Considering how this week could have turned out, with the loss in Motown and the Mike Smith Shipping News, the gales of November warming up in the orchestra pit, last night’s 5-3 win over the Boston Bruins has to be a satisfying win for all involved.
The Bruins seemed laser focused on Connor McDavid and kept giving Leon Draisaitl open looks, and that was (as it turned out) too much for Boston to overcome. Lots of fun things about the game to discuss today.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Will Ken Holland make an early-season trade to bolster the Oilers?
- New DNB: Oilers lament Connor McDavid not drawing penalties
- New Jonathan Willis: How the Decade of Darkness did — and didn’t — set up the current success
- New Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers put together an effective third line?
- DNB: Oilers’ Stuart Skinner on the right track after second NHL start
- DNB: What I believe and what I know about the Oilers after 10 games
- Lowetide: How close to balanced are the 2021-22 Oilers?
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s otherworldly goal
- DNB: Kevin Lowe Q&A
- Lowetide: Is this Connor McDavid’s peak season, and how good could it be?
- Lowetide: Who is the Oilers’ top prospect now that Evan Bouchard has graduated?
- DNB: Oilers’ Tyson Barrie says what needs to be said as NHL faces reckoning
- Lowetide: Did Oilers general manager Ken Holland win the offseason?
- DNB: The Duncan Keith-Cody Ceci pair have helped to overcome a notable loss
- Jonathan Willis: Seven Oilers surprises so far in 2021-22
- Lowetide: What Evan Bouchard’s move up the depth chart means for the Oilers’ defensive pairings
- Lowetide: How hot streaks, shuffles and slumps will determine the fate of the Oilers’ second line in 2021-22
- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Philip Broberg showing his potential
- Lowetide: Should Jesse Puljujarvi drive his own line for the Oilers in 2021-22?
- New DNB: He’s a one-shot scorer’: Oilers prospect Carter Savoie thriving at DU
- Lowetide: Which Oilers AHL players are most likely to be called up in 2021-22?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: SEA, NAS, NYR (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- On the road to: DET, BOS, BUF, STL, WPG (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- At home to: WPG, CHI (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: DAL, ARI, VEG (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-0, 16 points in 13 games
- Actual November results: 4-1-0, eight points in five games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 10-2-0, 20 points in 12 games
This is as good as it gets for Edmonton, we’re talking about a better start than some of the greatest 1980’s Oilers teams. In my opinion, the all-time best Oilers team was 1986-87 and their start (8-4-0) was shy of 10-2-0 in 2021-22.
Tonight’s opponent is Buffalo, they are 5-5-2 and have a goal differential of zero. The St. Louis Blues will be the opponent on Sunday, their record is 8-2-2 and the GD is +12. Winnipeg Jets are 7-3-3 and +7. There are no easy outs on the trip, this game against Buffalo should be the easiest based on quality of team, but it is a back to back. It’s a seven-hour drive from Boston to Buffalo, but a 90-minute flight.
GOALTENDER
Mikko Koskinen stopped 26 of 29, .897 on the night. He stopped five of seven high danger, all of the medium toughs and let in a softie to put Edmonton down 3-2. If this was 2011-12, that’s a loss for Edmonton. This team can roll past it and win anyway, but come playoff time the result may go the other way. Part of the equation Ken Holland will be looking at over the coming months.
DEFENSE
Darnell Nurse-Evan Bouchard played 18:30, 8-11 shots and 1-1 goals. The most common line matched by Boston was the Blidh-Nosek-Lazar trio, which was Lazar indeed. Nurse drew a penalty and was a target all night for assorted Bruins, it surprised me the big man didn’t go after anyone. Good discipline, another sign of maturity. Bouchard scored a goal, Edmonton’s first on a nice feed from Draisaitl. This is a solid pairing.
Duncan Keith-Cody Ceci played 18:24, going 10-8 shots and 3-2 goals. HDSC’s were 5-1, that tells me the duo played in some bad luck and sure enough the Carlo goal came on their watch. The Pastrnak goal that opened the game began with a turnover and then a deft pass that caught both defensemen from Bergeron to Pastrnak. Both men getting caught can’t happen, that’s on the blue. Keith had an assist and a takeaway, Ceci scored a goal and added an assist on a great move down low and then a fine pass to Draisaitl for the counter. Impressive night for Ceci overall, he took a puck to the ear late in the game and that must be awful.
Koekkoek-Barrie played just 9:22, going 3-2 shots and 1-0 goals. Koekkoek either does many things to get noticed in a negative light or I focus too much on him. Not his fault, he is not a good style match for Barrie. He took two penalties. Barrie played 12:41, 3:09 of that on the power play. Edmonton needs a better match for both of these men.
LINES
- Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto: 13:31, 7-6 shots, 3-1 goals, 4-0 HDSC.
The Bruins do know about Draisaitl, right? Holy hell people, stop giving that guy point blank chances in the third period. He’s going to kill you! Draisaitl finished 2-1-3, with three shots and a takeaway. LD is now 12-14-26 in 12 games this season. Nuge had an assist and is now 0-15-15 for the season. Tommy Herr’s boxcars were 8HR and 110 RBI in 1985, Nuge is on pace for 0-103-103 and honestly it’s more impressive. Yamamoto had a shot and a reasonable look, he battled for pucks like a maniac. KY as a penalty killer (No. 11 in GA/60, No. 54 in SA/60 among NHL forwards) is a big part of what he’s bringing this season, but I wonder if it’s wearing him down and impacting him on the five-on-five.
- Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi: 11:42, 4-7 shots, 1-1 goals, 2-4 HDSC.
Hyman scored a beautiful goal and had three shots, McDavid played one of his strongest games of the year (one assist, four shots) but the Bruins were effective in tripping him and holding him without taking penalties. Referees are taking “call the game to the score” to outrageous levels and getting called on it. Silly, silly stripes. Puljujarvi had a couple of looks and went offside while 97 was flying into the offensive zone. The broadcast made quite a big deal of it, wish they’d focus on how many pucks the big man turns over on the back check.
- Perlini-McLeod-Sceviour: 5:09, 2-3 shots, 0-0 goals, 1-0 HDSC.
Perlini had a shot on goal and four hits, he was skating well and getting in on the forecheck. McLeod had his best game, picking up an assist, and then apparently having it taken away post game. Either way, he played 8:55, posting a shot on goal and a takeaway (plus giveaway). Sceviour isn’t fancy but he gets things done and the pucks get deep. He’s a solid 14F.
- Foegele-Ryan-Turris: 4:43, 3-2 shots, 0-1 goals.
This line gave up a goal right away, Ryan sending an errant pass along the offensive blue line and having it clip Turris’ skate perfectly to get optimal position for the Bergeron pass to Pastrnak. I don’t think the third line is to blame so much as the coach being caught out there with his third line against the Bergeron trio less than five minutes into the game. Foegele was the best player on the line, Ryan was average and Turris can’t seem to make the wheels turn like they used to in the olden days. If Tyler Benson can’t get into the lineup after this game, then he should book passage to the KHL.
MATCHING LINES AND PAIRS
Dave Tippett doesn’t hard match many times a season, which is a real drag for this blog because we like to drill down on such things. I think Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy had a plan, and it probably would have worked without Leon Draisaitl turning invisible in the third period and cashing two goals from the slot on a giveaway and a lovely pass from Cody Ceci.
Cassidy’s big line (Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak with Patrice Bergeron) was deployed against these players at five on five:
- Draisaitl line: 7:37, 5-2 shots and 1-1 goals (these are Boston totals)
- Keith-Ceci pair: 5:49, 6-1 shots and 2-0 goals
- Nurse-Bouchard pair: 4:52, 4-2 shots and 1-0 goals
- McDavid line: 3:42, 4-0 shots and 1-0 goals
- Koekkoek-Ryan pair: 1:52, 1-2 shots, 0-1 goals
- Ryan line: 0:42, 1-0 shots and 1-0 goals
- McLeod line: 0:40, 1-1 shots and no goals
Tippett faded his third line after the first-period goal against, and had no quarrel matching the Bergeron line against either of his two big lines. Cassidy landed on Bergeron-Draisaitl for about eight minutes of Bergeron’s total time (about 60 percent). It might have worked but the Bostonians let slip an evil pass to Leon who crashed the gates doing 98 and drilled it past Linus Ullmark. My God that play. I worry about the Bruins defense, but Brandon Carlo is not the guy I worry about, can only imagine the uproar if Cody Ceci or Tyson Barrie sent that alarming pass.
Another thing that Cassidy did is run the Nosek line against McDavid, for almost seven minutes. It worked, with the caveat that not calling trips and holds helps a team become a success, but the 97 line had just one shot against Nosek in just shy of seven minutes (and it was a high-danger chance for Edmonton).
I think he’s a bit down on the Hall-Coyle-Foligno and DeBrusk-Haula-Smith line based on usage, but that’s a solid night’s work for Blidh-Nosek-Lazar.
The NHL is run by old people, who believe the league’s success comes from big hits, lucky bounces, fighting and bulls on skates. There’s no room for speed, skill or strategy. The real enemy of hockey is coaching, because creative offensive strategy is difficult and brings headaches. I probably won’t live to see the day when a young McDavid can romp through 20 years of an NHL career without sacrificing various body parts to the God of “you think Gordie Howe had it easy?” but pour skill hockey in my television feed and I’ll never get enough of it.
John Tortorella suggesting Connor McDavid change his style tells you more about the people running this game than one trillion words could ever do. Shame on hockey men for being so blind to the beautiful game’s true appeal: mind-blowing skill at 100 miles an hour.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A big Friday show sends us off to a big weekend, starting at 10 on TSN1260. Steve Lansky from Inside the Truck podcast will join us at 10:20 to discuss McDavid’s skill being suppressed by the NHL, and we’ll look back at a time when officiating was decidedly worse. At 11, Matthew Iwanyk will pop in for Point-Counterpoint and we’ll discuss the big game between Canada and Cost Rica at Commonwealth tonight for World Cup qualifying. Tristan D’Amours from Canadian Press will discuss Canadian men’s soccer and what this weekend means for Edmonton. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Mom! Nugey and Philip are eating all the apples!
An apple a day keeps the boo birds at bay.
A high function autistic look at facts we know.
Almost all championship teams ( Conf, cup) average allowing .50gaa (2G) to 2.00 GAA (8G) in their 4 wins.
last year we saw a tighter standard (1.75 GAA) in some series in the first and 2nd round.
Elite offences do not driven championships since the early 90’s.
shutting them down does!
looking at Oilers gm were they scored 3G or less this year.
3L, PHI, DET, Buffalo, 2-1 win VCR, SO win VCR.
no shootout wins in Playoffs.
Not good News!
PS:
I was trained by the greatest minds (High resolution triarch thinkers) of the 20th century,
Creators of the Equipment, ( Design, build, maintain, operate) that got us to the moon and edges of the universe.
Capability to mass travel at speed of sound on ground (Bullet train) & above earthly mid 70’s.
I will be ever greatful.
Broberg played the entire OT: this was after a minute and a half:
https://twitter.com/condors/status/1459399199183622145?s=21
His skating is so damn powerful when he’s pushing up a gear. Glorious.
I’m not sure what to make of this offensive pop at the AHL level. I mean 6 of his 9 points have been PP assists and he won’t play the PP. 1 assist at 5 on 5, 1 SH and 1 on the 3 on 3.
He is absolutely everywhere though, in all situations, must be 23-25 minutes per game and looks like Nurse in many ways, with tireless skating.
San Diego ties it at 1 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third with a weak goal from a bad angle but Marody wins it in OT after a Broberg rush.
In OT, Broberg picks up the puck at the opposition blue, takes the d-man wide and to the net – strong rush – stoped on a pokecheck but Marody buries the OT winner.
Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) Tweeted:
Owen Power, with 15 points in 11 games, is having a very Adam Fox like D+1 season in college so far. Good on him. Sending him back to college could pay off huge for his development. Destroy the competition first before you make the NHL then profit. That’s what I always say.
https://twitter.com/ByronMBader/status/1459013526056366089?s=20
Savoie finishes with 2G/1A in the 5-3 win.
https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey/status/1459356555078344707
https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey/status/1459374176175681536
Savoie snipes another, 2G/1A early in the 3rd
AHL TV was having technical difficulties so I didn’t see it but Broberg with his 6th PP assist (and 8th overall apple) on a Malone goal.
Condors up 1-0 late in the first with a big shot advantage.
Carter Savoie busts out of his slump with a 2nd period goal – he’s plus 1 as the Pioneers take a 3-2 lead.
Savoie picks up an apple in the 2nd period.
1G/1A half way through.
Condors’ game if free on AHL TV for anyone without a membership that wants to watch.
Do you know if you still have to create an account (without paying)?
I tried to have a look and it told me to sign up/sign in. Not seeing an easily accessible free game unfortunately.
Yah you have to sign up and then you can log in and watch free. The game has technical difficulties right now though…
Cool, thank you (and also OP for the heads up)!
In the past, even for free games, you had to have an account.
Captain obvious I know but a couple points I of the game.
Oilers looked gassed.
McDavid didn’t have that “jump” he usually has.
Draisaitl is a beast, I’m calling a 50 goal season.
The sense of urgency really wasn’t there.
RNH is drifting into skunked territory.
Oilers desperately need a 3rd line centre and a LHD.
I’m more disappointed with this loss and the Oilers play than I am with the Detroit stinker.
Sigh. Disappointing.
Needed a key save from Skinner on one of those goals and for a better outing from the team, especially at even strength.
Oilers have no one to blame but themselves tonight.
Ah well. Puck luck evening out. Scrappy good-skating teams are this team’s kryptonite.
I thought it was slower hook and hold teams?
Konovalov with the start for the Condors tonight.
Looking for Broberg and Sammy and Niemelainen to continue their progressions.
Looking for Lavoie to, well, do enough to not get benched in the 3rd period.
Two brutal losses on the road trip already. That’s not good.
Team needs a bit of an urgency kick in the ass.
And a goalie.
There’s only so far you can go without a dependable goalie.
Welp, at least they didn’t lose to a division–or even conference–opponent.
Still disappointing though.
Blocked shots so far:
OP is right about Hyman’s hands
Sick feed to Nuge by Hyman there.
Oilers coming now – Tokarski coming up HUGE.
There will be another chance or two, can they bury it?
Sick couple of passes there, but well done Tokarski on that sequence.
sabres deserve lots of credit. They definitely came in with a game plan.
It’s the same basic defensive hockey, ESPN even mentioned it – box + 1.
The breakaways the other way shouldn’t happen and TOkarski’s been real solid.
Yes but a team that young doing it for 3 periods isn’t easy
Well coached young fast team.
Some light at the end of the tunnel for them?
Keith – Barrie an interesting look on the blue line.
Not being able to generate a single 5v5 goal against the Sabres is kind of sad.
Struggling to generate shots against the Sabres while trailing is just a bit pathetic.
Scheduled loss night. It’s a thing
Yes, but against an AHL team?
The next goal is huge
: p
Yamfry got away with a chicken wing there.
I’ll take an OTL.
Anyone else?
Not a good game from the Oilers.
Wtf happened to Perlini? I had him pencilled into the top line earlier
Your expectations were so unrealistic
Sabres smell blood lol
Momentum off PKs is a real think as well.
Well, this is looking like a loss.
Short handed goals count too….
So no shots yet in 3 rd period. Comeback not looking promising so far….
True – just takes one shot though.
Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Yamamoto was just beginning to roll, and its gone. Again.
In particular, Yamo looks to be finding his legs.
In case you were wondering, Jeff Skinner and Stuart Skinner are not Cozens.
You are on a Jeremy Bender!
I enjoy this ELP reference.
Munzenburger doesn’t see to be in the lineup for Vermont tonight.
Atta boy Craig nice to hear your input from a Oilers slant.
These guys are gassed.
D needs to start playing less risky. Each goal caused be a defenseman being too aggressive offensively
Yep.
I know the dmen are coached to join the rush every chance they get, but I’m more old school. If your d partner is moving up ice, or pinching in at the offensive blue line, you have to sag back and be the safety valve. Kris Russell does this as well as anyone.
Every Sabres goal tonight was the result of a dman turnover with no backup from his partner. Incredibly sloppy plays that basically gifted the game to Buffalo.
Horrible game. Oilers can’t score unless it’s the big 2 against a minnow bottom feeding palookaville central team etc…
The rest of the team waiting for the next powerplay so the biguns can score another one
New Goalie getting hung out to dry must be the official Oilers welcome for new goalies.
They’re hooked on coming from behind in glorious ending fashion lol wtf
I mentioned yesterday that the Oilers needed to bring their GAA down.
This? This is not that.
This game is hilarious. Sabres out-transitioning the Oilers who have all the OZ time and no 5 on 5 results.
Used up all their 5v5 scoring last game.
I mentioned earlier that this is one of those trap games everyone thinks they will win because “shit team”.
oilers really have issues beating the scum of the east this year.
prove me wrong oilers
Well, that was a classic Oilers back-half of the period. Got a lead? Screw up and half-ass things to change that. It happens, but boy does it bring back some horrible flashbacks from years ago.
Thinking perhaps a bit of a let down after last nights big win…..
Skinner’s barely been tested yet has allowed 3.
His blocker side low is very very weak tonight. Also playing small and not extending. Not good.
Nurse has looked way too passive. Led to that third goal.
Agreed, Skinner’s blocker side low is weak
Nurse has convinced himself he is one of the big three offensively. Terrible turnover leading to that third goal.
Yeah outside of that one good play earlier he has not had a good game
Bouchard was cheating in from the right point with Nurse in the corner. Poor decision on his part. Nurse had two Oiler forwards on his side near the blueline. Him losing the puck in the corner should not be a big deal.
Bouchard was out of position, and McDavid was disinterested in racing Cozens to the Oilers zone.
Exactly the way I saw it.
He should recognize the players around him. McDavid and Draisaitl. Drop the puck to one of those two. Let them create.
Bouchard with the nice hustle on the back check but caught puck watching on the rebound.
I’m confident he’ll iron that out.
McDavid should have picked up Cozens. More importantly, Nurse got caught pinching in the offensive zone and was way out of position.
He got caught wondering where the hell his partner was