Today’s title is a great dog song, because last night the final scores suggested it was a dog’s breakfast times two. The truth is a little different than the score. You can choose to get angry about the results, or look under the hood at the performances. The Oilers stretched the training camp roster to its outer limits and the results were predictable. The people you count on delivered. Seriously.
THE EDMONTON GAME
When the NHL players were on the ice (top line, top pairing, Draisaitl trio) the team was 2-1 goals and miles past 50 percent in shot share. The Calgary goalie (Devin Cooley) did brilliant work (37 of 39, which sounds like seven of nine and that’s top drawer). The Oilers outshot the Flames 39-23, they should call it goalie, McDavid’s shot was the best anecdotal takeaway on the evening.
If you linger under the hood, Raphael Lavoie had seven shots and two HDSC’s, Connor Clattenburg flattened people and drew two penalties, Noel Hoefenmayer was noticeable in mostly a good way. If you’re looking for an NHL player to blame, Calvin Pickard wasn’t brilliant but good gosh almighty it was Game 1 people. Let the goalie live.
Some of these names will fly out of EIG today on the way to their junior league teams, and I will say the kids Edmonton drafted this summer look good to me. If you’re mad about this game, calm your tits. Seriously. The NHLers won the results when they were on the ice and the Oilers got goalied.
THE CALGARY GAME
These are strange numbers, especially the top line (Henrique trio) not playing much and not playing well. I checked the expected goals for the line thrice and that’s what it said, although it seems impossible.
Mike Hoffman scored, I see the comments section has plenty of fans and many detractors. Hoffman had great hands, that’s a valuable tool. He scored last night. No idea where he’s going, I don’t see a job for him, but he scored a goal and that’s kind of why they signed him. I recommend letting things play out, secure in the knowledge he could be cut at any moment.
The five-on-five Corsi Rel took a dim view of veterans Viktor Arvidsson, Derek Ryan and Josh Brown. Hopefuls Cam Dineen, Drake Caggiula and Travis Dermott also received a disdainful look from the Corsi Gods five-on-five. Olivier Rodrigue had a tough night.
Corsi for five-on-five percentage loved Ben Gleason, James Stefan, Sam O’Reilly, Jasper Weatherby and Maximus Wanner.
Sam O’Reilly, Derek Ryan and Drake Caggiula had two HDSC’s each. I think one of them is impressing the hell out of everyone, another is fighting for his NHL job and the other one is a game warrior who played 282 NHL games and may not see another one. It doesn’t mean we don’t cheer for him, though, in fact it makes me cheer louder for him. The man has a desire to play the game at age 30, despite that same game leaving pieces of him across North America in exchange for his devotion. Loving something so much that loves you back less is something we can all relate to, I’d say.
What’s next? Cuts, practice, the dreaded Winnipeg flight, more games with structure and then opening night. My article at The Athletic gently suggests the Oilers get down to their actual roster in time to play a couple of preseason games, but this has rarely been the Oilers way. We’ll see.
At noon today, on the Lowdown (Sports 1440) we’ll read your texts and give your rage, confusion or general malaise a full hearing. Our feature guest will be Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic, he’ll bring the smart hockey talk and give us a sense of wind direction at Oilers camp. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
Keys for the Edmonton Oilers to achieve an all-important fast start
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5785453/2024/09/23/edmonton-oilers-keys-fast-start/
I only watched a handful of shifts of the game on the road (when the home game was on break) but Josh Brown has a bad giveaway for a goal against and, the accounts are that he struggled all night. I saw him good the night before so this is a disappointing arrow. The accounts are that Stecher struggled as well – double disappointing.
Its September 24 and it was a split squad game – remind myself of that.
By eye, Philp has looked better than Ryan for that 4C spot but, at the same time, it was one game for Ryan and, of course, remind myself that veterans are simply doing what they need to do to get ready – Ryan’s performance in his one game is no indicative of, well, anything.
Noah Philp is coming though.
I just watched the Ice District game. From the non-NHL players Lavoie, Philp and Hoefenmayer in that order were additive to the cause and Should hang around for more games and training with KK,
Podkilzin and Petrov finished checks but did not contribute in any meaningful way.
Hit up the game in Calgary with the kids last night. Tickets listed for $3 online, still worked out to $50 for 4. Go figure.
Can’t say there was a lot to take from the game other than O’Reilly continues to look good and Flames fans continue to be annoying.
I stated last night. The best choice for that last defenceman position was playing for the Flames. Barrie looked quick, steady, effortless with the puck.
I also liked Gleason.
Still time for Barrie to pull a Versteeg on the Flames and come north.
The challenge with new coaches/GM every few years is they want to see the prospects in action and therefore may not pull the final roster together until the 11th hour in pre-season. It crushed us last year.
Add to that the hole on RD and questions for the 4th line.
Wonder how Knob/Bowman will handle it as the entire City is desirous of a quick start this season.
What a bizarre signing Josh Brown was.