The Oilers are getting Zach Hyman back (based on reports) in time for the road game in Salt Lake City today. That’s a positive turn, and brings us to a fascinating question: where will rhymin’ Hyman play at five-on-five? Please read this.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 0-0-1
- On the road: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0-0
- At home to: Seattle (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0-0
- On the road to: Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles (1-1-1) Actual 3-0-0
- At home to: Mammoth (1-0) Actual 0-1-0
- On the road to: Mammoth (0-0-1)
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2)
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-3-2, 20 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 5-1-1, 11 points in seven games
NOT THIS AGAIN
It should come as no surprise that my solution to the Hyman re-entry is to run Leon Draisaitl on his own line. I would place him with Ike Howard and Kasperi Kapanen, leaving Hyman and Vasily Podkolzin for the top line with McDavid. Why? Leon unlocks unproven wingers. Here, let me show you. This is individual scoring with Draisaitl at five-on-five, complementary pieces (at the time) flourishing from 2019-20 through 2025-26:
- Kailer Yamamoto 19-20: 1.07 goals-60; 3.21 pts-60; 71 pct goal share
- Dominik Kahun 20-21: 1.06 goals-60; 1.59 pts-60; 58 pct goal share
- Ryan McLeod 21-22: .49 goals-60, 2.47 pts-60; 57 pct goal share
- Vasily Podkolzin 24-25: .6 goals-60; 2.17 pts-60; 59 pct goal share
- Kasperi Kapanen 25-26: 1.07 goals-60; 3.2 pts-60; 72 pct goal share
Thiis is a terrific list of players who had success with Draisaitl. That’s Kailer Yamamoto’s best run of games in his career. Dominik Kahun was out of the league the following year (scoring like a demon in Germany this year, though). Ryan McLeid was just establishing himself, Vasily Podkolzin was trying like hell to establish himself and Kasperi Kapanen came down from St. Louis on the waiver wire.
These men were not, at the time, more bona fide than Ike Howard is today. The idea that there’s some magic line between college and AHL scoring ability and NHL scoring skill is simply incorrect. You can let air out of the tires, but a scorer is a scorer.
Howard has been telling you he can score for several years now. He is not a perfct player, just like the men listed above. This is the time to play him.
- Podkolzin-McDavid-Hyman
- Howard-Draisaitl-Kapenen
- Formenton-Michaels-Joseph
- Hallander-Dach-Frederic
Look I don’t know when it happened. Draisaitl benefited from playing with McDavid in 2015 and 2016, but by playoff time in the spring of 2017 Leon had the Jean Beliveau in him. That makes him special in every way. You know, Toe Blake didn’t like Yvan Cournoyer at all when he was a new Canadiens winger. Barely played him outside the power play.
In fact, 41 of Cournoyer’s first 54 NHL goals came on the power play. Fans wanted to see the fleet winger, but Blake faded him.
He eventually used Cournoyer with Beliveau and John Ferguson on the top line. I think Howard should run with Leon. Starting tonight.
McDavid being +19 after 7 games is wild haha.
The Oilers had three clear breakaway goals last night and each of Formenton and Joseph missed clear breakaways – that’s 5 to my memory.
McDavid just created the last one because he is who he is but I think most of the 4 came from their neutral zone pressure game – of course, Utah was terrible but they were forced in to it by the Oilers.
Babcock!
We should call it Woodcroft 2.0
With 23 points, McDavid now how more points than 9 teams have goals on the season……..
McDavid, or Neo, with the absolutely ridiculous 7.49 game score.
https://x.com/hockeystatcards/status/2111680309536477186?s=46
Really looking forward to Tue, Thu games with this same commitment to being on D side of pucks, solid game management, with solid goaltending.
When 97 is at this level just keep the non 97 minutes uneventful
I have been very critical of Frederic and that contract but I have to say that was one hell of a scrap. Great that he is stepping up like that for the stars.
Will have to adjust expectations. He’s bringing negative offense at this point, but I think he’s been told to just not get scored on and survive his minutes. If you dont hear his name he’s probably done his job. Not fair for Howard of course, but winning is all that matters
McDavid is putting up Gretzky numbers early in the season.
And, more importantly, doing so without having to make crazy efforts shift after shift.
They’re playing smarter, more efficiently, and getting the points reward at the same time.
Gold.
Nice
Very nice
Yamamoto having a decent game for the Mamms. Been a bit since I’ve seen him play this well…
Liked his game. Should have a good season if he stays healthy
Ah no need for superline here. Get them off the ice
Holy ghost of Mike Smith Jarry…
Is MacT coaching the PK now?
Its been a long time since we’ve seen multiple sliding shot blocks
I saw Bouchard eat a puck with a sliding shot block. I was less sure that I wasn’t dreaming .
I had flashbacks of Horc blocking a shot with his face
Haha. 2 more minutes of McDavid ice time on a garbage time PK. Weird deployment.
My though is that the PK is still a work in progress and these are the best practice reps their are. I think the plan is to have McDavid part of the PK all year long and he, along with the rest of the group, needs reps to their their chemistry.
Ha ha. Way to go Murph..that makes me smile.
What was that supposed to accomplish? Lol. Not smart by Murphy. Sheesh.
I loved it tbh… I doubt he does that without the lead we had, I liked Jarry’s feistiness in the game as well.
McDavid’s goal was like:
.
For those of you asking the question inside your own heads, I’ll answer.
Is this different?
Yes. Yes it is.
Well that goal certainly took the steam out of the crowd.
5 point night – Please lord keep 97 healthy all season
The perfect playoff song for a Canadian cup run doesn’t ex…
https://youtu.be/DEkSzcGIfW0?si=8ZADO981vwDkcxse
ha. nice.
Never gets old, just incredible.
97 just deked Cossa into next week.
I think it may have tweaked my groin just watching.
eff this noise
-Connor McDavid
Boom!
Love it.
He’s hitting 200 this year
Jesus Connor….
Welcome to the NHL Sebastian Cossa.
Dang. Formenton is really fast.
Wow Formenton can fly in open ice
If I never have to hear another crowd mindlessly start a “ref you suck” chant again it won’t be soon enough. Same with the playoff trend in recent years of chanting the opposing goalie’s name constantly.
That dreaded 5 goal lead.
These refs have absolutely no interest in calling any of the shit happening away from the puck tonight.
Weird bounce off the back of the net and off Jarry’s back on the second one.
Flukiest goal I have ever seen. Good thing it doesn’t matter… … we hope.
I’ve never seen that before
Ffs. Get your head back in the game. Too much floating…
I tend to like Jack Michaels a lot more than most in these comments.
But my God, man! There’s a whole damn period left! Sure, 5-0 and all, but he’s guaranteed the victory 3 times in the first 4 minutes.
Prescient.
Not five minutes since I posted… 5-2
I didn’t coment on McDavid’s opening goal. Mercy, I feel like Wayne and Garth, “We are not worthy!”
It’s early, but I find it odd watching this year’s version of the Oilers.
There will be highs and lows over a long season, but this team looks/plays differently for the first time… well in a long time I suppose.
Tonight they are playing like the 2011 Bruins except the high end talent is a step above
Definitely better than last game. Adding Hymans grit and forecheck is very noticeable. What a player. Also coaching adjustments having an impact. jars is quietly playing well too. I still have the occasional heart attack, maybe it’s just Oiler PTSD from last season…I don’t miss Nurse.
A lot less over the top praise tonight for a spunky team who’s won two playoff games.
Amazing how pedestrian they look and the Oilers are still without Nuge and Savoie.
And Dickinson
I actually think Utah has been ok. Oilers skill earned the early lead then great game managemmet and goaltending after that.
Superline has 4. They are going to make most teams look like this if they stay healthy.
Get a lead, sit on it, attack on the mistakes.
Love to see it.
I hope we are witnessing in real time something we have lacked. UTA looking bad tonight has the fingerprint of coaching adjustments making a real difference.
6-2 in odd man rushes helps.
I’m seeing structure and smart decisions in the neutral zone.
I have to say, so far this year, this team looks ‘coached’. Hockey is strategic as much as it is about raw talent. I appreciate the commitment to strategy.
Summarizing!
Sharp picked up a pair of apples.
Barnett and Wakely each scored their 1st of the season. (Barnett’s was the GWG as Michigan swept their two-game set vs. #1 Denver, so will likely inherit the top spot in next week’s rankings.)
Lewandowski and Berzkalns each grabbed an assist.
Cameron allowed four goals on 32 shots (87.5%) but earned the win.
Lafreniere and Fischer were held soupless.
Park did not dress.
Prospecting takes a break until voices carry.
Turns out goalies look better when you don’t give up 15 odd man rushes a game.
Weird
I agree with the consensus and am frustrated by the decision to keep the glimmer twins together when we lack depth for the various reasons. But watching this game, is there an argument that these 3/4 liners are learning to or being forced to carry play?
It appears the consensus is wrong. One superline + 3 weak lines is better than 4 balanced lines. How many games is it going to take before people realize?
The coaches could give everyone exactly what they want and they still wouldn’t be happy. Best Oilers start since 84, yet folks would rather whine, cry, and moan then enjoy it.
Holy hyperbole.
Who’s not enjoying it? I don’t recall seeing one post say they aren’t enjoying it. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Even those with a different point of view have categorically stated that it’s fun to watch.
This is an impressive game. I think it might be the best of the year. Howard hasn’t done a ton, but everyone else (to me eye) has contributed.
Feels like Howard is skating hard and hasn’t been a liability. I think things will start to come together for him.
Had 4 white jerseys even or below the puck on that last rush – Bought into simple fundamentals
Nurse would be a true 2nd pairing D in this environment 😉
Drai looked grumpy at Ekholm and gave him a shot in the shoulder post celebration. Looked like Ekholm was chirping Utah, not needed at 5-0?
Saw that and was confused. Huh.
Is that what it was? I was wondering why he looked so ornery.
I thought that was a pumped celebration for the poke check. Punch on the shoulder atta boy type thing.
I am going to go on a limb and say tonight is NOT the night for pdo % regression