The Oilers had a blast, blast, blast against Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night, but this evening will be a more challenging game. The Winnipeg Jets are on top of the world, looking down on creation, and are perhaps the best version of the new world Jets we’ve seen (or ever, really). It sounds like some of the Oilers best players may miss tonight’s game due to various maladies, but the fog of war exists and we’ll have to wait and see.
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 2-2-0)
- At home to: UTA, WPG, SEA, DAL (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- 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: 6-3-0
- Oilers in 2024-25: 40-24-4, 84 points in 68 games
This could be a preview of the Stanley Cup Semi-Final and I’m hopeful we get a strong game from both sides. Winnipeg is a strong team with exceptional goaltending, and the Oilers sometimes struggle against this bunch. For me, it’s been this way since Dustin Byfuglien ran over Brandon Davidson without noticing him. Davidson was like cardboard on the highway under a Mack truck. Damnable Byfuglien.
THE 2008-09 OILERS DEFENSE
I’ve been talking about this group of defensemen lately, as my mind drifted back to ‘the last group of Oilers blue this good’ and I landed 15 years ago just a little south of Moline. This was MacT’s last team and they could play. He got 38 wins out of them despite some difficult forwards.
I was so happy Lubo was traded to Edmonton, my post that day was ridiculous. The following season Lubo met the only coach who didn’t love him and was down the line. The 2008-09 Lubo played 50 games with Edmonton, and had a 52 percent goal share (54 percent expected). He combined for a 64 percent goal share when playing with Denis Grebeshkov, who had some chaos in his game and I’m understating it.
I think this year’s defense is better, and it’s also better than last season’s team. Meaning that the current incarnation of Edmonton’s defense is the best since Tower of Power Chris Pronger was still a young man. Music!
A big day on the Lowdown, beginning at noon on Sports 1440. We’ll have Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation pop in to help us tee up tonight’s game, plus wall-to-wall coverage of the NCAA basketball March Madness as it tips off. Liam Peace will preview Canada-Mexico at the Nations League Finals, and Donovan Paulson will help us figure out the Toronto Blue Jays in an ever changing AL East. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio, Radioplayer Canada, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.
Spec just wrote
McDavid was seen without any visible aids — no sling, no cast — after the game, smiling and speaking with a teammate’s son, and Knoblauch did manage a chuckle or two in his post-game media address, both signs that whatever nicked up McDavid is likely not catastrophic.
Just amazed at how clean teams play vs the Oilers. 1 infraction by the Jets tonight. Another incredible display of discipline!
Seriously. Why can’t they just send Jones or Stetcher to go two hand à la Pietrangelo Hellebyuck’s knee from behind? Seriously. There’s no reason to expect referees or the dept of player safety to take care of our stars.
The otherwise nuclear deterrent of one of our guys taking out their star should be a regular practice if they target our stars.
I was trying to think who they’d send for the second pair of forwards, never imagined they’d send 2 D. I get it, it gets a bit thin in terms of speed+offence+dependability. But I did not like that call at all. It’s a confidence thing. Lots of forwards battled for the tie, let them have a say in the outcome. Pick 2 of Arvi, Henrique, Skinner, Brown. They won’t be giving pucks away as easily in the O zone that’s for sure.
I watched the McDavid/Morrisey exchange several times on the PVR and I’m still not sure what happened
Strudwick and Stauffer suggested hack to the left hand/arm and left it at that- I’m not so sure
Connor had his left hand/arm up to get around Morrissey, and it (kind of) looked like Morrissey just leaned in with his stick and caught McDavid in the ribs as McDavid went by him
Reports now coming out that McDavid left the game due to ‘lower body issue’
That clears things up LoL
Jets broadcast said that they thought McDavid was favouring his groin.
If Hopkins was passing to Skinner, they win.
Coach can’t see it even in a 2-goal game.
You’re assuming Skinner gets to that position. Hyman and Nuge have been together all year long in OT and have done well. Skinner should have been out at some point, but we’ll never know
Spotter didn’t grab Helly?
Sure wish we got the win, but that was a very impressive effort to get a very important Bettman point. Battled all night (including against the refs), missing the guy who’s been their best player all season, missing McDavid for the 3rd and OT, missing their starter for the last 10 minutes of action. That’s a lot. Tough situation for Pickard to get thrown into.
Did Picks get his stick tangled in Nurses skates? Opening up his arm?
What a shame but doesn’t take away from a great effort by the fellas in the third.
Hard grinding work that got them the tying goal. I sure hope the bottom sixers remember how to do this, without Connor or Leon on the ice. That was done hard nosed hockey, right there.
Nurse had Pickard’s stick between his legs… Too close to the goalie.
Yup, and that was after his needless turnover in the O zone. Not a good sequence for a Nurse
He’s usually backed in way too far. Tethered to the net
Gutsy effort in the third to get it to OT. They generated the HQ chance – just didn’t go. Hopefully 97 is ok.
I ain’t even mad. Well fought point against the Jets and the refs.
Like Florida I think that team is coached to dive.
It’s part of having success in this league. Oilers need to sell more calls
In a just league, Ehlers would be fined and Morrissey suspended
Surely you jest! This is the NHL……
NHL importing CONCACAF officials?
Bigger than the lost point is looming issues for our top guys. Hard fought point.
Yikes, the puck management from Nurse on that O-Zone possession.
Ooof…the wrong Connor settles it…
Why did Nurse give the puck up for no reason in the O zone?
Hyman will never score again.
What a gutsy third period that was! Just to getting the game to OT is huge!!!
Nuge, Hyman Bouch to start OT
Once again Winnipeg is perfect angels.
Getting to OT is a terrific outcome win or lose. Refs totally stacked the deck in favour of the Jets.
If the coach doesn’t play Jeff Skinner in this OT…
It didn’t last long enough.
That was a hard fought point. Gritty effort on pk.
Well earned 1 point. A 2nd would be fantastic.
Yup take it and run but it’s not over yet fingers crossed
Liking the Viking chirping Scheifele after he was giving Pickard a hard time garnering a stoppage in play due to his mask becoming dislodged.
Oilers FULL value for that point.
What an amazing third period they played given the context.
Great job guys!
You know I think I am pretty happy with a point tonight all things considered….
that was a big big PK…gutsy 3rd period by this group
Too bad the Oscars were just held. Ehlers could have come up for Best Actor.
Outstanding performance!!
Ehlers probably sold that but why would Perry be that dumb?
Better find that sniper. Like how is that not embellishment? Full double axle
That was a serious boneheaded play by Perry. And he knows it
How can you not call a dive? Bullshit…
Louie and Jack confirming it was the league spotter calling down and pulling Stu Skinner
Perry now with a late penalty….
That’s one where you call them both…..
DIVE!
Stupid Perry
Stripes determined to get two points for the Jets……
No McDavid (missed roughing/cross check), weak call on Ekholm followed by weak call on Nurse. Missed goaltender interference on Skinner (that was a gentle push at best, would have been called on Hyman 100%).
Gutsy game so far.
Great defence by Nurse!
Terrible pass by Janny – bad time (and skaters) for an icing.
Hit a rut and bounced, that’s why Arvy was laughing.
Ya, that puck bounced.
Janmark has been a real drag this year. Rather see Savoi in .
This league is something.What a joke,
Hilarious that your goalie gets a shot to the head, but they don’t stop the play. But eventually when they do he has to come out. Even if he was pushed in and no penalty, stop the bloody play.
Win, lose or draw. This team is showing some serious heart and suddenly playing grind hockey to get back into this game.
Getting to the net and fighting. Love it!
Jet’s broadcast doesn’t show what happened to SSkinner.
Vilardi ran into him and hit his head with a shoulder. Didn’t look that bad????
Time to lose an edge going in on Helly.
Should have been a penalty?
No he was pushed into Skinner.
Louie and Jack suggesting it was the concussion protocol but nothing official (yet)
Hyman’s hot hand rhymin’ lately.
BOOM!!! Hyman delivers!!! Lunchpail gang finds a way!!!
They earned that one!!!
Great garbage goal by Hyman! Thats a big goal!!!!
What an effort in the 3rd – earned a goal!
atta boy Zac!!!