The Edmonton Oilers need to win Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and that’s a fact. We should see a team focused on one goal: Winning the game. That means fading the post-whistle activity, making doubly sure penalties taken are warranted, and smart plays with the puck. If the team can do those things, the Glimmer Twins and Evan Bouchard should be able to take care of the rest.
This time tomorrow, the headlines will focus on one of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or Goalie Bob. Pretty sure. In the final, Sergei Bobrovsky has stopped most of the shots faced. He owns a .957 SP at five-on-five (Stuart Skinner .893) and is .928 overall (Skinner .866).
On the other hand, Bouchard has 24 shots and zero goals. Connor McDavid has 13 shots with zero goals, that’s tied for the most in the final (with Sam Reinhart, who has one goal) among forwards.
Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl has three goals on eight shots, but Sam Bennett has four goals on nine.
For tonight, Kris Knoblauch has promised changes and I expect we’ll see Troy Stecher and possibly Jeff Skinner. It’s possible Calvin Pickard gets the net, too. That’s a lot of change after two losses in a row, and perhaps the coaching staff will make fewer than three tweaks.
For me, the first two games of this series were brilliant hockey, while Game 3 is on an island all by its lonesome. I did not expect to see a veteran team like the Oilers lose its cool like that, and it’s imperative that doesn’t happen again.
Oilers fans should be heartened by the words of Kris Knoblauch yesterday: “The most important thing is having focus and direction for the players to go out and play at their best.”
That’s the ticket. This is not an elimination game, but this is it. Win Game 4 and I do believe the Oilers will have a clear path to victory in the series. The two Edmonton games were tight, but a series played that way can be won. One outlier game, that’s Game 3, can be overcome.
Can the Oilers play with discipline tonight? Can McDavid and Draisaitl win the day? I will never bet against it. This will be an epic hockey game. Can’t wait!
On the Lowdown today, we’ll load up on Oilers talk. Our feature guest will be Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation, and we invite your comments and thoughts on the series and tonight’s game. It all starts at noon, on Sports 1440.
This gets lost with the win like Bennet accidentally on purpose falling on Skinner in game 1 – the cats 3rd goal is kind of horrific. They call two high sticks on the Oilers that period and then miss one that immediately precedes a goal.
In all 3 OT games, the cats have been spotted a goal:
1.Bennet falling on Stu (and then also failing to reverse with the challenge)
2.Bennet kicking Ek’s stick while on the PK, puck immediately in
3.Stecher slashed and high stocked, results in turnover that results in GA
This has gotten so bad, I don’t even know what to say or think anymore. Bouchard hit in the numbers. Verhaeghe actually jumped into the hit. I thought they were considering a major but it was actually not even called. Legal hit, apparently.
The missed OT too many men…. And the extra man pushes Arvi to the outside on a dangerous rush.
If this is just human error, why does it never seem to be egregiously in our favour…? If it isn’t a conspiracy, the level of incompetence is off the charts.
The barkov interference on Nuge for the Tkachuk powerplay gosl
There’s something, don’t know why but there’s something and it’s ruining the sport. If the game is called fair they have a couple cups now….hmmmm….
Oilers are the first team in NHL history to come back and win a game in the finals after being down 3-0. Teams were 0-37. Now it’s 1-38.
Did anyone see the clip of Marchand biting Walman? Isn’t that a repeat offense? Hopefully Drai and Brown sneezed on the glove first…
Just listened to the Pickard TNT post game interview all I can say is Pickard is a class act.
I’ll say this about the officiating: They may, possibly, have let Oil get away with more borderline, so-so trips. I mean lots on both sides, but there were a few times where I winced to see a rat go down and was relieved not to hear a whistle.
Stecher played 4 min 18 sec. Was he concussed from the uncalled cross-check & high stick to the head?
Our PK can not continue with the same strategy this diamond rover is horrid, go back to the traditional box for heavens sake.
Agreed!
Maybe lost in everything after the OT, but I’ll remember that Walman goal as long as I live.
Just elite fake and pass by Kap to Walman who was hilariously tickling the rafters for a good 5 seconds and totally starched it.
That play was everything a game winner should be. Shame Janmark spun into the ice, but doesn’t matter now.
I didn’t think you could top the Frederic off the post opportunity but I thought for sure the Bennett shot was in as I was waiting for the horn that thankfully never came.
Someone said it already but that Pick glove is up there w Cujo’s a mere half shift before Marchant buries it.
Ha. That was you that said that.
I’m still waiting for the Lotto Max numbers from Reja – his prognostications are impressive
I’ve got some of that 2006 SCF G5 vibe going – Drai’s OT winner wasn’t as pretty as Pisani’s but it was just as improbable and beautiful!
Admittedly, I had a lot of doubt but…
#NEVERINDOUBT
Podzilla had his best game of the playoffs. His nose for the puck and relentless pursuit of it and/or the opposing player with it, is nothing short of wonderful. But more important tonight… his finish on the tying goal was perfect and his pass to Leon for his ultimate winner, was again wonderful. Best pick-up of the season.
Thank you Vancouver!
So easy to cheer for him. Rarely has a tough shift.
#NeverInDoubt
Who does this short layover favour? Why isn’t this a 3 day break with travel. Need fresh troops insert Viktor and Klingberg. Next game is a must win our fans really need to work the Refs over to call a fair game.
My son and I will do our best
Awesome this may be the memory of memories.
Arena bookings and basket ball schedule rule supreme.
And why exactly would you change the winning (finishing) lineup?
Stecher didn’t play much – no word on whether it was injury of performance related – the Oilers might need reinforcements
This team, man!
I normally would have turned the TV off but this team dug in, won period 2 for the first time, and ruined their fans’ night 🙂
5 on 5 was 4-1 Edmonton, and the only goal against was after a blatant missed penalty.
Pickard a warrior and all the depth coming up big. RNH gutted through a big game and Draisaitl was superhuman. The 5 D collectively got the job done.
I don’t know what KK is doing next game with the 6th D, but he’s be outmaneuvering himself if he takes Jeff or Picks out of the lineup
And RNH sniped an extremely timely and absolute beauty of a goal. Luv the Nuge, such a great player.
Very encouraging too for those who thought it was a hand injury
What happened to Stetcher?
ALSO:
Doesn’t that make EIGHT come-from-behind wins in one playoffs?
When the previous team record was SIX?
https://records.nhl.com/records/playoff-team-records/comeback-wins/most-wins-after-trailing-by-one-goal-playoff-year
They now have 8, yes (not updated as of now).
The record is 10 (2008-09 Penguins, 21-22 Avs)
Of the 12 other teams who have 8 or more comeback wins in a playoff season, 8 have won the Cup, while 2 more came up one game short.
Very clear Leon and Hopkins and others are sick.
If they have what I’ve had and what seems to be going around, it sure is a nasty one.
But a couple more days and they should be clear. That would be huge.
McDavid – is he sick?
Didn’t get as good of a look at his face.
His wingers might be making him a bit ill…
’We Want The Cup’ ‘We Want The Cup’….
Deliberately unplugged for the whole of this game. No distractions. Total focus. Like I demand of these Oilers.
Don’t know if anyone noted or commented, but beyond that egregious non-call early in OT, refs were doing subtle things all game long with icing.
As in: Three minutes to play in the third refs call phantom icing against the Oil, suddenly it’s six on five, from that moment forward Panthers press. When otherwise the game was winding down.
But Whatever! Very, VERY happy with the win. This stuff is legendary.
Playoff beard Pickard looks like a guy who would get kicked off of a golf course.
The Pickard save on Bennett which ultimately hit the crossbar is as close to the Cujo save as I’ve seen. This will be save that wins us Cup 6
Legend. ary.
I refrained from commenting here when the chips were down, but I was thinking “Reja got his wish” when Picks started the 2nd :). I still would have started Skinner but I respected your steadfast opinion
Watching the replay on Leon’s one-hander again – he actually got a lot on that one.
Yes. And if it had gone thru, Perry had a chip-in (although Bob was already cheating that way)
Yep. Perry going to the net helped create the goal because of Bob’s cheating towards him
What a comeback. Scoring from unsung heros and Drai!
We survived Florida home cooking Reffing. Something needs to be said or done.
Leon the passing sensei with his pupil Podkolzein, then OT the student applying his learning with a great pass back to the master.
Bob was great, made some huge saves – a couple of the goals were “meh” goals that leaked by him that we’d not be happy if our goalie let in.
The Oilers are finally aiming high; Bob crouches so low, he gives up 3-4 inches there. I hope Koach K pulls out the shooter-tutors for next practice!
https://moneypuck.com/g.htm?id=2024030414
Expected goals were 3-0 Florida after 1, then 3-3 after 2. They ended roughly the same at 4.7-4.5.
Which fits that Bob was just a tiny bit leakier than the average goalie, while Picks was ultimately the difference
Stuart Skinner remains undefeated in game 4
This will be the lead story on why Skinner should start the next game.
Just as before. It’s picks net now.
More importantly the Oil remain undefeated in game 4 since 2023, 10-0.
3-0 against LA
2-0 against Florida
2-0 against Vegas
2-0 against Dallas
1-0 against Vancouver
Solid wins against solid teams in a critical series swing game
When was the last time the Oilers lost a game 4 in any playoff series? Ducks in 2017? It seems like they win a lot of game 4s…
This game was a carbon copy of the 1991 game 7 against the Flames down 3-0 crawled our way back before we gave up a late tying goal then for drama Tikkanen scored in OT
Tik.
Maybe the beautiest beauty ever.
My prevailing memory of that game was the elbow that Jeff Beukeboom planted square on Gary Roberts’ face with Don Koharski looking directly at it and not calling a penalty.
Robert’s was flopping like a fish out of water.
If anyone has the flu, cold, GI bug, Dysentery, the plague etc, please go see the Panthers dressing room
oh yeah
Woooooot
Ha, Maurice joked that Bennett had Da Nang Fever. Maybe he’s a prophet.
Oilers overcame the brutal reffing and the Panthers. 7 come from behind wins – just amazing!
Now bring this home. Fix the PK please.
#PlayLaBambaBaby
I know a lot of people say Skinner has a higher ceiling. And Bieksa said today that Pickard isn’t that ‘stylistic’. But all he does these playoffs is win. So I don’t care if he is doing it with a lucky rabbits foot or if he has horse shoes up his ying-yang, put him in for the next two games.
Its gotta be win and in and Pickard might be better suited for Panthers scrambly style. Skinner was a beast against Dallas and obviously i wouldnt have pulled him there; but they gotta figure out a rotation
Can the Oilers accept its a 2 goalie system Skinner isnt a starter 1A. Its Stu and Cal win and in the quicker we realize this the better
Very tense game. Can’t say I enjoyed it in real time until Drai OT winner. As we all know, Oilers have been coming back all year but man things looked grim and FLA is a very tough team. But we came back and I still feel we haven’t seen the Oil’s best game yet. Just need to see it two more times and the cup is ours.
Drai is now just the 3rd player in NHL history with two OT winners in one SCF.
Also all time record with 4 OT winners in a playoffs, if I’m not mistaken??
Affirmative.
That’s what makes you our ace reporter–you’re not afraid to ask the tough questions.
Playoff record 4 OT goals in one playoff season for Pope Leo!
Pickard might not win the Conn Smythe, but he looks prime for the Cy Young.
No bones to pick with Stu, but gotta start Pickard next game.
Got my daughter’s pink my little ponies on the mantel. I’m pretty sure that’s why we won..
They are totally my daughter’s…
Pickard PLAYOFFS 7W-0L two more wins to run the table.
I’m so glad I steeled my heart and watched that glorious lucky goal!
GO OILERS!!!
Unbelievable – this team is going to give me a heart attack. My resting pulse was 135 during the OT. It’s normally 60. I feel like I just did the grouse grind. This team man.
I don’t think the first period was on Skinner but this team does seem to rally around Cal, and he made some 10 bell saves in overtime. I would not have predicted any of that!
Both teams got their split.
We are back where we started but, now, its a best of 3 with 2 games at home!
Good thing as Florida ice is complete crap.
They’re a skilled team and the ice seemed to hurt them at times as well. But the better ice should help the Oil use their speed and break up the Florida forecheck
Bounces are in our favour, Baby!!!
Pickard broke the curse and we’re rolling!!!
Kept our heads and kept pushing!!!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…………….
……….ha
Gutsy play to come back in this one, fighting against everything. Also, that ice is disgraceful
I think net is Pickard’s the rest of the way.
It has to be. He’s earned it.