2021-22 Game 81: Sharks at Oilers

by Lowetide

There are two games left in the NHL season, and I’m hopeful the Oilers see fit to experiment a little with the lineup. I know the Condors play Saturday and the only recall is Philip Broberg, but there are some things worth looking at during the games to come.

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM APRIL

  • At home to: STL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • On the road to: ANA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
  • At home to: COL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
  • On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
  • At home to: VEG, DAL, COL (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
  • On the road to: CBJ, PIT (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
  • At home to: SJS, VAN (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
  • Actual April results: 9-2-1, 19 points in 12 games
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 47-27-6, 100 points in 80 games

TONIGHT’S LINEUP

I would like to see Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman on the wings with center Leon Draisaitl. The trio has been together very little this season (60 minutes, 4-3 goals) but if the Evander Kane-Connor McDavid-Kailer Yamamoto line (192 minutes, 17-9 goals) is going to hammer like Dick Pound at a drug-testing convention, then the big Finn should be placed with the second line.

I’d like to see the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan line play both games, and lots of minutes. The trio has been together for just 108 minutes, while scoring 7-5 at five on five, 55 percent shot share and 54 percent expect goals. Why not run them for another 30 minutes five-on-five before the end of the regular season?

I’d like to see Jesse Puljujarvi on the power play in the final two games. In 94 minutes this season when he’s out there, Edmonton has scored 19 times (12.15 goals-per-60). As a comparison, the goals come at a 10.1 goals-per-60 rate when Zach Hyman is out there (179 minutes). Get the big man’s confidence up. Why not?

I’d like to see Philip Broberg play RH side with Brett Kulak. They played just 3 minutes together while Broberg was up, but it might be an effective third pairing behind Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci and Duncan Keith-Evan Bouchard. By the way, CapFriendly had Broberg recalled, but no other source yet. Sometimes these things get pulled back for whatever reason, I can’t imagine Darnell Nurse will play in either of the last two games, though.

OTHER RECALLS

There won’t be any, but if I were king of the world, the Oilers would recall the following players:

  1. LHD Philip Broberg. He’s No. 8 on the defensive depth chart, there’s a good chance he plays in the postseason.
  2. G Stuart Skinner. One more tune up start in the NHL just in case.
  3. LW Dylan Holloway. I am very interested to see if his speed/touches in the AHL translates in any way to the NHL.
  4. LHD Markus Niemelainen. Big man with some bite could come in handy.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

A busy day on the Lowdown, TSN 1260 beginning at 10. Chris Johnston, TSN Insider, will preview the possible NHL playoff matchups at 10:20. Dave Naylor from TSN will talk CFL rule changes and NFL draft (Canadians getting picked) at 11. Matt Bonesteel from the Washington Post previews day one of the NFL draft at 11:20. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.

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Munny 2.0

Milestone night.

—Broberg with his first ( a beauty snipe too)
—Nuge with 50. (The fifth time he hasn’t done it.)
—Yams with 20-20 and 40. (stunningly matching linemates Drai who haz 55-55 and Hyman with 27-27. Is this line even-steven like Jerry Seinfeld? What the hell do you call these guys? Mirror Men? Deserves a damn nickname a freak of nature like that.)
—Barrie with 40. (nice)
—Ryan with his 10th.(deserves it)

Kulak now has 7 points in 17 games for the Oil, a better ppg rate than Duncan Keith (small sample size alert) and earning himself the final shift of overtime.

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
Munny 2.0

Flames are 2-0-1 against Dallas this season. 1-0-2 against Nash.
Avs are 1-2-0 against Dallas, 1-1-2 against Nash.

I’d say best path for us is COL-DAL and CGY-NAS. I don’t hold much hope for either underdog though. Nashville has just come through a killer two weeks so maybe they surprise having had played at a higher intensity. Tough to surprise in a seven game series though. And they could just as equally be dog-tired. Both dogs will need stellar goaltending and a commitment to patient mistake-free hockey to win.

Redbird62

Still lots to be decided tomorrow: Edmonton vs. LA with Edmonton at home is the only series set in stone with only one day left in the season (we know Wild Blues but not who has home ice advantage). Even though all 4 division winners are set, none of them know who they are playing yet.

Boston can overtake Tampa for 3rd in the Atlantic by getting one more point than Tampa in their games. Boston plays Toronto while Tampa plays the Islanders. It would be ironic if Boston beats the Leafs and that gets them into a series with the Leafs.

Pittsburgh will hold onto 3rd in the Metro if they beat Columbus or with an OTL. If the Pens lose in regulation, Washington needs a win of any kind over the Rangers to take 3rd.

A St. Louis win of any kind over Vegas combined with a Minnesota regulation loss to Colorado, will get Blues home ice in the series over the Wild. Any other results in those two games and the Wild will host the first two games.

And Dallas can only get the 7th Wild Card with a win of any kind over the Ducks combined with a Nashville regulation loss to the Coyotes.

Last edited 2 years ago by Redbird62
Scungilli Slushy

Interesting factoid at least to me

Without doing an exhaustive study it would seem the Oilers have the most Canadian roster in the playoffs

Oilers – Canada’s team!!

Tarkus

Summarizing!

Tullio had a PP goal and a game-high 8 SOG, but Oshawa lost Game 4 and now trails the series 3-1 as it moves back to Kingston.

AMD

I’d rather see Nashville play Calgary. Two big teams, the one team left standing will be tired

yeraslob

Playoff preview Preds and Avs into OT

N64

Duchene with only SO goal

Last edited 2 years ago by N64
Redbird62

All the Preds need now is one point against Arizona and they will finish ahead of Dallas and face the Flames. That or Dallas loses in regulation or and OTL.

Harpers Hair

The Nashville win in OT means Colorado will play Dallas in the 1st round.

N64

Very probably But a Stars win and a regulation loss by the Preds would reverse Not likely but powerful is the HH jinx

Last edited 2 years ago by N64
Reja

Big Save Dave wants Calgary.

Panda

What a player is RNH. He is often compared (negatively) to Courure. Ridiculous Despite the age difference, RNH is much the better player.

Victoria Oil

And Nuge finally has a 50 point season!

Offside

Don’t lie. Nuge will never have a 50 point season 😉

WINWELL

ZERO reason to play McDavid and Draisaitl tomorrow. Woody better have the balls to sit them if they want to play.

Reja

Yes sir along with old man Keith and Smith. There’s no reason to start Smith against the pissed off dirty Kanucks.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Calgary officially has three forty-goal scorers. Pretty impressive. I just threw up in my mouth typing this comment.

Admiral Ackbar

That’s a DSF comment…

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Feels good to be on the opposite end of a game like this after the DOD.

Funny Bissonness

That shot of Ben Stelter celebrating right after was perfect

Prairie_Sentinel

That kid is a beaut. Gotta love him!

Funny Bissonness

Also he’s on a 9 straight games winning streak when he attends. That’s 11% of a whole season. The Stelter Swagger is real.

David

Let the playoff run ride for wonderful memories for Ben.

David

Love it. Wins are always awesome. It’s so great the Nuge got signed.

Pretendergast

Play LA BAMBA

Strapping Jocks

What is the story behind this?

yeraslob

Oilers win song.

Bank Shot

Favorite song of former Dressing Room Attendant Joey Moss.

Ozoil

Pretty sure it was Joey Moss’ song

DevilsLettuce

Wooooooooot!

KnightRain

BOOM!!! What a pass by Nuge!!! Hyman buries it!!!

BornInAGretzkyJersey

No Reimer reason, but that works for me.

Paulie

Good bounce back after slow start. These guys always play hard now.

MADOIL

Wasted a 4 min PP

MADOIL

So what do I know. Didn’t know that Broberg read this blog and took umbrage at my comment.

Prairie_Sentinel

Broberg has had a rough night…..and just totally redeemed himself!

KnightRain

BOOM!!! Broberg is back into the good books!!! Great shot!!!

David

Broberg!

Prairie_Sentinel

We just cannot have nice things tonight….like the lead. Draisaitl went walkabout there.

jojonoshow

I watched that goal many times. I thought Mclovin got it with his skate. But nope. Off the defender’s stick, that was kicked by Foegle’s skate.

either way
big goal

KnightRain

BOOM!!! Ryan with the great tip!!! Such a smart player!

Prairie_Sentinel

Speaking of heating up at the right time…..I like the Nuge/Foegele/Ryan line these days.

David

They’ve been great. With McLeod that’s 10 forwards deep I’m quite happy with.

Solly

Random thoughts during this game…

Broberg does not look NHL ready. I know he’s been injured but this is not a good look. Woof.
Hope Pool is just rusty. He looks baaaaaaad tonight. My biggest issue with him is his tunnel vision. He does not have a creative mind when he has the puck on his stick. I dunno…if I was Kenny…I’m not giving this kid anywhere near 5mil. He might have the most value of his entire career right now…I’d ask around the league and see what ppl are willing to trade for him.
I like McD/Drai at about 10 mins of icetime. No need to be pushing it and risking an injury.
Mikko leaks goals for a living. Nothing has changed and after 4 years there’s no reason to believe it ever will. Nice guy…but will be nicer to see him leave. Good riddance.
McLeod is the guy I’m locking up long term for as cheap as possible. He has never regressed and has just been becoming a more complete player every game. Lock him up.
Yamo is heating up at the right time. 20 goals is a big deal and I love his tenacity. I’d try and get him to sign a multi-year deal.
Also hope Kenny can get Kulak to sign for a 3 year deal. He’s a perfect 2LD on this team right now.
And then there’s Kane…we need him on this team. Badly. If he wants 6mil that’s still a bargain. Trade Barrie/Kass and make it work!

Reja

You have a good honest eye.

MADOIL

Seeing Broberg real bad today. Maybe he is stil hurt?

Paulie

Agree. Game looks too fast for him right now. Better today than if he gets in during playoffs.

KnightRain

Agreed. He’s been hesitating and fumbling the puck. Hope he gets next game, as well, to work out the kinks…

hunter1909

THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE CONTEST KNOWN TO MAN NOR BEAST..

Hunter1909’s Playoff Death March for 2022…

1 – Predict how many playoff wins Oilers get 

2 – Predict how many goals McDavid gets

3 – Predict how many goals Draisaitl gets

eg: Wins 11; McD 7; Leon 9

Its easy! 

note: Make sure to keep the McDavid/Draisaitl(tie break) predictions separate

ps: Contest entries close at puck drop Game 1 of Oilers playoffs

hunter1909

eat shit and die, haters

pts2pndr

Don’t let them get to you! Thanks for doing the contest Hunter! It’s fun!

Reja

Every time I hear Vlasic’s name I crave a pickle.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Forget the goal, I’d love to see some more of that kind of hit by McLeod.

Rolling shoulder on shoulder in the corner and leads to a clean zone exit then entry.

KnightRain

He had a few last game, too. Ramping it up just in time for the playoffs!

hunter1909

McLeod is an excellent NHLer.

hunter1909

Naturallaiment Leako lets in another goal.

Another Nice one you Finnish frick

David

That goal is not one to complain about goaltending on. Nice deflection completely changed the angle.

hunter1909

Great goalies same impossible goals.

Average goalies save next to impossible goals.

Mikko leaks goals then everyone makes excuses lmao

Sierra

Don’t bother, Reja and Hunter think that every Oiler should make every save no matter and that every opposition goalie makes every save except when they play the greatest goal scorers ever.

Reja

Mikko’s not getting resigned thankfully Skinner should be backing up Smith if he’s in the future plans.

hunter1909

Yeah go with the downvotes. As if Leako is going to be your NHL saviour once poor Mike Smith leaves the centre stage.

MADOIL

That goal was on Broberg who failed to tie up the San Hose player’s stick. Not on Kosko. Anyway looks like McDavid has mailed it in. Have not seen even one rush that was promising. Might as well not have played.,,, I guess he doesn’t want to embarass Huberdue by distancing himself too much on the points table.

Reja

Broberg looks awful we are 1 injury away from L.A dumping it in to his corner with the Kings hammering the piss out of him. The knock on him I believe was his IQ well Brown and company will spew that out of him in no time. Playoff hockey is not easy on the leakiest links.

Reja

He scored exactly as I posted this lol

Prairie_Sentinel

Keith buries Couture into the net right in front of the ref, no call. Playoff officiating is here.

Prairie_Sentinel

Yama!

David

Yamamoto is the best.

KnightRain

BOOM!!! Yammo rewarded for all his hard work!!! Great pass by Drai!

Last edited 2 years ago by KnightRain
BornInAGretzkyJersey

If we’re going to win this, there cannot be only one.

KnightRain

BOOM!!! McLeod is Johnny on the spot!

KnightRain

Second unit keeps it simple. Puck to the net. Guys to the net. Simple.

Reja

Bouchard is Larry Murphy good at getting the pucks through to the net.

KnightRain

That’s a great comparison. I totally agree. Always hated that guy…

hunter1909

The best thing about tonights game? I get to drink JD+Budvar while mourning the death of my former martial arts master who incidentally died from Parkinsons disease after having several punches thrown at his head either in Hong Kong(he was a HK colonial cop in the 70s) or in those full contact tournaments they used to hold in SE Asia, baaack in the day.

RIP Dan.

JimmyV1965

Honest question. Is Mikko the all-time worst starting goalie for the Oilers? I’m frustrated for sure, but I think it’s an interesting question too. Conklin was bad, but was he the starter? Which starters were worse?

hunter1909

He has got to be one of the worst goalies of all time in the NHL.

How many goalies are virtually guranteed to leak goal after goal after goal, as is our Mikko?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Talbot let in the first shot, for what seemed like forever. And he was/is a better goalie.

Reja

When a journeyman hockey player is laughing after he scores you know your Goalie is shit.

Last edited 2 years ago by Reja
hunter1909

There you go. Lots of downvotes to a poster simply telling the fucking truth.

Ryan

leadfarmer

 April 28, 2022 7:20 pm

ryan throwing Tippett under the bus in his interview today was something else

What did I miss?

hunter1909

Very little. Ryan was simply asked about the diff between old school(Tippett) style coaching and modern details coaching. Media trying to make something out of nothing (shock horror)

Redbird62

Jack saying that so far Huberdeau has no points. That’s because Florida rested him. I wonder if he’d been closer, if they would have done that. The 4 points in Pittsburgh probably sealed the deal for Connor.

Harpers Hair

Florida is sitting 5 regulars.

Toronto sitting Matthews and Marner tomorrow.

Johnny Hockey scores his 40th.

hunter1909

Will you be jacking off about the Flames? After all, they are pencilled in as a top seed for the playoffs to come “hockey fan”

hunter1909

I’m happy at least for that local Edmonton player who got 2 goals.

MADOIL

Looks like the good guys are already thinking of the Monday game.

hunter1909

Leaky goal Kostagame.

hunter1909

Leako Kostagaime?

Reja

If Smith goes down I hope Woody is Smart enough to go with Skinner.

hunter1909

LOL at this most sensible post getting downvotes.

Kostagaime is beyond putrid. With his appalling “skills” + Mike Smith’s 40 year old body Oilers are virtually doomed to no more than a 1 or 2 series playoffs.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Watching guys bounce off JP after engaging a bodycheck will. never. get. old.

KnightRain

How many shots/goals are we gonna spot em til we decide to get in the game?

€√¥£€^$

Ha ha ha, prescient comment 😀😀