The Edmonton Oilers were dominant last night versus the Vancouver Canucks in a 3-1 win. All of the Corgis were barking in a good direction for the home side and all four lines had tidy five-on-five results. Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko was the story for the visitors, and here are my observations of the game.
Draisaltl-McDavid-Frederic led the way at five-on-five minutes (11:40) and outshot 7-3. No goals, HDSC’s 5-0 and 89 percent expected goals. McDavid had three HDSC, Frederic two, including an early point blank chance. Leon scored a troll goal ENG, backhand from 90 feet with German precision. McDavid picked up an assist on a night the entire line was flying. Frederic doesn’t have the mitts to fly with these fellows, but Zach Hyman will be back soon.
Podkolzin-Philp-Kapanen were the No. 2 line in time-on-ice at five-on-five (9:34) and Philp scored the opening goal on a beauty. It was a power move by a RH center heading down Broadway, haven’t seen many of those this century. The line was 7-2 shots, 1-1 goals, 52 percent expected goals, 1-1 HDSC. Kris Knoblauch has played this line as his No. 2 unit (in terms of TOI) in both games. An interesting wrinkle.
Mangiapane-Nuge-Savoie played 8:19 together at five-on-five, 7-1 shots, no goals, 95 percent expected goals, 3-0 HDSC. I liked all three players on the night. Matt Savoie skated miles and was a demon on the forecheck. He had four shots and three HDSC’s at five-on-five. Only a matter of time before he scores a goal on this line. Andrew Mangiapane potted his second goal in two games, the goal combined anticipation and an acccurate shot from the slot. Music! Nuge was most noticeable on the power play, but did plenty of good work without the puck at five-on-five.
Howard-Henrique-Tomasek were 3-3 shots in 6:39 together. 62 percent expected goals and no HDSC’s. The line got lost a little because they weren’t making much happen offensively and the other three units were having a time. Howard is vulnerable because he can get sent out without waivers, Henrique is vulnerable because Noah Philp is eating his lunch (there’s just zero comparison, Philp has more jump) but Henrique did have a couple of PP chances. Tomasek had FIVE HDSC’s on the power play! Couldn’t beat a great goalie. That’s once. If he continues to get chances and doesn’t bury them, it’ll be trouble for Tomasek. I expect he’ll find the range. Holy hel he blew through some 10-bell chances without a goal, though.
Ekholm-Bouchard played 13:25, 11-2 shots, no goals, 5-0 HDSC and 91 percent expected goals. So far this season at five-on-five, the tandem is 1-0 goals but 26-6 shots! The goals will come. Absolutely filthy numbers.
Nurse-Regula played 13:15, 10-5 shots, 2-1 HDSC and 72 percent HDSC. Nurse had a far better game than in the first outing, and Regula was effective when Evander Kane wasn’t trying to end him. I like the pairing.
Kulak-Emberson went 2-5 shots is 11:15 together. They were 1-1 goals and 22 percent expected goals. I think they had some tough moments but would keep them together.
Calvin Pickard had a solid game. He stopped 14 of 15 (.933) including all four HDSC’s. I would run him in Game 3.
I wrote about Oilers prospects at The Athletic, including a few words about the Condors game yesterday. It is here.
Why Edmonton Oilers prospects could fill the net across the hockey world
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6708952/2025/10/12/edmonton-oilers-prospects-2025-season/
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! It might have already been said here today, but I think the coach should be playing the goalie until he loses. Both goalies. Until there’s an upgrade, this is what we have. Make it a meritocracy.
fwiw: I don’t think it’ll require that level of forbearance, but I say we give Tomasek the same leeway we gave Connor Brown his first year in Oilers silks. Adjustment is a thing – new team, new league, new continent – and I do think there’s a player there. A fully acclimated’European Penner’* can only help the Oilers next spring, and there no better moment for such a player in the team’s boom-bust cycle, cap management situation, etc.
* Stick tap to whoever tagged Tom as Penner Euro. Can’t find it now but since seeing that I’m seeing it a lot in the player.
Who sits for Roslovic?
Maybe Howard gets a rest.
everyone pulled the rope last night pretty tough decisions ahead
Fun game. Some huge hits. My god Demko is great. Imagine if we had 1 of those.
Regula has got to keep his head up or he won’t be in this league long. Like his game but he has to learn to be aware f who is on the ice. The Kane hit from behind was a cheap shot, but that other one was nasty and clean. Kane looked good. ( maybe they pick him up at the deadline if he has a good year lol)
Myers hit Frederic like a truck. But his stick between McD’s leg was super dirty. I can’t believe the refs let that go and the Kane one as well. Terrible reffing.
Pickard wasn’t tested much, but should get the next game.nThey should play who is winning.
Nice to see Philp score, he played well with 1 bad turnover his only blemish.
Road trip should be fun and be nice to see where Roslovic fits in.
It is infuriating that NHL officials consider game management more important than actually calling the fouls as they occur. How four officials can ignore Myers spear is hard to fathom. Oilers were dominating the game so they weren’t going to get any more advantages (barring a puck over the glass or too many men) NHL at it’s finest!
Contrast the goals Skinner let in vs the save Pickard makes on Mangy last night. Sure, you can say they were fluke goals on Skinner but seems like there are just way too many flukes happening when he’s in net. If it is purely luck (I don’t think it is), I’ll take the luckier goalie which is Pickard.
We win game 2 we win the Cup go back and watch the OT winner it wasn’t even a shot Skinner put it in himself. I guess Bowman is waiting to see what he has in Ingram. If Skinner is somehow tradeable the Cap savings will get us a decent player at the deadline.
Here is hoping Regula if feeling fine and no effects from either of the Kane hits (one attack and one legit hit) last night as I think, if Walman is healthy, its Emberson that comes out of the lineup.
Prospection!
Getting the spotlight today is one (not three, five is right out) Bauer Berry, who now toils for the #19 St. Thomas Tommies. When he goes to the mirror (boy), he sees not someone who sparks offense but rather someone who can solidify his own zone. After surviving the Tommies’ (holiday) camp, he’s hoping ’25 is gonna be a good year.
Berry’s amazing journey continues when the puck drops at 4 p.m. Wanham time.
I certainly hope the league is taking a second look at the intentional nut-banger that Connor suffered, that was beyond nasty and “should” have been a penalty… a suspension “should” be the right call.
Especially with Myers having multiple suspensions for stick infractions previously.
That should be at least a game and he should have been tossed last night. League is a joke as always
Sadly only $2500. https://x.com/NHLPlayerSafety/status/1977424356616937884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1977424356616937884%7Ctwgr%5Ef93b5e45ecab9b081d9fc4450190c4821562ef85%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oilersdaily.com%2Fnhl%2Fnews%2Fnhl-player-safety-announces-discipline-for-tyler-myers-after-slash-to-connor-mcdavid
Ekholm-Bouchard played 13:25, 11-2 shots, no goals, 5-0 HDSC and 91 percent expected goals. So far this season at five-on-five, the tandem is 1-0 goals but 26-6 shots! The goals will come. Absolutely filthy numbers.
———————————-
Ekholm looks 100% healthy and he doesn’t look his age – amazing!
That contract is absolutely fantastic and may not have been available if we waited half the season
very very, very important.
The Oilers ended with the tie and SOL because of some sloppy individual plays – they thoroughly outplayed the flames, just like the Nucks – not quite to the same extent (last night was dominant) but this team is much more locked in as a group early this season.
They haven’t trailed through two games and are at 65% expected goals (5 on 5) through two games.
PP looks totally different this year and dymanic.
Oh, also, they are going to add Walman, Hyman and Roslovic to this lineup (oh, and MAYBE an up to speed top of game Ingram? We won’t know that for a little while.
I think with the Oilers defense now and the coach’s system play that any decent NHL goalie would look good playing behind that. Look how good Pickard looked playing last night and we can all
Agree that he’ll only ever be a backup. Skinner i think has lost the room and you can see that wen the Oilers seem to play better wen Pickard is in net. Im curious to see how Ingram will look whens hes ready for NHL games, soon hopefully, and when he does i bet you anything he will be a hell of a lot better than Skinner! I’ve lost all confidence in Skinner, even though it’s only been one game. Ingram/Pickard before christmas, book it!!!
Why didn’t Frederic handle any business during that game? Where is his supposed toughness? I still haven’t seen any.
Time and place my dude. Up one goal in the 3rd is not the place to be actively getting roughing and fighting majors. Winning the game is more important than getting even. When you have real breathing room is where you can take that into your own hands.
Agreed but Myers can’t go unchallenged on 97 spear to the bag.
Next game.
It was nice to see a Complete 60 mins by the home team
stick taps to Philp. Good game
i actually really liked Kulaks game
the only time he had trouble was when the other 4 flew north and left him with no options
Emberson is not moving the puck north effectively and quickly enough. It’s an issue
Regula played well. He needs to absorb that hit and not stop 3 feet from the boards. That’s dangerous
Emberson is not eclipsing Stecher at this point.
Wonder if they don’t look to trade Emberson and keep Stetcher as your no 7 D????? Problem is doesn’t sound like there is really potential help from Bako if needed.
From the highlites of that Bako game, the D looked bad as did the goaltending
https://x.com/hockeystatcards/status/1977240345856667767?s=46
Emberson at the bottom there.
Maggy, Philip and Kapanen showing up surprisingly well.
Podkolzin/Kapanen work great together as a wing duo.
I’m not sure what to make of Emberson. He had such a good start with the Oil after the trade but faded quickly.
Last night, he was too soft on Boesner for the goal against.
When ready, do we see Walman with Kulak? Or does Regula drop down a pairing?
Emberson is having issues moving the puck north. It’s an issue
Yes, Walman goes w/Nurse and Regula drops w/Kulak. Regula is better at moving the puck.
But Regula needs to learn to keep his head up or he won’t stay in the lineup.
Took a vicious (but clean) wallop from Kane. Got pulled from the bench. Hopefully no concussion. Has to learn to protect himself better.
He was the defencenen who led the NHL last year with being hit the most .
From literally day one Emberson has shown poorly on zone exits.
it’s a no brainer running Pickard in game 3 and until he loses. He was the better goalie last year and so far this year. Nobody’s ever going to confuse Pickard with Tretiak but he’s competent and that’s all we need to bank some points. K.K can worry about Skinner feelings later after we get out of the gate. If Pickard is the better goalie by the time Ingram is up and running why should it be Pickard falling on the sword because there’s no takers for Skinner?
I actually think they should just get rotated 50/50, without thought for who gets what team.
Agree share the games 50:50 and let there be no doubt about who deserves to stay
Win and you’re in.
Oilers just seem to play better in front of Pickard … the main difference between the two goalies so far, was that the team took their foot off the gas in game 1, and didn’t in game 2.
Play till you lose, except back to back games
The schedule is heavy enough that one can just alternate for awhile.
How about Noah Philp? Do you still think he’s headed to waivers? Why when Ike Howard doesn’t require waivers to be sent down.
“Philp is eating Henrique’s lunch”
They need Philp if playing well more than Howard. Given Ros and finding out if Tomasek can find the range and do enough 5v5. I hope Ike can keep his head together, his time will come, and he has some development to do it seems
They can’t have too many RHCers.
That might of saved him his job that and killing his ill-advised penalty off. I’m surprised the panel jumped on him for taking the penalty after Kane flattened Regula but time and score effect matter.
It was a lame call on Philp. Kulak gave Kane more of the business. Neither should have been penalized. Edmonton should have been on a PP. I guess the officials forgot it was Evander Kane.
I agree that’s why I was surprised the 2 d-men who definitely were no angels through shade on him for taking like you said that lame penalty. Why don’t we ever get calls like this especially with 2 minutes left in a 1 goal game.
As I wrote below, I believe he’s an NHL player and would have been picked up on waivers. Credit to Kris Knoblauch here imo. There were more established options and he went with Philp. That’s a tell. Glad to see it.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6668337/2025/09/27/oilers-prospect-noah-philp-nhl-roster/
Podkolzin is such a reliable player, that he is saving Kapanen’s NHL career.
Though conceivably, Roslovic might steal that spot with Podkolzin, and his defensive wobbles might be “cured” also.
I think he has played well
Little flashes from Howard. Obviously he’s not as far along as Savoie, but Ike hasn’t looked lost out there. 53/42 the most likely to come out for 28, but eastern road trip should be a hoot for the youngsters.
He definitely looks like a kid who hasn’t played NHL level yet. If he’s who subs out for 28, then hopefully he gets lots of ice in Bako. He’s definitely nearly there though.
The problem is Condors have such a light schedule right now only playing on weekends. Howard needs to play, not practice in Bako.
I will be at the Rags game tuesday and will report how I see them do. Should have a good view as in lower bowl, end Edmonton shoots twice.
Nice do you wear a Oiler sweater and if so whose jersey?
I wear ba game worn Ales Hemsky jersey from his rookie season.
Why has someone downvoted this?
Have fun a MSG, such a wild place!
It is a fun place to watch a game, better than LI. Prudential Center is nice and as much as I hate to say it, Amerant Bank Arena is one of my favorites.
Idiots lurk among us!
53 is not a fourth line player and shouldn’t be deployed in that fashion.
Kapanen is part of a very productive line with Philp & Podz.
Philp’s goal reminded me of Jason Arnott.
Yes that is a perfect comparison.
Impressive outing other than lack of finish and second chances
Pettersson with another invisible night. Hughes going to get run into the ground
Tochet got alot out of that team. Very few easy nights vs his team. Will see what Foote can do, but after first viewing didn’t look like there’s much to fear there
I don’t know what to make of the Canucks after watching them last night. If Demko plays most of the season then they will have a winning record, just because he’s so good. But after Hughes they are a pretty forgettable lineup.
I don’t see nearly enough offense to make the playoffs personally.
A little early to be drawing conclusions like that.
Through 2 games the Canucks are 6-4 goal differential while the Oilers are 6-5.
Vancouver is implementing a new system that involves getting their D much more active in the rush and that may/may not pay dividends.
Another factor this season is integrating a large number of promising young guns into the lineup so it will be a work in progress.
Currently on the roster:
Braeden Cootes – 18
Jonathan Lekkerimaki – 21
Aatu Raty – 22
Arshdeep Bains – 24
D-Peety – 21
Victor Mancini – 23
Tom Willander – 20 (currently in Abbotsford)
One should assume not all will deliver right away but a few seem on the cusp with D-Peety having already turned the corner.
Management is still focused on finding a 2C but that has proven to be very difficult and could be a major determinant as Filip Chiytl’s concussion history is a big worry.
I disagree in running Pickard again next game. Who is your starter? Pickard is a solid backup. Full stop.
Skinner has his warts for sure, but you need to see if he can carry the mail and sort out the mental game asap. Because if he can’t then you have to make a pre Christmas decision. And the goalies splitting time equally does nothing to settle the question on whether they can trust Skinner this playoffs.
Gotta run Skinner 2 of every 3. Or trade him in a month. They need to know, and he needs to know, if he is the starter.
I see Skinner back between the pipes next game. But he will have a short leash and he should know that.
Agree with alot of points here, is say the main issue with Skinner or goalies in general, is the mental game.
Once media and fans turn on you, especially in Edmonton, it’s time to cut losses. Skinner could run an League average season and still get treated like he’s a failure.
I hope Bowman finds a suitable replacement so Skinner may continue his career and the Oilers can do the same.
This isn’t an “experiment”, that word is a poor reflection of the usage or verbal of Skinner.
If the Oilers are going to run the hot hand, then imo the die has already been cast. Lets see which teams are going to sell or will be selling when the season starts to shake for organizations.
I see Pickard starting the next 3 games with us getting 6 points. Give Skinner the Detroit start on the 2nd half of the back to back game.
The goalies splitting the crease while Pickard is a career backup should tell you everything you need to know.
Pickard plays with a quiet crease, Skinner goes from mute to breaking the speakers in 0.01 seconds. It’s like when you’re driving and need to turn the stereo down to see, but you can’t because the stereo is possessed and you’re left hoping you don’t hit a tree.
Oilers can’t afford to piss away the first 1/3 of the season finding out if Skinner can find the volume button.
Skinner might end up in Buffalo if he’s not careful.
Our D is pretty good at the moment we don’t need a goalie to save games we just need one not to lose them. Bowman will test drive Ingram if he’s not the answer he’ll have to go shopping around Olympic time. Of course Bowman is not going to throw shade on a asset but when a goalie let’s in 3 fluke goals in 1 game then Houston we have a problem.
I agree .I like what SB said in an interview .Skinner makes a mistake like he did and everyone is all over him .,Pickard has a horrible; give away behind the net a few games ago and no one says an thing.
Isn’t that the norm everywhere? There are different expectations on the starter vs the backup
What do we need to know exactly?
They should know.
He can’t and isn’t.
Play Pickard for now and move on.
You can’t use Logic with goalies cause they are Voodoo and you can’t predict the Voodoo, you roll the bones and run with it.
What has Skinner done to prove that he has any more ability to be a starter than Calvin Pickard at this point? Just because he is younger? Skinner started strong, but has regressed three straight years, while the team in front of him got better each year. Something isn’t adding up.
I’ll agree on maybe a 50/50 split for the next little bit, but to purposefully run the weaker goaltender 2/3 to sort of forcefully hope him into being better doesn’t make a ton of sense.
Give him some games, hope to god he gets his confidence up, and then go from there.
Said it last year – will say it again – if Skinner was some rando from Finland who we signed as a free agent ala Mikko Koskinen – he’d already be gone. Skinner has been given a ton of rope to prove he can be a starter, he has to earn it now.
I really appreciate the trust KK is showing in 22, 53 & 48 so far. It is great to see them being put out regularly, which will benefit this team in 7 months time. Not that they aren’t earning the ice time, but my fear was they would be sidelined for vets as the team chased early wins without rookies.
My favorite moment so far this season is seeing Philp get his first, considering the road he hoed to get there.
Number 53 will be out and Number 28 will be in next game.
Drove right down the centre of the effing highway too. That centre lane drive is what the Oilers are missing against the Panthers.
Great game. If they ever find some mojo finishing they will be the freight train many think they should be. They’re a train for sure, maybe half loaded so far
Demko is back to his former form.
He’s very good when healthy, but there are ways to deal with that. They need more traffic and to get to the net more assertively when the puck is there. Philp’s and Mangi’s goals were more like that, would like to see it as a theme for all of the forwards
Leon shooting right into the glove with lots of time and space with a gaping cage (he knew it), skunked on the PP….. Connor should have no trouble hitting 40 every year
A solid game, but I would like to see them close the gap some to their expected goals, which was over 5 for that game. Against stronger teams not finishing can come back to haunt you. Even weaker teams. It’s always been like that
I’ve always noticed that teams that whiff too many chances seem to end up in trouble, with a bad play like the flames game, or giving up a good goal and momentum turns hard. A killer instinct is a good thing in sports, if it’s given up you take it
It’s still early they’ll get their crap together.