Yesterday, I wrote “the Kings can’t go down 3-1 with two home losses, so tonight we’ll see their best” and we saw a desperate team play a positively filthy game. The referees set the tone early, as the Oilers were outside the lines in the opening moments of the game. LAK went after Nuge (I’ll be interested in seeing if there is any fallout from a vicious tackle from Mikey Anderson) and late in the game Connor McDavid was targeted. The game ended with game misconducts and fiery language, and now we’re on to the heart of the matter. Next stop: Tuesday.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Reasonable expectations for Oilers could not see chaos ahead
- New DNB: How do Oilers solve depth issues up front after first shutout loss of Jay Woodcroft era?
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers’ options for 2022 NHL Draft
- DNB: Mike Smith a big part of Oilers win in Game 3
- DNB and Lisa Dillman: Inside Oilers-Kings matchup between Jay Woodcroft and Todd McLellan
- Lowetide: Why Oilers line up as summer trade partner with Ducks
- DNB: Oilers’ Derek Ryan’s under-the-radar play instrumental in Game 2 success
- DNB: A long travel day, dim lights at morning skate and who’s on the real PP1?
- DNB: Oilers end seven-game postseason losing streak, a party five long years in the making
- Lowetide: 5 biggest Bakersfield Condors stories from 2021-22 AHL season
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
- Pierre Lebrun: Can Jay Woodcroft’s message help the Oilers move past recent playoff failures?
- DNB: Should Oilers play Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on same line?
- DNB: Connor McDavid produces magic, Mike Smith mistake proves costly: 5 Oilers observations
- Lowetide: Oilers regular season report card for 2021-22
- DNB: Mike Smith never stopped fighting. A playoff run would be his ultimate redemption
- Lisa Dillman and Lowetide: Oilers vs. Kings position by position: Who has the edge?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Shayna Goldman: Inside Oilers’ adjustments that saved their season
- Lowetide: Oilers’ exceptional April saves a turbulent regular season
- Lowetide: Why Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s value peaks in the playoffs
- DNB: How Connor McDavid’s season is so stellar and why it’s not getting enough attention
- Lowetide: 5 reasons Zach Hyman was a quality free-agent signing for Oilers
- DNB: Evander Kane’s banner Oilers performance was fitting. And there could be more
- DNB: How Oilers’ Matvey Petrov mastered English and became a promising NHL prospect
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
THE 2022 DRAFT AND THE HINTERLAND
Today, we’re going to spend some time on what I used to call “the hinterlands” in each draft spring. It’s an important area, because the Oilers have chosen some fine players from the hinterlands since Ken Holland and Tyler Wright arrived in Edmonton. As an example, here’s the top-10 hinterlands list from the 2020 draft. Recognize anyone?
- LC Tim Stuetzle, DEL. Dynamic player, highlight reel offense and dangerous on every rush.
- LW Lukas Reichel, DEL. He has skill, speed and plays with abandon.
- LW Dylan Holloway, Big 10. Big power forward. He has a great shot and is a strong skater.
- LW John-Jason Peterka, DEL. A speedy winger with skill, and not yet the sum of his parts.
- LW Carter Savoie, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL). Small, fleet skill winger.
- RD Michael Benning, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL). Impressive skills, can transition well.
- LD Yan Kuznetsov, H-E. He’s 6.03, 201 and 18 and completed a season of NCAA. hockey.
- LW Blake Biondi, USHS. High skill, great speed.
- G Devon Levi, CCHL. Impressive .941 SP.
- RD Ian Moore, USHS. Massachusetts offensive defenseman.
That’s two quality players from the Oilers 2020 draft chosen outside the big four junior leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL, USHL) and the big three Euro nations (Russia, Sweden, Finland). That may not be a tell, but it’s worth a marginal note. I chose Dylan Holloway for the cover picture because, for me, his selection in 2020 was a risk by Tyler Wright that appears to be a possible major reward. His skills, on display in Bakersfield of late, are top quality. If he can score, and that’s still not a certainty, the Oilers hit a big fly with Wright’s first selection. Here’s the 2021 list from the hinterlands, heavy on Michigan (NCAA):
LW Matthew Beniers, Michigan Wolverines. Two-way center with impressive skill.LD Owen Power, Michigan Wolverines. Great skater, terrific two-way ability, great passer.RD Corson Ceulmans, Brooks Bandits. Tremendous offensive defenseman.LD Stanislav Svozil, Brno. Impressive with the puck, solid without it.LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno. Skilled center with size, quality at U18s.LD Janis Moser, EHC Biel-Bienne. Overager, fine skater and complete skill set.- LC Florian Elias, Mannheim. Small skill center, he’s a determined player.
G Patrik Hamrla, HC Energie Karlovy Vary. Dominated Czech junior.RD Scott Morrow, Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Big D has complete skill set at high school level.
Elias is still eligible, and had a similar season in Mannheim to the one a year ago. The Oilers did choose two players from the hinterlands (Luca Munzenberger from Germany and Shane Lachance from NCDC (a USHL-NCAA feeder league) last season, but I didn’t rank them. Here are this year’s prospects from the hinterland.
This is the one list that includes North American prospects and that will get a tweak before my final list. So many of the European kids play in leagues that are outside the normal NHLE. I’ve identified the obvious quality and then have some real questions about names like Rieger Lorenz and Tyson Dyck, perhaps we’ll find out along the way.
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith had a fine game, that’s the truth. Stopped 42 of 45, got run over a few times, stopped nine of 11 HDSC. He kept the Oilers in the game just in case they could get rolling, but it never happened. Honestly, aside from Smith and the crazy rule book, the only things that got my attention came when watching skill centers hitting the ice (sometimes back, sometimes head) with no penalties called. Smith has a .942 SP, third among goalies who have played more than one game. He’s playing very well.
DEFENSE
- Darnell Nurse played 22:42, two shots, one HDSC, 12 pims, drew a penalty, two hits, three shot blocks. He made a nice read early, when it was tied, and at that point, despite the shot clock, I thought the Oilers might win it. The only play Nurse failed on was the Grundstrom goal, and honestly you could have called it the other way. I’m often alone on Nurse island, I liked his game last night. Cody Ceci had two shots, 10 pims, four hits, four shot blocks. He is an effective player in these rugged games, good signing by Ken Holland. This pairing was back at the top of the TOI equation five-on-five.
- Brett Kulak had two shots and two great chances, he’s an intriguing player. I hope we get a second series to see him more before summer. Tyson Barrie had one shot, took a penalty, drew a penalty, and wasn’t sharp on the PP. His pass attempt resulted in an early turnover and honestly the Oilers looked indifferent with the man advantage. Defensively, this duo will always be a bit of an adventure.
- Duncan Keith had a tough night, his attempted clears early resulted directly in 2GA. One shot, two given. He has had good moments in this series, hard to find one last night. Passing has been a positive, but that left the building too on Sunday night. Evan Bouchard had two shots, fewer than normal quality outlet passes, and a puck that hopped over his stick. After that, it was keystone cops and not closing the back door. That bouncing back and the ineffective coverage on the goal was kind of the summary of last night’s game. Oilers fans got the news early, so bedtime could also come before game’s end.
FORWARDS
Zach Hyman had one shot, three HDSC, a giveaway and three hits. On a night when one goal could have turned the course of history, I thought Hyman was one of the few who knew the weight of the situation. Leon Draisaitl had one shot, one giveaway, one hit and won five of 19 in the dot. If he’s not hurt, he’s tired. That’s not close to a Draisaitl line in the boxscore. His awareness was also less than normal, I’m going to say something is lingering or some malady is new. Kailer Yamamoto had one shot, one HDSC, two rebounds created, drew a penalty and had four hits. I’m never going to question Jay Woodcroft because everything he does is magic, but I wonder if Nuge between these two wingers would have created a spark.
Evander Kane had five shots, three HDSC, created much chaos, got 10 pims, had two hits. His game is made for this team. Connor McDavid had three shots, four HDSC, took a penalty and drew two, four hits. I thought he played well considering this was nowhere close to the game that suits his style. Jesse Puljujarvi had three shots, one HDSC and once again displayed he’s not 100 percent. If the Oilers lose this series, there will be plenty of blame to go around. Reading the tea leaves, I suspect the Finn will take heavy criticism. Let it be said that if we’re to be honest in life, then JP’s clear change in skating torque should be mentioned as often as Leon’s issues. These men aren’t at 100 percent. That’s a fact.
Warren Foegele had one shot, two HDSC’s and a couple of hits. This was the de facto third line to my eye last night, interesting Foegele’s move to the McLeod trio has seen the group move up the depth chart. Part of that is Derek Ryan’s being out of the lineup, and the quality of Nuge’s linemates, but Foegele has been more noticeable in the post season than he was in much of the regular year. Ryan McLeod had three shots, two HDSC, took a penalty, hit a couple of people. A good night for an emerging young player. Zack Kassian didn’t have many crooked numbers, but he was part of an effective line (Kassian was 10-6 Corsi in 7:15 five-on-five) and is in no danger of leaving the lineup based on performance.
Derick Brassard played 8:11 at five-on-five, finishing 1-12 shots. Josh Archibald played 8:19, going 4-11 shots. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three shots, took a penalty and drew one, won seven of 11 on the dot. I’ve watched his whole career, he was “on” last night. His linemates were off, way off. It was just such a shame.
WHAT DID THE OILERS GET FROM THIS SEASON?
If Edmonton loses the series against Los Angeles, what good things came along to boost the future? I pose this question now, because experience tells me the weeks following a loss to the Kings will be filled with vitriol and general moodiness.
For me, Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson are at the top of the list. So much good has come from the coaching change, and I can only imagine how well a team that is made for these coaches might perform. Here’s an example: The Oilers didn’t play well last night, it was a difficult game. The officials made the sides more equal by calling very little, allowing the LAK sixes and sevens the opportunity to stifle Edmonton’s jacks and kings by any means possible. No bitching here, that’s hockey.
The gift of Woodcroft-Manson is they started on the workaround immediately after the game. Expect the fourth line to be scrapped for parts, or some other innovation. The Oilers will pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and start all over again. They have the ability to refresh and renew, and in the playoffs that’s a big damn deal. Whatever comes, sign these men. This series against Los Angeles is a big one for these coaches.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A stacked show this morning, plenty of Oilers talk and we also tackle some NBA items. At 10:40 Dan Favale from Bleacher Report will talk NBA, and in hour two both Jason Gregor and Tom Gazzola will help us break down the breakdown of Game Four. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
– Flying out tmrw to San Fran. Got the nicest “Surprise” we’ve had in years: I called French Laundry a month ago, put on my best French, was totally obsequious, gave a little background, mentioned that I was lucky to go to PerSe on its opening weekend, about wanting to take my in-laws there, down for a wedding, etc. Dropped the name of the Surf Club Maitre’d, where I was in March twice, and we hit it off.
– I said I believed in miracles, and that I was fully expecting that somehow a reservation would magically become available for Tuesday the 10th. Talked the guys ear off, but he was so charmed by the “Kinger story”, that he did’t dimsiss out of hand. Told me to make request online. An hour ago, a 707 number appears on my moblie: “Bonsoir, Monsieur Kinger, c’est Antoine ici de la part de French Laundry, j’ai de bonnes nouvelles!…” Wow!: 4 o’clock sitting on Tuesday: can’t believe it.
It must portend good things for the OIL: GOILERS!! GO Keller. Can’t sleep, leaving at 4:00 am EST!
Quelle chance! Qu’est-ce que chui jaloux!!! S’il te plaît, racontes-en nous après!
I’ve always wanted to go…
I’m honestly confused why 2 nights ago the Oilers were doing great, 1 bad game later we’re talking about mixing the lines that scored 14 goals in 2 games, Draisaitl being injured or less than 100%, and the general mood after a series loss to a team that we have outplayed in 3/4 games. That’s a lot of panic and assumptions, no?
When Oilers beat Penguins 5-1, I don’t think people were on the web suggesting Malkin, Crosby, or Guentzel were all less than 100%.
It’s okay to have a bad game. It just can’t become a habit in the playoffs. It’s 2-2, home ice advantage retained, and a pissy bunch of Oilers.
It’s a fan base that has had disappointment after disappointment with very little success over the last 15 year. People hang on every downbeat. I think that’s natural.
Haha, believe me, I know all about that disappointment. I am just not ready to panic. If LA can come back from back-to-back shellackings and post that win, fortunes can easily be reversed. New momentum, every game.
Apparently McDavid should have a penalty shot every game, multiple in fact.
It has to happen to Connor 3 times before he gets a 2 minute call if it’s Leon it’s every 4th time.
Had a comment moderated that I really didn’t think was controversial. Is that an automated process? If not, I’d love to know where I stepped over the line to prevent it from happening again, LT.
Go Stars!!
There are certain words that will flag the post and have the post require approval.
It got caught in the spam filter, don’t know why. It’s now live. Sorry about that. It had words like military and punch, but those words are fine. So, no idea honestly.
Ha! I’m just an emotional fan… thank you, good host.
Summarizing!
The Bourg has successfully assimilated the second round, as Shawinigan scored six minutes into OT to complete the sweep.
He netted the 2nd Cataractes goal and assisted on the OT winner. He put up 4+3 in the three-game series.
Shawinigan’s opponent in Round 2 has yet to be determined.
Hrudey will be whining like a little b—- that he is between periods.
The trap is a big damned deal. I was in the rink for games 3 and 4 and both teams play it almost all the time; even down a couple goals.
So often narratives are created after the results are ingested, for instance game 3. The narrative is that this was a dominant 60 minute performance when in fact, for the first half of the game it was a chess match with the only separation being two superhuman special teams plays by McDavid. Of course LA became vulnerable when they were forced to open it up but even still they did a lot of trapping. I remember saying to my son…Oilers should just stand behind the net and let them come get them trapping while down 4.
So now the narrative after game 4 is that the Oilers weren’t ready or were over confident but I was in that rink and neither of those are true. I watched McDavid specifically, very closely and and he and everyone else were playing conservatively, waiting for that PP or 4v4 chance. The faceoffs were much worse so that feeds the battle level narrative but I’d guess that’s more tactics and tendencies.
In the end, our young D made the big first mistake and Jesus what a play by Danault to execute. You could easily see that being McDavid on Spence only it wasn’t.
Each of these next three games should be 52/48 affairs. Hopefully the King will make that turnover and it’ll be to 97 instead of 44 this time.
Hold on to your hats.
Reinhart has some mitts on him
Hitch said as much about the Good Guys right?
If they protected the puck as the last 25% of the season they’d be a hard out
The Caps are keeping the house cats to the outside and are protecting the puck really well with size while being at a speed disadvantage
No idea if they can carry that but textbook tactics
Four shots for FLorida in the third. My goodness
Son of a……. I’ve been looking forward to the Condors game all day and was getting flumoxed that Holt hadn’t provided the lineup tidbits 30 min before start like he always does. I just realized, its not Tuesday.
Blah.
The conventional wisdom of the moment seems to be that NHL reffing changes during the playoffs. The reasons given are usually cultural (ie the league historically values more physical play in the postseason and swallows the whistles accordingly) or monetary (NHL power brokers are wielding officiating to enforce parity and/or to extend series to maximize gate revenues and viewership).
What if the league and refs aren’t the primary cause for the stylistic change but rather the players and coaches themselves? Both groups are essentially competing ‘as hard as they have to’ in the regular season to qualify for the playoffs. Coaches would undoubtedly like to push players to play more physical, block more shots etc. in the regular season but they’re also aware that they have to avoid injuries as much as possible especially amongst star players who drive the aforementioned ratings and revenues. The modern day athlete is likewise less inclined to sacrifice his body to the max for a meaningless regular season game. Bodychecking is highly marginalized now before the All Star break and often beyond.
This hypothesis would certainly explain why the stylistic change doesn’t actually flick like a switch the moment the playoffs start, but rather the physicality ramps up towards the end of the regular season when games take on added significance for actual playoff qualification. For those advocating that the refs should call it by the book, this would be the natural time for penalties to ramp up (ie as the playoff races heat up).
But the reffing doesn’t change appreciably at this time because NHL officiating has never been akin to photo radar. The refs aren’t interested in penalizing every single infraction. Instead they penalize every infraction that enables them to maintain control of the game and their own perception of competitive balance. Hence why the retaliation always get penalized. It’s not about boxing every offense. It’s about mitigating the most egregious examples that threaten their control of the game. And by and large the players and coaches are onboard with this approach with the common refrain being that they want to determine the result themselves.
It is the players and coaches that choose to play harder and more physical as the games take on more meaning and the reffing response is the same as it always is, they’re content to let the players set the standard on what’s acceptable choosing to intervene only when the infractions threaten control or present as egregious.
All the things complained about when the playoffs start (offense suppression, increased physicality lessening the time and space for skill, non physical teams struggling to compete in the postseason) are the result of the players deciding the games matter now and they’ll adjust their play accordingly to retain competitive advantage however possible. In reality, the regular season is just an extended preseason where the bullies bide their time and the skaters enjoy their pursuit of contract bonuses. Once the playoffs start, the warriors advance and the meek retreat.
Which is is a long winded way of saying it’s probably a bad idea to build your hockey team with Johnny Gaudreau as the centrepiece. lol
My conclusion from today’s discussion, and generally all throughout the season, the biggest issues on this team are two finns. If that’s the case, this team shouldn’t have any issues discarding them this summer and being a legit cup contender next season. Correct? lol
Hopefully they can replace Barrie with someone more reliable on the right side this offseason. Tyson hasn’t impacted the game at ES in these playoffs and he’s prone to frequent mistakes on the defensive side.
Given all the prospects are LD
They need a RD 2/3 cover for Bouch’s speed wobbles and Bro/Neims/ Sammie
Why do you hate Michael Kesselring (and Phil Kemp)?
Of course, neither are options for this October but I will say that Kesslering has had a great first year pro and has taken massive steps in the 2nd half of the season, in particular after all the d-injuries started to pile up.
I think Barrie has proven to be a “slow starter” in particular with his defensive game and defensive decisions. He struggled to start both of the last two seasons in that regard. I think he picked up his “defensive game” including neutral and offensive zone decision making over the last few months and has been quite responsible for the most part.
Before a tough game last night (which MANY players had), I thought he had been solid in the playoffs.
At the same time, I do think he needs to be moved mainly for cap structuring purposes. Next year is Bouch’s time to take over PP1 and, yes, a cheaper and more defensively minded 3RD is needed.
I do think they may be looking at Broberg as 3RD (with Kulak as 3LD) next season. Of course, young d-man and off-side sounds risky but I think they may be comfortable with Broberg on the right side. Truth be told, he’s played more right side than left in both the SHL and AHL over recent times and his best NHL stretch was on the right side.
They would need a veteran RD cover and Matt Benning come to mind.
I was surprised reading how the Oilers had this series in the bank despite getting significantly outworked for quite long stretches on the first 3 games. Blowouts happen when teams are chasing.
This was gonna be a close series from the start.
There has been a thread regarding fitness the last couple days and I was a bit busy with Mother’s day, plane rides and kids but wanted to contribute a bit more to it as a thank you to the LT community.
There are 6 physical athletic qualities.
-Strength: the ability to exert and accept force
-Power: the ability to exert maximum force in the shortest amount of time
-Speed: the ability to cover distance in the shortest amount of time
-Endurance: the ability to repeat an effort
-Agility: the ability to change one or more of direction, position, pace in response to a stimulus
-Coordination: the ability to manipulate an object(s)
Almost all sports require a combination of all of these qualities. Depending on the stage of an athlete’s development certain qualities may be emphasised more than others. In general all structured training programs should begin with strength, without being able to exert and accept force it is very difficult to develop the other qualities. The exception is coordination, which is often developed through free play and sport practice and competition.
For the general population that is looking to stay healthy there isn’t much more that needs to be added to an exercise program outside of strength and endurance. That doesn’t mean you should just go out and bash some dumbbells around and run a 10k. There are prerequisites for each and some simple baselines you should aim for before getting into any specialised programming.
Strength prerequisites and baselines:
-ability to actively control individual joints through the greatest range of motion available (this isn’t stretching)
-ability to create and radiate tension to isolated areas and throughout the body (this is taking the idea of core exercises a bit further)
-ability to get into the start and finish positions of a strength exercise without external load
-bodyweight exercises to master as a baseline: squats, split squats, lateral squats, multi directional lunges, pushups, horizontal rows, pullups/chinups
-as you begin to master these exercises introduce external load (barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, etc) for lifts such as: squat, split squat, lateral squat, deadlift, overhead press, bench press, row variations
Endurance thoughts:
-select a modality that your skeleton can support, swimming and cycling are great low impact options
-you should be able to walk for 60mins straight without getting winded before taking on any other forms of training
-walking is a wildly underrated form of aerobic exercise, getting 10000 steps a day is a very straight forward baseline (walk before run)
-start easy with a 10-20min steady state session and repeat it 3-5x before increasing duration
Thanks! This is interesting stuff.
I believe the first time recently ‘swagger’ was used referring to hockey was by Lucic as an Oiler
It’s now a buzzword and I do not like it. Swagger has a component of arrogance to it. Arrogance doesn’t make anyone good at anything
Confidence does. And taking pride in ‘how’ you work, as in hard and taking care of the details no matter how unpleasant
Lightweights avoid the unpleasant. It’s not fun. But few cup champs got there avoiding it
Smart, and driven to not be deterred. Swagger can live with the Flames now
If the Oiler D continues to allow the less talented Kings to crash the net this series is over. I’m surprised Smith hasn’t tuned his own D in more. Make them pay the Refs are allowing this to happen and if a Oiler D gets offsetting penalty for face washing hacking whacking so the better. I like our chances 4 on 4 hopefully Woody and the boys figure this out before it’s to late.
Really if they were just in position no problem. Just stand there, no lane
They went old school last night and abandoned the middle of all ice
It’s time for a few Oilers to get nasty are they’ll be golfing at their Summer homes early next week.
Barbanov signed for 2 X $2.5MM – his boxcars aren’t far off from Jesse’s (more points) – maybe a bit more PP time but PP2 for sure and, of course, lesser ES linemates and a UFA contract.
I know Jesse does much more that his boxcars indicate but boxcars drive AAV.
The Bourg picks up his fourth goal of the series as Shawinigan makes it 2-0 midway through the first:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1523806685814738944?cxt=HHwWgMDS5e6G06UqAAAA
Reporting from what time zone?
This one. 😀
Lou Lamoriello in firing Barry Trotz says, “a “new voice” is what’s necessary in order for us to have success in my opinion”
~ Who is this doofus and what’s with this “new voice” baloney? ~ (< sarcasm tildes)
Flames move Kass…Uh .. I mean Ritchie….Flames move Ritchie up to the second line for tonight’s game
If one Alberta team has to bow out early, please let it be the godless…Uh..I mean goal-less….Please let it be the goal-less Flames.
Is Oettinger a target tonight?
Turtlechuck?
Lucic?
Ritchie?
#DesperateMeasures?
I wish the Oilers had someone that could roll with one of their clowns. Faces need to be punched. The referees won’t provide any consequences. Sure seems like Kassian doesn’t fight anymore. He caught a few fight-related concussions in years past.
Also, 3rd line was garbage. Who knew Ryan was that much better than Brassard. It went from complete 3rd line matchup domination to getting caved. Wow..
Leon, Nurse, and Jesse are all banged up bad and it clearly didn’t happen late in game 3. Funny how an injured player can appear so exposed in 1 game and not another. The Kings are so filthy and frankly, I’m just tired of complaining about it. There will be no change, no correction, no recognition: forever gaslit as just being a partisan complaint. McD had a stick bloody stuck to him….
As for what’s to come, thank gord for home ice advantage. If the refs F this up hard, they’ll need a military escort out of the building. That fear should help even things out…
Colin Chaulk was on Oilers Now but wasn’t asked (and didn’t provide) any injury updates or any possible lineup notes or any thoughts on getting the likes of Philp, Savoie, Engras, Tulio or Chiasson any reps in the playoffs.
Ugh, what did he even discuss if not those topics?
How they played against Abbotsford, the challenges of the up coming series with the Heat, etc.
Stauff wasn’t on, it was Brenden Escott hosting.
Kane has massive self confidence, even ego, and I believe that’s why he fits so well.
Hes not willing to concede and inch. Nothing. Not even to McDavid. He absolutely believes he is as good as anyone on the ice, and deliver results.
Physically, he gives up nothing. To anybody.
Nurse was this way, absolute confidence. Its still there but has been buried by workload for a couple of seasons.
Oilers have plenty of high end players with championship qualities to make this thing work.
Wish we had more players like Kane honestly.
The only thing possibly concerning, regarding potential injury impact – I definitely did keep thinking was:
Either something might be off with drai or he was just having an off night. His first step seemed slow and even on powerplay he didn’t seem to be in motion as much as usual.
Didn’t register anything clearly different tactic wise against him. Just seemed like he was skating in quicksand.
Nurse likely isn’t 100% but that has been from getgo. Drai’s late season dings might be rearing their head abd become a much greater negative factor if so.
Countering the McDavid/Kane juggernaut and reducing oilers Dump ins with forecheck speed following seemed to be primary components mclellan likely adjusted for.
Anyway. I should try to accomplish something more than hockey chatter today while I try to take it easy waiting on Wednesday where I get to go have xrays and ultrasound testing to hopefully shed light on current maladies and hopefully be told there is simple non surgical diagnosis to remedy and get back to pain free living. Once those tests are done then ill be rushing out to farm to spend time with my dad as he thankfully managed to make another round back out of hospital. Worse for wear and a little closer to not but here and still whip smart with me able to realize i need to appreciate the time while it still exists over regretting npt doing so later.
Thanks for providing a distraction as always LT and group. It’s nice to have an intelligent spot with like minded in passion fans of a thing truly insignificant outside entertainment value!
Be easy on each other. If not easy at least operating on good faith with kind regard. Life’s too short to invest more than that level towards a lovely distraction.
I’m too lazy to look back but if someone can look at Drai’s 5v5 possession stats for the last 10-15 games of the season I seem to recall the Corsis being poor but GF% still high.
My goodness, pointing out that Nurse and Drai both look like they are playing at less than 100% and its effecting their play is not the same as “making excuses”.
Has anyone posted/said that they are in tough and their backs are up against the wall because Nurse and Drai not being 100%?
I haven’t heard that at all.
Two important players are banged up (seemingly) and fighting through and not playing as effective as normal – its a topic of conversation and that doesn’t mean its being used as an excuse.
Anybody banged up on LA that you can think of?
Of course, and its being talked about.
Again, talking about current injuries and discussing does not equate to making excuses – I haven’t seen anyone suggest a series loss would be in any way justifiable due to injuries.
I think Drai is still so good while perhaps injured I’m openly campaigning to remove Hyman off of his line to help out Nuge.
I think Nurse, Drai and JP are off, JP as far back as the concussion. Leon’s issue is unknown but my goodness that wasn’t a good effort.
It’s not an excuse but an observation. The Oilers didn’t get any bounces last night. Luck is underweighted in both wins and losses. They got incredibly lucky with some of their goals in game 3. Those 3 stops when Quick was missing his glove was incredibly lucky for LA.
But if you want to win a playoff series you need to overcome the bad luck and steal a game every now and then. And you definitely can’t lose a game where luck was on your side. Like the series against Winnipeg last year.
I was saying that to my friends who were over enjoying my lamb roast and watching game. Everything bounced right last game should have saved a few!
My Homer brain…..something something LAMB ROAST!!! something something
#MouthWatering 🙂
I thought we scored way more lucky goals in game two. The three first goals in game three were difficult to stop.
Last night’s loss tastes so bitter because we can now lose this series very easily due to puck luck and bad officiating. In a best of 3, you can play your finest game and control the play the entire time…and still lose 2 games in a row.
We also wasted another great performance from Smith. If his next game is a stinker…we’re in real trouble.
We lost a serious opportunity last night and I hope the boys respond accordingly because my drywall can’t take another beating like it did yesterday.
The Oilers are bussing over the border to avoid unnecessary issues with Covid testing and covid protocol. Any additional testing is performed at the team doctors discretion.
It’s possible that some players are not 100% because they are sick instead of injured.
All you can do is hope their team is facing the same situation.
If they are symptomatic, they have to be tested under League rules.
Post-covid fully vaccinated players are exempt for up to 180 days, except for team physicians discretion. Also the only screening they would likely encounter would be at border crossings, otherwise isn’t it just scouts Honor?
Only one NHL player has entered protocol in the past month as far as I can see.
If they are non-symptomatic.
Is “Look Away, Look Away” a reference to officials turning a blind eye?
Or, to the team dis-regarding the bad officiating and remaining composed?
#GodBlessWarrenZevon
If the “pile-driving nonsense” continues, my refrain would be “Send Lawyers, Guns and Money” not necessarily in that order.
It’s a reference to great moments ahead (Hollywood!) and a reminder the beginning is often difficult and those who truly benefit often come along when the hard work is done.
If Ryan cannot play…
Kane, McDavid, Puljujarvi
McLeod, Draisaitl, Hyman
Foegele, Nugent-Hopkins, Yamamoto
Archibald, Brassard, Kassian.
But mostly, I’m rolling three lines. I might dress Russell over Brassard, and only can spot Archibald and Kassian in.
This is a zone time series. It is hard enough to get McDavid to commit to a cycle game with Puljujarvi on his wing. It is impossible when Yamamoto is on his wing.
Pound the D with the cycle game early, and the rush game will open up later.
If Ryan can play, the game 2 and 3 roster is fine.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to drop Brassard from that lineup and dress Russell as 7D? Then you can cycle Nuge, McLeod, McDavid or Draisaitl through with Kassian and Archibald as needed.
They also need to do a better job of not allowing LA to carry in and start the cycle in our zone. LA did a much better job last night gaining our zone w/possession and we need to break that up more. We were not as crisp on the breakout because Smith actually spent more time in his net.
Condors start their series with the Heat tonight.
Will be interested to see if any of the injured are back, in particular, Niemelainen.
If Benson is back, I wonder if they find a way to make room for Philp who got in last game as an injury replacement and made a positive impact.
Maybe Perlini or Sceviour are ready as well – which would make it even tougher for any of Philp, Savoie, Engras to make the lineup (let alone Tulio or Chiasson).
Tomorrow night, right? Tuesday?
That is correct (and I NOW know it isn’t actually Tuesday today……) – Tuesday/Wed to start.
I’m an idiot…..
“The gift of Woodcroft-Manson is they started on the workaround immediately after the game. Expect the fourth line to be scrapped for parts, or some other innovation. The Oilers will pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and start all over again. They have the ability to refresh and renew, and in the playoffs that’s a big damn deal.”
I haven’t seen the post game pressers, but Jay has said on more than one occasion that “momentum is not carried over from one game to the next, but has to be regenerated at the beginning of each game” A lesson that may have escaped the attention of the players in (the first period? 2nd? 3rd?) last nights game. Will they get the message now?
Will be curious to see how Jay directs his troops given the obvious change in officiating between games 3 and 4.
Do they come out hitting? Do they take liberties with the LA goalie? Does fighting ensue? Other more innovative approaches?
“No bitching here; That’s hockey”
I’ll take it a step further; Create the circumstance under which it’s the other team that’s do the bitching.
I feel pretty comfortable saying LT has demonstrated that he’s a good judge of such things over the long years here.
I mean, maybe not if it’s his son MAP, but otherwise, yeah, he’s a balanced observer.
“filled with vitriol and general moodiness.”
That happens around our house on a monthly basis.
.
.
The weird part is ” It’s Me !”
“Zack Kassian didn’t have many crooked numbers, but he was part of an effective line (Kassian was 10-6 Corsi in 7:15 five-on-five) and is in no danger of leaving the lineup based on performance.”
IMO, their is defintly a “mendoza line” for the Oilers forward group.
Above the line are; McLeod, Foegele, Ryan, Archibald, Kassian
Below the line; Shore, Brassard
Shore hasn’t played yet, he just needs his 500 ABs 😉
That’s fair. Archibald is often on the line, but his PK work gets him looks imo.
The simple truths are these:
> When we score first and LA has to open up, we can best use our skill and transition game to pummel the Kings. See games 2 and 3.
> When they score first and can sit back, clogging the neutral zone and home plate areas, only Kane and Hyman remain as effective for us. Our scoring rates plummet.
> We have been outplayed in the first period of every game and Smith has kept us afloat in those periods. They are the more desperate team
> It is a shame we had the unforced error in Game 1, as had we capped off the comeback with a win (and were playing well in the 3rd before the gaffe), this is a moot conversation. That said, we did not dramatically outplay the Kings – only marginally so.
Had someone asked me 3 months ago how I would have felt in a best of 3 playoff series vs. the Kings, I would have felt great about it. I still do. We just need to come out hard in the first period and get out front – the Kings are not built to catch up.
LFG Oilers!!!
In terms of all round performance and consistency ( in relation to their pay grade), The Oilers currently have 4 defenders that are playing above their pay grade. imo
I rank them in terms of value for money, as follows, you mileage may vary. ( 2 and 3 are sort of interchangeable for me)
1) Codi Ceci ($3.25m)
2) Evan Bouchard ( $863k + bonuses)
3) Brett Kulak ($925k)
4) Darnell Nurse ($5.6m)
to be clear, Nurse is our best defensemen and value at $5.6m; The others are priced so low as to be approaching “extreme value” imo
What do Kopitar and Tavares have in common? Two league top 2 way centres fading out?
Could never skate that well, big, over 30. They basically don’t have the boots as the game gets faster and younger to do their thing. And they can’t just hold to compensate anymore. Something to keep in mind down the road
One plays exceptional defense generally and the other was primarily an advantage offensively with passable dzone skills – big difference at tail end
Funny you should mention this. I was thinking that RNH might be included in such a group based on his all round skill set.
One set of numbers (analytics) says he’s a step down from these two.
Then another set of numbers (AVV) says, “well wait a minute”
Makes me feel good thinking about it.
“Reading the tea leaves, I suspect the Finn will take heavy criticism. Let it be said that if we’re to be honest in life, then JP’s clear change in skating torque should be mentioned as often as Leon’s issues. These men aren’t at 100 percent. That’s a fact.”
You are probably right about the blame game. (I wouldn’t’ know to what degree because I avoid Twitter and have very little exposure to social media in general)
I could be wrong, but I think those that call for Jesse’s head on a plate are viewed as “fringe” and “easily dismissed”.
I worry that over-protecting Jesse at every turn ( even if in response to said Fringe”) may also have a deleterious affect on (reasonable) peoples perception of the young man, or at least on their perception of his defenders claims to “balance” and “reason”.
Jesse can’t be said to be injured when he’s not playing well and then “fine” when he he has a good game.
To be clear, I believe three things to be true:
1) JP is not at 100% health wise;
2) Even in his current stare JP is one of the top 9 best forwards on the team.
3) JP may not be a legitimate top line talent; He is probably a middle 6 winger depending of course on how you define these things.
I agree 100%
Im not on twitter and I am not after Jessie. Three more things for your list:
I think most of the twitter chat that’s negative around JP stems from several in the connected media all landing on the same spot. Puljujarvi has been uneven in this series, and it’s possible that we see him move down the lineup after the difficult gam from the entire team. We’ll see.
LT, why is it that he takes the hit for the entire team? Absolutely baffling!!!
Part of it comes from his on-ice demeanor. JP often looks hesitant, and despite being a sound defensive player, he has at times had difficulty in this series (Edler semi breakaway). He’s an unusual player, part of why he’s on the No. 1 line, but that also makes him a target. In the reasonable expectation series (wrote about it at The Athletic) the number he delivered was a perfect match for expectations. However, people believe he should have more numbers. He had just four goals on the power play, but that was driven by just 95 minutes in the discipline. He scored 2.51 goals-per-60 there, if he had played the same minutes as Zych Hyman, Puljujarvi would have had 11, scored 21 goals and people would be happy. It’s a little about deployment, too.
“Mike Smith had a fine game, that’s the truth. Stopped 42 of 45, got run over a few times,”
The obvious question…Do we run over Quick?
One would like to play the game straight up according to the rules, but history has shown us over and over again, that the cheaters often do prosper.
It’s such a fine line between “aggressive” play and “dirty” play.
I know for a fact that maintaining their composure is critical to success; I also believe that a game plan that is pre-calculated to deliver some degree of discomfort to Quick is probably the right thing to do.
We don’t make the rules, we adapt our game to the way in which the rules are being applied.
If pile-drivers are “within the scope of unpenalized play”, then we need to adapt to that reality. I believe that we are the larger more physical team of the two. But it’s a question of “what are we willing to do”?
Running Quick if you do it efficiently/effectively/stealthily will cost you 2 to 5 minutes. (or perhaps nothing as has been the case at least twice for the Kings)
As distasteful as it may be to some, that’s value for minutes right there.
That’s interesting. I’m advocating deterrence and you’re advocating an arms race.
I’m not sure which is the better approach but certainly something has to be done.
Nobody ran Hextall. Maybe Mike need to be his own answer. As long as he doesn’t get hurt.
Challenge them, and if they go, a 6’6 blocker beat down from a guy who Hextall has nothing on might tone it down. Game 1 would have been better though.
No, I don’t think you run over Quick.
You just do what the Oil have been good at and that is getting in his grill, get in the shooting lane. Problem is, it takes a battle to get there. Its so much easier to just go back around the net and try the other side.
Ugly goals count same as Pretty goals.
Kings and stupid “shot volume” actually worked last game. Anything towards the net has a chance of going in.
All perimeter plays stopped short have zero chance of going in.
I have faith woody will look at what changed to point that i was thinking “there it is finally!” very late in game when nuge laid a solid hit on a defender on dump in – and adjust strategy or reinvigorate drive in players accordingly.
If unpenalized, I’d suggest a different recipient for the piledriver.
I don’t think you can just change identity come playoffs
I don’t like players that don’t hit suddenly doing it. They almost always don’t know how to and throw awkward checks. The problem is injury, it’s one thing if it’s a role player, another if it’s a core player
Tye think is to play your game, finish checks which simply means disrupting progress as opposed to trying to get one in on them
It also doesn’t usually cause the other team to react, it’s good hockey
A brawl the Oilers would win, but it’s dropping to their level. That just isn’t them with this roster. Kane can threaten them and their families, but that is his game
Play fast, hard and controlled. They will get frustrated again
Didn’t the refs do this last playoffs? Call the first two tight to cover Gary’s ass then the free for all begins
This is my recollection as well. In fact, if my memory serves me, this has been the case for many seasons.
Someone logged the first sixteen games year over year, over at Reddit. I don’t have it handy but, roughly, last year was the least penalized (around 130) and this year the most (around 200). Think it was ten or so years of data. R / hockey if you want to try to find it.
So after two there was a real change from prior years.
Obviously last night was extremely frustrating, but I expected that exact outcome. I saw the Kings as playing their very desperate best in the last throes of their unexpected playoff run – the realization setting in that they would potentially be heading back to Edmonton going down 3-1, which would likely end the series.
On the other hand, the Oilers have an unfortunate history of getting a little too comfortable when they are coming off a nice win. Perhaps they took their positive press a little too seriously, but whatever the case, LA was certainly going to come out with their best.
I am confident that Woodcroft and Manson will have the team extremely prepared for the next game and the Oilers will storm out to an impressive victory. Oilers in 6.
Hopefully you bet on your certainty of the outcome. The odds would have been very favourable.
Agreed!…..Oilers in 6!
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or 7
There are 11 Kings new to playoffs, and about 11 Kings who need some sense knocked into them.
Oilers, these are almost complete rookies who are showing the audacity to attack, stick, jump on your best players all free or any repercussions.
This is not acceptable.
It might be time to go toe to toe and throw some knuckles. Seriously. Oilers have more than enough. Get the message across and then put up some points.
One thing that aids your line of reasoning is that the Oilers PP is lethal; The Kings, not so much.
Who on the Oilers roster fights?
Nuge….
There will be lot of pressure on Jessie for sure. He may be injured, but likely they all have bruises, perhaps Jessie has something more significant. Without knowing however we can only assess what we see.
Jessie had good advanced stats in season, but they were not being converted to points
Chris Russel has good advanced stats
Jessie is still making a difference defensively
Visually he has not upped his game or is intensity for the playoffs. He does not throw any hits or win battles. He continuously stays on the perimeter with brief foray to the netfront.
If he is not hurt then he needs o get engaged. If he is hurt well then Woodcroft is not helping the top line much.
There are 11 Kings players new to the playoffs and look to be adapting well. Jessie needs to match this at minimum.
Jessie will take heat because we need him. The team needs him to do his thing. As Connor and Leon are suffocated, we need Jessie to shine.
Well the head coach could fix that by implementing back on the power play and playing him the minutes needed in order to be impactful. I believe he is hurt and limited. The best fit at this time is with Nuge and Foegele.
I thought Brassard and Archie put together a performance for the ages last night.
Then LT posts Draisaitl stat line above. Wow.
Something called a Blake Lizotte was the 3rd star of the game. All 5’9 – 170lbs of him.
( not even drafted…whaaat)
We will all have our own takes but I think we got pretty comfortable scoring
touchdowns the last few games and we pretty much took for granted the ‘will’
needed to match LA’s ferocity.
Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the other team and coach.
Will beat skill.
It took a bit longer but I see we are back to ticking the same old boxes from the last few years. ( refs, injuries )
I hope the Oilers didn’t use up all their goal scoring in games 2 & 3 .
My goodness, critiquing or criticizing a player for a poor play or a poor game does not equate to “blaming them for the loss”.
its going to be a fin couple of days reading and listening to massive over-reactions to a blah game and loss.
Not to mention the pre-blame and vitriol towards Holland for not re-signing Woody and hiring Trotz – yup, it’s already started in certain social media platforms.
You should have seen this place a few days ago -regarding massive over-reactions to an Oilers lop sided victory?
I think it swings both ways…equally as hard.
It’s funny watching the half empty vs the half fulls. Human nature to drive the most well constructed neural highways!
Great point. This place was overflowing with arrogance and swagger the past two days. The flames were being mocked with the Oilers on their way to the second round. All this after only the third game of the series.
I’m sure the locker room was no different. Woodcroft has to get the boys minds in the right place for every game. Every game could be the difference in the series.
TMac owned him last night.
The flames should continue to be mocked, no?
Without a doubt. Something about Oilers outstanding depth, volume shooting and a washed-up goalie.
Of course – sure does.
Drai may be hurt, or at least tired. I like that line with McLeod. Adds some dynamic speed and seems to help him right now transport he puck.
I hope they switch up the lines a bit. been a bit wonky and if Ryan is hurt then something needs to change to balance it out
Kane-McDavid-Yamamoto
McLeod-Draisatl-Hyman
Foegele-Nuge-Puljujarvi
Shore-Kassian
Go 7 D if you have to and run the top end guys a bunch at home.
I don’t mind those lines.
Those lines work:)
The Oilers are not winning the series unless they cycle the puck, and pound the Kings D. So they will lose the series unless Puljujarvi is with McDavid.
The Oilers will not win if McDavid is playing predominantly rush hockey. One has to grind the defense down every game, which will open up the rush chances later.
Amen
Dump it in barrie and bears corner make em react faster than they’d like.
For me I don’t care about the name bar, not playing well is not playing well
Drai is off, no further speculation necessary. If they truly believe it’s a team thing, use the guys with some jump and composure, which is exactly what Flattop did
If the players can’t handle it, too bad, at this point. For everyone it’s best that players are backed off if not right, for later. We’ve been down this road and it doesn’t work
Yama seems more on it than Jesse. Bouch was really off, you have to look at doing something there. This isn’t development time
If it starts really stale again maybe
Hyman McD Yama
Kane McL Drai (can’t be effective at C if wheels aren’t there)
Foegele Nuggy JP
Coach’s choice
Kulak Ceci
Nurse Barrie
Keith Rusty
Bouch
If Rusty is ok, while he is Rusty, he’s good at suppressing and they need that. Keith can pass it and provides the mean part
If they start poorly no need to go down on the stubborn deployment ship, it will take people responding to need and opportunity, at least to change the dynamics mentally for a bit
Well gang , this was just one game and certainly a missed opportunity . I think they missed Derick Ryan . I hope he isn’t out for long . They might have been better off with the 11/7 line up last night in his absence . Anyway that was LAK best game and the Oils worst game of the series thus far , Have to give the Kings credit in this one they brought the desperation , but the Oilers weren’t sharp at all and I expect that to change as soon as next game at home . If not… they may not recover , much like the Kings wouldn’t have recovered from a loss in game four . Oilers need to bring it in game five , it will be make or break .