It would be easy to look past the Dallas Stars, but there is work to do. The news has been fast and furious this week (Oilers winning consistently, Stuart Skinner in the zone, Nuge playing his best hockey, Zach Hyman’s devastating injury, Mattias Ekholm’s imminent return, Florida Panthers solving the Hurricanes in a quick hurry) and all of those things are worthy conversation.
Today, and possibly the weekend, the focus should be on the Dallas Stars. They are going to bring everything tonight.
On the other team, at five-on-five, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is scoring 5.77 points-60 during the Stars’ series (four games, small small sample) and is playing brilliant hockey. Evan Bouchard is at 4.01 ponts-60, Hyman 3.98, Connor McDavid 3.77 in what has been a magical series for each man. Evander Kane (2.21) and Leon Draisaitl are also bringing it.
I would choose Connor Brown (1.86 points-60 in three games versus Dallas) to replace Hyman on the top line, but Corey Perry (zero five-on-five points in 43 minutes during this series) will receive strong consideration. Brown’s availability looms large if this series continues after tonight.
There is some good news from the injured group, despite the disappointment of the Hyman injury. Ekholm could be back as soon as tonight, and Calvin Pickard is available. He could very well play a major role for the team in the days to come. I remain hopeful Trent Frederic gets more of his game back, although he is unlikely to be 100 percent this season.
Watching the Florida Panthers is a furious experience. This is a highly skilled team, with a filthy edge that spells attrition in all caps for opposition. The forecheck is suffocating. Watching the Hurricanes try to deal with it was like watching a pack of hyenas in pursuit of some poor Zebra. Painful.
The Oilers are busy with the Stars currently, but I did want to (once again) point to the wisdom of Stan Bowman adding John Klingberg and Jake Walman during the season. They are veterans who can retrieve and move the puck, making them a perfect fit for a clash with the Panthers.
There I go looking past Dallas. Thankfully, no one on the Oilers team is going to make that mistake tonight. Expect fury. Expect physical. And a final note: if you think the Stars are filthy, hold on to your ass if the Oilers advance to the Final.
We’ll preview tonight’s game with the lines and pairings, plus Oilers talk on the Lowdown. We start at noon today, feature guest is Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation and your comments are welcome.
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.
We were the Kardiac Kids for the first 8 games of the playoffs now we’re the front runners as we’ve scored the 1st goal 8 straight games.
It’s ’sort of’ a shame to see teams demoralized the way they are being, over a few playoffs
I don’t mean to get too far ahead, but the recognition of what is happening was slow with the 80s team as well. Teams think they have a legit chance. They don’t anymore if the Oilers come to play. Last playoffs they still did have some chance, as Defired said
If they can carry this forward teams will learn, as they did before, and submit like a sheep to the shearer. They won’t be so shattered. This could have started earlier, but alas
Dallas was in trouble before this series. DeBore should know and probably does, which makes his bus under throwing unprofessional for a fella with his NHL tenure. They only had 3players above .500 5v5 GF%. And no elite players even if some very good. Not a likely way to succeed post season
The Oilers scraped by last playoffs because of a lot of guys struggling for whatever reason, many with weak goal shares. And they had 3 elite players that got them that far and Stu winning a few that they probably shouldn’t have like game 6 vs Dallas
Teams rolling in playoffs don’t play long series very often. I went through and posted a few months ago. This time they are rolling like that and Connor has mentioned it, feels ‘more normal’. The Panthers as well, but the east is weaker than folks were seeing. TO with the best push against them. Whallop them lads
Connor McDavid’s points/60 minutes is 3.43, Draisitl is 2.56,Nuge is 2.65, Bouchard 2.32.
After last night, Jeff Skinner is 4.83
That’s a drop for Skinner from game 1. He really gave that 3rd line a different dimension. Don’t know what they’re going to do with Brown back
Take out Frederic, insert Brown.
That’s what I would do but the perception is we need big bodies to respond to Florida. If Frederic isn’t 100% then that big body can’t move around as well
Skinner with a sub .850 game and they come out on top anyway. I won’t comment on whether Skinner played well or not but I want to say that the way this team can defend feels different than almost any year since I’ve personally been a fan.
If they can defend that well in the Finals, look out Cats. You’re screwed.
LFGOILERS!!!!
Skinner (3rd goal aside) made the big stops when we needed them. He will have to be at the top of his game against Florida. No softies. This team is deep and complete. Looking forward to Wednesday. Go Oilers.
I hope Kane & Fred absolutely shatter Bennet & Ekblad. Physically and emotionally.
Dallas is built like the Oilers were for a long time, sans the Duo
Maybe it’s the Deeetroit thing, but nice teams trying to play nice fancy hockey can get owned, as we know. And our perspective coming from having more talent, not less
The panthers are a different style, but given health they are not in the asshattery drivers seat this time
Dallas didn’t register a shot on net in the final 16 minutes and 16 seconds with their season on the line.
Let’s see which reporter is still dumb enough to ask if the Oilers can play defence. My money’s on Spector.
Will Dallas use their ample cap space to sign more Matt Dumbas so they can be healthy scratched in the playoffs next year too?
Stay tuned.
They’ll weaponize the hell out of their cap space now. Watch out!
Nuge and Podz were the only forwards without a point tonight in an elimination game. How’s that for depth?
I’m so happy for Jeff Skinner,
He got the call, scored the goal & got the W.
YUGE win!
Jeff Skinner is 1 assist and 4 goals away from matching Holloway’s playoff production with 24 less playoff games played.
Only four skaters who have played so far in the playoffs are goalless:
Ekholm (1 GP)
J. Brown (1)
Stecher (6)
Emberson (9)
That’s 17 man-games, so essentially one player each game without a goal.
TL,DR: Depth is fun!
The oilers don’t have depth!! This is a fabrication
Oilers won 4 in a row against Stars and LAK, and 4/5 against Vegas. Really impressive to have belief that they can beat any team multiple times in succession
Duchene 12 pts in 37 playoff games and Hintz 20 pts in 32 playoff games over the last 2 years.
Benn with 29 pts in 54 playoff games, and Seguin 30 pts in 56 playoff games over last 3 years.
Either all these guys had injuries in multiple years, or they don’t have it come playoff time.
I remember how much shit Thornton and Marleau got, and the big 4 in Toronto are getting, and Dallas stars aren’t even in the same ballpark.
For a 5th round draft pick in 2007 Jamie Benn has had a hell of a career. He has played 15 yrs of heavy hockey. He is near the end of his career. His wall has been lurking
If Dallas is relying on him to carry the team in points they have built their team wrong.
I’m more concerned that their young stars Robertson and Johnson both have 56 games played (Total playoffs which I’m assuming close to those 3 yrs)
and have 44 pts and 32 pnts respectively. Which is very similar to Benn and seguin. Who by all accounts are late career vets
Meaning you are a Dallas Stars fan?
I don’t think the oilers are good- HH probably
Also, Seth Jones, greatest dman ever.
I still chuckle thinking about his post at the end of the second round, touting the vast superiority of the Carolina Hurricanes and their amazing team and defence.
with his hand-curated set of stats to show how they would dominate the Panthers and or course the Oilers.
This is totally a pink slip moment for DeBoer! When he said something to like, “McDavids not going to miss that fourth goal and then that’s it game over”…. If I’m Jake O I am totally pissed… he never gave him a chance to battle for his team and stop McDavid on that shot.
Second coach these playoffs we’ve turned into a nutcase.
If the choice is Deboer or Otter, it aint the franchise goalie getting canned.
Wow Deboer avail is interesting.
DeBoer says he felt Edmonton was better this year than Dallas, not last year. Very truthful in his answers, hard on Otter
There were a couple times when he looked like he wanted to rag on Oettinger but checked himself.
Interesting comment. He would know better than almost anybody else. Even if Florida is a load, that bodes well for the Finals.
“Perry’s goal, meanwhile, was his seventh of the playoffs — as many as Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Mason Marchment, Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov combined.”
According the DNB in The Athletic.
Robertson was injured. Benn, Duchene and Seguin seem to be in steep playoff decline.
A smart GM would let Duchene and Benn walk as UFAs come July
Man, it’s a beautiful time to be an Oiler fan.
Dallas took out two very good teams in Colorado and Winnipeg.
Then we took them out with hardly breaking a sweat.
Going the distance in both series probably didn’t help the Stars’ cause either.
It’s funny, there are certain match-ups you just dread, and Dallas was one I had been worried about throughout these playoffs.
Would not have wanted to face Anaheim this year, either.
They broke our Hyman in the process though, so there is that.
Arvidsson-Janmark-Podkolzin at 5 on 5 tonight – Goodness Gracious!
7:44 TOI
100.0% Expected Goals For
66.7% Corsi
100.0% Fenwick
The worst performing line by metrics was McDavid’s and worst performing pair was Walman-Klingberg, while Nurse-Kulak killed it.
3rd line did very well and yet for some reason Skinner had 30% xGF
Skinner was on the long shift where they got dominated and eventually took a penalty. Would have hurt the metrics.
Reporters should be evicted from the media room if they use the phrase “how big was that?”
umm, very big? Like ask about why the team responds that way, what the message is from the bench, is it leading by example or vocal leaders on the bench. Ask for insight don’t answer your own question while asking.
rant over
Saturday June 14th at home is when will hoist number 6.
If I was in charge of any establishment, I’d already be on the phones hiring more staff and an extra week’s supply of booze for the 14th.
I sure hope so because I have tickets
Got an extra one?!?!? Just saying, I’ve been to a game each series – they’ve won, and then got on to win 1 to 5 more times….
lol, you’ll have to fight my son for it! We are 4-0 for playoff game attendance as a pair, so can’t mess with that
Nice! Thank you both for playing your part!
I’m going to just sit back and enjoy this. After the 90 Cup win there was year after year of our best players being traded away, of making the playoffs but still largely irrelevant.
Then, after the 06 run there was the decade of darkness — reading draft previews before the end of November.
I’m going to appreciate the run last year — including the heartbreak at the end.
And I’m going to visualize victory over Florida, and being able to appreciate just how very special it will be.
Then I’m going to reach out to my Canuck loving relatives back in BC and be simply intolerable.
I think that’s a great mindset. We can be both craving a cup and appreciative and reflecting about how this team and its fanbase has risen again to the challenge. City of Champions, win or lose
I’m at peace. I was so tired of the rhetoric about how we never gave McDavid a chance. If he wants a chance every year this is the team. I want the cup, I figure I’ve watched more than 2000 Oiler games since the last cup, but this is an elite team and it’s hard to win in this league. Enjoy the ride, and the unique aspects of each run.
This is the way
Nurse and Kulak, most 5×5 ice time tonight in terms of defensive pairs. Over 16 minutes. Only ONE shot against. That is insane.
Pete DeBoer: “I didn’t blame it all on Jake, but the reality is if you go back to last year’s playoffs, he’s lost six of seven games to Edmonton. And we give up two goals on two shots in an elimination game. … That’s a pretty big sample size.”
Ouch! Especially coming from your HC who’s now lost 6 Western Conference finals in the last 7 years.
Surprised he didn’t blame the refs, too.
He’s already done that several times this series. Now it’s “the better team is in the Stanley Cup Final”
What a asshole.
This is why he can’t keep a gig. True or not you don’t say that publicly. Same as MacT sewering Dubnyk and Petry, damaging their value. If you want to move on maximize value for your own benefit
Yes Oett might have made a save, but they were in way over their heads regardless
ya that is just savage. Maybe he got the pink slip on the way to the podium.
I was thinking the same thing. That had an exit interview vibe
That’s brutal. What an ass. He is definitely getting shit canned.
Throwing his goalie, a top goalie, completely under the bus. I hope Jake O demands a trade.
Haha- might as well have referred to him as the US backup
He’s not going to put up with it much longer!
Way to throw your goalie, who hasn’t even started year 1 of a 8year 66 mil deal, under the bus.
Like whats the purpose?
I would not be surprised if he is relieved of his position soon.
Last year, by Game 3/4, when KK and co had figured out the Stars weak side flip breakout, I was wondering if Pete and co would adjust. They didn’t really, kept trying the same thing again and again. That’s Pete “No Answer” Deboer in a nutshell.
NHL expert predictions were something like:
13/16 pick Kings
10/16 pick Knights
13/16 pick Stars
God, I hope they pick the Panthers. And I hope a reporter asks them if they can defend before Game 1.
hahaha… Ask something like this: How are you guys going to stop Florida from scoring at will?
And then run like heck, cause you might get clocked.
“Connor, how do you think your team will be able to react if you need to win a low scoring game? Do you think your team has that in them?”
Let’s not get carried away. I heard from a reliable poster her that once Dallas gets Heiskanen back they’ll be ‘unstoppable’.
Also they have unbelievable cap space, so basically the Oilers should just give up.
Not to mention their drafting – its the perfect franchise….
Watch out for the Mammoth. They just signed some guys.
All the other teams in the league are weaponizing their cap space except the loser Oilers that have zero flexibility or depth.🤣🤣🤣
Team looked happy that they got it done but not overjoyed like last year. All businesses and home ice which means a lot. Edmonton ice is waaaaay better than the soup in Florida.
Oilers in 5.
Nurse and McDavid did not look remotely fatigued. Business as usual.
Wow did Yzerman eff up trading Walman for less than nothing as he added a 2nd to rid himself of Walman. So Grier’s happy he gets a 1st and a 2nd the Oilers get a 2nd pairing monster that’s still under contract that’s less than 4 for another year. Next up Frederic he’ll be exactly what we need against Florida.
Walman is the goods. So smart.
Walman did something very bad off ice or Stevie Y is just not a good GM – your pick. I am going with door #2.
Walman is so similar to Ekholm. Maybe a bit less defensively sound, but excellent offence and shot blocking, passing, just a solid all round defender. And signed next year. Crazy good trade.
Hmmmmmm….
https://x.com/TheCoolhand1/status/1928284030119858361?t=5twkqW8wY_BAVZpkpI06jA&s=19
Love it. McDavid playing the percentages.
Metrics . . . they’re everywhere.
Those 5 losses to Dallas from ’98-03 will always sting but lets face it we weren’t true contenders back then barring a run that would make Cinderella blush. Taking them out in the Western Conference final in back to back years is sweet sweet revenge. Ron Lowe,Smytty,Weight,Marchant and company are smiling from their couches tonight!
Klingberg playing like vintage Zubov in Oilers silks is the cherry on top.
Especially since he’s a former Star!
Brother get ready, that’s a fact
Get ready you mother for the big payback
(The big payback)
https://youtu.be/D7ks03zsg1o?si=iXgCiAASfMm-dl6s
Gutsy move by McDavid touching that conference title trophy. Florida didn’t go near their trophy.
He didn’t hoist it like it was the final goal. He basically said FU to tradition.
I also think of it as the Costanza rule: If what you’re doing is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right!
As he said, they didn’t touch it last year and didn’t win the next one so, whatever (paraphrasing).
Bold move by Kapanen to rub the Campbell Bowl like the Magic Lamp…
?@#!%$
hahaha…. I loved that!
Roll 4 lines and 3 defensive pairs I hope this ends the gimmicky 11-7 nonsense. Ekholm is a big boy he doesn’t need babysitting like a lot of people thought.
Connor McDavid has the steely eyed, thousand yard stare of a professional assassin, now.
No more “kid” left in that man.
We’re coming for you, Floriduh. No quarter asked and none given.
Yes
Oilers playing a true team game. All 4 lines have been contributing since game three of the playoffs. Since then only two losses, both of which were there for the taking. This feels different. Also great to start at home. So impressed with the grit and determination of this team!
4 shots against in each of the last three 3rd periods protecting a lead is exceptional.
Game 1 – June 4 @ 6:00MT in EDM
Game 2 – June 7 @ 6:00 MT in EDM
Game 3 – June 9 @ 6:00 MT in FLA
Game 4 – June 12 @ 6:00 MT in FLA
Game 5 – June 14 @ 6:00 MT in EDM
Game 6 – June 17 @ 6:00 MT in FLA
Game 7 – June 20 @ 6:00 MT in EDM
The ice in Florida is even worse than in Dallas. Having home ice advantage this year is going to be huge
Game 2 is on June 6:
https://www.nhl.com/news/2025-stanley-cup-final-schedule-television-results
The Edmonton Oilers have won the Pennant!!
For the 9th time!
@bcurlock
·
In Knob we trust.
back-to-back finals in his first two years as an NHL coach, is insane.
I still think they should consider Kulak-Bouch and Ekholm-Nurse. Ekholm-Bouch were 1-0 in goals, but were a bit of an adventure for what should be your top pairing.
Hopefully Ek is just getting settled, of course he also went 1-0 in a <1 min shift with Kulak
Dallas Stars, the team of star Finnish players.
The highest scoring Finnish player in the series….. Kasperi Kapanen!
Did Rantenan even play tonight?????
Mikko Can’tanen
3 assists (1 primary) in 5 games with a -4
Haha that is a hilarious stat
Haha- Finn’s are good and dangerous but are never going to win a 7 game serries in international hockey
You might say our guy had more… Finnish? 🤣
TOUCH THIS ONE, NOW GRAB THE NEXT ONE
This team is real. The ability to shut down teams like Dallas and Vegas when we need to is a level I don’t recall from last year’s team. Ekholm seemed pretty rusty, Jinner was all over the ice in a good way breaking up plays and of course scoring a big goal. I think they need to decide whether they swap Kulak for Stetcher, other than that this team is locked and loaded to go the distance
Also brown for Frederic if he is available.
Absolutely. Frederic brings nothing.
Kulak was +3 tonight in 22:32. He’s not coming out, I’m confident Stecher has never played 22 minutes in an NHL game (without overtime anyway).
I could see Brown for Frederic, though Frederic is an excellent in zone player and a physical player, filling a need with Hyman out. It could be Skinner out, I’d look at Kapanen as well. Deep team.
Arvidsson has earned his spot back.
Frederic also finished with 1 assist, +1, in 15 min. I like Skinner, but they are different players so tough to know what is needed.
Crosby’s Penguins touched the Wales the second year they went to the finals, and won.
I like this omen.
Connor says “who gives a shit about done bullshit curse! We’re going for the next four wins!!!”
F***ing love McDavid touching it. F*** superstition. These guys have been making their own luck all playoffs.
I remember when they won game 6 against Dallas last year and clinched their birth in the SCF, it was VERY emotional – I remember seeing the joy and relief on the face of Nuge.
It was a huge moment for the team and the leadership.
Its different this year. Its not that its not a massive accomplishment but its clear this team realizes its just another step. Much more subdued and they know there is alot of work ahead.
Connor just said it – this feels more normal.
Why are they touching it!?! Team of damn demons!
Superstition is stupid
Didn’t touch it last year and didn’t win the next one.
Even without Hyman, and the Stars fighting for their season, the Oilers still outhit Dallas 47-42.
LFG! JOB NOT DONE!!!
#PlayLaBambaBaby
Dallas – just not that good. Who the supposed “depth” is, I really don’t know.
And the Oilers are better. 12-2 in the last 14. That’s championship stuff.
Vengeance is at hand.
Kulak leads the team with a +3. Ha ha guess he was pretty good on his off side after all!