I’m not sure how it happens, but truly great players land in important moments and deliver historic performances. We have no proof Connor McDavid will do anything tonight, but one assist in two games lags his 2022-23 performance by some margin. At the start of the series, we talked about the three kinds of games we’d see, and so far two of three (close win by either team) has shown up. The final version of a game story is an Oilers blow out. It isn’t likely to happen, the Kings are strong defensively and should enjoy home cooking. No one can argue the timing, and there is the McDavid regression to be factored in to the game day story.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Key early Oilers vs. Kings matchups that are impacting the series
- DNB: Stuart Skinner can still step up as a difference-maker in his first NHL playoff series
- Lowetide: Oilers’ quality of ‘next man up’ could be key to deep playoff run
- 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
A BIG NIGHT
Game 3 one year ago saw Evander Kane deliver a hat-trick, eight shots, four HDSC, three created rebounds, eight hits. At the time, I wrote “don’t remember the last time we saw that kind of five-on-five line from an Edmonton winger.” I think we may see that kind of breakout game this evening, but this time the No. 1 line (McDavid with Nuge and Hyman) are more likely. They’re due.
7-11?
Assuming Mattias Janmark is unavailable, I imagine the coaching staff will run with the same lineup as Game 2. Philip Broberg played 3:24 with Darnell Nurse and went 2-0 goals. All of the numbers were incredible, including 91 percent expected goals. This is unreliable, and you don’t want a rookie caught out there on an icing. Cody Ceci with Nurse so far in this series has played 30:31, going 2-0 goals and 59 percent expected goals.
WHEN IS A STORY NOT A STORY?
There are many who are questioning Connor McDavid’s health, despite his breathtaking speed and ridiculous skills. Through two games in the series, McDavid sits 0-1-1, with 11 shots and three HDSC. He is dominating the possession numbers. During the regular season, 11 shots from 97’s stick would typically net 1.7 goals using his career shooting percentage. My feeling is that things happen, the captain is likely to score two or three on the left coast this weekend and we’ll all settle in.
One thing I would caution you in terms of believing these things: People tend to “elevate” their own assessments by taking somewhat unique views and implying they see things. Don’t buy it. Hockey is a fairly simple game, and if you’re reading this, you’ve seen piles of games over many years. Trust your instincts. People may have differing views, and may even have seen things they believe to be unusual. Trust yourself. We are all driven by myriad desires, and the desire to be “special” in terms of understanding is rife online. I think it’s probably subconscious, but it’s also counterproductive and this blog has seen many many moons arguing over silly.
ZACH HYMAN
Hyman leads the NHL in five-on-five HDSC (six) but has yet to score a point in the discipline. He has two takeaways, has created a couple of rebounds and his expected goals (75 percent) is second on the team. I expect we’ll see some production from him (and Nuge) on the weekend.
DEREK RYAN
Physically, Derek Ryan looks like someone mailed him here from 1975. His helmet looks like a model from the 1990’s, he isn’t big, looks a little older and doesn’t skate like the wind. What does he do? Show up in good places on the ice. Huge goal the other night, he leads Edmonton’s skaters with a 79 percent goal share, and the team is 2-0 at five-on-five when he’s on the ice. By the way, the only expected goal share under 50 percent on the roster (47 percent) is Kailer Yamamoto.
CHEER FOR LAUNDRY
My own feeling on this series now remains the same. There isn’t much analysis required when math is screaming the truth. What is the truth? Edmonton is a better team, the Kings are running with a hot goalie, taking advantage of the Oilers lack of discipline and hanging on for dear life.
Maybe the script flips tonight. Todd McLellan is a veteran coach, not innovative like Jay Woodcroft but he is going to play the percentages he trusts and come what may. In a series like this one, luck is key. We don’t talk about it, because it’s kind of boring and difficult to measure/romanticize. If we admit luck could decide this series, then do we have to acknowledge luck came to town in 1987 SCF? It’s an unsatisfactory conclusion.
As much as the Oilers could have the edge tonight, and I think they do, most of the advantage comes from the elite players. I don’t think that’s too shocking, but we should remind ourselves Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are in fact hockey’s glimmer twins.
I’m sleeping under strange, strange skies
Just another mad, mad day on the road
My dream is fading down the railway line
I’m just about a moonlight mile down the road.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy show, 10-2 on TSN1260. We’re loaded with smart guests, including Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic, Steve Lansky and Tyler Yaremchuk from Daily Faceoff. We’ll also talk Nick Nurse and your texts are welcome at 10-1260 or @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Serious people saying Leon “shouldn’t have taken” his penalty.
Something that happens countless times, even in regular season, and goes uncalled 99/100.
You go over the speed limit countless times, one day a patrol car is going to pull you over. Immature by Draisaitl, seen him do this in regular season after a goal, one time slashing a guy’s stick out of his hands on way to bench – be smarter, keep it verbal.
It’s not the same. You drive above the speed limit assuming there are no cops around and that you ought to get away with it because you’re pushing your luck. In a hockey game, two teams are under constant surveillance by cops who establish a baseline of behaviour (mostly arbitrary and subjective, not a clear line between not speeding and speeding) for all states. Leon’s behaviour was acceptable, like I say, 99/100. The 1/100 is the one that needs an explanation, not the other way around.
I guess the parallel would be driving 102 in a 100 zone. “The refs almost never call that”
that is not a playoff-type penalty to be called. It is one that the refs are imposing themselves
Where’s Original Pouzar to chime in with positivity? Like, no worries, we”ll get ‘em next year!
I said that goaltending was our Achilles heel…
Put the nuclear line together
Kane McDavid drai
Kostin nuge Hyman
Foegle bjugstad yam
Shore McLeod ryan
If bro is only 4 mins a night might as well be 12/6. Spot drai or mcdavid odd on fly as 4c with McLeod sliding LW.
Kane rolling just feasting on goals has to happen if we are going to get far. Have to outscore his pims and what will be given back in 5×5 GA
Kostin isn’t afraid to shoot. I’d give him chance at more ice if he keeps firing.
Might swap kostin for yam still (whomever is primsrily getting kopitar line needs to be defensively responsible which i think might be why woody went with nuge and yam with drai and just hopped K/M/H could overwhelm danault line) with Hyman hopping to his prefered LW. Nuge and Hyman seemed to have some chem as a duo if I remember correctly.
🤸🤸🤸🤸🤸🤸🤸🤸
Here for the comments.
I get that people are pissed at the refs but the Oil have to:
A) Quit it with the stupid penalties.
Even if you acknowledge the refs are biased, there is no reason for the Nurse, Ekholm, Desharnais, Nuge, and Draisaitl penalties. Did anyone honestly think the refs would favour the Oilers coming into this series? Drai’s stick tap on Doughty was dumb, but guys like him will get that call, that’s been happening since Father Time started counting.
B) EV play.
They are dumping it a lot and I wonder if they are respecting the Kings a bit too much here. They are carrying the play, but the play is often going to the periphery. You have a few guys who can beat the trap — shouldn’t they be trying to do so? This grind in the trenches game in the big picture favours the Kings because it allows them to win on the balance of bounces.
C) Details.
The neutral zone transition play is sloppy. Maybe because everyone is jonesing to dump it? I was seeing missed passes along the boards. First play of the game was a missed outlet behind 97, it didn’t get much better. It’s a fast game but the execution has to be better.
D) Coverage.
I think Darnell did some good things this game denying o-zone entries. The lapsed coverage on 2 GA can’t happen.
Why so many stick fouls at the periphery and then fear of taking a penalty in the high danger zone? Knock those guys down. I personally didn’t think the Kings paid enough of a price to attack the middle.
—-
Despite all of this, they are close. I’m not worried and I’m even a bit cautiously optimistic given that a few guys are due.
As I lay here waiting for the high to wear off for bed I’m still dumbfounded by what Nurse did on the game winner.
Earlier this season during the dark times where Campbell tipped a shot that was going wide into his net and I was shocked. He made a play where all of the odds were against him acting. Do nothing and the puck goes wide, lunge out at the puck and wow it goes in.
Tonight Nurse made a read that was totally asinine in OT. If he does nothing the Moore shot hits him in the legs. In the best case he lifts Moore’s stick and Ryan/McDavid clear it out of danger. But he decides to half lunge over the nether net, twists himself up, falls AND leaves Moore open.
I love Nurse and I think much of the constant criticism from some is very misplaced. But holy smokes was that a terrible play. Just bad through and through. Doing nothing would have prevented a goal.
But now we flush all that.
I have a feeling there will be eyeballs on the reffing going ahead. That was a very curious game before the ending that appears outright botched. Too many reporters from too many news outlets calling it out.
Need to play smarter and find a way to generate more offense. Tonight was the first game I thought they were passive. The dump and chase had trouble working in the 3rd as well.
Nurse has fantastic tools but he’s got no sense for where to be on the ice. The tools allow him to make plays and do good things on the ice, but the bad reads too often lead to the puck ending up in the back of our net. He was directly responsible for 2 of the goals tonight where he failed to stay at home and protect the net front. He was on for all 3 goals against … Kempe should not have been able to sneak behind Ceci and Nurse like that.
Nurse was not responsible for the 1st GA.
Hyman and maybe Ceci mark the guys coming out of the corner. Nurse needs to cover the guy in the slot cause he’s the most likely pass option for a puck rimmed around like that. If nurse fades down and that pass hits Byfield, Nurse is five feet in front of Skinner blocking out the sun while Byfield is 15 ft out with a great screen.
Hyman botched that one. He didnt recognize Iafollo took off to the net and he got beat clean. It’s why he was late in photo.
And good lord you’re blaming Nurse for a puck that was dumped in AND rebounded on Ceci’s side to an attacker who blew directly behind Ceci? Come now this is Godot level 4D chess to find a fault.
No need to make stuff up when the OT goal was enough.
I’m not blaming Nurse as the primary culprit on the Kempe goal… but they were both caught napping there and neither of them picked up on Kempe cherry picking. Yes it was a lucky bounce off the end boards but the fact remains that pairing was on for all three goals against. If they can’t lock it down then the Oilers will be out of the playoffs in the first round.
Yes Hyman lost his check, but if Nurse holds his ground in front of the net then Iafallo would’ve have been completely untouched on what was a spectacularly flukey goal. There was less than a minute left to go … you don’t leave the front of the net open in that situation ever.
Credit the Kings … their d-men are fading back and protecting their net at all costs. Oilers forwards barely got a clean look all game long. Nurse could learn something by watching how they defend.
That tripping penalty in the first was also incredibly dumb btw. Yes Arvidsson dived but there was absolutely no reason for Nurse to go after Arvidsson like that, when they were about to get a PP.
Great tools … no toolbox.
Looks like Nurse has been told to stop the cross crease pass and that’s all he’s focusing on even if there is no King at the other side of the net. He’s too predictable right now on the PK.
So the Pass to the net front or slot is an easy one because it’s mostly ignored and with Nurse in the crease there’s tons of space above him.
How many PK GA has Nurse been stretched out in the crease for now? He’s not adjusting
Imagine how high Arvidsson would have flown if he took that dirty knee-on-knee hit from Doughty. I imagine he’d still be in the air right now…
His leg probably would have exploded but then magically grown another one in time for his next shift.
I know they are trying their best and the reffing has been atrocious, but these losses in OT have been very draining. Winning 3 of the next 4 is going to be really hard. If they can get through this series, then I honestly think they can persevere against any other foe
I don’t even know what I’m mad at. The reffing mixed with some stupid penalties. The trapping circa 90s-00s Wild. The lack of finish. The tremendous luck for the other team. But it all adds up to the top 6 Oilers getting outscored 5v5, and Skinner being the lesser of 2 goalies by a fair margin.
Not sure if I have the stomach to watch game 4. I honestly think my mental health will be better avoiding it.
really let down by the (lack of) integrity of the product. it’s not exactly an honest, fair athletic contest may the best team win – that’s obvious. I was angry after 2017 Cam Talbot/Ryan Kesler moment, I was mad after 97 drew zero penalties in the Winnipeg series, by now it’s just kind of numb and sad. NHL product has lost it’s way.
But, what are we going to tell Cory?
The NHL is a bit of a joke. Most here know of the legend of Dyler Tellow.
Most don’t remember that his initial claim to fame was from leaking Colin Campbell emails.
If LA does end up winning this series, Would love to see the Oilers refuse the handshake line, and instead tell them to go shake the “Refs” hands instead.
”Nice doing business with you, your checks are in the mail.”
Screw the whole “gamesmanship” thing. The NHL doesn’t care about player safety or the on ice product, why should the players care? Most of them are probably swearing at each other when they shake hands anyway.
This tweet fits your post.
https://t.co/zdS9fH2Vcq
The Kings know they can’t win this series by playing hockey. Just playing hockey.
So they have been taught to dive, cheat, embellish and instill a trap that sucks all energy out of the game to try and get some wins. It’s working.
The refs have also bought into the Kings plan and decided to join them on their road to victory.
If anyone on here actually tries to defend the reffing…don’t bother. You’re lying to yourself and everyone else. Don’t disrespect us like that.
Despite the disgusting series so far…we’ve lost 2 games…in OT…while shorthanded. That is the only way this pathetic excuse of a hockey (soccer) team can beat us on the ice. So there’s still hope, but it’s not going to be easy anymore.
I’m just scared now that because of how bad the refs have blown this series…that we will lose our intensity and stop hitting. Stop trying. Stop battling…because they’re too scared to get a penalty. I sure hope not. That would be a tragic way to go out.
Go battle your hearts out boys. You’re the better team. Go show them that.
Fuck yah! Let’s go Oilers!
When the other team’s actual strategy is to not play hockey while losing that’s really what it comes down to. It’s embarrassing to watch. It’s not Hockey it’s Wait. Sickening watching a 0 forecheck all the way to the fucking red line then Arviddsons dives late. I may actually hate the Kings more than the Flames at this point.
Oilers should try this exact same tactic and show the LA fans exactly what’s going on. They really don’t know how terrible watching trap hockey and blatant diving is until it happens to them.
I enjoy that Jay Woodcroft never just blindly accepts the Media’s inane narratives. He and the team are are clearly heated, and I think you’ll see a very determined Oilers team win game 4 decisively.
was not a happy camper
don’t think anyone got a quote they wanted either
I liked Drai and his comment on how they don’t know what is a penalty right now.
I wish they kept drai away from mic tonight.
I love drai on mic. He just can’t not speak his mind. It’s not disrespectful but in a dishonest league it could be troublesome.
About 6 years back, I found myself kind of roaming around Yukon in summer. Long funny story of ins and outs of why/how/and varied modes of transport lodging and such but there came a point I decided to find one of the many camper vans that seemed to be for sale up there (surreal hitchhiking moment where two grizzly cubs appeared on highway…one in front one behind kind of killed enthusiasm to roam minimalist. As an aside I do believe there is a good chance life flashing before your eyes is fascinatingly calm and conducted in your mind on a timescale far slower than regular existence is experienced)
Anyway, van. So I found a deadly van black 1989 Ford with glass windows on ceiling super upgraded upholstery job and limo lighting…oddly stenciled in McDonald’s logos with even like little discreet McDonald’s symbols tinted into windows. Some sort of corporate executive limo deal for McDonald’s in Vancouver it was believed. I was informed its name was the dark rider by the brilliant German couple who were trying to sell it. I agreed to but it off them after music festival in Dawson city if I drove them back to Whitehorse (it took until 4 am night before we traded who was driver for me to negotiate name changed to black rider so I could use Tom waits song as its theme music).
But where I was going with this is after hanging at festival and traveling back to Whitehorse with them i liked them so much I just kept them with the van for their last week or so of trip.
Toby asked me tons of awesome questions about mannerisms here as we toured. I answered to a frank German as best as I frankly could but wasn’t nailing it until one morning he asked me:
“C, why is it that everyone here says hello how are you when greeting… when none of them actually give a fuck shitting how anyone actually is?”
Took me a second internally to enjoy fuck shitting and debate whether that might actualky be better than fuvking shit…but the answer was obvious:
“Oh yeah that’s what I’ve been trying to get right. It’s often bullshit. It’s the canada fake nice double hi. I always answer how I am honestly and it a lot of them up. It’s super funny when they actually start responding like you just gave back usual:
good and you or some form of okay
eeive seen a ton just awkwardly freeze or bumble hilariously.
But yeah definitely more predominant in North America than Germany. People far too often don’t say what they mean in all sorts of ridiculous ways. To a degree that far too often people who do speak more transparently/genuine can be seen as poor mannered or offensive and have difficulties. I think its stupid to, don’t try to hard get fluent in that garbage.”
From that day through 3 years later when they returned and stayed a month at my house on way to live on Vancouver Island or any visit well ever make -> Toby and I’s greeting is
“Hi. HI. C.’ “Hi Hi toby” because thats generally what it shoumd be here.
IMO NHL often runs in Canada fake nice/polite mantra…stuck in it (no flashy celebrations, gotta pay your dues before refs start ignoring when you cross check someone across face, need to have at least a couple close to career ending injuries before refs really call more of the penalties committed on new higher end stars )
Frank speaking drai while a breath of fresh air likely works against team getting better benefit of the doubt. It shouldn’t but it might because that’s not the way its supposed to be donthereunder there.
Apologies for ramble. Time to crash lol.
LA was always going to be a tough match up, what I did not anticipate was a roster full of thespians.
I also never thought I’d see veteran NHL hockey players stooping to UEFA levels of embellishment multiple time in a play-off game.
It should be embarrassing to the league, but so is the Jacques Lemaire style of defending and it isn’t.
Go Oilers!!
LA shouldn’t be.
One team is a top 3 SC contender who was the best team in the league to close the year.
The other is not close to that.
LA had the 6th best record since March 1st (and have been at least a top 8 team since Jan 1st) and in that time have allowed the fewest goals and 2nd fewest shots per game. We know what they are and they are better at being who they are this season, plus they actually have their best Dman. Korpisalo has faced the most shots of any playoff goalie, which is a testament to the Oilers firepower.
LA has 2 of the best defensive Centers in the League and they know how to really plug up the Dzone. And Kopitar has had his best offensive season in a few years. Scoring was always going to be tough, and the proof is in the pudding. The Kings are a playoff ready team who are very good at snuffing out offense.
I don’t understand why this is an argument…it’s not like these 2 teams are in different leagues.
They might as well be given how lopsided the officiating has been.
I am seeing a team that has had a lead in the 3rd period that has given up that lead in two out of three games. That’s not on the refs.
If LA is capable of limiting the best offense in the NHL, surely the Oilers are capable of putting in the work necessary to hold on to their 3rd period leads.
The Oilers need to be and can be better and when they are, they won’t have to worry about losing a game in OT due to suspect officiating.
I take your point and don’t disagree. But They didn’t give up the lead in the 3rd in two games. Only happened in Game 1.
And tonight an interestingly soft call led directly to the tying goal against.
So I hear ya for sure and agree they need to lock it down a bit better and score more to avoid the shit rotten luck and bad officiating that cost them two games so far.
Connor was the one who called the Vilardi high stick
(for the replay demand)
People remember the ot call and goal, but This game was the unsportsmanlike call on 29.
Then we see Arvidson flopping around like a fish. That’s the line here, that’s the zebra affect.
They’re so worried about the historic Oiler pp deciding the series but ignoring the fact the kings PP is wining this series
Leon’s little tap was a penalty but Arvidsson flopping like a pathetic fish doesn’t get a diving call. OK. NHL hockey has lost the script. The No Hitting League indeed.
Iaffalo’s chippy little cross check on Nuge after whistle, later in game, should have resulted in exact same thing as Drai’s.
Play stopped players not entangled anyway. Iaffalo takes few leisure slides on way back towards faceoff lumber nuge and continues on.
Was drai’s penalty poor given hindsight that 99.9 times out of 100 far more significant physical engagement post whistle is required than that to remotely stand chance of penalty?
If drai should have known better than iaffalo also should have known better and been equally reprimanded for his terrible transgression.
Not even it’s one way or other but it’s not same one way or other for both teams.
We are also past the point at least one diving penalty as bare minimum coincidental minor style called. That won’t happen unless enough noise made and suddenly they are directed to call one.
That is absurd
Noted Oilers hater Paul Bissonette (who is rooting for the Kings to win) saying he believed that 4 calls (Drai on Kopi, RNH in OT, Kostin, and one other) against the Oilers were bullshit and also saying its clear to him that the puck hit the Kings players high stick in OT.
The frustrating thing is year after year there is some refereeing controversy that goes against the Oilers, where everyone retroactively agrees that they made egregious calls that altered the outcome of the game. Kessler pulling up Talbot’s pad, Makar’s offside and now this total gong show tonight with video evidence that the puck was touched with a high stick to top it off. We NEVER get the benefit of the referees favour. The NHL wants goals … except if there is any possible reason to take a goal away from us. So tired of the double standard.
It’s also painting a nice (horrid) picture of how the NHL might actually be actively attempting to tamper with game results. Legalized gambling has likely played into this and made things worse.
just my opinion. You take it how you like.
I’d be checking the bank accounts of some of the refs . . .
We can talk about luck all we want…..this has to regress in a hurry.
Tough to win games with 0 even strength goals. ( tonight)
Ekholm 0 GF / 3GA
McDavid 0 GF / 3GA
Hyman 0 GF / 2GA
Bouchard 0 GF / 2GA
^ THIS!
Would love to see just a whisker of offense from anyone not named McD or Drai. Anyone at all that could create a few chances aside from those two would be very very welcome.
You mean like Ryan scoring the first goal last game, and then Kostin the winner? Both goals were 5×5.
Guys other than McDrai are scoring. That’s not the problem.
The problem is the Kings getting us to play their boring soccer game.
We’ve only played 3 games so far…how can you expect the entire team to have scored by now? Goals are hard in the NHL…even harder in the post-season.
I dont think this is the issue at all.
I don’t expect the entire team to score.
But I get worried when out of the eight total goals the Oilers score Leon and McD have points on 7 of them and Leon’s neutral zone forecheck helped out Kostin big time on the 8th goal. When they need to be involved in all eight goals I worry.
I worry when I don’t see anyone else creating chances in three games. The reason they were so effective down the stretch is because others were contributing.
Yes the Kings play a terribly boring style but whatever, find a way. And right now nobody but the Big Two is finding a way.
Ok, but do you honestly think the main reason we are losing games right now is due to the depth players not creating chances at 5×5? I don’t.
I see 10 other things ahead of the above issue being the main culprits for losing. Penalties being the main one. Goaltending being another main issue.
Prior to this game, it was McDavid only has 1 point in two games and that’s why we’re losing. He scores two beauties tonight…and now its the depth guys not creating any 5×5 chances? Naaaaaaah.
Considering we’ve lost two games in overtime only scoring two goals a piece Yes, I emphatically think a surge in depth scoring to One more goal per game would provide immense benefits.
I think having a goal scored by anyone and it not involving McD or Drai would tip the series in the Oilers favor.
I think if depth scoring pops up all the other ten things you’d like to fix would melt away.
I truly honestly think more scoring is EXACTLY what the team needs to win more games against the Kings
We won’t agree on this. Sorry.
First loss…Boosh takes a penalty with 2 mins remaining in the game and they score on the PP to tie it up with 16 seconds left. Dezy gets called for tripping, they score again, on a PP in OT, to win the game.
Second loss…Drai takes a “penalty” directly after we take the lead in the 3rd period, Kings score 20 seconds later on the ensuing PP to tie it up. Nuge then takes a slashing penalty in OT, Kings score on the PP in OT to win it.
Depth scoring chances is not the main culprit here.
Aye we might just have to agree to disagree fo show.
I hear ya on penalties and in games one and two and todays OT I agree wholeheartedly. Tonight was a fck show from Turd Island – just a terribly officiated game. Whatever, that happens and you still have to find a way.
The lack of depth and 5v5 scoring through three games means these are a lot damn tighter than any of us would like. It leaves things open to chance.
I prefer my teams to score the insurance rather than needing to play perfect defense down the stretch. One more goal gets you breathing room, one more goal amps up the non-McLeon members of the team, one more goal means Stu isn’t puckering his rookie butthole hoping to make a save.
Score one more goal and the entire game doesn’t come down to one shoddy penalty call.
But I’m still not that worried. Not pleased by any means but not worried. Lots of players can step up the next game and there is more than enough talent to kick in a few more pucks and keep a few out of the net.
“Beating Ourselves” has been the name of the movie since Game One of the season.
Condors have lost. Expect call-ups. Holloway and Pickard obviously. Lavoie a good chance but that infers a Dman for sure on the next guy. Niemo would be my choice, although I could see a rightie.
I would think all of Malone, McKegg, Holloway, Demers, Niemelainen, Philp, McKegg, Bailey, Pickard, Rodrigue, Bourgault, Tullio and Kemp all join the team
The odds of 13 black aces being called up is 0, pretty sure.
Well, 12 if you only count McKegg once 😀…
Probably not Tulio and Bourgault, I can see the others as possibilities. Maybe take out Bailey for Lavoie due to his lack of physicality..
Pretty interesting how a team can lead games for a total of seven minutes, but still have the Oilers behind the whole series. Ha. Sigh… I believe the better team will eventually win, but the league sure would like to milk this for seven games.
This series was never going to have “refs”…
it has and was always going to have “managers”.
I really want to go back to thread at end of season where I ranked teams in order I wanted to play.
Specifically stated reffing as potential disasvantage regarding just LA.
It his his stick. You can see the puck change.
Kesler grabbed his leg. How can a review miss that?
Same as it ever was.
Call a dive already.
Sportsnet says Edmonton unsuccessful challenge in OT, but we didn’t challenge did we?
They review all goals in OT
Correct.
No one really knows the rules, it’s just what you feel at the time.
Oilers had an excellent regular season!
I think the reffing evens out after this debacle and the Oilers win going away. Might take 7 though.
Leon admits he took a bad penalty but says the ref ignored a clear knee on knee hit. “Not sure what the standard is right now.”
The Oilers had the game win until Leon decided to be a dink.
Lots of game left after that. Doughty targeted the knee of the best player in the world prompting Leon’s reaction. Doughty and Edler both targeting knees. They’re the ‘dinks’ imo.
Would Brogan Rafferty have kept his cool?
Probably the worst gamesmanship Leon has ever displayed.
It was a ticky tack call. Far worse goes on in post whistle scrums. My guess is it was what Leon said not what he did.
Doughty had intent. It was only by blind luck he missed the knee. The refs can’t penalize intent alone but the Oilers were right to be upset. That’s the franchise.
Seriously how often does that happen in a game? 20-30 times? I’m not on the ice so I can’t say 100% what happened but it sure seems like a soft, soft call.
https://twitter.com/mr_couchgm/status/1649656339268874241?s=46&t=eJhhNPA4I32vVTDvo2_ETA
Then iafallo did similar level minor chippy cross check on nuge after blown dead and got nothing.
If it’s old man Doughty pointing up at that high stick it’s no goal.
They now have a replay showing it hit Vilardi’s stick
They had it from the first one they showed on TV. Pucks don’t defy physics.
Oh I’m shocked. That is shocking.
League always finds these angles after the fact. I remember once perfect footage was playing behind the commentators, on a studio TV, that no one in studio brought up or acknowledged. It felt very fixed. Like they wouldn’t share it unless Toronto phoned in confirming it. I. the end they didn’t, so they didn’t.
I can see the rationale for inconclusive. Can’t fault Jay for trying it but they’re grasping at straws there. I question why no McDavid and Draisaitl together with under 5 mins in regulation?
Don’t they have a sensor in the puck now too? Maybe it’s not fine enough for that but the broadcasts can trace it on replays. You think a computer could tell if it changed trajectory from the data.
Just a bad beat night – this is a game the kings were going to win no matter what. (The refs ensured that as well)
Oilers should contest the game.
Stauffer just going off for once on the radio.
Nearly losing it
Edit: Brown wasn’t sure how to deal with the level of Stauff’s emotion
Lack of finish and lack of discipline is killing this team. Hyman, Nuge and Kane need to step up. Yamamoto can’t hit the broad side of a barn.
They still had a ton of shots. Missed a couple nice chances in the third which is what I remember too.
I also don’t mind the bullying aspect but the kings are diving. Straight up. Bieksa called them out in the first or second intermission and it’s 100% true.
But the refs are buying it. So the Oilers need to walk the line a little closer; they can’t be so obvious about everything. Game inside a game, boys – win the next one.
So we’re dumb…
Little bit. I think they need an adjustment here. But I get it- if I’m JW I loathe to tell my team to back off. They just have to be a little more “nuanced” in their approach.
And yet he has the same number of goals as the three guys you lodded and didn’t take a stupid penalty in OT to blow it for his team tonight.
Nuge need to wake up. He’s useless outside the PK
Missed a wide open look in the slot that would likely have cemented the win and avoided OT.
He got off a great shot, went high and everything like you’ve been recommending.
And Korpisalo made one helluva shoulder save.
Now tell me again what chances you can recall any of Nuge, Hyman or Kane getting so far this series not just todays game?
I didn’t make any recommendations in regards to Yamamoto other than hitting the net would be a good idea. Don’t know who you’re referencing but it ain’t me.
Hyman got a good chance tonight on a quick pivot in close. Nuge had a good chance from the deep slot.
None of the 4 have scored. Each of them need to be better.
It is what it is.. horseshit
It’s sorta funny that all season this blog anticipated that come playoff time the penalties would drop like a stone cause playoffs.
And here we are with the most ticky tack bullshit of the entire season.
How is that for consistency lol?
It is truly bizarre. I can’t recall the last time I saw refs make single calls out of on ice scrums, or two players tangled up. But they called it on the Oilers 3X tonight.
The refs are killing the games momentum and it also affects the oilers 5v5. I also expect they were the better team 5v5 in that game too.
Korpisalo is also outplaying skinner – even if skinner is playing quite well.
That penalty on Draisaitl is looming large. It may have been a totally different game .
Yep. The timing of it was huge, also. Complete momentum swing. Like I said earlier, a call like that can change a series. If we lose the series (I don’t think we will), a chunk of it comes down to a call like that and it’s absolutely ridiculous.
Stupid arrogant unnecessary play by Daisaitl
https://twitter.com/mr_couchgm/status/1649656339268874241?s=46&t=eJhhNPA4I32vVTDvo2_ETA
Give it a rest already. Drai barely touched him. It was a pathetic call by the ref.
Refs embarrassed themselves tonight. Should not have that kind of impact on the game. The call on Dre was bush league and could have been called 25 other times this game
The roughing call on Desharnais was even worse.
Nurse brain cramps on 1st and 3rd goals. Are we getting our money’s worth yet? I’m not sure why you’re a bad person when you point these mistakes out. These are crucial errors at critical times.
Nuge looking to impact the game, not what he had in mind. Stupid penalties cost us again. Weak calls, sure.
Oilers clearly the better team, yet down 2-1 in the series. Sometimes hockey sucks.
I’m so fed up watching this garbage year after year. I really don’t want to read anymore condescending posts about how we should be enjoying this crap. They should’ve blown the play dead but they let them play on … if the situation was reversed the whistles would have blown immediately. The double standard in officiating is the actual standard that we’ve become completely accustomed to from the refs. The NHL is a bush league.
Worse than bush league.
And this is what they think is “entertaining”.
It’s becoming a TV show instead of sports.
Countdown until the we won the fancies post!
3…..2…..1…..
Whole league – including the Kings -likely assumed this heading into
this series.
It’s true.
The Oilers are the better team.
Alas that doesn’t matter. Gotta win.
Too many of the Oilers top players not thinking straight the first three games.
Hyman and Nuge could try doing something and Nurse and Ekholm could try to do a little less.
Lots of hockey left. No need to get crazy.
Yup.
‘Eventually’ arrives on the golf course!
18, 93, 56 completely MIA in terms of actual production.
And a sleeper 3rd period from 97, 91, 29.
Nurse a defensive goat on multiple goals.
King interfere, smother, which usually results in push back. It’s hockey.
Kings do it, it’s ok. Oilers it’s a penalty.
it was the difference maker.
People jump on Nurse far too quickly, I really like him as a defender. But not only was he out of position, he was tangled up with Skinner. Yuck.
And the puck hit that stick. Joke call left to some very weak on ice officials.
Switched the game off the moment the penalty was called. If anyone needs to switch gears to distract from rage, and you’re also a sci-fi geek, the Star Trek Picard series finale is an epic love-letter to the fans. A thing of beauty.
Watched it last night … excellent third season.
#StarTrekLegacy
Oilers beating themselves, assist to the absolutely mind-blowingly bad officiating.
The worst call on the ice tonight was on Leon for unsportsmanlike. That is not a call the ref should make. Lots of that $hit going on during the game.
How about Leon celebrating with some discipline?
It’s no secret why the Oilers are down in the series and it’s not the refs
I must insist: Not *just* the refs.
Refs were there. They reffed.
That is not a playoff standard penalty to be called. That was not a very egregious unsportsmanlike penalty
Yeah, if you call that you have to call every love tap, face-wash, and shove. Joke call.
Yeah, and the panel saying that the bad calls were on both sides. They absolutely were not.
That wasn’t the panel it was Hrudey and they ALL corrected him quickly after.
They know what they saw and just like the Ducks game years ago there’s no sugar coating how bad that reffing was.
Except for the OT penalty. Nuge being fucking lazy on that one.
The NHL – where pucks magically change directions without touching anything.
After the first two games, they play their most undiscciplined game of the playoffs thus far. Not smart. And as per usual we’re chasing the lead against LA.
More Spock, less Scotty.
I suppose you will say the refs didn’t lose it for them next
The refs are only calling the penalties not taking them. They drew a pretty definitive line in the first period and we completely ignored it. Is this a stupid team? A wilfull one? What’s your explanation?
Agreed. Spock would be one win from a sweep, whatever those crooked Romulans tried.
It clearly touched his stick. The trajectory noticeably changed.
Only one even strength goal tonight….
You will never convince me this league doesn’t work things against the Canadian teams. It’s just too consistently called that way. Just a complete joke of an organization.
you could literally see the puck move the blade of the stick
what a fucking joke
Unreal.
Oilers goals for: 3, 4, 2.
Not ever going to be good enough.
Start scoring already.
We’ve had at least twice as many chances either we can’t finish or they have a better Goalie.
They’re shooting low.
He’s weaker high.
Hahahaahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahajahahaahahajdjeiroxneoaneisnifjwirhejznfirbx screw this league.