Edmonton Oilers fans find themselves in a unique position this morning. Having watched the McDavid-era Oilers since 2015, fans know how this will turn out. In this way, fans are ahead of Edmonton head coach Mike Babcock.
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) Actual 1-0-0
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2) Actual 2-1-0
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-3-2, 20 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 8-2-1, 17 points in 11 games
Babcock’s plan to run McDavid-Draisaitl at the start of the season was (and is) a smart play, but only if the rest of the team can support such a luxury. We’ve been watching this version of Groundhog Day since 2015-16.
Babcock got some good luck when Devon Levi calmed the goalie situation (it’s always the young guy, or at least has been for the last two kerfuffles), but perhaps some bad luck when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was injured just before the start of the season.
Every coach has his favourites. Looking at the minutes so far this year, Devon Levi, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Shea and Connor Murphy are in his circle of trust among goalies and defensemen. Levi and Shea would be surprises, usurping Tristan Jarry and Jake Walman, respectively.
Up front, Babcock likes the obvious and the unusual. I’ll list Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin but anyone with a beating heart knows that much. I’ll also list Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kasperi Kapanen. I’ll throw Jason Dickinson in here, too. Again, no surprises.
Now we get to the curious portion of the roster. There are two players among the remaining forwards who are averaging more than 12 minutes a night five-on-five. They are Mathieu Joseph and Colton Dach. Running at close to 12 minutes are Alex Formenton and Owen Michaels. All those not mentioned are less than 10 minutes a night at five-on-five.
Now he has played Ike Howard and Trent Frederic in all but one game, so both could be included but I don’t think Babcock will be as patient with them from here on.
The players who Babcock is featuring at a higher level than their play warrants? Dach (although I like his game, don’t believe he’s a center), Michaels (I think he needs time in Bakersfield), Frederic (healthy scratch was earned) and Formenton (so far, I don’t see it). Your mileage may vary.
Today could be an important day. Babcock has some work to do. The Saturday night game showed the top line is regressing (1-5 goals at five-on-five in the last three games) and the second, third and fourth lines are poor (1-7 goals at five-on-five in the last three games). Babcock hasn’t shuffled, hasn’t line matched that I can see.
That TML game will have gotten his attention. Watch for practice lines, who gets scratched, and a possible recall of Damien Carfagna or Tomas Cibulka. If he recalls Josh Brown or Riley Stillman, your hopes for any kind of analytics surge in the day-to-day operations will be dead.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guests will be Rachel Kryshak (12:40) and Jason Gregor (1:20). Oilers will be the hot topic, and we’ll discuss the Elks (who would you rather see them play), the World Series (can the Rays win tonight) and NFL weekend. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
PDO now 103.7
The regression is coming.
Oilers took a beating in front of the Wings net. Same thing against Leafs, actually I think that’s when Hyman was first hurt.
Oul trying to build more grit into their line up but still coming up a bit short in the ruggedness.
Jake McCabe was cross checking Hyman like it was the 2021 playoffs.
So are the fans who paid for SNET + tier 2 fans now and everyone else is tier 3?
If you aren’t paying $300/mo you are either poor or 4th rate fan. 😉
Amazon Fire Stick
This homestand has been topsy-turvy. Winning against two teams they were more likely to lose against, and lose against two teams they were more likely to win against. Get RNH back from injury, but lose Levi, Ekholm, and now Hyman (again). Without Levi and the McDraiBouch crazy start, this team might have been toiling in the depths of the standings right now.
coach needs to get creative with the lines next game and split up the glimmer twins or Calgary might just eat their lunch. (With their win tonight, Calgary has all of a sudden won 4 straight)
That third line is just terrible. With Hyman out, Dach looked really good on the second line. With Dickinson back next game, I’d go
Podz McDavid Draisaitl
Dach RNH Kapanen
Howard Dickinson Joseph
Halander Michaels Frederic
This ain’t great, but when Oilers lose their 3rd in a row to the Phlegms Wednesday, the honeymoon will be over and Babs will have to really coach.
I sometimes wonder if you are not mcdrai, bouch, nuge, pods , and one or two more if it isn’t a little embarrassing to be an oiler. Empty net your on the bench, 4×4 bench, most of ot bench, shootout bench, pp bench, every interview what’s it like to play with Connor and Leon.
Well if anyone other than those few would like to score even slightly consistently I think Babs would be more than happy to reward.
I don’t like Drai in the shootout. Maybe a chance to give Howard a reward.
At least he tried to deke this time instead of just shooting it at the goalie. His stick is not the greatest for shootouts – he should swap it out for twig with a curve, then pick a top corner and shoot it there. His success rate would be better, even accounting for misses up high.
Shoot out loss and lose Hyman things are looking up aren’t they … sigh
Does anyone understand the logic behind the Oilers rolling 4 lines in OT while Detroit was running the top 6? Because it certainly seemed like the Red Wings were easily skating circles around the Oilers as a result.
Maybe the coach sending a minor message when McDrai stood like posts as Larkin scored the tying goal?
Or maybe just trying to get the whole team involved. McDrai got caught out there at the start of OT too.
Game tying goal is on Jarry. Five hole – gotta stop that. Lots of pressure but the oilers had kept it outside.
After they ignored the clear trip into the boards on 97 at like the minute shift mark they didn’t have a chance after that. That’s on stripes imo.
97/29 were out of gas.
Seems like Babcock is playing his hunches. They haven’t been working well recently.
This team, with how it’s currently being deployed is not that good. It’s probably still not that good even with what I would consider optimal deployment. The early success was a mirage not because of positive play overall but despite the lack of it.
At this point though, not at least trying different deployment options is becoming an egregiously bad decision. I’m getting very concerned after much optimism.
Well shit. Detroit went into overdrive and Oilers caved.
OT it is I guess.
You’d think Detroit is a contender after this game….
97 & 29 doing some Yeomans work there in the slot
Connor McDavid watching Larkin score was weird.
Man this team…….
….and we’re back
Larkin
Looks like both Dach and Howard might stick around a bit longer after all.
Much better 3rd period. Well everyone but the 3rd line.
Way higher pace, winning battles with quick plays, not brute strength.
Dach from Shea and Nuge
wooooooooooot
Dach has been fantastic in relieving Hyman.
Looks like Oilers 3rd and 4th lines win the game?
Rewarded for a good game
That should be a good goal
*checks notes-this is the NHL
If the 2nd Detroit was even half as bad as the “goal visualizer” at nhl.com made it look, Formenton needs to go.
Was I seeing things or was that Freddi on PP2 before the goal??
That’s too bad- Oilers give up the equalizer before the Howard tying goal is even announced
We’re going to need the PK to stop something before the period is out
micheals line is done like pre seasons over
Annnnd, they give it right back.
SERIOUSLY OILERS??!!
Gotta wonder how Howard feels after that. Finally get your first goal of the year, a go-ahead PP goal in the third, and they just give it right back 30 seconds later. Like it never happened.
Formenton sucks at hockey
Attaboy Ike!
Goalden Howard!
Fantastic for Howard.
You’re welcome everyone hahaha
Woooooo Howard!!
What is this coach doing? Again for the enth time this team is exactly the same as last year.
And yes the knives are out – with good reason.
This is completely anecdotal but it feels like the Oilers have been a poor second period team this year. The flip side is they’ve had some big third periods, Babs seems to be able to get them to come out flying. Let’s see if that’s true tonight- that period was hard to watch.
Way better third for the oilers, and a great story for Postava. This is a game to forget for the oilers in 26-27. Not like it was awful or anything but just did not go their way.
Oilers bottom six just going through the
motions.
Not an NHL regular across the lot.
Waive em all and don’t worry if you lose anyone.
So you want the Oilers to return that PP goal?
Enjoy that follow up shift by the 3rd line?
Honestly, who are you cheering for??
Been an Oiler fan my whole life.
Until this 3rd period the bottom six had 2 shots in nearly 3 games. Feel free defending that if you’d like. Not my cup of tea.
Detroit running the Oilers show…in their own building…after getting pasted by the Leafs on a Saturday night…good thing tickets prices have dropped a bunch…oh wait…
Of course the leafs are losing in Calgary…
The Flames are not a bad team. Better than Detroit…
I’ll take the under on this one. Think
Oilers in 2011 and you’re in the ballpark.
When doing the Alberta road trip, It’s likely that Teams seem to bring their ‘A’ game when playing Edmonton, and are likely not taking Calgary seriously. Which is working in Calgary’s favour.
Also, Oilers are playing with a revolving door of injuries to key players. The only reason they banked all those wins was because of the red-hot trio and great goaltending from Levi
Seider has been excellent for the Wings.
Cheap shot player too
I’m listening to the radio, Bob’s observations are similar to what I’m reading here, but Cam is making this sound like the most exciting game ever. Which I guess is good from an unable to watch entertainment perspective.
Might be a blessing I can’t watch this one… Sounds like Oilers playing shite hockey
Outshot 23-12 ?????
Oilers are a 1-line team. Opponents know this, and have game planned for it. Not having Ekholm also makes Bouchard (and the team) much less effective.
Jack said at the end of the period that the Oilers hadn’t had a shot on net for the last 17 minutes
Useless bottom 6
Zero shots so far
The whole team didn’t have a shot on net in 17 minutes
Only one line is able to break out. Everything else is hope passing and icing. Edmonton can’t handle the 2-1-2
Terrible period for the Oil. They appear to be just smoke and mirrors this game
Unbelievable Dangles
Back to hope passing. Ugggg. Pure preseason garbage…
Edmonton is trying to give Detroit some life and hope.
Arvidsson – it was foretold.
More fuel for the “97 should not be on the PK” fire. Not sure what he was doing on that goal.