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/
What has happened to the mighty Jays bats??? Lead off homer then nada….
Goof pitching beats good hitting. Game isn’t over yet, though.
Well at least my Cheifs are up by 10 with 7 min left in the 4 th! Jays down to last 3 bats but you never know!
The intermission crew discussed Bouchard making team Canada at the Olympics and the old faithful nonsense narrative came out. Apparently because Makar will get PP1 there is no use for Bouchard. Because why would you want 5v5 offence and strong puck moving? Bouchard is not only effective on the PP. He is a unique weapon 5v5.
Bouchard is more positively impactful at 5 on 5 than on the PP.
This PP specialist narrative is old and wrong but strong.
Assuming, I think confidently, that Toews-Makar will be the top pair how do you construct the bottom 2 pairs.
The thinking for the 4 Nations Cup was to have puck movers paired with shutdown D which is why you saw Parayko on the team.
There is significant speculation that Thomas Harley who has emerged as a legit #1D in Dallas would be selected for 2LD. He had a standout season for Dallas when Heiskanen missed 32 games with injury. He is also an accomplished puck mover and is taking some PP time this season.
So would Bouchard be an appropriate partner on the second pair?
Aaron Ekblad, Drew Doughty, Chris Tanev & Dougie Hamilton will also likely get strong consideration at RD if healthy.
I want Bouchard in over all those RD you list no question.
I think Morrissey is Canada’s best LD. Harley and Theodore probably fight it out for the other starting spot.
If Bouchard’s playoff performances haven’t proven he’s the second best RD for Canada, we’re watching different sports.
Toews is easily Canada’s best LD and his familiarity playing with Makar make him a shoe in.
I expect both Harley and Morrissey will make the team and either could handle 2LD..
Theodore has long played on the right hand side in Vegas and is again their 1RD this season.
Would you believe that Theodore actually outscored Bouchard at evens last season on a pro-rated basis despite missing 15 games due to injury?
.567 P/GP vs. .500 for Bouchard.
If I had to guess, I think the D could look like this.
Toews – Makar
Harley – Ekblad
Morrissey – Doughty/Theodore/Bouchard
Chabot – ?
The final RD spot os likely to be determined by performance in the early party of this season.
Doughty will get consideration due to his 3 gold medals in previous Olympics and World Cups.
Bouchard might deliver more offense than either but both are more Doughty and Theodore are more reliable defensively.
There are an extra two spots on the Olympic team…25 instead of 23. One more F and one more D.
Bouchard could make it as Makar insurance, the 8th D, in case Makar were to get injured in the tournament.
If one is playing Makar, the other two starting RD have to be all around D who can PK and move bodies, and play to the defensive structure and system, all of which are not strong elements of Bouchard’s resume.
Exactly so.
And since Makar generally plays almost half the game, the other two RD are, in some respects, specialists.
In a hypothetical scenario where Colorado could add Bouchard to their lineup do you think they turn their nose up at that?
Of course not…but there is no way they would pay $10.5 million for a 2RD and Bouchard would end up playing nearly 10 minutes less a game with only PP scraps.
10.5 for second pairing will be normal in no time.
Where does the idea come from that having one great defenseman means 1. You don’t want another, 2. Your other defensemen won’t play.
It’s allocation of resources.
Sure in 2 or 3 years $10.5 million will have a lot less impact on the cap but absorbing it now would have severe impacts on team depth.
Makar is probably getting $15 million on his next contract. One cannot spend over $25 million on two D in a hard cap world.
They turned up their nose and traded Byram because they could not afford him.
You realize the Oilers are spending $19.75 on two D, right?
It is interesting that the VGK are sending a total of $11 million on their entire 3 RD and only $13 million on their entire 3 LD.
And they’re regard as having one of the best and deepest D corp in the league even without Pietrangelo.
Bahahahaha. You did not just say this. Deepest D corps. That D is super suspect. Mgmt’s fingers are crossed that they’ve cobbled something together. Tip: they didn’t. Watch their in-season and deadline moves.
I like the Marner add. Like all teams in the West, they’re trying to respond to the standard which is Edmonton.
“The loss of Pietrangelo is a huge blow— it singlehandedly bumped the Golden Knights down from Tier 1 — but this is still a sturdy group, provided Theodore can stay healthy.
Theodore and Hanifin are a potent one-two punch. McNabb, meanwhile, is one of the NHL’s most underrated shutdown defensemen – his plus-11 Defensive Rating last year ranked in the 98th percentile of all blue liners, according to The Athletic Dom Luszczyszyn’s model.
We’re also betting that one of Whitecloud or Korczak will excel in a full-time top-four role. Whitecloud played nearly 500 five-on-five minutes with Hanifin last year. In that sample, the duo controlled a dominant 58 percent of scoring chances and 63 percent of goals.
Korczak, 24, is a breakout candidate. He’s a big, smooth-skating defensive defenseman who drove really promising results in sheltered minutes last year.”
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6692187/2025/10/07/nhl-defense-rankings-2025-26/
That thinking is like saying they have McDavid so why bring MacKinnon? Have one line to score goals and three lines that protect the lead.
Or you could have multiple lines and pairings that take it to the other team and score more than they give up. That’s the whole point of positive goal share right?
Every line on the USA is a 1st line. With lots of big bodies, that will have to be moved and obstructed. All around D who are strong is all aspects of their game bring more value. Makar is the best offensive D in the world, so Bouchard’s key strength works against him when one is contructing a D core that is strong and diversified in all attributes.
That said, with eight D going instead of just seven, Bouchard is a strong candidate for #8.
Remember NONE of the other six guys chosen (or seven if Bouchard is not #8) with Makar will be defensive specialists. They will be all around D who are strong in all aspects of the game, just lesser offensively than Bouchard.
This.
And you have to remember that the exact same management and coaching staff are running the Olympic team as ran the 4 Nations Cup squad.
That’s why Parayko made the team and Bouchard did not.
Bouchard has out performed every single name you’ve mention during the most important time of the year, multiple seasons in a row, the playoffs.
The Team Canada management is simply out of their mind if they don’t put Bouchard in their top 6.
The best minds in the NHL are running Team Canada,
I expect they know better than anyone who will perform best at the Olympics.
Makar, Toews, Ekblad, Theodore and Doughty all have Stanley Cup rings….over multiple seasons.
Bouchard does not.
Ekblad will have to pass his PED test.
Bouchard is forming a PK resume in real time, dating back to the playoffs.
Bouchard likely won’t be moving bodies but he sure does move the puck the right direction, driving outscoring, something Team Canada should value greater than “moving bodies”.
75% expected goal share through two games.
Team Canada should ignore what he does in the playoffs at its peril.
Summarizing!
Berry did not incur soup, and so shall have to subsist on lima beans.
Mangiapane/McDavid/Hyman
Podkolzin/Draisaitl/Kapanen
Frederic/Nuge/Roslovic
Howard/Philp/Savoie
Two top lines, a very good 3rd line, a kid line.
I never understand the fan obsession with kid lines. Almost never happens and there’s a reason for that.
The Oilers have 3 fantastically flourished veteran laden 3 lines, this could simply be a time that the rarely, happens.
There’s lots of reasons, lots of things happen. Howard and Savoie seems like a winger set that matches, Philp is closer to 30 then 20(not a average NHL “kid”) and is showing well. I think the vets would get a kick out of it, especially if they perform well.
I’m fully aware the likely hood of it happening especially with Knoblauch behind the bench, who I like as a coach, is 0.01%
How dare fans, be fans and look for fun in the game.
It’s the Adam Graves, Joe Murphy, and Martin Gelinas kid line that helped win the last one.
It tricks us into thinking it’s a good idea all the time.
Tomasek is outplaying Howard n Savoie
When I wrote the lines and didn’t initially see that I marked down European Penner, I did immediately bump Kapanen to the 13th forward,.
Yet, in this instance I did think about the coach, and I honestly believe that Kapanen with his late playoff work has earned some trust with Knoblauch. He likes what Kapanen does enough he gets the nod, the north/south 5×5 speed stands out in good ways.
Podkolzin/Draisaitl/Kapanen(Tomasek)
Tomasek has been very noticeable on the PP, but with Hyman coming back that will fall off. Has his 5×5 been good enough that Kapanen loses his ice time? I’m not sold.
Kapanen/Tomasek/Roslovic/Philp/Henrique should be 5 guys fighting for about 3 roster spots between them while the team does it’s best to get their ELC rookies constant shifts. They need reps, then more reps unless they become unplayable.
I think Roslovic should come in for Henrique in the short term. Move Tomasek to centre, or have Roslovic just replace Henrique at centre.
Henrique might as well get used to sitting in the pressbox. #TheNewJeffSkinner
Nah – cap hit aside, Henrique is the “better player” than Kapanen (including on the PK).
Move Frederic (or Savoie) down to Kap’s spot and put Roslovic in top 6 RW.
Henrique used to be the better player, but not any longer. I’m with godot on this one.
The real interesting moment will be once everyone is healthy. What lineup do they run???
I like the potential of Howard and Tomasek. But half a season in minors waiting for call up is the best option now that we have too many vets.
Maybe a trade is needed eventually, but I see the lines going this way Nov 1st
Draisatl. McDavid. Hyman
Mangiapane. Nuge. Savoie
Henrique. Fredrick. Roslavic
Podkolzin. Philip. Kapanen/Janmark
Lazar
No spot for the kids unless they play a better 2 way game. And both could use time in minors for confidence and comfort of playing against better caliber opponents.
Roslovic has until Nov 1st to earn his spot, with his NMC running out that day if he hasn’t made the mark he’ll hit waivers.
He has a NMC until Nov 1, when it becomes a modified NTC with a 4-team trade list. He can’t be waived.
Oh, damn.
If noone else is going on LTIR and not trade is made, the Oilers will need to clear just over $2.8MM of cap space to activate Hyman – that could be four players (maybe 3 depending on who they waive/assign).
As of now, against, presuming no trade, I think that’s: Lazar, Janmark, Stecher, ______ (Howard or Kap, probably Howard as its “easier”).
Of course, lots can change in the next apx 3 weeks healthy wise.
One of the hardest things to do as a coach is to manage your goalies. You don’t view the 2 guys on your roster as placeholders. They are your guys, and you aim to keep their confidence high because you need them both. You try to stick to a plan, which you usually share with them in advance so they can prepare and study shooter tendencies, etc.
The Oilers have a new goalie coach, and his success is going to be measured not only by how Skinner and Pickard perform this season, but also how well he can prepare them. I don’t think he and Knoblauch are going to bench/punish Skinner based on 1 brain fart in game 1 when he otherwise had a decent game after not playing for 10 days. I also don’t think they’re going to now run Pickard until he loses from Game 2 onwards based on a solid but low event game.
The upcoming schedule is extremely tough. Once they travel to NY (presumably tomorrow), they have 13 games in the next 23 days. No more than 1 day rest in between. Then 3 days rest and 10 games in 18 days. 5 B2B’s by the end of Nov. Limited practice time.
Maybe you give Picks the next game if you feel there is some momentum to harness, although Knob has often said he doesn’t believe in momentum. However, you have to keep that upcoming schedule in mind and maximize the confidence and readiness of both goalies. If you play each of them until they lose, you risk sending the message that as a team, you can’t overcome any of their errors or, that even if they play well but get no run support, they lose the net. If they know what to expect in terms of games then they can be prepared as best as possible.
Both Picks and Skinner are professionals and support each other. They understand the “win and you’re in” concept but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best way to roll when you’re looking at such a tight schedule over the next 6 weeks. I suspect the plan will be to give Skinner 2 of every 3 games and if it’s not working, then a game-by-game rotation. While both have the ability to “take the ball and run”, there is a good chance one guy will get burnt out quickly too early in the year, and the other guy will need a few games to get back up to speed if you take that approach.
Where does Ingram fit into this plan? I believe all 3 goalies are in contract years. I say only one of them will be a Oiler this time next year.
Ingram doesn’t fit into the plan yet. He needs time with the Condors to get back up to speed after no training camp, not playing since Feb/25 (8 months) and ensuring the tools he’s received in the player assistance program will enable him to handle the pressure of playing again. He is right where he needs to be at this point, for him and the Oilers. The worse thing they can do right now is rush him, and after 2 games in, there is no need to rush him. They have brought him in as insurance, so it depends on how all 3 of them play this season.
I wish this was like a forum where we could pin this post.
Well said.
I would say once Ingram gets a good handful of games in and if he’s rocking a 915sv then he’s going to definitely get a look (after Christmas) Oilers didn’t bring him in to marinade and develop they brought him in not only as insurance but as a possible dare I say around these parts “A Starter” that can win a Cup.
Could very well be right but much of it will depend on how the team is performing in the NHL an the how the goaltenders are performing in the NHL. I am very happy he’s in the org and anticipate him impacting the roster this season but we don’t know anything at this point.
I will continue to retort to the “they didn’t bring him in to……” with, it doesn’t matters the intent of any addition upon acquisition, what matters is how the player performs, regardless of expectations and decisions are to be made off the real time data not the hope/intent/expectation in the past.
Yes regardless Ingram needs to find his game and impress the higher ups to garner the phone call from Kingsway.
My oldest son was a goaltender and I can honestly say coaches do not focus on them at all. Unless it’s Patrick Roy. Coaches have no idea how to handle goalies, it’s voodoo as far as they are concerned. I think they rely on the goalie coach to a great extent, they really have no clue.
Went back and watched Magpie 35 goal campaign his first 2 goals look are eerily similar to his breakout year. The following year I believe is when he had shoulder issues. The goal against Wolf was a snipe you know he’s going to get many a opportunity from midrange and if he keeps shooting like that lookout here comes 30.
Saying that Connor should hit 40 goals no problem made me wonder how various guys compare
Let’s look at G/GP, Even Strength G/GP, PTS/GP, +/-/GP, then the adjusted versions (for Adjusted Even Strength G/GP I don’t see a site, so I’ll adjust the same amount that the total goals were adjusted, for Gretzky for example it was – 15%). I’ll put non-adjusted playoff stats below. I can’t find adjusted plus/minus or full playoff stats that are free at least:
G/GP, EVG/GP, PTS/GP, +/-/GP | ADJ – G/GP, EVG/GP, PTS/GP
PLAYOFFS G/GP, EVG/GP, PTS/GP, +/-/GP
Gretzky .60/.41/1.92/.349 | .51/.35/1.66
.59/.36/1.83/.438
Lemieux .75/.44/1.88/.125 | .67/.39/1.68
.71/.37/1.61/.187
Jagr .44/.31/1.11/.185 | .49/.34/1.20
.38/.25/.97/.144
Messier .40/.26/1.07/.120 | .36/.23/.99
.46/.30/1.25/.220
G Anderson .44/.30/.97/.178 | .37/.25/.81
.41/.31/.95/.280
Howe .45/.32/1.05/.090 | .52/.37/1.24
.43/.31/1.02/.032
Ovechkin .60/.38/1.09/.040 | .67/.42/1.24
.48/.29/.91/.018
Crosby .46/.32/1.25/.142 | .54/.37/1.43
.39/.28/1.12/.10
Malkin .42/.27/1.11/.023 | .46/.30/1.41
.38/.21/1.02/.033
P Kane .38/.27/1.03/0.00 | .49/.35/1.38
.37/.31/.97/.027
Kopitar .30/.21/.88/.075 | .33/.23/1.07
.26/.17/.86/.087
Giroux .29/.20/.88/.014 | .38/.27/1.09
.29/.20/.85/.089
Stamkos .50/.30/1.02/.008 | .56/.34/1.13
.39/.23/.79/-.085
Tavares .42/.28/.94/-.017 | .47/.32/1.17
.37/.27/.74/-.26
MacKinnon .42/.30/1.17/.202 | .56/.40/1.58
.58/.40/1.32/.40
Kucherov .46/.33/1.24/.188 | .65/.48/1.46
.35/.22/1.13/.243
Marchand .39/.28/.89/ .257| .53/.38/1.13
.37/.25/.88/.261
Connor .51/.37/1.52/.239 | .54/.40/1.93
.46/.30/1.56/.322
Leon .51/.29/1.21/.111 | .73/.41/1.58
.54/.30/1.47/.145
Strange that Leon’s stats get a bigger adjusted bump than Connor
Messier and MacKinnon are playoff beasts, increasing scoring and +/- in playoffs, Leon’s a mini beast
Connor drops in EV G a fair bit, takes a modest up in PTS/GP and +/-. Gretzky dropped in all but +/-, I imagine the tighter play makes it harder on high skill players, and guys that aren’t naturally physical or heavy
Given he’s the best player, he and the coaches should focus on what they can do to help his playoff scoring. Not that he isn’t great, but compared to some of the greats the numbers aren’t as strong comparing reg to playoffs, mainly scoring
MacKinnon also faces the hardest comp and doesn’t have Leon following him. He needs better wingers when not with Leon. Maybe that’s solved, we’ll see
Folks,
I reactivated the Google Ads for LT as he got hit with a huge malware cleanup bill and is moving to a new web host.
I keep getting ads for hearing aids and six-hour eavestrough upgrades in BC. It’s making me feel old.
The PayPal button’s live again, too. Let’s keep this corner of the internet a clean, well-lighted place.
NHL Player Safety
@NHLPlayerSafety
Vancouver’s Tyler Myers has been fined $2,500 for slashing Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.
Pitiful consequence for such a dirty, cowardly play.
Look on the bright side. With no suspension, the Canucks continue to be penalized by wasting cap room on his ridiculous salary.
October 26 will be the day for baby Nuge to take revenge on behalf of his captain. It will be his first Player Safety (sic) offense and he can afford the $2500. penalty.
Ekholm/ Bouch
Nurse/ Walman
Kulak/ Regula
Pretty damn impressive D core. Likely best we have had in a long time. Need to stay healthy!
Well, best since last year’s playoff, anyways. Walman-Klingberg were a dynamite 3rd pairing. Or maybe Nurse-Kulak was the 3rd pairing.
But yeah, even today we have a very good D corps. Stecher-Emberson as 7/8 is very solid.
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.
Teams have to play two goaltenders in the compressed Olympic season schedule. How did playing only Talbot work for Talbot when he was an Oilers. They lost both Broissoit and Stolarz because of that.
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.
And a good day to you.
European Penner also prefers Crepes.
Ha!
Who sits for Roslovic?
Maybe Howard gets a rest.
everyone pulled the rope last night pretty tough decisions ahead
This what strong internal competition looks like! No coasting allowed!
If he comes out, he needs to go to the Bake and play.
They don’t play until next Saturday.
I’d rather him on the team with the road trip, even if he plays 2-3 of 5.
I’d give Kapanen a break. Not for any reason other than he tends to coast when he gets comfortable. Keep him hungry and he’s be at his best.
Howard has a higher ceiling, and is making slow and steady gains. Sit him and he might question the good things he’s doing, and that’s counterproductive.
100% on Kapanen.
The issue with inserting Roslivic now is, where?
I mean, he has to be in the top 6, that’s his game, so who comes out of the top six? Savoie? One could argue Frederic but I think they want to give him more run and he was effective last night.
Maybe we should give Roslovic a little more time to get up to game speed. He’s missed all of camp.
If everyone played well last game, no reason to sit anybody. That’s how it worked in the playoffs, to the tune of 14 wins. Win, and the roster stays the same. Lose, and somebody sits. Might be an idea for the regular season, too.
Tomasek- Henrique – Roslovic. There’s the fourth line & leave the top nine as it was against the Canucks.
Rosolvic needs to be in the top 6 to be effective, in my opinion.
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.
Boy, did Drai backcheck well on that goal. Our two D were not even close.
That Goal was gift and I knew we lost the Cup at that moment. Flukey goals deflate everyone remember a few years ago against L.A when we scored at least 3 own goals (nurse) in 2 games on Skinner. I could go back and count a bushel full of flukey goals on Skinner going back to the Vegas series we lost. The amount is not random Skinners awareness and hockey IQ makes us work way to hard for series wins. We should be rolling through teams
winning in defensive struggles as well as shootouts. Thank the almighty that the Skinner era is winding down probably into a whimper
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’m hearing you on those Tommies, Tarkus! And no Erne in sight any more.
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
Pretty cheap punishment. Sets the new standard for trying to disable an icon. Go nuts (ha!) NHL players, a new era begins and the ball-busting can start now.
McSorley would of nut sacked Myers onto a stretcher like he did Mike Bullard. It’s up to the G.M then Coach to protect your star players. Nobody outside Northern Alberta feels sorry that McDavid and Draisaitl get picked on.
I liked Kane as an Oiler, but someone nailing him good next game is warranted. Real hard
Not many people Fuk with Kane especially when he’s feisty. I don’t think Frederic has that nasty in him.
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.
They have really upped their tempo and quickness this year after letting the slow boat to china players that we had too many of last year move on.
This team has implemented a whole different attack system.which only speed will allow you to do ,.It is fun to watch and must be exciting for McDavid as that is his kind of game.
Chicago Blackhawk blueprint.
Lack of team speed might have cost them last year’s Cup, imo. Losing Foegle, Holloway and especially McLeod and not replacing them with equally fast players that could keep up with Florida’s pace might have been the difference. Not to mention Broberg on the back end.
I don’t think we struggled in the playoffs because we missed ‘Perimeter’ Ryan McLeod.
We missed Ryan “automatic zone exit” big time against Florida.
The speed and size was missed, although McLeod doesn’t use his. The thing is he and Foegele had terrible goal shares. Not what a team needs
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!!!
I agree that Skinner has to earn back the teams confidence in him ..But he can do that with a good run of games .Unfortunately right now he is bringing back the ghosts of Campbell ..I sure hope not for his sake.
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.
As Chris Pronged said after the game. When it is close like this (2-1 ) and late in the game you don’t retaliate you just take a number and wait until the next game . I will be surprised if it is not looked after in the next game if we get up by couple or it is early in the game
Messier style
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
Cam Dineen played the worst professional hockey game I’ve seen by a d-man – maybe I’m exaggerating but it doesn’t feel like I am – he was so very bad. Really odd as we know he is a VERY good AHL d-man. Leppanen, well, lets just say he’s got LOTS to learn about being strong on his stick net front and possitionally.
Millman/Prokop were full value for being AHL contracted players.
They really need Carfagna and Akey to get healthy.
Remember that one shift from
Strudwick and Chorney?
(I seem to remember it wasn’t just that shift or that game, it was a whole season of that.)
https://youtu.be/VZqpW9KTJXo?si=8XTQwV8Rs5s1-iB5
Emberson will be a Condor soon.
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.
1) Nope, not a no-brainer – which is objective given so many think otherwise (here, on the radio, on pods, etc.).
2) Pickard had the 3rd best goalie environment in the NHL last season and had a save percerntage below .900
3) Pikcard was not better in the playoffs, in my opinion – by the numbers or by the eye.
4) If Skinner had let in the goal Pickard did last night, he’d be vilified for letting the Nucks back in the game – at that point, ZERO high dangers shots and 1 goal against.
Pickard replaced Skinner after he pooped his pants again in the first 2 games with L.A. and Pickard lost his job only because of injury. There is no playoff run without a career back-up named Pickard. I don’t know why you always throw shade on Pickard after every Win of his? Remind me again how Vegas won game 3 in the last second, ooh that’s right it was a “Flukey Goal” Skinnner is the king of fluke goals. When your G.M has to publicly try to build you up (Skinner) on after hours ( kiss of death) and that Skinner’s flukey goals are a anomaly tells me that he’s trying to get his asset value above negative.
Pickard replaced Skinner after the ENTIRE TEAM shit the bed in the first two games.
I certainly don’t but i will evaluate his play based in reality.
When Picks replaced Skinner, Pickard proceeded to be terrible in game 3 and the team bailed him out after he let in the worst goal of the playoffs until the SCF.
Pickard was OK-good in his run in the playoffs with one, ONE, plus game – all other games he let in weak goals (and made big saves).
I’m not here to shit on Pickard – love the guy and am happy he’s on the team and in the org but I evaluate him with my eyes and he lets in lots of goals that Skinner would get lambasted for, including the goal last night.
Pickard is lucky to still be in the league but at least he still has game when things get tight. Skinner lets in horrific goals at the worst times. Let’s see what another average Goalie Ingram looks like with our D and top 6 all around team.
So does Cal Pickard.
See goal 4 against:
https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-lak/2025/04/25/2024030183
Not sure where you got the impression Skinner cost the Oilers either of the 2 games the Oilers soiled the sheets on in defensive play.
Skinners 2 games the HDC total exceeded the total for Pickard’s 6 games that followed . . . . . . If you were watching that is.
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
Lazar has to be the first off the roster – he’ll clear (it will create a vet problem for Bako but that is secondary to the NHL team).
When Jammark comes off IR, if noone else goes on, they’ll need to cut another and its likely between Janmark himself, Stecher and Howard. Kap could/should be in the conversation but the org likes him more than his play dictates (in my opinon).
They’re liking (Podz-Philp-Kapanen)
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.
Are you really using shootouts to weigh the goal differentials negatively for the Oilers?
Either you don’t actually pay attention or you’re arguing in bad faith. Which is it?
You can ignore how the NHL keeps track if you like but the official tally has the Oilers with a +1 goal differential and the Canucks +2.
The Canucks have scored 6 goals in regulation the same as the Oilers while surrendering 4….the Oilers have been tagged with 5.
I love it. Thumb on the scale goal differentials + a two game sample size + transitive properties that stopped being applicable in Pee Wee = the Dys are better.
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.
“but has regressed three straight years”
He’s only played three years, unless you are counting one game this year as a regression season. That seems a little aggressive.
His save percentage in 23-24 was.905 which was slightly better than League average of. 903.
In 24-25 his .896 was slightly worse than League average of. 900.
League average has dropped every year for the last three years.
You have advocated giving him some more time:
“Give him some games, hope to god he gets his confidence up, and then go from there”,
and I agree with you even if our amount of time may vary slightly.
I have more faith in a young goaltender improving than many. That gaffe in the first game was magnified many times because of the circumstances; season opener, Calgary, losing a game in which we dominated.
I cringed because I knew the result would be reading a zillion posts about his supposed incompetence and I acknowledge, inconsistency.
So let’s see, new goalie coach, lost 15 pounds, first game of the season. He may or may not be our goalie of the future but burying him already this season is a bit much.
If you have to ask the question….
Which question was that? I couldn’t find any question marks in my post.
They already know
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.