So, we have a strict ‘no giant dogs on the bed’ rule in our house. It isn’t really fair. Ziggy is a small dog and has slept on the bed her whole life, and Clifford hasn’t slept on the bed much in his life. However, we are his pack, and why can’t he sleep on the bed? Well he’s a big dog, sheds hair at an alarming rate and does not smell like flowers in spring. All good reasons.

Last night, he waited until everyone was asleep and jumped on the bed. Hilarity ensued, but it took some time. My phone went missing, I couldn’t get out of the bed to go to the bathroom (blocked by Clifford on one side and Karen on the other). Clifford also robbed people of covers because he was laying on them. Also, when you move to create space, he just snuggles in closer.

It seems easy to kick him out of the bed, but he has these sad eyes and he’s the sweetest dog. Also, he sees Ziggy snoozing away on the bed. Why can’t he? We have a king size bed and a giant problem. I think this might end up with Karen and I sneaking downstairs to the spare bed. Stay tuned!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

• At home to: Chicago (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0
• Road: Blues, Stars (Expected 1-1-0)
• At home to: Avalanche, Blue Jackets (1-0-1)
• On the road to: Flyers, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes (1-2-0)
• On the road to: Sabres, Capitals, Lightning, Panthers (1-2-1)
• At home to: Stars (1-0-0)
• On the road to: Kraken (0-0-1)
• Expected Record: 6-5-3, 15 points in 14 games
• Actual Record 1-0-0, two points in one game
• Season Record: 6-4-3, 15 points in 13 games

Q AND A

When did you decide to stop making sense? I’ve written an opinion blog for 22 years. I haven’t changed my approach, although events and effective arguments have changed my mind. I believe that’s the sign of intelligence: when something or someone presents compelling evidence that runs counter to your opinion, one should consider it and then alter their view if warranted. I’ve done that many times.

Your opinions on Evan Bouchard and Stuart Skinner are wrong!! Oh good, a debate. Where would you like to start?

You wrote a hit piece on Evan Bouchard at The Athletic. Of all the writers who spend their time on the Oilers, I consider myself the least capable of writing a “hit” piece. I did say, in this article, that the Oilers as an organization undervalue Bouchard and players of his type. It isn’t impossible to see him dealt in the next year or so. At no time did I say it would be a good idea, but I think we can agree it wasn’t a good idea to trade Taylor Hall or Jordan Eberle and the Oilers did those things.

You never liked Bouchard. The math on Bouchard at five-on-five is undeniable. He’s an effective difference maker. In the last three complete seasons, he owns a 56 percent goal share, while the Oilers are 51 percent with him off the ice. Away from Connor McDavid, his goal share was 49.7 (95-96). That compares to Darnell Nurse, who was just 50 percent with McDavid and 52 percent without the captain. The coaching staff has it right and these are quality numbers. Bouchard is bona fide and an impact NHL player.

You don’t like to player type, though. Not true. Love puck movers, and especially the Oilers puck movers over the years. I spent most of a decade trying to get Joey Laleggia on to the NHL team. I believe in passing, so am a Bouchard fan for sure.

You changed your opinion on Stuart Skinner. Don’t deny it, you dirty rotten fricker fracker! You’re right, I did. I subscribe to the Bill James theory of established level of ability, something Rob Vollman also recommended in his hockey books. We have three years now of Stuart Skinner as a No. 1 goalie for an NHL team. Over those three full seasons, his five-on-five save percentage (.914) is solid. There are 69 goalies with over 2000 five-on-five minutes in those three full seasons. Skinner ranked No. 32 of 69. I think the Oilers should aim higher.

Why didn’t you say that this summer? The team changed goalie coaches, Skinner showed up in great shape and was moving well. The three year rule is a guide, but it didn’t come from the Sermon on the Mount. I’m a Skinner fan, that’s a fact. I want to see him win the Stanley Cup as an Oilers goalie. I also try to be honest with you, and honestly I think the Oilers need an upgrade in order to win the Stanley. At least a small upgrade, and if Skinner wins the starting role for the playoffs and keeps it, music!

You also said you don’t believe this team will make the Stanley Cup Final next spring. Yes, that’s true and it is what I believe. I picked the Oilers to win it all the last three seasons, but won’t be doing it this year. There’s too much of a ‘period of transition’ feel to the roster. Unless I’m wrong, the team plans on running Matt Savoie and Ike Howard on skill lines over the next several seasons. If that is true, at the current pace of deployment, these two men won’t play much in the postseason. I doubt either dresses for every game of the playoffs. So, that’s an investment for the future, like Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg were before they were not. Edmonton slow plays kids, they just do. I think it’s a mistake, honestly. I would prefer Savoie on a line with one of McDavid or Draisaitl, and would like Howard on the third line with the Nuge. It isn’t going to happen, and feature minutes will become more scarce once Hyman is back.

What do you mean? Put it this way. Andrew Mangiapane is producing at a level similar to Jeff Skinner one year ago. Skinner was banished to the back of the line by Knoblauch for most of the season and all of the playoffs. Mangiapane is still getting the McDavid minutes, I think partly because the coach doesn’t see Howard or Savoie as legit alternatives. I believe that is a mistake.

Good talk, you’re wrong on all of it. Well, I work hard to be consistent.

On the Lowdown today, Rachel Kryshak (CTO of Betalytics and ESPN contributor) will join me at 12:40 to talk World Series, Oilers, Leafs and more. Jason Gregor will pop in to chat about Oilers, Jays and the CFL playoffs. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440n and You Tube.