The Edmonton Oilers play game 8 of the season tonight, outside at Commonwealth. The opponent is the Calgary Flames, a team that is struggling just as much. Connor McDavid will play unless something not currently known happens. The captain fantastic could send the browndirt cowboys to hell and back all by his lonesome, and has done it many times. If this team, this town, this psyche, ever needed an 8-1 win it is tonight.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers top prospect Xavier Bourgault is spiking in an important area
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ injuries already a major story in 2023-24
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers count on any short-term help from AHL Bakersfield?
- Lowetide: Can defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer help the Oilers?
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s injury only adds to gloom for Oilers
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ third line showing promise but not scoring yet
- DNB: Oilers, in early-season disarray, left searching for answers: ‘It’s just unacceptable’
- Lowetide: What we’ve learned about the Oilers in the NHL season’s first week
- Lowetide: How can Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft solve the team’s early issues?
- Lowetide: Why the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL team is set up for 2023-24 success
- DNB: Several Oilers defensive issues remain despite Mattias Ekholm’s return
- Lowetide: How the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor Brown contract could impact roster decisions
- DNB: Stanley Cup-aspiring Oilers have a long way to go after ‘big gut punch’ in season opener
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers’ opening-night roster is short two foundational pieces
- DNB: Why Raphael Lavoie didn’t make the Oilers and other roster questions ahead of regular-season opener
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Brady Stonehouse signing an important indicator for the future
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers’ veteran-laden AHL team offers better depth
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- On the road to: NAS, PHIL (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- At home to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
- On the road to: MIN (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: NYR, CAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- Overall expected result: 6-2-0, 12 points in 8 games
- Actual October results: 1-5-1, 3 points in 7 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 1-5-1, 3 points in 7 games
Brutal month and the team got good goaltending last game but couldn’t score or stop the cross-ice pass in the high slot. These are basic things. Edmonton’s coverage is a ball of confusion. I don’t think anyone should be counting this as a win until the final second ticks off the clock. A 4-1 lead after two might not be enough. Hold on to your ass!
LINES AND PAIRINGS
- Draisaitl-McDavid-Foegele
- Kane-Nuge-Hyman
- Holloway-McLeod-Brown
- Erne-Janmark-Ryan
- Nurse-Ceci
- Ekholm-Broberg
- Kulak-Bouchard (Desharnais)
- Skinner (Campbell)
I was going to ramble on about McDavid-Hyman but this is fine. Whatever. If the Oilers coverage is good and Skinner plays as he did last time, and the cross-ice isn’t available and people are getting in shooting lanes and and and. Big game tonight.
THE CONDORS
Raphael Lavoie had a game last night, he now has four goals and seven points in five games. I don’t think the Oilers see him as a solution, but he is increasing his deadline trade value.
Great game though this Calgary team looks like they’ll be competing for Celebrini…
Hopefully this is a turn around game when we look back at the season.
The big thing for me this game, and the one before this one, is that it seems like Kane suddenly remembered that he’s a skill player. He’s sort of forgotten that ever since his injury, he’s made some skill plays here and there but he hasn’t played the game like an actual skill player if that makes sense.
More please!
Also, remember they were playing a team that is an embarrassment to it’s fanbase. And remember when Bakersfield essentially beat this team in their building?
This is going to be a very long and cold winter for that franchise.
In game with 11 forwards, Woodcroft only played Erne 3 minutes and 19 seconds. Over 3 and a half minutes less than the next lowest forward (Derek Ryan). He had one shift in the 3rd.
Not sure how long he stays with the team at this rate.
Meanwhile, Connor Brown still doesn’t have a point in 8 games. If he hits game 10, Oilers get hit with a big bonus next season.
However, he is getting PDO-ed to death. Worst on the team, despite good underlying numbers.
Holland backed himself into a corner with that bonus structure. All or nothing.
Bad News:
8 games into the season and the Oilers are 3rd last in the Conference
Good News:
8 games into the season and the Oilers are 3rd in the league in both 5×5 score adjusted corsi and expected goals
There’s been years where it’s been the reverse and, despite some early celebrating, that inevitably went poorly.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’ll go well this year.
But I’d be more worried about the playoffs at this point if the situation was reversed.
If we’re top three in both at the of the season I’m confident the team will be in the playoffs.
3rd last in the league. We just cracked the top 30.
Fun game tonight. One my son will remember for long time. Luke Hyman is a stone cold killer.
great event. Well done Edmonton
I don’t understand how Manson and Woody can only find 6:30 of ice for Philip Broberg, even with all the PK.
He played well to my eye and his physicality below the goal line is increasing.
Saw the last 2 games live. He doesn’t play with much presence on the ice. Seemed a bit like playing not to make a mistake vs. forcing his coaches notice his standout play.
still made some nice plays though
Only one really glaring mistake tonight which was Ekholm on the 2nd goal – he barely moved as a 4th liner molasased his way by him (and then Skinner had a bad rebound)
pooped at the end of the PK
Nurse also made the mistake of punching someone in the face that led to a goal.
But other than that – solid all around!
You remembered! (Sorry, had to miss the last two periods–the things I do for theatre…)
Inspired by Mr. Bruce McCurdy:
“One for the Vin!”
Vin s’il vous-plait.
The Huberdeau situation in Calgary has 7 more years to age like milk. Is it wrong to feel so delighted the fan base has to watch it?
It’s just a game.
Yes, “It’s just a game”.
And we get to watch Calgary fans curse Uberdough and his 10.5 million for 3rd line production rate contract to play “That Game” through to 2031!!
Lets not forget to mention Kadri – I mean, I know he picked up his second point of the year tonight, to go along with his 2-12 goals at 5 on 5 – only 5 more years AFTER this one – he’s 33.
An object lesson in why it might be a very bad idea to extend Draisaitl fir 8 years.
So, if you were Oilers GM, would you extend Draisaitl? And if so, how long?
If the Oilers don’t win the cup this season, I would think very hard about trading him since the window to win will start closing.
Given that the prospect pool is almost barren, the Oilers will desperately need to fill the pipeline which won’t be very likely if they’re drafting late and spending draft picks to shore up the lineup.
The danger is the Oilers may hang around the top 10 in the league without winning anything and then turn into a version of the Sharks with a very expensive aging core that will be very difficult to move and require a long, painful rebuild.
Its important to remember that Nurse, Campbell, Kane, Hyman and Nuge are all also into their declining years and will be all but impossible to move as a result.
I would do it, but only if the return was appropriate, and I don’t think Uncle Kenny has the chops. And it’s the Oilers so Brad or Paul with ‘0’ experience will be at the helm and likely balls it up. It would either set them up big time or ruin them big time
Yes, because Leon freaking Draisaitl is comparable to Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri.
And, of course, to Joe Colborne.
Father Time is undefeated.
Obviously loved the 1st period, Oilers dominated possession and shots. That’s the level of play we thought we were going get from game 1… more of that please. Like many of you, I agree with… waive goodbye to Erne, promote Lavoie… sooner rather than later.
Kudos to Kane, screw Kadri. Welcome back
KotterConnor… we missed ya. Now let’s win a sh*t-load of games… it’s not too late to win the season.Kane with an EN with authority.
Eat shit Cagree!
I am pumped about the win but the toi distribution is worrisome.
Kane swagger.
McDavids “I don’t know what team that was the first seven games”.
Drai being forthcoming post game.
I like it.
3:34 for Erne.
I do think we’ll see Lavoie before long.
🤞
Please and thank you. I hope that’s the last we see if Erne in an Oiler jersey.
Do we have any confidence that Woody won’t just slide Lavoie in to that deployment?
A most satisfying outcome!
Evander ” What’s anybody here going to do about it” Make him 1st star
Straight boss when mic’ed up. That dare was amazing.
Kane squashed Kadri in the Playoffs he wants no part of Kane. I thought Greer would step up but he was a no show. It’s amazing how a power forward almost controls the game this is why it’s a sin not at least giving Lavoie a real opportunity.
Don Cherry makes more sense than Ron McLean.
Yea he lost the plot there for awhile!
He’s a puppet they feed him the flavour of the day and he sets the narrative. I watch hockey for entertainment if I want to get preached at I’ll go to Church. Anyhow it’s time for him to go away and take Hrudey with him. I actually listened to the 2 professional’s announcing the game tonight.
A lot of credit to Kane tonight. He played a big part. Gives the team some physical swagger which they really need. Hope we see more games like that from him. “What’s anyone here going to do about it!” Love that line!
Didn’t even give Kane a star on NHL.com
For shame.
The TNT crew was raving about Kane.
Thank you a little too close for comfort. what a great effort this could be the turning point. Skinner played steady we needed it badly and he came through.
Overall I thought that was the best game they have played this year.Good third period by the team. Let’s hope they can transfer this to the next game.Big win.
Usually the play looks slow outdoors obviously I’m bias but that was a well played game by our D they kept it simple.
Agreed. They did a good job of marking their men this evening. It makes the goalies job a little easier.
Skinner came up with some timely saves tonight. We just need him to make the saves he is supposed to. He played well tonight.
I thought the whole team kept it simple. We weren’t trying to force plays and passed better tonight. Still a bit concerned with our special teams. They both look a bit off.
Big win for team and for Skinner!
BOOM!!! Kaner with the gravy!!! He deserves it after tonight’s effort!!!
Empty netter with authority.
Rumors of Kane’s cliff falling seem premature.
Kane is back baby he’s a stone cold killer.
That one is Kanes!!!!!
Well…they played half a game at least.
Better but still plenty left to be desired. Should’ve lit those guys up tonight.
91 not to be denied. Sheer force of will out there tonight.
Officiating / game management was a factor. It’s actually good to be talking about that again…
To all the minuses – you underestimate how good this team is.
^ this.
Ok Tarkus, Vinny Desharnais scored. Let’s see that line you’ve been saving.
Vinny scores!!!!!
he doesn’t shoot enough. glad to see him shoot and score!
We now know Warren Foegele can play up the lineup and not miss a beat. I don’t think he’s got the scoring touch to hold the spot but he definitely adds to the play with these two. Optionality.
Huge save Skinner!
Uberdough looks Uberslow out there.
NST has 5×5 high danger chances at 20-3 for the Oilers. This is what we expected to start the year. Hope this springboards them moving forward.
I thought I kept hearing the past 2 weeks that Kane was done.
No points to show for it tonight but Brown has played with a lot of energy. Hopefully he finds the net soon.
He’s had three solid ones in a row since he got moved down. He’s coming on now.
Him & 8 of his teammates
I’m sorry but Drai/McDavid had a long shift, draw the penalty and play the full 2 minutes of PP. That’s not a very bright deployment of your forwards. Lost momentum.
Call a timeout or play the 2nd unit bad coaching in my opinion.
Have to start using the 2nd unit more. I’ve not run the numbers, but, just from memory, every time McD/Drai draw a penalty and are left on the ice (with no TV timeout), they’ve come up empty.
Woody coaching desperate. Not good.
That was a terrible power play
Time to put the nail in the coffin, fellas.
Ask and you shall receive Kane is going to thump someone.
Kane.
Whale of a game from #91
BOOM!!! Just get the puck to the net!!!
Deserved that one
Holloway is never going to score lol
Never, ever…
The ghosts of Benson
Benson never got scoring chances. With Holloway, from the NCAA, we know it is just a matter of time. Woodcroft doesn’t give him enough ice time. His hands were frozen from sitting almost all of two periods.
Correct Benson didn’t get any shifts with skilled players.
Anyway, anyhow, gotta get one. Might get him going.
Someone should tell the coach
Oh, Dylan, gotta finish at some point.
A lowly shot would have been nice.
Something he and McLeod need to learn.
Woody’s transformation is so strange.
When he came in he reduced the big guns ice time. He increased depth players time on ice. He trusted young players.
Fast forward a year and half, Holloway and Broberg are barely playing 10 minutes a game.
The ghosts of Tippet and Flat Top loom large!
When you are under huge pressure, its hard to go against the grain. Easier to do that when theres less pressure. I think woody is letting the pressure affect his decisions at least a little bit.
Kane a battering ram tonight!
I’d prefer him to switch to being an insurance provider….
You mean like that!!!!!!
Correct!
Vinny needs to be able to get that puck out – come on man!
Feels like a Connor Brown insurance call, doesn’t it?
By NST, Broberg 4-0 on HDSC and 1-0 goals but Woody/Manson only found minutes for him at 5 on 5.
Holloway 6 min. Broberg 5 min. after two. How does Woodcroft expect them to do anything.
Its a joke.