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.
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.
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.
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%.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Must win on Thursday. Small chance they play Colorado in round 1 with a loss. Not something they can risk, IMO.
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…
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
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.
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.
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.