The Edmonton Oilers are in Anaheim tonight to meet the Ducks. The two teams have had some big games and met in the 2006 (Hallelujah) and 2017 (I don’t want to talk about it) playoffs.
For me, a trade between the two teams remains that bold face story in the history of these franchises. The Oilers dealt the best defenseman in team history to Anaheim, and the Ducks promptly cashed a Stanley. Bitter pill. That was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers goalie prospect Olivier Rodrigue reaches new performance level
- New DNB: Connor McDavid marks 600th NHL game by coming to the rescue in pivotal Oilers win
- Lowetide: Evander Kane’s concerning season and what it means to the Oilers.
- Lowetide: How the Edmonton Oilers are undergoing a changing of the guard on defence
- Lowetide: How the Oilers measure up to ‘reasonable expectations’ after 31 games
- Lowetide: Ranking the Edmonton Oilers’ top 6 trade assets
- Lowetide: Did the Oilers solve Leon Draisaitl’s winger issues in New Jersey?
- Lowetide: What can Dylan Holloway bring the Oilers when he returns?
- DNB: Evan Bouchard is unlocking his potential on the Edmonton Oilers blue line
- Lowetide: Do the Edmonton Oilers have enough actual NHL players?
- Lowetide: Winning or development? Assessing Oilers’ AHL team and what it means for the future
- DNB: Add a middle-6 forward or 2 to the long list of Oilers needs
- DNB: Why Paul Coffey’s surprise Edmonton Oilers coaching opportunity is paying off
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- At home to: CAR, MIN, NJD, CHI, TBAY, FLA (Expected 3-3-0) (Actual 4-2-0)
- On the road to: NYI, NJD, NYR, SJS, LAK, ANA (Expected 3-3-0) (Actual 4-1-0)
- Overall expected result: 6-6-0, 12 points in 12 games
- Actual December results: 8-3-0, 16 points in 11 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 17-15-1, 35 points in 33 games
The Oilers are on another big winning streak and December’s final point total could be 18, meaning the club won 75 percent of all points available to them. Don’t count chickens, Anaheim could bite them, but this team looks locked and loaded as the 2023 calendar year comes to an end.
THE NUMBERS
It was a great night for Oilers draft picks. Stuart Skinner was stellar on the evening, allowing his team to find their legs against a talented, veteran team. Evan Bouchard played 29:01 overall, 20 minutes at five-on-five and was highly effective.
Connor McDavid was dominant, he has been for some time and DNB has a piece about it today (link above) at The Athletic. Leon Draisaitl had a little wobble but was strong and effective against a talented LAK club that always plays it tough.
Raphael Lavoie didn’t play much, took a ridiculous penalty, and had a shot and a reasonable chance. He’s better than he was during his first recall, hopefully he gets a look tonight.
Edmonton currently sits in the No. 9 spot in the WC, just one spot shy of a playoff position (based on points percentage). It’s truly phenomenal just how much ground has been gained since the coaching change. After Jay Woodcroft’s Oilers got off to a miserable start, the team is now 14-6-0 under Kris Knoblauch. Important not to stub the toe on new year’s eve, but the results are fantastic and things are coming into view. This December has been good to the Oilers.
CONDORS
Carter Savoie scored last night, he’s 2-4-6 in his last nine games and showing his considerable talents in Bakersfield at this time. Ben Gleason scored twice and the prospect Condors appear to be ready to push in the second half.
I always pay specific attention to post-Christmas numbers, prospects tend to spike around there. I think Xavier Bourgault is going to have a better second half. In his most recent two games, he has an assist and eight shots on goal.
I do think it was significant that the Oilers called up Lavoie over Lane Pederson. Pederson is a RH center and if there was a time to audition him it would be now, before the deadline.
Test.
Must be New Years Day and someone forgot to plug in the block heater, the ‘ol site is slow to fire up this morning.
Happy New Years all! Go Oilers!
“It was an old day yesterday, but it’s a new day now…” (Ian Anderson)
Eat shit California!
Happy Year of Newness from the 306!
It wouldn’t be an Oilers season where there was no sign in sight of anything even resembling a decent NHL 2nd line, to then 3 games later Foggy putting up 5 even strength points and looking to be match-up hell for the opposition.
Fingers crossed that Foggy and Clouds have permanently understood how to change their game to compliment playing with Drai. Before Fogs was making a lot more sporadic decisions with the puck and probably playing more kamikaze in the offensive end. Now it’s really just about puck retrieval and get Drai the puck at all costs. He’ll suck everyone in and find those 2 buzzing around. It’s no different than McD. You need wingers who can change their game to play with them, not the other way around.
Number of career games with 5 points at 5 on 5:
McDavid: 0
Draisaitl: 0
Foegele: 1
To be fair, one of those points was mere seconds after the PP expired.
either way, good on him! Was this Fogs first 5 point night?
Oh, yes, it was his first 4 point night as well.
Edmonton Oilers
@EdmontonOilers
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55m
Prior to tonight’s game, Raphael Lavoie was returned to the @Condors
from his emergency recall.
Philip Broberg is more value for cap hit than Trevor Zegras right now.
Looks like Zegras is a “prima donna” he’s going to sewer his career if he doesn’t quit pouting.
Good call, Danny. And while the need wasn’t there, both things came true!
Pickard’s wife and daughter drove down from Bako and were in the stands tonight.
Happy New Years, folks. Tonight has been too busy. Watching highlights now.
I can see the ANA coach getting fired this week if that team doesn’t start looking like a team. Fighting and cheap shots are no replacements for actual game battle.
considering they’re the real deal 💯
Who says they arw trying to win?
Happy New Year, fellow Lowetidians, here’s to a triumphant 2024!!!
What is that, the 4th or 5th win on NYE in team history?
Reid says 4th.
I’m going to watch Gilliam’s Zero Theorem tonight to see if there’s any mention of Connor Brown. I’m not really a fan of Gilliam but surely there’s some answers there.
Maybe I’ll do one of my old school spOILer movie reviews tomorrow…
Connor Brown on his breakaway “you can do this, left foot, right foot, puck, left foot, right foot, puck, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foo–oh no”
Unfortunate flubber but I’m really liking the positive signs I’m seeing from 28 that last stretch. Feeling positive vibes about his 2024
Might even get a first assist in 2024.
Congrats everyone, great b2b win, and a very happy new year from the rock 🥳
Have a game, Foggy! lol Loving that new second line chemistry! First line ain’t to shabby, either.
Picks looked good, too.
when we decide to play hard we are damn near unstoppable!
Happy New Year, Everybody!!!
2023 sucked. 2024 has to be better, right?
The line sweeps the game stars as one would expect
I actually would have liked to have seen Nurse/Pickard as 2nd/3rd (or 3rd/2nd) stars.
Very strong game from Pickard tonight too.
Cool to sweep California.
It’s been said it never rains in southern California, but the Oilers do indeed reign in SoCal.
i don’t know which witch hexed Brown but she got some major mojo
Connor Brown just had a free break up 7-2 and lost the puck.
Just wow…that man is in his own head so so so bad.
That sounded like a Lets go Oilers chant
i like this PP unit
BOOM!!! Kulak!!! What a second line!!! Amazing!!!
I’m fine with Zegras’ scoring. But he plays like a POS otherwise and should get his lights punched out. No excuse for that sorta crap and it’s exactly his game.
Going to get his head bounced off an elbow and the whining and crying will be immense – but he’ll deserve it.
Zegras sitting on the bench, wishing he was picked before Broberg, haha
Even Sid went after him this year. Sid.
three misconducts in the last few minutes. And a rare spearing call
That should be the 5th point for Foegele tonight and 10-1 goals for this line (on the year).
Wayne Foegle
…
Warren McFoegle
Gibson looks exhausted. Have they been riding him hard?
ANA can Kulak my balls.
Seven is so KOOOOOLLL
Kulak with the convert on a softie.
Jarmark taking a beating last two games. Gets kicked out for complaining?
pretty much. Although we couldn’t hear his choice of words…
Bouchard now in sole possession of 3rd place in the scoring race (among defensemen).
Is that the farthest out Hyman has been on any of his goals this season?
97 has been skating circles around the Ducks. Nice to see him get a point, although he has probably deserved 4 or 5.
BOOM!!! Hyman!!! The boys woke up!!!
Ohhh Foggy!!!
Gobby thought it was in, too. Totally gave up after that shot. lol
Wow Hyman with the rhymin ripper
About time, Hyman.
Had to get McDavid a point and Hyman a snipe!
Shine on you crazy Hyman!
Upgrading on Janmark prior to the deadline would be a good choice.
Excellent response after the goal, agreed Jack
Oof. To casual out there.
Games not over, fellas.
I bet Gibson wishes it was.
C’mon team
First line too
Viking looked like he didn’t even wanna fight. Then drops him with two thunderous shots!
Hammer of the gods
Yeah, once he figured out which way he should be facing the fight went better for him.
Credit to Strome trying to get his team going by taking on a much bigger man