Reluctantly crouched at the starting line, engines pumping and thumping in time. The green light flashes, the flags go up, churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
The game is on, first blood has been drawn, and the battle joined. The sober truth will be known tomorrow at this time. If the Oilers are worthy of a deep run, then tonight will see victory. If last season was just a more pronounced version of 2017 spring, we’ll know that, too. The out of town scoreboard is screaming opportunity.
The door is open but the ride ain’t free.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ quality of ‘next man up’ could be key to deep playoff run
- New DNB: Klim Kostin relishes playoff atmosphere in role that could swing a series
- DNB: Oilers’ playoff excitement, expectations have already given way to Game 1 pain again
- Lowetide: How winning the Stanley Cup would change the Oilers organization
- DNB: Connor McDavid, the NHL’s best player, has ‘freed his mind’: Will an Oilers Stanley Cup follow?
- Lowetide: Why Stuart Skinner should be the Oilers first Calder winner
- New DNB: Stuart Skinner Q and A
- Lowetide: Oilers transcend reasonable expectations in 2022-23, led by Connor McDavid
- 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: Oilers’ second half spike owes much to Jay Woodcroft’s innovation
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
CURRENT 50-MAN (38)
The addition of Cam Dineen gives the Oilers a little more depth on defense. Ken Holland hasn’t been close to 50 names on the 50-man since he settled all family business back in the spring of 2019. I think they’re covered for goaltenders, but would guess we’ll see some blue (Alex Peters, Luca Munzenberger) added over the piece. Up front, we can say the team is flush with centers, but Holland tends to overflow the position and then the coach can move some of the pivots to wing.
50-MAN JUNE 2018 (44)
This is Peter Chiarelli’s 50-man depth chart five years ago. He has two more defensemen, one more goalie, one fewer center and three more wingers. He also has signed the rfa’s, some big names needed taking care of in the summer of 2017.
Do you notice the big difference in roster construction? Damn near everyone on the Holland list has played in the NHL, with several (Stuart Skinner, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen) youngsters poised to help a great deal in future years. Does anyone doubt that Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp and Xavier Bourgault will play in the NHL?
Hold that in your mind’s eye and then look at the Chiarelli 50-man. He traded for Nolan Vesey, who played 25 games in Bakersfield and scored one goal. Hayden Hawkey is not listed here because the organization didn’t sign him. Chiarelli traded a pick (turned into Rhett Pitlick) to the Montreal Canadiens for Hawkey, who not only Hayden Hockey but apparently wasn’t a fan of playing in North America (he’s currently in the Alps Hockey League). Colin Larkin is on the list, he played 16 games (two assists) with the Condors.
I think the Holland way is better. Sign players who you see as having a path to the NHL. What does that say about Ryan Fanti, Cam Dineen and Carl Berglund? Those men should feel pretty good about their chances of playing NHL games during their current contracts.
CARPE DIEM (quam minimum credula postero)
First blush games in the 2023 playoff spring suggest this thing is even more wide open than previously thought. This Edmonton Oilers team has an enormous opportunity, even with the strongest teams surviving the first round. Seattle over Colorado, Winnipeg over Vegas, if you’re Carolina or Tampa Bay or New York or Los Angeles this morning, music! The Oilers have to get through this series. A win tonight resets the series.
GAME ONE (LINES AND PAIRINGS)
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman: 15:57, 12-5 shots, 0-1 goals, 77 percent expected goals
- Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto: 12:31, 10-6 shots, 1-0 goals, 69 percent expected goals
- Kostin-Bjugstad-Janmark: 6:46, 3-1 shots, no goals, 77 percent expected goals
- Foegele-McLeod-Ryan: 6:19, 6-1 shots, no goals, 73 percent expected goals
- Nurse-Ceci: 16:21, 15-10 shots, 2-0 goals, 68 percent expected goals
- Ekholm-Bouchard: 18:22, 11-9 shots, 0-1 goals, 53 percent expected goals
- Kulak-Desharnais: 15:04, 8-2 shots, 0-0 goals, 84 percent expected goals
Stay out of the box and repeat Game 1, and Edmonton should tie the series tonight. There isn’t much to say, math does a very nice job framing the issue.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
At 10 this morning, TSN1260, we hit you with four hours of Oilers pre-pre-pre game chatter. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will join us, we’ll also talk about the Jets, Leafs and more across the NHL. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Patrice Bergeron has missed the first two games of that series after sustaining a lower body injury in a meaningless late season tilt again the Habs. Bruins getting a TON of criticism for playing their captain in that game. Hindsight is a tempting mistress.
Some fans AND the media are driving this narrative that the top guys aren’t producing.
Spector started a question to Hyman with, “When the top guys aren’t producing…” Hyman reminded Spec that Leon is producing. He’s co-leader in NHL playoff points in fact.
But that quote doesn’t fit in the piece spec has already finished before asking questions post game. What’s wrong with Hyman?
I logged in briefly at the end of the second period last night and this board was rife with pessimism and criticism. It was hard to believe the score was tied with a period to go. The mood was more reminiscent of Hitler’s bunker.
The Kings are a tough matchup for the Oilers. The things they do very well are the things the Oilers don’t want to do. They force the play to the boards exceptionally well with that damn 131 and then they absolutely dominate on the cycle game and contested pucks. Lots of gritty forwards with great battle level on that roster.
They’re starting to remind me of the Flames in the 80s which is a good thing oddly enough. Those Calgary teams forced our Oilers into battle mode early in the playoffs and once you got through them, it almost felt like a cakewalk to the Final.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (said no helicopter parent ever). This team is going to be stronger after The Battle of Los Angeles (callback to Rage Against the Machine!). Go Oil!
Connor had a better game but has had trouble finishing for a while. It’ll come, hopefully in the playoffs. I really wish he wouldn’t hit. It is not necessary for him, his health is far more important. Rack up points, defend, and avoid hits against. He sometimes gets popped looking at the play and not paying attention to guys coming for him
Nuge has been invisible. Need more. Yama not getting much done despite his busy play. Kane is still rusty, but Kane brings other things the smaller two can’t
Great win. I was a little nervous when LA came back and we were having trouble getting anything going, but they came around again
Skinner seems always strong in the third which is great. Made a lot of solid saves all game. But the two goals were Koski-esque. Gotta seal the post Stu, coulda had a shout out
Everybody say slow, eve one says he doesn’t care. He is a killer
Draisaitl has the 2nd highest P/GP rate in the playoffs ever. Only Gretzky (1.84) has a higher career scoring rate than Leo (1.64). Mario was close at 1.61.
He’s a BEAST.
In all the pre-postseason outlook articles I read I didn’t see his name come up once as a potential Conn Smythe winner. I was legit shocked considering his point totals last year and we’ll every year he’s been in the 2nd season.
Malkin level of media overlook for a guy with the 2nd highest points per game total
It the media bias – have you ever watched the TSN/Sportsnet ads for the playoffs? Scant if any “highlights of past and current big plays, cup celebrations etc show Oilers. LOTS of Colorado even Calgary (gag).
He is a beast, but lets not forget nobody better than them, that drew or at least split the best D, played in front of Wayne or Mario. They did that while making their 2 C’s life easier and always playing the best the others had to offer
Seems to be a lot of people down on Connor here. I have no idea why. He had six shots on net (led the team), another one blocked, threw four hits, blocked a shot, Jesus, six scoring chances…
He’s facing one of the premier defensive centres in the League. Kings are hanging back whenever he jumps on the ice. 97 gets so many early minutes–usually at least one double shift early in the 1st–he’s one of the main reasons why the Kings had no offense in the first stanzas.
And the other thing about the match-up is, he can’t win a face-off against either of their top two guys. That’s fine. You don’t always win every match-up. The important thing is to saw-off the ones you aren’t winning. Fiala out gives us an edge in the bottom 6 and our 2nd line Centre is fire on ice. Connor will make his mark, just wait.
Connor is brilliant all day. The rest have showed up. Though if we don’t have Leon we are done.
Because he isn’t scoring at normal levels and hasn’t been for 12 games or so at evens. What’s wrong with noticing that? Is he beyond comment? Does it mean people that say anything suddenly hate Connor?
Things bug some folks and this bugs me lately: sometimes the Connor narrative is he’s the best ever and an unstoppable juggernaut, best player we’ve ever seen, or now he’s human and can’t be expected to out score a turd like Danault. Which is it?
And as Hemskyish said if Leon wasn’t hot it would be a very big deal
Been saying it all year, both on and off the ice…Klim > Pool. So happy we stuck with him instead of the Finn.
The guy is everything we wanted from Pool…he’s big, hits like a truck, has good hands, and a heavy/accurate shot. He’s perfect middle-six winger and it looks and sounds like he loves playing here. Sign him now.
Series is tied with only Drai playing to his abilities is a decent outcome so far. If the other 5 in the top-6 show up for the rest of the series i don’t think this series lasts much longer.
Skinner gets his first playoff win. Not a very good performance so far, but the team got his feet wet for him tonight. Just stay solid Stu…the boys up front will do the rest!
And guess who did not dress for the second playoff game in a row? Can’t find any reference to injury so….
Well JP should be a better option than Terevainen for next game, albeit marginally.
In other news…since OP seems to have vanished…the Bakersfield Condors were on the wrong end of a 3-0 shutout tonight in Abbotsford.
Doughty also seems to have vanished. I remember he was going to be the difference maker, but he looks washed. Legit over for that guy.
He seems to be doing just fine.
Has not been on the ice for a goal against at evens and is at zero through two games okaying more than 27 minutes a night.
playing
I thought “okaying” was just as appropriate… lol
He has been on for a goal against. Not sure where you get your stats from?
He’s getting absolutely caved. Corsi 36%. Shot share 35%. xGF 32%. Scoring chances 32%. High danger 28%. PDO-1.096.
He’s a turnstile and its absolutely going to catch up to him.
He might be playing late night pickleball with Craig Button.
He hasn’t had a post on Twitter in 13 hours. https://twitter.com/coopsie39
At what point should we be concerned?
Doesn’t look like restful sweeps will be a thing these playoffs – maybe Tampa haha
Woody makes a point to say the Oil made the most of their ONE pp opportunity.
Cheeky. Necessary
LA plays such a clean style of hockey. Nothing to see here….
Yeah, it’s a little much.
LAK 16:09 PP TOI
EDM 3:56 PP TOI
For all you young’uns out there, it took Bill Ranford a couple of games to gain his traction in the playoffs before he was lights out in 1990.
If memory is working – Oil were down 3 zip 2 Jets. Messier said ‘we need Bill to play like he can’ Oil win next four.
Corrections accepted.
I think we were down by 2 halfway through game 6
Cheering for Florida – where Calgary’s best former players seem to play for lmao
Bennet was fire tonight
Kostin just earned a 2 year contract and a bottle of Vodka.
Plus a naboo starfighter and some beskar.
Klim Shady best 7.5 minutes in Oilers Playoff history
Barrie said his nickname is actually Klimdros.
That’s bang on he did look like Lindros tonight.
Might have to check Petr Klima’s TOI in 1990.
This wins. I’m done for night.
Grogu is Yamo?
Final answer:
Kilmando kostani
Runner up that I wished worked:
Kliter Peta
The Kostalorian.
Son of a bitch he did it again. (Slow clap)
I noticed a lot of plays in the Kings zone on retrievals where the Kings players would quickly fall almost looking like they had been tripped with a stick (any time an Oiler and stick was in the vicinity), but really nothing had happened. Really grinding for some more power plays there.
Brad Marchand does this sort of thing to great success quite often to draw penalties. He’s a little more adept at it.
Funny when big Vince gave it try. A6’7 man trying to dive wasn’t very convincing. Lol
Lol agreed, If you watch the Desi penalty from game one, after he clips the right skate with his stick, the left leg magically collapses.
Byfield I believe had drawn 4 penalties from flopping when’s the last time a player who only has 8 career goals in 99 games garnered that much respect from the Refs. Byfield is 225 pounds and he flops every second shift and these brain dead Refs are lapping it up.
In my opinion the Oilers have been the better team for the most part. LA just hanging in and being very opportunistic. 97,93,18,91 strangely silent so far. I have no doubt we can swept in Socal if we play the same way. The offence will prevail. LA 5on5 not nearly as good as us. That said spit happens and that’s why we play the games.
I thought 91 and 18 played decent tonight and affected the game in a good way.
Unsure if got hurt but Broberg only played 4 minutes tonight
He was out for a shift after Kane scored.
What an absolutely bizarre moral hazard the referees create with their ‘game management’. Iafallo punches Vinny in the face with 2mins to go but because his team is losing, no call. But if you take a penalty while leading like Bouchard did, that gets called…?
Thats absolutely absurd. This is such a $hit show league…. you aren’t just playing the other team, you’re playing against a constant nudge toward a tie game… good gord!
No wonder hockey is the 6th most popular sport in the US. If you didn’t grow up with the game in your blood, the way the game is regulated is without justice and rationality. All the wrong incentives. (I’m remembering Anderson slewfooting Leon as the Oilers were pumping them early in the series last year)
Yeah that was ridiculous
Just call penalties as they occur. It’s not that hard.
Maybe the NHL should experiment with alternate lengths of penalties, like a 1 min PP. Maybe then refs won’t be afraid blow the whistle. Just make the calls consistently, I don’t care how. End game management by refs, it is bizarre.
I still think the Oilers are called tighter because their PP is so good
isn’t the King’s PP 4th best in the league? refs don’t seem to concerned with that.
You are correct – it is an incredible embarrassment to see such blatant game manipulation.
It does happen in other sports too but seemingly not to this extent. “Let them play” is a euphemism for “Let’s keep this close and favour the key market teams”.
I have often wondered why whatever NFL team Brady plays for suddenly has an offensive line that just never commits a holding infraction, or why ever video review favours the Yankees.
Whatever is wrong with McDavid isn’t a good sign for any Cup hopes. We can get through this series with beast Drai. Maybe the next one too. At some point we need beast Connor. Hopefully whatever is ailing him will get better.
Connor looked fine to me. Had lots of chances. Theyre gonna all go in suddenly.
McDavid, as always, is the least of my concerns. At some point, he’s going to have an offensive explosion. He’s too good.
Some folks really want him to be injured though.
Like how McDavid’s sitting back in the early points race; pacing himself for later on in the playoffs, like he’s doing this on purpose to get some high level information lmao
The glass is half full!
Oilers are back in the series!
Bonus: Boston losing to the Miami Panthers.
We’re on a mission from Gawd
*Gord
The panel saying Skinner was the better goalie. Really?
I thought Skinner was average, Korpasalo very good. Thoughts?
The only reason this series is 1-1 is the Goaltending.
And discipline
I’d say good. And yes – Skinner was average. The Oilers allowed too many chaos plays but not a ton of “chances”.
They also didn’t even mention 29.
Clearly not paying attention.
Lol, there is Hyman with some good words for Leon
A fellow poster mentioned recency bias – that must be it – that 3rd period was the only one SS has been better than JK.
I liked how McD recognized the opposing goalie challenge – I think we’ll see some new looks in LA
It’s kind of a confidence boost to think that McDavid hasn’t really contributed his best games yet.🙂
yes, he will be thinking about beating that goalie
That game would have been 2-0 Oilers with solid goaltending. Hopefully Skinner comes around.
Kostin needs to play more. There is no reason for Yamo to be playing 15 minutes and Klim only half that.
Yep, Its big boy hockey now
That was a big win for Skinner. I think he will be better in LA and so will the rest of the team.
Ekholm is a total beast. Steamroller. He’s like a Klefbom and Larsson hybrid.
It’s just amazing to watch.
Great comment!
Of the forwards, only Leon, Kostin and McLeod really showed up.
Foegele, Bjugstad and Ryan were okay.
97, 18, 93, 91, 56 MIA.
That’s seriously strange.
Nuge and Yamo were gold, and Kane was a beast….not sure what you were watching.
A glimmer from 18 and 93 a bit at the end of the 3rd…..but I agree.
Compared to a replacement-level player, McDavid had a good game. But for McDavid, it was a relatively poor showing. He’s usually much more impactful.
There are risks….but Kostin deserves to be promoted.
Skinner outplayed Korpisalo by just enough in that game. I still don’t think we’ve seen the Oilers really run away with a game yet. They won’t be 100% happy with either of those games.
Go win a couple in LA Oilers, it’ll be even nicer when you get back!
I don’t think officials have it out for specific teams, but game management is a real thing.
If the team defending the lead decides to face punch the opposition it’s a call every time. But because the Oilers had the lead, and a penalty call pretty much ends the game the ref decides “to let them play”.
It’s beyond frustrating. A call in the first isn’t a call in the third. The team defending a lead — or deemed “less veteran” — plays by different rules than the one trying to score.
Ref afraid to give the Oil a pp. 4-1 for LA tonight. Can’t tell me Edm didn’t deserve a few more. Hopefully evens out in the next few games.
That was a good 3rd. They actually loosened up a bit which required Skinner making a few extra stops. And I think that’s good for him.
Does Kostin deserve a shot in the top 6?
Don’t know where Jay plays him, but yes, Kostin should be seeing more TOI.
Not sure about top 6 but he should be getting at least 10-12 minutes a game.
Wow. In that game state, at that position on the ice, with this pressure, 99% of players just dump it past the d with the safe play.
Not Draisaitl. He is the best in the league at playing the triangles. Changes the angle and gets the pass through. Man what a player.
And if the pass doesn’t get through he was selfish and made the fancy play, and the group still needs to mature. 🤷
Awesome! But going forward, I sure hope we spend more time pressuring them in the 3rd with a lead. That was far too much defense for my liking. They can outplay this kings team and spend more time in their end. Too much dump with no chase.
Well after the PP switched momentum the Kings flipped the tactics and actually sent a Forward or two over the blue line. Some of our D still aren’t great defending below the dots and some Fs don’t offer much help. Tough to adjust on the fly to such drastic tactics changes.
I was thinking the opposite, the oilers kept getting caught with 2 or 3 men deep…trying to pressure.
Lots of short shifts that period after the goal.
NHL app notifications have been saying that the series has been tied 0-0 after every game finished. WHAT THE HELL NHL!?!?
Big W
Can’t see them winning this series with -2.5X penalty differential and 97 like this though
You can’t see Edmonton winning this series?
In the parlance of our times: bruh
That pucker was real tonight folks. Huge win.
Never in doubt
Kostin the hero good for him. How is Samarukov doing this season?
Kostin is such a beaut…
Kings yet to have the lead through two games.
Why are you allowed to put your goalie back in the game when you ice the puck but no one else can change. IMO you should have to keep your 6 skaters on.
AGREED!
Alright, they were up for the 3rd and they didn’t give the game away again.
Huge win.
i mean it’s Leon Draisaitl …
Klimando!!
Finally! I can unclench my fists, jaw and butt cheeks.
I was honestly going to write this exact same comment. Well played.
I’m still clenched! Gonna take a while to relax after the tightness of that third period. Buns of steel baby!
Shiiiit Kane almost pulled the old whats-his-name from Dallas on the EN goal.
Patrik Stefan. Legend.
Yesss Stefan and Ferraros epic goal call.
Good period.
Stu with a couple stops.
Now do it again!
and again
and again x 14 more
15!!!!!
Very fortunate.
And Leon’s a damn playoff hero.
he is …by a mile.
BOOM!!! Kaner puts it away!!!