The Edmonton Oilers played an excellent game last night, led by Connor Ingram (stopping 30 of 31 shots) and Connor McDavid (scoring his 48th goal of the season). The standings remain a mess, with the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings possible first-round opponents. I bet Kris Knoblauch would like to go back to October and have his final roster set earlier. Those October games count, too.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN APRIL
- At home to: CHI, VEG (Expected 1-0-1) 1-1-0
- On the road to: UTA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) 1-1-1
- At home to: COL, VAN (Expected 1-1-0) 0-0-1
- Expected Record: 4-2-1
- Actual Record: 2-2-2
- Season Record: 40-30-11, 91 points in 81 games
If the Oilers can win Game 82 against the Vancouver Canucks, it will give the team 93 points but there’s a lot of bad in the standings numbers this morning. If Anaheim wins both remaining games, the Ducks will finish ahead of Edmonton with 94 points. The Kings have two left and could also finish with 93 points. The Mammoth could land with 94, giving the Utah bunch the first wild card. The Oilers needed another win somewhere along the way. We’ll see, but you might want to bring out your Los Angeles Kings rage tweets from storage. Natural Stat Trick is down, so we’re going to have to do this the old fashioned way:
- Connor McDavid scored No. 48 and was a wizard on the ice. The failed five-on-three was a major game event and Edmonton’s power play badly needs Leon Draisiatl and Zach Hyman at this time. McDavid played 28 minutes, five shots, 8-8 in the dot. He’s brilliant.
- Oilers gapping, passing, forechecking, coverage are all improved since the Panthers-Lightning home stand. It appears to be repeatable, and could be a key to the postseason.
- Connor Ingram stopped 30 of 31, now at .899 save percentage in all situations for the Oilers. The club has to start him versus Vancouver. Stan Bowman has to sign him, too.
- Evan Bouchard played 30 minutes, picked up an assist on the McDavid goal, blocked three shots and played quality NHL hockey against fantastic opponents. Another day at the office.
- Darnell Nurse and Connor Murphy played big minutes, including around five minutes on the penalty kill. The Oilers needed a veteran for the second pairing, and I wanted a puck mover. Can’t complain about Connor Murphy, who is a shutdown type and has adapted well to the role. One for Stan Bowman imo.
- Ike Howard played well in his return and even got most of 10 minutes of work. Three shots, lots of try and I hope he plays versus Van City. I wish the Oilers could have found 20 more games for him this season. He is unlikely to be a factor in the playoffs.
- Matt Savoie had an assist and continues to play well, Vasily Podkolzin was all over the net front in Denver’s end. Four hits and two BS for Podkolzin, an assist and two takeaways for Savoie.
- Mattias Ekholm played an excellent game. Very physical, smart, quality coverage and he has an idea with the puck. Love his play.
On the Lowdown today, Rachel Kryshak will join us to talk about the Oilers suppression play since the Florida games in Edmonton a month ago. We’ll also chat about the NHL’s best story (Buffalo Sabres) and the possible playoff matchups. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
So:
VGK can finish no worse than 2nd, but guaranteed first with at least a point.
EDM:
Win any way and finish 1 or 2
OTL/SOL and guaranteed 2nd
L and can finish 2/3/WC2
ANA:
Win any way and finish 2 or 3
OTL/SOL and can finish 2, 3 or WC2
L and finish 3 or WC2
LAK:
Win any way and can finish 2, 3, or WC2
OTL/SOL and can finish 3 or WC2
L and finish WC2
Calgary could finish 3rd but NYR ultimately control that. The team that has the most “incentive” to lose is NAS, in that they could finish as high as 21 and as low as 24, going from 0-5% odds of 1st overall.
Don’t take Vancouver for granted, is the bottom line. Hopefully this team will have motivation at home. Connor will be motivated to score 50 but hopefully that does not become a distraction.
Why isn’t making the playoffs a factor for Norris consideration?
Best defence man and player most valuable to the team are not necessarily the same, right?
Hart isn’t necessarily awarded to the best player in the league that season – some may vote that way but the description of the award reasonably leads to voting a different way.
It’s such a shame, the Hart. To me, the player who performs the best should win the most prestigious award, and the quality of teammates and overall team performance should only factor in if all else is equal. That way it is purely an objective decision and narratives shouldn’t factor in.
It should be the most outstanding player, just like the Lindsay, but should be voted by media.
And if I’m being honest, this year should go to MacKinnon, followed by Kuch or McDavid, then Celebrini. I would give 2nd to Connor because of the play without Draisaitl to end the year, and the harder difficulty of C position with PK duty for better all around play.
Just like all the voted awards, if it aligns with who you’ve already decided to vote for, it is considered.
One game to play, and the Oilers can still literally finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st WC, or 2nd WC.
Will be interesting to see what happens in the Knights-Kraken game tonight.
Utah locked in WC1
Just need a point to avoid Colorado.
“Fibonacci
Reply to Side
April 14, 2026 10:15 am
How bout them Kings eh?
And keep an eye on the Ducks.”
How about them Kings eh? They collected their 20th loser point from the dead last Canucks.
But keep an eye out for those Ducks! They lost to Minnesota’s AHL team, even after the Wild sat most of their stars and have nothing to play for.
The resident troll has a class clown mentality, always looking for attention.
Case in point, he once claimed, on the Sportsnet comments section, that he was a Kings fan “living in LA, three houses down from Kopitar”.
Yesterday, he claimed to live down the street from the Prongers.
Sure, cool story bro.
well, is there a bridge very close by 😉 ?
Fib’s dys help the Oilers out tonight. Thanks Fib!
Thanks FF (Fibs Fibber) aka SM.
Kings lose in OT.
Best play I’ve seen EP40 make in years. 3 in a row for Canucks… I’m told these teams rollover at the end of the year
“So?” -fib probably
He just doesn’t respond to these miscalls, he is averse to admitting being wrong about anything
He’s confidently wrong, like the AI that can’t spell strawberry.
Only Vancouver and Chicago had less regulation wins than LA Kings in spite of their solid goaltending
The Los Angeles Stalemates?
The Los Angeles Loser Points?
Debrusk’s boy deprives LA of the Bettman.
No game is promised, but Edmonton has a great opportunity to earn a point against the Canucks to secure home ice advantage for 1 round.
Condors tie it up with the goalie pulled – Hutson puts it on net, Griffith bangs home the rebound with 40 seconds to go.
So if we beat the Canucks does that guarantee us home ice for at least the 1st round? We need this win badly it’s time to duct tape Leon-Hyman up for the PP.
Yes. Even a single point vs. the irrelevant Canucks would do the trick.
A win, coupled with a regulation loss by the Vegans, would give the Oilers the Pillowfic Division title.
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Everybody was pillow fighting
One point doesn’t necessarily do it vis-a-vis the Kings (if they drop a point tonight it would).
Snuggerud who is a year younger then Howard scores his 21st. It’s all about opportunity the handling of Howard was a missed opportunity it’s like SB and K.K were not on the same page.
Different teams, different needs. Snuggerud also played some games last year, so this is his second year pro.
I’d expect Howard to have similar boxcars next season, as his role increases.
He is NOT a year younger, he’s like 2 months younger, essentially the same age and drafted higher in the same draft year.
Recall, Howard to 25 games in the NHL to start the season? He proved to need development time in the proper league and will be better long term for it..
You do realize that not every player that produced in the NCAA are the same, right?
He played 4th line scrub minutes he was mishandled. Why dont you like Howard?
I do like Howard – I’m one that thinks he can replace Roslovic’s production next season, I’m one that said his minutes shouldn’t have been faded last night and he should have been on the PP – pay attention.
Why are you against a rookie pro on the 1st year of a 3 years ELC developing in the proper league and becoming a better player?
Of note, Howard played above Savoie in the lineup early this season. Dach and Jones started playing with scrubs and worked their way up. Howard started with Nuge and Roslovic last night – he didn’t produce.
That poor horse, what did it ever do to you? You think they were on the same page with top 6 forward Matt Savoie when he spent last year with the Condors?
Summarizing!
Once again, Lewandowski was held off the scoresheet as, once again, the Blades mustered zero offence in a 4-0 loss in Game 3. They are now in a 3-0 hole with Game 4 on the morrow.
Hutson to Leppanen at the point who wrists a shot on net – it bounces around and goes in – Jarventie may have got the last touch in the scramble. PPG for a 1-0 lead early in the 2nd.
If you thought Peter DeBoer’s press conference after his final game coaching the Dallas Stars last spring was something go check out Rick Bowness interview after the Blew Jackets final game tonight!
WOW!
Werenski will still win the Norris AND Bouchard will owe the Flames a 3rd round pick.
Guessing there are a few coaches thinking the same thing. He’s just far enough into his career where he’s going to speak his mind
Looks like Wallstedt is still capable of iWork the Oilers
I’ll show myself out…
Why would you pass off on a possible franchise goaltender for a decade. It was a perfect evening he fell right into our lap both him and Cossa should have been the pick if available. Did they even scout Walstedt Billy Guerin is going to win a Cup. Billy has built a damn good team they are my pick to meet us in the conference final.
Cossa was going to be the pick but he wasn’t available – that is long documented as s the fact that they were not interested in Wallstedt – they scouted him and did their diligence and there was something that they didn’t like – I don’t know what that was – it seemed like they were likely wrong but they didn’t think he would be a franchise goalie, obviously.
Whoever was the loudest voice on passing of Walstedt for Bourgault should be fired. It didn’t make any sense unless Bourgault was a hard target. In the end at least we got Jarventie who I believe will have a Janmark like career.
That entire scouting staff is long gone.
The autocorrect for some reason changed it from “working for” to “iWork”? I don’t think I’ve ever typed that word in my life…
Any ways, was just commenting on how he shut down the Ducks while undermanned, to help Oilers regain control of their destiny providing they want to stay in the top 2 of their division. So he did us a solid. Even though that might be triggering. Not an endorsement of the pick.
Although, for what it’s worth, his goals saved above expected per 60 (Moneypuck) is 22nd of all goaltenders with at least 20 GP, a hair below Skinner and a hair above Ingram. Minnesota team play floats all boats.
Walstedt stoned us we couldn’t score on him. He reminds me of Bobrovsky on how he controls the lower half of the net. Only way to score on Walstedt is bar down.
A Wild team, resting MANY top players, beats the Ducks in regulation.
That makes things a bit more interesting.
How can it be?
Depleted lineup has Marjala entering Jarventies and Hutson on the top line.
No Clattenburg – don’t know if that’s a healthy or not.
Some dude named Hunter Haight, playing his 9th NHL game just scored his 1st NHL goal to put the Wild up 2-1 over the Ducks, in the 2nd period.
Nice to see HH being productive.
Connor Ungar has been recalled to Bako….
I presume this means Pickard is up for the playoff run (although, truth be told, Tomkins has been the MUCH better goalie all season and since Pickard’s assignment)
Ungar to the Condors? Is that because we are calling Pickard up for the playoffs?
I still think edmonton wins the division. It just seems destined in very werid wonky way.
That would require Seattle to beat the Knights in regulation tomorrow night in Vegas.
Seattle has already shut down 6 players for the season and has called up a bunch of AHL replacements.
That might be a tough ask.
Why do you post on this site?
You should do yourself and us a favour and go have a nice, long soak in a bathtub full of Preparation H.
Guys its not like hes incorrect its and up hill battle but I still believe
Not the point. Always lurking to try to make you feel like shit
As I’ve said before and I will again, a squid. Creature who lurks in the dark and only comes up to bring others down.
True,
But don’t let his childish bullshit get to you, that’s exactly what he wants
He wants us to know he’s an idiot? Pretty much all i get from it.
Dear Bill and Oil in Blood. and others – I have not posted for a long time in part because I got fed up with these type of posts. The guy is a troll. Everyone knows you don’t feed a troll …
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists
Elias Pettersson getting so close to cracking 50 points this season.
Still think he has room to grow into that contract or was it negative value the moment it was signed?
Leavins says he’s also hearing that the Oilers will start the playoffs on Saturday (not Sunday or even Monday) – that would be an egregious move by the league given they play the league’s second last game on Thursday.
Good grief.
Anaheim, LA, and Colorado also play the same day.
The Ducks have to fly home from Nashville and the Kings have to fly home from Calgary while the Oilers are tucked tightly into their beds.
Why would the Ducks and Kings fly home when they don’t have home ice advantage?
Good grief.
They have to fly somewhere don’t they?
Lordy.
Why are you so upset about this?
He’s still embarassed he made himself look simple minded from his math gaffe. Now he’s lashing out.
I’m not upset at all.
Merely pointing out the schedule makers are not beholden to the Oilers.
But you still havent addressed the elephant in the room. You were WRONG dude. I mean, you’re wrong a lot but this one took the cake. “You idiots, listen to how it is!……what? I’M the idiot? Nothing to see here folks. Move along.”
it’s only game, why you eff to be mad ;)…
Normally I don’t like to respond to your schtick – but if you can’t figure out why we’d be upset at not giving Draisaitl more time to heal/better chance to return you have to be a bigger dummy than we give you credit for.
I’m pretty sure the NHL schedule makers don’t have their decisions revolve around the health of Draisaitl…or any other player.
The NHL also decides mathematically when teams can clinch playoff spots, regardless of how many games the Kings have left to play.
Lets see when those teams start their playoffs
Pretty sure it won’t be based on recency since the pairings will likely not to finalized before the last day of the season.
Building availability might also be in play in very busy arenas.
I see LT has removed the 10 strikes and you’re out rule from his site. I guess it might make a comeback in the playoffs again. It was nice watching your posts just disappear into the ether, and it was a rather elegant way of dealing with you.
That all being said, getting banned repeatedly from this site and continuing to create new usernames to get around the ban is simply disrespectful to our gracious host and speaks to who you really are as a person. Baffling.
Wonder how Levin would know this when it’s not known who the Oilers are playing and which team has home ice advantage.
And more than a few NHL teams share their arenas with NBA teams who generally take precedence.
The leagues loves Saturday night games. There’s no way they pass on Saturday night games just to give teams an extra day of rest
Kurt Leavins is not a “primary insider” but he 100% has contacts and knows people that are in the know.
Kurt says that he is hearing Dickinson’s injury is his ankle and it’s 100% a pain management issue and there isn’t anything structural that could get worse to deal with.
Just noting his intel.
So, a nasty bruised ankle. Sucks, but that’s encouraging news
Ya, either that, or a hairline fracture (if Kurt is right).
I did not know that a hairline fracture can’t get worse.
The Oilers power play at present consist of “ give it to McDavid” and then McDavid looks for opportunity. The problem is predictability, and predictability is defendable.
Avalanche, power-play consists of good shooters taking shots if they can get into the slot. Multiple shooters.
The low hanging fruit for the Oilers is to get some unexpected shots from unexpected players and areas of the ice. Dirty goals count to.
With Draisaitl and Hyman out, it seems like McDavid is reluctant to pass to anyone other than Bouchard and occasionally RNH if he’s forced to. Like you say, too predictable.
It’s so dumb calling up Howard and not using him on the 5 on 3. I get K.K wanting to stay loyal to Jack-pod-Savoie but c’mon man. This was Howard opportunity to see clean air and release a goal scores shot. Instead we will probably start on the road against L.A or worse the Av’s. SB and K.K do not seem on the same page. SB should called up Jarventie-Poulin are even my favourite Clattenburg. It’s pretty clear K.K is playing hardball with Howard and I don’t like it because it’s costing us points in the standings. Either K.K is sacked or Howard is traded we should have learned or lesson with Holloway-Broberg but apparently not.
He was just called up. Let the kid get a few practice reps in.
But Roslovic could have been on the US Olympic team – how can he not be out there, right?
I guess that must be why the Avalanche PP is tied for 19th in the league at 19.6%.
The Avalanche PP improved form 31st to 19th in a very short time frame after some alignment changes and the addition of Nazem Kadri.
The Avs PP went from 31st to 19th in 16 games?
Most of the offense is give it to 97 at this point.
They played well, but same as always the same problems. Sure they are missing two top 6 forwards, but I track a bunch of teams and guess what, a lot of them can still win with major injuries, can still score. They even win a lot of back to backs. Many folks give the team a pass if things aren’t completely perfect, but that’s not NHL hockey, and that’s not how most top teams roll – get it done if you want to get what you want ultimately, no excuses. But that has to be more than lip service, it has to be a team identity
The goalering has been better to me, the issues remain 5v5 scoring and the breakdowns defensively. On aggregate the Oilers can have very good D stats, but it’s those single moments that make you lose in the games you have to win to win a Cup. Landeskog was talking about puck management etc, the Avs really focus on the details that allow you to win what you want to. Someone has to get the Oilers there, get them playing that mature game consistently. A more strategic game, more effort to break teams down, not trying to do solo things in games where it’s not there
The PP cannot be relied upon to bail out that they have a hard time scoring in the heart of the game in many games, against certain teams. They have been unable to score with 5 on 3 in many critical moments in big games – in both lost finals. Last night. They could have had 7 – 20 goal scorers this season, may still, can no one else help on the PP?
Maybe not never having had a real chance to. Looks like a strategic mistake right now. I think the pressure gets to them when they really need PP goal, they get tight, and revert to the same things that they were scouted for
I don’t know exactly why they consistently undershoot their xGF – not all teams do – have such a hard time finishing. It’s the core of the 5v5 problem. It’s why I don’t agree that offense isn’t a problem. They are only a dangerous team if things roll how they like them, or the Duo or Bouch pull off an occasional highlight reeler. Or the PP is loose (not clenching sticks) and not pressured heavily. That wasn’t the case in two finals, we know the results. I don’t buy the ‘got to game 7, 1 goal away, game 6, whatever
The Duo in both finals didn’t produce in the games leading to losing, when it mattered most. You can make excuses, but if you want to win the Cup, you have to get it done, no matter what. MacT talks about it to Bob. There is a reason the 80’s teams won 5 Cups, it’s as much a mindset as skill. The panthers don’t have the skill of the Oilers to me, but they won
Better coaching also would have made a difference, Knoblauch may connect with his players personally, but he sure doesn’t bring everyone in to build a team as I see it. That has to change. Look at the difference Coffey made, a more assertive guy, balls out. This group needs that from the coaches, they are different since he came back
I do think the 5v5 issues are to do with how they are coached, stats have been declining under Knoblauch. Many players struggle on the Oilers and not elsewhere. The amount of wasted shots, regardless of if they get counted as high danger, is a shame. If you shoot from the point too much, especially on unscreened goalies or no deflection, your not going to score much
If you take shots with no pre puck movement, like changing the angle or cross seam, or don’t try to trick the goalie somehow with a feint, no traffic or something to bother the goalie, you will have trouble. I see these things constantly to the point it’s surprising if they do score at times, and I see other teams beat us doing those things
The Oilers can play strong D for most of games, but the best players aren’t wired to be a team that grinds out wins. I think they need a different approach in some ways, to better match who and what they are at this point. The 80’s teams found it, sure they won some low scoring games, but that wasn’t what they were trying to do. They also hammered some pretty good teams in many playoff games
Playing solid D and bringing constant attack, regardless of what type of game it is, is what they looked like, and I think it’s how they should look now. There are games where they do, but it should be all of the time, especially in the hardest moments
As for playoffs, this season it’s pretty wide open as I see it. Sure the Avs and Dallas are very good, but they aren’t the 70’s Habs or 80’s Islanders, both are beatable. Neither are the Lightning, the Canes are the Canes. If they get some luck and play close enough to their potential who knows?
Very good long post. I just comment on one component.
Just say that the top players must produce when it counts is not fair.
Many top players have a way of disappearing and then reappearing where there’s space for them to take a shot or finish.
Oilers top players are asked to be the puck transporters and the playmaker and the finishers. A bit different.
The better the players are the more attention they attract and the more they are defended.
Because of this other players should be more open more available and they’re the ones who should be putting the puck in the net.
Top players can only be the best players at key moments when the supporting cast is being the supporting cast.
To my eye, valid points by both of you. I think the support players need to step up as well, as asking 29 and 97 and 2 seem to do it all. As indicated by another poster the PP, for example, is way to predictable at this point. And, they become beatable when they load up, as we can remember from the last two SCF’s. Someone not named Leon, Connor or Evan needs do the things mentioned. Oh boy, feel old, but most on this board will remember Pisani’s incredible run in 2006. Are there players on this team who can pull a Pisani? You bet there are, and coaching need to roll 4 to give them purpose and meaning. Podz would be very suitable….but stop loading up at the first sign of danger
Forgot to finish my sentence”…..as asking them to do it all, is like banging your head against the wall time and time again and expecting a different result”……as we all know, the captain uttered words to this effect post the SCF loss last year
It takes a whole team to win a Cup, but the top guys have to be the top guys.They can’t produce every time or every game, but if they don’t you’re not going to win
I wasn’t clear enough, but I think a lot of the problem is the system and the coaching. Connor still needs to be coached and he needs a mentor. Every player does, and has, even the greats
That the better guys have to do everything and often don’t get enough support is on the GM, but even more on the coach. The Oilers have had a good roster for years. But they haven’t maximized the advantage they start with. Just like Brindamour couldn’t figure out how to the best out of Necas, who has been a beauty for a while I think
Someone needs to create a better offensive system and convince the Duo to use other players more, it’s the next step for them, and given they haven’t been able to win a Cup it shouldn’t be that hard
But the concept needs to be right, and one they can see working. Just having F3 high isn’t that creative a concept, and not nearly enough. They also stay too spread out for me. Also, why the heck do they have so much trouble keeping a good breakout going?
Oilers are 7-4-2 without Drai – they haven’t scored the last few games but they’ve done well in Drai’s absence, overall.
Agreed OP, still my thoughts are more big picture, and I think you and I might see expectations for the team differently. In the last 5 games 4 were against playoff teams, all losses. I think the players need some help with a system that produces more offense, I don’t think this one does, at least in proportion to the roster’s talent. Look at Buffalo light teams up regularly, in the allegedly stronger east, are they more talented than the Oilers? The Oilers should be able to as well
It’s not a good idea to expect teams will perform in the playoffs based on historical results since they often make strategic key improvements.
“The Canes are the Canes” is a prime example of this.
Last season the Canes finished second in their division with 99 points 13 points out of first.
They scored 268 goals and had a goal differential of +33.
Going into this season, they identified goal scoring as a priority and added Nik Ehlers and K’Andre Miller while getting full season production from Logan Stankhoven, Taylor Hall and Shayne Gostisbehere.
This season, those additions have resulted in the Canes scoring an additional 28 goals and boosting their goal differential to +55 on their way to the Metropolitan crown 13 points ahead of second place Pittsburgh as well as winning the Conference title.
Last season, they had 4 – 20 goals scorer while this season they have 7 with Hall having an outside chance to make it 8.
Their D with Gostisbehere, Miller and the addition of Alexander Nikishkin has also seen a significant scoring uptick and is a indicator that these are not last year’s Canes and should be a much tougher out in the post season,
Although goaltending remains a question for them, the did manage to have the third best GA in the EC with 239 trailing only Tampa and Buffalo in that metric.
They might have a better balance, I still don’t think they have it
Well, they made the third round last season before running into Florida and have an easier path this season.
Who do you think comes out of the EC?
If Tampa is healthy them, Canes have a good chance of things break right for them (I’m not sure they can control their destiny as destiny them), Sabres may surprise. They lack experience but they really whack teams pretty regularly. Because I track teams I notice scores more than I would otherwise, and who wins more back to backs etc
If they don’t get just screwed by refs like every team did vs panthers that series was way more competitive. If you watched any they got just ransacked first games then magically got sunk by refs when they started physically pushing back…they were robbed out of having a legitimate chance.
Maybe with Campbell’s boy’s team out these playoffs will be different?
Utah is my bet for a higher potential ref 3 wing circus.
Any calls that require going upstairs higher probability of either:
1. Reinenting some foundation cut and dry rule like what offside is in alternating fashion (yeah it was bs that’s left a limgering mess ever since i what should be a clear rule to follow)
2. completely ignoring obvious
(Cough cough kesler interference for anaheim on edmonton….cough cough brett hull interference for dallas on buffalo….cough cough the florida parade of being shot then returning magically to full health once penalty called 1st time vs edmonton that got sooo embarrasingly bad obvious they actually called a diving penalty on i think bennetin like 3rd game…and yeah that canes series last year was just garbage ref asvantage panther)
After kraken fell on their face i think relocated to UTAH is too good a growth of market to not factor heavily lobsided reffing.
I hate this league honestly.
The oilers cleary suck having lost in finals twice.
The canes are impressive because they made the conference finals and currently have an amazing record going into post season!!!
Too bad tje kraken didn’t go on some completely unsaistable heater before pettering out again. We were missing a solid “this just in” divisional rival update department majority of this season.
(Just to recap -> Recent score of personal interaction vs contrarian anti oiler slanted 2-1 my end trade deadline edition
1. The right answer was grier should have taken this as last fillup as deadline seller to maximize assets collected prior to starting to push chips in.
2. Too bad columbus didn’t cash out for a ton of value as well
3. Kudos to Mckinnon for finishing the season with an even strength PDO that managed to defy historic high water mark regression. 1.053. I will happily bet it never happens again nonetheless)
I know you can’t agree with it but hey i think it’s worth some soft accountability beyond rogaine braperty timeframe -> IMO that one is past it due date and not worth bother reminding.)
Its also not a good idea to pontificate about expectations when you have the math skills of a gnat.
They wasted a lot of the first couple months just instantly destroying lines and putting it all on super line far from.fresh legged comebacks whenever down.
The PP minutes is lowest hanging fruit and that one game vs like st louis i think should have been exclamation mark.
Like 1:30 6vs5. Then unit just stays out for next faceoff….like right there this is not smart logic tactics. Then they actually stayed out gor entire 2 minutes…end was pretty inneffective. Just bagged bad line change when puck came out of zone as i believe it was long change period. And pretty certain goal was scored against.
That was the end of it for me. Like i’m tired of this.
Whatever PP2 ia comprised of actually has pretty decent success rates in only garbage seconda primarily where defense has to be wary of guy coming out of box.
Like uncanny good sucess still by G/60…and of course it should no one they play has any book written on it.
On rarest of occassions where PP1 just beatimg heads against wall stymied PP2 actually has sort of gotten a handful of honest chances….like ozone faceoff style taken with over 20 seconds left and they haven’t looked great on those so it’s instantly garbaged again. Like the absurdest small sample size confirmation bias narrative is only explanation i can see.
Which is ignorant to put it kindly. Like if they’ve played the entire year just only getting desperate chance to rush puck back iand like doing an inredible job cashing on that if put in perspective.. how the hell do you think you might pass an honest judgement of capability of gettinh set up in zone and executing?
Minutes taken immediately from anyone outside super group when leads to a goal. Nothing similar for top end.
Like anyone that’s played a team sport like soccer or hockey at a pretty competitive level in championships surely knows you rarely see best player just wins without a team all bought in around them.
Some speciL treatment is understandable but degree this has been sum has never been greater than parts version of a contender..
Can’t win unless mcdavid is scoring more than giving up even strength and need some depth confidence/competence built prior to playoffs.
2025 cup finals
5v5: 5 GF, 10 GA, -5, w/o dif 0
All: 8 GF, 10 GA -2, w/o dif -2
PP 15.8% PK 73.7%
Reg season PP 23.7%, PK 78.2%
He Got clock cleaned 5 vs 5 and special teams battle PK minutes mainly for him off ice team was solid enough but PP in mostly his minutes only got 3 goals back from 5 he lost even strength.
**key for me*** florida had the powerplay figured out. At the start of this season do did everyone else. And it took forever to make changes. I wanted a coach change right then. Like when hyman came back and they put him on 3rd line while keeping magpie up with mcdavid on a line that was clearly drowning on top of this -> i was done.
2024 cup finals
5v5: 5 GF, 5 GA, 0, w/o dif -5
All: 10 GF, 5 GA, +5 w/o dif -7
PP 22.7%, PK 94.7%
Reg season PP 26.3%, PK 79.5%
At least held his own 5v5 and PP converted solidly. Team got thrashed eben strength (i say out strategized coach wise a part of this…but again PK held up better than FLA so special teams advantage. Series lost on even strength minutes without mcdavid)
2023 2nd VGK
5v5: 4 GF, 5 GA, -1, W/O diff -6*
All: 10 GF, 7 GA, +3 W/O diff -8
PP 26.7%, PK 63.2%
Reg PP 32.4%, 77.0%
Lost his even strength minutes. Pp was nuclear at +6 when but pk bled it all back. You need top line to at least saw off even strength IMO more likrly any championship winners more positive than negative…team got cratered when he was off ice. Eichel ate that lines lunch and not adjusted enough they were fed sake way to the lions in manner this was lacking in quick enough coach adjustmemts feeding to wolves again and again and hoping for different IMO. Primary pk team mimutes again held up better so oilers won special teams again.
2022 conference COL
5v5: GF 4, GA 10, -6
All: GF 7, GA 12, -3
PP 16.7%, PK 50%
Reg PP 26.0%, PK 79.4%
Injured near certain as he just dissapeared in this one as far as effectiveness.
2021 1st rnd WPH
5v5: GF 1, GA 3, -2
ALL: gF 2, GA 4, -2
Not much worth mentioning.
So i’m glad they sort of have gotten around to not just inatant mcdrai FTW through some chunks of the season and in a way i’m glad they are missing Draisaitl and even Hyman to a degree here at end…like coach isn’t able to just patch over everything with Mcdrai and has been forced to try to win without magic eraser working quite as easily.
I’m glad last game he stuck with his 1st line more or less but sincerely that LAK game was garbage when you look at a shift data closely.
And again in a way we are paying back debt for not properly developing all options eaelier in season.
With a solid repped PP2, we might have better options for some minutes through this dry stretch. But lackimg that it’s just mcdavid cast out with mystery blend. Playoffs….coming soon…apparently cool with just blending alo g praying mcdavid solo act or mystery solve PP1 for entiereity of PP mimutes is great idea here.
Lack of foresight. Lack of strategic gamesmanship.
In my version of this year -> coaching staff was done in November.
Outside of mcdavid appears healthy enough to actually shoot the puck periods not alot to be said positive when it comes to coaching IMO. -> i haven’t seen much that has remotely made me glad that didn’t happen.
Now i’ll add one more on positive when i have another minute to try to summarize.
As winchester mentioned, they get really predictable when under pressure (PP now no Drai and Hyman), and pressure is the panthers’ game plan. Something would go wrong and Connor and Drai just try to will the puck into the net. But everyone knows that is coming
Gretzky was a smaller guy, not that fast, played kids years older than himself growing up. He had to learn to be strategic. His game was taking teams apart, and when he had a place to shoot he put it in the net, 7th all time goals per game, and he wasn’t considered a great shooter
Connor isn’t like that, Drai maybe more but both force things. But they could play with more gamesmanship and strategy, and that’s coaching. Cooper and Maurice got their guys to – as a team – play how they needed to to win Cups
Goaltending was a part, but team play dictates a lot for goalies. The panthers for example protected Bob’s weakest thing, high shots. They made it very hard to get one off, as we saw, and it’s really hard to beat him low or on the ice. Last year the one series they weren’t doing it they almost got taken out by the Leafs
I consiatently thought it was odd that as skinner’s book was being more completely filled in they never seemed to really adapt defense around harmonizing to better mitigate weak points.
The trend on his save percentage tells a familar tale that happens to a majority of goalies that have big time early sucess….but it tells the most cruel iteration of that story IMO.
Like his sv% year over year was consistently sloping away from league average. Getting relatively worse every year.
Which sure seems make sense that opposing teams were becoming more aware of how to exploit his weakness at a rate faster than either he was improving fundamental mechanics or defensive tactics were being tweaked to optimize minimizing exposure to the most damaging type chances.
Start of this season they looked lost and majority of focus on breakout adaptations to counter percieved florida exposed weakness….but defending in front of him? Ah season over season decline just finally throw new goalie coach at him and not adapt to defend in manner possible better suited to his style.
We need to focus on offense clearly!!
I truly do hope jarry gets his confidence back because when he got here to now he’s not playing the same. After the initial circus act and press lynch mobs he’s far more ridk adverse. Not near as aggressive leaving net and puch handling and same as skinner by the end -> deeper and deeper in net.
Feed any keeper to the wolves then have a press cast of marc spector hounding pre and post with leading questions desiring you to say “i suck” while whsipering “choke” as many ways as he can….bad for goaler business right from starter pistol.
All of that gong show. The coach didn’t really go out of his way to give much grace on his way in either.
Like dampening the day to day in your head nonsense by just wzving press off definitively wouldn’t have hurt a bit.
A crustier coach who made the press lean on their heels a bit again seemed needed.
Woody was too smarmy in annoying way just lacked athorotize swagger just annoying.
And the musical chairs portion of seasoned options that aren’t past due date has been wasted while the oil dithered again.
And i think.that’s what might be best fit.
Not mcdavid’s junior development coach dad.
The guy that isn’t afraid to reign him in a bit for his own benefit if he truly wants to win.
He hasn’t really experienced that dynamic and im willing to bet that type of dynamic will be the kind in place whenever he eventually wins the cup.
Not a mcdavid problem. He’s so good it’s too easy to become addicted to “please just go make magic happen stay out as lomg as you can in the offensive end and shift back on whenever you’ve managed to catch half a breath if we are losing.
By the way that shitty line change when we lost zone and puck was comimg back our way or that50 seconds into a shift we regsined possession and you went 4 on 1 against instead of rightly shifting off or you caught out way too long and end up just gassed in defensive end resulting in completely blowing voverage like whatever basic strategy failures that directly lead to a dangerous chance against -> you’re
Going to hear about it. And you’ll keep hearing about it until it stops happening so often again.
I don’t care if we are losing we will win more often in long run if team all on same general game plan. We don’t need lone spartan fighting the persian horde we need a more cohesive full unit with you as the general holding formation same as next man until weakness exposed that your skill can be unleashed to our advantage.
Not building a team to go to battle is a fail. One could argue the injuries made that more imperative. Give the responsibilities to the players, pull together to win
Just like the pattern of choosing vets that aren’t any better than younger players, playing too hurt guys that can’t help, short term thinking hasn’t really got the job done reg season or when it gets really hard at the end
The injuries may be a god send. I agree.
Like look at the goals against having little choice but to play everybody a bit more consistent. Yeah the goals aren’t voming yet but what lime combos have really played together even 10 games to establish any slight sense of identity and familiarity where limemates tend to be for pressured on puck more inatinsctive blimd guess pass success.
And there was a brief period where he was keeping lines intact after olympics more or less instead of overusing nuclear instantly.
But i’m serious that LAK game truly pissed me off. The panic hit crack pipe addiction came back sooo hard soo fast. Lone spartan ended up wiyh 2 penalties just frustrated and exhausted….like you are not goimg to win this way comsistent enough to be champions no matter how good he truly is.
It didn’t work in junior for you. It’s fallen short every year similar way 8n your NHL tenure. And injuries are goimg to happen you wasted most of another season failing to build any next man up.or bottom 6 calvary coming… maybe next year hold the lines might be off season pattern adjustment???
Maybe?
Other current issue:
Whats wrong with kapanen?
Why has roslovic slowed down quite a bit?
Just like mcleod was used they are your mcdavid lite controlled possession breakout options currently.
It’s clearly not working overly impressive.
Maybe design a system not tailored to ome of best passing defenseman in game and to fast best puck possession player in game and expect rest of team to adhere to basic strategy and succeed in it?
Like exceptional players can surely do exceptional things regardless of system….don’t design your entire team gsme plan around what caters.
Podz and kap crushed it for that little bit often dumping in.
Now kap is fullspeed carrying puck on his line driving net same as roslovic…in a manner when not named mcdavid is limited chance of actual.success.
Fastest guy is in way ahead 1 on 2 defence!!! Oh save made of puck lost and its headed in wrong direction again.
Next game different limes same plans!!
Like ralph wiggam eating glue sticks meme
“I’m making adjustments!”
Fin for me.
Looking ahead to next year, based on the play of Fredric, Dach and Samanski, I think a lineup like this makes sense.
Savoi McD Hyman
Podz Drai Howard
Nuge Dickenson XX
Fredie Samanski Dach
Lazar Jones
Out: Rico, Janmark, Kapannen
Given that both Nuge and Dickenson are not great at generating offence, we need a scoring 3rd line winger. Would McMann be a fit?
Also, hope they can trade Nurse for a more reasonably priced 2nd pair D and upgrade their goalie position.
Thoughts?
No point to looking ahead. Sorry.
I don’t mind it, but I think they can do better if management is smart and doesn’t blow their brains out resigning Dickinson and Murphy. Both have been ok to good with Murphy continuing to improve as the games have gone on. That being said, if they won’t sign deals that fit with our cap structure, the Oilers need to move on. Same goes for Roslovic. They will have enough cap space to acquire a real difference maker for next season if they play their cards right.
Knoblauch doesn’t have the stones for it, but if Jarventie is ready use him 3rd line. He’s a responsible player, Samanski is, Savoie is, better than the vets they would replace. Really only Howard would be the wild card two ways
A big part of it will depend on how Howard transitions. We need him to score. I think he will. If he doesnt that lineup isn’t good enough.
A Mcmann type or Rust type would be a crazy solid add.
I can see the Ducks winning their final two games. As well I can see LA winning their final two games. Oilers & Vegas should also win their final games. This to me is the most likely scenerio, although I could be wrong. So VGK wins the division with 95 points, ANA finishes second with 94 points, EDM finishes third with 93 points and LA finishes in the second wildcard spot with 93 points because Oilers have more regulation wins. But can LA leap frog UTA if they finish with fewer points than LA? Meaning UTA needs to win their final two games also to maintain position.
Haha, it is a good possibility you are correct. Imagine, all of a sudden the division has woken up from their pillow fight, and are playing some winning hockey
Ducks lost tonight vs ahl minny team
I don’t mean to be negative but the Oilers injury issues are definitely the biggest story heading into the playoffs.
-Hyman
-Drai
-Dickinson
The fact that Drai might be out to start round one is deeply concerning. Basically nothing on Dickie. Health is maybe the most important factor for long playoff runs. I am not holding my breath.
It’s better to breathe.
If the brackets as they are today were to hold, I feel like this is the ideal for edmonton. We get to play arguably the weakest team in Anaheim, one strong team gets knocked out between Dallas and Minni, LA beats up on Colorado, and Vegas gets (imo) the tougher opponent in Utah. I don’t think it will shake out this way, but if it did, I can see a possible road back to at least the WCF for us.
ANA-MIN will be a big event. You don’t want to cheer for ANA because that may come back to bite the Oil if they don’t take both points from VCR, but ANA beating MIN makes an EDM-ANA matchup way more likely in the first round.
Quinn Hughes is day to day and so is Bogosian and rumor has it they’re resting all their top players. So it’s not looking like it’s a big geal for the Wild bunch.
Wild are resting like 8 top players…..
Challenge met, team looked good. Not surprising, they raise their game when playing against a top notch opponent. Compare this game to the recent game against the Mammoth which, while an exciting young team, is not the Avalanche
Positioning is a dogs breakfast, but based on last night’s performance, and based on repeating the style and intensity of the game, this team will provide some competitive playoff hockey
Offence lacking, but can’t be a shock sans 29 and Hyman, especially on the PP. Blame can be tossed around, but this is a reality going forward until they’re back or others step up.
Someone mentioned this morning already, missing Hyman’s Paul Bunyan strength on the stick in the crease area. He’s incredibly solid that way
For me the biggest stories were how Murphy and Nurse looked. And Ingram. He’s becoming a bigger story than imagined. He’s sneaky good. Watched him push and scratch for positioning last night. Yes, some post and cross bars hit, but watch the replays, and he was there, and to my way of thinking, forced the dings off the bars, limiting the Av player space and time. And he’s got a great stick outside the net, good passes and clears. Most critically he’s a battler, and loved his stick break after the shoot out and his post game interview. Fire in the belly from a guy who seemed soft spoken and quiet – or maybe he just needed to get pissed. Please get more pissed, it’ll leak to others
I’d rather the Oilers play the Avalanche in Round 1. No need to pussyfoot around. Either the regular season is an outlier and this team has several gears up which will show themselves in the playoffs or pack it in early and get the rest needed to start next year fresh.
Draisaitl won’t be back to start the series that they will have to be perfect in. No guarantees anyone will be at full health by round 3, but Drai, Hyman and Dickinson are major losses.
I also appreciate Makar and Manson are out, but who knows if these injuries are minor or are going to bother them in Rd1. We do know, however, that Drai and Hyman’s injuries were substantial.
I get the sentiment, but, no, playing the Avs in Rd1 and then having to make it through MIN/DAL is not a recommended way to go, even if this team is the goods in the playoffs. It is a surefire way to achieve further attrition.
Makar has been a full participant in practice.
He will be in.
Josh Manson and Arturri Lekonen are both day-to-day.
Kadri expected to play in Colorado’s final game against Seattle on Thursday.
That’s a insane take. The chances of getting through Anaheim/Vegas/LA are probably 5x higher than getting through Colorado/Dallas/Minnesota.
I agree, take the path of least resistance if at all possible.
Wondering, what do you make of an Oilers squad who who is laser focused last night and is often so against better foe, and often plays poorly/sloppy/unmotivated against teams that aren’t as strong as the bigger guns (i.e. last game against Utah – Yah, Jarry was in net lol and that may not have helped). Yes, there’s some recency bias, but my memory is that this has played out numerous times before in the not too distant past
Stanley Cup or bust. I get no satisfaction in losing in the third round. Neither will McDavid.
Must win on Thursday. Small chance they play Colorado in round 1 with a loss. Not something they can risk, IMO.
We won’t really know until after tonights games
Re Rachel K – I’d love to hear what she sees, by the numbers, for post Olympics prior to the Florida “embarrassments,” and post FLA. Also, if possible, how these two parts of the season compare to Nov 26-Dec 25. Numbers, analysis, then opinion.Please.
There was some running around in the d-zone, but that was true of all lines, so fading Howard after his line was by far the best in the first period, was a poor choice by the coach. I wish he would deploy based on what was happening on the ice as opposed to by age, experience and pre-conceived notions re: responsible play.
McDavid – Savoie/Hyman
Draisaitl – Podz/Kapanen
Nuge – Howard/Roslovic
Samanski – Dach/Frederic
I know Kapanen has been awful but he does play his best effective hockey in that slot.
The issue I see with both Kapanen and Nuge is that they’re not being effectively deployed in roles they’re best suited for.
Nuge is either being expected to drive his line or be a complimentary winger on McDavid’s line. He’s never driven a line and I don’t think he has the 5v5 ability to outscore elites anymore.
Kapanen is being expected to be a checker or support Nuge/Roslovic in a middle-6 role. His best work seems to be either as an energy 4th liner or with a big producing line as a complimentary winger.
They look lost because they are lost. Their roles aren’t defined right now. They’re just expected to be Swiss Army Knives. Nuge isn’t that anymore and Kapanen never was.
My eyes saw the RNH line being dominated last night. Was that real, or just my imagination?
For me, give me a third line of
Nuge-Dickinson-Henrique
for the playoffs and feed them every defensive draw against the elites.
We can resolve the question of whether a “shutdown” line works in the modern NHL or whether some semblance of offense is required from a third line for a team to be successful.
Good take DL. Especially on Kapanen. He runs hot or cold, maybe he can find some warm right
Part of me wouldn’t mind seeing Podz and Savoie remain with 97, assuming Drai and Hyman return. Roslo/Kap with 29, Hyman Nuge and Samanski on 3rd, Dach, etc on 4th.
These are the lines I would use as well. I think the coach will have Henrique in for sure and Dickinson if he’s ready. Likely for Howard and Samanski
Podz and Kapanen have been dynamite together with multiple different C. Podz clearly doesn’t need Kapanen, but his work with Kapanen may unlock another winger in a top 6 role, therefore improving the 3rd line wingers
The trio is 12-3 goals (!!!!) although only 52% expected.
Podz and Kap are 5-5 goals without Drai and also right on 50% expected.
Is Dickinson out for the remainder of the season?
I imagine Jones will be back too.
Jones is 3-4 weeks.
No intel on Dickinson except Kurt Leavins has said he’s hearing it solely a “pain management” issue with his ankle – if he can play through the pain there is no risk of it getting worse.
DL puts the centres first and not a second thought.
LT puts the centres first, and he nearly got run out of the Oilogosphere.
Makes me think we were too harsh on LT in the past. 😉
By NST
5×5
XGf 1.65, XGA 3.54
The oilers got it to overtime in game because they outgoalied. Hell of a recent run by ingram that is super encouraging going into post season.
Yes makar likely part of a goal.if playing but same goes for drai.
And i like the chances of hyman impacting in a goal more than the other pieces missing from the AVs lineup.
We are surely the least desired option for Colorado as a WC2 opponent.
No matter where they end up as far as final standing homestly Vegas is my personal least ideal team to play.
Colorado
LA
Anaheim
Utah
I’d prefer any of these in this order of least to moat desired 1st round.
Kings are that high because i think they play the “shattiest” intent to injur factors outside of vegas.
Like in truth it’s a lot closer to coinflip in my mind betwern them or colorado than most people would have it. But clearly AVs worst with added element of 2nd round definitely prefer not to play Wild or dallas…wild especially.
I think vegas gets less concerning if they are met in 2nd round for some reason i can’t explain.
Biggest thing last night:
It was nice to see lines not as panic scrambled seemimg as tje LA game felt.
Only wish for me was i would have wild carded with howard on that 5 vs 3 over roslovic.
To me roslovic would be puck possession driver on a PP2 unit. His game isn’t stylistically a compliment for mcdavid. I would have given howard a shot at being the shooter they are missing to make that PP1 work.
I love watching Podz bust his ass trying to be whatever they ask and again changing his game since elevated to strong strong net front perpetual presence.
Savoie is actually more effective at finding pucks on rebound chances net front but they do work.
Just hope it doesn’t lose something to podz development. As he had properly adapted and was really comimg into a new level offensive threat playing a style that more suited what Drai was building with him.
Regardless of holland’s sins -> hyman is an essential.part of what mcdavid needs to work the most dangerous he can.
If/When everyone gets back i would be hesitant to not put hyman back with mcdavid honestly.
Savoie mcdavid hyman
Podz drai kapanen
Nuge dickenson roslovic
Dach lazar/henrique frederic
Where my brain is leaning
Ah i forgot samanski.
Man it’s nice to have forward depth lol.
I like Samanski a whole lot more than Henrique.
Really enjoy the Patty Dach supremacy line, nice to see Frederic and even young Samanski be inspired to play bully ball.
Great line. If they can provide any sort of offense that line could be a game changer.
If no offense comes they will at least provide some heavy ozone cycle shifts to wear down the opponent and hand off to Mcdavid or Draisaitl.
They’re a great change of pace from the top 2 lines, think youre getting some fresh air only for a bunch of barbarians to bludgeon you.
Thanks for pointing this out. I had some doubts, but it looks like they’re building something. Good to have a line that takes no shit from anyone, and can back it up and also play some good “bully ball” (love that term) and chip in on the scoreboard, even if it’s only occasionally. They’re a handful!
Its a great line but it should be a fourth line, not a 3rd line….
Prospectation!
Lewandowski and the Blades have been stymied six ways from Sunday by their northern neighbors in PA, having scored one goal in their last four meetings. As a result, the lone Euro NAmateur has been held soupless so far in this series. If there’s any good news for the Blades, it’s the series moving back to the Bridge City for the next two. But the road ahead is steep, considering the Raiders are a top-5 team in the CHL.
Will the Blades claw back to make it a series, or will PA take a 3-0 series lead by night’s end? All will be revealed when the puck drops at 7 p.m. Turtleford (SK) time.
This team has been terrible in 3 on 3 OT and the SO – two non-playoff game states. They battle to lots on earned ties and failed to get the Bettman bonus point – not a thing doing the playoffs.
It was interesting seeing McKinnon position himself so Kapanen had no choice but to run into Wedgewood. Then on that final shootout goal he bears down on Ingram with pace as I’ve never seen any player do in a shootout. I wonder what might have been running through Ingrams mind when he saw that? Judging by his reaction he was angry he let McKinnon get in his head. But yeah Oilers are terrible in shootouts.
Giving up a single goal in each of the last two games is a very good arrow.
Only scoring 1 and losing both games is not.
You are such a loser troll – I wonder Draisaitl and Hyman would help with scoring?
Noting the vaunted Avs, best offence in the league have scored 2 and 1 goals their last two games – I presume that is not a good arrow for them.
He CONSTANTLY makes excuses for the Ducks and their injury losses, but no rope for the Oilers losing 100 goals a season from their lineup. Not a single mention.
A loser troll is a very apt description.
Pathetic would be another.
Hypocrite, dishonest, ignorant, sad, attention deprived would be other words that come to mind…
https://nhlinjuryviz.blogspot.com/2025/10/202526-team-injury-breakdowns.html
Come now. HH / Flip-a-Nacho does bring a bit of humour to this blog. Reading the regular and insightful posters bring him down for changing the narrative, moving the goalposts or outright trolling can, and does, brighten my day. Whether we like it or not, he is part of this blog and someday he may even move out of his mom’s dark basement and change his ways! Until then, I will keep reading and enjoying you and others slaying this annoying dragon.
Agreed, I for one respect that he shows up everyday to get 10 downvotes on all his comments. You gotta admire the commitment
Well said Lenny. It maybe melts my commitment to reply to his posts, which I vowed never to do. As someone else said a little while ago, sometimes his posts are right on. Other times, as they say lovingly in Good Fellas, he likes to break balls. Being a first generation Canadian myself of Italian immigrant parents, I can safely say we used that expression daily (said in Italian no less) so that part of the movie was entirely accurate 🙂
I liked the ” someday move out of his Mom’s dank dark basement” but the likelihood of that is probably the same as him changing his underwear.
Hence “the dank”
The harm he has done to this blog has been massive
He has drained so much great content over the years.
Here is how:
Some excellent poster will make a very interesting post. It will have potential for some fantastic discussion.
The blog killer then posts something and the whole thread is wasted with peoples attention diverted towards him.
We have lost so much good content over the years.
If I see his name in a thread I usually don’t read anything further in that thread. It’s ridiculousness.
In those 2 games the Avalanche walked away with 3 points and I’m pretty sure Makar, Lehkonen, Kadri and Manson might have made that 4.
and if the Oilers had Drai, Hyman and Dickinson, they likely come away with four points in their last two games as well.
You made a trolling point that the lack of goal scoring is not a good arrow and the Avs have been almost identical with scoring in the two games but, then, goal posts moved, excuses made, etc., etc.
100% troll!
Im pretty sure they might maybe have possibly made that happen perchance.
Exactly and so many fans were screaming this. Instead Coach KK treated it as an extended pre-season. This was unnecessary and here we are.
McDavid – Drai – Freddi was the line on opening night Im pretty sure… because Knoblauch “wanted to make sure he had at least one line that could score” or something along those lines
He was still trying to figure things out.
Coach KK had to figure out the pros and cons of playing McDrai together?
Always the contrarian.
I believe all the veterans on the team treated it that way as well.
A valid point as well
Question for the hive… why didn’t the Condors play Connor Ungar more this season? He posted great numbers everywhere and is at the age where he should be getting a chance to be number one in the AHL. Is he being blocked by vets? If so, why?
The Oilers need more Connors! But seriously, I believe that he is viewed as having lower ‘upside’ than others due to his height. However, he has posted better than 0.903 every year in professional hockey.
2025 – 2026 Condors
Pickard is UFA after this season so Ungar should be on the 2026 – 2027 Condors with Tomkins.
He started off hot then cooled off with multiple poor games in a row, so they sent him back to Fort Wayne marinate some more.
Ungar is a young player. They should have let him work through it.
Yeah, he had 3 not great games, but they also have 6 and 7 days off between his last 2 games. That seems like a lot for a hot goalie. Even with 3 not-so-great games, his SV% was still .926! Also, Elite Prospects lists him at 6′-2″, 205lbs.
Correct except he’s not in Ft. Wayne, he’s been loaned to, I believe, Orlando (where he has been “OK” – well below early season performance) – he’s come back down to earth but should be a full time Condor next season.
He was splitting with Tomkins until Pickard was sent down and then was re-assigned to the ECHL.
He was great for his while in Bako but has slumped hard in his last 4 starts prior to Pickard arriving.
He should split with Tomkins next season.
Flyers are in !!!! My wife is happy. I was not sure how the Tocchet -Zegras thing was going to work but it looks like it is just fine.
A happy wife is good reason to cheer. Congratulations!
Didn’t really realize that the Red Wings have hit 10 years with no playoffs, this season. Their own decade of darkness.
Maybe it doesn’t feel as long because despite this streak, it doesn’t feel like the Red Wings have been the leagues’ punching bag over the past few years, much like how the Oilers and Sabres were. Maybe because Yzerman still carried a bit of an aura over the last few years, or maybe because Detroit wasn’t firmly in last every year for the past 10.
Regardless, its strange to see the team that I once despised with every fiber of my being for being dominant my entire childhood – now struggle so badly.
You reminded me how it’s been a while since I heard mention of the “yzerplan” in a positive light.
Gotta be tough not having Al Murray in charge of scouting to make you look like a savant.
A lot has to do with never getting much out of the draft lottery. Since 2018 DRW have only had one top 5 pick and that was Lucas Raymond at 4 in 2000.
The Red Wings badly needed a defenseman in 2018, but consensus #3-ranked Filip Zadina was available at #6, and they couldn’t bring themselves to pass him up. (In their defense, I thought it was a great pick at the time.)
Quinn Hughes was taken with the next pick.
Howard had a great start last night. The game rhythm seemed to change and that line became less effective as the night wore on but he was noticeable at times. With some practice time, I wonder if he gets a look on PP1.
On that note, really appreciate how hard Hyman is on his stick in the blue paint. McD sent 2 or 3 lasers into the paint on the 5v3 and Podz/Ros couldn’t handle them. Would have been tap ins for Hyman.
He definitely didn’t look out of place … quite frankly, I didn’t see the kind of separation between him and Roslovic, that makes signing Jack a priority this off season.
Agreed. Players like Jack have value because they can provide secondary offense. However Jack is extremely inconsistent and I believe Howard will likely provide more consistent effort and likely similar numbers if given similar opportunity.
With a good possibility of better than similar results
SB needs to spend his money wisely for next season. I like Roslovic, but would play Howard if Jack will not sign for under $2.5M at 2 years max.
I don’t know if it was by accident or not, but Howard actually got in front of a shot.
I mentioned his shot block in real time last night.
Given he’s been working has ass off at, well, exactly, that (among other things) in the AHL, I would say it was not be accident.
I’ve been saying for a month now that Howard is the natural Roslovic replacement – reasonably likely to replicate a material portion of his production (if not more) with similar deployment (and unlikely to “hurt” any more vis-a-vis the 2-way game).
The Oilers couldn’t score and didn’t look like they would score. Including on a late 5-on-3 that should have been a gimme. Against a team with nothing to play for.
They’re lining themselves up to be shut down, shut out, and sent home.
People keep saying ‘a team with nothing to play for’ and I think it’s BS. Every team has something to play for. Teams that are gearing up for playoffs are not taking nights off. Teams out of it have players fighting for their spot in the NHL. Every team has something to play for. Last nights game looked like a playoff game to me with both teams taking over for parts of it. Oilers continued to be defensively responsible but also struggled to create much without McDavid.
Teams that have already clinched their spot in the post season often make roster decisions that reflect a need to be completely healthy going forward,
Last night, Colorado sat out two top 4 forwards, Lehkonen and Kadri, as well as two top 4 defensemen, Makar and Manson, resulting in two AHL players, Blankenburg and Ahcan drawing into the lineup.
All four of those missing players are day to day and would have been in the lineup in a playoff game.
Of course, the Oilers also have their share of casualties however those injuries seem to be more serious and the players were not likely even options last night.
Minnesota, for example, has its playoff seeding locked in and is resting a large swath of their roster (7 regulars) for its game tonight against the Ducks.
Not surprising that the Wild have lost 3 straight but it doesn’t matter at all.
Just the other day you were talking about how the Avalanche had everything to play for. Something something Mackinnon and Necas needing points. Something something playing for Bednar.
So I guess you were wrong again.
How bout them Kings eh?
And keep an eye on the Ducks.
The kiss of death.
Thanks Fibs.
Did you need to see all of the X’s and E’s in place on NHL’s site to figure out if the Kings actually made into the playoffs or not? Be honest.
Being held out by the Wild tonight according to Puckpedia:
Kaprizov
Boldy
Eriksson-Ek
Hartman
Foligno
Zucarello
Hughes
Faber
But what do they know?
Word is Draisaitl has a shattered femur and is likely to play in the first game of the playoffs.
Makar has a paper cut and Kadri has a hangnail and are questionable for round one.
They will be there…count on it.
He wouldn’t be walking if he had a shattered femur.
Someone needed to tell Wedgewood there was nothing to play for last night. He worked very hard to earn himself that win, much like Forsberg did in LA.
There was a concerted effort to stymie 97, which means someone else somewhere on the roster needs to score, and the horses just weren’t there the last 2 games.
Completely agree with your assessment of Murphy and Ekholm.
Murphy was chosen as one of the three stars of the game. He was physically dominant in his zone. After a meh start to his oiler time he seems to have gotten used to the system and nurse( who would be a hard player to read as a partner). Very playoff ready!
Ekholm was excellent last nite. So physical, won many many dzone battles.
Those two are going to be huge comforting factor in the playoffs regardless of opponent.
As I understand if Edmonton and LA are tied with 93 points – Edmonton wins the tie-breaker as they have more wins (RW and ROW). Am I missing something?
I think the implication is the Oil could end up playing LA again if they both win out, Vegas takes the division, and Anaheim loses.
Or something completely different. Not sure
Hoping Anaheim wins 2 and gets 94 points…
Ducks are pretty darn cute, especially when they cross the street with babies in tow. Can cheer for those….feels weird to cheer for the hockey playing ducks, lotsa bad memories from years past but if one must, plug the nasal passages and do it
Their are still several possible scenarios. Key for Edmonon, win Thursday and no matter what happens w/LA and Anaheim, the worst the Oilers get is a 3 seed – against Anaheim, which only happens if ANA win both their games.
If the Oilers win Thursday, LA can’t pass them in the standings as the Oilers own the tiebreaker. Best LA could do is 3rd – if Anaheim loses a game. I believe Anaheim has the tiebreaker on LA (ROW).
We wait.
Yup, beating Vancouver is really important, just as they have started to play better too. Can’t get goalied a third game in a row, imo.
No. But we should probably just wait and see. 🤷♂️
I do believe that the Oilers win the ROW tie breaker against anyone in the division.
If the league wasn’t crooked and just went simply by wins no matter how the games ends since there’s always a winner.
1. Ducks
2. Oilers
3. Knights
4. Sharks
Winning a division because you lose the most in overtime is bizarro world.
The Oilers own the tiebreaker against any team in the division but it’s not ROW (regulation and OT wins) its RW (regulation wins). It used to be ROW.