2021-22 Game 43: Golden Knights at Oilers

by Lowetide

The Edmonton Oilers enter the second half of the season with some exciting recent developments and a 5-0-1 record in recent contests. The goaltending remains a bird on a precarious wire, with Mike Smith just off the IR counting fingers and toes, Mikko Koskinen in Covid protocol and Stuart Skinner expected at the terminal gate well before game time tonight.

Will this be another heroic run by Smith, or will he fall short? Will Holland make a damned trade, or will Koskinen or Skinner emerge as a hero? Or will it be we hoped for the best but it turned out the same?

This team needs a saviour, the management and coaching staff betting on the veteran. I have a feeling about the kid arriving by air. Swing low, chariot, come down easy, taxi to the terminal zone, cut your engines and cool your wings. Do you believe in miracles?

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

  • On the road to: WAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • At home to: VEG, CHI, NYI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: SJS, LAK (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 0-2-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 6-4-2, 14 points in 12 games
  • Actual January results: 1-0-0, 2 points in one game
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 23-16-3, 49 points in 42 games

I have tonight as a loss, the Chicago and Islanders games as victories. Edmonton’s wild ride won-loss record this season (a 15-5-0 start, followed by a 3-11-2 middle, and then 5-0-1 coda before the all-star break) implies a strong result this evening is possible, but the VGK are 5-3-2 in its last 10 (Edmonton is 5-4-1). If the Oilers win, the Golden Knights lead over Edmonton will be down to six points, with four games in hand for the Albertans.

TONIGHT’S PROJECTED LINEUP

  • Evander Kane—Connor McDavid—Kailer Yamamoto
  • Ryan McLeod—Leon Draisaitl—Zack Kassian
  • Zach Hyman—Ryan Nugent Hopkins—Jesse Puljujarvi
  • Warren Foegele—Devin Shore—Derek Ryan
  • Darnell Nurse-Evan Bouchard
  • Duncan Keith-Cody Ceci
  • William Lagesson-Tyson Barrie
  • Mike Smith (Stuart Skinner)

The cap era makes it difficult to have elite quality and true depth, but there are some real inefficiencies on this roster. Tonight, it lands on the Draisaitl line with an enormous thud, but the coach can shuffle if needed. The third line needs to dominate and if it doesn’t, I’d be tempted to slide Leon into the middle between Hyman and Puljujarvi. My piece for The Athletic (above) focuses on goaltending, left defense and scoring right-wing for the deadline. We’ll see, Holland has been active at the deadline each season.

BAKERSFIELD

I think we’re looking at Stuart Skinner, Markus Niemelainen and Dylan Holloway as the next recalls by position, and if the playoffs run for a time we could see Dmitri Samorukov and Philip Broberg as options. Forward depth is an issue, none of the prospects (Marody aside) would appear ready this spring.

One thing I would like to see is several starts in a row from Ilya Konovalov. If Smith-Koskinen can’t stay healthy, that’s a lot on Skinner’s shoulders. No one wants to see four goalies in a playoff spring, but Konovalov has KHL experience and should be playing right now just in case.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, we hit the ground running on a very busy day, TSN 1260. We’ll have Crossfire! and Tyler Yaremchuk from DFO to cover the Oilers-Knights, and we’ll have CFL free agency, too. Canada’s big win at the Olympics against the Americans in women’s hockey will be discussed and we’ll have a look at the Super Bowl, too! What a week! 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!

You may also like

4.3 16 votes
Article Rating
482 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Munny 2.0

Well that was something to see.

The boys really wanted that one and they didn’t even come close. They will remember that. Next one could be a real war. Or given this team’s emotions, maybe just lie down in front of the train.

The trap. You beat it with dumps and heavy hard forecheck. And early in the game they forechecked hard. But got behind, began to chase, went away from the game plan and couldn’t finish to save their lives.

The first period was a story of them having the right guys at the end of our mistakes: Karlsson… and us having the wrong guy at the end of theirs… Kassian.

Kassian is handed a gift by 75 and 29 on a two on oh at the net. Brossoit saves it on an easy read… A goal-scorer scores there. Tucks it five hole when the goalie pushes across, separating his legs, or pulls it back and goes around far side on the backhand.

Kassian isn’t that guy. I can’t blame him for not scoring there. He shouldn’t be at the end of that play really in the first place. He can shoot but other than that doesn’t have a lot of finish, which requires patience and a low panic point. And on that shot he was feeling the urgency.

So let’s look at the other options… Oh yeah, RW is the freakin Belanger Triangle right now. Lovely. The last RWer to score was Ryan. Sweet baby Jesus.

Pujo has got to learn to simplify his game. And use his size more. Finish some checks. I wasn’t happy with that simple pass-back that he missed.

But if Yams doesn’t produce, Pujo’s going to end up on the top line. I can see why Tipp prefers Yams there… he’s spreading out the forwards’ size over the lines but that level of comp, especially on D–and 97 always faces the best–seems too much for the Yamfry against the better teams.

As Louie pointed out 97 driving into his interference adds a dimension to his game. I will add that the tactic should buy him more get-around space if it keeps getting called. He’s the one player who has elevated his physical game. He’s trying to lead by example but they’re not following.

McDavid hasn’t been the same deity though, as others have mentioned. I’d say it was injury but he went to the All-Star event. Or maybe it’s simply because the powerplay can’t score worth shit any more. I’d consider rolling number two out to start a few PPs just to give teams a different look.

OR….(this is absolute madness 😉 )….. split 97 and 29 onto different powerplay units and run them equally. Can’t key on either unit, makes our lines easier to handle coming out, helps develop chemistry. The problem is, you need to have your lines nailed down and with the addition of Kane and the ongoing Belanger Triangle, the Oil do not yet have that figured out.

Tyson Barrie needs to be traded for someone like Vegas’s third pairing, stat. And then go get another one. Like they did.

I’m gonna drag my ass off to bed now. Can’t believe I stayed up to watch that shitshow.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Munny 2.0

PS. Devin Shore is making it damn hard to play Benson right now. I know we don’t love him as much because he’s not one of ours but he played well again tonight. It’s damn crying shame 16 doesn’t play Triangle.

Scungilli Slushy

He has been good last while

I like that he is trying to make normal nhl offensive plays. Does the basics well and tries to score

Scungilli Slushy

Well done

I couldn’t stomach the whole game, been under the weather and my usual tolerance for Oiler pain is down

They need two Mayfield McNabb Schenn style D asap

That Can handle the puck and defend aggressively. The Oilers are just too non physical back end

They don’t cover tight, Barrie isn’t a good enough skater for his style and lack of size imo

Ceci is ok it really a 2.5 and isn’t aggressive

The knights forward group isn’t as good as the Oilers talent and isn’t really deeper

I was going to go a different direction. But what sticks out to me is coaching

The team is still disorganized and snake bit throughout

The knights roster isn’t better. Better goalie yes. They have played better than their parts since the start

They have had two very good coaches even if DeBoer is a snore

If I’m Holland I’m losing patience with the sloppiness

He’s moved a lot of players around and no dice. He could try a few more but it is going to come down to direction and leadership

They still play like a team full of rookies

Also Connor is off and what the heck is up with Leon? He seems to be playing at about 3/4 speed lately. It’s giving too much reaction time

Johnny skid

you for got to shit talk mikko.

Sherloq

Lose the orange uniforms and all will be well. Sherloq knows.

Scungilli Slushy

Agreed enough already

GarbanzoHumanBean

It’s obvious that their defensive zone coverage is lacking. The oilers need to buy into the coach once and for all. Take note of their best defenseman laying on the ice in front of the net. Nothing better than a mobile d-man in the prone position in prime territory. They need more defenseman laying down in the slot. It’s the only way.

Last edited 2 years ago by GarbanzoHumanBean
Gerta Rauss

LoL

Scungilli Slushy

It’s amazing how contagious it is

Once it started it was fish out of water

Tye

If I didn’t know better, I’d think half of these boys never played a game together.
Terrible coverage, passes to nowhere, running into eachother multiple times, etc, etc, etc.

YIKES

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

Dozed off mid first period and woke up with 6 minutes left in the third … lucky me.

leadfarmer

I like the complaints about goalering when the forwards can’t solve Laurent Brossoit

verite

Most of the Oiler forwards are horrible shooters
have you not noticed
Puhljarvi and Yammamoto never score, never

leadfarmer

Actually I have mentioned it several times
on multiple occasions

Tye

This Brossoit kid looks good… could we maybe trade for him. I know Smid is a fan-favorite, but it’s worth it if he’s this good!

leadfarmer

Lately we’ve had trouble solving Brossoit, Copley and Matt Murray. I think the offense is broken

Sierra

I think the coaching is broken.

And no, Gully should not take over.

Scungilli Slushy

Nightmare material

MADOIL

The Oiler forwards practise in front of Mikko aiming at his glove hand – consequently they think goal scoring is easy peasy. Unfortunately, opposition goalies don’t have that weakness and hence we don’t score.

Boil-in-the-Oil

I agree with the previous posters, Smith was not good, may never be good again… our GM bet the house on him, the house is on fire.

But, and it’s a BIG but, ya gotta score to win. We failed on that one, egregiously. I don’t know what this coach is saying in practice (or in the locker room), but the message is either horribly wrong, or no one is listening. I think we have a coaching problem.

verite

Still time fire Tippett and Holland tomight

waive Smith and Koskinen

let Woodcroft run the team

instant improvement

Someone

For the past 15 ir so years (maybe more, I wasn’t following), the coaching had been the problem, and a trained monkey would improve the team. It’s been what, 6 coaches? I don’t love Tippet, but a coaching change isn’t going to do the trick IMO.

Sierra

Then what is?

Ryan

McTavish mentioned that Vegas was using a 1 1 3 forecheck which he said was unusual.

Am I the only one who wants him to go all John Madden on us with a diagram on a whiteboard of what this means and what the Oilers could do to counter it?

verite

Vegas have a coaching staff

Tye

1-1-3 is 1 man pressuring, 1 mid-ice & 3 back (basically a variation of the trap).
You counter it by playing the puck into the trapping players & hammer the sh*t out of them until they’re too tired/sore to play that passive anymore.

Trap hockey is boring, but is also tough as hell to play IRL, because it’s broken by hard plays… which makes it very effective against the Edmonton Oilers. (lol)

Scungilli Slushy

I was just going to say a perfect plan against a team like the Oilers

They are too impatient undisciplined and passive to play it deep, bash around and create the right type of O plays through traffic

75% zone time means nothing if you are shooting without some type of movement, into a set goalie

They all should save those except our two. Shoot er needs to change the puck angle if it’s not a one timer

Screens and tips are good, and plays across and into the slot, all things the oilers don’t do consistently

MADOIL

Watch how Calgary solves this formation – Sutter will get his boys to take the fight to Vegas and Markstrom will be a wall. Flames will prove that if you have good system and you play to the system chances of you winning is way more.
Too many times last night I saw the Oiler forwards trying to dangle their way to their net and got easily picked with the puck going the other way in a hurry. Is that coaching or the players not playing the system? Or both?
Like somebody in the thread observed, Vegas achieved more from their parts and Oilers less. Oil better pull their heads out of their proverbial behind or else they’ll be on the out looking in. Tonight they’ll have to solve the flower – good luck with that.

Harpers Hair

Brian King (@Kinger999) Tweeted:
Oilers just got whooped by a team that has Jack Eichel coming.

Oh I’m old enough to remember being told I was dumb for saying the Oilers should trade Yamo, Broberg and 2 1sts for Eichel in the summer before Holland lit all his cap space on fire.

How the turn tables.

https://twitter.com/Kinger999/status/1491267597941510148?s=20&t=LlWkliDmQxTeoxC6JFa01A

verite

Holland is an abject incompetent

leadfarmer

Spending 10 mil on someone who would be our 3rd best forward is not a good idea and would do very little to fix the issues

leadfarmer

Things Oil need to spend cap on
Goalie
first person shooter esp RW
defensive defensemen

not another center

Harpers Hair

So you think they could trade Draisaitl for a goalie, a first person shooter and a defensive defenseman?

I do.

leadfarmer

Heck no.
when you have 2 players at the Mcdavid and Drai caliber the key is not how to trade one.

Harpers Hair

Then what you see is what you get.

Years of mediocrity.

Sierra

Who is Brian King? Just some random person on twitter?

Gerta Rauss

he posts here occasionally under the name kinger_oil

Gerta Rauss

that’s my bad..I stand corrected

Gerta Rauss

The movie (Juno) had just been released when I found your blog (2007 ish)

I thought Ellen Page was wonderful in the film and the scene with the lawyer (Gerta) made me laugh out loud(the whole movie did)

When I made my first post back in the blogspot days the moniker was top of mind and it kind of stuck

godot10

Eliot…not Ellen.

Munny 2.0

Not to be confused with Dennis King.

Harpers Hair

No.
He was a poster here long before most of you.

Material Elvis

So you know how long the existing posters have been posting for eh? Have you ever changed your pseudonym over the years Dead Cat Bounce?

Harpers Hair

Several times.

And?

Have you always been a dink?

Material Elvis

Only to trolls, sir, only to trolls. My point being that you have no idea who has posted as long as PDO (Brian King). Moreover, a poster’s seniority does not improve their ‘appeal to authority’ ranking.

flyfish1168

knucks are in trouble too

Harpers Hair

Lots of work to do but they now have a steady hand on the tiller.

Material Elvis

Fan trades — the ultimate fantasy league maneuver.

€√¥£€^$

Eichel hasn’t played a game in 10 months…

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

If only there was a team affiliated with the Oilers where they could send a goalie to play a few games, call it, I don’t know, a conditioning stint?

godot10

The player has to agree to a conditioning stint. It has become extremely rare.

verite

The Oilers did not need to play Smith

Eh Team

Tippett will coach the last 1/2 year of his coaching career trying to ride a Smith miracle to the playoffs. Odds are not in his favour.

Munny 2.0

Being an ex-coach of the Oilers pretty much guarantees you another chance in this League. Even Eakins.

The other orgs know it’s not the coaching.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Tye

How would that have resulted in them not playing 10-ply soft, looking like the keystone cops on several play, or scoring more than ZERO GOALS?

Last edited 2 years ago by Tye
OmJo

Rumour has it that if you look in the mirror and say “Holland is an abject incompetent” three times, a troll will climb out of your toilet and tell you that Smith is not a goalie.

verite

None of which changes that Holland is an abject incompetent

Sierra

Mike Smith was outplayed by the other goalie

Tye

The whole team was outplayed by the other team… they played the trap, we’re too soft to break it. Hard stop.

GarbanzoHumanBean

This should be the top comment of the night. This team cannot break a trap. Seen it for the McDrai era.

Tye

Breaking the trap requires something we lack… Call it Sandpaper, Grit, Gumption or just plain old Balls (intestinal fortitude if we’re in polite company) 😉

But whatever you call it… we lack it.

Ryan

I hate to admit it, while Smith has been trash, the defensive breakdowns seem to be a bigger problem. That’s unfortunately harder to fix than just airlifting in a better goalie.

Still Holland needs to airlift in a better goalie.

verite

Holland is an abject incompetent
repeat constantly

SKOilerFan

Oh yah, the D zone has been average to trash all year. Hard to believe for a Tippet team. I don’t think there’s enough players on this team that really prioritize defending in their game.
They’re so reactive and late to the danger zones.
Very little emotion from anyone. 4th goal then it looked like most just went through the motions.
You need some guys playing for that next contract. Most are on multi year deals and not bringing their A game consistently.

Tye

The low danger shots, passes to nowhere & seemingly complete lack of any offensive chemistry didn’t help either.

Ice Sage

Oilers should have a look at that Broissoit guy

Kert

I miss Ethan Bear.

OmJo

But does he miss us?

verite

Worst team in hockey

OmJo

Worst team in sports.

Gerta Rauss

I’m sensing some frustration

€√¥£€^$

Except when they’re not

verite

Smith like Koskinen is beyond useless
No technique at as a goalie
None

€√¥£€^$

Wow, you should change your moniker to Ray of Sunshine or Rainbow Butt Monkey or Smiley McTickle….damn it’s bad enough I sat through the game and I read your dumb glum doom shit. Awesome!

SKOilerFan

Interesting, Nurse didn’t want much to do with that after Smith has been run into multiple times this game

verite

why do none of you insist on Holland’s firing?
this disgrace is sickening
but instead you all obsess about all aimless “analytics “

Sierra

Really? No one else is calling or has called for Holland to be fired? Get a grip on reality.

verite

The reality is the Oilers have no goaltending
The worst defence in hockey
No coaching, none
and you talk about a grip
Holland should be fired tonight
pure garbage

Sierra

You can’t even follow your own train of thought.

Tye

What do you want to do? start a convoy & park in front of Oilers HQ?
People aren’t “insisting” on it here in LT’s comment section because that would be literally pointless & a complete waste of time. LMFAO!

OmJo

The one thing Smith is really good at is getting the team to show some emotion.

verite

Can Holland be fired tonight?
this abomination is all on him
No goaltending, no goaltending
Nurse the most overrated garbage in the league

SKOilerFan

I like Smith’s battle level but it looks like he should never have went out for the 3rd – He’s hobbling every time he stretches to the left. Just LTIR him and see how he looks in fall.
Need a G yesterday Kenny

Ryan

Smith always does that. When he gets injured, he finishes the game no matter how poorly he plays.

SKOilerFan

Right, then he’s on the shelf for a while after. Oilers have never been cautious with Goalie injuries

edoil1

It’s only a flesh wound…

DevilsLettuce

Tipps game plan is to have the other teams game plan beat us all, with no mercy.

edoil1

All goalies are vezina caliber.

OriginalPouzar

Coming in to tonight’s game, McDavid was 1.33 P/60 in 2022.

Sierra

And?

OriginalPouzar

really?

Sierra

Yes really

OriginalPouzar

If you don’t think that’s notable or that its good enough, well, feel free.

Sierra

Feel free to what?

OriginalPouzar

feel free to think that.

Ice Sage

It’s been off limits until now but
“we have to talk about Connor”

Material Elvis

The Oilers have several larger problems to deal with: goaltending, poor special teams play, poor defensive zone coverage by specific defensemen and forwards, team shooting percentage (especially wingers), giving up the first goal every game. After that it’s McDavid’s lackluster recent P/60.

Groggie

What a shit show. Rumour has it goaltending and defence wins championships. Holland disagrees unfortunately

SKOilerFan

What an fin circus act in the D zone there.
Been a problem all year. You’d think you’d see a change in strategy/positioning.
The strategy appears to be chase the puck carrier wherever he goes with at least 2 guys and the rest make sure you stare at the puck the whole time and don’t worry about any of the other players

OmJo

So, if 3-0 is the most dangerous lead in hockey, is 4-0 the most most dangerous lead in hockey?

Ryan

Oh boy. Smith looks done.

OriginalPouzar

He also looked done in December 2019.

He may be but he’s run hot and cold for years now.

OmJo

Panic! Panic! Panic!

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Am I crazy or has McD been in a slump for quite awhile?

He just does not seem to get much done at 5v5 for the last 15ish games.

Note: this opinion is based off ma gut feel. I have not looked at any numbers. So I could be wrong (read: I am probably wrong).

Ryan

I haven’t looked lately, but his 5v5 numbers have been cratering since the hot start ended.

OriginalPouzar

Definitely hasn’t been even close to dynamic at 5 on 5 for probably a couple of months.

I think he was 1.5 P/60 in January (around there) which is INSANELY poor for him.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Nope you’re correct.

Carrying a bunch of guys who can’t cash starts to wear on you after a while. Yams and JP are my scapegoats but there’s a whole lotta passengers, no scorers.

Wears on the best.

The fun part is that we’re only two games over half a season played so there is oodles of time to get rolling.

That powerplay though… I think you need a whole hearted makeover. Split McD-Drai and run two units with a minute a piece. Barrie shouldn’t be allowed near it for two weeks. He’s the new Sekera aka Mr. Shinpads lately.

edoil1

Well then ,scored on again first for the 25th out of 30th?time,how is that even possible, 85% of the time we are down early, it is actually amazing we are even in the mix,for now.

Johnny skid

you watched this game and came up with “kassian is not having a good game”? cool

OmJo

Kassian is not having a good game =/= only Kassian is not having a good game

There were moments where the play died on his stick early in the period. Can’t be having that when you’re on the second line with Draisaitl.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

I mean that’s been JP for two months but the love for him runs high.

When folks find their whipping posts ut don’t matter what happens.

Sierra

^^^ Yup

Last edited 2 years ago by Sierra
Material Elvis

$1100 for five Oilers tickets tonight. What a disappointment. The high point was the pregame warmup. Already thinking about leaving…

Paddyh

Lol, I feel for you man! A game like this I struggle to stay for the 50/50

edoil1

As a business we are having trouble giving them away,had to ask 10 customers before someone will take 2 nice lower bowl seats,product and covid restrictions obviously.The product side should concern Katz.

Tye

I’ve only been able to afford to go to one Oilers game with the whole family… we got beat 6-0 by St.Louis.

I know the feels man 🙁

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Good to see the useless baton didn’t hit the Covid shelf with Koski.

Tonight I’m going to give it to Barrie. Soft as American butter. At least he showed some emotion breaking his stick.

A runner up is one of LTs favorites though and that’s JP. I really want the guy to succeed but he’s done SFA in two months with primo linemates. Time to shit or get off the pot.

Smith gets a slight break cause of his absence but two very soft, very saveable, shouldn’t have gone in goals.

The powerplay sucks and needs a reboot.

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Ok one more comment.

The Nurse pinch on the 3rd was bad but Barrie was in place and actually disrupted the play.

Alas he only had one hand on his stick and then failed to do anything to his man and didn’t cut the pass off (and Smith didn’t save a weak shot) but holy smokes Barrie.

Pinches are frustrating. Watching a guy play like it’s a no contact shiny game angers up the blood though.

OmJo

Not gonna lie, I kinda want to see McDavid – Draisaitl – Kane for a few shifts in the third.

Jethro Tull

Too many passengers again.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I have said it before and I will say it again, this is the most frustrating iteration of the Oilers I have ever watched.

Jethro Tull

Yeah. On paper, they would beat the crap out of the DoD teams. They might also be 3 down in the first to them as well.

I think a good goalie is like ballast for the team. Gives a calming influence knowing there’s a better than evens chance they make a save on a mistake.

fishman

In Smith’s limited minutes this year (6 games?) he has not looked good. Not sure we should have expected him to be lights out tonight (and he hasn’t been) It certainly is possible he can get back to be a .905 type of goalie this year but is also just as likely he doesn’t. Also a strong chance he gets injured again. Holland’s goalie gamble is not looking good right now.

Jethro Tull

It didn’t look good at the start of the season.

Sierra

It sure didn’t. Many thought it would be fine.

verite

Why would Smith not be pulled?
why would Holland not be fired?

Sierra

A) because it’s his first game back from a long absence.

B) because there has been garbage plays in front of him.

rich tm

I had no idea the objective of a power play is a soft back handed pass, not a shot.

OmJo

Oilers PP’s are just ‘make as many passes as possible in two minutes’ challenges.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Really enjoy how obvious it was of McDavid to tell Yapporetty to STFU, adding “you fucking suck” as a nice little garnish after being unduly impeded.

OmJo

“Kane’s toxicity is already rubbing off on him.”

Johnny skid

So will the cool kids blame kassian for the teams poor play in the absence of koskinen tonight

Sierra

You clearly haven’t read the comment sections.

thelongdark

As he’s terrible yes he deserves some blame.

Last edited 2 years ago by thelongdark
Sierra

Congrats to Pat Maroon on another 2-year deal with the Lightning.

Sierra

0.769. 3 goals on 13 shots.

Mikko must not be in net as there’s not 100 posts on how much he sucks, how he’s not a NHL goalie.

Psyche

I agree. If Mikko was in net the media-verse and social media would be trying to run him out of town. Meanwhile, Smith will hardly receive a second glance, again, for his performance – or lack thereof.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Bro, Smith is battling!

thelongdark

This team is going no where with their current roster of goalies. In fact they are in real danger of missing the playoffs.

Good enough?

pts2pndr

Your goal tending is only as god as the D in front of them!

winston

Surely having benson in the line up would be much better than Kassian.

Jethro Tull

Not seeing anyone particularly good tonight.

Scungilli Slushy

They paid a 4th and ‘Marody’ for Howden, big fast C former 1st rounder

What’s that like?

OriginalPouzar

Goal: Cut the lead to 2 prior to the end of this period!

TheTikk

Starting to suspect that teams know about Drai’s one-timer.

Scungilli Slushy

He changed the colour of his tape all good – subterfuge

Scungilli Slushy

Yama hits the deck as much as Hall

Good thing it’s a short trip up

OmJo

Because he’s short, haha I get it XD

Reja

He’s either weak or a good diver like Hass was or perhaps both.