The Edmonton Oilers won five in a row and the Anaheim Ducks extracted just one point in the last four games played, and we arrive at Easter weekend in a tie for the very top of Pacific Heights. For tonight’s opponent, Vegas Golden Knights, this is surely the last chance Texaco. Winning against Edmonton tonight gives the desert dogs a chance to become the diamond dogs. Goaltending has been an issue for both sides this season, and will tell a tale tonight. The Oilers five-on-five scoring since March 1 is also a situation worth monitoring.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- At home to: CHI, VEG (Expected 1-0-1) 1-0-0
- On the road to: UTA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0)
- At home to: COL, VAN (Expected 1-1-0)
- Expected Record: 4-2-1
- Actual Record: 1-0-0
- Season Record: 39-28-9, 87 points in 76 games
The Oilers ripped through March (9-4-1) and now have a chance to win the division and play probably Utah in the first round. The Mammoth aren’t like Pacific Division teams, in that the GA are far less in salt water. The Mammoth have a +27 goal differential, that would lead the Pacific by 15 goals (Edmonton is +12). In truth, I don’t think it matters who the Oilers play in the first round. If the club can sustain current levels, Edmonton will roll.
Oilers Five-on-five points-60 since March 1
The Oilers have been getting impressive offense from all four lines in recent weeks, and that’s unusual going back most of a decade. Oh sure, there were times when a third line player moved up the depth chart and delivered in a new role, but this version of the Oilers is enjoying more balanced scoring. Consider the top nine scorers, not by line, but rather by points-60, since March 1 (five-on-five):
- Leon Draisaitl: 3.18 in seven games
- Jack Roslovic: 2.15 in 15 games
- Max Jones: 2.15 in nine games
- Connor McDavid: 2:14 in 15 games
- Matt Savoie: 1.82 in 15 games
- Vasily Podkolzin: 1.75 in 15 games
- Zach Hyman: 1.6 in 15 games
- Adam Henrique: 1.5 in 13 games
- Trent Frederic: 1.21 in 10 games
Colton Dach actually leads the team (3.89 points-60) but in just three games and 15 minutes. There is depth scoring here, and it’s encouraging because men like Jack Roslovic can move the needle offensively even when playing away from Connor McDavid and or Leon Draisaitl. At the bottom of the top 10 are a couple of veterans who finally appear to be finding the range offensively. Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic can salvage their respective seasons with some strong player over the next several weeks.
The player not mentioned in this group who spends time in the top six? Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. His points-60 since March 1 (0.64) is nestled between Jason Dickinson (0.68) and Josh Samanski (0.43). I’m not sure how sustainable Nuge is as a complementary player on the McDavid line is at this point, and even though this is a small sample, it’s not that small (187 minutes) and the coaching staff has other options.
I suspect we’re seeing a period of transition. I suspect we’re going to see McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Podkolzin, Savoie and one of Roslovic or Kasperi Kapanen in the top-six.
One wrinkle Kris Knoblauch could employ is keeping the Roslovic-Nuge-Hyman line together (they are 4-1 goals in 58 minutes, but only 40 percent expected goals). McDavid could continue working with Podkolzin and Savoie, leaving Draisaitl Kapanen and various remnants and roll ends. One of Draiaitl’s strengths is taking unproven types and turning them into hammers, so maybe that’s an option. Big game tonight, looking forward to seeing if the Oilers can maintain the attention to detail that has rewarded them with five wins in a row.
All Knoblauch had to do was slide Samanski between Nugent-Hopkins and Roslovic, and keep the other lines the same.
someone took a video of the scrum at the end and Bouch says to, presumably Lauzon “Go to sleep! Go to sleep again” and then walks off
If Vegas takes the division, I’ll puke, but I’m really not that scared of them. They can take this knight’s team over a seven game series, especially with 18 and 29 in the lineup.
Anaheim cratering, as a young team down the stretch could be expected to do.
San Jose will be a problem starting next year. But that is not today.
The fact LA is even in the hunt sitting at 31st in regulation wins is the anomaly of the century. They stink out loud.
Seattle is and forever will be mediocre at best.
Absolutely hilarious that Calgary has chosen to go on their annual late season heater to pull themselves out of a better draft pick. 😙🤌
Vancouver is years, if not decades away from being relevant.
The hockey gods have blessed Connor McDavid with a division of pure fluff.
Tonight, the battle is lost. But the war is theirs for the taking.
Per Tony B:
Knoblauch confirms Zach Hyman will not travel with the team this upcoming week and will miss the next three games.
Could return on the 13th vs. COL or 16th vs. VAN “at the latest.”
Not good
Seen this show before
Definitely concerning.
TV enabled.
You’ve earned it.
Cheers.
Last 33 Final 4/series it is still 67% winning teams give up avg of total of 6G (1.50) to 3G (.75) in 4 wins.
I look at each Conf 5×5 GA allowed cause elite scoring gets crushed!
WC #1 Col 121 GA, Dal 129, LAK 133, #15 Edm 180.
It is hard to watch!
Open SH is about countering bio evo hunt mechanism drive to hit body.
For 18+ years I have watched indv. Talk about minute score affects when Targeting is an absolute 100%/0%.
Doing Homeland research we joked about UNI trained needing 7 decimal pts when Solar flare harmonic affects on Special metal cores was in the 10s of %.
Doing regulatory & Corp. they want a simple no. (Just lkike fans) often took work to Neccasary res. Then told to dumb it down!
It is a function of so much more Sc knowledge = highly specialized.
But large affects & absolutes often missed!
A mind is a terrible thing to taste
The more Nuge ages, the more he resembles Benedict Cumberbatch.
Jones led in xgf% again
Tulsky is gonna give him 8 years this summer
hahaha yep
Goal differential:
Top 3 Central +170
Top 3 Pacific +1
Dickinson has not impressed at all. He brings nothing. He is not a great defensive forward. Worst numbers on pk. Creates nothing on the attack. He’s big but not a hitter. I don’t get the draw with him. And I agree about Frederic, I am so disappointed in him. We sure could use a player that can chip in the odd goal from in front of the net other than Hyman- Frederic was supposed to be that guy.
That game sucked but I like seeing Freddi in the middle of it at the end, he is having fun out there again
We need Leon and Hyman ASAP and it’s time for Jarry to earn his keep.
Agreed on all points!
With Dickinson, Samanski and Henrique as your centers it was going to be a challenge to get goals from anyone other than the first line
Yes when you frame it like that offense was going to be a challenge.
Vegas with a good game plan for that. Defend middle of ice, dont worry about perimeter.
Kind of the opposite of Oiler D Zone tactics
Despite optimistic comments on improved play, I continue to not see how Frederic helps win hockey games. 6 Pts, -16
I do not recall an Oiler forward with hands as poor combined with that slow of a first step
VGK needed the win more than Edmonton. Edmonton has owned them lately. It’s not that big a deal Edmonton lost. No need to fret you’re from Saskatchewan.
They got pumped tonight. Score effects made shots look close, but they were clearly the second best team.
Ducks blow a late PP and then can’t take advantage of Coleman missing a wide open empty net with no pressure and eventually surrender the empty netter – lose to a lottery team in regulation at home.
Joel Q should be fired.
Why would they fire Quenneville he has that young rebuilding team overachieving?
Maybe they should hire Cassidy 🤔.
Do you really think the Ducks are underachieving?
Seriously?
5-3 Flames.
Final.
Edmonton didn’t have any of those plays tonight where a simple shot with a player screening or tipping. Who is willing to do the dirty work with Hyman out? I can’t think of anyone
Too much one-more-pass or one-more-buttonhook. Shots they did take seemed to be of the lower % variety
They needed the 1st goal against a hockey outfit. Carter Hart played well he’s going to be crapshoot when we face him in the playoffs.
I hate Andersson. He’s a rat
Pretend tough guy
What he did to Laine was as bad a hit as Hunter on Turgeon.
Oilers getting chances. Hart coming up big.
Hart better than Ingram tonight but also Vegas collapsing and not allowing second chances. Not too many Oilers winning battles in the blue paint tonight
Missing Hyman. Even with him their net front presence is typically lacking
And Draisaitl.
And Janmark.LOL.
Who the fook is missing Janmark?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
Bouchard has to be the best in the league in offensive zone
4-1 Flames.
4-3
D soft as butter tonight
Every bounce going Vegas’s way tonight
Their HDs have been mostly uncontested tonight
That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
Throw it to an area and top it. Maybe oilers pp should try that simpler approach, non?! Frustrating to watch the pp at the moment
I take back what I’ve said. Fixing the PP is a priority.
Missing Hyman and Nuge 1000 game hangover is a doozie
Yep, but they still have Bouch card & McDavid. There’s got to be a way to make it work, or at least not give the other team momentum.
I know the narrative around town is that Murphy/Nurse is an anchor second pairing. I see exactly what I thought I’d see; hard defending but CONSTANT defending because they simply cannot move the puck. 26/29% Fenwick tonight.
And yes they get bad zone starts but that’s a bit misleading; note their last shift with the fourth line. Lazar snapped a faceoff back clean. They couldn’t make a play, scoring chance, icing. Another FO win and then another turnover.
So let me ask this.
What evidence do you have that Nurse/Murphy will hold up better than Nurse/Ceci which proved beyond the shadow of a doubt not to be enough a couple playoffs ago.
Let’s not forget some important context – over 40% TOI vs. elites plus apx 85% defensive zone starts.
There’s a common denominator there…
They need to put Nurse in the 6/7 slot where he belongs and let the rest of them play.
Where should they put Ekholm who got beat by Stone on a 2 on 2 for the dagger goal against?
They should tell him that was soft defending and he’s better than that.
He will know that, but a high performance culture does not let that slide
They needed that. Set themselves up for a big third period. Go Oilers & Flames. Fluff those duck feathers.
So close McDavid. Still life!
That play should win him the Norris.
What a goal!
Bouchard with a nice shot! Maybe call a penalty against Anderson after the shot on Savoie?!
Bouch with a huge one. We needed that … the team was lifeless
An unreal play by Bouchard, from the keep to the drive to the shot.
No Bieksa, his best skill is NOT on the PP.
I guess it’s ok to be considered the best pp defenseman in the world amongst other skills.
Tortorella smiling after the 2nd goal was awful, laughing at it and the Oilers. I know how to beat this team. Puke
Still smirking smugly. Where are your cajones Knoblauch?
He’s just happy he has a job.
Everything about this game is terrible including the broadcast. A new name popped into my head- Nugent Popgun
This is very disappointing. Louie and Jack giggling away during this highly important game going south can go fk themselves. Utterly disgraceful. Oiler fans deserve much much better
And we have seen much much better, no mystery what that looks like
Not sure why you think Jack and Louie ought to have their mood affected by the play of the team they cover.
Take a walk during the intermission, bro.
Yeah, it’s a frustrating turnout on a Saturday night against the most likely matchup in the first round. No question.
I don’t think the demeanor of the broadcasters ought to concern us. I’d rather they do their job and if the team doesn’t show up, figure out a way to keep it entertaining. They’re doing that. 🤷♂️
They don’t do their job.
Their job is to call the game.
Go watch some other broadcasts to see what that looks like.
We are taken for granted constantly as a fan base and left with this junk.
I swear Jack and Louie do more prep for the opposition than for the Oilers.
Why do you hear “We talked with [opposing coach] earlier today”, but hardly ever “We talked with Kris Knoblauch”?
If I want to hear about the opposition, I will tune in to their feed.
We have a 20 years of loser announcers we have over 3/4 of a fan base that put up with this garbage because they figure it’s normal.
I watched the national broadcast of the Stars/Avalanche game this afternoon.
Former Avs D Erik Johnson did the in-game analysis.
More insight into game action in one game than Louis delivers in an entire season.
I want a network to pick up Rob Schremp.
His video breakdowns of plays are awesome.
Youtube?
I think mostly on Instagram/X. Going back trying to find the longer ones he was doing. Lots more rapid react and podcast type stuff these days. He knows the game deep.
Why is every American team announcing more insightful more exciting and more pleasant to the ear? Canada’s game that’s all we hear yet we put up with C-rate TV-crews which has actually improved over the D-rate we were forced to listen to during Connor-Leon prime a few years ago.
Part of the problem is that U.S. teams and networks poach some of the best Canadian on-air talent.
They also tend to seek out the best rather than rely on the “good old boy” analysts.
The production values in the U.S. are also far superior since they work harder to attract an audience whereas Rogers and CBC are stuck in the past and take their audiences for granted.
It is an absolute crime that Ray Ferraro is not the lead analyst on national games in Canada…but at least we have Ron McLean’s warmed over pablum.
Jack was really excited for Lauzon on that goal. I’m happy for him, Jack’s a good guy, so I’m happy when he’s happy.
Jack needs to stop mentioning when opposing players haven’t scored in eons. It’s like saying shutout.
Oilers can go for another 5 game win streak.
I wonder if the Knights broadcast team was as excited about the Lauzon goal as the Oilers broadcast team was.
Can’t win them all. Vegas looks quicker to pucks than Edmonton. Hopefully doesn’t turn into a blowout.
well …. Calgary is winning 3-1 🙂
If NHL officials were even remotely capable of actually doing their jobs anymore that goal should have never occurred.
Gary Bettman is and always has been a pox on this sport.
Both the second and third goals. The second was a rush immediately after an Oilers icing was waved off due to blatant holding.
Is it time for a line brawl yet? Not liking what I am seeing so far.
Both goals were played well by everybody except the respective dmen responsible for the low man: Walman on G1 and Nurse on G2.
And on both plays, the play was actually slowed up by good defensive play by their respective partners…and they were still late to the ball.
Frustrating that everybody is elevating their game defensively, and the guys you *really* need to be elevating are the ones letting the rest of the team down.
3-0 now, but I think that was just a nice snipe.
A big thing is that none of these lines on the Oilers seem to have any chemistry. Why were all of the lines changed ahead of this one? On a 5 game heater?
KK baffles me.
Nurse gap poor as usual, let’s uncontested shot through with a screen
KK is a dumbass, he needs to go. This is smartest man in the room BS.
Agreed. not liking these lines at all.
The Oilers have no juice tonight.
Oilers being out played tonight. At least the Flames are ahead against the Ducks. Let’s go Flames.
Pillow fiiiiight!
Ref watching Kapanen being held and tripped. Whistle shoved where sun dont shine
Nurse with a Nurse play.. a little over aggressive on the boards and caught for the 2 on 1 against. He hasn’t been doing those plays as much lately. Not sure why Ekholm and Nurse were out there together
No Oilers shots on goal so far this period.
Vegas could have four or five penalties by now
That is the concern with the nurse Murphy pair in the playoffs that they’ll get hemmed in and won’t be able to get the puck out
Ingram looking solid. So is Nurse.