ryan: 0-1 goals, 2-3 shots, 15 percent expected goals
This line had the hardest time, highlighted by Ryan McLeod’s penalty (four minutes) and a ghastly turnover in what I’m going to call the ‘Boeser triangle’ after Evan Bouchard and Warren Foegele turned it over in the same spot on the ice earlier this playoff year. All three men skated miles, Ryan is a perfect winger for these two young players.
I want take a moment and talk about McLeod this morning. Do you remember when Evan Bouchard was under fire by Oilers fans, some of whom post on this very blog? Do you remember me defending him, saying defensemen will break your heart? Do you remember me doing the same, several times, even recently, in regard to Stuart Skinner? You have to be patient with young players, especially those being asked to take on a big bunch of the chores.
You know, that’s true of life as well. You can’t tell me that you were brilliant at every job from day one and you never cost the company any money or down time. The Oilers will need McLeod, just as they do Bouchard and Skinner. That’s a fact.
- Ekholm-Bouchard: 1-1 goals, 6-4 shots, 61 percent expected goals
Evan Bouchard is going supernova in real time and I couldn’t be happier. In 40 career playoff games, he has scored 12-34-46. In Bobby Orr’s first 40 playoff games, he scored 16-35-51. Bobby. Freaking. Orr!!!! In Paul Coffey’s first 40 career playoff games, he scored 17-19-36. Bouchard is hammering like Dick Pound at a drug-testing convention and I’m so happy for him. The road hasn’t been easy, he got slow played like he was Festus Hagen. What a player. Mattias Ekholm is a rock, big and strong and smart and at the top of his game despite illness. What a pairing, holy crap. Jesus Alou, they’re good.
- Nurse-Desharnais: 0-1 goals, 2-4 shots, 40 percent expected goal share
Nurse blocked four shots, defended well, led the team’s defense (with Desharnais) in five defensive faceoffs. Both men were part of what I thought was a brilliant PK group and kept things at bay. I think Kris Knoblauch’s switching of pairs is was a terrific move mid-series, one of several that worked out well.
- Kulak-Ceci: 1-0 goals, 7-3 shots, 40 percent expected goal share
Cody Ceci scored the first goal of the game, and Kulak skated miles, drew a penalty. This pairing does most things right and Kulak’s speed combined with Ceci’s rugged style makes them a fine throwback pairing. Lots to like, I hope they stay together and suspect this duo could take on more of the chores and thrive doing it.
- Stuart Skinner: .882sp, 15-17 stops, all five HDSC were stopped
The Garland goal came off the horrible gaffe by McLeod, quick release and a nice shot. You’d like Skinner to cover the blocker side and come out more on that play, but it was bang-bang and that’s a fact. The second goal was screened and looked like it changed trajectory but I couldn’t tell on the replay. Skinner will have to be at his best versus Dallas, and Calvin Pickard could see the ice during the semifinals.
We hit the air at noon, can’t wait to be on Sports 1440 today! Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic will pop in, he has covered the Oilers run like a blanket this spring with great reporting and writing. We’re also casting about for a guest to help us break down why the Oilers were so good and if this game (the first 50 minutes) is repeatable on demand. We’ve seen it several times during the season under Knoblauch, but it sometimes goes missing (like the scissors, or car keys) at inopportune times. 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. Question: Would you like to see an updated 2024 Lowetide draft list later this week?
On OilersNation Everyday today, Gazdick said “I’m not an insider but Hintz is going to miss some time!”
He also confirmed he’ll be in the panel for the west final as well.
That’s too bad… he’s horrible.
ESPN gets Messier, we get dic.
He played the game but not much interesting to say about it other than the completely obvious
Name another panelist that materially called out embellishment.
And then showed Vancouver diving like they do, then trying to conflate that to the Oilers.
He’s full of shit.
Love Gazdick – on all his platforms!
Can’t abide him.
Made his way in the NHL as a goon, but has the gall to say he didn’t like McDavid fighting back against Soucy? Get lost, goof.
He doesn’t like any kind of hard play, it seems.
Trying so hard to come across as unbiased that he’s praising the Oilers opponent every time he’s on camera.
He’s another Louie Debrusk. It’s okay to say you like the Oilers. Or is it?
Bieksa puts emoji’s on the monitor to show his love for Wangcouver, but dic is going to be so impartial he doesn’t have anything good to say about the Oilers.
There’s a reason McDavid doesn’t text him anymore.
How can I look up Tanev’s stats versus the Oilers in 2022?
Iirc, the Oilers turnstiled him.
I think he was out injured for most of that series.
He played with a torn labrum and a separated shoulder and couldn’t even really lift his stick in those last couple games, so it’s probably foolish to make any comparison to then versus now. The better comparison would be looking at how he did against the Avs this past series.
Tanev was actualy 3-0 goals at 5 on 5 that series:
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20212022&game=30240
In case anyone else is into these things, I wanted to see how the teams match up physically, and also how the Canucks are. starting lineups from Stars Game 5 (Hintz in) and Game 6 Canucks (Boeser in)
Stars
Average height in/weight lbs
RW – 72/194
LW – 75/202
C – 74/198
RD – 75/198
LD – 76/208
Oettinger – 78/224
F AV Height/Weight – 73/198
D AV Height/Weight – 75/203
Team AV Height/Weight – 74/202
Canucks
Average height in/weight lbs
RW – 73/185
LW – 72/191
C – 73/196
RD – 74/215
LD – 75/212
Silovs – 76/203
F AV Height/Weight – 72/191
D AV Height/Weight – 75/213
Team AV Height/Weight – 73/198
Oilers
Average height in/weight lbs
RW – 72/198
LW – 74/202
C – 74/198
RD – 76/209
LD – 76/211
Stu – 76/230
F AV Height/Weight – 73/199
D AV Height/Weight – 76/210
Team AV Height/Weight – 74/206
The Canucks of course have a small top pair and huge bottom 4 D
The Stars we know are a balanced group. Of their bigger forwards Marchment has 8PIM and Hintz 6PIM, the rest of their heavier forwards aren’t known for a physical style. On the Oilers
Kane has 31, Drai has 10 and Foegele 8. The Oilers have a fair bit more PIM so that seems to fit that we have been in more physical series so far
I’ve read doing this that some media were saying the Stars were ‘running out of gas’, but they will be rested. They are banged up as well, but I imagine we’ll see Hintz
Their RD is lighter with Heiskanen and Tanev under 195. Other than Nuge the LW has speed and size, I expect that they will try to get in on the Stars RD. Kane Hyman and Carrick will have to get after their LD
They have 4 forwards 185 and under, we have two in Ryan and Brown. It will be interesting to see how physical it gets. I think the Oilers group is more physical and a little bigger. It probably depends on how banged up each team is, I’m sure most of them if so would rather focus on hockey than banging bodies
Hits/60 so far Oilers 32.48 Stars 26.38. Oilers 11:35 PIM/GP Stars 5:13 PIM/GP. Oilers PP 37.5% Stars 29%, going to have to tone it down a bit that’s pretty good. We’ve had 40 PP’s them 31, I expect that we see less PP time as they are playing cleaner than the last two teams
Thanks for doing the legwork on this – interesting info. As we know the Stars just played a fast skating team in the Avs and won, however, I’d argue the Oilers are deeper than the Avs (even with Nichuskin in). Flip side is Otter will be the best goalie they’ve faced so far, although Silvos was imo very good. His athletic style reminds me of Fleury.
This will be a tight one for sure, but I feel like the Oilers will win!
No worries I’ll try to look at scoring when I can if no one else does
This definitely felt like a team win everyone was involved from top to bottom. I thought Carrick had a whale of a game. It’s nice to see Kris getting everyone involved hopefully Henrique heals up and this isn’t the last of Perry as well. If Forgele and McLeod continue to play the perimeter without as MacT once said a threat to score then it’s next man up time.
Why is it so hard for you to see all the good things he brings to the table that helps the team win by shutting down another teams line? He is a young man finding his way and of increasing value as he matures!
Henrique might help L3 as he scores inside and plays two ways. McLeod can transport and be F1 back
It’s foolish to only commend the good and not critique the bad. He’s closer to a 4C then a 2C currently and that’s simply because his offensive game has not progressed whatsoever. Yes, he’s very talented defensively, yet if that’s all he’s going to bring his ceiling is severely limited and increasing his value may very well be called as is.
But it’s okay to always critique the bad and never commend the good? Strange logic.
McLeod is one of the fastest skaters in the league that what makes it so frustrating to watch. When’s the last time he had a breakaway or beat a D-man wide driving to the net?
What makes you say Tanev?
Interesting analysis, appreciate the explanation.
I’m hoping like hell they can get to Otter early and often. Neutralizing their defense will be a key to that.
Didn’t we break Tanev before? He knows what’s coming…
https://x.com/eddielack/status/1727860887564992902
Was a response to:
https://x.com/StonyOil/status/1792979477989077308
The dig on him there was hilarious
The next series is going to be tough to win, don’t get me wrong.
At the same time, the Stars play the “style” that I think the Oilers are better suited to play – i.e. skilled and mobile d-men but non physical, as opposed to less skilled ogres like the Nucks.
If McDavid can be near 100%, I can see some team goal scoring success against this type of team.
Glad to be rid of Van’s big ogres with 20 ft wingspans on the backend. Sheesh.
Apparently Tanev has only been on the ice for one goal against, vs the McKinnon and Eichel lines.
Tanev is really good. Have to get on him as he’s not big or fast and the Oiler LW is, take his time away and get some hits on him. Still won’t be easy
Yeah, he’s rocking a 96.75 on-ice save percentage, highest among defensemen who played more than 1 round. Since we know that defensemen don’t influence save percentage, we’ll see how long that lasts.
Nothing “luck”-related in ceasing to cover the points or carry the puck deep. That’s all that was going on. It wasn’t some special Vancouver comeback magic. The flacks love that sort of story but it is always so much more simple and observable than that.
Those obstreperous Calgary Flames.
They couldn’t make the playoffs, but they sure played a clever not to mention blatant game sending troops out to try to block our path.
Hat tip to the hedge they played in the Dallas / Knights series.
If everyone is able to play at a good level and do in fact play well and build on these two tough series we stack up against well against the Stars
Their most offensive players are less experienced. We have 3 pairs playing pretty well, they are hurt at D. We have the leading scorers and have played more difficult defensive teams and more physical. The Knights were in disarray and the Avs lacked depth
They ‘potentially’ have an advantage in net. DeBoer is a great coach, ours doing his job. If McLeod gets back to playing better, they run at C Johnston Duchene Seguin Steele facing McDavid Drai McLeod Ryan/Carrick
Overall we’re bigger down the middle. Looking at those groups it looks like we have an advantage. They will make you pay for mistakes, but as some have observed the Stars series were more open, and more clear air for us might give the offensive guys a jolt after the slog of the last 12 games
We also have a pretty good advantage in SF% across most game states and that against more defensive teams. Ahead in GF/GP PP% and PK% close in GA/GP, behind in faceoffs
They have to win their individual battles and play as clean as possible, but my initial feeling is that the last two teams might have been harder match ups for the Oilers stylistically and mentally. We will see and I hope so
Yes, the Stars have a better Goals Against per game (2.38) in this years playoffs, which fact many pundits are hanging their hats on. HOWEVER, the Oilers have a much better Goal Differential. In fact the Oilers GD of 1.08 goals per game is double the Stars 0.54.
So, yeah the Stars have forced the opposition into low-event types of games but can they with the Oilers?
Re: Nurse not working well with Desharnais
Vs Vancouver- all 5v5 TOI
With Desharnais
48 min
2-4 goals 33%
57% xGF
Without Desharnias
57 min
1-6 goals 14%
29% xGF
I’d say the shot attempt results tell a different story than the goals.
Looks like the best spot for Nurse is with Desharnais for the rest of the playoffs
I hope they continue like that vs DAL and that the goals catch up to the expected.
Desharnais is better than Ceci.
And one of those goals with Desharnais was the McLeod giveaway.
Ceci had a great game when it mattered most on a national level. You should be happy Ceci just made himself tradeable.
I think you’re playing favourites there godot10.
Kulak is the unsung hero so far.
Every year around the trade deadline I’m the one (and only, it seems) guy pumping Kulak’s tires. He simply takes his game to another level, each and every post season since he’s been here.
Hey. When I was advocating playing Broberg with Nurse, I never argued or suggested that Kulak should be traded to make room for Broberg.
Advocating playing Broberg on the right side is an implicit endorsement of Kulak.
Don’t want to mess with a good thing but maybe Nurse with Bouch. Their games would complement each other well. Nurse needs someone who can make the first pass, he is similar to Eck in the o-zone, decent mobility, good shot, knows when to jump, etc. I think Eck can move the puck well enough that he could improve the second pairing with Desharnais. Ceci and Kulack seem decent together in a small sample size as the third pair.
Draft List only after we are either out of the playoffs or have won the whole enchilada, please.
What a game 7! Yes LT, so many good things to savour. it’s especially heartwarming to see what I call the “Baker(sfield) Boys” flourishing.
Breathing easier today. Dallas’s depth is a big concern moving forward, but their bottom pair defensively is very exploitable. Hopefully Otter is human and not other-worldly as he can be at times.
Should be fun, and a bit more high-scoring. Gonna need a sharper Skinner and some added production from the bottom 6 to make this happen. LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad we’re opening on the road Dallas hasn’t exactly been juggernauts at home with a 3-4 home record so far where as we’re sitting at 4-2 on the road.
We know Hakinpaa might play but rusty and not that concerning. Hintz will likely play but I would guess he’s not 100%. Dallas is playing only 5 defencemen, there might be something to exploit there.
Any other injuries suspected?
Hakkinpaa is still not skating with the teams may be questionable.
Hintz is skating and listed day to day with an arm injury.
Check back after Dr. Kaner has taken a look see.
Too funny!
Holloway seemed to be at both ends of the rink at the same time, winning battles, making hits, and taking shots.
https://x.com/racheldoerrie/status/1792756489054019872
Congratulations Oiler! They were the better team but lord just have to make it more difficult.
Oilers must be taking stock today. Who is sick, who is injured and to what degree. Getting this far takes its toll, and the next teams up will have a similar gameplan as those teams now behind them. Rest and recover!
Dallas Stars seem more similar to Oilers than other teams. They are used to being covered, not covering. More used to trying to get free ice than shutting down the opposition’s free ice. I can see them being more confident and not feel the need to shadow McDavid. Just my opinion, but I can see them with more of “hes not that great” mindset and be quite willing to trade chances at any opportunity.
They will be well aware of the powerplay, but still not be ready for it. Connor played a labouring game, but the bottom six covered, and proved they belong. Goaltending is somewhat of a worry, but Oilers can beat the Stars.
Not super familiar w DAL D and don’t have a stats sheet handy – do they represent a reprieve from the tall trees and long lumber deployed by VAN? and WIN before them?
Would like to see the Oil maintain their defensive structure while finding a little more room for McDrai to wheel. If EDM can do both those things then Dallas depth is less daunting. McDrai can supply the difference.
Dallas plays its top two pairs about equally with Heiskanen getting added PP time.
Chris Tanev has been a remarkable addition at 2RD with 12GF and 5GA at evens.
Save percentage when he is on the ice is .962.
A shutdown beast.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with the Oilers, but they have seen Tanev before
The Blog’s Tucker Carlson lays foundation for a series of trolling.
Does he talk about the Oilers on Dallas sites? Did he talk about the Avs & Makar on Dallas blogs last series?
He definitely always talked about Makar and Hughes’ production here. He would post numerous stats, articles and links to people’s commentary about how phenomenal they are at creating production. Even hailing “smallish mobile D” as the future!
I think we all know why he no longer talks about production from specific D now.
Aside from the general comments such as
“The Oilers D have an edge in production compared to Dallas”
He doesn’t even have the courage to acknowledge Bouchard.
But, just wait, Samuel Girard and Bowen Byram are gonna win the Norris and lead their teams to 16-0 playoff runs next year… or the next, and if not, definitely the next!
It’s just intellectually lazy to fall in love with players.
Got to give a lot of credit to Knoblauch and the team’s commitment to defense this year.
Oilers GA/gm in the playoffs over the last three years:
2021/2022 – 3.50
2022/2023 – 3.69
2023/2024 – 2.75
Hopefully they can keep it up against a deep Dallas team. If they keep limiting their opponents to 2-3 goals they have a pretty damn good chance at winning!
Bolts re-acquire Ryan McDonagh from Nashville for a couple of picks.
Tampa also received a 4th round pick in the trade that originally belonged to the Oilers and was a part of the Ekholm trade.
It will be Tampa’s first pick in the draft.
With McDonough’s $6.75 million cap hit Tampa now has only $5 million in free cap space with an 18 man roster.
Steven Stamkos remain unsigned.
Some team could be about to get a 40 goal scorer.
I wonder if Colorado might use Landeskog’s $7 million cap hit if he doesn’t return.
Boy, I bet Tampa regrets trading their:
2025 1st Round pick (Top 10 protected)
2024 2nd Round pick
2023 3rd Round pick
2023 4th Round Pick
2023 5th Round Pick
For Tanner Jeannot and his 19 points over 2 seasons at $2.665 million x 2 (with a modified no trade clause in the 2024-2025 season).
I remember thinking at the time that BriseBois must have read too many of his own flattering press clippings.
Stamkos to Toronto would be cool but they’d have to unload Marner or Tavares.
Tampa and Vegas are singing from the same song sheet.
Both have won cups.
Go figure.
“Tampa and Vegas are singing from the same song sheet.”
If you are deaf and squint your eyes real hard at the song sheet, sure.
So true. Jeannot had one season where he scored 20 goals and it’s not an exaggeration to say that 15 of them were from with in 5 feet of the net.
Then the next season, Hynes started telling him to shoot from everywhere and his shooting percentage went in the toilet. Poile cut his losses – the ultimate sell high.
He’s a good kid, willing to battle but he’s not a 20 goal scorer.
The Jeannot trade has to be one of the top head-scratching moves ever.
Tampa had two cups before they started doing this, and were contending since 2015.
Anyone else think Pretty chomped thru his own lip to get the extra 2 mins? The replay looked like stick only hit visor, and the wound on his mouth looked inflamed like a puncture wound…needed 2 stitches…what a savage
I thought he cut himself shaving.
Looked like he was cut on the L chin just below the lip. McCloud’s stick raked upwards across his face until it hit the visor.
I dunno, you’d think the stick would catch him under the chin, or catch the nose, I think he bit himself.
I thought he got only visor. I turned to my sweetie and remarked that he popped a zit. Still think that.
Does anyone think that maybe Pickard needs to play every 3-4 games to just give Skinner a rest? The games are so close together and he’s playing all 60 minutes plus the travel time. Skinner looked much more confident coming back after his 2 games off.
Also I love Pickard and his excitement for Skinner after winning each of the last 2 games.
I think it’s win & you’re in. If Skinner loses game 1 in Dallas , we will probably see Pickard for game 2.
Could be, I’m not sure that’s the case or even if it should be.
Skinner in my opinion is seen as the unquestioned starter. I just believe Pickard has proven himself enough to be trustworthy enough to be able to step in for a game and have skinner either be able to take a practice with his coach or an extra day to rest and recuperate.
Pickard is the back up we’ve wanted since Jussi Markkanen. Don’t have to run the starter into the ground because you can’t trust the back up to make a save.
Agree. Can swap b/w goaleurs without it being a break-glass-in-case-of situation.
Skinner is the starter. But he needs to win games. If Pickard is more trustworthy, he should start.
Woodguy stated same sentiments at 9:14am as well.
The general idea is definitely growing on me.
Pickard is the backup. Nice game in G4 but he was lucky in G5. He should get maybe one game in the middle of the series since it seems we have to control Skinner’s minutes. This is why I was pissed as hell about taking Skinner on the that stupid end of the season B2B road trip. Good thing we did that to “keep him sharp”. Bloody nonsense as proven by the playoffs. Skinner is a good goalie, but still learning how to take care of himself, so he can wear down at the end of the year. I’m looking at G5 for Pickard and I would leave Skinner at home with Campbell as the backup. That would leave Skinner at home for a whole week and resting for 3 days ahead of G6 if it goes that far. Will never happen in the dinosaur NHL.
If anything, the playoffs have proven that a full week off is detrimental to his game.
I’m not talking about a full week off. If the series goes more than 4 games (almost certainly) then Skinner is going to need a blow. Having him start G1-4 and letting Pickard/Campbell play G5 gives him 3 days off and no travel for a week. He would be way fresher for G6 than Otter who would have to play 2 games in 3 days plus traveling back and forth between Dallas and Edmonton. It’s actually a significant advantage if the team is innovative to take it. But no – the NHL plays guys until they crater and then drag them around airports and hotels calling it rest. Anyone who travels a lot knows it’s not.
If Skinner stayed home from that road trip then, well, he would have had a full week off so, yes, that is what you were proposing
One of my favorite activities now is watching former Flames players progress throughout the playoffs.
So many teams that went into the playoffs this year should be thanking the Oilers and Sutter for causing the fall of the 21-22 roster.
And so it begins…
5 bucks a pop !
Southgate Mall?
I see 3 McFarlane jerseys in this photo… so it’s after 2001 – I’m gonna guess it’s the 2007 playoffs.
What a game I don’t think I took a breath for that finally 3 mins !
holy haven’t been that pumped for a win besides the recent BOA series an of course the 06 run.
Now on to Dallas and to right the wrongs of the late 90’s and early 2000’s !
Lets go OILERS !!!
Despite the mistakes these series are the best they have played overall in the McDavid era. Next step to get even better is NEVER letting the foot off the gas, not blowing coverage as much, and puck management
Another chance awaits to give Vancouver another boot in the nards. I am sure most Dys fans will turn to the Gaglardi Stars for redemption because another Vancouver owner. I hope that they are very disappointed again
Oilers left the Vanucks in their dust. It looked like Vancouver ran out of gas in the end.
Now, Edmonton is shooting for the Stars
I thought Edmonton found another gear for games 6 and 7. The Canucks simply couldn’t do anything about it.
This fact is probably not lost on Leon Draisaitl who along with his team have learned real and painful lessons over their progression.
Leon will re-sign because he cares about winning above all else and knows the importance of being part of a battle-hardened group.
I am about 95% certain that McDavid has a hand/wrist injury right now. Too many times he passes up a shot in a situation where he absolutely would shoot if he had his shooting hand.
I thought it was very apparent in Game 6 during the PPs.
The key to beating Dallas is to check like the Dickens. Colorado didn’t have that skill. Dallas is well-balanced, but I think there’s a way through that.
Go Oilers.
I’ve been convinced he’s had a hand/wrist/finger issue pretty much all season long.
I completely agree. On one of the powerplays, Draisaitl made a perfect pass to McD in the slot, who instead of shooting, passed it right back to Draisaitl. No reason for him to not shoot right there.
Watching that game last night, my heart was beating faster than the quarterback on prom night!!
One thing that has really stood out for me in watching the last 2 games is the commitment to backpressure from the forwards after a turnover. Speaking as a minor hockey coach, it makes the lives of the defencemen so much easier when the forward is hounding the puck carrier. Those 2 games were pretty much a smothering defensive effort from the Oilers.
Wow! Such a great game last night. Truly nerve wracking right to the end, but so so good! I just wanted to vote against draft updates for now. I want mind bending analysis on the team and old-timey tales that help us understand what we are seeing in the here and now. Let’s talk draft when this train ride comes to an end… hopefully with Mr. Stanley!!
+1!
The Oilers’ achilles heel in the playoffs has been the deflected wrister from the point with traffic in front. I thought Skinner did an excellent job last night of getting out at the top of his crease, tight to the opposition forwards at the front of the net, and letting pucks he couldn’t see hit his big frame.
I have nothing but love and respect for our boys this morning – the chips were really down and they got the job done.
Chapeau.
As impressive as Dallas’ depth is, they had 11 guys (F and D) scoring at a rate of 1.5 EV points/60 in the regular season. Oilers also have 11, not including Perry at 1.49. Now, Garner and Henrique are in that group and likely won’t play, but Holloway is playing up to that caliber and looks like a bonafide top 6 guy. So it’s pretty close, actually, and then of course Edmonton’s high end is much better than Dallas.
What is super interesting about Dallas is they have 8 guys scoring over 2.0 EV points/60. Oilers 4 (5 if you include Gagner), which is just nuts. Then again, RNH and Kane have some recent history of doing that, and we know the latter was injured for much of this year.
In short, I’m not super concerned about the forward depth.
I think the areas of concern are the D and goaltending. I talked about Knoblauch’s great adjustments, but Nurse has to be flat out better. He is playing very tentatively and very much throwing the puck away. Knoblauch thought he was better the last two games and I kind of agree, but I still don’t think he’s at his usual standard.
Skinner has to be better. Getting through 2 rounds when your starter has an .880 save percentage is bananas. He simply cannot continue to be the second best goalie on his own team, never mind the series. Skinner wasn’t good on high quality chances in the regular season, and now he’s not good against low quality chances in the playoffs. This seems like a terrible combination 🙂 Was it fatigue, nerves, luck? He has to be better.
Bottom 6 scoring:
Dallas 9G 15P
Edmonton 2G 6P
I think concern about forward depth is warranted.
The Oilers do have an advantage in D scoring and in top 6 forwards but Oettinger vs. Skinner could level that out.
Oilers have an advantage on D scoring?
I think this is the first time you have acknowledged Bouchard since you said he was not an NHL player just over a year ago.
He’s carefully avoiding this comment.
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=165340
Huh. I guess great defencemen don’t always show themselves early. Once Brogan gets to 100 career NHL games I’m sure it will be obvious. Only 97 more games to go…
Skinner was in goal to win the series. He stopped 15 of 17 shots in game seven & 14 of 15 shots in game 6. That’s 29 saves on 32 shots total over the final two games of the series.
Oilers blocked 22 shots in game seven, I’m not sure how many they blocked in game six.
Skinner made the stops he needed to make for the victory. He wasn’t overly busy. But that’s a credit to the team in front of him and that is how to win in the playoffs.
The Oilers blocked 11 shots in game 6.
The expected goals sure seem lower than the shot totals. There could be something to Vancouvers quantity over quality approach. The Oilers owned the play for 50 minutes then lordy that was nerve wracking.
Dallas is gonna be a challenge. Its the final 4 thats the way it should be. Who comes out if Henrique is ready? You’d assume Connor Brown but hes been valuable on the PK and at shifting the zone time. Foegle? Hard to say. This series is a coin flip. Hope like heck we get 100% McDavid again. Oilers are a good team. Chaotic but nobody asks how.
Connor Brown should be the first to come out of the lineup.
Too many little mistakes – such as playing the puck away without looking when he had a lead man and an empty net.
Definitely Brown, he looks like a rookie who can’t compute game speed most of the time.
Don’t you think they should stick with a winning formula?
If people just wanted to stick with a winning formula, they wouldn’t make deadline acquisitions. We want the best lineup. Would adding a healthy Henrique make us better? Do you not think Henrique is better than ANY of our bottom 6?
That was an awesome lineup that defeated Vancouver in game 6&7. And Henrique wasn’t part of it.
Absolutely not. They should go with the formula the coaching staff thinks has the best chance of beating Dallas. Which might not be the formula that beat Vancouver. Why potentially blow game 1 finding out that not changing for the sake of it wasn’t the best strategy?
I’m confident they will figure out what works one way or another.
On the Sportsnet page: An Oiler is the leader in all skater categories with the expception of GWG where Bouch is tied for second.
Kane now leads in Penalty Minutes with 31 and that Playoff Warrior PLD is still tied for 5th!
Lol, a great playoff battle between two Canadian teams, one of which has the world’s best player and the top 6 stories on Sportsnet is all about Berube and TO.
Lots of love for Miro this season, he is good but Bouch is better!
Stars are playing the hell out of Miro at 28.0 minutes average TOI, whereas Bouch is at 24.3.
Bouchard is outscoring Miro by over 53% overall and over 83% at the all important 5v5.
Bouchard leads the entire NHL in plus/minus. Not a very sexy stat but does show a trend to outscore the opposition with a certain player on the ice.
Need to hit Miro – all the time- to wear him down
Really? Miro was also not one of the Norris nominees again.
Well, OK, I’ll hold off for at least one day.
I thought the first 45 minutes last night were good, the second period really good. The team was checking aggressively, the way that the Canucks had done in game 5. They had the look of a team that can win in the playoffs. Here’s hoping they can keep that up.
As mentioned below, Nurse had a tough series engaging in board battles and didn’t seem to land many nasty hits. Garland muscled him on a few pucks this series along the boards, which leads me to wonder if he’s nursing an injury. To his immense credit, he was a fearless shot blocking machine, credit where credit is due.
This….watching him attempt to control Garland along the boards was – truly painful to watch.
Like you mentioned- his shot blocking was exceptional.
I agree with OP- looks like like a confidence issue.
This analogy always goes hard.
LOL. The name ‘Richard’ has so many nickname options… he chose wisely.
That was a
hugeNuge win! Nearly complete domination and then some drama to make it interesting. Did you see McDavid pump up Carrick before the lineup for handshakes, yeah he’s valuable on this team. I’m hoping for some good news on Henrique returning this week, even if it’s spot duty in the bottom 6.In all it was a great series, the best in these playoffs in my opinion so far. Dallas is a different beast altogether, rest up and sharpen those sticks. As Leon said (paraphrasing) “it’ll be a man’s game/series”.
Don’t Stop Me Now is my favorite Queen song… I play songs on airplanes to calm the flying nerves. If you get a chance, once you feel the pilot push the throttle down for takeoff and your body gets sucked into the seat, push play on this tune… pretty cool. Not sure if that was the intent by Freddie.
I too am hopeful for a Henrique return
Henrique might have to wait. These line combos are terrific. And I can’t see them moving Holloway off the second line with Leon & Kane.
Ok, lets just say you want the top two lines to stay the same. Do you not think Henrique is better than any of our bottom 6? Foegle? Brown? Carrick? Certainly a helthy Henrique has a place on our team!
That depends on what type of player is required. They all have a role to play.
If Rico’s ready I run him first thing.
As your local colour man might put it: No question.
Two things can be true at the same time.
1) Ryan McLeod is normally a very good defensive player, on a cheap contract, drafted and developed by the Oilers at the pivot position.
2) Ryan McLeod is below replacement level offensively when he isn’t with McDrai. He needs to address this if he wants to reach the next level.
McLeod has the size, the speed, the shot and generally the awareness to be a very good all around player. But he shies away from the tough areas. He shies away from the driving the puck to the net and he shies away from trying to make offensive plays.
10 shots in these playoffs. He has the lowest raw totals of iCF, iFF, iSCF and iHDCF of all outside the 4th line fellas, Connor Brown runs higher than all of them, Perry is right at his level and has been benched for two straight. He hasn’t scored a goal in two months. And yes I’m perfectly aware he won the draw on the Ceci goal and no that does not derail the point.
Oddly for him he has more giveaways than takeaways this playoffs. The giveaways in his own zone didn’t start last night, they’ve been building in games 3, 4, 5, 6 and then reached a crescendo last night. He’s -3 in these playoffs.
Maybe it was a reach for offense, maybe it was linemate juggling, maybe he’s a bit sick. All can be true. But he hasn’t had a good few months and constantly pointing back to the GAs misses the point. If you create nothing, you aren’t helping build momentum, you aren’t wearing down the oppo and giving your defensemen a break. There’s no zone time, no cycle pressure. He’s creating nothing offensively, so every GA, no matter how sparse, is costly. If you score nothing, you can’t give up anything.
All that is long winded. I don’t want to fire the man into the sun. He should be an Oiler and he deserves more at bats. Offense can be streaky, but he needs to find a way to be more effective in that portion of the game. He should spend the summer talking to Zach Hyman or maybe even Dylan Holloway, about building that confidence to attack offensively. It could help him reach the next level.
I agree with all of this. I mentioned a few weeks back that he should be put on the wing as it requires a more aggressive game on the wall. This should give him a different perspective.
I feel he is a better fit for Drais than Foegele but people keep saying he needs to earn it. Not sure I agree. Position the team for success is all that matters.
Agreed on McLeod, and maybe the answer is he can score off the wing but not from centre and we just have to accept that’s who he is as a player. For not a small guy, he does seem to wilt/avoid the heavy stuff. For all the “chemistry” he has with Foegele, apart from their stint with Drai, the 2 of them create some, finish little…very little.
On the flip side, is it just me or did Kane seem to get healthier as the series went along? He could be a big difference maker in the Dallas series.
I suppose if Henrique is healthy, they might put him in at 3c and sit MacLeod. But I think they like MacLeod’s speed, so I doubt it. And Carrick was terrific in the 4c slot. And there’s no way Henrique replaces Holloway on the second line. I really can’t see Knoblauch changing anything going into the Dallas series. I’m sure there will be adjustments as needs be. Both of Henrique & Perry will be there as required.
I think there is zero chance McLeod is healthy scratched for game one.
I think there is zero chance Henrique isn’t in the lineup if he’s healthy – Connor Brown would likely come out over Carick right now.
Wherever Clouder is slotted he helps w goal suppression and, against this Dallas squad, that might be goal number one.
The coach burdens McLeod with a rotating set of wingers, most often those playing the most poorly at the time, and he gives up very little defensely.
Sure he gives up very little, which he better since he contributes nothing else currently. He hasn’t scored a goal since March 21 (27games) that’s on him. Ryan wasn’t struggling when they moved him up, Kane contributes unless he’s on Mcleods Line, Perry tried, Foegele and Mcleod have a history which they own.
9 in 71
11 in 57
12 in 81
He scores like a 4C for 3 straight seasons, that’s on him.
Cody Ceci with 2 goals in his career in Game 7’s.
He is the Justin Williams of Dmen
Mr Game 7
Last night was maybe the most nervous I have ever been for a hockey game. There’s a lot of personal baggage with the left coast, a lot of uncles and cousins who I don’t feel sorry for this morning. Those are my issues to deal with. But boy did the Oilers help last night.
Once again – the Oilers are in a position where they should in fact win and advance.
For the first time though, they actually need to be essentially at their best. Dallas can’t match the Oilers A1 game – the question is whether they’re actually able to bring that for enough of the series. If they sag, Dallas is good enough to beat take advantage and beat them.
Hopefully McDavid is feeling close to 100% by Thursday. They need him going, not just Leon and Bouchard from the big 3.
One of the weakest stretches of games I’ve seen #97 play the last couple games. And from the interview – must be a hell of a cold/flu. Docs – get that man healthy!
Limping too, as per video from the dressing room between periods.
Dallas is good, but are they that much better than the Oilers? No, no they are not!
2024 Regular Season: Games 1 – 20
DAL: 13-5-2 / PDO = 102.6 / GD = +11
OIL: 7-12-1 / PDO = 97.7 / GD = -8
2024 Regular Season: Games 21 – 82
DAL: 39-16-7 / PDO = 101.4 / GD = +53
OIL: 42-15-5 / PDO = 102.0 / GD = +65
Forwards:
Advantage Oilers – no discussion required
Dmen:
Stars have a much larger d-corp than the Oilers so it will be another physical series
Advantage Stars
Goalering:
Unless proven otherwise it is advantage Stars
Special Teams:
Oilers: PP% = 37.5 / PK% = 91.4
Dallas: PP% = 29.3 / PK% = 69.2
Advantage Oilers
Oilers in 6!
If 71/37 continue on with their frankly no where near good enough play Dallas has a 3rd line that makes them a top 9 while Edmonton is running out a bottom 6. They absolutely must find another gear, the last time a Mcleod shot found the back on the net was 2 years ago in the western conference finals, Foegele has a empty netter and that’s it. That’s got to change for the Oilers to have a no discussion debate about whether their forward group is better then what’s in Dallas.
It depends if HIntz can play, and how healthy he is. (#1 centre).
Hintz is the #2 center.
I understand that you are challenged in ranking players. i.e. Foegele a legti top six winger. Ceci, a legit top 4 D.
Hintz has been their #1 centre for a couple of years.
Robertson, Hintz, and Pavelski has been one of the most dominant lines in the league for a couple of years.
Injuries and a string of bad luck for Pavelski may have mixed up the lines a bit lately, but Hintz is their #1 C.
With Johnston rising with a bullet.
Your increasing condescending bullshit is not necessary.
Wyatt J. plays more per game at 5 on 5 than Hintz and that was even moreso in the playoffs, even before Hintz was hurt (and Wyatt J.’s TOI went up).
Not that it matters:
1) I never said Foegele is a legit top 6 winger, in fact I said he isn’t. I simply provided FACTS that he had produced as such over the course of the last 3 years, each year individually and years in aggregate
2) Ceci has been deployed as a top 4 in the NHL for about a decade and as a top pairing D on a playoff team that went to the final four – again, facts.
Well which is it? Your incessant barrage of posts with curated stats aimed at anyone who suggested Warren Fumble was over his head in the top-6 was highly suggestive of someone who believed McLovin was full value for his boxcars, regardless of being pumped by Leon or not. Leon was better with Foegele than without and so on. Perhaps borne out by the numbers, but the context/eye-test suggested otherwise.
Weeks on end of you replying with the same stats, browbeating anyone who suggested he was in over his head and ideally situated in the bottom six.
And now you’re pulling a 180?
Straight point production for the year, and over the years are simply stats, not curated stats.
Pointing out where he was in point production among forwards for the year and over the years and how many points he’s produced in comparison to some “named high end players) was facts and important context.
Citing Leon’s production with and without Foegele was simply facts
None of it makes Foegele a bonafide top-6 player.
I like the guy, I was an early and vocal proponent of the trade being a win.
But he’s not top-6 quality. If he had hands he could be, but he doesn’t.
What I still don’t understand is how you’ll pump his tires with the stats argument, but say he’s not a top-6 player in the next breath.
Which is it?
I never said he was a bona-fide top six player.
Citing his 5 on 5 production vs. those being discussed for acquisition as a caution about valuing PP points was, in my opinion, important context.
Yup. Eight consecutive seasons, four different teams, 7 different coaches.
People like to say Ceci isn’t a top-4 guy, but at what point do you stop ignoring the professional opinion of guys who are paid millions of dollars to coach these teams?
No he is not.
Hintz has been playing with an injured arm for quite a while and it got re-injured earlier in the playoffs.
TOI/G in the regular season.
Hintz 17:14
Johnston 17:00
Duchene 16:46
Steel 13:15
Faksa 12:31
Hintz’ line mates when healthy are Robertson and Pavelski who are the top TOI wingers on the team at 18.19 and 16:49 respectively.
Dallas has THREE scoring lines so playing time is apportioned much more closely than you would normally see with a traditional lineup.
Last season, when Johnston was a 19 year old, a healthy Hintz averaged 17:23 while Johnston at 2C averaged 16:14
Earlier in the season as Joe Pavelski was struggling, DeBoer actually put Johnston on Hintz’ wing on the top line which would have added to his average TOI.
https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/first-shift-dallas-stars-new-top-line-looks-to-continue-making-impact-vs-anaheim-ducks
Hintz played less per game at 5 on 5 during the regular season
Hintz played less per game at 5 on 5 during the playoffs
Hintz has been nursing an arm injury for quite awhile I mentioned and I explained why TOI is different in Dallas.
And from the article I posted:
Fast forward nine days and the result has been impressive. Since getting together, the “new” top line has eight goals among 20 points and the Stars are 3-1-1 in that stretch. Hintz is on a heater with five goals and two assists and clearly is leading the way. But Johnston has seen a big uptick in his game with two goals and five assists. Each player has 14+ shots on goal and is plus-7 in the five games
Please note the reference to TOP LINE.
The Dallas D has some size but they are not physical as a group – the Oilers D is more physical as a group I would suggest.
0-1
1-1
1-2
2-2
2-3
3-3
4-3
The games of the series followed the same sequence as the goals in Game 2, a contest the Oilers never led but somehow found a way to win.
Such a sequence has happened a very few times over the years. Most memorable to me was the 1964 semifinals between the Maple Leafs & Canadiens. 2 of Toronto’s clutchiest players came through in the crunch, as Johnny Bower made 38 saves & Dave Keon scored all the goals as the Leafs stunned the first place Habs 3-1 in the Forum.
My first Game 7, actually my first 2 since they pulled off the switch at the end & showed the last few minutes of the Red Wings polishing off the Black Hawks in Game 7 at Chicago Stadium. The Leafs would go on to top the Wings in the SCF, also in 7 as all 3 series that year went the distance.
60 years ago, my goodness.
Thanks Bruce – history rhymes, indeed.
Here’s to the 1997 Dallas series repeating instead of the decade after!
I watched game 6 with my Mom and Dad at the Black Frog, an Oilers bar in Gastown (Vancouver). My Mom is very chatty and met a young German couple on the street and managed to sneak them into a packed bar. My folks went home to Edmonton on Sunday so it was up to me to go back to the Black Frog solo for game 7. I saw a bunch of familiar faces including the German couple who are now fully converted Oilers fans. It was an awesome scene in the Black Frog for those two wins!
Is Ceci Mr. Game 7? A goal in each of the last game 7 games, incredible.
KK took a timeout! Coach is fully into the game and has his finger on the pulse of this team. Did you hear his comments about McLeod in the presser? Sounded like LT defending the youngbloods. Awesome stuff.
The Black Frog is like the Alberta Embassy in downtown Vancouver. You can safely wear Oilers apparel without getting span on or bottled, which might happen to you just a block away.
Saw the “goalie fight” game against the Flames there in 2020, and it was rowdy roadhouse with Flames & Oilers fans hooting and hollering, but enjoying beers and cigarettes and the violence together.
Long story short: Canuck fans are terrible people down in the pit of their hearts, and this was a far more unpleasant series between townsfolk than the all-Alberta series. They can go back to doing yoga on paddleboards.
That said, Vancouver Mayor John Sim made a bet (and lost), and the Oilers flag will fly proudly above Vancouver city hall this week:
Edmonton and Vancouver mayors make lame Oilers-Canucks bet | Offside (dailyhive.com)
Was there pre-game before scoring some last second tickets. What a gem of a building. Sat beside the German couple on the bleachers for a moment with my lady. Small world. They only knew Draisaitl which was adorable. Not sure if you stayed long enough for the fire department showing up because someone, likely a troublemaker, lit a dumpster behind the building on fire. Great atmosphere.
I got out of there on my bike just as the VFD arrived. Maybe I’ll catch you there during round 3!
Desharnais had a rough night other than the PK. Too many bad decisions when in full control of the puck.
He had a lane up the boards and eye contact with Derek Ryan out of the zone, then short-circuited and passed to McLeod near the slot. #71 still can’t bumble that, but if he just makes the play we all learned to make when we were 6, it never happens.
There were other plays similar to this as well. Hopefully the coaches go over tape with him from this game and show that he was in strong position with options and needed to make a better choice.
I will disagree that Ryan up the wall was a better choice. 3-0 game. Mcleod is exactly where he should be. Lowest risk pass available as the Canucks coverage has to move up ice to cover the wings. Mcleod just lifted his head to look while he passed and wiffed. One of the built in risks of using the middle of the ice to exit, as the Oilers chose to do to provide better controlled breakouts in the last 2 games. Shit happens but in this case it isn’t on D. Imho.
I might’ve thought the same, but they had a great camera angle from the neutral zone looking back on the replay that showed how clear the pass to Ryan was. At that stage of the game, out and in control is gold. And Desharnais saw him.
Speaking as a former defenceman, it is my job to put that puck on Ryan’s stick right then.
I imagine Desharnais thought “shorter pass = better” and that’s why he made it. You can also see in that replay that Ryan was ready and kinda shocked that the puck didn’t come.
Don’t agree.
The open ice was McLeod in the middle and Desharnais put the pass right on his tape.
You may have been coached to never move the puck through the middle in your own end, but that doesn’t make it the right play. Move the puck to a teammate with time and space, if the option exists. McLeod was the correct choice. It’s not Desharnais fault McLeod fanned on his pass.
Perfectly fine to move it through the middle – but not then and not with Ryan open, ready, and out.
In fact, if you freeze the play when McLeod receives, he’s not only the only Oiler truly under pressure, but he’s going to have to go to Ryan anyway.
The Foegele option is not a good one – and even if he makes it – he plays the puck to Ryan too!
One pass beats three.
Maybe MacLeod was expecting Vinny to make the pass to DR. SURPRISE.
Big Vince had some wobble. But hes still pretty green in the playoffs, living his dream. He played nervous. However, he still holds down a critical spot on the roster. Penalty kill and net front seaweed.
Cody Ceci has bounced back strong in recent games and, even taking away his goal, he was VERY good in the first two periods. He led the team in TOI after the 1st period and make a ton of plays, at both ends of the.
I feel that Darnell Nurse is struggling. He made some plus defensive plays, as always, last night but he battles in the defensive zone, well, he’s losing a ton of them and I’m not sure why. I feel like half of his puck retrievals, well, the puck doesn’t exit the zone as he’s not “getting it and moving it quickly” for whatever reason.
Nurse is struggling a lot and I wonder if it’s confidence. He is throwing the puck away a lot. He is usually one of the better skaters on the ice, he should skate it out when the opportunity presents itself.
While opinions on Nurse are polarizing, I think we can agree he’s generally not this poor. Something is off.
I feel Vinnie is also a factor for Nurse. They are not a good pairing and don’t complement one another’s skills. Neither are very intuitive, and neither can make good outlets. The lack of a good partner for Nurse is going to matter at some point.
Valid point on Deharnais and maybe he is impacting Nurse’s play.
Both great points….i thought Ceci was very solid last night.
He was good when he was skating the puck. Defensively the Canucks had a lot of motivation and he did everything to avoid penalties. He will have to ramp up physicality for next series.
Ceci, because he is playing the far side of the ice away from the bench, gets trapped out on the ice, and when the 2nd and 3rd pairs are receiving equal time because of 5 man units, it means his ice time is going to edge higher.
Ceci was fantastic in the first period last night – he earned the ice time and, without looking at shift lengths, I don’t recall the Oilers being trapped very much in the first period (or the first 50 minutes).
7 games.
24-20 total goals. Edm.
16-14 5v5 goals. Edm.
2-1 4v4 goals. Van.
6-3 PP goals (opportunities 23-20 Van). Edm.
1-1 6v5 goals. Even.
WOOOOOOOOOOO!
Knoblauch was billed as someone who can make adjustments, and so far he has delivered.
Loved the timeout after the second GA. Just calm down. Foegele goes out and has a hell of a shift, pinning the puck in the offensive zone corner. Just loved how the boys were eating pucks towards the end at the wall, devouring valuable seconds. It wasn’t pretty; it was beautiful.
Great decision to shake up the second and third pairings. I’m not sure the tinkering is done yet. Nurse is -10, completely counterbalancing Bouchard’s +10. Three Oilers D are 30 something percent in goal share (Nurse, Ceci, Desharnais) and only Desharnais has an expected GF of 50. I wonder if they have Nurse activate more and rush up ice, as he did in Game 6 in the first period. I key in on Nurse because we haven’t seen his best yet.
Elevating Holloway was pitch perfect. He is a bonafide top 6 winger, now. I’m optimistic because it looks like he can score in a range of ways. He had a one timer chance, fed by Draisaitl, that came off his stick at 87 MPH, on target. He can tip pucks, he can attack on the rush, he can grime it up in the corners. Wonderful player.
Perry out for Carrick was an excellent move.
I think you have to keep running that Foegele McLeod Ryan line.
I agree with lots of this.
If Henrique is healthy, do you put him on the fourth line and keep Ryan on the 3rd line?