2021-22 Game 41: Oilers at Senators

by Lowetide

Tonight the Edmonton Oilers reach the halfway point of a most perplexing season. I’ve observed some wild championship seasons in my time and this doesn’t look like one. Of the teams I have followed closely, the 1981 Montreal Expos (“Blue Monday”) and the 2006 Edmonton Oilers are the most similar at this point in time.

A season has ebbs and flows, plus a lightning bolt or two woven into the story. The Expos traded a good young second baseman (Tony Bernazard) to Chicago for a pitcher with a sore arm in the winter of 1980, but they also signed Ray Burris (who had a fine year and some exceptional post-season moments) the same month.

Expos traded one of my favourite players (Ellis Valentine) for a brilliant reliever (Jeff Reardon) and finally called up Tim Raines for good—and he was lightning in a bottle. Despite the great pain that season held for me at the end, as a fan I remember best Raines on the basepaths and Wallace Johnson’s triple in September. You have to build to that triple, let the season wash over you, find out you can trust Reardon but Woodie Fryman might be faltering.

I’ll be honest I don’t have a good feel for this Oilers team, the 2006 group and the 2017 team were much easier to digest. This year is a season of careening, from brilliance to a punch in the face. The 2021-22 Oilers are heading at breakneck speed for something but you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY

  • On the road to: NYI, NYR, TOR (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-2-1)
  • At home to: OTT, FLA, CGY (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
  • On the road to: VAN (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • At home to: NAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • On the road to: MTL, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 4-5-1, 9 points in 10 games
  • Actual January results: 4-4-1, 9 points in 9 games
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 22-16-2, 46 points in 40 games

A win tonight, and there’s no guarantee here people, would place the Oilers on a pace for just shy of 100 points at the end of the year. That’s likely a playoff team. In 2005-06, Kevin Lowe delivered a deadline that brought in a fine goaltender (Dwayne Roloson), a top-four defenseman (Jaroslav Spacek), a depth defenseman (Dick Tarnstrom) and a skill winger (Sergei Samsonov). That’s a helluva haul.

Could Holland add as much? Let’s say he’s already added Samsonov (Evander Kane). Can he add one or two blue? A goalie?

PLAYOFF OILERS

  • Evander Kane—Connor McDavid—Jesse Puljujarvi
  • Warren Foegele—Leon Draisaitl—Reilly Smith
  • Zach Hyman—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—Kailer Yamamoto
  • Tyler Motte—Ryan McLeod—Zack Kassian
  • Darnell Nurse—Evan Bouchard
  • Alex Edler—Tyson Barrie
  • Duncan Keith—Cody Ceci
  • Semyon Varlamov—Mike Smith (Stuart Skinner)

I don’t think Holland will do this much, and don’t get hung up on the specific names, I wanted to quickly grab options that might work and could be available. The goaltending is a must, I do think defense (a shutdown type) is also a priority, and maybe Dylan Holloway pops in Bakersfield (5, 1-4-5 and he’s dynamic, touches the puck a ton) and an internal solution arrives from California. I do think Markus Niemelainen is NHL-ready, perhaps he can deliver in the shutdown role from the third pair.

Either way, Kane was a major get for Holland and the Oilers, and an indication that the pre-season verbal about moving into the top tier of NHL teams remains the goal.

One more thing about Kane. As he continues to play, and have success, I expect there will be a desire to sign him long term. I am fairly convinced this will happen. How long will the contract be? It won’t be the six-year deal he signed with the Sharks, but I think it’ll be three years, possibly four.

THE SENATORS

Based on reports Ottawa will have Brady Tkachuk tonight but his linemates (Drake Batherson, Josh Norris) will not be available. Watch for Adam Gaudette and Alex Formenton to cause fits for the Oilers, though. Ottawa always has great young talent. Tonight is a big night. A win is important but the Senators are a tough out.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

A busy morning celebrating the CMT World Cup qualifying victory over the USA and discussing the NFL weekend results that have the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams on the way to the Super Bowl. Plenty of Oilers-Sens previews with Jason Gregor plus Al versus Sal on Crossfire! (pew pew) and we’ll slide another guest in at 10:20 (still thinking, there’s so damned much to talk about today!). 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!

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OriginalPouzar

One can have a conversation regarding the 1st and 3rd goals and if they should have been stopped or were bad goals.

Bottom line is that, even with McDavid’s goal being “meh” on Murray, the Oilers got out-goaltended in this one.

Mikko made some solid to plus saves, for sure – Murray. made more and let in less goals that “could be discussed”. End stop!

Cassandra

People blaming Koskinen for the overtime goal are demonstrating their ignorance.

He’s not a great goalie, but that was a snipe from in close. And don’t start with the going down to early nonsense, again you don’t know what you are talking about.

On the other hand, the shift length was a disgrace. Again.

Overtime isn’t rocket science. If you can’t figure it out you aren’t competent.

Bobcaygeon

I don’t think I’ve ever said this, that was arguably the worst game Draisaitl has played in 3 or 4 years..
players have off nights and thank the hockey gods that McDavid & Draisaitl have so very few of those games.
I’m thinking Tippett better get those players some extra rest because they look exhausted.

Genjutsu

The all star break.

OriginalPouzar

Not sure why they would be so sired – they played 15-16 minutes last game – the travel from MTL to OTT is essentially nothing and, even through the first 40 of this game the lines were generally being rolled.

They were only really taxed in the 3rd and OT.

JimmyV1965

Thought that was one of koskinnen’s better games. He let in a stinker in OT, but that comes with the territory for him. He made some big saves throughout the game and wasn’t scrambling around all night.

OT was a joke. Some really selfish play by the team leaders. Ridiculously long shifts.

Mcdavid was off all night – way off. How he missed that pass in front of the net was head scratching. His timing just wasn’t there.

Fourth line looked really good again. McLeod has elevated his game by simply becoming more engaged physically. He’s not rubbing guys out, but all he needs to do is dig in and battle along the boards.

Shamus23

McD could not take a pass tonight or keep the pill on his stick.
Drai was making lazy passes and too many giveaways
Both of them stayed out way to long on shifts in the OT
Mico needs to stop that OT goal. That big of a man cannot cover that side ?
Ryan played great
Jesse is lost
Nuge was an angry man
Kass can go away . Sit him for a game. He has been bad and lazy for awhile now.
Loser point , but man you can’t lose a game like that

Scungilli Slushy

You can play that shitty if a playoff miss or 4-0 out is cool

A self respecting coach can’t continue have that

It’s like pro hockey 101 was failed

rich tm

Only saw half the game and was stunned at how bad the passing was tonight. They were throwing pucks around like manhole covers. The radio call said the ice was bad, but that doesn’t excuse throwing pucks up the way they did from what I saw in the 3rd period and OT.

It’s as if they’ve won 4 straight and so now the urgency no longer exists. Very careless hockey tonight.

Bank Shot

Wheels should fall off in Anaheim soon. They have 16 games that went to OT so far this season. Lots of points from there. The number of OT games will likely dip in the second half and they aren’t a good possession team.

McDavid’s on-ice shooting percentage so far this season is 7.5%. His career low is 9.93% over a season. Guy has been snake bit and the regression will come fast and furious at some point.

This team is playing better possession then they were to start the season. The wins should keep coming in bunches if goaltending can be just average.

Bank Shot

Hey look. A cry for attention.

dunterpunter

Comment section is the best right now. Amazing 🔥

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I missed the game. Comments suggest we got Tippeted again?

Munny 2.0

No, Koski eating most of it tonight with two bad goals, in particular the first goal of the game.

Shift entitlement in OT, some of which is going at the coach, some at the players.

Scungilli Slushy

Happens once players, happen a lot coaches

Munny 2.0

Kassian getting benched was a delight to see. And Ryan promptly stole his lunch money. Maybe we will get one or two periods out of Kass next game now.

Foggy, I was less delighted to see sit. He is likely being asked to do too much and that’s not on him. Or maybe the coach felt he just didn’t have it tonight, dunno.

Boosh got some big minutes and was pretty much full value. Shooting earlier in the PPs would be handy, though, help open the seams.

Teams clearly have the cross-seam to Drai for the one-timer on the PP completely sussed. Feed them Boosh bombs till they respect’em. Hopefully when Kane is up-to-speed he can give them a new look, a different threat from the other side of the ice. Could be back to terrifying in short order.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Scungilli Slushy

Bouch was mediocre

Execution of basics is job one. Not scoring is second. The top players were sloppy and forcing plays (except Nuge), the lesser guys played a better game

Execution is the most important thing second half to prepare for the point of everything NHL hockey

Kane must be wondering WTF? If he starts at it too then we know, and the playoffs success thingo – she gone

Boil-in-the-Oil

IMHO … that OT goal should have been stopped & caught. I chalk this as another loss due to poor goal-tending.
On the other hand … why the heck isn’t our team scoring more? Is it coaching? Offensive systems design? Line construction? Poor play/execution?
So much skill being wasted.

Sierra

This post is awesome. It just furthers my point that the angry mob is looking for blood and all rationality is out the door.

that OT goal should have been stopped & caught.

The GWG was top shelf blocker side, but sure “it should have been caught.”

knighttown

Wonderful hockey players but the cool kids are pretty damned selfish. 2+ minute shift to start the 3rd and then played 99% of OT. If Duncan Keith is the leader we’re led to believe he should tear a strip off them.

SKOilerFan

It happens all the time so obviously the coach is fine with it.
It’s impressive they are still standing after 2 min, but I don’t recall a team being successful with this strategy

Scungilli Slushy

Leon was not good tonight and was so sluggish and sloppy any other lower player would have been riding pine

I have never seen a player make slower line changes skating off, especially this game

He was skating around like he was injured in OT

Mind boggling coaching

Tippet coaches like a coach trying to tank

Exhaust your cream and frappe the lot

Harpers Hair

McDavid is the leader both literally and figuratively and is the worst offender.

Diablo

Firmly agree with this … Holland goes out and gets better forward depth, but the coach can’t keep his top players from losing their discipline out there.

Scungilli Slushy

He needs to calm down and be more mature in his game IMO

RandyRanderson

It was clearly obvious from the cheap seats that McDavid needed to get off the ice and get someone else with fresh legs out there. I hope that he figures that out… I am sure that he knows, and that friends and family will tell him.

Shamus23

Drai is even worse

dunterpunter

His mom and dad prob texted him immediately. 🙆

knighttown

Why are they doing that flip off won defensive zone faceoff still????

I have never ever seen a team use that as a set play. It’s a turnover every single time.

verite

No coaching on this team
Tonight proved it yet again

godot10

PK Subban with 50% retained, for a lesser prospect or mid-round draft pick plus expiring contracts?

Say PK Subban (50% retained) for Lagesson and Koskinen

rich tm

Unfortunately at this point in his career, Subban has lost several steps and continues to deal with the lingering effects of a back injury. Nashville unloaded him at the right time.

Munny 2.0

Well the Sens certainly have a leader in young Stutzle. Fight, key face-offs, game-winners… If Murray can be Murray, they will have a much improved record next season.

Harpers Hair

Is it an appropriate time to comment that the Oilers lost to a team missing THREE top 6 forwards?

Last edited 2 years ago by Harpers Hair
tileguy

We watched the game, we all know that, what is your point?

verite

The Oilers are horrific

Pretendergast

No

Genjutsu
Sierra

Here we go again blaming the goalie for everything.

DevilsLettuce

The goalie got beat by a great shooter as he telegraphed his play, giving the shooter more then enough time to make an amazing shot to an unguarded area of the net.

Not blaming the goalie but he did fail making himself the runner up in the goalie battle this evening.

The blame for the defeat is on the coach, he was also runner up in the battle of coaches this evening.

Munny 2.0

Leviticus 16:20-22

Reja

Need to make that save he lost focus, second rate Goaltending has never been excepted in Edmonton.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

I’m not blaming him but if he stands up that shot hits him somewhere near his bellybutton is all.

Sierra

Sure, but we can’t say that the shot still goes top shelf or doesn’t find the twine elsewhere. It’s way too easy to say the goalie should have stayed up, or should have this or that.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Koskie is paid a nice $4.5 million a year to use his 6.4 frame to not get beat over his head cause he’s down to early and cheating off the post when there was no pass anywhere for him to cheat to.

He managed to tip a harmless shot up over himself and knock it into his own net earlier. The team needs to score for sure agreed, especially that PP which is sucking the life out of things right now but your goaltender shouldn’t be allowing two muffins a game.

Last edited 2 years ago by SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!
Pretendergast

It’s absolute insanity. That was such a fallback game by the coach after last game where Tipp actually rolled the lines.

Hey Tipp, the formula for the 7 game losing streak doesn’t need to be brought back.

25 and 24 mins for 97 and 29. Dead powerplay. Plenty of zone time that doesn’t actually create danger. Koski softy first goal (not on Tipp but part of the formula).

I’ve seen this movie a million times. Do. Something. Different.

I guess we got a point and there were some good things but it was an ugly game. Top teams handle that.

DevilsLettuce

Saw a group of players confident in their game plan playing as a team against a group of players playing as individuals with no actual game plan. I’m not sure what Tipps agenda is with puck possession and creation other then whatever is created off of scrambles. It’s a terrible way to construct things.

Sierra

solid post

verite

Both he and Holland should be fired tonight
Tonight!

DevilsLettuce

Just Tipps, Holland has assembled a roster that should be able to compete on the high end of things every evening. All teams have worts, coaches job is to figure out how to win regardless.

Sierra

Agreed. This team is far better than they are showing.

Something is in the water.

Benign Bone

So far, Kane does NOT have his sea legs. Hope that’s just the rust.

Sierra

Not that unexpected.

verite

RNH and Nurse , trade bait, and then Koskinen, does he ever think about standing up in the goal like a real goalie?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

This particular brand of GPT-3 needs tweaking.

Do better.

verite

All three on for game winner
pathetic all around
disgusting

nelson88

God damit. If Tippett and Holland can’t get this shift length bullshit under control they should both be fired. I’m as big a fan as 97, 29 and 25 as anyone but they need to stop being so selfish. It’s been going on for years

Gerta Rauss

aw frack

missed opportunity

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Koskinen with his best Lil John impression there gettin low! Man that was weak sauce to end it but what Nuge had himself a terrible OT.

Woof, that was ugly.

Would really like to see a new look on PP1. It’s starting to cost them games, nevermind win them.

fishman

Yea lost the special teams battle tonight.

jake70

What is the kill shot for. PP1?? I guess 29?

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

He hasn’t scored a PP goal in almost two months and I find him standing around doing a whole lot of nothing lately.

Dunni what the deal is but there’s a lack of urgency and creativity on the PP right now and it’s actively sucking momentum from the rest of the team.

Id split McDavid and Drai up and run McLeod out there on one of the units.

He seems willing to shoot now and is quick enough to get to an open spot.

jp

Would really like to see a new look on PP1.

You mean Barrie back?

DevilsLettuce

Great shot, damn shame the goalie handed in his position papers early to the enemy.

Funnybird

The oilers need to rethink the OT strategy. They try to force too many plays. Twice that shift nuge through the puck up the ice blindly to no one.

dsr29

Don’t think that’s their OT stategy. Nuge seemed panicky in overtime.

Funnybird

I didn’t just mean Nuge. They need to hang onto the puck instead of trying to force plays. There was a few times where guys could have circled back to maintain possession but instead forced the puck forward and lost it.

verite

Koskinen garbage as always
a disgrace
the whole team is a disgrace
shameless losers

Gerta Rauss

should we fire Holland tonight..?

Munny 2.0
BornInAGretzkyJersey

Better call up the Condors instead.

Pretendergast

Tipp soundly outcoached in overtime again. Ottawa rolled them quick. Nurse played a 2:40 shift, i dont know what you expect. Not an amazing goal but great shot by Stutzle.

Diablo

That was a putrid goal which should never go in on an NHL goalie. Brutal.

Sierra

Except snipers score all the time NHL goalies.

Diablo

Down way too early. As usual.

Diablo

Cue all the Koskinen apologists.

tileguy

Cue all the Koskinen haters.

Sierra

Que all the blame the goalies for everything, never give them credit, overlook everything else going on.

Sierra

Meh, so says every angry fan about every goal scored top shelf.

Diablo

Short side top shelf from that angle is a weak goal every damn time it happens, no matter who the goalie is.

I’m not absolving the rest of the team from a crappy effort.

But Koskinen lets in those backbreaking, awful goals at the worst possible moments in games. This is not the first time this season … it’s almost every game he starts where he lets in a stinker. This is the same goalie that set an NHL record for letting in 4 goals with zero saves in a game.

Unless the Oilers get an upgrade over Koskinen, they are not making the playoffs this year.

BlackGold19

In my opinion, Nurse was far too passive on the OT goal. Stutzle walked in untouched and had time to pick the open spot. It’s been a theme all year!

Reja

Somebody please buy Mikko a Greyhound bus ticket.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Want to see him go, but don’t want to see him lose his head either there, Robespierre.

Last edited 2 years ago by BornInAGretzkyJersey
Reja

It’s only a game but Mikko can’t allow that Goal especially in a playoff OT. He’s obviously not the answer and Holland is just biding time till Smith returns and possibly Stalock is up to the task.

SKOilerFan

Good shot but you’d think a 6ft 6 G would have that blocked off from that angle.
Koski was quite good otherwise

tileguy

Nurse fuckinexhausted all he could do was genuflect in front of the shooter. Honourable mention to 97 and 29 for their 2 minute shifts as well.

Munny 2.0

Pretty sure Koski swore there…

Sierra

Ugly game to watch. Oiler lose to the Sens. Not good enough.

Maybe someone other that Drai and Nurse should have seen some icetime in OT.

Munny 2.0

Nurse was having an amazing overtime but that last shift went on far too long. Drai never should’ve come back out so quickly, that was Nuge’s shift.

KnightRain

Ugh. Really good game by Kos wasted by losing focus for a second…but what a shot..,damn.

Reja

If he’s not sleeping at the wheel on his goal line that shot means nothing. A Peewee Goalie learns about the importance of playing his angles. Holland for heavens sake get it over with and fire him into the Sun.

Oil2Oilers

Was that a Gordie Howe for young Stuzle?

tileguy

Missed out on getting an assist.

fishman

Crap

leadfarmer

How to make yourself 5’10 by Mikko Koskinen

fishman

That always amazes me how small he can make himself look.

Material Elvis

Frustrating OT loss. Missed execution all game long and continued in OT.

jp

That kid is a player.

Tough not to get the win there.

fishman

Willy should have hit him harder….

SKOilerFan

Good battle level from koski lately

fishman

Koski holds the fort!

Munny 2.0

New Look OT is still on.

KnightRain

Urgly game but we got it to overtime. Our skill should get us some good chances. Let’s do this!

Sierra

The oilers skill should beat the Sens

Oil2Oilers

Real question, did Kassian play tonight?

OriginalPouzar

He, Foegele and Shore didn’t see much ice in the 3rd – none down the stretch – he lost his spot to Derek Ryan……

Oil2Oilers

Thanks

OriginalPouzar

Yamamoto has sent McDavid in alone on net twice tonight…

Munny 2.0

Good, a point. So far I have liked Ryan’s placement on the 3rd line.

Munny 2.0

So important to get at least a point out of this

fishman

Done.

Hoppers Hare

Has Kassian been benched with Shore or am I dreaming on the couch?

jp

It’s called ‘shortening the bench’ in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd, but yes.

Munny 2.0

Pujo should not be the puck transporter

OriginalPouzar

When he’s playing well, he can certainly transport the puck through the natural zone with power and confidence – tonight, not at all.

MADOIL

Wel, not a good game by Pujo. Did not see one decent pass or move by him. Was Kass light (in a good way) as in he did breakup some Ottawa sorties in the D-zone. Is there an injury to his hand? Or is his confidence level so low? Maybe he should play with a shorter stick, Whatever, he is not helping Drai at the moment.

SKOilerFan

Kafuk square in Russel’s numbers. Would love to see Kass show him how he rag dolled his brother.

OriginalPouzar

Kass fights to defend himself……. if he was hit in the numbers, perhaps.

fishman

Yea would love to see that but not in a tie game in the 3 rd!