The game of hockey is frenetic, along with being truly beautiful at its outer marker. Most of us have played hockey at some level, and recognize the chaos, are aware of the fact a single game is really 10,000 broken plays stretched out over 60 minutes of clock time.
In each generation, few men on planet earth play the game well enough to insert themselves into the chaos and make even a sliver of difference.
Then there’s Connor McDavid. I’ve called him ‘inevitable’ for years, and ‘The Impossiblist” for some time, and the goal he scored last night from a Mattias Ekholm shot block tells you everything you need to know about luck, broken plays, and the magic of McDavid.
If you watch the video, 97 saw the puck ricochet, followed it’s path, and ignited the retro-rockets (he was going the wrong way, but only for an instant) immediately. What happened next is the true beauty of the game. Heartbeats accelerating, the camera catching McDavid flying, all the Stars chasing sister midnight in vain, and the dagger that sent Dallas home, derailed their coach (what in HELL was he saying about Oettinger last night?) and effectively said “no talk, just sleep” to the western conference for another year. In your life, have you seen such a man? I have not. He’s a rocket. I have never in my life seen a combination of speed, hands, brains and coordination. What shall we do? Enjoy it. Enjoy the hell out of it.
THE NUMBERS
In a game like last night, some of the five-on-five numbers don’t make sense. I thought Nurse-Kulak struggled but the pairing looks golden, and I believe the top line was money but the numbers say nothing rhymed. That’s why the eye test should be married to numbers. It gives us another view of what transpired. For today, nothing really matters. These Oilers won the pennant and are on to the Stanley Cup Final.
We’ll have wall to wall coverage at noon today on the Lowdown (Sports 1440). Steve Lansky, Tyler Yaremchuk and Declanations, plus your comments. I hope you can tune in. Some of what we will discuss is contained here.
We are 20 days from the off season.
Stanley, here is my wish list.
sign Connor and Bouchard fast that will attract players.
move on from Henrique, Ardvisson, Perry, Kulak.
sign, Carter Hart, Fredrick, Jeannot and Klingberg and Brown
It is baffling to me how many Leafs fans remain delusional after these last few years.
https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-everything-to-edmonton-ceo-jeff-jackson-says
Imagine This Team
Imagine this team without redemption,
No Evander Kane, no Corey Perry, no Stan Bowman.
A tapestry unravels, threads of hope fray,
Lost in the shadows of past dismay.
Imagine this team without restoration,
No Connor Brown, no John Klingberg, no rehabilitation.
The wounds that once scarred now healed in silence,
A symphony of second chances in pure defiance.
Imagine this team without reclamation,
No Podkolzin, no Kapanen, no Skinner (you pick), no cultivation.
The forgotten, the overlooked, the ones cast aside,
Now rise from the ashes, with nowhere to hide.
Imagine this team without prospection,
No Kris Knoblauch, no guiding direction.
A mind that sees what others cannot,
A search for gems in places most forgot.
Imagine this team without determination,
No Connor McDavid, no Leon Draisaitl, no Bouchard’s ambition,
No Ekholm’s resolve, no Hyman’s fire,
No Nugent-Hopkins, no endless desire.
Now, imagine a team, broken and bare,
A collection of players without a prayer.
But here, against odds, they’ve chosen to fight,
Through darkness and doubt, into the light.
This team—our team—is not just a dream,
It’s redemption, restoration, determination supreme.
A symphony of hope, a chorus of will,
A promise that together, we rise, we build.
And when that final buzzer sounds, we’ll stand tall,
The Cup returning to Canada—its rightful call.
The Oilers reclaiming glory, a nation’s pride,
Together we’ll stand, in unity’s stride.
That was awesome!! Very well done!
Bravo!
Doubt it will happen. But a “4 Nations” start off the 1st Face off would be good for ratings.
Kane – Bennett
Tkachuk-Perry
etc – etc
P. Kane and either Tkachuk are fighting.
Chucky only fights guys shorter or a weight class lower than him. Doubt he fights Kane
Except Bennett needs to have his face speedbagged off of him this time.
“You miss 100% of the cheap shots you don’t take”
-Sam Bennett
Perry is a little above Turtlechuks preferred weight class. He would be looking for someone that has 0 NHL fights or less, maybe J. Skinner
Hey, Jeff Skinner fought Kris Russell in the 2011 exhibition season….
Kris Russell weighed 170, Skinner was probably 190.
KR is a cowboy, so despite the weight class difference, it was probably a fair fight….
The NHL needs to revamp the cap structure. They are creating a competitive advantage for a portion of their franchises. A salary cap amplifies the tax advantage of low-tax states. Players effectively earn more net income for the same cap hit in tax-free states, giving those teams an effective larger cap hit than their opponents.
Florida (no income tax) vs California (13% tax) translates to the Panthers being able to spend roughly 5-6+ million more on player take home pay than the Kings or Sharks.
I am far from an expert but I think its much more complicated then that.
Firstly, players pay tax in the jurisdiction where they earn – when a player is on the road, they are paying tax to the state/province they are during those times. Federal tax will be more material that state tax. Not to mention, many low tax states have things such as high property tax (Texas for example, etc.). Then there are things such as living in Canada but getting paid in USD, etc., etc.
I did a rough ballpark accounting for the home/away taxation, otherwise 13% of the current cap is a 12.5 million advantage.
I don’t suggest the NHL engages in a complete equalization endeavor that accounts for every possible thing (impossible) I just think a measure that they create (salary cap), and enforce, should not inherently create a competitive bias.
It’s even more complicated than that.
While it’s true that players are taxed in the jurisdiction they’re playing in, many players on no state tax teams play more than half their games in no tax venues.
For example, Panthers players are tax free for 41 home games, 2 in Tampa and 1 or 2 games in Nashville, Seattle, Vegas and Dallas.
And, in general, real estate is much cheaper in some of those states as are groceries, utilities and gasoline.
Those lower costs more than compensate for the currency differential.
There are very good reasons why so many players have Canadian teams on their no trade lists.
We both mentioned and understand the jock tax, that was accounted for in my estimate. My argument isn’t that the NHL needs to equalize every factor for every team, but they need to do a better job on the Salary Cap, as it introduces a competitive bias towards low-tax states. They should not be enforcing something that’s uneven.
The SEL has a tax-factor adjusted cap hit that forces teams to report gross salaries due to the wildly different tax rates amongst their teams. This is a better implementation than the NHL’s, unless they want the bias of course.
I agree that in everything the league should seek equity and fairness
I’m not a tax professional but these flyby looks at this are not encompassing and some folks math is pretty off
For one, how does 13% income tax negate an ~30% exchange advantage for players in Canada? What am I missing?
No income tax doesn’t mean no tax. Do those jurisdictions not need revenue? It’s just taken in different ways as in property tax or something else
And again, Winters has said players only wanting the max money aren’t the norm, most want opportunity more. The best players get paid so much it doesn’t affect their futures or lifestyles. Maybe a guy like Des factors it in bcs his earning potential is low and short
The Team Canada selections will be very interesting next year – in regards to both Skinner and Bouchard.
Last June, they were both locks for team Canada, yet, com November….
This is three playoffs in a row for Bouchard – he should be on Team Canada for the Olympics no matter how he plays in the first half of the season.
SO’R with an excellent puck battle netting a secondary apple so far with the Knights locked in a 2-2 battle vs the Cats au Moncton.
Summarizing!
As reported above by our East Coast bureau chief Todd Macallan, O’Reilly garnered an apple for his fourth point of the tourney. Nicholl was not a resoupient though.
London won 5-2 and will meet the Hat in the final, looking for redemption from their earlier meeting, and also from last year’s loss in the final.
Prospecting takes a break until Sunday.
Yet again, Stuey gets the better of Otter when the chips are down. #neverindoubt
‘Canada Starter’ vs ‘US Backup’?
The Sunbelt Conundrum
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6391469/2025/05/30/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-sunbelt-mirtle/?source=user_shared_articleThe NHL’s Sun Belt ‘problem’ has no easy solution. But does it need one?
There definitely is a strong draw for players to live in warm sunbelt states just like there is well for everyone else. They have been better at innovating though and not able to undergo big rebuilds.
If you include SJS and ANA they are not immune to long rebuilds.
Yeah, this is only a story right now because Tampa and Florida built excellent teams that have dominated the East for half a decade or more.
Since 2000, sunbelt teams have won 11 cups.
McDavid is currently leading the playoffs in scoring for the 3rd time (Playoff Draisaitl may still have something to say about that)
We all know this is about more than individual stats, but finishing 1st in playoff scoring again would make for a pretty incredible achievement –
Players leading playoffs in scoring 3 or more years:
6 – Gretzky
4 – Howe
3 – Esposito
(Lafleur led outright once, tied in points twice, but by goals tiebreaker only led 2x)
Another reminder of how lucky we are to be witnessing greatness
Bouchard is about to lead the playoffs in scoring for d-men for the third time (in a row) – I wonder how many aside from Orr and likely Coffey have done that?
Of note, the 1st time he led the league in scoring for d-men, he only played 2 rounds – and led by 5 points.
That’s crazy for Bouchard who is not an NHL quality player, and especially not an elite one.
Unrelated, I wonder what Valimaki is up to these days.
Also unrelated, #8 pick in the 2018 draft Adam Boqvist signed a 1 year $850k contract with the Islanders today.
I recall when Ty Smith passed Bouchard on the side of the road….
Lot of teams in the top 10 probably regret their choices. Not like we’ve never been there before
Leon’s played well yet I believe he has another gear.
Drais was definitely trying to get Freddie the puck with the empty net. Trying to get the big guy going. But once Brown is ready, he would be my first choice to sit. He just isn’t getting to plays, cycling, or effectively hitting the d. Not sure what he is contributing at the moment.
Dear Dallas Stars,
Thank you for knocking out Colorado, we really appreciate that.
Thank you as well for dispaching Winterpeg. Sending the President Cup winners out golfing was awesome and we didn’t really want to play those guys.
See you next year!
Dear Vegas Nights,
Thank you for dispatching Minnesoda, we never do well against them and not having to deal with the most trappy boring team that always sees us losing to them, so nice.
Knocking us out on the way to winning your own cup was awful, and to tell the truth, beating you twice in the next two years still doesn’t help remove that awful taste in our mouths, but it helps.
See you next year!
Dear LA Kings,
I have to admit, it felt kind of weird playing you for the 4th season in a row, like, the hockey Gods would punish us at some point but you helped us get the rust out and after a slow start you obliged us again and it turned out like always.
See you next year!
Dear Florida Panthers,
I’m glad we have home ice advantage because at least I don’t have to listen to that stupid Panther growl 57 times a game for the first two at least. I’ll switch to Jack on CHED for games 3 and 4 RAAAWWWRRR.
Your Team has a Turtle and a Rat and a Lorax and plays the dirtiest brand of hockey since the Broad Street Bullies but this year we can play dirty too. So if you want to start a Shitfight we are more than ok with that.
May the best team win.
this is great!
When do they post who’s reffing games 1 and 2 and what our record is with them.
5×5 net goal share in third round:
Ceci -5
Duchene, Granlund, Benn -4
What’s crazy is how much 5×5 favoured Dallas at even strength throughout the later half of this series. Totally polar results, Oil capitalized heavily on their chances while Dallas did not.
Score effects in play. Oilers ahead every game with the Stars playing catchup which they did once.
I hope we get to see more of Jeff Skinner. I noticed he was generally hanging back defensively and was able to break up a number of Dallas plays with a quick stick. When the puck did go deep, he seemed really good at anticipating where the play was headed, as his goal showed.
If/when Brown comes back, I hope it’s Kap or Frederic who sit, as Kap hasn’t been playing poorly, but still doesnt seem like he pushes the play that much, and Frederic is looking like a pylon right now.
This rest will do wonders for Frederic who’s had sucess against Florida in the past. Frederic is built for heavy hockey this will be his coming out party as he will score multiple times.
I’m dressing Frederic with the hopes that the dirt and grease of Florida triggers the inner goon that’s been asleep.
Frederic-Kane-Pod-Arvidsson as a group can handle the heavy lifting over McLeod-Foegele-Hollaway-Ryan
The Nurse-Kulak numbers are interesting.
I agree that they did not pass the eye test.
The best defender to play with Nurse is still Stetcher. Those 2 move the puck north very effectively, which is must vs the strong forecheck system of the CATS.
You gotta consider playing him although he is the 7th best D on an individual perspective.
I think Nurse and Walman have been very good together – there is a path there.
Skinner’s numbers, this year and last, all situations:
Games 1-3
6-12-0, 3.39 GAA, .870 sv%
Games 4-7
14-1-0, 1.39 GAA, .942 sv%
What a spectacularly clutch player.
I will add that in Games 1 – 3 in the Conference Finals his numbers weren’t stellar but he battled for the W. Having him be able to get the win with his B game is encouraging. Hrudey alluded to that I believe.
Game 1 sewered the games 1-3 stat as a whole, and he still went 2-1, .918 SV%, GAA, 2.33
This has to be the best defense I have seen since the 06 run. Having EK back is massive plus the thought of having Stetcher as a seventh D is very comforting should one of the D get injured. He has been nothing short of amazing as a seventh D this year. Just amazing how deep this D core is. One very big thing against Florida this year is we have home ice. I think we win the cup last year with home ice. Should be a great cup final. Florida’s D is also stacked.
Deboer said as much last night in the post game; acknowledging Stetcher as a veteran player.
And really the 06 blue line only gets the edge because Pronger was such a monster. This year’s is more balanced. We have a 1st pair and two 2nd pairs.
Pronger was amazing but can’t play all the time – Spacek, Smith and Staios were also very good that year.
Yup. Only 30 minutes a game! 🙂
Been watching Podkolzn and have to say he is built for playoff hockey. He is also playing very physical and always seems to be in the right spot. Man that is some discount we are getting for this player. Did jackson ever make Vancouver look dumb on this one. This is the type of move that always happened to the oilers for years.
I agree that Fredrick must be injured as he looks very slow out there and also believe the rest will help him. This team needs him to be at the top of his game against those dirt bags in Florida.
Bowman made the trade for Pods with the 4th rounder that JJ got from Ottawa.
Talking to a few Vancouver fans it’s not that they didn’t know what podz was, sounded more like he was never going to get playing time under tochett ( sounds like he had mattingly sideburns) and instead of losing him on waivers the gm decided to get something.
They didn’t need to lose him on waivers, they could just, you know, kept him on their roster over Aatu Raty or Arshdeep Bains……
You’re right they didn’t. But maybe the GM not wanting to waste roster spot and ruin a young man’s career by having him sit in the press box all year. Decided it was better for the team and that young man if they traded him. Giving the young man a second look and opening up a roster spot for someone the coach would play.
(I never said it was a good decision)
I think it was simply a mistake by the org thinking they have other players that were ready to help the team more – perhaps in conjunction with the coach having made a decision on a player without allowing for room to grow.
In any event, I’m not sure that moving a still youngish former top 10 overall pick, signed to 2 years at barely over league min to a primary rival for a mid-round pick was a great decision.
When I first saw that trade, I thought there’s no way Canucks would make that trade to a rival, Pod must be a trojan horse.
It’s where he was picked in the draft and expectations that come with that.
Watching this team has now become so……..satisfying.
Remember seeing the holes, worrying about this player or that tactic. Now its all about confidence. Even if they drop a game, they likely play well. Organized, controlled, skilled, delivering results.
Oilers playing their A game can beat any team in the league, including the Florida Panthers. I expect coach to tune a little, adapt as needed. Florida goes hard to the net, very aggressive. We have d men who can handle this now. Their defence can be pulled apart, we have forwards that will get it done.
Oilers just play as you have demonstrated and the Panthers will be beat.
Why are there 2 days off between games 3 and 4 in Florida? There is no travel, I don’t get it
Broadcasters most likely – nothing booked at the arena.
The league decided to give those 2 days so that Florida could recover from the shit-kickin’ they will take after 2 games in Edmonton.
Gary will stop at nothing for one of his southern teams to win!
It’s a long flight that’s where the extra day comes in play just like last year except we’re winning in 5 at home.
I hope the boys set the tone and get in Bob-Bob grill early and often. We destroyed 3 good goalies in Kuemper-Hill-Otteinger.
6 weeks ago this used to be a very easy question to answer:
“Who is Team USA’s starting goaltender for the 2026 winter Olympics?”
The chances he was facing weren’t average or normal.
And his team didn’t score.
Should they have started DeSmith at some point to shake up the group – yes.
But DeBoer was under the delusion this was close.
The Oilers weren’t desperate for more than a couple minutes in that series. Think about that.
Right?
With the WHC win, its looking like Swayman ATM
Who had “Kasperi Kapanen, empty net specialist” in the pool?
Here, fixed it for you: ‘… empty net and OT specialist’.
Believe it or not I looked this up on Natural Stat Trick: Kapanen is running 36 goals per 60 minutes against an empty net. Obviously leading the league in the playoffs
https://www.starsthoughts.com/p/game-5-wcf-afterthoughts-sorting
So, there it is. You’re a coach, and you’ve just made the biggest move you can make—yanking the American goalie who might well have usurped Connor Hellebuyck in the last series. It’s a huge, almost unfathomable wake-up call in your last, desperate hour.
It won’t work. Because 58 seconds later, Jeff Skinner scores a goal in his second career playoff game, knocking a puck through DeSmith’s five-hole in a maze of bodies. So much for changing the momentum.
None of these teams have actually given the Oilers their due after the series is done.
It is quite fascinating.
They weren’t going to beat the Oilers with our squad playing that way. Ever.
It’s an extremely well written article, but it’s surprising they ignored probably the most damning indictment of the Stars’ ability to push and the Oilers’ ability to shut things down: Stars were held to only four shots in each of the last three periods.
Yes, the series was maybe not as far apart as some of the stats show, notably some tough puck luck for Dallas, but while the Stars were trailing in the third, the Oilers completely shut them down every games. Stars couldn’t muster any push because the Oilers would get possession and send the puck flying right back out of their zone. Over and over and over again. That was the true difference maker in this series.
“Question: Do you feel stunned right now?
DeBoer: I think so. It’s a good question. I’ll tell you what I told our group. Oettinger is the suckiest goalie to have ever sucked in the history of sucking. For every day he is on this team an angel loses it’s wings and gets sent straight to hell. Having to be in his presence and having to repel his weak, sniveling, pathetic aura is truly a test of patience and fortitude. The only reason I put him in net is to get him as far away from me as possible. I hope they fire me for this because folks, I can’t put up with that man any longer. Every day on this team with him is agony and pain. I was giving Ferraro lines to read out while he was sitting next to Oettinger but he said he couldn’t say some things on tv. Boy, I wish we got to finals purely so I could feed Oettinger to Sam Bennett’s elbows. The only thing worse than Oettinger is the refs.”
That is an outstanding blog post from “the other side.” We’ll done, I love the remix storytelling of inserting DeBoer quotes with reporting and analytics in the series. We’ll done Stars fans.
DeBoer’s comments are VERY insightful on how he planned to win this series. They planned to get a lead and then trap the Oilers into frustration. They almost never had the lead, and that is the source of much of his frustration. He didn’t get a chance to execute his brilliant defensive plan.
It’s a great idea against the Oilers. Going toe to toe on offense is not a winning strategy against so much talent. All things being equal, it’s reasonable to expect to get the lead in at least half the games and sit on it then wait for the Oilers to get impatient/take chances to pad the lead, and that gives you three games won out of 7. Hope for some skill and a bit of luck to win a fourth game and you are on to the Stanley Cup Finals.
This is also Paul Maurice’s plan from last year. When it backfires with the Oilers scoring first, it backfires badly like in game 4 SCF last year.
As a fan, I am grateful that the Oilers managed to score first most of the time because the stifling defensive hockey game that Dallas and Florida play with a lead is terrible hockey for a spectator. I hope the Oilers read DeBoer’s comments carefully and prepare for the same strategy from Florida. There can be no stupid mistakes in the first 5 minutes as the Oilers have been prone to in recent years. Bouch Dzone cough up in game 2 (or was it 3) against Florida last year cost us that game, for example.
Details matter. Keep the first shift emotions in check. The overall odds of the Oilers scoring the first goal against Florida increase as time goes on due to their superior talent multiplied by the time elapsed.
Get the lead and keep Florida from playing that disgusting game 7 defensive game they played last year. Make them open up and play an entertaining hockey game.
Thanks. Good read. Given all the anger/hate directed at DeBoer, it’s a remarkably even piece. But the gaffe DeBoer made in how he handled the Ott pull. Ugh. That’s perhaps as ugly as Mario Tremblay’s public humiliation of Patrick Roy. In that case, management should have put goalie above coach. It will be interesting to see how Stars’ mgt handles this one.
Family vacation this week so will be tuning in at 2 am.
Me too for game 7, if necessary – 1am I believe in the Balkans.
Refundable plane tickets, refundable hotel, and 2 seats for the kid and I for game 6 in FLA secured.
Hope I don’t need em. Oilers in 5.
Five is a good number.
Ha Ha. My son has had tickets to GM6 against VGK and Stars – he is getting seriously pissed.
And I hope you get your refunds!
Oilers in 5!
cheaper than 2 tix in EDM
The picture in the dressing room celebrating with Zack Hyman on the phone on FT – made my heart melt and made me so happy all at the same time!
Plus if you look close – don’t see anything on right wrist but left is holding his right hand. Hopefully not as bad as being reported. He’s ear to ear with a smile!
After surgery’s if you need a cast it is usually removable and they want you to remove it often to let the stitches breath/ let the swelling happen.
Sucks so much he had that silence breaking quote last year after game 7 and now can’t play this time. Cruel.
Imagine complaining about signing Oettinger for 8 years when Rantanen is right there
People talk about McDavid’s skating and being fast, but that’s not really it. It’s his edgework at speed that’s truly unique among those who have ever played.
I remember watching McDavid in junior and his cutback move to and at the net was a truly unique play. I’d never seen anything like it. Then in the NHL it continued; picture the final piece of his legendary goal against the jackets in his rookie year. A complete stop from 35km/hr to zero in an instant leaving no chance for the goalie.
He still uses the stop-up move a lot but it’s almost solely used in open ice nowadays (half wall most often or when circling the zone) and almost never at or to get to the net. I believe somewhere along the way someone (a coach, his agent or another legendary player) warned him that making those cuts to the net, while incredibly effective, take control out of your hands and you’re one Giordano or Manning away from a vicious injury.
I believe that’s why Leo described his goal as one of the nicest of his career. Only one player on the planet can go from 35km/hr to zero in an instant. I believe either 97 knew it was Hintz behind him who isn’t the type of guy who would “end him” or more likely, he knew that moment called for the nuclear button.
What a player….
Oilers broke another team last night. Dallas is gonna be a very different team next year and probably a worse one
They certainly broke DeBoer. Crikey.
Sore loser.
In postgame interviews, DeBoer actually acknowledged the Oilers’ superiority.
His seat is warm though
If Dallas had a better coach and a better set of RHD (seriously, Ceci, Dumba, Petrovic, Lyubushkin are their righties), and no more boat anchor Benn, they’ll be a scary team. They’ve got a lot of young talent who have gained immense playoff experience last few years.
That said, Oilers beat them next year no question, if they’re unlucky enough to face the fossil fuels again.
I was thinking about a lot of the angst from fans regarding the Oilers losing Foegele, McLeod and Holloway as depth players, but I think the new guys have filled the gap pretty well.
Last playoff series for these former Oilers:
Foegele: 22gp, 3G, 5A, 8pts
McLeod: 24gp, 4G, 0A, 4pts
Holloway: 25gp, 5G, 2A, 7pts
Current playoffs for these new Oilers:
Arvidsson: 11gp, 1G, 4A, 5pts
J.Skinner: 2gp, 1G, 1A, 2pts
Podkolzin: 16gp, 1G, 5A, 6pts
Kapanen: 7gp, 3G, 0A, 3pts
Bonus: the vets who fans felt the admin should have let go or were taking up spots from the youth:
Henrique: 16gp, 4G, 2A, 6pts
Perry: 16gp, 7G, 3A, 10pts
They have their core group intact that’s the difference maker.
The kicker is goal shares 5v5, only two underwater this time. I said during the season I thought the team was better bcs of moving out playoff strugglers. Now we are seeing it. Not relying on special teams means when they kick in they are even more dominant, and they did
As DeBore said also a harder team to play against. There are few wilting flowers in this group
3 straight third periods defending a lead and the team gave up 4 shots in each of those third periods. No shots allowed in the last 10 minutes last night. This team can lock it down!
This is truly incredible. It’s like a different team.
For years and years, this team has only been able to win when its back is against the wall. The team can achieve spectacular heights, but only after it’s gone to hell and back. And sometimes it just can’t quite get back. (Like falling a goal short of ultimate hockey glory last year.)
For the past month, the team hasn’t let itself get backed into a wall. It’s defending leads like it’s the Jacques Lemaire New Jersey Devils. It’s astonishing. I’ve never seen this before.
This is a team that a perpetual pessimist like me can believe in.
Let’s not forget this teams 6 come from behind wins this playoffs. This team can win multiple different ways
If Bennett or his teammates so much as breathe on Skinner, then Goalie Bob needs to feel the pain too.
If Bennett–or other–lays an elbow, knee, etc. unto the Principal, then someone needs to send Bob into orbit.
Tit for tat.
Knoblauch doesn’t coach that way, but mutually assured destruction is a fine deterrent to further shenanigans.
I look forward to Kane & Tkachuk renewing acquaintances.
There are plenty of fellas that don’t need a nudge nudge wink wink from Sir Garlic
Last week a couple of media types on an Oilers Podcast said if they were picking Oiler favorites for the Conn Smyth it would be Bouch first, Hyman second, then Mcdrai. Fair enough but watching Connor last night how can it be anyone but him. He is one in a billion
Your mama always said you’d be the Chosen One
She said, “You’re one in a million
You got that shotgun shine”
Born under a bad sign with that blue moon in your eyes
Bada Bing😄
How does the Panthers D stack up against the Oil?
Panthers’ D TOI allocation this playoff:
Seth Jones 24:58 17 3-4-7
Aaron Ekblad 22:32 13 3-8-11
Gustav Forsling 22:15 17 1-3-4
Niko Mikkola 19:22 16 3-2-5
Kulikov 16:13 17 1-3-4
Schmidt 15:36 17 3-4-7
They’re pretty solid but nobody in Conn Smythe territory like Bouch. By and large the Panthers D are big veterans who play soundly in the defensive zone. Similar to Vegas I’d say, although Forsling is among the league’s best defensive D men.
I’d put the Oilers and Panthers D in a dead-heat for their overall quality.
Solid and seem to be able to score a bunch. Can’t move the puck as well as the Oilers’ D though.
Like bowling pins
Frederic-Kane vs Tkachuk-Bennett no more running around without consequences I’m more worried about Bennett as Tkachuk is rightfully scared shitless of Kane. I think the time off will help Kane-Frederic heal. I know a lot of people are down on Frederic but I do believe he’s playing with a injury. Anyhow he can be a difference maker in more than just a few flashes I think he’s going to be a fan favourite in a couple of weeks.
Nurse is available to settle scores too, could even take it into suspension territory, given how solid the Oilers LD situation is with Ekholm back!
No Nurse needs to play a disciplined brand of hockey of hockey.
I certainly see Kane spanking Tkachuk and Frederic & Bennett acting badly. If Frederic can take Bennett out with him that would be a tradeoff that would work in Edmonton’s favor.
Focus on Barkov. Bennett is a side show.
agreed, focus on Barkov,
A side show who might remove one of our stars from the series. I say offense is a good défense with these guys. Let them taste it before our guys do.
Lots of angst with respect to Jackson’s work as GM (although much of it revisionist history with the benefit of hindsight – he was generally lauded in the first week of July).
Lets not forget Jackson’s prior move – the hiring of Kris Knoblauck.
From various accounts, Jackson had Knobber on his radar for years and years as Jackson had many clients (when he was an agent) that were coached by Knobber in the OHL and thought very highly of him.
This coach is legit, right>
To be fair, this team with a 70 point big fast winger in Holloway (maybe he scores 50 points this year with EDM, point stands) instead of J. Skinner likely mirrors the 2022 Avs in how they dismantle every team they play.
Yeah but a St. Louis team that doesn’t have Holloway also doesn’t waive Kapanen!
He was injured this playoffs, so, would rather have healthy n hungry Kapanen, Arvidson, J Skinner
Holloway has to play a certain style to be effective which leaves him injury prone. Frankly I’m surprised it took so long for a injury. Both of Broberg and Holloway seem to shop at the same glass factory.
Sure, that can be a discussion, however, my post was about the targeted hiring of the head coach.
JJ also dumped the fodder that got us Ottawa’s 4th rounder which Bowman turned into Pods.
Today I revel and enjoy the thoroughly entertaining hockey that has been played by our team running up to back-to-back cup finals.
Tomorrow, I begin to fret that this Florida team is an absolute load, filled with killers, thugs, and great hockey players (some that are all three) that will do anything to win. This, unlike any of the three prior series, will be a war.
These Oilers are so enjoyable to watch due to how they have turned prior weaknesses into strengths – so much poise and depth!
LT…do you still publish the pennant chart here or at the Athletic? I always looked forward to seeing it.
It will be tomorrow, and here.
So is Toews our 4th line C next year?
I would think it is fairly likely Toews ends up on the Oilers.
Not with Henrique on the roster
You have to think the Jets are strong contenders. Hometown boy and all that.
Two full years away, now 37 years old? Probably don’t want to expect too much.
These are better days!
Who comes out once Brown is back
Frederic. He still can’t accelerate. Means the puck doesn’t get out of the D zone.
I haven’t noticed the Oil having too much trouble getting out of the D zone.
We know its going to be Jeff Skinner.
Good question.
As bad as we will feel for the guy, it’s going to be Jeff Skinner.
I hope not. Skinner scores. Sit Frederic. If Skinner gets pushed around and is a minus player in SCF GM1 then put Frederic back in.
Frankly, Frederic looked beat up.
The Oilers have played 16 games during these playoffs.
Precisely one game they played like they should lose. That’s it, that’s all.
So much better than last year’s whipsaw between stinkers and unbeatable efforts.
Last year I thought we could win the Cup this year I know we are. This is the best forward group since the mid eighties and our D is the best since 2006.
They still need to play the games, and Florida is a great hockey team too. It’s going to be a battle.
We are a different team our D has been transformed. Florida has not seen our new look of getting the puck up the ice so fast I expect to see many odd man rushes when we win the first 2 at home.
Florida has seen it all on video. Both teams will be prepared.
It’s going to be a terrific SCF.
And Florida knows how to play playoff hockey. They’re well-coached, they’re tough, they play together. They checked us so tight in their four wins last year.
I think we have the will to win. And that’s what it’s going to take.
The Oilers played some seriously putrid hockey in multiple finals games last year. It was us, not them.
So did Florida – lets not forget that Oilers dominated game 1 for almost 60 minutes – it was a pure goalie steal.
This team now knows the importance of winning game 1. They must go to the net like we did with Hill in game 4 when he came unglued.
I think they want to win both games in Edmonton and then earn a split in Florida, then win the fifth game at home in front of their fans. Hoist the cup in absolute craziness.
After listening to a podcast out of TO, the Oilers must win this SCF for their and the leagues own good. They were talking about the Rats being considered a dynasty if they win – this cannot happen. The only dynasty coming is the team in Edmonton!
Oilers win this SC and come back with the same team less Klingberg, J.Skinner and Frederic (doubt any of them sign value contracts with the Oilers). I think Kasperi would sign here for $1m.
I would try to resign Klinger, even if it means buying out Henrique.
Agreed, but the Oilers will not buy Henrique out. Henrique has averaged 53ish% in the circle over the past seven seasons. Still good for 25ish 5on5 points as well.
Several teams would happily trade for his expiring contract that is reasonably priced, even if they plan to flip him again at the deadline.
Once the big ticket items are dealt with, keeping Klinger feels more about moving Kane for picks than adding more dead cap.
I’m a big Kaner fan and think he’s worth keeping. I’d still like two more years of Klinger.
When is HH going to chime in on this blog today about Columbus signing a 7th round pick from Bulgaria that will be the next Bobby Orr next year…
His fuming silence is an added bonus from Oiler success
Otteinger almost had the Perry in alone shot then lets in a breakaway then proceeds to getting yanked. Those are 2 tough shots I knew DoBoer was thinking of starting Casey can’t stop shit in game 4. DeBoer will be fired after throwing Otteinger under the bus he’ll never see another head coaching gig as he made his G.M look like a buffoon for signing Jake for 8 years at big bucks starting next year.
Even in this league of recycled coaches, I think you are correct. This is probably the last we see of DeWiner. He can go and hang out with Filthy Bruce.
Yes, all 3 first period goals were poor defending by Dallas. Of course, you still want a big save from time to time. But Dallas really didn’t seem ready to play until they were down 3 to 0.
Yeah, that had to be DeBoer’s last game as Dallas coach — you can’t throw your franchise goaltender under the bus like that in a series where your team was outplayed and outclassed.
The goaltenders aren’t the reason the Stars could barely muster a shot on goal for consecutive third periods while trailing — if you want to speak frankly, fine be he crossed a line.
Pulling Otteinger could be defensible if:
1: He does so professionally and puts him back in for the second
2: Post-game he makes it clear it was a means to let his team know their performance was unacceptable and not a reflection on his play for the first two goals
Quoted for truth! Such an exciting time to be a fan of the Edmonton Oilers.