The Oilers long ago made it clear that the priority this spring was healthy players for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team surrendered some things, including any kind of push for second place in the division. The club may also have lost Darnell Nurse to start the playoffs due to a suspension, but we’re not there yet and do not know what the NHL 8-ball will decide.
What is clear is that the organization, management and coaches got their wish: The Oilers will be as healthy as possible for Game 1 against the Kings.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN APRIL
On the road to: VEG, SJS, LAK, ANA (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 2-2-0)
At home to: STL, SJS (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 2-0-0)
On the road to: WPG (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
On the road to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
Overall expected results: 5-3-1, 11 points in 9 games
April result: 5-3-0
Current record: 47-29-5, 99 points in 81 games
The game result mattered if the Oilers had interest in finishing second and securing home-ice. It’s been clear for some time that wasn’t a priority. Health came first, and now we wait to see if the plan was the best route this spring.
BOTTOM LINE ON LAST NIGHT
There’s already an air of Stampede Wrestling to the Oilers-Kings series that will begin in just a few days. I, for one, love it when events on the ice and the verbal off the ice angry up the blood. Danault’s comments about “B Squad” probably felt right in the moments, but I can see Leon Draisaitl in front of a camera on the night Edmonton clinches the series saying “B Squad” and using it as a hammer.
No one likes to be ridiculed unfairly, and athletes are especially quick to react in this area and effective in making the culprit pay. Suspect Mr. Danault will regret the comment, but we need to allow the script to play out.
Corey Perry‘s comments are the ones to pay attention to this morning. The roster needs to heal, last night was a reflection of it. No one on planet earth knows how badly some of these players are hurt, but we can conclude that last night’s roster offered a clue.
I don’t blame Danault for his comments, everyone is looking for an edge. I just don’t think it works against a veteran Oilers team. If he was looking for an edge with the referees, I’ll respectfully suggest the Kings already have it. Certainly at home.
The Oilers are professional athletes in pursuit of the dream they’ve had since childhood. Why give them more energy, more torque? The belief this team must have after getting so close last season has to be optimal, especially after the long road back to the postseason is complete.
Giving Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and company one more reason to thump you silly on the scoreboard is an interesting tactic. We’ll see how it plays out.
THE NUMBERS
There will be plenty written today about Darnell Nurse, that’s a play he’d want back for sure. However, I am always struck by how Nurse seems to get different treatment by some corners. When Chris Pronger received suspensions it was not met with the same response. Nurse is a physical player, he crossed a line and he will pay via money or lost games at an important point in the season. The Oilers have been accused of having zero toughness recently, and that’s simply not true. Sometimes that toughness comes at a cost. Consider this blog’s author on Team Nurse, this morning and every morning. Come what may.
A busy day on the Lowdown, beginning at noon on Sports 1440. Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic will be our feature guest, and Tuesdays mean Twang Tuesday music and Donovan Paulson’s unique approach to the rest of society. We’ll chat Nurse (possible) suspension, the starting lineup for Game 1 of the postseason, Jays, MLB draft and more. 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.
Oiler receives headshot or slew foot. We are told, “..it’s a tough sport..”
Nurse fights in garbage time or takes a livery of his own. We’re then told, “suspend him forever! You’re a team of cheap shot artists!!”
I would suggest that Josh Morrissey gutlessly cross-checking McDavid and Rantanen running full steam into Skinner’s head while in his crease would have been suspensions.
Instead we’ve seen McDavid miss 3 and Nurse facing suspensions. I don’t condone any of those hits, but justice is not equitable.
If I was Stan Bowman, I’d be calling the league to remind them that both games where Oilers players got out of hand, the common denominator was Wes…
Connor Carrick recalled from the Condors.
He’s been their second best d-man much of the year – he’s had a good AHL season.
Hard to keep track of our walking wounded. Is Walman out due to injury or illness???
Injury
But as referenced below Connor says they are good to go other than Ekky
Injury but I think he’s been on the level of Drai – essentially ready to play but giving extra time because they can’
Thanks!
McDavid is adamant that the group is healthier than the perception. They aren’t the walking wounded and they are ready to go.
Take it with a grain of salt I’m sure but the man seems in playoff mode, ready to prove the masses wrong.
Which would include yourself as you’ve stated multiple times in the last couple of years McDavid hasn’t been or looked generational at any point.
That is 100% false and inaccurate. A complete misrepresentation of my opinions and, well, essentially a lie.
I’m surprised people are talking suspension. Seems like a fine at most. But the league will probably suspend him for game 1. And Doughty will do the same thing and won’t get a penalty
The mainstream media verbal often tells the tale. The fact that it is mostly in the fine to 1 game range is encouraging, but I will burn candles until we hear word.
It glanced off the helmet and didn’t hit the neck.
Maybe Byfield wants an acting gig? LA will do that to you.
Oilers in 4 makes the most mathematical sense, right?
The problem I have with classifying Nurse’s actions as suspendible is that cross checks are legal in the NHL. I know this by the fact that none of the 5-10 cross checks per game that are delivered to McDavid or Draisaitl are called as penalties. I guess it could have been called illegal head contact.
While we are at it, anyone else ever wonder why you are allowed to cross check guys in the back and kidneys in front of the net, but breaking a guys stick with a slash is a penalty almost every time? Are we more concerned with the welfare of a 500 dollar hockey stick or an actual person?
Moneypuck is running a free hockey pool for anyone interested.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7LtA6UMvGnA8yU5Skt_rOIBbG2srJwryo8oFtWxyw-idicA/viewform
I like the scoring system. Including expected goals is fantastic. They should expand this to goalies next year and have wins + GSAx/60 too.
Yeah…I was impressed with their approach.
Goaltenders would be great.
Nurse hearing won’t be until tonight due to the team travelling.
Dreger says likely one game max, maybe just a fine.
If so, that would be a huge relief. I’m guessing Byfield is doing alright
Oilers with an optional skate before they head to San Jose, attended by:
McDavid
Drai
Hutson
Klingberg
That’s going to be the thrill of a lifetime for Hutson – be the first one on, and the last one off kid!
Its not every day you get the ice pretty much to yourself and John Klingberg!
The thing about team toughness, is that if you never do it, then you are never good at it.
Oilers suddenly turning on the “toughness” was awkward and looked like a team throwing a tantrum. Refs picked out penalties with ease.
Some rosters are well practiced at the filth.
I am one who likes to see the intensity but there is huge danger here. Kings are chumming the waters, they will antagonize but they fully intend to only bait the Oilers. Do not expect the big scrums. Kings intend to draw penalties.
This is a new team, well schooled by the Oilers, they intention is to adapt and overcome. Oilers will need a strong game plan themselves.
This is why Nurse is partially ineffective. Nurse doesn’t fight ever hardly or gets into any kind of trouble then when he does it’s often out of proportion.
nurse picking on the 6’5 guys again
This underlies the issue I had with Holland being obsessed with ‘nice guys’. Most hoceky players are pretty nice people, off the ice. Perry is quiet and seems shy. He’s a beast on the ice. That’s how I would transition the Oilers, back to their glory team personality
Sather knew they had to be at least as nasty as the other teams and how they would try to hold the Oilers back. Give me one or two nice guys and the rest who like the game within the game and give at least as much as they get. Who instigate not react. The Flyers principle
The beauty of talking about team toughness and it’s completely subjective. Hits? Scrums after whistle? Driving team to distraction. Many of these components are outside play generally so aren’t measured.
The last bastion of the non-analytics community. Practiced toughness? What does that even mean? Whatever you want it to mean.
Condors have signed Matt Copponi to an ATO.
I wonder if he’ll get an ELC for next year….
Hope I’m wrong, but going to assume Nurse is going to get 2 games and miss 1 playoff game, this is to ensure the league will give LA a leg up on the oilers.
Exactly. Kings deserve a leg up, let’s ensure they get it. Let’s make sure Wes refs that first game too.
When you think about it giving Nurse one game just does the Oilers a favor by giving Nurse some R&R before the playoffs, which he should probably have anyway.
There are dozens of plays harsher than last night’s “crosscheck” in a given week, usually not even receiving 2 minutes, much less a suspension.
This league’s interpretation of its own rules is easily the most embarrassing of any professional sport.
Except it was the head, their latest meme. Barkov can break fingers, without touching the glove apparently, which others usually get called for
The NHL is bush league in so many ways
Not that I disagree but if that happened to an Oiler, we’d be throwing our hands up. I am a big fan of the Oilers but I can also look at these things from both sides. That was definitely a penalty and wouldn’t be shocked nor argue that it’s a suspension.
we totally would…. lots of posturing going on already. Keeping Byfield off the ice after was one of them. Dainty posturing the refs/league at intermission but also giving the oil bulletin board material was another, maybe a poor choice.
Good News: our roster for Game 1 will be drastically better than anything we have seen for the last month
Bad News: the Oilers have had trouble “flipping the switch” in the past i.e. pre-season to regular season the last two years. Here’s hoping this Spring is different!
McDavid, Drai, Hyman, Stetcher, Frederic (if he plays), and Kane (if he plays) will all be considerably less than 100% healthy. This will be a very challenging series.
“Will all be” is a very strong statement for not knowing how injured any of the first 4 actually are.
Are you on the training staff?
They’re going to give Nurse 5 games, league is going to do everything they can to help LA.
ouch… that makes me feel ill… As if I don’t vent enough about how terrible the game management is…. I HOPE not. That makes me not even want to watch this league
I’m just doomsaying from years of ptsd lol
2 goals for Berezkin today. 8 points in 7 playoff games.
I’m hoping Beryozkin’s floor is a player like Maxim Tsyplakov on NYI, who finished his rookie NHL campaign with 35 points in 75 games. Tsyplakov is a couple years older than Beryozkin.
That type of production next season would make an excellent addition.
I don’t think the question is if he can play in the NHL next season its if he can step in and be more than a middle six player.
Presuming they get him sign, he’s locked on the roster I think.
Sh$t can happen when one ices a pre-season roster in game 81 of the season when 2nd place in the division, and home ice is at stake.
Shame on Jackson, Bowman, and Knoblauch. Metaphoricallly, they sent Nurse out to fight defenseless to a knife fight against three guys.
In the situation last night, somebody should have been telling the ultra-competitive players who would have to eat shit for sixty minutes, to eat it in good humour for all the sixty minutes.
Nurse is not the one to blame.
This is the 2nd time that a coach did not protect Nurse from his hypercompetitiveness by not proactively instructing and reminding him.
One of the jobs of a coach is to protect his players from themselves. Woodcroft failed at a critical moment, and now Knoblauch has made the same mistake at a critical moment.
This is one of the funniest and most bizarre posts I have ever read. There is so much for easy rebuttal, but I’ll simply say that you have no idea what the coaches did or did not say to players.
This and, apparently players don’t have any personal agency.
What utterly nonsensical opinions, that are for some reason presented as facts.
All I have to say is “huh?”
Do you specifically know what conversations happened with Nurse? Pretty impressive you’re that in the know.
1. Nurse defenseless to a knife fight: I think he showed he is NOT defenseless.
2. They sent Nurse out to fight 3 guys. I don’t even understand this comment.
3. Failed to protect players from themselves? I don’t agree with the idea that Nurse needs to be protected from himself. Or mostly any adult. That doesn’t mean that we don’t all make mistakes. But that’s life.One hopes to learn from them.
4. What was the woodcroft moment of failure? A Nurse suspension against Vegas?
5. I guess we differ in opinion where you don’t believe people are responsible enough to be trusted to make good decisions. Personal agency as someone else stated.
6.As stated, we have no clue what Knob did or did not say over the course of the game.
Didn’t have the opportunity to watch the game last night. However, I did watch the replay of Nurses crosscheck to Byfield’s back of head, that appeared to be more of a love tap than anything. He definitely held back on what could have been absolute devastation. if Byfield was actually injured on the play, which I doubt, there might be some discipline. In the heat of the moment Nurse was going through the motions more than anything.
Being totally fair if that happened to any of the Oilers, we’d have our hands thrown in the air in exasperation. It was not something that should be condoned.
It did recently happen to Perry from Binnington.
Agreeing a player deserved to be kicked out for the rest of the game and fined but not suspended is not condoning an act. It is a comment on the magnitude of the discipline compared to the magnitude of the act.
The NHL is very hesitant to suspend guys in the playoffs, considering each game as being worth 2. If that is the case, and it is not an in-person hearing, I can’t see more than a game. I did not see the play (early to bed, early to rise) but there wasn’t videos all over the place this morning, which suggests it is not worth 3-5 games. Thus, if I had to guess, he sits out the SJS game only.
Bearing in mind, I am regularly, frequently, wrong.
its a crapshoot the way they hand out discipline. cough JOKE cough
This is true, except it’s the Oilers
I’ve been listening carefully to Friedman when he talks about suspensions on his podcast. He seems to be pretty plugged in to the way they reason there, especially on the last few things which escaped suspension. Basically, Parros is nervous about getting overruled like he did early this year, and has been doing suspensions on the low end. Couple that with the belief that playoffs matter more (2:1) and I would have trouble believing that Nurse is going to earn 3 or more games. 2 likely if it was regular season, but 1 if playoffs. I will hedge my bets and say I won’t be surprised if he sits out game 1, but I will be very surprised if he sits for game 2 as well.
I hope it’s just the Sharks
I just watched the video replay. That’s worth a suspension? Are you kidding. I know there’s a history with Nurse, but it was a semi rough take down. Byfield has to know this stuff happens in front of the net. Or should be playing no contact hockey.
A semi rough take down and a semi rough crosscheck which could have been way worse than it really was.
I agree. Penalty yes, suspension no.
Curious about QB’s status. Forgive me for suspecting that was theatrics more than injury. Let’s just see if he’s ready for Game 1.
It’s not the take down that’s the issue, that happens every game, it’s the following shoving the shaft of the stick into the back of his head/neck. We’d be pissed if that happened to an Oiler and we’d be throwing a tantrum. Fair is fair.
It’s funny to me though. The take down was the only dangerous part of that. But it was the part that was completely ok. It was the soft push of a stick into a helmet that might be punishable.
It’s backwards to me, but it is what it is.
Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t see the Nurse cross-checks as particularly violent or dangerous. Certainly nothing worth a suspension. Lots of plays every night that are equally or more dangerous, most of which rent even called penalties.
It wasn’t but it was the act. So agreeing with you, hopefully it is only 1 game.
A cross check no matter how strong to the back of the head/neck to a defenceless player is not a play that we should be condoning. If this happened to Hyman we’d be pissed as fans. Fair is fair, whatever the punishment is, it’s a fair punishment because it’s not something that is a good play.
This is true but, at the same time, I would suggest a bare-first punch to the eye of a defenseless player is even worse – even if it didn’t break an orbital bone – zero games.
Why does how hard it was not matter? If he breaks his stick on his head there, the force absolutely matters. There are certainly degrees of dangerous.
I agree. If we are worried about player safety, it’s the takedown that was more dangerous. The stick was pretty gentle.
Who thinks Byfield will be playing game 1?? lol If I had 4 arms I would raise em all. Should it be a suspension? maybe 1 game after an ejection and 15 mins. He will likely get 2.
The bare fist punch to the face of Forbert when he was down got zero games. It broke the orbital bone and is 10X worse than what Nurse did.
He probably gets a game but he shouldn’t and it better not be more than 1.
I hope its not more than 1 for sure! it should just be the largest fine after the penalty mins and ejection.
Nurse has two prior suspensions which may play into the decision.
It totally will and he will get 2 imo. I don’t agree but am biased lol just a little.
Prior history could (should) take it from fine to one-game – max.
hopefully
Danault’s intermission comments, Perry and Brown’s responses.
Responses were muted but these guys really don’t like each other. It’s clear.
It’s going to be aggressive this series.
Fun to watch but tough to start a long playoff run that way (although, really, the first round tends to be rough).
Nurse to have a hearing. There will be games missed.
I think 2 things can be simultaneously true. That I am a huge Nurse fan and rooting like hell for him, but he was a complete bone head for about 3 seconds. Deliver the cross check to the back and it’s a different story. He had time and picked where he used his stick, that’s what the replays show.
Even though it’s only 3 seconds, single moments can define players. It was a selfish play, by someone who should have realized his increased value to this team after Ekholm was ruled out. Max Jones makes that play, we don’t stress. I know that seems unfair but it’s reality
He def wants it back. I hope its 2 games only or 1 …. likely 2 … its a bit of bullshit though. It depends who it is in this league.
It’s not unfair at all. Nurse is supposed to be a veteran leader and his paycheck says he’s supposed to be one of the league’s best D. There is no defense for it. I asked guys who have played high level hockey about decisions in the moment – when Chara broke Paccioretty’s neck I didn’t buy that he didn’t know what he was doing as was the main narrative – and to a fellow they all said player’s know what they are doing in the moment. Two of these fellows were tough guys when they played
It was a selfish undisciplined thing to do
100% they know and players want to hurt the other players. Marchand’s had some great comments on that. It was a stupid play by Nurse. Hopefully he only gets 1, I have a feeling it will be 2 though…
Probably
Yes he should have been aware of his importance, but what about being aware of the game state. Why do that at the tale end of killing a 5 on 3? Where does it leave your teammates?
The only thing more ironic than Kings fans whining about the refs is Lakers fans whining about the refs.
According to team stats they had 8 power plays of which they scored twice. Not sure they have anything to whine about but I didn’t watch the game.
LT,
Great point re: Nurse and Pronger.
I would have to fact check my memory, but Pronger seemed more strategic about his suspensions. Nurse fighting a loser at the end of lost game in the playoffs and cross checking someone’s head in game 80 is just poor timing.
Yes I lean this way. Further jeopardizing a season for the other guys with a pointless dumb play that will get you suspended for sure is hard to fathom. If they lose to the Things for me that was a deal breaker. It’s hard to win if players don’t have enough game sense
And Danault is a tool
I disagree, the Nurse suspension against the Knights was a joke. Fights like that had happened during the season and none of those players got suspended. Nurse was being a good teammate.
The crosscheck is poor timing but seemed fairly mild as far as crosschecks go. I would guess 1 game, but I’m usually wrong about suspensions…
Great post LT, and spot on!
I had just watched the Danault video prior to coming here and had similar thoughts. I always loathed Eller for calling our team an AHL team some time ago. I’m looking forward to Saturday (just a hunch) and I think Nurse was assessed accordingly on the ice and shouldn’t receive further discipline.
— I’m excited to see playoffs for sure.
— This isn’t how you draw up in-season prep however to be ready and rested for a long playoff Run after being so close. Let’s not kid ourselves.
— home ice advantage matters a lot
— what matters more is the health of the key roster players.
— so two massive down arrows IMO
— You know – some rest management less minutes for stars and cogs etc is ideal prep a few extra days at home before series start etc.
— players not being available for lots of games after missing games or not finishing games due to injury and potential suspensions: sub optimal
— or rope-a-dope McD on his own for 16ws :
LFGOILERS!!!
I truly believe that, for the entire season, the focus has been on getting ready for the playoffs. This team has tried to win games but conserve energy and reduce aggregate wear and tear with excess body contact.
Of course, it didn’t really work given how banged up they got but this team, if they have a semblance of health, will be a totally different team in the playoffs.
Can’t wait.
It certainly feels like a different tactic from years past. Hope it works! I’m particularly eager to see Kane and Freddy in action. These two change the makeup of the team considerably.
I was hoping for a bit more from Jones in this regard. He bangs a bit but hasn’t been scrumming/fighting as expected. Can’t see him playing if the team is healthy.
— it’s not a “tactic” that key guys have missed lots of games due to injuries, left games because hurt., came back after being hurt then getting hurt again.
— Except for Kane coming back for playoff run this “prep” isn’t by design. for sure McD has had less ice time all year and that by design too…
— Sure they might be showing more caution with injured guys but they didn’t design the season to end like this. That’s just kidding ones self as is the prerogative of a fan.
— As a fan I hope for the best but pretty comfortable I know which side of the the cup or bust they will land. Unless they all come back rocky style after being in the mountains training up and come back 100%.
— We wait.
Which is why the injury comment is no where in the post
— maybe I misunderstood: what “tactic” are you referring to?
— They are reacting to injuries. Not playing injured guys and bringing up callups isn’t a tactic. It’s a reaction.
Agreed, it’s crazy! We have no idea what this team will be for game 1. The forward lineup could be stellar with Kane/Fred back. If Nurse is out that is a gigantic loss for that game.
Pagnotta reporting that Nurse will have a hearing.
Please, let this only be one game.
Prospectway!
All five remaining NAmateurs take the ice today.
London and Barrie both take 2-0 series leads on the road (Erie and Kingston, respectively).
O’Reilly’s point streak stands at 15 games, fashioning 3 + 7 in six playoff matches. Nicholl came alive with 1 + 2 yestergame.
After a somewhat pedestrian regular season, Wakely has made like Genesis and turned it on, turned it on again with 3 + 11 in seven postseason affairs. Akey has four apples in that same span.
B-B-B-Berry and the ‘Jacks can advance with another win tonight. (Fun fact: The youngest Hutson brother, Lars, is on the Muskegon roster.)
London (O’Reilly, Nicholl) @ 5 p.m.
Barrie (Akey, Wakely) @ 5 p.m.
Muskegon (Berry) @ 5 p.m.
All times are the same time and are also Fort Resolution (NWT) time.
Excited to get round one going and see what happens. Hate to be playing LA first round as they always seem to injure a few players, but here we are.
I don’t think McDavid was playing last night!
My initial reaction in the moment was that it wasn’t suspension worthy but upon reflection, and considering Nurse’s history, I won’t be surprised with a couple of games.
I hope it’s less than three. Thing is, I thought the stick to the head was gentle, and into the helmet. It was the take down that was the actual dangerous play. But it’ll be the stick that draws the suspension.
Nurse got a game for absolutely nothing against Vegas, absolutely he’ll get 3 playoff games.
The league hates the Oilers.
I agree on Nurse. Intimidation works, and Byfield will think twice before entering the battle in front of Edmonton’s net going forward. It’s the same reason it’s so important that Kane is returning.
Couple typos in your stats LT. Should be Hutson and RNH instead of McDavid.
Fixed, and I thank you. btw, Bruce McCurdy used to send me notes when mistakes were made, always appreciated it. So, if you see any SVR (they WILL be there), don’t hesitate to let me know as you did today.
Oilers have done pretty well in series where they have been the assumed ‘underdog’, last year in Dallas, Calgary in ’22… My pessimism around this team is higher than in pervious recent seasons, but I also think we have the Kings “right where we want them”… I am now assuming a Nurse suspension (Oiler Tax) for Game 1. Get the split in LA. One thing at a time.
Careful what you wish for, Mr. Danault (pretty sure Danault is French for “dainty”)
🤓