This passage from “On the Clock” gives you a view of Stuart Skinner just before he spiked. It’s my belief he is one of the key stories for this Edmonton Oilers season, and a major lift for the team should the Stanley Cup land in northern Alberta later this spring. In the life of a pro franchise, there are many possible turning points. Only years later can we identify what is true and what is inconsequential. This season showed us who mattered in the system over the last five years.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Who could be the Oilers’ playoff Fernando Pisani this year?
- DNB: Oilers ready for a playoff rematch with Avalanche
- DNB: Top seed in West and ‘momentum’ for playoffs
- Lowetide: How a balanced Oilers roster is finally uniting the fan base
- Lowetide: Who’s the Oilers’ best player outside the NHL? It’s a tough call
- Lowetide: Which Oilers’ minor leaguers could help in the playoffs?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto’s future may hinge on 2023 NHL playoffs
- 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: Connor McDavid joins the 60-goal club
- Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ defence deep enough to win the Stanley Cup?
- 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
- 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 4-0-0)
- At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- April prediction: 4-2-0, eight points in six games
- April results: 5-0-0, 10 points in five 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: 49-23-9, 107 points in 81 games
This team took some time to find the range, but the big pistons are firing in tune, a rattle and hum can be heard echoing to the Rockies and back again. Is this greatness, or a mirage? 29-7-7 since January 1 is a compelling piece of evidence. If that isn’t enough, try this from Dom Luszczyszyn.
SKINNER’S SEASON
Just before the season, I wrote “in the case of Skinner, it appears the light went on around the pandemic and his spike in performance since then is exceptional. Maturation and improved structure in front of Skinner would have contributed; he has been healthy through these seasons of development. In fact, if you talk to an Oilers fan today about Skinner, you are more likely to hear about a possible starting gig in Edmonton for the rookie in the years to come.
Calder chances: Skinner should get 30-35 starts this season, that won’t be enough to vault into the rookie of the year conversation. He’ll need a little luck to pass 40 games and deliver the kind of year that gets him into contention. The last goalie to win the award was Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09.
As it turned out, Skinner played in 49 games, heading into tonight’s finale. 28 wins, .914 save percentage and the starting gig on a Stanley Cup contender. He is the most sound rookie goaltender I’ve ever seen in an Oilers uniform, and I do believe Skinner is going to be a key part of any championship run.
AHL FORWARDS AGE 20, SINCE 2010
The Oilers spent the entire decade 2010-19 rebuilding, and one of the key indicator seasons is age 20 in the AHL, During the period 2019-23, the club is more focused on winning a Stanley, but the importance of procurement and development is still vital for the team. Here are the top scorers among forwards, 20, with special focus on this year’s forwards.
- Tyler Benson (18-19 Bakersfield Condors) 68gp, 15-51-66 .97
- Kailer Yamamoto (18-19 Bakersfield Condors) 27gp, 10-8-18 .67
- Dylan Holloway (21-22 Bakersfield Condors) 33gp, 8-14-22 .67
- Teemu Hartikainen (10-11 Oklahoma City Barons) 66gp, 17-25-42 .64
- Raphael Lavoie (20-21 Bakersfield Condors) 19gp, 5-5-10 .53
- Xavier Bourgault (22-23 Bakersfield Condors) 60gp, 13-19-32 .53
- Bogdan Yakimov (14-15 Oklahoma City Barons) 57gp, 12-16-28 .49
- Marco Roy (15-16 Bakersfield Condors) 48gp, 8-12-20 .48
- Tyler Tullio (22-23 Bakersfield Condors) 60g, 13-13-26 .43
- Ryan McLeod (19-20 Bakersfield Condors) 56gp, 5-18-23 .41
- Phil Cornet (10-11 Oklahoma City Barons) 60gp, 7-16-23 .38
- Tyler Pitlick (11-12 Oklahoma City Barons) 62gp, 7-16-23 .37
- Greg Chase (15-16 Bakersfield Condors) 19gp, 1-6-7 .37
- Kyle Platzer (15-16 Bakersfield Condors) 48gp, 6-11-17 .35
- Ryan Martindale (12-13 Oklahoma City Barons). 41gp, 6-8-14 .34
- Curtis Hamilton (11-12 Oklahoma City Barons). 41gp, 5-6-11 .27
- Carter Savoie (22-23 Bakersfield Condors) 44gp, 8-3-11 .25
- Kirill Maksimov (19-20 Bakersfield Condors). 53gp, 5-8-13 .25
- Jujhar Khaira (14-15 Oklahoma City Barons) 51gp, 4-6-10 .196
- Travis Ewanyk (13-14 Oklahoma City Barons) 68gp, 7-5-12 .176
- Mitch Moroz (14-15 Oklahoma City Barons) 66gp, 5-4-9 .136
- Kale Kessy (13-14 Oklahoma City Barons) 54gp, 2-4-6 .111
Several players who were drafted after Ken Holland’s arrival are in the top 10. They include No. 2 (tie) Dylan Holloway, two men tied at No. 5 (Raphael Lavoie and Xavier Bourgault) and Tyler Tullio at No. 9.
Men who graduated to the NHL the following season include Kailer Yamamoto (27 games, caught fire and scored 11-15-26), Dylan Holloway (51 games, nine points), Ryan McLeod (10 games, one assist) and Jujhar Khaira (15 games, two assists).
I’m not sure any of Bourgault, Tullio or Savoie play in the NHL next season but remain convinced each of them have a chance to play in the big leagues. Part of the that is due to the patience of management. The two 20 year old forwards who turn pro this fall are Matvey Petrov and Jake Chiasson.
Lavoie scored a goal on a one-timer last night from fricking Laredo, I’m telling you he has a plus plus NHL shot along with his brilliant release. He’s adding game (Ryan Holt mentioned he was working on his one-timers and last night was a payoff) and I do think most of the comparables here are a little shy because Lavoie has been meandering. The light is on now, swear to God.
Nolan Foote is a strong comparable in size, boxcars down the line and equivalency. He has played in 19 NHL games and scored five goals. I believe Lavoie capable of similar. Foote’s NHL equivalency this season (age 22) is 26.6, Lavoie (also 22) is at 29.7 NHLE. I think Lavoie is closest prospect in the system to the NHL (Holloway has graduated) and Xavier Bourgault is the top prospect.
20-GOAL SEASONS BY OILERS PROSPECTS SINCE 2005-06
- Brad Winchester 2005-06 (26)
- Raphael Lavoie 2022-23 (25)
- Kyle Brodziak 2006-07 (24)
- Jean-Francois Jacques 2005-06 (24)
- Phil Cornet 2011-12 (24)
- Rob Schremp 2007-08 (23)
- Marc Pouliot 2007-08 (21)
- James Hamblin 2021-22 (21)
- Cooper Marody 2020-21 (21)
- Cooper Marody 2021-22 (21)
- Joey Laleggia 2016-27 (20)
GP-G-A-Pts
A. Matthews
74-40-45-85
Z. Hyman
79-36-47-83
Fun stat: for every 2 powerplay goals that Ducks, Isles, Flyers score, the Oilers get a shortie. Takes some sting off the Pk being meh.
Would be interesting to see a 40 game split on the ok also, to me it has improved a fair bit in 2nd half / 4th qtr
Oilers were 12th in goals against/60 on the PK since Jan 10th. (40 games for them).
And led the league in shorties. Oilers were only -9 on the PK over the last 40 games (13GF-22GA). That was the 2nd best differential in the league.
End of Season totals
Goals Against
Kings 257
Oilers 260
Goals For
Kings 280
Oilers 325
Net Goals
Kings +23 (12th)
Oilers +65 (3rd)
Don’t care at all as we’re assured home ice in the 1st and 3rd rounds if we get there. Vegas gets WPG and Hellebuyck. We’re better than WPG and always play well in Vegas. The pressure will really be on Vegas to win both home games if they get past WPG and we beat LA. We’re rested and pretty much ready to go. Home ice in R3 might be important.
On the plus side, Vegas didn’t look all that impressive in the win with Seattle carrying much of the play throughout the game. The Kraken deserved a better fate — they hit a few posts and missed on some open looks.
Colorado barely got by jets with their backup in. I prefer LA.
I’m gonna print that Mikey Anderson pic for my dart board to prep.
Vegas scores empty net. That’s all folks. Oilers v Kings in round 1.
There it is – Oilers to live or die with LA
Drai probably smiling right about now. I’d almost wager on him putting up more points than mcdavid in 1st round.
Eichel, trying hard to end it. Goes for the empty net from his own blue line and ices the puck. Then tries to sneak in ahead of everyone and is offside. Cherry picking in full effect
Unless Kraken score a couple in the next three minutes, Oilers play Kings instead of Jets
Kraken needed to score on that powerplay. This one’s over.
Watch the Kraken win in overtime just to piss us off.
SEA really need one soon for Oilers sake
Would love to face seattle, larsson/eberle + they look like a funner team to play against
There is zero chance of playing Seattle at this point with LA winning.
Whoever wins the Pacific is going to win the conference, so EDM is either playing LAK or WPG
ah missed that was finished but see that now
I remember watching other teams’ power plays and asking Why can’t we have this? Now i’m HYPERcritical of every other team’s sad efforts with the man advantage.
Ha nice try. Nuge would’ve fed the Draisaitl shot while it was still an option, you idiots. Pull yourselves together. For God’s sake.
lol was just thinking that as well
“wow they didnt even score on a PP..why isn’t this game 4-2 already?”
Okay, I’ll try here. “Let’s go Kraken, Let’s go!”
Kraken definitely play with a more entertaining brand of hockey
more like the Vegas Boring Nights *yawn*
Kings score on empty net, now up 5-3 with 1:39 to go.
its ovah. Kings win
PK GQ is a solid intermission feature.
The frequency of puck over glass was discussed on here after Kostin’s penalty the other day. In the La game in the 3rd period Trevor Zegras and Ryan Strome each committed that infraction 12 seconds apart giving La a 5 on 3, which the converted, taking a 4-2 lead with 10 minutes to go at the time I started typing this.
Such a harsh penalty especially if it happens in OT
I’ve been saying for years it should be a 1 minute powerplay, not 2
If Colorado wins their final game (tomorrow vs Nashville) do we still win the conference (assuming!!! Seattle wins tonight)?
Yes – we have the tie breaker against every team in the NHL except Boston.
It would need to be a regulation win by Seattle though.
The Oiler will have home ice if they face the Avs in the third round (or anyone else in the 3rd round for that matter).
I believe, we’d then be tied in points with Col but we would be ahead cuz o Reg wins
But Colorado (if they win Friday) would have 51 wins to our 50.
Might be moot point… end of 2nd period with Vegas up 2-1. Still a period to play, but… Damn.
Hate to be pedantic about this but I believe its called a moo point
Its like a cow’s opinion.
The first tie-break is regulation wins and the Oilers are second in the league (with a bullet)
Aha! Got it, not just total wins, but scored in regulation.
Cheers!
HUNTER 1909 OFFICIAL PLAYOFF DEATH MARCH 2023
Deadline: 1st puck drop of the Oilers playoffs
Rules:
1 – How many games do the Oilers win during these playoffs?
tie break
2 – How many points do Leon and Connor score combined?
tie break
3 – How many goals does Evander Kane score?
Hunter1909 plays Playoff Death March:
1- 16
2- 57
3 -12
1 – 16
2 – 89
3 – 9
Skinner with 29 victories this year, not only topped Fuhr’s Oiler’s record, but his season is tied for 20th all time for wins by a rookie goalie. He is tied with Pekka Rinne, Pete Peeters, Johnny Bower, Andrew Raycroft and Jim Henry. That’s some good company.
Those wins were enough to get Raycroft the Calder over runner up Michael Ryder and his 63 points. Raycroft did have a .925 save % and a 2.04 GAA, but it is important to note his rookie season of 03/04 was during the lowest scoring season since 1940 (and a big reason for all the penalty standards being changed after the lock out season) while Skinner is playing in the highest scoring season since 93/94.
Skinner for Calder! But the Conn Smythe would be even better!!!
Conn Smythe!! Now we’re talking!!
What’s the deal here?
If Kings win, Oilers play Kings?
If Kings lose and Kraken win, Oilers play Jets?
If Kings lose and Kraken get and OTL, we play Kraken?
Yes? No?
Other permutations?
I’m sure I’m missing many possibilities, I’m tired from work. Brain stopo worko
vegas loss in regulation has oilers playing jets
And an La regulation loss and a Seattle OT or S/O win has Edmonton play Seattle.
If Kraken win in Reg., Oilers Play Jets. If Kraken win in OT and LA loses in Reg., Oilers play Kraken.
every other combo has Oilers playing LA.
Nvm, I see now, other possibilities too. Let the chips fall where they may, I ain’t doin any more math!!
The only math that matters is the score in the VGK vs Kraken game, which is currently 2-1.
yep, Im a pretty dedicated watch oilers and see teams that way
Bettman wanted competition at end of season to invite fans to watch and view other teams Im glued
Thx for responses. We’ll know soon enough here. I’ll watch with baited breath.
I know they got guys that can snipe but watching Seattle reminds me of those Oilers forward squads that didn’t have one first-rate shooter.
like when the Oilers had Eberle?!?
Nah this is pre-Austins.
I was just thinking
“Kraken are who Oilers would be today w/o the McDavid draft win”
Draisaitl is also much better than any Kraken.
Watching Seattle with so many ex-Oilers playing key roles, tried to think of a name for those Oilers and/or for SEA as EDM West Coast edition.
Star Wars provided “The Bad Batch.” Not for the players themselves but for their association with the DoD.
Ex-Pat (Eberle) & the Expats?
The Seattoil Kraken?
Soucy & the Banishees?
Working on it…
I have faith.
I like the expats
I want Jack Black to sing love songs about the 2nd best player in the world Leon Draisaitl.
Leon, Leon, Leon, Leon Leon!
Just win baby
Kings up 3-1 on Anaheim late in the second. Minnesota picked up a point in their game. Seattle may have no standing incentive to play for by the 3rd period.
Seattle dominated the first (by number and by social media accounts) – I don’t think they are just going to flip the switch off, right?
They have no disincentive either. 🙂
I’m surprised you voted that one down Redbird.
I meant that when the Kings win, the Kraken don’t have to worry about losing their game to avoid playing us.
Alright Eberle, how about doing a solid for your old team eh?
McDavid must have said ‘don’t worry about it’ (saw him talking to someone behind the bench after he came off a few minutes back.
4th isn’t too shabby either though.
Congrats to Skinner too. And I guess the PP record has been set.
Quite a regular season. If they can carry it into the playoffs we’ll be able to really enjoy all these milestones.
Good game, fellas. Never in doubt.
Congratulations, Skinner! Getting your name in the Oilers record book!!! 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
Fitting – one more plus save by Skinner to finish off the regular season.
I would not scratch Kostin for Holloway this playoff drive.
Holloway does have more NHL playoff experience than Kostin…
Draisaitl does tie Kucherov for the 2nd most points since 95-96. That’s before McDavid was born for reference.
Folks, it’s all tied up in Seattle.
1st period’s just ended.
BOOM!!! Great pass and wicked finish by Kaner!!!
I think that’s Kane’s first goal against SJ (since joining the Oilers). Maybe the first point too. This is game 7 IIRC. I think that meant a lot to him.
My mistake, Kane did score one goal against SJ last year. He was 6 1-0-1 -1 entering tonight though.
So much for that Janmark empty net idea.
Drai and his passion – geez.
Expected goals are almost at 100% in this third period. Only half trying and dominating.
1-1 first intermission. Vgk vs SK
come on you west coast bastards. Get this done
Ekholm currently sitting at a career high +28 this season. And that’s with or without the +/- 0 in 50 games with Nashville.
Can beards be dreamy?
That puck win in the corner was complete.
There will be little doubt that Janamrk will be out with Connor and Leon if the goalie is pulled….
Oh, Mattias…..
Man, Reimer looks like he’s playing for his job…
Would you say he’s playing for…Pride?
I would say “pride”. He is a vet. Bet his coach woulda wanted to see him play like this more often, too…
this is such a good joke.
lol I totally missed it, too!!! Geez…game was on. That’s my excuse for missing a perfect Tarkus setup…
Jack mistakes Connor for Janny. It’s not just me…
That’s bullshit. Call both or neither…
5 on 5 ice time leader through 2 (F):
McLeod
Foegle
Janmark
Kostin
I’m feeling a Jets and Oilers rematch any word on the Ehlers injury?
Of course the pk streak is snapped. You guys have been talking about it every chance you get…now talk about there being no way Connor gets 3 points in the third, ok?
Looks like the goal happened just after the PP was over.
Looks like it. Doesn’t say pp on the Sportsnet scoresheet. Dodged a bullet, there. Still, stop friggin bringing it up!
I can’t wait for L.A or Vegas to get a taste of Playoff Kostin.
Kostin. 2 mins for being to powerful…