The Edmonton Oilers found goals from precincts that hadn’t been heard from in some time last night, and won 5-4 over the Dallas Stars. It was another fast start slow fade, but it’s a win and March is starting to feel a little different than the February disaster. Oh and the new guy? Exceptional.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- On the road to: CAR (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: ANA, MTL, DAL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 2-1-0)
- On the road to: BUF, NJD, NYI, NYR (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: UTA, WPG, SEA, DAL (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: CGY (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected results: 7-5-2, 16 points in 14 games
- March result: 3-1-0
- Oilers in 2024-25: 37-22-4, 78 points in 63 games
The Oilers have a chance to catch the Vegas Golden Knights, and last night was a big win. This road trip will be a challenge and I have the team going 2-2-0. If Edmonton can grab three wins away, we should be talking about a race to the finish by the time the Oilers play Utah at home.
THE NUMBERS
Connor McDavid brought thunder of the Gods last night, and it was glorious. Zach Hyman rang true for two, and it was nice to see goals from Viktor Arvidsson and Connor Brown. Edmonton had three lines going at five-on-five, a rarity this season. I thought Jake Walman was brilliant, making smart plays and touch passes with aplomb. It was an encouraging evening despite the late wobble.
The Oilers, who haven’t been an easy team to cheer for this season, were electric and fun even in the face of tightened sphincters later in the game.
Jeff Skinner didn’t play last night, despite some effective scoring numbers over these last weeks. In his most recent 22 games, Skinner’s five-on-five scoring numbers (1.39 goals-60, 2.22 points-60) are quality. His line has outscored opponents to a 56 percent share and own a 52 percent expected goal share.
Why isn’t he playing? It’s obviously a coaching decision and I learned a ton about stubborn coaches and managers from Whitey Herzog when he ran the St. Louis Cardinals.
Whitey took over as manager in June 1980, and promptly left the team that summer in search of players (found Willie McGee for nothing in the Yankees system). In 1981 the Cardinals had the best record in the NL East, but it was a split season so St. Louis was outside the postseason. In 1982 Whitey’s rabbits won it all, I don’t think they had a starter who owned a plus fastball beyond Joaquin Andujar. Whitey got the Cards to the World Series in 1985 and 1987, but by 1990 he had managed his final game in St. Louis.
The thing about being stubborn is you can do it, but you better be right. Knoblauch’s decision to fade Skinner won’t be a footnote in history if he wins. If Knoblauch loses, then he’ll be questioned forever.
How many times does Craig MacTavish get reminded about starting Ty Conklin as the backup in Game 1 of the 2006 SCF?
Knoblauch made his decision. He better be right.
What the Edmonton Oilers did (and didn’t do) at the NHL trade deadline
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6186470/2025/03/09/oilers-trade-recap-2025/
Great article today Lowetide.
They are always 5 star after an Oiler win, funny how that works.
I’ve read the Walman trade was an astute move, but after last night I’m ready to close the file.
I hope this new trend of taking liberties with the other teams best players continues.
I only saw the highlights for last night’s game which were:
-Walman crushing Rantanen
-Walman’s beautiful pass to Hyman
I too, am sold on him.
This experiment with Nurse-Walman as first pair was successful. Walman played 24:40 to Bouchard’s 18:37 and as shown above by LT owned both goals and expected goals. The Corgis barked at 72% 5v5 for Walman and 53% for Bouchard. I doubt very much at this point that they move Bouchard off of the first PP, but wouldn’t be surprised to see this new 5 man unit stick.
Walman’s choices with regards to activation felt better coordinated with his forwards than Bouchard’s or Nurse’s have in the past. The chances that he takes seem better calculated, and even though high-risk, less impetuous. One gets the impression, that even on his off-side (!) he does not require Nurse to cover for his poor decisions, which is more than one can say for Evan Bouchard and his on-ice relationship with Ekholm.
I was also, frankly, shocked by the quality and speed of Walman’s shot and his physicality.
Someone called Walman “Bouchard lite” in a previous comments section. There’s nothing lite about Walman. It terms of his fancies, I can see how one can get to that statement. But spoiler alert: Walman’s fancies are very likely to reach Bouchardian levels when playing with McDavid.
More than “puck moving” I also hope that Walman, Frederic and maybe even Jones can use their bigger frames and speed to contribute to shut-down play on the cycle and PK. Special teams and shut-down on the cycle were an extremely important part of EDM’s success in the playoffs, and a style of play that one might associate with work-ethic and willingness which hopefully these three players have in droves.
If Nurse – Walman play like last night every night our D is fire.
You will see Ek and Bouchard play improve if Nurse and Walman can soak up a few more minutes. And Kulak – Emberson too.
To the folks suggesting Fredric play centre:
Did he regularly play centre in Boston? His faceoff numbers suggest he generally played wing.
Bowman thinks he can play C. I read he was 2C last season, but I don’t think it went well. I think they will try to use him 3C or top 6 LW. Knowing KK probably back an forth. But if he can handle 3C they can pop Henri up at times, he had that tear with Drai last season before getting hurt, and his lack of speed matters less LW
For me the shine is starting wear off on Podkolzin. Love the effort he brings but he just doesn’t have the skill to play regularly in the top 6.
He’s a very low rent Kurri for 29.
Can’t score like Kurri (he’s two area codes over from Kurri) but he does the work without the puck that allows 29 to not have to do it all and not move that giant body around the ice so much.
29 with 92 (no 97)
61.4% xGF
29 without 92 (no 97)
47.2 % xGF
It’s stark.
Actual Goals are closer due to PDO but we all know how those normalize over time.
29 with 92 (no 97)
56.7% GF
988 PDO
29 without 92 (no 97)
57.1 % GF
1020 PDO
Make Podkolzin work twice a week with a skills coach in the off-season and sign him long before he starts putting up counting numbers.
And he has a pretty good shot, needs to learn how to use it
Kevin Bieksa calling the flip pass from Walman (Jew) to Hyman (Jew) the “Passover” is about as witty as it gets!
Perhaps I’m wrong but I believe it was actually Friedman’s coined joke and Bieksa was making fun of it..
Perhaps (my brain does not work well) – still brilliant!
You are correct–it was Friedman who said it.
(Jewish)
Walman completely changes things, what a debut.
Frederic/McDavid/Hyman
Podkolzin/Draisaitl/Arvidsson
Kane/Nuge/Perry
Janmark/Henrique/Brown
Skinner isn’t seeing the ice again until September when he signs with the Islanders.
A ton of scoring depth there.
But 3 of the top 6 are awfully shy offensively.
When you consider Drai’s wingers this year, it makes his chase for the Art Ross (and basically locked-up Rocket Richard) even more impressive.
Damn
Are we allowed to run 13 – 6 in the playoffs.
I’m spotting Jones in periodically just for the energy alone
I believe this d corp is now better than the one we had in the playoffs last year.
Not sure what to think of the forwards. I think they can be better than last year, when running on all 8 cylinders.
Much better. Walman >>> Ceci.
Emberson > Desharnais
If they can wake up this forward group is more geared to playoff hockey IMO, especially if Kane can get going fast enough
https://oilersnation.com/news/jake-walmans-puck-moving-impact-oilers
If Ekholm-Bouchard recovers (with Ekholm in full health) and Nurse-Walman plays like last night, then you have 2 ELITE D pairings, which I don’t think any other contender would be able to boast. The 3rd pairing with Kulak and Emberson or Col. Klink would just need to tread water, and I imagine they could perform better in this role.
Balanced scoring after McDrai will also be required, and even a mediocre PK would suffice, but they do need to get the latter sorted out and in a hurry.
Whoa!!! One game does not make any Oiler D “elite” imo. Check back in 10 games.
You might have seen the conjunction “if” that I prefaced the statement with…
Checking back after a larger sample size is always a good idea. But its not outlandish to think that 2 D (Walman-Nurse) with complementary skills can strike gold working together.
It’s crazy that for a month and a half in the playoffs, our PK *outscored* the opposition. Now they can’t stop a beach ball. What gives?
All this love for the Cardinals. And you call yourself an Expos fan, LT. 😉
Haha. I loved Whitey.
His Cards were amongst the most entertaining teams in the league. I miss the days when teams manufactured runs with speed on the base paths
Now it’s all about the extra base hits and pitch count management. NBA has the same problem with the emphasis on the 3 pointer now over the inside game in the paint
These trends are helping the NHL imo. It’s staying entertaining while basketball and baseball have become much more boring and predictable
This team will need to find a way to get better on the PK for the playoffs.
They did have at least one lengthy stretch where they were very good but, overall, its been bad and very bad in stretches.
Maybe Jeff Skinner can PK.
lol, Ya not sure that poor guy sees the ice period in the playoffs or much more this season
No, he can’t.
Jeff Skinner can absolutely help on the PK. I’m making assumption PK means Pressbox Knowledge in this case.
Sometimes the fridge door looks like it’s closed but it’s not. Halfway through the second you want to stir the popcorn or it’ll burn on the bottom.
This is important stuff, especially in the playoffs.
Frederic can PK.
McDavid would be great PK, I remember when he was being used to keep the opposing team’s PP honest and it was exhilarating stuff.
McDavid Draisaitl Hyman at the end of a successful PK is very effective. As we saw last night, it was even effective after giving up a PK goal. Ideally, though, they can find a roster solution that doesn’t involve one of these 3, so the nuclear option can continue
Frederic was a good pk guy in Boston
Was he? He averaged around 45 seconds a game Iirc. Doesn’t not scream great PKer.
Correction he has averaged 27 seconds a game of PK time with Boston this season. He was barely a regular PKer based on those numbers.
I heard a fair bit of this when the trade happened so I looked it up.
Here is Frederic’s SHTOI /GP since becoming a full time NHLer:
2021 —- 0:15
21-22 — 0:32
22-23 — 0:27
23-24 — 0:37
24-25 — 0:27
I’ve read/heard these things but he’s never averaged more than 32 seconds on the PK in his career…..
Wow, Walman has finally made me forget about Broberg
Broberg was an unforced error years in the making (and the player himself had something to do with it, he definitely doesn’t have a Max Jones attitude).
However, the team has turned Broberg, Ceci, a 1st, and a 3rd into Walman, Emberson, and a 2nd, and someone deserves credit from turning what started out as serious damage control into an area of strength. I’m going to say… Zack Kassian 🙂
The 2nd is already gone as 1 part of the package for Frederic & Jones.
The D swapping was the point. Did you really want me to throw all that in, too?!
One thing I’m a little perplexed by is the lack of the addition of even a marginal 4C. I, and I think everyone else, assumed Kapanen was a placeholder until new guy showed up at the deadline. But is he now actually the plan?
Because if the plan is 97-29-93-19 down the middle you’d have seen that last night or you’d start to see it. Find a 1LW to replace Nuge.
Perhaps 13-19-28 is the 4th line and the plans are to move 93 down with or for Freddie when he’s ready and that’s your 3rd line. But Perry can’t really play 3RW anymore so that can’t be right.
I suppose Frederic as 4C? Skinner or Jones with Frederic and Perry or Kapanen? I guess that’s the most likely but by all accounts he’s not much of a center.
It seems these are the locks;
x-97-18
X-29-33
21- x- x
13-19-28
What 93 isn’t a lock? 33 is a lock? You don’t even mention 92. That’s perplexing.
Where 93 plays is not a lock. That he plays is a lock.
Yes exactly.
Where Frederic plays isn’t a lock either. This forward group is as versatile as there is anywhere in the league, so is the defense with the addition of Wally. This is a strength of the team. Probably the only locks are McDavid & Draisaitl.
I’m not as quick to judge Knoblauch’s treatment of Skinner. I just don’t see who he is taking out right now.
Perhaps a few games ago it could have been Arvidsson but he was finally starting to come alive, hitting some posts, and was rewarded with a rocket of a snipe last night.
Kapanen has been tasked, and has done a fair enough job stepping into 4C, a role that Skinner cannot fill, and Jones through two games brings physicality that is desperately needed. Brown has struggled as much as Skinner at times, but has the advantage of having been to war under Knoblauch last season and providing quality minutes.
Podkolzin can be quiet but I have a feeling that Drai helps mane the call there and enjoys playing with him.
Add in the likely possibility that Skinner may be missing or failing on assignments in the game that are set as expectations, and we arrive where we are today. 1 or 2 spots maybe up for grabs but that are filled by more multi dimensional players or more trusted players.
When Frederic and Kane return for the playoffs, I really only see Skinner drawing in if there are multiple injuries, or the scoring is so anemic in the top 6 that they have no choice.
Maybe there is a situation where they could move Nuge to 3C, Henrique to 4C and bump Kapanen out of the lineup, but maybe the coaching staff feel they need to give Kapanen as many at bats at 4C as possible in case he needs to fill that role in the playoffs? Lots of factors at play.
Kapanen can only get better with more at bats. Which can only make him more valuable to the team. He now can add RHC to his skill set.
Kapanen also brings some speed to a slow line up. Not an ideal 4 th line centre so perhaps better on the wing if Henrique takes 4 C. Remember when Philip was the projected 4C????
Completely agree.
The only winger I could maybe see Skinner stepping in for when everyone is healthy, is Podkolzin. But Leon likes playing with him, so that seems unlikely.
Skinner doesn’t have the speed and heaviness to win puck battles along the boards the way that Podkolzin does. Podz can’t shoot the puck the way that Skinner does.
That being said, the two most talented goal scorers on the team are Leon and Connor; the key to their lines outscoring is to have them flanked by wingers who can win those battle and get them the puck back for open looks.
That’s just not part of Skinner’s game.
Skinner when he’s playing well does the hardest and most valuable thing in the NHL, score goals.
When you’re keeping a goal scorer out of the lineup because he doesn’t check as well as a grinder, you’re doing it wrong.
Scottie Bowman would have him in the lineup and all of the wingers would be competing to stay in the top 6 based on production. If Podkolzin and Brown were cold as ice, he’d give Skinner those minutes.
Knoblauch has stubbornly decided he’s going to be the one coach that turns Klima into Buchberger. Not gonna happen. Use the tool for what it’s designed to do. Don’t blame the tool for being something it’s not.
I think some of that has to do with Leon preferring Podz on his wing to do the dirty work along the boards. The plan in the summer was to get him some scoring wingers, which is exactly what JJ did when he signed Arvidson and Skinner.
GMs make plans, but star players often have different ideas.
What’s more important … making the fanbase happy by playing Skinner with Leon, or making Leon happy by playing Podz on his wing instead?
What’s more important, having sufficient secondary scoring to win a Cup or stifling scorers to placate other player wishes?
Btw I don’t believe this is a thing. Leon is professional enough to play with whoever the HC puts on his line.
The coach has shinier tools to use.
Shiny doesn’t equate to better
Great win last night. The new additions have been fantastic especially Walman last night. The guy looked like a legit #2 . He was the best D man for the Oilers and I don’t expect that every night but still impressive. The Oilers have lots of work to do as a team but if they can stay a little more healthy I do see the outline of a Cup contender. The team was lacking toughness all year and now with Jones playing and with Frederic and Kane hopefully coming back the team looks completely different. What a steal Walman is with that Salary.
When is the earliest Walman can sign a extension I’m gathering July 2nd. How much and how long?
Only one game but a very good one!!!
I would resign Walman and Emberson tomorrow. I would also send Uncle Mikey a weeks worth of homemade blueberry pedaheh.
Can’t re-sign Walman tomorrow – July 1.
Skinner isn’t doing something that the coaches require. We can’t tell what that is it seems but it’s there. My guess is battle level and the GM seems to have addressed that
Assuming health, this is what I’d like to see for the line up:
21-97-18
92-29-33
53-93-28
13-19-90
2-14
25-96
27-49
You don’t have to hide lines 3 or 4 too hard. Another good forechecker for 97 and 21 can shoot the puck.
The Dpairs should be cooking with gas.
If your assumption of health also extends to Kane, where would you slot him? Perhaps 2LW and bump down 92, etc.?
Start him on the 4th.
Not playing for a year is HUGR. He’ll take a while to get to game speed so he’ll need to be sheltered
I think that 3rd line would get owned in playoffs. Three non physical players, two are not fast, two are light. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Walman ends up playing with Emberson. To my eye 27 49 have trouble handling heavy forechecks and net front at times
Kane jumps onto that third line with nuge.
I’d like to see Wallman with Bouchard. Ekholm & Emberson can handle heavy forechecks, so can Nurse & Kulak.
Good point. I was thinking that Ek with Emb might allow them to roll 3 pairs more evenly and stay more fresh, size on each pair, not tire the old guy out
I think 13 19 28 will be the 4th line come playoffs. The 2 wingers are basically dedicated penalty killers as they been creating zero offense all season.
3C will probably be 93 or 21. They probably flip between that and Mcdavids wing. Don’t know who the middle 6 wingers will be but Knoblauch will have plenty of options.
Yep. I said similar below.
They need to find a way to play Skinner. Reduce Henrique/RNH’s respective roles.
This is my thinking as well, perhaps with 21 and 93 flip flopping depending on the situation.
So you folks are now going after a very successful NHL coach because he does not see Jeff Skinner through the same lens as you do ? Yes Skinner has good hands around the net ….as long as the other 4 players on his line at the time can keep control of the puck until he finally arrives to the front of the net as he is always the slowest man on the ice .Of course unless he is hanging around at central ice like he did at the beginning of the year. And then when the puck heads the other way it is a given we have a 5 on 4 until Jeff catches up .
The coach said recently that he applauds the work Jeff is putting in but they have given him some things that he needs to work on .I assume it is working on puck battles because I have seen him win very few . As to playing on Dri’s or McDavids line are they the ones that are supposed to win the puck battles hold on to it and then get him the puck when he gets there. We don’t need more scoring on those two lines we need people to go get the puck ( Pod or Hyman or Nuge ) for Dri and McDavid. Those three do it much better then Jeff can right now so why change ..
..On the third line they are tasked with shutting down the other teams best line and do pretty good job of it ,Not a skill set that Jeff has as he is to soft and too slow .. But maybe the coaches hope that he can improve his skill set in this area so he can be on that line with the added benefit of being able to score . But the primary skills you need to be on this line is speed , and being able to back check and win puck battles .
The fourth line is being redesigned with the addition of Frederick and Jones, Perry as a heavy line .
So where are you putting him and why and how is he going to to the job better then the person that is there now remembering that the players that are there are there because they have a specific skill. And you as a coach would only put him there if he could do the job/task better the than person in the role already
Ok may rant is over now over to you guys for a reasoned rebuttal . Oh and being his brother in law twice removed is not a good argument .Chuckle
I recall when Messier went to Vancouver my Canucks fan pals were pissed at him for not doing all the grinder work on his line. My unpopular response was if you have Messier on the team learn how to win. The other younger guys should be doing the grunt work
Ive often said the GMs main job is to get wingers for Connor and Leon. If you don’t and Connor has to work to help some player be able to function on his line you are doing it ass backwards. Maximize your key advantages
So yes, Skinner can’t crack the lineup. He has a role on a team that could use his production, but that isn’t what’s needed on this team. See Frederic
I wasn’t opposed when JJ signed him, but of course didn’t expect to lose the offer sheets figured they had a plan. There were some players I thought had to go because they couldn’t cut the mustard in playoffs. We don’t know behind the curtain details but that was a poor signing. I haven’t given up on Arvi yet, the team needs battlers
You say that you weren’t opposed to JJ signing JSkinner, yet you say that his production isn’t needed on this team. When signed, where did you expect JSkinner to play and why?
Top 6 like most. I thought it was about 5v5 scoring and the struggles they had in certain playoff games, I thought they needed some changes. A better way I could have put it is that they need his production less than what he’s not doing that’s keeping him out apparently
I hadn’t seen much of Skinner in years, just went by numbers. I’m surprised seeing him play they signed him. Might as well have kept Foegele
That sums it all up. Thank you very much. I’m sure Bowman tried to move Skinner, as well I’m sure Skinner wanted to be moved at the TDL. Pure speculation on my part.
Tldr; you can’t have a bunch of Barbara Ann Scotts out there.
Nicely done.
Stan mentioned at the deadline they had too many of the same player type when talking about the Jones add. Seemed a direct reference to Skinner and Arvidsson which makes sense. It seems the coach likes Arvi more than Skinner – not sure why (I know he scored) but I understand wanting only one of them in the lineup
Arvidson Right wing J Skinner Left wing
Jeff Skinner should be playing on Leon’s wing. It isn’t rocket science.
HS for Skinner isn’t supported by anything, so I agree. However, bias is a strange thing and Skinner’s time in Edmonton includes Kris Knoblauch.
Usually a HS from a coach that gets noticed surrounds a player who is a little challenged in some areas. Zack Stortini’s experience when Tom Renney took over is a fairly typical example.
This one is weird, because Skinner was scoring when the team couldn’t buy a goal.
HOWEVER, team scored five last night. As long as Knoblauch wins, the comments about Skinner’s banishment can be countered with the team’s record.
It is befuddling of course. Ron Low with Satan, Craig MacTavish with several skill forwards, but they were all young.
Skinner is a veteran.
The interview Knoblauch gave referencing him earlier this year was eye-opening and alarming when it comes to the coach’s outlook on players that don’t fit exactly what he’s looking for. He was disdainful and didn’t even use the guy’s name. One of the first truly eyebrow-raising moments for him. Not good.
If you can’t use a one-shot scorer with #53’s edgework, you’re not looking at the game properly.
I’d stop short of accusing the coach of not looking at the game properly due to a differing opinion on a player.
By expected goals for, the Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson is 23rd in the league at 59.6%
Pod-Drai-Arv 59.6% xGF, 52.9% actual (9-8), 228.3 mins
Skin-Drai-Pod is 55% xGF, 66.7% actual (2-1), 17.2 mins
Arv-Drai-Skin is 51.4% xGF, 0% actual (0-1), 45.9 mins
So there is a large sample size to show that the de facto 2nd line is sawing things off, but their actual play has exceeded results. Regression may never come if Arvi and Pod can’t pot those chances, but maybe there’s life after the last couple of games.
A guy like Skinner who can finish, should in theory help with actual goal results, but he has not been given enough time with Draisaitl to figure it out. The expected GF clearly lag when Skinner is with Drai, though. Would the actual results be better if Skinner was given more time to score some goals on this line? Dunno. But the Skinner-Drai pair has actually been lower event with a goal every ~15.8 mins together, vs a goal every 13.4 mins with the de facto 2nd line. So if KK’s concern is that Skinner on the 2nd will leak goals, in the limited time together (small sample), that has not been the case.
Skinner can’t find a place in the lineup and Frederick and Kane (both left shots) aren’t even in the lineup.
It seems, the die is cast unless there is an injury and he takes advantage of an insertion.
I know Kap is on the PK (but a depth PK role on this PK should not keep someone in the lineup) and “plays center” (apparently) but that swap is easy to make to my eye – not to the coach’s though it appears.
Brown scored last night – a lucky goal but he scored – the first 5 on 5 Brown sighting of 2025 its seems. Of course, Skinner scoring doesn’t keep him in the lineup but that is probably a month or rope for Brown!
Max Jones is keeping Skinner out of the lineup now. It’s clear that Jeff Skinner can’t provide what is needed for the team’s success.
I would say its clear the coach thinks that but not clear, at least to me, that its actually the case.
Of course, coach knows better than me but, well, even NHL coach’s can have blind spots too.
A bad offensive turnover by Jones and then chaotic backcheck led to the 4th goal against.
At least Jones has the wheels to attempt the backcheck to make up for his offensive turnover. It’s not as if Skinner, or any player has never had an offensive turnover.
Point being, all the other bottom six forwards makes turnovers and cause goals against but score much less than Jeff Skinner.
The skinner not playing thing is ridiculous. Kapanen in my eyes hasn’t done anything real special to stay in the lineup. Once Frederic arrives on ice, it should be interesting to see who comes out . When Kane gets back in , hopefully for game 1 of the dance, it will be even more interesting.
Someone brought up a really good point yesterday that pointed out something. Remember when Brown had a really good stretch picking up points and the 3rd line was playing great. At the same time Hyman had come back and was scoring in bunches at the same time.
Suddenly the coach put Brown with McDavid ( As a reward he stated) and dropped Hyman in the lineup. This was what was pointed out. Since then Brown went into the toilet points and goal wise, as did Hyman scoring. So why would you mess with Success ?
The same with Skinner were the 2 games before the 4 nations he was very good offensively and defensively . Then after the 4 Nations off that Drai line. He could have easily been back on that line over Arvy who had stunk and put Savoie on the right side which he did a few games later. It is baffling.
Walman and Jones were both very good last night. Let’s hope they both keep it up.
Team was playing very good but that penalty by Kulak really turned the tide. Great they held on.
McDavid is back and that’s great. The whole team , especially I. The 1st 2 periods were sending a message to the the big talking heads that we are good and you better watch out .Great Win
Kapanen is playing 4c at the moment. For the time being he is the RH 4c the team has been looking for. Could you see Jeff Skinner playing that role?
Kapanen was 1-5 in the dot last night and is <35% on the year. I’m not sure he’s the long term fit at 4C. Jeff Skinner is definitely not playing 4C.
I really wish they had gotten someone for the 4C role … but given what teams gave up for players who could be fits for that role (e.g. Gourde, Tanev, Laughton) I can understand why Stan prioritized other needs.
Ideally, Kane and Frederic come back healthy enough to be impact players on the top two lines, then RNH can be moved to 3C and Henrique to 4C.
Ryan, Kapanen, and Jeff Skinner are pretty good for injury insurance and can rotate into the lineup if fresh troops are needed.
McDavid was 6/14, Draisaitl was 9/15, Nuge was 3/4, Henrique was 5/11. Dallas won close to 53% of the draws. Kapanen has played center since he was 15 years old apparently.
I watched the 2nd and 3rd periods. Walman stood out and looked fantastic. Connor has looked tired for weeks, but last night, his old brilliant self returned. Then the comedic near collapse. I was expecting the Oilers to fold, but they hung on. They are still a fragile group, Walman looks like the missing piece they need on D. Can anyone figure out why Connor and Leon can’t hit an empty net to save their lives???
It’s just too easy.
Cause there is nobody to pass to?
Connor looked really good last game as well. Nice to see
Got to beat 4 good teams to win the cup but catching Vegas likely means a Wild team in the first round that is going to be healthier than they have been.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take a division title but a key is to stay ahead of the Kings.
This team can take down the Kings then Knights (if they survive the Wild).
Add Frederick and Kane (in for Kap and, likely Jones). Add Ekholm as well (from last night’s lineup).
I don’t think they do catch Vegas and am fine with that. That LA/Vegas game tonight is a big one .
I agree with this. MIN should be a tougher out than LAK.
Depends on whether they get Kaprizov back healthy before the playoffs start.
A healthy Minnesota team is far more difficult opponent that the Kings are.
Brodin coming back is huge too
The Wild are the weakest team by those numbers I track which includes all of the top teams. They are pretty wobbly defensively. I fear the Avs more if they drop back again. The Flames and Canucks don’t worry me either, assuming the Oil play like they can
Having two of Dallas Avs Knights and Kings out in the first round would be great. Then in the Central second round those two can beat themselves up nicely for the WCF
“Oilers are up 5-1 and almost can’t close it out”
and again they glance over at Skinner
I don’t think he can be blamed for any of the 3 goals in the 3rd period. What goalie is stopping Rantanen’s one timer? Dumba’s goal was a fluke/bad luck.
Jeff Skinner, he can get the blame even in the press box
Skinner gets no blame. The D was weak on q, 1 was a fluke and pp goals were nice.
You need to take a close look at the Stars, they’re a very good team. Skinner didn’t stand a chance on any goals against and made a couple tremendous saves to close out the game. The amazing thing was Edmonton had no PP opportunities.
I should add Edmonton is much improved after the TDL. Bowman couldn’t fix everything, but he still managed to make monumental improvements.
“Oilers just can’t finish”
and they glance over at Skinner
They scored 5 goals.
It had been building for a couple of games but the first 40 minutes of last night was pure Connor McDavid.
Such a joy to watch.
A top four of:
Ek – Bouchard
Nurse – Walman
is quite good. All four are quite big and mobile.
Knobber needs to find a spot for Skinner in the top six and move RNH to 3c and Henrique to 4C.
Yup Nuge has really struggled offensively.
I think they plan to have someone with more speed & size playing in the top six rather than Skinner. If Connor & Leon wanted Jeff Skinner playing in the top six, he would be right there.
Frederic and/or Kane will be rotating on the LW with McDavid and Draisaitl. Both are very good on the forecheck and will help with puck retrieval along the boards.
I think we could see all three of Frederic, Kane & Jones playing regularly during the playoffs. We’re going to see a very assertive / physical Oiler team. Can’t wait to see Ekholm back in the defensive rotation.
I’d rather see Frederic at 3C, Henrique at 4C.
Wait and see, the Oilers will have the flexibility to show plenty of different looks.
A possibility is having Henrique play wing in the top 6.
Hen McD Hym
Kane Drai Ariv
Fred RNH Brown
Jan(for PK)
Leaves a grab bag for the 4th line…Perry, Pods, Jones, Philip, Skinner, Ryan, Kap.
Prospectalas!
Ahhhhh, time change. Games start an hour earlier! And no more waiting until 9:30 a.m. Horsham time (or thereabouts) for the new blog post*! Huzzah!
A quintet of NAmateurs toil today, one of whom could be the first to have his season end.
That would be Paul Fischer, whose Notre Dame Cantankerous Celts play a deciding game 3 vs. the 3rd-ranked Minnesota Gilded Groundhogs. It’s far from a guarantee ND would get selected for the Frozen Four should they win tonight, but it would sure help their cause. A loss would essentially end Fischer’s sophomore season.
O’Reilly is o’rollin’, having rolled up 11 points (5 + 6) his last five. Nicholl has not been doing that thing though, seeking to stop his soupless streak at four.
The firm of Akey & Wakely, Attorneys at Law was reunited Friday night. Like Nicholl, Wakely has put up goose eggs his last four GP. Akey has just an assist his last five GP.
Barrie (Akey, Wakely) @ noon
London (O’Reilly, Nicholl) @ noon
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 5 p.m.
All times are two times and are also Benalto time.
*Until November anyway.
The Akey/Wakely Attorneys at Law thing is good, but I always imagined you’d use their names as an “Achy Breaky Heart” pun.
seems fitting from a fans POV right now with their recent (lack of) points.
”Don’t tear our hearts! Our Akey-Wakely Hearts!”
The “Achy Breaky Heart” references, while apt, are low-hanging fruit IMO.
I like aiming higher.
Jake Walman looked so calm and confident last night. Definitely a joy to see how well he fit in.
Max Jones is a man on a mission to stay in this lineup. 5 hits in 7:50 and at least 1 was a big hit on Rantanen.
His hits are the type of board rattling variety that leave no doubt an opposition player was put on notice. His speed on the forecheck and backcheck is noticeable.
His after hours interview and his awe of playing for the Oilers was instant fan favorite type of stuff.
I’m kind of glad that Federic is hurt right now because it gave Jones an opportunity to showcase himself. But I’m looking forward to seeing the new bash brothers together in the lineup.
Walman is absolutely the best fit on Edmonton’s blueline.
His first game definitely left an impression, but that is the best version of him. He doesn’t consistently string those games together, even though the hits kept coming on Saturday night.
Despite the noticeable crash and bang, there wasn’t much else that the trio brought to the table. I like the idea of two speedsters on the 4th line, but Kappanen is not an effective Centre, he too is a consistently inconsistent player. Together they don’t make a reliable effective duo, unfortunately.
Here is my current thoughts about the optimal playoff line-up (and the next men up).
Kane – 97 – Hyman
Freddy – 29 – Arvidsson
RNH – Henrique – Brown
Pokholzin – Philp – Perry
Janmark Ryan Kappanen
Skinner Hamblin
Jones Pederson
Cagguila
Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Walman
Kulak Emberson
Stecher Klingberg
Dermott Brown
Dineen Carrick
Regula*
Attard
Kemp
Skinner
Pickard
Rodrigue
Delia
Ungar
It doesn’t say much for Philp if they prefer Kapanen playing 4c at this juncture of the season.
What do you see in that third line? Not much of a threat to do much really.
They should be faster, tougher, or a greater threat to score
The fourth line doesn’t have much for penalty kill.
I would have Janmark in ahead of Brown, Janmark will be better in playoffs.
And for Philp, he doesn’t have one particularly strength to keep him in the line up. I know there was hope for him but as of today I prefer even Caggs for speed, Ryan for PK, and Jones is a mile ahead of all three of them right now.
1 – RNH and Henrique can score, this increases Brown opportunities. Janmark is where offense goes to die. Janmark is a part-time hitter, the team doesn’t have many physical players to choose for to start with.
2 – Philp & Podz PK, also Henrique, RNH, Brown, Arvidsson.
3 – Jones had one good game, but he was part of the problem vs Dallas. He is tweener, coming to Edmonton doesn’t change that.
4 – Philp played well in Edmonton, he is a solid 4C. He didn’t perform well overall on the dot, despite his earlier successes. I see that as his only issue. His size and smarts put him ahead of Ryan and his stellar faceoff acumen. And if you pay attention to fancy stats, Philp is the best RHC option in the organization
Ryan is a step slow and he takes far too much punishment out there. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Philp gets twice as many minutes in Bakersfield than he would see in Edmonton.
This is much better for him to improve/develop and be better prepared for the post-season.
Kane as 1LW is not realistic. Not only has he not played in a year, but when was the last time he was a legitimate first line player?
Maximum Jones