I asked Steve Lansky yesterday if this felt like the time to call it for the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins. He said yes, and the answer felt right to me. I’m a big fan of Kyle Dubas, and can tell you I believe the reload will be quick and precise in Pittsburgh. Benjamin Kindel isn’t going to lead the team in scoring next season, but there are some things bubbling under that should give fans a good feeling about the future. Please read this.
I don’t think we can call it for this edition of the Edmonton Oilers, but will tell you it sure feels that way this Saturday morning. Most of the frustrated comments fans put out there today aren’t true. For instance, the Oilers do care about winning, it’s the main focus. Also, the team is populated by intelligent players, high achievers all. Finally, the series is not over. It feels over, I understand. Never bet against McDavid-Draisaitl, you’ll be wearing your ass for a hat by midnight.
Last night’s numbers are not a great look for the Oilers. I liked one line (Leon Draisaitl with Vasily Podkolzin and Kasper Kapananen) and one pairing (Darnell Nurse with Connor Murphy), and my goodness that doesn’t get you far in an NHL game when there are three other lines, two other defensive pairings and a starting goalie who are being counted on to play average or above.
So, using what we know, agreeing this is a smart team with extreme desire to win, what are the real problems? Let’s go back to the scoring by centers list (by using the centers) to see if things are still looking good for each of the four lines:
OILERS FIVE-ON-FIVE GOAL SHARE (CENTERS)
- Leon Draisaitl 6-2 goals
- Connor McDavid 2-3 goals
- 97 and 29: 0-2 goals
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 1-1 goals
- Jason DIckinson 2-1 goals
- Josh Samanski 1-0 goals
- Adam Henrique 0-0 goals
- Curtis Lazar 0-1 goals
- The rest: 0-0 goals
Draisaitl solo with Podkolzin and Kapanen is the No. 1 line and could win the series if the support players come through. Connor McDavid’s line struggled in the third period last night, and it’s safe to say the captain isn’t 100 percent. That’s a massive problem, because replacing McDavid is like replacing the Sun: there are no adequate alternatives. NST is now fixed, I’m going to run the numbers for you quickly:
- Podkolzin-Draiaitl-Kapanen 10:28, 8-2 shots, 1-0 goals, 65X, 2-2 HDSC
- Savoie-McDavid-Roslovic 7:52, 3-6 shots, 0-2 goals, 23X, 0-2 HDSC
- Dach-Lazar-Frederic 5:58, 1-1 shots, 0-1 goals, 40X, 0-1 HDSC
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman 4:57, 0-5 shots, 0X, 0-1 HDSC
- Nuge-Samanski-Hyman 3:57, 1-2 shots, 49X
- Savoie-Samanski-Roslovic 3:55,, 1-3 shots, 10X, 0-1 HDSC
- Nurse-Murphy 15:30, 7-6 shots, 2-0 goals, 58X, 1-2 HDSC
- Ekholm-Bouchard 14:19, 8-11 shots, 1-3 goals, 46X, 2-4 HDSC
- Walman-Emberson 10:46, 2-5 shots, 17X, 0-2 HDSC
- Connor Ingram 32 of 38, .842, GA:6 XGA: 4.58
There isn’t much special there, beyond the Draisaitl line and the Nurse pairing. Injuries have to be factored in, but some of these lines don’t make a ton of sense based on skill set. I think it’s fair to suggest Kris Knoblauch’s idea tickle trunk isn’t working and that idea factory was important in the previous runs. Many will call out Connor Ingram, but he allowed six and the expected number was five. Edmonton wasn’t strong in this game, folks. Can’t blame the goalie for the chaos in front of him.
McDavid’s line and the Ekholm-Bouchard pairing have driven results in a positive manner all season. If that doesn’t turn around, this team won’t make it to next weekend. If that happens, there’ll be hell to pay when the fiddler stops. You enjoy your day, I’ll find some Rasputin metaphors, and we’ll all meet back here tomorrow morning.
The year is 2026. 34 year old Taylor Hall has 7 pts and a +5 in 4 playoff games while making 3 mil/season, while McDavid is tied with Dickinson for points while playing 3x as many games.
Well I guess we should trade them then. I am sure Carolina would agree to it.
Condors leak one with 3 minutes left and the deciding game 3 will go tomorrow night.
I presume Tomkins back to back but maybe Ungar gets a massive game?
Poulin with a great forecheck, Lafreniere keeps the puck alive, shot on net and Leanne buries the rebound. Down 4-3 in the third.
Less than a minute level, Marjala with a great zone entry, drops to Stilman who rushes down the left side, centers from the side of the net, off a defender and in to tie it with under 8 to go.
PP moves the puck brilliantly for a minute, down low to Marjala, cross-crease to Hutson who buries it to cut the lead to 3-2 early in the third.
All goals on the PP.
Tons of speculation from the Oilers local media regarding Jarry starting tomorrow.
Two hours ago Jarry was riding the pine.
What does that even mean.
Your the one that called for Jarry for 24 hours and then, all of a sudden changed to call for Pickard.
I simply noted that and provided no opinion or anything on goaltending except Knob’s comment that he hadn’t decided. I am not providing more intel on what the local media are “feeling”.
Another non-sensical comment with no relevance to the discussion.
Oilers management at the Condors game in Coachella Valley tonight..
Stuaff too.
Poulin wins a board battle, take the puck to the net off the half wall, feeds an activating Regula and the PP2 goal cuts the deficit to 2-1/
Petrov in for Pitlick, no other changes for game 2.
No Clattenburg again and, at this point, I think it’s essentially a healthy scratch – he’s been skating for a while and he was said to be close to an option near the end of the regular season, a week ago….
Could you imagine a week ago the oilers out scoring 5v5 without Mcdavid 9-2 and being down 2-1
Coach says:
Dickinson will be a game time decision.
Has not dedicated who will be the starting goalie.
Dickinson says he thinks he’ll be able to play tomorrow but it’s been a day to day thing he’s just been trying to manage.
4 GP Avg TOI 21:30 per game. Zero points, minus 4.
Brady Tkachuk
But he fought off the series opening face-off – he’s a leader!
It was a low scoring series. Ottawa was competive. The games were close. Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven were the offense in the series.
Some way to sign off on his time in Ottawa.
Yup, he’ll demand his way out.
Cherry Pick. OTT faced an awesome team. Hence why edm should figure out their regular seasons …. Matchups matter
cherry pick?
From my youngest son the jock who is into basketball, a few minutes ago, him then me:
“The Oilers playing?”
No
”Did they play yesterday”
Maybe
”Did they lose?”
7-4
”They should shut down the franchise “
What? Move it?
”No, shut it down so it doesn’t exist. They don’t deserve to exist “
Why?
”Because it’s the DUCKS. They have Connor and Leon. They should win every series 4-0”
And Bouch? The three have set playoff records. Like all time
”Yes him as well. The Celtics had an awesome season in 24 and they only lost 2 games in the playoffs and went 4-0 in the finals. That’s what the Oilers should be doing with those guys. That’s how it works in B ball”
Not quite the same of course. I once got up for work which is early, and he was 2 years old watching Sportscentre. Thing is he didn’t know how to navigate the TV set up and figured it out because he wanted to watch so badly, he got up early
Now he’s 16, but that’s how someone who isn’t a rabid hockey fan but is a rabid sports fan and athlete sees it. Waste of opportunity is what he’s not buying. I hear it all the time not living in Edmonton, from non-Oiler hockey fans. Should be kicking butt 24/7 while the Trio are in prime
The org needs to make better decisions, and any decision that makes them better. Everyone will get over it later if their noses gets out of joint. They need to play with wicked speed and pace, be a physical load, and play smart. Because that’s what the up and comers look like. Whoever doesn’t fit the bill, use to trade for those things to be around the core
Its so simple eh?
basketball pfffft. Just find two guys, pay them millions and win.
this is a great take by your son, its obviously not so simplistic, but I like the absoluteness of it. Chirelli set Us back, Holland made some good moves and signings but equally bad ones, Bowman is about 50/50. Three “good” GM’s could not acquire a #1 goalie for 2 of the best players of all time. oiler ownership bleeds ineptitude and suffers lack of foresight.
I’m starting a petition to have Pickard on the ballot for tomorrow start. He saved the season last year and I myself believe he can save this season as well.
I have thought about this as well. I’m not sure what the rules are around the third goalie on ‘emergency recall’. Can he even play?
One big downside for s that would send a clear message to both Jarry and Ingram about your belief in them. Not sure it’s worth it. The team needs to know that they need to play better in front of their goalie.
A few hours ago you wanted Jarry, now Pickard?
Pickard is here for vibes.
Tomkins was the better goalie the entire time Pickard was in a tandem with him.
Time waits for no one.
Jarry next game and then Pickard for game 5
That ship has sailed. It’s Ingram or Jarry. But that’s also a bit weird, like telling your team it was on the goaltending. Ha. We were a bit of a dumpster fire out there.
Playoff totals
Skinner.26W 24L
Pickard. 8W 2L
Ingram. 1W 5L
Jarry. 2W 6L
Pickard was worse than Skinner during the playoffs last season and was something like 7-1. The win/loss records for these goalies means all but nothing.
I am sure that we cannot compare playoff records as a way of assessing quality of goaltender. But is this your way of saying Pickard is the best of them?
Pickard is a career back-up at best. All I know is the team preferred playing in front of him over the media darling.
I think (wonder is maybe a better word) the team feels embarrassed when the goalie takes the fall for their idiotic play. Then they snap to for a while.
I was thinking about the choice of goalies for tomorrow after last night and had an impulsive reaction to want to change it up. But today after some more sober thought, I realized that changing the goalie won’t make any difference unless the attention to details (an expression that is growing more irritating after each poor outing) is much better. Ingram has proven he is calm and solid when playing behind the team when it is dialled in on defense. If they don’t do that, then the choice of goalie won’t matter.
Same as it ever was… The Oilers do not have a “goalie problem.” They do, however, have “fan base waiting for Hasek/Price/Dryden/saviour problem.”
When this team is healthy, when they play like Nov 26-Dec 25, or the last 10-12 games of the season, goalies look great, wins pile up, everyone in Oilerville is happy.
Enough with the goalie worries.
Tell that to the Penguins.
The senators game is out of control.
Hall just had his helmet taken off twice in one shift. Both times, collected his helmet, put it back on, and then continued his shift. Did that rule change? I thought you had to go straight to bench if your helmet comes off.
If you can do it without delay, it is allowed.
Thanks! I didn’t know that. I was so confused haha
Now here’s the rub, as usual, with the NHL and it’s ridiculous bush league vagueness…
The word they use ise “immediately”.
What does that mean, precisely? A ref who doesn’t like you could easily bend that to fit his purpose.
That whole period was wild. The Kleven hit was massive.
This quote by KK makes me mad “They certainly carried us the previous two years. They absolutely did. Right now, to say it’s all on their shoulders, is completely unfair. I think everybody needs to step up a little bit.”
This thinking is one thing but expressing it is further evidence to KKs approach which is to say that the stars get all the credit and none of the accountability.
This can be seen from his quotes but even more so in how he doles out ice time. If there was accountability or even just recognition that even the stars have off games, the ice time would better reflect that.
Knoblauch has revealed over and over in interviews that he has no view of the team basically beyond those two. It is wild if you start going back through it.
Immaturity as a coach is how I’d describe it.
From earlier in the year “ our identity is Leon and Connor and the D.”
Also, Leon and Connor didnt carry them last playoffs. They were both even at 5v5.
I often describe “firing offences”. I’m not sure others think this way…You could also use terms like “strikes”, or understanding the difference between good mistakes (which are dynamic, chasing a goal, and you learn from) and bad mistakes (which aren’t those things, and are repeated).
If you believe in process leading to result – it doesn’t matter that they have been to 2 SCFs. This coach has had many, many things I would grade as firing offences and would have been gone lone ago.
Are they interested in being good…or the best they can possibly be?
I know which I’d choose.
To me he is very vanilla. I wouldn’t say he is doing anything that is a dramatic firing offence but therein lies the problem. Teams need innovative practice at all levels to find success in the age of parity. The Oilers have very little innovation in the hockey ops. They have plenty in the moneymaking aspects but the hockey ops, from hiring practices to coaching decisions, they are far from
innovative. Going back to the same line combos and ice time regardless of the numbers that aren’t supporting those choices is one significant obvious example. Hockey is the ultimate team sport and one or two superstars cannot win on their own. A coach that believes they can is a problem.
Thinking his team’s attack is only 2 players.
Relying on the stretch pass breakout even after it doesn’t work.
Not calling timeouts when it is obvious to do so.
Many, many public comments after poor performances showing he did not see what was happening clearly.
Misusing players acquired by the organization, and appearing to do so very intentionally.
Not preparing his team to play the styles necessary to win against individual opponents.
Not being willing to push his superstars and hold them accountable.
These are some of mine. I could go on. 3 is too many.
And you of course communicate
expectations in advance and it is part of taking on the role.
For one thing, his passive personality would have never made it past my decision-making matrix for this team…but that’s a bit of a different discussion.
“Are they interested in being good…or the best they can possibly be?”
This sums it up for me. They get compared to other top teams as apples to apples, and the only team to me that is valid for right now are the Avs because of MacK and Makar
Like the Avs, with the elite talent they should be a dominant force, it’s such an advantage to start with. And it has gotten them far, but not all the way. And unless the panthers win another Cup, they will be thought of like the 70’s Flyers, won a couple being allowed to goon their way there, and time will forget them just like those Flyers
How about this as part of the next coaching interview process…
With Connor in the room – each applicant is asked to name 3 things that 97 needs to be better at to help the team be its best and win Cups. Identify and talk about their approach to doing so.
If they can’t do this, and can’t do it with some conviction, why would you ever give them the job?
The Avalanche have already won a cup with MacKinnon and Makar but were forced to reload because of cap reasons.
It took awhile, but here they are….cup favourites again,
He doesn’t exhibit team building qualities. It’s definitely a hard thing to do when you have superstars, which is why whom the HC is matters a lot for a team like this. He’d probably do better with a more regular roster
Correct in some ways – but everyone said Wayne and Mark made them better players and made it a team. Sather conducted the orchestra. And they maxxed out all the time for each other.
I miss Gulutzun
I mean I hate the rate in which we fire coaches…. But I would take a Cassidy in a heart beat. But I would also keep him through thick and thin. If he can’t coach us, then it’s not coaching.
That said, it’ll be a shame letting go of a Stanley Cup champion coach.
This happened awhile ago but today seems like as good of a day as any to share.
A few months ago we were watching a game and a Zach Hyman goal got disallowed (huge shock, right?). My youngest (5 now) basically plays hockey all day everyday. Usually his opponent is me or the side of our living room couch.
Anyways, he was pretty miffed about the disallowed goal. I explained to him that Zach isn’t too broken up, and that he’s even kinda used to it. I explained that Zach spends a lot of time in the blue paint and that he scores a lot that way, but sometimes he bumps the goalie or the puck goes in off his hand and the goal gets called back.
Fast forward about a month and my son is the oilers, and the couch is the golden knights. I’m working way in the kitchen making supper. But I can hear my son out there and he’s disallowing his own goals against a couch. Every time he scores there’s a big celebration, followed by him announcing that it’s no goal because the puck (ball) went in off his hand, or there was a “distinct kicking motion.”
This is how I know I’m raising a Zach Hyman fan. That, and whenever he sees Zach Hyman on the bench he shouts “Yeeeaaaahh, Jackie Hyman!” despite full well knowing his name is Zach.
Per Tony B:
I presume Dickinson is playing but would have thought he wouldn’t be in a placeholder spot…..
Wouldn’t he be holding a place for Leon ? And Nuge holding place for McDavid? The fourth line is intact. Judging from how the combo’s are allotted I would ASSUME we see this tomorrow night.
Nuge-McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Leon-Kapanen
Savoie-Dickinson-Roslovic
Dach-Samanski-Frederic
I’m purely assuming here. Because I can’t see Connor & Leon sitting out game four.
McDavid and Drai not on the ice for practice today.
Dickinson IS on the ice.
That McDavid and Drai are not on the ice is not at all surprising. Would be nice to have Dickenson back in the lineup though. Very tough to win with our injuries at Center at the moment.
Walman has fallen back into being a wet bag of sand, this may end up being the worst contract ever signed.
With that said, Oilers win the next 3 and take on the repenters.
It would appear that post season experience is highly overrated. Let’s hope THAT changes in the heart of this series. I agree with Curlock that Oilers need to employ a 2-3 attacking scheme. Winning back home ice advantage has become mandatory. Game five in Edmonton will be huge and every game after that. If Edmonton can get it to seven games from this point, I like their chances, that is where the post season experience should prove valuable again. Or maybe not ??
One thing I notice about the Oilers that Curlock mentions is that a part of their problems with making passes especially on offense is that the Oiler gets behind the opponent. That actually makes them unavailable as there is no lane, and they will still try to force a pass and bad things happen
We also see the lack of spatial awareness around the net. If you are too close in you have no play, unless you’re fighting for a loose puck. Watch the better scores and they leave themselves space to get a strong shot off, and find the soft spots which are almost always opening and closing. Drai shoots from where he does so he can get that bomb off clean
It’s been ongoing at least under these coaches and really should have been addressed and corrected, it’s not that tough a sell, make yourself available to the puck carrier and score more goals and give up less
It’s interesting because at times, quite often, it appears the Ducks know where the Oiler players are passing the puck before they know themselves. That might explain things.
Last year’s start to the playoffs was still somehow worse.
Ye of little faith. I agree with Spartacus lets all complain them into working harder.
Who is complaining 😉 LT has it right. As I read it, this has nothing to do with hard work, effort or a will to win. I agree. Darn execution and strategy could sure help though
I don’t think Spartacus is complaining. He loves it.
Ok, so then let’s discuss the positives from last night….crickets?
McDavid had a goal and an assist yeaaaa , but unfortunately was the teams worst -4 booooooo.
Complaining and critiquing are different imo. One is thoughtful, one is wah.
For someone about hiking the Albertan bootstraps its ironic.
I liked their game up until the 3rd. Lost the plot and the crowd made Edmonton look like a library. That’s an energy boost for the home crowd you could feel.
-Great goaltending —Ingram “keeping them in the game” (I believe I heard this was a desirable quality amongst Oilerville goalie-critics) in the first period.
-Strong play from second line, even though Draisaitl is very much less than 100%.
-Podkolzin not going away quietly into the night (ditto Samanski, Fred, Dach).
Will the Oilers win this series? They could. More importantly, to me and to longer term Cup contention, is there something emerging that isn’t dependent on McDrai/Bouch? I think so. We’ve seen that coming since Draisaitl got hurt. Oftentimes the thing being born requires pain, patience, and pushing through. I think we’re here.
Drai being 6-2 goals is unreal given how most of the series has been played.
Interested in what tactical adjustments happen for tomorrow night. Curlock has another brief but insightful piece on his Substack suggesting the Oilers employ a 2-3 attacking scheme (similar to one used successfully last year against the Vegans) to offset the Quacker counter-attack.
Time for this coaching staff to earn their paycheque. The season (and some jobs, no doubt) are on the line.
I’m intrigued. I wonder if KK can think his was through that. The boys in orange are a relentless and tiredness lot so this scheme makes sense
So Jackson Lacombe was drafted one spot after Raphael Lavoie. Lavoie was ranked in the first round by many but Lacombe was a bit of a reach it looks like. This was in the heart of the leftorium and we had just taken Broberg but Lacombe sure woukd have been nice…
Man, he’s looked impressive out there. Noticed him the same way when Edm played the Ducks during the regular season. Great young player. I hate him 😂
This team really only feels the juice when they’re on the edge. I won’t be shocked if they look the same tomorrow night. They’re expecting a Byfield at the blueline moment.
The Draisaitl line is #1. I liked Samanski with Nuge & Hyman, whether it shoud be the #2 line ahead of McDavid with Savoie & Roslovic is debatable. It would be shocking to demote
Connor to the third line. It sure would be nice to get Dickinson back to center the fourth line with Dach & Frederic. Good luck with whatever scheme Knoblauch comes up with, this is where they’re all going to earn their paychecks.
LOL talk about boulstering the bottom six. Give McDavid soft minutes, not to mention less minutes.
Podz-Leon-Kapanen
Nuge-Samanski-Hyman
Savoie-McDavid-Roslovic
Dach-Dickinson-Frederic.
If you all need hope, just remember… Low floor high ceiling. This is us.
The Ducks are running McDavid every chance they get Federic-Dach need to respond and blow up Cutter-Carlsson. The no response has to be coaching. Bieska said it as well as anyone who has ever played the game Tit for Tat. Call up the speedy Clattenburg he’ll make life miserable for Cutter-Leo.
I’ve noticed Dach and Frederic being much less effective with Lazar as the center rather than Samanski or even Henrique. Instead of getting in on the forecheck and taking a pound of flesh, they are pinned in their own zone a lot before finally dumping it out to get a change. Hopefully Dickinson can play next game.
That trio was humming – put them back together! It’s not like you would be messing up another line that’s clicking
It has to be coaching. It’s almost like there’s no accountability. No more Perry or Kane to call this out.
One guy gets it, Podz is that guy.
I find it disappointing that Edmonton has watched other teams take liberties on McDavid and Draisaitl for 10 years, and they very rarely, if ever, take a pound of flesh off the other teams’ best players. Viel is cross-checking at an injured McDavid, and nobody tries to go after Carlsson, Sennecke, Gautier, etc. The only guy who seems to get it is Podkolzin with his heavy hitting on the forecheck, and he was the only one who went after Viel.
I haven’t noticed these liberties being taken and I think McDavid has even more crosschecks than he’s taken.
Of note, McDavid has taken four hits in the series, Drai 3.
Enough of the track meet play low event hockey. Start Jarry next game.
Agree with the first half of your comment. With Anaheim selling out for offense the Oilers need to counter attack more and stop getting themselves in a position of giving up odd man rushes.
Not sure about Jarry though.
They can start fresh with Jarry with him being in the Eastern Conference Anaheim have less of a so called book on him. If they have zero faith in Jarry then Bowman royally fuksd up.
Jarry is in the Jack Campbell category, and Pickard is not going to rid3 in and sav3 the season. Stay the course and hope McDavid figures it out or heals, probably both.p
Hey everyone, as dedicated Oiler fans, this time of year can be pretty frustrating and upsetting. We all deeply care about the oilers.
Unfortunately there are individuals that do not care, and only take enjoyment from other peoples misery.
I just created a plugin for LTs blog that lets users self-moderate their Trolls in a very non-invasive and reversible way, and not force the blog owner to conduct a never ceasing game of whack-a-troll on individuals with no sense of dignity.
SO if you don’t want to see a users blatant trolling, youll notice a small icon besides users names. Click it and that users comments will be hiddenn from you until you reverse it. Everyone can chose their own level of tolerance.
Try to enjoy your day.
I’ve never felt like trolling was bad here. Usually it’s people being too reactive to it. Easier just to have a thick skin and ignore the nonsense.
cool. This way everyone gets to chose their own level of tolerance. I don’t mind it too much normally but days like today the resident troll is pretty active and gloating in my misery, so i chose to not see it. In fact I developed a wordpress plugin to not see it lol.
100%. The thing about the troll is we know who’s doing it and it’s easier to ignore it. Baffles me that some people choose to engage – it’s not like it’s going to change the behavior. Let it go.
Thank you. Very kind
I can’t thank you enough for this danny. I will be using this with gusto immediately and just once, which says a lot about how great this community is otherwise!
Amazing.
That’s very cool! Well done. It is a great community here
Thank you for the work you do here.
That’s a cool addition! I’ve always felt DSF’s role as a heel on here adds to the entertainment, as do the crashouts that people have. I will miss them but I’m sure not everyone enjoys them as much as me!
Wow – this is awesome! Thanks so much.
If enough people click him, he will never get another response as we wont see him. I like! Thanks danny!
This is awesome. I cant love it enough
And I say this not because i can’t handle the clown, but because i think the clown wont be able to handle it.
and the only way for the dummy to respond is by downvotes! I love it!!
Thanks Sir, a relief to many I am sure. I just ignore things if it’s too ridiculous, at least most of the time
I won’t be using it. His comments can amuse as well as be enlightening. Don’t feed the troll is the motto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHMPc6ZCuI
Hey, at least it wasn’t Brothers in Arms (yet). That’s next Saturday.
Who had “Oilers season over before the snow melts” on their bingo card?
I mean, have you read this blog the past year? Haha, lots of users have been reactive and said they wouldn’t make the playoffs many times.
It was more a comment on the weather . . .
Don’t live in Edmonton, parents did send photos however, lol. Damn
It’s not over yet. Anahiem needs to win two more games which will get increasingly more difficult fron here on. Gotta believe.
I have a photo of my brother and me shoveling snow in Olds on his birthday when we were kids. His birthday is July 12!
Can you guys give me a hand collecting all the red flags scattered everywhere?
This team has gotten a lot of coaches fired.
The management has never done a thorough search and never matched up an appropriate coach.
This ^^^^
There is validity in this point.
Perhaps – but like many things around this team, we’re left to speculate. I find myself nodding my head to your comment and then think, isn’t this the same organization that didn’t do a thorough search for a GM/President? It matters not now, except to spitball, as they got who they got and it’s the owner’s business right?
Maybe an unpopular opinion but I don’t buy the McDavid being injured or tired as a reason for his immense struggles. The mistakes he is making aren’t due to mobility or looking gassed. I stick by it that it is very mental for him. I get the side of people that say “no one works harder than him in the gym or puts in more hours on the ice” and these are classic ways to measure who “cares the most”. However, different things are the most challenging for different people and I have never felt like he’s had much growth in his weaknesses and usually just leans more and more into his already God-like strengths.
To me, the biggest things he struggles with that I don’t see linked to fatigue or injury are:
Not moving his feet enough in the D-zone to stay with his check. He can separate like crazy on offence, he should be able to close like crazy as well on D. I don’t buy fatigue cuz countless times he is able to lead a 2 on 1 after a 2 minute shift.”Lazy” curls away from the play in the d-zone or when he loses a puck – often leaves him out of position to cover the right guy.The classic forcing passes or going through multiple guys when it is not working that game. Not often enough switching gears to be willing to chip and chase using his crazy speed and spark a cycle.In the same breath, repeatedly becoming a more solo player or only passing to players he trusts i.e. Drai, Bouch, maybe RNH/Hyman when the chips are down instead of trusting the processThese 4 things are what repeatedly make him a much less effective player in games especially the more physical or close checking games like Florida, Canada vs USA, and now this series. Why I say this is mental is because committing to this stuff is a different type of grind – it’s like an accountant pouring over a spreadsheet trying to find the mistake type of grind instead of the ultra marathoner chasing a high of doing something incredible type of grind.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots more wrong with these Oilers than just McDavid. However, I find it quite frustrating and ironic in a negative way that he is the “poster boy” for the NHL about a singular focus on winning and the he may leave the Oilers because we don’t know how to win, when he has some of the most consistently glaring and fixable weaknesses on the team that usually gets covered up with superhuman offensive achievements.
This is why I think the right personality in the coach is key for him and the team. I don’t see that anyone has been able to guide him, or mentor him. Maybe nobody has really tried to. Maybe that’s why they got the coach they did and brought on his agent, but the coach at least was misguided, what happened when he was a teen has nothing to do with now. Oh, and they didn’t win a championship then either
There are many stories of mentoring happening with other greats, including Slats mentoring the 80s team into a unified force instead of 6-8 wild stallions, which they were. Bowman with Yzerman is another – and that was the same situation, focusing on D and not worrying about trying to catch Gretzky’s points
Agree there are coaching failures on this team, and failure to coach the elites when to make plays and take chances is a major one: game management is very poor. I strongly question Coffey’s judgment on these issues, as to me he always has represented an extreme approach to low percentage plays; over the course of his career his approach only paid off on the most talented team in NHL history. Clearly Woodcroft is taking advantage of a decision making process here, as the Oilers keep forcing. Not keeping it simple and the slippage to “Hail Mary” break outs is 100% on the coaches IMO.
I think another thing to keep in mind is it took 13 years with Steve Y in the league to capture his first cup. Sometimes things just take time.
This is true, but it took the Slats Oilers 5 seasons. They got on the program pretty quickly
The slats Oilers didn’t have to plan within a salary cap – there was also 21 teams, not 32.
Sather had Gretzky to stir the drinks.
This team has some pretty good stirrers as well
But they’re using their fingers to stir the drink. Gotta find their stir sticks.
I wonder how much of this comes from living in a bubble. When everyone tells you you’re the best and you work the hardest, it might be difficult to notice the (admittedly small) flaws in your game.
It’s sort of why Toronto perpetually sucks as a team.
It might be better to build a team around just “better than average” players, rather than having a few heavyweights and some “good enough” extras.
Who cares if your opinion is popular or not. It’s what you think, and worthy of consideration regardless whether I agree or not. I lean to all this discussion about 97 being speculation. This doesn’t take away from your opinion. It just means, for me, we can’t know for sure.
Unpopular or not, I think trying to read into 97’s current conundrum is a guessing game and only he knows and he won’t be telling us anytime soon. One thing I am certain of from my 60 years on this planet (in my mind) is that he is exhausted mentally and physically and is hurt, the degree of which is unclear. The human condition applies to everyone, and for him, this means he’s less effective, he’s pushing too hard, and his ability to compensate is very undermined. He surely is the best player on the planet at this moment who is not playing near that level. He best find a way to harness what he has left to help, and not hurt, the team. I vote that he will, we shall see in game 4
I would be stunned if McDavid isn’t hurt, but the mental mistakes are head scratching. So many turnovers and giveaways. According to ChatGPT, -4 is tied for his worst ever +/-.
Thank Jimmy. It is head scratching but let me tell you, you make horrible mistakes when you’re mentally fatigued. Like take me marrying my first wife. I was terribly fatigued when I decided to marry her and boom, she cleaned me out in the divorce. I’m still feeling the exhaustion 🙂
But this is exactly why you simplify when you’re not at your best. If Connor or whoever is hindered, they should be accommodating that. He’s not going to have success bull rushing the trap even at 100%. The Ducks whole game plan is to stop that, so counter
That was likely the ducks ‘A’ game last nite. I doubt they can play better.
For the oilers overall that was likely their ‘F’ game. With the exception of a few players( pods,Emberson,Kappy…) and it was a close game in the end.
Even the Oilers ‘B’ game will beat the ducks best game…. I like the Oilers chances!!
Love it! I hope you bring this to Sunday’s game (maybe drop a bottle of that spirit with the Oilers, pre game).
All they have is their regular season game, and it’s not good.
I guess the regular season matters after all.
I see Mcdavid going full out for offensive. He’s seems to be skating full speed often up ice, taking contact, fighting through the typical playoff mugging, driving wide, driving middle, hunting loose pucks.
He’s maybe struggling with edge work but his desire to win and effort level is very strong from what I see.
However he seems to rest on the ice when it comes to back tracking and in dzone pressure. I don’t see him as burnt out from so much hockey but more of a choice to go full full offense and rest on defense.
Certainly he and his teammates and coaches see this and I have full faith that adjustments will be made.
The pass to the point for a point shot is killing them. The +/- on that play is the difference in this series. Ducks have learned to aggressively attack the point man and turn the puck over for a fast break and the oilers keep doing that same play over and over and over again. Need to cycle down low and keep it down low.
Probably a mix of both. A lot of offense is generated from attacking down hill in the ozone most teams focus on playing that style, however it can’t be the only way otherwise as you state it’s easy to defend.
The down low cycle should be the bread and butter of dach/fred/ Samanski. But they don’t get played together and don’t get enough time to create that hard, wear you down shifts. I believe that should be more of a focus for the team lead by that line.
Especially when you don’t have numbers in front to screen and pull the wingers down lower
That, and get bodies and the puck to the net.
I have been too doom-and-gloom midgame, so I’ll try to add something positive to the discussion today.
First of all, I do enjoy this community, so thank you to all who post. This place feels like a relic of the once-useful internet, or at least what online communities could have been before algorithms and anger became the currency of the 21st century.
Second, if this is the death knell of the McDavid era, can we not call it a failure? The ultimate goal may not be in the cards, which breaks my heart, but my God, two Cup finals? One was a goal away, the other a little further, but still. A Conn Smythe. 6 Art Ross(es). 3 Harts. He may not be playing well for these past three games, but have we ever been blessed to watch him play?
Third, this is not the death knell of the McDavid era! Courage, men! We’ve been here before! In the 15 playoff series in the McDavid era that they have been down at one point, they’ve won 8. Frankly, those are decent odds in a 7-game series.
Think back to games 3 and 4 against LA last year. They had no business being tied after four games last year, yet they were. It ain’t over yet!
Oilers in 6.
Wow. People are really catastrophizing this series.
1) The Oilers never make things easy. This is their calling card from the last two years. They could easily win the series.
2) This team has played the most hockey over the last three years of any team except Florida. It should not be a surprise that they look slow.
3) Injuries. The Oilers top four centres all have injuries.
4) Coach that struggles against high pressure forechecks. KK does some things well. He struggles against teams that have a high pressure forecheck. Here we are again.
All this is to say, I am not surprised the series is close. That said, it’s not the end of the McD era if they lose. Two more years minimum to make a push.
I think 3) is what will define these playoffs. They might win this one, but without health they don’t seem to have enough jump, they are 2nd to pucks and that won’t play out well
And yes the sky is not falling. A short run is probably better long term, as distasteful as that is
I think your 4 points are pretty similar to what a lot of posters are saying. This doesn’t look like their year, hopefully things turn around quickly, but if not need to retool and take a run at it the next couple years
They’ve played a lot of hockey the last couple of years, certainly more than the Ducks.
Maybe they’re exhausted, they need to take a break and give it their all next year.
Likely it’s one more year. They’ll have to move him next summer if he isn’t willing to sign.
This is the unfortunate reality. Hopefully he doesn’t pull a Sundin/Marner and refuse to be moved if it comes to that
I agree they should move him if they don’t win next year. I doubt that management would trade him. I think they run out the contract and let McD decide. Management will not want to be responsible for moving McD ( or that perception)
I agree it’s the Oilers calling card, they never make things easy. They can still win against the Ducks but it won’t be easy. Also, I would suggest it’s not Knoblauch that has trouble with a high pressure forecheck, he’s not on the ice, it’s his players. Maybe they need to get some high pressure forecheck of their own going.
Last year, the Oil were down 2-1 in the first round series to the Kings having given up 16 goals.
Most thought the Oil were done. And I would say 99.9% thought that when the Oil were down 1 goal at the end of the 4th game and Byfield had the puck but didn’t get it out. Bouchard scored to tie it with 30 seconds left. Oil won the game in OT and 2 games later the series.
Maybe the Oil don’t find that spark and they don’t have that hero that flip the narrative.
but I still have hope.
Well said.
This is right of course but I’ve always sort of “kept an eye on” the opposite viewpoint. They were that Bouchard play away from going home early last year and then the whole narrative of what this team is/was changes. We’re viewed as betting favorites every year; true heavyweights with Florida, Tampa, Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, Vegas. A defining team of this era.
In reality this window never once produced a dominant regular season team so if Byfield makes that play maybe this whole window is “a good regular season team makes one really good run at the Cup and comes up short”.
And if that had occurred then maybe with a long summer last year the Oilers wouldn’t be as exhausted and injured as they now are.
Last year was not a success.
We’ve seen it countless times, year after year after year, momentum does not carry between games in the playoffs. How one game is played and how it ends seemingly has zero effect on the next games.
Year after year, countless examples of a team getting blow out and then tiring around and soundly beating that team the next game. The Oilers are right in that mix – we’ve seen them get throttled a then come back and throttle the next game.
McDavid not being able to edge is an issue, combine that with Drai not near 100% and two other centers out an that’s a problem but I have full confidence this team can outplay next game and come home tied with best of three and home ice.
Dicks got their split and now it’s the Oilers turn to re-set, PLAY BETTER and get their split.
Let’s Go!
Momentum may not carry, but systems, strategy and injuries do. Injuries to the 4 starting centres is devastating.
Except sometimes it does, like games 2 and 3.
I heard your debate with David and you both made excellent points but I think I side with him because the missing part to the (true) statement about momentum not carrying over is “all things being equal”.
A broken McDavid, Hyman and whatever the heck this version of Nuge is, changes this calculus.
Systems, strategy and injuries are for more of a concern than worry about “momentum”.
I tend to side with Staples too. But the Oilers have been in this position before and the (Dicks) haven’t they still need to close out the series. I wonder if they can?
Unfortunately what we’re witnessing is despite having some ridiculously elite talent, gross mismanagement of the team over the last decade is coming full circle. The name of the game is speed speed speed, skate fast, move the puck fast. We can’t make 5 foot passes
And some players refuse to pass the puck.
It’s only 5 players to get by… why should I pass?
It’s way better to wait until you’re in the slot all alone, and THEN pass.
That’s the way, McDiddly.
Lol at your posts today. Did someone personally hurt you last night? Hahaha
Bowman needs a decisive and 100% correct summer. I think it’s a turning point time, hopefully for the better
What we are witnessing in this playoffs is the changing of the guard note many of the previous powerhouse teams are struggling against the new and up-and-coming teams, Tampa Bay versus Montreal, Vegas versus Utah Boston versus Buffalo Oilers versus Anaheim. The youth and skilled players are starting to meet their stride ….unfortunately get used to it. The new wave is coming sooner than later. That’s just hockey and the reality as many of you have said this was never going to be the Oilers year. Perhaps they can make some significant tweaks in the off-season. Get some rest and perhaps make a move next year, but that will be their final chance. I hate to say it, but there’s a real reality that McDavid might have to be traded in order to restock the Oilers, otherwise if he leaves and there is no trade expect another decade of darkness I don’t want to see it, but I do think that’s what we’re looking at.
This.
Yeah there are still a couple heavyweights left on the perch but there was massive turnover this season and it continues. I believe Edmonton and Florida have one last gasp in the next year or three.
Turnover at the top is nothing new. No team stays there forever.
If you squint you can kinda see the oilers trying to turnover the middle of the roster. Savoie and pods have passed Nuge and Hyman kinda.
Samanski has passed Henrique.
Dach could improve and impress. Howard’s coming next year for the top 6.
More is needed especially on d to push ekholm down and nurse gone.
Mcdavid Bouch and drai still have prime years left. While Hyman and Nuge should be able to fill in the bottom 6 for a couple years.
And goalie?? What to do?
I certainly agree and those young skilled players aren’t getting mugged every night like McDavid who still continues to win the scoring title. It truly is incredible.
How do the Avs fit that equation. They’ve retooled over 4 years since Nate won anything. None of the ‘older’ teams (Oil are 7th youngest) are allowed to retool?
Exactly.
Oilers goals
EV 11
PP 1
PK -1
EN 0
Ducks
EV 9
PP 4
PK 0
EN 2
All Strengths NST the Oilers with a + Goal Share (I usually look at 5v5 but these playoffs special teams are the bigger problem):
Podz 6-2
Kap 5-2
Emberson 2-1
Nurse 5-3 !!
5 guys at 50%
Ekholm 4-8
Connor 3-8
Hyman 3-8
Bouch 3-10
The others under water are down 1 goal except Savoie at -2. The Ducks have 10 guys in the positive, including all of their best players except Sennecke who is at 50%
5v5 NST
Ekholm 4-5
Connor 2-5
Hyman 2-4
Bouch 2-5
The coaches need to figure something out. I would start by breaking up their fav 5 man unit, Connor Bouch and Ek and whatever wingers. It’s not working. Connor 5v5 TOI with:
Bouch 40
Ekholm 38
Nurse 8:46
Murphy 8:45
Walman 6
Emberson 2:43
That Nurse and Murphy are 5-2 and 5-3 5v5 and Connor is struggling, the obvious move is play Bouch Ek with Drai who isn’t getting killed and see if things even out. The PK needs to be fixed, maybe the players figure it out, but that better happen next game. Maybe they should only practice special teams for now
The problem is you’d need a coach to see that and make those changes.
Knoblauch sees nothing but headlights.
To me this is just more of the same.
Oilers are cheating for offense.
McDavid is playing too much, not using his line-mates appropriately. He’s becoming a liability on the ice.
Bouchard is struggling, too.
I can’t tell if they can turn things around but they feel “stubborn” on an issue they shouldn’t be.
Still sticking to that regular season play.
Where’s that switch, McDiva?
You’re giving up goals just like you did during the regular season, but not scoring any.
Good times.
If only you’d practiced being a good team during the regular season, but nope… too cool for that.
Regular season is SO bo-o-oring. Yawn!
Hahahahaha.
We at laughing at you, not with you.
Thank you Mr. Troll.
It could also be the Oilers have gone through the feeling out process in the first few games and have now sorted things out.
Not sure what you are getting at. Last night’s 3rd period did not look like the Oilers had things figured out.
I’m talking about the rest of the series games 4-7 if it goes that far.
Not one to notice or care about this sort of thing.
But.
During the singing of the Canadian national anthem, there was a guy seated directly behind the singer. As our anthem was being sung, he was sitting and scrolling his phone. American anthem? On his feet, straighter than a flag pole, phone in pocket, hat off.
I understand that we live in free countries. I even understand that there are reasons — legitimate, good reasons — to not stand for an anthem. And not just the American one.
But this guy wasn’t making that kind of point. This guy is a friggin moron. First class dumbass.
Screw Anaheim! Clobber these dumb punks and their stupid team and their amusement park fat suburban dog shit pile up of a city, ugliness exceeded only by the people who live there. I want victory AND I want my pound of flesh AND I want California tears. And I believe we will have all that.
But before that, screw a lot of you, too. As despicable as that dumbass was, some of you are even worse. A bunch of overcooked noodles; if you were my favourite dish spaghetti carbonara you’d have the consistency of box made mashed potatoes. Powdery, salty, disgusting. You see two losses (only one of which could be characterized as a bad game), and you fold like origami, not even good origami, the shitty kind.
The silver lining: the cavalry, as evidenced by the non-97 goal share, is in gold rush territory. If this were There Will Be Blood, Daniel Day Lewis would be clobbering Paul Dano with a bowling pin, that’s how good they’ve been.
And so, the position is down 2-1, waiting for McDavid and Bouchard-Ekholm to, well, McDavid and Bouchard-Ekholm. I know where my money is, injuries be damned.
It’s Helm’s Deep, you pathetic, miserable whiners. They’re losing, but McDavid is Gandalf. You just have to wait for the light, and look west (maybe it was east, can’t remember the movie). That great song by Guns N Roses isn’t entitled Everything I Want Right Now; it’s called Patience. Adjustments are the name of the game! It’s chess at 100 mph you jerks!
Overall, screw Anaheim, terrible city, horrible people, California is a dump, year round sunshines is overrated and puts you at risk for cancer, Americans overall should be beat at every opportunity, also I find some of you equally terrible. Go Oilers!!!!
It wasn’t all that long ago that thousands of Canadian hockey fans lustily booed during the American national anthem.
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/16/g-s1-49252/fans-montreal-boo-us-anthem
In response to multiple insults to our country including the premise it should not exist. But, hey, just because there was a provocation doesn’t mean there should be a response right? This describes your whole approach to conversations here too, btw.
A wise woman once told me, you don’t have to attend every argument to which you are invited…
Holy cow, I knew you liked to stir shit up in one city but I didn’t peg you for one of those maple MAGA morons that can’t stand Canada. If you can’t understand why Canadians are and were protesting the celebration of the government of a hostile nation, one that has threatened and mocked endlessly, then you’re not as intelligent as I pegged you to be.
I love this! AND I am part of the horrible people you call out. I just don’t see it with this years team, coach, and especially injuries.
KK ignored all year the reality of the demands of 2 short summers and an Olympic year on his superstar. Now he continues to ignore all evidence that says McDavid is burned out. And he’s not the only one.
Im impressed by the hardcore believers but I think a summer reset is due.
Florida Panthers are no where in sight of the playoffs this season. I think it’s more difficult to lose in the SCF emotionally than it is to win in the SCF.
This reminds me of Python’s The Architects Sketch. “Yes, well that’s the sort of blinkered, philistine pig ignorance I’ve come to expect from you non-creative garbage. You sit there on your loathsome spotty behinds squeezing blackheads, not caring a tinker’s cuss for the struggling artist.
You excrement! You whining, hypocritical toadies with you colour TV sets and your Tony Jacklin golf clubs and your bleeding Masonic secret handshakes! You wouldn’t let me join, would you, you blackballing bastards! Well, I wouldn’t become a Freemason now if you went down on your lousy, stinking knees and begged me!”
So glad you could take a moment to let us know how you feel about us.
Have you watched them play 82 games this season? A bit more than 2 losses is contributing to the negative sentiment towards the team. I still hope they win obviously, but I’m not blind either.
First of all, your favourite meal is for little kids. Real men don’t crave pasta. Grow up.
Second, your taste in movies is just head-shakingly bad. Why name that stupid movie? Because it involves oil? Absolute crap, just like this team. But yeah, Daniel-Day; walk around all day in character because you are SUCH a good actor. SHM.
Your shrill, girlish whining is tiresome.
Wait… Real men don’t like pasta?
Not effective. Just a gentle nudge back, and JMO.
i learned long ago if you want to be effective, be specific to those you want to insult. Articulating out your thoughts to the whole lot undermines your message. Yes indeed there are some of those you described.
I, for one, am a realist. I saw what happened last night and in the previous 2 games AND the entire season. It’s hardly a surprise to see them crater like they did last night. That’s not whining. That’s called radical acceptance. I hate it, but as I see it, this was always a possibility. Hope I am dead wrong. but hope and reality are two different things Bling. I’m just sitting here shaking my head, how could this be a surprise?! One thing leaves me flummoxed: why, oh why, did they not replace the coach? Oh, an afterthought. Why oh why is Fibonacci even allowed to post on this blog. He’s clearly a persistent and compulsive irritant who most often posts inaccurate and untruthful things….sigh
These playoffs will make negotiating a new contract for Connor Ingram much easier.
I think McDavid & Draisaitl need a long offseason with no weddings to fully recover.
No need to sign him if he wants too much.
There are going to be a bunch of young goalies with high ceilings available because other teams have too many.
Imagine having 3 full months off every year but still whining that you’re tired from last year’s efforts.
They didn’t work hard all year, not sure how they’re tired.
Didn’t know we had a way of measuring how hard they worked through the year.
Also I am not sure pro athletes take 3 months off in the off season. I think some of them might train…
Hahhahahaha
Shows how obtuse you are.
Why would one bring Ingram back?
As a backup? Oh no wait, we have Jarry at 5 mil for three more years in that spot…
Someone has to play goal?
The Oilers already have a $5 million AAV backup goaltender for the next two seasons. They need a starting goaltender. Not a 2nd backup goaltender.
Just remember, Everest is littered with former high achievers.
Awesome
Technically speaking, they’re still high achievers.
Better to burn out than to fade away!
This is not their year, and that’s fair enough. They are banged up and other than Leon the core is burnt out. They won’t get past the next round as it is going even if they win this one. They have tried to flip the switch, but I just can’t see them getting to the kind of game that they need to, it’s a mountain too tall these playoffs, even with the goalie not being the problem
A long summer and a coach that is the right fit is the prescription. Although I don’t have confidence that they will FINALLY find that coach, but that is needed greatly. Also probably Bowman having some hard conversations. Some of the incumbents aren’t helping enough anymore, and if it’s because of injury and not age, that’s not going to get better for guys into their 30’s
I don’t buy the windows argument as a fact. Maybe when Connor and Leon are in the same position as Sid and Malkin and they didn’t find good enough alternatives. But teams do have the option of trading players while their rep is still intact and Pollocking some quality youth onto the team. Only Connor and Leon should retire as Oilers, if they want to, no one else. You trade them when you know they are heading down the slope or close before everyone else does
Most other major sports see far more player movement than the NHL because it’s necessary to keep moving forward, and if you’re not doing that you are falling behind
Lots of talk on McDavid, but what the heck is wrong with Bouchard and Ekholm? Bouchard ain’t looking like a candidate for the Norris.
I saw Ekholm bad last night. Made mistakes all over the ice.
That Ekholm play on the dagger goal was comical. He couldnt have been more unhelpful if he tried.
They’re in one with 2 injured stars. Either they figure it out or we get a Woody smirk to enjoy all summer.
Maybe the Oilers figure it out and come back to win the series. They have been down many times and have generally played well with their backs against the wall. The disturbing thing is that they are not playing a top end team in the first round. The Ducks are average at best. Sure, they are young and improving, but they have a long way to go still. They are not the Avs, Stars, or even the Wild. Now the Oilers showed all year that they are far from elite as well. But the thought was, they could flip the switch when the games matter and get to the level they need to. This could still happen and I hope it does. Not looking to good now though, and even if they do comeback, does anyone think they can compete with the Central teams? I find myself looking towards the summer retool. Might be the most important summer in the McDavid era