Game 21, ’26-27: Oilers at Maple Leafs

On Saturday mornings, our house was quiet. My Dad worked on Saturdays—all the Dads worked the sixties, 6 days a week—and Mom had the house quiet with reading or yard work. I would grab my bike and head down the road (this is Whonnock, up past Thornhill School, past Haney) to various friends and people who were doing cool things. Please read this.

My Grandpa had a great big horse (Tom) but he was working most days too (seriously, everyone worked in the sixties) and the older kids (my brother, my aunt Shannon) were either doing boring things or stuff they’d get in trouble for if I was included (one of those things, climbing in the woodpile near the sawmill, damn near killed me once. I was impaled by a massive nail, no one around. Jesus it was scary, I was maybe five).

Mostly I rode my bike until someone strolled or rode along and then we decided what fun we could have with the day. We did stupid stuff I won’t mention; every day was different but the same, and perfect. My recollection of Saturdays as a kid (even in fall) was basically carefree. I’ve been thinking more and more about those days lately, suspect old men reflect often as the days wind down.

Around four or so everyone had to go home (it was like a homing chip kicked in) and I’d always go to Grandma’s house. Tom the horse was there but the real pull was Grandma, who baked fresh bread every day. What a gift! I can still recall opening the door of their house and being run over by the aroma of that freshly baked bread. Always the same: bread with butter and strawberry jam. It was the best thing ever.

Their house was very old, you passed the piano and a bedroom to the right as you walked in, plus the stairs to the left going up to the other bedrooms. A few more steps and it opened up into the kitchen and living room. I did much of my childhood hockey viewing in that room. Saturday nights were hockey nights, with cards and beer and cigar smoke and laughter. My brother would stroll in a little later, then Mom and Dad, my uncle Ross (he was older, and a little dangerous. He was my favorite) would receive the biggest reaction because it was uncertain he’d be there any given Saturday.

The hockey game was turned on promptly and the big sofa and the chair would be filled for several hours. Grandma had these quilts that were so warm it was sometimes hard to stay awake but the hockey kept me alert. Frank Mahovlich and Dave Keon were my favorites, the older folks liked Johnny Bower, Tim Horton and Allan Stanley and every once in awhile the Leafs had someone we’d never heard of (this would gather momentum as the decade wore on and by 1970 you needed a program).

Saturday nights were what I lived for, what we all lived for I think, because the men were home and I got to sit with my Dad and Grandpa and watch the game. It was just a few precious hours but they meant the world to me and I held on to them as hard as I could every Saturday night. Those were hard working people who didn’t get a lot of down time. Cards until midnight, me long asleep under one of those quilts.

There would be times in the future when I was as content. Things like driving the family to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho for vacation, knowing everyone was safe and I could keep them that way. Just like Grandma’s quilt, the warmth was overwhelming and the power of the moment stays with me as a reminder of just how good life can be.

I’ll miss my Hockey Night in Canada experience (1965-2025) forever, but am eternally grateful that the power of Mahovlich, Keon, Bower, Horton and Stanley provided the backdrop to some of my fondest memories. My folks are all gone now, but I buy bread from Cobs, read old editions of The Hockey News online and will watch the Oilers-Leafs tonight with those memories dashing through my mind. It was beautiful.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

On the road: NYR, NJD (Expected 1-1-0) 1-0-1
At home to: ANA, VAN, NYR, PHI (Expected 3-1-0) 3-1-0
On the road to: TOR, PHI, FLA, TBAY, CAR, STL (2-3-1)
At home to: VEG, SEA (1-0-1)
On the road to: SEA (1-0-0)
Expected Record: 8-5-2, 18 points in 15 games (actual 4-1-1)
Actual Record: 14-3-3, 31 points in 20 games

Arguing about the Oilers roster issues is a steep climb with this ridiculous record (as seen here). I am currently hockey’s Cry Wolf. This is not a fun place to be.

I think there’s enough for concern, but the five-on-five save percentage is .924 and ranks No. 4 overall. The ‘all strengths’ save percentage is .896 and includes a troubling penalty kill, but is still good enough to rank No. 9 overall.

The goals-60 (3.93) ranks third in all strengths, 2.65 (No. 10) at five-on-five. The 59 percent goal share in all strengths is No. 4 overall, the 56 percent goal share five-on-five ranks No. 9.

So, Mr Downbeat, what is the concern? Well, let’s run the lines by five-on-five goal share, using the centers for proxy:

97 and 29: 22-7 (76 pct)
Connor McDavid 4-1 (80 pct)
Leon Draisaitl 1-1 (50 pct)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 6-6 (50 pct)
Jason Dickinson 2-1 (67 pct)
Owen Michaels 5-11 (31 pct)
The rest 2-6 (25 pct)

The top line is fire, on an historic run. The Nuge line is holding serve, with Zach Hyman now a full force gale. Jason Dickinson is effective no matter the wingers (and the Oilers haven’t found the feeling yet).

It’s the fourth line, folks. Now you can tell me the Oilers are winning anyway, and that Mathieu Joseph is a solid winger (he is), Alex Formenton is catching up after the Swiss years (I do not see progress) and that Owen Michaels is going to have an NHL career (I believe he might).

I am saying Babcock is a coach who focuses on winning. Start as you mean to go and be impatient when it is evident changes are needed. Call the Bruins and ask after Matthew Poitras. Waiting until the deadline means allowing the Vegas Golden Knights a better chance to win the division, working McDavid and Draisaitl harder than should be needed, and continuing to use Michaels in a role he is not handling well.

If the Oilers fumble this road trip, will you still feel confident? Knowing the schedule has been a breeze, does that add to your concern?

I don’t see the current situation as reasonable. Cry wolf.