2023-24 Game 42: Oilers at Flames

This is the roster for the outdoor game against the Calgary Flames at the end of October 2023. Ekholm-Broberg didn’t see the light of day, and the McDavid line above didn’t cash, but the second line and a supergroup trio shuffled mid-game (McDavid with Draisaitl and Hyman) did some real damage.

These Oilers have a chance at Stanley, and fans need a team to measure against them. The old Calgary Flames of the 1980’s were splendid, as were the New York Islanders. I would like a rivalry to exist between the Alberta teams, because I associate a venomous relationship between the two teams with the best times. If Calgary is going to be in the conversation in March, then a win tonight is vital.

I expect shenanigans.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New Lowetide: 5 AHL Oilers prospects with the most value ahead of NHL trade deadline
• Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ Dylan Holloway pick at the 2020 NHL Draft
• DNB: Oilers demolish ‘one-man team’ label in comeback win over Maple Leafs
• Lowetide: Is Oilers forward Warren Foegele earning another contract?
• Lowetide: Where do the Oilers need to improve depth before the NHL trade deadline?
• DNB: Oilers are back as a Western Conference power
• Lowetide: Could this be the ultimate Edmonton Oilers season?
• DNB: Projecting the Oilers’ 2025-26 salary-cap situation with a Leon Draisaitl extension
• Lowetide: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers complete 2023-24 prospects update
• Lowetide: Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod and the Oilers’ development system
• Lowetide: Oilers close NHL standings gap during a brilliant December run
• DNB: Connor McDavid marks 600th NHL game by coming to the rescue in pivotal Oilers win
• Lowetide: What can Dylan Holloway bring the Oilers when he returns?
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023

WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY

• At home to: PHI, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
• On the road to: CHI, DET, MTL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
• At home to: TOR, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
• On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: CBJ, CHI, NAS (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• Overall expected result: 7-3-1, 15 points in 11 games
• Actual January results: 7-0-0, 14 points in 7 games
• Oilers in 2023-24: 25-15-1, 51 points in 41 games

The Oilers are not just a wagon, they’re the war wagon right now and it seems only defensive indifference, fatigue, luck and the black and white stripes can stop them. You’d like a better power play, but the penalty kill is shining on right now so let’s review.

The 1984 Oilers, the first Stanley team, had formidable off-ice advantages. Glen Sather was a fine general manager, still the best in team history and for my money one of the best ever despite the post-1990 coda. John Muckler and Ted Green helped Slats coach, Muckler the chalkboard warrior and Green the actual warrior. Roger Neilson was doing video work and the Oilers were more prepared than they’d ever been.

I always point to the 1-0 opening game against the Islanders, Kevin McClelland cashing a Pat Hughes pass. Grant Fuhr was brilliant in that game, stopping 34 shots (7 from Denis Potvin). Game 2 was a tough game for Edmonton, Clark Gillies getting a hat trick and the top line (Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy) collecting eight points. I remember Bossy had back issues, suspect several Islanders were not their best.

Game 3 was pivotal and a 2-2 tie until late in the second when Edmonton scored twice (Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey) and put it to rest. Game 4 saw Mark Messier score late in the first period to make it 3-1 and a trio of markers in the second secured a commanding 3-1 lead in games for the Oilers.

Game 5 was the clincher. A double shot of Gretzky (Kurri) in the first, Linseman and Kurri in the second to make it 4-0. Pat Lafontaine scares the hell out of Edmonton with two early in the third, Dave Lumley pierces the heart of the empty net at 19:47 and the celebration was underway.

The second periods of Games 3 and 4 were vital to the win, much the same as the second periods of Games 5 & 6 were to the Vegas Golden Knights last spring. It’s a game of inches, small margins and heavy drinking.

I think fans who don’t remember the 5 Stanley Cups won in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990 think were a breeze, they were somehow guaranteed. I can list many great teams that never won the Stanley Cup for various reasons.

The 1969-74 Chicago Blackhawks should have won, but a Jacques Lemaire shot late in the second period of the 1971 classic (Game 7, no less) felled them. The 1972 New York Rangers lost their best player (Jean Ratelle) during a pre-game skate when defensemen Dale Rolfe shot the puck and injured the classy center. The Brian Propp Philadelphia Flyers and the Brian Propp Boston Bruins also should have won. Any edition of the San Jose Sharks over many years should have won. The Vancouver Canucks in the Sedin era should have won, and I’ll add the Linden era just for fun.

This is a very difficult road. Things I’ve read about Stuart Skinner even in recent days suggests to me that some fans feel there should be some kind of guarantee involved in the McDavid Oilers winning the Stanley Cup. It doesn’t work like that, never has and never will. It’s possible the McDavid Oilers never win Stanley and that’s what makes the chase so exciting. If the team wins, you never have to wonder if it was earned.

I would like to post some thought about Stuart Skinner. Since November 24, his save percentage (.930) ranks him No. 4 among goalies with 500+ minutes (all strengths) via Natural Stat Trick. His GSAA is 12.17 and ranks No. 3 overall in that time. Yet I keep reading about his being out of position on the Auston Matthews goal. No shit he was out of position, did you see the pass???

It’s okay to change your mind when new evidence appears. It’s better to trust the larger sample size. The eye test isn’t always right, that’s why we count things. Stuart Skinner is playing brilliantly for the Edmonton Oilers. That isn’t an opinion. It is a fact.