This is a photo taken more than a decade ago, looking out from Vancouver to the Pacific ocean. Life for me has changed so much in the time since I took that photo. We change as we age, while also retaining most of the things that make us unique. I’m older, hopefully wiser, and have experienced what must be the entire range of human emotion.
NHL teams are like that, too. The Edmonton Oilers were trying to win with Connor McDavid outscoring everything Cam Talbot couldn’t stop a decade ago, and the song remains the same these years later. I have been encouraged by the most recent 10 games. Real? Or a mirage? We’re about to find out.
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
I don’t have much to say about tonight. If the Oilers can’t win this game, the team and organization will have been served a just decision. I remain convinced the late change opening night from 97 and 29 centering their own lines to placing the Glimmer Twins on the same line (with Trent Frederic) was a clear sign this organization isn’t serious about winning a Stanley Cup.
Last 10 games (five on five)
- Connor Ingram, 7 games, .919SP, 2.17 GAA versus 2.58 x-GAA
- Tristan Jarry, 3 games .881SP, 2.46GAA versus 2.79 x-GAA
The goaltending has been on the upswing since the team tweaked the defensive structure after Paul Coffey arrived. I saw Coffey’s entire playing career, and predicting he could be the solution to a defensive mess as a coach would have resulted in howls of derision at any point in the past 40 years. It is one of the truly amazing career paths of our time. 1987 me would never have believed it.
- Ekholm-Bouchard 14:37, 4.1 Goals-60, 67 pct goals (52X)
- Nurse-Murphy 17:08, 2.1 goals-60, 67 pct goals (50X)
- Walman-Emberson 11:39, 1.03 goals-60, 33 pct goals (40X)
The coaching staff is running Nurse-Murphy heavily, and fading the third pairing. Edmonton will need all three pairs to deliver in the days to come. I don’t see a shuffle of pairs (Kevin McCurdy brought up the idea yesterday on the Lowdown, and the performance of the third pair brings a shuffle into the conversation) but I think Knoblauch-Coffey will stay the course. Big minutes ahead for the top two pairs.
- Connor McDavid 3.00 (63 pct)
- Jack Roslovic 2.87 (58 pct)
- Zach Hyman 2.49 (80 pct)
- Matt Savoie 1.65 (62 pct)
- Max Jones 1.56 (71 pct)
- Vasily Podkolzin 1.23 (43 pct)
- Colton Dach 1.18 (50 pct)
- Adam Henrique 1.14 (50 pct)
- Curtis Lazar 1.07 (50 pct)
- Kasperi Kapanen 0.94 (33 pct)
- Nuge 0.87 (56 pct)
- Trent Frederic 0.74 (40 pct)
- Jason Dickinson 0.60 (33 pct)
- Josh Samanski 0.00 (38 pct)
Connor McDavid is plundering currently, just impossible to defend. I’ll suggest that Leon Draisaitl (when he returns), Zach Hyman, Matt Savoie, Jack Roslovic and Vasily Podkolzin should occupy the skill lines for the playoffs, your mileage may vary. Colton Dach, Trent Frederic and (shockingly) Max Jones are wingers of interest for the depth lines. I know Josh Samanski’s numbers aren’t fab over the last 10 games, but I’d run him with Frederic and Dach to start the postseason.
On the Lowdown today, Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will be our feature guest at 1, and we’ll remember great games of the past involving the Oil. Are there games that you remember well? 1987 Game 7? 2006 Game 7? The McDavid goal versus the Flames that ended Calgary’s season a couple of years ago? Let me know. Sports 1440 and You Tube, noon to 2pm. See you on the radio!
Looks like Trent Frederic’s back up to speed finally.
https://www.nhl.com/nhl-edge/skaters/trent-frederic-8479365/20252026/2/skating-speed
Good find. 3 of his top 5 bursts are in April
Edmonton looked great tonight. Abbotsford not so much.
Also, have the Oilers wver had a hat trick and a Gordie Howe hat-trick in the same game before?
When do we start getting inundated with nacho’s money-duck narrative?
And to think I was nervous about the Canucks squeaking out a win tonight against the Oil.
Two mercurial teams. Stranger things have happened.
Take Gudas out early so he can’t injure any of our guys.
Linus Omark retired today
In related news, Shea Weber’s contract expires this offseason
If the Rangers win the lottery draft I bust a gut laughing.
Anyone happen to hear the League’s explanation on why the Oilers are the only team in the league to not get a 4 minute pp when a highstick draws blood, when it is automatic for every other team in the league?
McDavid was given a tripping penalty on the play.
Ah I missed that
It didn’t look like a trip but that is the NHL.
Because Oilers?
surprised we don’t have to throw a draft pick to Calgary ;)…
Anyone catch Stauff’s quip in the 2nd intermission: “not very often you meet a German with a good sense of humour”
And said it proudly, like this is known and accepted by everybody.
Killed me.
A most enjoyable win. Impressive to bear down when they needed to, and made the competition look like what they are.
One almost feels bad for the Canucks.
If not a Stanley Cup, at least Connor McDavid brought us all the pure annihilation and humiliation of our two most hated rivals.
Not that it matters but Flames beat Kings.
It does because the Kings were trying to play their game, which is reliable at sawing off against competition at any level.
Not only are they not gong to take any pound of flesh from Colorado, they’re going to give the team ample time to rest up to full health
Strength of schedule baby!!!
Sorry guys I was wrong when I said expected the Kings to get 4-5 points in their last 3 games……3 points….oops.
Ducks won’t be easy but I am ecstatic Oilers won’t be playing either of the Kings and especially the Avs!
That was absolutely never in doubt.
#NeverInDoubt
Patty Dach Supremacy will not be denied.
Podz scoring would make this a perfect night 😃
Pity clap for the Canucks finally hitting double digits in shots this game…
Oilers own the puck. 10 shots for Canucks.
Just catching up on the game but has the instigator rule been thrown out or something?
Maybe the hard target was Dach the Bowman pick and not Dickerson.
Yea I thought he was a throw in or perhaps a project but now thinking there might be a pretty good players there.
Plus getting rid of Mangi!
Looking forward to seeing both Dickinson & Dach performance in the playoffs 👏.
The Canucks better stop running a Mickey Mouse organization, its bad for the league.
Is that not a Gordie Howe for Dach?
Yep. Good catch.
Yup! I know the Canucks suck but I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with him, happy to have been wrong thus far.
Dach of the Town!
Wow, Canucks with only 9 shots so far! Oil playing solid D!
It also helps that they’re essentially playing Abbotsford.
Yea I almost feel sorry for Vancouver. Although it is easy to hate Canucks, Flames and Leafs I would like to see all the Canadian teams be competitive
Never feel sorry for the Canucks
The best D is a good O
That’s what she said.
They’ve taken that possession game to heart.
What a multi-line forecheck!
Why did Dach use his elbow to ‘high-five’ the guys at the bench and not his hand?
I’d like to think it’s related to the Gordie Howe hat trick (Gordie famous for his elbows). Probably not, though.
Sitting on the Dach of the bay
Making it 6-1
Middle six domination and goal
Coach KK CANNOT break this line up!
So much for Leon.
Atta boy Dach!!!!
Multi-tasking and periodically watching the game without sound. Was there any mention of a clavicle?
Just now.
That was almost prescient
Savoie a mini celebrini tonight.
puck retrieve, find space, get shot away
It was hard for McKinnon to play with McDavid, wrong style. Celebrini had the fast hands, fast shot.
Maybe Savoie finds a home there.
Lineup thoughts for game 1 against Ducks (likely)?
Savoie-McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Drai(hopefully)-Kapanen(plays his best with Drai)/Rosco
Freddy-Sami-Dach (I can’t break this line up)
Nuge-Henrique-Rosco/Kapanen/Lazar/Jones
Not sure about Dickenson but I actually prefer Samanski to Dickenson.
KK does love his vets, assuming Dickinson ready to go. 3 rd line has looked really good though.
Agreed. He does. But Samanski has earned a spot, and coaches trust. We will see, but if Dickenson is playing through pain, aren’t we better to play a comparable (imo better) healthy player that is similar in role?
Well you and I can agree on that but still think Kk puts the vet centre on third line. Pretty sure Samanski will be in the lineup and continue strong play.
If the Oilers win tonight they will pass 4 teams to go from 18th to 14th in league standings
. Thank gord no filthy ferrells. Gudas does cause concern though.
And Jacob “chicken wing” Trouba.
and goalie injurer Kreider
I say take him out first game, first period… Dach or somebody
Does anyone get rested in the third? Perhaps Mcdavid and Ekholm?
yes please
Probably not – three days off before game 1, McDavid wants a regular shift.
. . . and 2 goals.
Fingers crossed…we can never count the guy out!
I know we have a few days off but why risk injury in a likely meaningless last 20 minutes.
I get it I’m just pretty sure we’ll see him with a regular shift in the third – history tells us.
Injury risk.
I would sit Hyman. Doubt he’s 100%
Hyman is in to shake the rust off and get his timing back.
Connor is going to win the MVP award.
for this game for sure.
They wont give it to him.. he has been fire of late
Mack or Kuch will get it imo
Interesting to see who the players choose as mvp this season
They can’t give it to Celebrini because he didn’t make the playoffs. McDavid has stretched out his point lead on MacKinnon enough that they can’t justify giving it to him. That leaves Kucherov?
I hope 97 gets it… I agree, Kuch would be the only one imo but 97 during the stretch has been magic
Did DeBrusk just call Ingram “Lankinen”?
Yes, yes he did…..
At this point I assume Jack and Louie call out names at random with hope that it may match a player in the league. “Great play by Mar-Vell!”
To go along with verbs that have no meaning like “twist” or “jitterbug”.
i can Con(nor)cur
ANA 5-4 final
1-1 LA/CAL in the 2nd intermission
LA are cemented into the Avs matchup now regardless of that games outcome
Oh I love that. Hope they goon the Av’s.
A grain of pleasure for LA fans . . . it won’t be Edmonton they lose to in the 1st round :))
Thank goodness it’s not LA again. Anaheim will be a good test and Dostal can be a tough nut to crack.
Yeah, for once, the night is going right for the Oilers.
WOO WOO
No LA…
Dostal is the only concern – he’s been struggling but he has game stealing ability.
Gudas is a concern too
Duck O’Larange on the menu!
That…is a way to spell it 😳
Nugent-H20pkins!
Ryan Nugent-20pkins
So if Savoie plays with Connor next year as a regular linemate could see him scoring 25-30 goals. I just can’t see Nuge in the top 6 next year. Top 6 Connor,Savoie,Hyman,Podz, Leon and ???
Hopefully Howard sees a lot of top 6 next year.
Maybe eventually. Can’t see it in first half of the season but who knows. If they don’t resign Jack they could perhaps sign another shooter.
Maybe Samanski?
Samanski with Nuge on the 3rd line.
ANA up late – if that hold, they will be the Oilers first round opponent (presuming the Oilers don’t blow this one and lose in regulation).
Ana on PP for 2 mins with 2 mins left. up by 1.. going to be Anaheim …. LETS GO!
Oooh Anaheim goes up on a pp with 3 min left in 3rd
Bring on the Duck.
Why would you have Connor killing a penalty up 4-1
Keep piling on
Anaheim ties it up and Calgary goes up by 1.
Was up by 1…