Can’t Get Enough

by Lowetide
  • On the road to: VEG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
  • At home to: CBJ, STL, TBAY (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: MIN (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: VEG, FLA, BOS, SJS, OTT (Expected 4-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: LAK, ANA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: UTA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 9-4-0, 18 points in 13 games
  • December results: 0-1-0
  • Oilers in 2024-25: 13-10-2, 28 points in 25 games

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RT26

While the omission of Bouchard and Hyman from Team Canada suck in the short term, the Oilers might be better served letting them rest and recover ahead of the playoffs. Bouch has played a ton of minutes and Hyman looks both snakebitten and a step slow.

Given the choice of an Oilers stanley cup run with a rested team or having more Oilers on Team Canada, the best on best tourney is a distant second priority for me

Traveller

For Hyman, snakebitten I agree with but NHL edge doesn’t show him being slow. He is ~90 percentile in most speed categories and higher than he was last season.

https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20242025-regular-8475786

Tarkus

Summarizinga!

O’Reilly registered his third straight multipoint game with his 10th goal and an assist. He also has goals in five of his last six games. He was named 2nd star for his efforts as London won 3-0 for their 19th straight win.

Nicholl picked up an assist.

Stonehouse was not in the Ottawa lineup.

Last edited 7 hours ago by Tarkus
Scungilli Slushy

With the chat about the Barba goal, I watched the replay in real time as Bruce suggests

I recalled the pass attempt as being closer in. Barbashev tried it at the top of the circle. Bouchard was on his way down there. It was blocked well out. Stu wasn’t watching the puck, at all. He makes a stutter step to the middle, gets back because the puck doesn’t appear in the middle, he has lots of time, but didn’t reset into his position, his stick was waving about

First thing Cassie says is he didn’t get set. Not that she’s my favourite, but that is something she has seen a million times and would know about, what is an expected save at elite levels. When he is fighting things he doesn’t follow and read the play. He also frequently loses his form, often the net

He is playing better for sure. It was only one goal, that didn’t lose them the game. But it was poorly played and easily saveable. I’m sure Barbashev was surprised that he scored, he just sort of lobbed it into the net area. He barely reacted and was looking into the back of the net after

Boil-in-the-Oil

It was only one goal, that didn’t lose them the game.

In a 1-nothing game, that one goal was all that mattered. Sure we could/should have scored on our many dangerous chances, problem was their goalie stopped them all. Wish he would have stopped that puck (2nd shot of the game!), however I do not blame Stu for the loss.

Jethro Tull

Hyman should be on that team.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I think the Bouchard omission is the biggest whiff.

SKOilerFan

He’s too unpredictable for a Team Canada defense

Jethro Tull

Mark Stone will be injured, no?

Scungilli Slushy

I’m not sure Zach is viewed in hockey circles in the same way he is here by most. Talent and skill set wise I’m not sure whose spot he would take out of that list

Jethro Tull

Crosby had his Kunitz…

Neumann

Shocking the talk of the blog today is on the only goal scored in a great 1-0 game. Watching it in real time last night as soon as 29 made the play high in the offensive zone I had this sinking feeling that it was as good as a goal against. After the discussion today I had to watch it again to really break it down.

*Great O zone shift by the Oilers. Had the possession of the puck for an enternity it seemed. Side note: I wish we could get access to Ozone possession time they show in game.
*After successfully completing a line change Ekholm makes a pass to Drai as he enters the zone off the bench. It isn’t a great pass. Drai has two choices really: put it in the corner or try and tip it back to Bouch. We know the option he chose.
*The 2 on 1 starts from there. It’s on Drai, he makes the primary mistake. It happens with a guy who is always trying to make a play. Live by the sword die by the sword and I think Drai is ahead on the kill count.
*From a young age Hockey players are taught to takeaway the pass on a 2 on 1, no easy back door tap ins. Bouchard does exactly this. The pass does not get through him and thus he does his job. Unfortunately he doesn’t swallow it up underneath him or deflect into a corner or high, it goes right back to Barbashev.
*At the moment Bouch goes down to take the pass Skinner is playing the shot. This is predictable, Bouch has the pass Skinner better take the shot or an NHL player (and Barbashev is a good shooter) is going to take any net given if it is there. There is no net so Barbashev attempts the pass.
*When the pass is made Skinner starts pushing off to go to his left, he sees the pass attempt and starts making his way in the direction of the puck.
*Skinner sees the puck bounce off Bouch and go back to Barbashev and then pushes off his left skate to get back to the right. The mechanics of right skate pushoff to a quick reaction to left skate pushoff to return where you came from left his five hole open.
*Barbashev capitalizes on the good fortune of the puck returning to him and he shoots and banks the puck in off Skinners left pad.

The only goal scored in the game. I would consider that a lucky bounce goal and put little blame on Skinner, but as LT likes to say YMMV.

meanashell11

absolutely agree

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Team Canada forwards for 4 Nations made official:
Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Brayden Point, Seth Jarvis, Brandon Hagel, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Antony Cirelli, Travis Konecny

Harpers Hair

Team Canada D for 4 Nations made official:
Devon Toews, Cale Makar, Shea Theodore, Alex Pietrangelo, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Parayko over Bouchard is laughable.

Bouchard literally just had an all time great playoff run. Sad.

Harpers Hair

Bouchard’s value is a function of his PP production.

Cale Makar, who is the best PP quarterback in the league, will handle those duties.

This season, Makar has 14 PP points…Bouchard has 5.

Parayko has 12 EVP this season…Bouchard has 13.

Parayko kills penalties…Bouchard doesn’t.

Which player would you prefer in a shutdown role?

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Actually, Bouchard’s value is his ability to drive play 5v5 and break out of the D zone.

But I know you are not interested in a real convo.

Harpers Hair

With Makar, Toews, Theodore and Pietrangelo absorbing 50 minutes a game, I don’t think that will be an issue.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I would prefer to ice the most skilled team possible. Bouchard is a far superior hockey player at this point in his career than Parayko.

Harpers Hair

Do see Bouchard killing penalties?

OriginalPouzar

Bouchard hasn’t been tasked with killing penatlies very much – he already logs close to 25 min per game. When he has, his numbers are very good (as far as GA/60) – better than Parayko.

Harpers Hair

I remember you telling me that Quinn Hughes wasn’t an elite defenseman because he didn’t kill penalties.

Then he won the Norris Trophy and looks to repeat this season.

BTW…Bouchard ranks 20th in TOI/GP among defensemen this season.

In any event, Parayko is likely to be an extra for this tournament and absent an injury to Makar and/or Theodore, Bouchard would be too

Side

I remember you telling me that”

This isn’t a game that you of all people want to play.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Parayko has been outscored 18-25 5v5 and is drowning by most publicly available shot and scoring chance metrics. This player not a “shutdown D”.

looseleaf

Ngl his family lived next to mine growing up. Most stoked I’ve been on a player. I’m blinded tho.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

That is awesome. And to be clear, I am happy for Parayko. He is a good player and has had a great career. I just think Bouchard was the better option at this point in their respective careers. I will be cheering like hell for Parayko when the games start.

OriginalPouzar

Bouchard’s value isn’t close to a function of his PP production – his 5 on 5 play is his primary attribute and he is one of the elite players in driving 5 on 5 play – his defensive metrics are solid and his overall metrics are elite – consistently.

Bouchards GA/60 and expected GA/60 – better than Parayko this year (and last year) – and Bouchard doesn’t have a Team Canada goalie backstoping him (and his PDO is shit due to an awful ON S%).

The above is objectively false.
Yes,

Harpers Hair

So, an elite defensive player has been spurned by Doug Armstrong, Don Sweeney, Jim Nill and Jon Cooper.

They must be seeing something you don’t.

meanashell11

i see a troll

Harpers Hair

Team Canada goalies for 4 Nations made official:
Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, Sam Montembeault

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Team USA forwards for 4 Nations made official:
Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, J.T. Miller, Chris Kreider, Dylan Larkin, Brock Nelson, Vincent Trocheck

Harpers Hair

Team USA D for 4 Nations made official:
Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Brock Faber, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski, Noah Hanifin

meanashell11

Is this an echo?

Harpers Hair

Team USA goalies for 4 Nations made official:
Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman

Louis Levasseur

Maybe already mentioned elsewhere in the comments, but how can a team with Connor McDavid be in the bottom three teams for least penalties drawn? McDavid alone should ensure that they are in the top three for drawn penalties.

dustrock

It might have been a few years ago now (I’m getting old), but I remember someone posting that McDavid was like 37th in the league in drawing penalties and I laughed and laughed.

I believe he did lead the league 2 years back, I should see if I can find the stats

Last edited 11 hours ago by dustrock
Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

It is egregious.

The NHL is like that Kurt Vonnegut short story where all the beautiful people have to wear masks.

Last edited 9 hours ago by Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve
Sierra

Solid game last night, but it is sure frustrating watching a team with 2 offensive stars struggling to score, and not just this game.

Scungilli Slushy

I caught Rupp on Gregor and he was talking about this. I have commented a lot about not liking the offensive approach. Like the PP it’s stale, and teams know what to do (well better teams) to stymie them. We see the same reaction from the Oilers – Connor and Leon go kamikaze and play gets more individualistic, forcing to score. Sometimes it works, for me relies too much on good luck and bounces

Connor and Leon and occasionally others can do great things for sure. But that isn’t a strategy, it’s relying on their superior skill, and that means it can be game planned. It’s why they can struggle so much to score in certain games. Games like playoff games against teams like that

But you have to break teams like Vegas down when they do that if you want to have the ability to play any type of game that championship teams usually can. Either starting in the D zone with quality breakouts to beat the D set up, or in the O zone by trying to make the plays that can score against a clogged net, time and again, not once or twice

And it’s no accident how Vegas plays. It starts with McCrimmon – the huge D and big goalies that play deep, zero room out front. I don’t know who is in charge of offensive tactics, but they need a refresh. Or a second tactic to go to when they need to that gets done. To me it seems they have enough players that can play the way I’m thinking, have been adding them, others like Nuge that are going to listen and give their all

They can’t just get different players because cap and there’s a limit as to what’s available and assets. And they have added players like Perry that play that way and know how to, Arvi. Better finishers like Jeff S. It’s on the coaches to find the answers and get the guys doing it. Maybe they are, I hope they are. Sometimes it’s the way they are being asked to play that’s a big part of the issue. Being so much better defensively is great, but it has to mesh with the offensive end of the game. A lack of consistent traffic is something I notice quite a bit, getting to the right spots at the right time, Gregor and Rupp spoke about it and I agree. Could be a system thing

They played a great game last night. But I am thinking of the playoffs, and we’ve seen that movie before, holding them back from their goal. Getting pushed to the walls, can’t penetrate the slot, not being able to finish the chances they do get. It’s the last step as I see it, and it’s a big thing

Getting to Game 7 was great, but for the players and a lot of fans, there is only one satisfying outcome at this point. They aren’t the only team that can’t get over the hump and winning the Cup is the only thing left, but who cares about the other guys except HH

Harpers Hair

I don’t think it’s wise to ignore the other guys.

The Oilers beat the Canucks primarily because they correctly identified that Silovs couldn’t make stops through traffic and kept firing pucks at him from high in the zone.

The other guys have figured out Hyman by focusing on keeping him away from the front of the net.

Before injury he was averaging 2.55 shots/GP while last season he averaged 3.63.
That his shooting percentage has dropped in unison from 18.6 to 5.9 is likely to also be a function of him being forced to shoot from outside.

Just a couple of examples of responding to what the other guys are doing can pay dividends.

Scungilli Slushy

I agree, I meant I don’t care if any other team gets over the hump and wins a Cup. The only reason I don’t want the Oilers to perhaps not win every Cup is that when the Eskimos won 5 in a row I think it hurt the strength of the CFL – too dominant

They should absolutely have plans to take out whatever opposition. Just a little friendly poke

OriginalPouzar

Given where Hyman ranks in expected goals and scoring chances (i.e. was near the top of the league prior to injury), I don’t think the speculative assesement of why his goals and shooting percentage are down is based on facts.

OriginalPouzar

Ekholm was a lock for Team Sweden (in my opinion) and he’s been officially named – he will be joined by Viktor Arvidsson.

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Sweden forwards announced for 4 Nations:
William Nylander, Mika Zibanejad, Filip Forsberg, William Karlsson, Jesper Bratt, Leo Carlsson, Joel Eriksson Ek, Adrian Kempe, Elias Lindholm, Elias Pettersson, Gustav Nyquist, Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson.

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Sweden goalies:
Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom, Linus Ullmark

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Sweden D:
Victor Hedman, Gustav Forsling, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Andersson, Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Ekholm and Jonas Brodin

NickShaver

Arvidsson making the team smells of a conspiracy against the Oilers by increasing the odds he gets hurt for more of the season. Or, flip the conspiracy and maybe the Oilers got him added to the Swedish team so that they can play the salary cap game to have Arvidsson become available in time for the playoffs if he gets injured playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off. I kid about both, of course. Congratulations to Arvidsson, if he plays, I hope it helps him get into game shape for an early stretch drive, and back to the type of player we thought he was going to be.

Last edited 14 hours ago by NickShaver
Harpers Hair

The 4 Nations Cup roster to be revealed later today.

Justin Bourne’s projection:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/team-canada-at-4-nations-face-off-final-roster-projection/

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

All 13 Finland forwards for 4 Nations:
Sebastian Aho, Aleksander Barkov, Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen, Joel Armia, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, Kaapo Kakko, Artturi Lehkonen, Anton Lundell, Patrik Laine, Eetu Luostarinen and Teuvo Teravainen

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Finland D:
Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Jani Hakanpaa, Niko Mikkola, Olli Maatta, Rasmus Ristolainen, Juuso Valimaki

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun

Finland goalies:
Juuse Saros, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Kevin Lankinen

hunter1909

On another note…

Who/why do you think is Nurse’s best defence partner on the team?

DevilsLettuce

Stu had a good game, again his inability to hold structure held him back from having a great game.

If he keeps structure and doesn’t leave the big gaping hole between his legs the goal doesn’t go in. His legs are doing the elementary tango while his stick is leading the Orchestra. If he keeps his blade down and defends his five hole as he’s moving it’s a simple routine save. Fire the goalie coach into the sun imo.

Vegas is a tough out, they deserved a better outcome but they got Hasek’d again.

NickShaver

After watching the replays a number of times, Skinner was at the top of the crease squared up and cutting down the angle for the potential shot initially. When the pass across was blocked and Barbashev ended up with the puck again, Skinner had to back up to help cut down the opening on the short side if Barbashev chose to shoot as he approached the net. He also had to get set to be able to push off if Barbashev attempted to pass. It also looked like Skinner was caught between starting to slide across on the initial pass attempt and realizing the puck bounced right back to Barbashev and he’d have to stay on Barbashev’s side of the ice. That play was less than one second from initial pass to second attempt. I don’t know what reaction times should allow for and I’m not a goalie, but it looked to me that Skinner played it as best as can be expected and this was just dumb luck for Barbashev.

MushedPeas

I have noticed that when Stu’s in transition often his stick is not being positioned intentionally, and that that tends to create unnecessary gaps.

Stu’s lateral movement is also a far cry from what I’ve observed from other goalies in this league. On occasion he maintains the standard butterfly through a minimal push from one side but other times it’s all scramble. And it’s seems there’s no telling when he’ll do which.

Chelios is a Dinosaur

That’s a coin flip game against a top tier team. If you play like that you beat top teams at least half the time and mediocre or bad teams every time. So even if we are super generous and say half the teams are top tier, that’s a .750 club if they can play in like this consistently. Which is effectively what they’ve done for a few years now over a big enough sample.

ashley

Exactly. But I would go even higher. Holding a powerhouse like Vegas to one goal and limited dangerous chances is an impressive feat. Consistent attention to defensive detail was apparent from start to finish. I think an Oilers team that can do that every game wins 80% of their games in this league.

Not getting the win is unfortunate, but luck will have its way from time to time. Playing like they did last night is the key to a championship.

OriginalPouzar

The lone goal that cashed was a broken play, Skinner caught between defending the pass (that option remained at the time of the shot) and the shot that beat him. I’ll ask Bruce McCurdy (former goalie) about the play on the Lowdown today. In my opinion, Skinner is the best option for the Oilers considering age, ability and cap hit.

Personally, I didn’t love the goal on Skinner last night. Ya, it was a bit of a weird/fluky bounce but, at the same time, a very saveable puck to my eye.

With that said, I think Skinner has a good game overall last night – some big saves to ensure that Vegas couldn’t extend the lead and, really, he’s unfortunate to not have a win on the record from last night.

At the same time, well, Hill was the better goalie last night as he didn’t have a weird/fluky one leak in but he was lucky as the Oilers missed a couple tap in goals (Bouchard, Brown) that should have gone in.

Overall, Skinner’s game has picked up – that’s 4 out of the last 5 with save percentages well over .900.

I agree about Skinner being the “best option” – I don’t think management has even contemplated a big splash upgrade. Maybe a McKenzie level add (to tandem with) but not a big-splash upgrade.

Reja

Games like this worry me especially if it comes down to a game 7 where a leaky goal or two cost you the season.

hunter1909

The Stanley Cup has NEVER been won or lost in December.

Going down 0-3 in the Finals on the other hand…

OriginalPouzar

I’m hearing/reading alot of opinions that last night was a “playoff style” game. I do think it was a great game with some elements of playoff-style, for example, very tight checking with every shot being contested.

At the same time, not many playoff games have hit totals near 11-6, right?

cowboy bill

I saw progress last night. It could have been 0-3 or 0-6. But it was only one nothing. Not the right result. They probably deserved at least a point for that effort. It might have been 0-0 after three periods of tight hockey. The way I saw that goal, is that Bouchard played it near perfectly, he took the pass away and Skinner either didn’t trust in Bouchard’s ability to do his part, or didn’t understand his part in the play. He just needed to do one thing, stop the shot and he should have known where it would be coming from. To his credit he only let the one in and he didn’t get any run support, through no lack of effort I might add. Aiden Hill was perfect and will be one of the Canadian goaltenders in the Four nations.

Bruce McCurdy

So he should have played Barbashev even after he passed the puck?

cowboy bill

Did the pass get across to the intended target? Bouchard did his job. It was unfortunate the puck ended up on Barbashev’s stick. IMO Skinner shouldn’t have bitten on playing the pass, because there was no pass.

Sierra

Nonsense. Once the pass was made SSkinner had to play it. Was his recovery good enough is the real question. Some have stated that Skinner is not much of a reactionary goalie. I don’t know about that, but I do agree it was bad luck for the Oilers that the blocked pass end up back on Barbashev’s stick.

cowboy bill

Ok. His recovery wasn’t good enough. I don’t want to continue beating a dead horse. But the pass was never made. I can’t for the life of me understand how you think the pass was made, there was no pass. Skinner overreacted to the pass when he should have been tracking the puck. It was bad luck the puck ended up on Barbashev’s stick. But he still could have recovered in time to make the save if he didn’t overplay the pass, that never was.

Traveller

Barbashev did play a pass though, but it was blocked by Bouchard. Skinner reacted to the actual pass attempt and started moving across. He can’t assume that Bouchard will block it because those passes get through probably more than 50% of the time. For certain, the odds that the pass gets through are far greater than it is going to get blocked right back onto Barbashev’s stick right where he can immediately shoot it.

Reja

Why are we below league average for P.P opportunities? Leon and Connor get mugged all game yet the Refs turn a blind eye. We do miss Kane and Hyman getting in the opposition goalies grill.

OriginalPouzar

Coach said that Bouchard played that 2 on 1 perfectly. Some here may disagree but those coaching the player approve the play, with emphasis.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Broberg would have made a better play!

Reja

I hear the Oilers game will be a even later start as the Oliers will be honouring Broberg and Holloway before puck drop. Apparently they’re jet-setting in Holland and his quest Armstrong for this historic occasion.

Sierra

I think you mean Godot will be honouring Broberg and Holloway in the parking lot.

GB&Q

Two games in a row where the good guys were able to impost their will on the opposition (despite last night’s outcome). Feels like the template is there, and there’s a desire from the team to play that way.

With Hyman likely due back next game, curious to see where Kapanen slots in. I’d argue he has more utility in this lineup then Perry does, but I’m not the one making those decisions…

cowboy bill

Knoblauch did play Kapanen with Leon & Connor as well as Perry. But with Hyman coming back that won’t be happening anymore. I expect to see Kapanen with Leon & Podz on Hymans return.

SoCaloil

Good tight checking game, agreed.

The most frustrating thing about last night’s game was until 97-29 were paired up together, there was no chance in hell anyone on the good side was going to score. We signed couple aging vets that have a history of scoring and yet they can’t seem to piss a drop.

I think Cassie said that Hill was sitting deep in the crease.
In a game like that, I’d like to see 97 dance less and force less, and go back to the D for a point shot. The Knights where blocking well, but other than Bouch, there were very few pt shots taken and plenty of rebounds for the taking. Nurse missed the net a couple times.

I thought Janmark was playing very well. I would have liked to see him with 97-29. I do see the wisdom of having him on a separate line as is the puck carrier with speed getting the puck deep. But those two lines weren’t getting it done; Brown especially.

Scungilli Slushy

For me the positive was that they stayed in the game and stayed disciplined defensively enough to win it. The hope I can take is that they were frustrated – again – enough to want to do what they will have to do offensively beat mud D like that. What they want to do isn’t effective enough, or reliable enough

As you mentioned point shots, but there has to be traffic, and the other players have to learn where to be to put in rebounds and loose pucks. To my eye they aren’t in the right spots and either can’t get a good enough shot off, or don’t get the puck cleanly enough

Except Perry. He always does those things. Of course he’s not what he once was, but often the rest of the guys aren’t using his screens well enough

They need to get up ice quicker and beat the D set up, one of the first things KK mentioned when he was hired. And they have to bury some rushes when they get them. I don’t think they support the puck well enough as a group, which is part of the issue

I noticed Vegas was better at giving the puck carrier outlets and were in spots a pass could actually get to, more than the Oilers. They understand what they are trying to do. I think the Oilers need to work on that. Then they would be more effective against teams just collapsing. Too much individual effort from the Duo, they need to be cagier and use the others more. Of course the others have to be getting in place properly for them to do that. The group needs plans to get chances through and execute them quicker, look around less

jvdiaz13

Great game last night! Unfortunate to not have been able to get one or two past Hill last night! This game will go a long way for this group! They could’ve easily laid an egg, finishing up a successful short roadie with 2 wins out of 3. Especially with the ability get the Vegas Flu. Anyone else do a mini freak out with about 3:44 mins left when Jack rattled out a “Skinner to the net”? I was thinking whoa Knobber, he’s pulling the goalie with that much time left. But it was the other Skinner. Anyway, the Oil will be a different team the next time they play the Knights. Hopefully it will include Hyman and Arvy on the wings and perhaps the upgrade on D that we are all patiently waiting for!

Shamus23

What is with Bouchard’s new move on sliding to break up a 2 on 1. He has done it twice in the last few games and has been scored on both times. STAY ON YOUR FEET!
Nurse was doing that a lot last year and then stopped it seems this year. It doesn’t work more times than it does.
The diff last night ( Obviously) was the Vegas goalie, and the inability of the Oilers being able to beat him.
Brown just can’t be the 2nd line RWer. How many chances did he have last night? A lot.
Try Skinner in that spot. Albeit a Lefty he will be able to shoot quicker off that side anyways.
Fun game to watch. Lots of back and forth in the 1st 2 periods. Oil dominated the 3rd.
There was really no hitting last night. A bit odd when these 2 teams play.
Hope Hyman is back for Columbus.
LT. any idea what type of injury Arvidson has and how long he will be out?

Shamus23

Tks LT

cowboy bill

I remember good old Tom Wilkinson of the Eskimos used to say he sprained some fat when he was injured. Maybe Arvidsson sprained some fat.

OriginalPouzar

The coach disagrees with you on the first point and said that Bouch played it perfectly and I agree.

That is not an uncommon technique defending a 2 on 1 and it is indeed very effective if the slide is timed properly.

Rob Brown says he hated it when d-men slid when he was attacking on a 2 on 1.

OriginalPouzar

Sounds like Hyman is likely back next game with the Caggiula assignment to the AHL (although it could just be single day cap structuring and he’s called back up to play Thursday) but, in any event, it seems time for Skinner to be back in the top 6 for a look. His 2-way game is looking diligent and both Brown and Kapanen had wonderful opportunities last night that Skinner likely finishes.

Adding Hyman and Skinner to the top six, in replacement of those two (and removing Caggiula), makes all four lines better.

DevilsLettuce

Kapanen has been fantastic while Skinner has been as frustrated as anyone at the bench after his own missed opportunities.

OriginalPouzar

For me, that’s an aggresive use of the word “fantastic”.

I think Kapanen has been solid but Jeff Skinner is a superior offensive player and goal scorer – their careers objectively prove that.\

I think Kapanen could work well on a 3rd line and I think Skinner could work well in the top 6.

cowboy bill

I’m liking Skinner with Henrique. Brown has always had good chemistry with Henrique, that could be the third line. With Caggiula being sent down, Janmark can join Ryan & Perry. There’s the bottom six. Skinner had some wonderful opportunities as well, that he didn’t finish.

JJS

Great game. Can’t watch Brown on Drais’ wing for another however. He is kryptonite.

Shamus23

Yes Brown has no business on that line.

Neumann

That was an excellent hockey game last night. I had a few thoughts while watching.

-It’s been hard to get into games as a fan given the consequences aren’t high at the moment… can only imagine how the players feel. Looks like the intensity is ramping up

-That was a mistake by Drai. A good play by Bouch with a tough bounce. Skinner had little chance he was sliding across the ice, making the correct read and then the puck came right back to Barbashev, he couldn’t have predicted a 2 on 1 to go back to the passer and stop his slide.

-VGK packs the front of the net. In the NBA they created illegal defense to kill this strategy. Unlikely to happen or even work on the NHL

cowboy bill

Skinner needed to read what was going on in front of him and track the puck. Why was he sliding across? The pass wasn’t getting across, Bouch took care of that.

Neumann

He was sliding across to take away the shot. The pass was also taken away. Probably exactly how they’ve been coached and then the puck bounced right back to Barbashev who shot. Skinner going one way and then having to stop motion to close five hole unexpectedly made it a unique scenario. Physics won.

cowboy bill

Well, if the pass, as you say, was taken away. Then why was he going in the direction of the pass? The shot was from Barbashev. Answer the question. Physics has nothing to do with it. I guess they need to practice this scenario because Skinner often bits on the pass.

Sierra

Why are you acting like the goalie should stop playing when there is a pass?

SVR

Hard to be mad about that game, the Oilers played really well, and one turnover was the difference

I’m really liking Kapanen on the McDavid line. His reads are great and the play isn’t dieing on his stick like we’ve seen with RNH and Hyman too often this season. Kapanen also looked great with 97 and 29 when they loaded up in the third

If Hyman must go back on the McDavid line, I’d give Kapanen a try with Leon to see if there is chemistry there

Fuge Udvar

Kapanen seems like he could be a good fit on Draisaitl’s wing. Fast, decent size, plays in straight lines and can score if he gets the puck in the right spot. He’s got some similarities to Podkolzin although not nearly as physical.

If J.Skinner could find an ounce of chemistry with Henrique..

Last edited 16 hours ago by Fuge Udvar
Bruce McCurdy

Hits per 60, Oilers forwards:

Podkolzin 10.41
Kapanen 9.86
Caggiuka 9.39
Ryan 3.46

…& no I didnt skip to the bottom of the list, Ryan is actually 4th. 2 of the top 3 werent here 2 weeks ago (& 1 of them is gone today).

As to your other point, I saw plenty of chem between Henrique & J.Skinner last night. That line (with Janmark at RW) had a very strong game.

bcoil

With two defensively responsibly forecheckers is exactly where Skinner needs to be.. Hope it works

cowboy bill

Both of J Skinner & Henrique had solid games and so did Janmark. They were the best line on the night.

flea

Watched the back half of the game and it was entertaining. The Oilers were clearly the better team in the third. Somewhat unlucky not to tie it, I think RNH’s chance on the doorstep late was as good of a chance as Brown’s, and he did everything right. Hill made the save.

On that chance though, Louie mentioned it was one of the only onetimers from the point the Oilers managed in the game. Vegas is obviously employing their protect the house strategy with the Oilers, anything close to the net is contested, blocked, hacked and slashed. The Oilers continue to play into that system as they look for backdoor plays. I’m not going to tell them how to play – they have the skill to make these, but at some point if a team is in full on collapse mode I think you need to punish them with shots. If they start peppering the Knights with blasts from the point/high slot that potentially breaks up the strategy and allows the Oilers to get better looks.

They can’t just play into that style with the same attacks over and over. At some point they need to switch it up. They get a lot of point shots but not a lot of point one timers – they should be building that into their game at this point to create more chaos in the offensive zone and break down this sort of defensive strategy.

John Chambers

Hill didn’t have many tough stops through 2 periods, but he was all-world in the 3rd period.

That doorstep stop on Nuge was saved by his goal stick that he positioned above the pad. Nuge elevated above the pad and was denied by the deliberate stick position. A great shot by Nuge to elevate in the microsecond of available time, and a better save by Hill.

cowboy bill

Hill understands where the shot is coming from.

cowboy bill

Nuge was in pretty close, tough to elevate over the pad.

JJS

Agreed. It seems the Oil have designated Bouch as the only one allowed to ‘one time’ and opponents have picked up on this, taking away time and space.

Unleash the other hounds!!

flea

Louie I think was specifically talking about shots/onetimers from the point. That bouch one timer created that RNH chance.

I liked how they were playing but I also thought they were forcing some chances and nothing was clean. They need to find clean chances – if a team is collapsing like Vegas does (and has learned this is a way to beat Edmonton) maybe one timers from further out breaks down the strategy. Appreciate the discussion all!

Scungilli Slushy

I’d love to see some new wrinkles offensively, especially better screens. There is often no one around the front of the net on point shots

NickShaver

To go along with what you’re saying, the forwards need to battle for positioning… create some confusion and chaos in front of the net… get the screens set, open up shooting and passing lanes by drawing defenders to the net front, get tips and deflections, hold body and stick position for rebounds.

Tarkus

Prospectinga!

A troika of OHL’ers are in the spotlight. It’s not the Kingston Trio–last Oilers prospect from there was John Hultberg, IIRC–but two-thirds London and t’other Ottawa.

London has won 18 straight and should O’Reilly continue to score, a score of consecutive wins is attainable. Nicholl continues to operate at a p/g pace this season.

The House of Stone is not yet a house on fire with three goals in nine GP.

London (O’Reilly, Nicholl) @ 4:30 p.m.
Ottawa (Stonehouse) @ 5 p.m.

Both times, as usual, are Telfordville time.

Last edited 17 hours ago by Tarkus
leadfarmer

I’m usually on skinners case for bad goals but I’m surprised how many people were on him for that one. That was a broken play that he was not able to be set on. Would be nice to have the save but that’s a very tough one,

SVR

Yes, bad luck that the puck went right back toBarbashev more than anything

Jethro Tull

Can’t be mad about last night. Maybe a couple of bad misses, Brown’s on the doorstep the most egregious. They play like that and some teams will be demolished.

On penalties. Noticed lots of heavy stick work by the Knights. In the city of gambling, I wonder what the over-under was on no penalties called between these two teams on a Tuesday night in December. The league should look at this game the same as a game that has 20 penalties called. It’s an outlier for sure. Just sayin’…

Boil-in-the-Oil

Brown’s shooting gaffs were spectacular and noticeable (there were a few, including the egregious one you mention)… not bad luck, just bad shots. Troubling for sure.

cowboy bill

I think the refs must have been told not to call anything. There were penalties on both sides that should have been called. It sure was a great game.

Last edited 15 hours ago by cowboy bill
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