Game 79 2022-23: Oilers at Ducks

There was no clean air in Los Angeles last night, and it took the visitors some time to record a shot on goal. The game was physical (people keep overlooking Edmonton’s impressive physicality, this team is a pain in the ass to play against) and featured the LAK borderline (‘feels like I’m going to lose my mind’)-to-dirty style, and that is a preview of things to come. Exiting the series versus Los Angeles intact may be a key element in a Stanley Cup victory later in the spring.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: 5 ways Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm has delivered since trade
• Lowetide: Oilers’ second half spike owes much to Jay Woodcroft’s innovation
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers post an incredible March with playoffs in sight
• DNB: The Oilers ‘found a way’ against the Kings
• Lowetide: How many more college players will the Oilers sign this spring?
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers at 2018 NHL Draft, making the final call
• DNB: How the Oilers’ playoff path looks rockier after loss to Golden Knights
• Lowetide: Should the Oilers re-sign trade deadline acquisition Nick Bjugstad?
• DNB: Why Edmonton Oilers and their star players believe Pride night is ‘important to celebrate’
• Lowetide: Evander Kane, Zach Hyman and the Oilers’ ideal Connor McDavid line
• DNB: Connor McDavid joins the 60-goal club
• Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ defence deep enough to win the Stanley Cup?
• DNB: What I got wrong: Jack Campbell hasn’t given Oilers a goaltending upgrade
• Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
• DNB: Oilers’ recent play gives 3 reasons to be optimistic about a long playoff run
• DNB: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl shows he’s more than Connor McDavid’s sidekick
• Lowetide: What to expect from the Oilers’ 2023 NHL Draft after trading first-round pick
• DNB: Connor McDavid’s importance to the Oilers keeps showing no bounds
• DNB: Why Mattias Ekholm is a big addition for an Oilers team that needs to win now
• Lowetide: Oilers’ mediocre February shows importance of protecting the puck
• Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022

WHAT TO EXPECT IN APRIL

• At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• On the road to: LAK, ANA, SJS, COL (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• April prediction: 4-2-0, eight points in six games
• April results: 2-0-0, four points in two games
• March results: 12-2-1, 25 points in 15 games
• February results: 4-3-4, 12 points in 11 games
• January results: 8-2-2, 18 points in 12 games
• December results: 7-6-2, 16 points in 15 games
• November results: 7-7-0, 14 points in 14 games
• October results: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
• Oilers in 2022-23: 46-23-9, 101 points in 78 games

The Oilers are in second place as the Pacific Division standings read today. In the last 10 games, Edmonton’s point total (19) is much stronger than Vegas (14) or LAK (13). Edmonton is 26-7-7 since January 1, and to quote Roxette, they have the look.

I think most people believe the northern city’s team could catch Vegas, but the season is running out of track. Edmonton’s 101 points in 78 games trails VGK by three. It’s vital to win the next two games and hope for a Golden Knights loss. This is going to be closer than the climax scene in The Hunt for Red October. Hold on to your ass!

GOALIE AND DEFENSE

Darnell Nurse had an outstanding game. He blocked shots, moved the puck effeciently, held the Danault line (5:28) to one HDSC (1-1) and the Kopitar line (4:46) to none. Scored a big (if lucky) EN goal to seal the deal late and for me Nurse was one of the most effective players on the ice. Fine PK work on a night when discipline took a powder, especially among the forwards. Blocked shots by Arthur Kaliyev and Viktor Arvidsson. Cody Ceci has been improving lately and last night he was making good decisions and was solid in coverage. The pairing had seven defensive and three offensive zone starts. Edmonton needs his physical edge and ability to outmuscle bigger forwards for real estate or the puck. He is playing well now. Effective hit on Blake Lizotte.

Mattias Ekholm took an early penalty, it was a good one (he had been beaten by Quinton Byfield and there was a clear path to the net). Had a fabulous look on a 29 pass later in the game but missed the net. Effective in 5:37 versus the Kopitar line, giving up just one HDSC. Evan Bouchard had an early look but missed the net, got lucky when he fell and Byfield was called for a phantom penalty. He picked up an assist and I liked his work on the PP, although the Kings are great at blocking shots.

Brett Kulak skated well, blocked a couple of shots, kept everything to the outside. He was on the ice for the Arvidsson goal, but the key play (a pick against Evander Kane) should have been called a penalty. I can’t blame either defensemen for the result. Vincent Desharnais had two shots, took several hits and made simple plays, that’s a key against Los Angeles. Desharnais best skill might be just getting in the way, of everything, including shots, cycles, people, progress. He’s going to be a hateful senior citizen, but as a hockey player he’s wildly effective. No fault on the GA, he sent a solid pass behind the net, along the wall and intended for Kane. Philip Broberg had a good look early, but his shot was blocked.

FORWARDS

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is now at 99 (I’ve been waiting so long) points, what a fantastic season to come along at 29. He is by no means in the ‘remains of the day’ portion of his career, but what a sweet, sweet season (on my mind) for the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. He had a couple of takeaways and was in on pretty much all the offense during the evening. A fine game, what a season.

Connor McDavid had an assist, three shots, a HDSC, drew a penalty, played a very physical game and won nine of 15 in the dot. He took some punishment too, referees did not have a good night. His slice into the LAK zone that saw Drew Doughty fall from the commotion was a thing of beauty, backpass to Zach Hyman on the same play narrowly missed but would have been beautiful.

Leon Draisaitl is on another another level now, his skating is scary. For a man with his size to move that quickly is a thing to behold in real time. Great work and pass on the Nuge goal, kept his head when all about were listening to conflicting neurons and was able to cash. I honestly don’t know how a team could defend a man this quick, fast, skilled and big. He’s a monster!

Zach Hyman had two shots, one HDSC, a couple of moments that looked very promising but in the end was unable to hit the score sheet. Evander Kane was the human embodiment of Warren Zevon’s ‘Hit Somebody’ again last night, he’s the punisher. Had a takeaway, credited with no HDSC, I recall a couple of good looks but your mileage may vary. Had a couple of solid moments versus Doughty.

Nick Bjugstad had a strong evening. Five shots, two HDSC, drew a penalty, takeaway, six hits, 10-3 on the dot. Had a grand look late, I think he thought he had scored on the play based on his resting hockey face after the event. One of nine Oilers who spent 2+ minutes on the PK, all effective kills. Kailer Yamamoto drew a penalty, had one HDSC, and looks to be back. Took a nasty spill late in the game, I worry about his neck and that hit against the back boards could not have helped. Derek Ryan had an effective night, heady play with and without the puck. Took a vicious hit to the back late, no penalty and just an extremely poor decision by the black and white stripes.

Mattias Janmark had a couple of shots, a nice wraparound attempt that showed good speed and took a penalty when Edmonton was in the sin bin too much by plenty. Warren Foegele had two shots, took a penalty, saw 1:01 on the power play. A solid hit on Matt Roy, didn’t get much done but the Kings are the Kings of not allowing much to get done. Klim Kostin was another part of the parade to the penalty box, unfortunate because he brings a real edge to the game Edmonton can use. Have to stay out of the box, young man, and maybe have a chat with your fellow bottom-six forward group. Sheesh! He did have two shots and a HDSC. I like his game plenty, but not the penalties.

FIVE-ON-FIVE PTS-60 (FORWARDS)

Five-on-five scoring is the purest form of measuring players on a level playing field. If Connor McDavid doesn’t finish first in the category, that isn’t a sin, but you would expect him to be near the top of the league. If a third- or fourth-line player is scoring at a handsome rate, that should give you an idea that player is having a fine year. I consider it one of the most important stats available, and like to share it from time to time. I understand many of you don’t value it, but I ask you respect those of us who do in the comments section. We’ve been getting a little nasty lately, and some of you are in, or have been in, a holiday mode recently. Please be aware that we are cleaning up the comments section, brick by brick. Thanks.

1. Connor McDavid 2.68 (No. 21 among NHL forwards)
2. Zach Hyman 2.38 (40)
3. Leon Draisaitl 2.37 (41)
4. RNH 2.13 (88)
5. Evander Kane 2.08 (92)
6. Warren Foegele 2.07 (97)
7. Ryan McLeod 1.83 (150)
8. Nick Bjugstad 1.78 (not ranked)
9. Kailer Yamamoto 1.57 (212)
10. Devin Shore 1.38 (not ranked)
11. Mattias Janmark 1.33 (293)
12. Derek Ryan 1.32 (296)
13. Dylan Holloway 1.20 (not ranked)

Edmonton has five men in the top 96 (first line production), Warren Foegele just missing but close enough for jazz. We’ve been having some lively discussion about Kailer Yamamoto’s future in Edmonton, one of the reasons he may not stay is the gap between Foegele and Yamamoto on this list. Oilers have been fire, but do miss Ryan McLeod. Both Mattias Janmark and Derek Ryan are in slumps and it shows. I have mentioned many times the worry on Dylan Holloway is offense, that question will need to be answered next year.

LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON

A busy show, 10-2 today on TSN 1260. We’ll be joined by Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal, we’ll chat about the Kings game, the Ducks game tonight, and where the Oilers might land in the final standings. More hockey talk, some baseball and more. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!