Last night was a good one for one Dylan Holloway, who played a rambunctious game and showed up consistently. He had an elasticity to him, shooting while parallel to the ice, going ass over tea kettle, losing his balance in full flight but correcting like a seasoned pilot. I have no idea if this young man will ever score enough to spend extended time on a skill line, but am looking forward to seeing the story unfold. That’s what today’s article at Lowetide is about, I hope you’ll read it.
In a battle for playing time between first-round pick Xavier Bourgault and fifth-round selection Tyler Tullio, the results are both impressive and maddening. What is going on in Bakersfield? https://t.co/bSTozKElHw
On the road to: VEG, ANA, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
At home to: DET (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
On the road to: STL, DAL, ARI (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 2-1-0)
At home to: BOS, MIN, CAL, LAK, STL (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-2-1)
Overall expected result: 7-4-1, 15 points in 12 games
Actual February results: 4-5-1, 9 points in 10 games
Oilers in 2023-24: 33-20-2, 68 points in 55 games
Edmonton is playing a very poor game tonight. It's beyond ragged. I'm genuinely surprised. No excuses, but I don't think the coach should bag skate them at midnight or send Connor Brown to Fort Wayne. Somewhere Jay Woodcroft is hopefully enjoying a movie.
Don’t even try to tell me the Oilers are good. They suck! AND BLOW! The Oilers are flat coming out of the All-Star break and can’t find the rhythm or the rhyme. This will pass.
No damn way! Don’t try to sell me on anything. Everything is awful! Let’s move away from your rage and talk about things that matter. How about Leon’s penalty? That was wild!
Why are you so calm? The only time I get mad at the Oilers is when they aren’t trying. They tried this weekend and were not successful. I can’t get mad at that, it’s what they had to give.
If that’s their best, why the hell bother? Well, the most interesting question in the NHL today is “will the Oilers find a way to win the Stanley Cup in the McDavid era?” and for me that’s an exciting story. I’m fascinated.
I don’t like your tone. I don’t care.
The goaltending sucks you know. No goalie is going to stop every waltz down Broadway and the Flames had a pile of them last night. Stuart Skinner is fine, Calvin Pickard is fine. If you want to know the problem, count the number of errant, ill-advised, low percentage plays with the puck we saw in the first 15 minutes of the game. Lord tundering Jesus it was a bushel and a peck.
I hate you. Good.
So, did the Oilers do anything wrong? I think there are things we can discuss. I don’t think we have all the answers.
Neither do the coaches!! Let’s start there. We know Connor McDavid has, at times, had a difficult experience up against Nazem Kadri. We also know that coach Kris Knoblauch likes to roll four lines and doesn’t line/pairing match as much as some previous coaches. So, when I see McDavid facing Kadri and Mikael Backlund for nine of his 14 five-on-five minutes, I wonder if the coach might consider adjusting. Just a thought.
The Oilers have to end the Nurse-Ceci pairing! The two men have struggled together five-on-five (5-8 goals) since the All-Star break, and Nurse is 0-2 without Ceci while Ceci is 2-0 without Nurse. So I think a shuffle might help, although the duo was 31-25 before the break.
What is good about this team right now? Connor McDavid. Leon Draisaitl. Evan Bouchard.
Yeah but they have been awful since the All-Star break! Not so. At five-on-five McDavid with Leon is 5-4 goals in 59 minutes. McDavid solo is 12-10 goals in 111 minutes, allein Draisaitl is 5-3 goals since coming back from the AS game.
What’s the problem? Edmonton is 3-7 goals without those two men on the ice at five-on-five.
It’s that damn Evander Kane again! Stupid Holland! Evander Kane is 9-5 goals since the AS break at five-on-five.
Your love of Stuart Skinner exposes you! Fraud! Stuart Skinner owns a .910 save percentage at five-on-five for the season. It’s .918 since November 24, good enough for No. 18 in the NHL.
Oh, impressive! Calvin Pickard is .912 since November 24, Edmonton’s five-on-five save percentage in that time ranks No. 9 (.917) in the NHL.
So nothing is wrong?? I think the Oilers are battling injuries, possibly the flu and lost the wand enjoyed before the All-Star break. I believe they’ll get it back. I’m not sure when and I don’t know what the deadline will bring, but the team could use some things.
Like? Two-way right wing, a defenseman and a RH center.
So, the usual. Yes.
You used to be cool! I never was, actually. It isn’t my thing. I’m best cast as the outsider, the slow adopter, the fellow who waits to see how things evolve.
What impressed you most last night? In the Bakersfield Condors game, Max Wanner was heading to the bench on a line change, saw the puck turned over and changed direction in a heartbeat, made the play, brought peace to the land. I’m absolutely a fan.
“You used to be cool! I never was, actually. It isn’t my thing. I’m best cast as the outsider, the slow adopter, the fellow who waits to see how things evolve.”
DevilsLettuce
February 25, 2024 7:25 pm
Watching Kane score that overtime winner, Holland must be having sleepless nights not signing him.
It’s crazy people were writing him off, the Oilers need a puck skilled forward that excites 97 and 29.
His remaining cap hit is 759k, could you imagine an actual puck gifted top 6 forward instead of this nonsense of settling for the bare minimum production because of their “two-way” ability.
27gp 28 points, Oilers could of had this guy and been left looking for a defender, maybe MAF if he agrees.
Score goals and defend, well you’d be considerably on the attack far more with a talent like Patrick Kane alongside either 97 or 29 then a third line two way milk toast dime a dozen already 8 of em talent.
If you only bring offense when you’re in the top 6, you’re not actually top 6. Top 6 brings their offense everywhere, if the Oilers are not aiming for an everywhere talent within the forward ranks they better be obtaining prime Chara and turn into the Ray Lewis lead Ravens. This forward group is simply not dynamic enough.
I’m sure Holland inquired on Kane as, from accounts, he does his diligence on pretty much every player.
At the same time, to imply that Holland could have signed him and chose not to seems, well, a major reach.
The Oilers had nowhere near the cap space to sign him to a similar contract at the end of November and there is no indication the player was looking to come play in Northern Canada.
John Chambers
February 25, 2024 3:43 pm
Last night on HNIC at the 1st intermission:
Bieksa: Oilers need a better starting goalie
Friedman: Disagree. Oilers need to fortify the group that plays in front of the goalie
I’m with Friedman. The right-handed Ekholm is the droid we’re looking for
Bieksa’s not wrong … in a sense. What we need is the 28 year old version of Skinner that’s been a starting goalie for 5 seasons. Until that point, Friedman is correct – they need to fortify the group that plays in front of him.
If Durzi is available, they should go get him. Broberg is a reasonable price for a top 4 RHD that you would have for several years under team control. They should also add multiple firsts and whatever other draft capital/prospects that are needed for Crouse (yes I know this likely means trying to offload Campbell to make Crouse’s salary fit). It’s time to go like Tampa and Vegas and push the chips in before Leon, Connor, Skinner and Bouch’s contracts run out.
It would have to be a player with term left. Scanning the league, IMO these are the candidates:
Durzi?
Parayko?
Pulock?
Karlsson?
Borgen?
These seem to be to me the only players that would have a similar positive impact, in terms of their current contracts. Also of note, Pulock and Borgen would provide far more of a defensive boost than they would help offense.
Borgen & Durzi seem to be at the proper price point, but are they actually available? Most importantly, are they better than Ceci in the top 4?
Completely agree – please stop telegraphing pass and shoot more Connor
Optimism is like heroin
February 25, 2024 3:38 pm
When we look for who is coming in at the deadline, if Henrique is the big add then he slots as 3c by my eye. That would make a possible 2nd line of
McLeod – Drai – Kane
Could an off side Kane provide the goal scoring winger needed? Think one timers from Drais backhanded passes. McLeod is very good defensively and with a fast zone entry.
LT I love the dialogues, always entertaining and insightful. Don’t know what the hey is going on right now, but believe better games ahead. Just wanted to add that even though I’m not a big fight lover there are times it’s called for. Coleman deserved a tune up and was impressed with Janmark’s response. And he added a goal!
This team is not a defensively gifted group. They are most definitely an offensively gifted group. They know this.
The thing about defense, is it doesn’t require them to be gifted, it means buying into the system and keeping the puck off of the opponents stick as much as possible.
They have proven they can do this. They simply are not doing it.
F*%* the shooter mentality, the team went on a near historic run by suffocating their opponents with a puck possession mentality. They were holding the puck, letting chances come to them, and forcing opponents to make mistakes.
Since the end of January, theyve reverted back to trying Outscore their mistakes with fancy hilite passes through the middle, no structure, which exposes dmen trying to pinch, neutralizes their ability to properly forecheck.
There’s glimpses of it in there every now and then but every mediocre team can probably say that.
My one note in this vein. I would like to see them using the dmen to play keep away during line changes instead of dumping the puck in. Giving up possession freely is not a great idea imo.
I keep coming back to goaltending as well. Put aside poor defensive play by the forwards for a minute.
Great goalies cover for mistakes made. When Skinner was great they were winning. Last night he should have kept that game closer. Mistakes will be made.
Inferior teams with excellent goaltending have beaten the Oilers.
So is Skinner enough? Yes? Or yes if he gets help?
If you had to list just one thing that would give us greatest chance of success, bar injuries, it would probably be excellent goaltending. Can Skinner deliver is a good question.
He’s inconsistent so far in his career . You would need Skinner to get hot during the playoffs, if not it’s over. That said there are not many consistent goalies in the league.
We shouldn’t underestimate the GM’s role in how the coaches deploy
There are key pieces missing, like established centres in the bottom 6. It would help those wingers that aren’t scoring and often getting outscored
It would help the backend as well I think
€√¥£€^$
February 25, 2024 1:14 pm
McDavid has 5 goals in his last 17 games and 0 in his last 9.
To start the season he had 6 goals in 17 games, including a goal-less stretch of 8 games.
What does it all mean?
I think it is an indicator of puck luck (see 3 McDavid posts vs Wild, and a few empty net misses over last couple of weeks) or is it that his scope calibration is just a little bit off? Is he rushing himself too much, does he have an ailment, is his focus off slightly?
Clearly he is overdue and when he breaks out of this slump, will this team follow?
Last season, he was beating goaltenders clean with his shot selections. This season, it’s like he’s not trying near as much, and is passing off on too many clean look opportunities. I’m not suggesting he’s injured, is he too focused on other things we are not appreciating as much?
I think it’s mental more than physical, along with defences adjusting to him.
Last year, he scored a couple of goals early in the season off of one-timers, and then he was off to the races on his way to the Maurice.
This year, he only shoots from in close, and lately has been hitting a lot of goal-posts and crossbars. As a result, he’s gone back into default pass-first McDavid mode.
His shot per game average last season was 4.3. This year, it’s 3.3.
KK needs to get on him to shoot more. Even the best player in the world needs coaching.
McDavid has hit a bunch of crossbars with the sharp angle shot he takes from the L circle. The goals that are missing this season are the ones where he would blow past defensemen down the right side, swatting the defenseman’s stick away and cut sharply across the goal crease on his edges and finish it off by flipping a shot past the goalie.
D-men are backing up more and not giving him that ice anymore. They’ll let him gain the zone more easily now instead of trying to stand him up at the blueline. McDavid has not adjusted by shooting from distance … he’s gets sucked into the mouth of the defense and then they converge on him.
He has had some bad luck but his shot is accurate and he can beat goalies with it
The more unpredictable he plays the more options he has. Nobody can keep up with him when he does it that
Stumpy Woodpuppet
February 25, 2024 12:33 pm
I was surprised to see McDavid slow down on the back check on Calgary’s first goal. The broadcast had a replay of the goal with audio. As Mcdavid was initially backchecking you can hear someone yell “no” (probably a linesman). This seemed to occur the same time McDavid seem to let up on the backcheck. It may of confused him for that split second for whatever reason.
I thought it was Kadri straight armed him, causing Connor to slow and him to gain a step. I thought immediately about Connors struggles with Kadri in the past.
I like your pick up here though, I was not aware of linesman calling out no to a ootential
offside.
Reja
February 25, 2024 12:17 pm
The 82 game schedule is a grind if anyone is expecting veteran players to go all out every game it’s not realistic. This team is built for the Playoffs as for now they need to inject some carefree youngsters that will work the corners for Leon and Connor
Holland is stubborn look no further than Brown who obviously should of started the season in the minors. One loose link in the chain can cave a whole bottom six and has.
Someone didnt do there due diligence on this player. In life sometimes you have to admit a mistake and cut bait. Brown may show a pulse and go to the net come playoff time but he‘s been bringing down his linemates for 55 games. I would say as of now dollar for dollar worst signing in Oilers history.
One could discuss that statement – has zero to do with the point I was making (and responding to).
SoCaloil
February 25, 2024 12:00 pm
I’m wondering how much of last night could be attributed to the coaches wanting them to make a play every shift
there are times when the neutral zone is
chalked up and the play is a dump in
It felt like they were forcing it while not being sharp or fast, turning the pucks over as a result.
Leon esp seemed frustrated tho not exactly sure why
Nuge seemed absent and I know he’s been sick.
The play for Connor on first GA was to
take a penalty
The next play was for the players that were supporting to actually do their job and put in the effort to make the defensive play they were in position to make.
OriginalPouzar
February 25, 2024 11:46 am
I don’t imagine for a second its going to happen (and I’m not even sure I would be in favor) but they do have the roster space and cap room to call Rodrigue up and give him one spot start.
The daily portion of his AAV would cost like a couple grand on the overall cap calculation and he could go down the next day.
I would be intrigued but that would be a kick in the ass to Pickard who has been well above expectations overall for the team when they needed him.
Won’t happen, probably shouldn’t happen – would love to see it.
Pickard has done his job and deserves a couple of more starts in saying that the 2-1 go ahead blast against Minny should of never went in. Pickard had the angle covered and knew the only place he could be best on was the 1 foot area to the right of him. Pickard whiffed on it and that goal was a backbreaker.
€√¥£€^$
February 25, 2024 11:43 am
I am concerned about the upcoming schedule, starting on Saturday they play 6 games in 9 days. So the next 8 games will be crucial.
I am also very concerned about Stu. He has an 0.867 save percentage over his last 6 games. For context, Campbell was banished to the Netherworld with a save percentage of 0.873 and a very similar GAA after 5 games…
I think 2 of Fleury, Dowd, Edmunson or Henrique will be incoming, but will it be too little, too late?
You actually think the Oilers are in danger of falling out of the playoff race?
Because of a 4-5-1 run after a 16-0-0 run?
Still 20-5-1 in their last 26 games (2nd to FLA).
Still 28-8-1 in their last 37 games (best in the league).
Still 30-11-1 in 42 games under Knoblauch (best in the league).
You never know I guess, but it seems more an over-reaction to some very recent poor play than anything to me.
And in terms of schedule toughness, FWIW, the websites that track that sort of thing say the Oilers have the 18th or 22nd most difficult remaining schedule (ie – less difficult than most).
No, I think it’s highly unlikely that they fall out of a playoff spot but it’s not quite as easy as those sites say since they are focused entirely on opponents without looking at other important factors like back to back games and instances of 3 games in 4 nights or 5 in 7 which the Oilers have a few.
For example, the Oilers still have a 4 game ET road trip with those 4 games in 6 nights while some of the teams they are competing with for playoff spots do not.
While games in hand are a benefit, teams that have already banked those points and have less demanding remaining schedules and travel going forward have an advantage in rest and recovery.
Nashville is a good example.
They are leading Anaheim 3-1 at the moment and are likely to finish the night 2 points behind the Oilers with Edmonton holding 4 games in hand.
However, in March Nashville has only 1 back to back while the Oilers have 3 and much more travel.
All the Oilers top players will be playing big minutes and both Draisaitl and McDavid, who have been consistently scoring this rough patch are banged up. They will be playing heavy minutes and will be targeted by the opposition.
I have significant concerns about the lack of consistent depth scoring on this team.
Hopefully my fears will not come to pass. Regardless, this will be my last comment on this board until after that 8th game.
While, I appreciate your viewpoint, we all know that are half a dozen near-misses often going both ways, probably every period of every game a team plays.
Also, we see such claims a lot; that is a goaltender who kept his team in the game, “they could have had 6 goals in the 1st period”.
However, it is an extremely uncommon event in the NHL for a single team to allow 6 goals in 1 period or more than 8 goals in one game. It’s an extremely hard league to score goals in, although it is no longer a 3-2 league.
That being said, the most successful goalies are extremely consistent. Skinner is talented, and he is definitely inconsistent.
He’s allowed 26 goals in his last 6 games (around 4.30 goals per game). Prior to that he allowed 16 goals in 12 games (approximately 1.30 goals per game).
To begin the season he allowed 29 goals in 8 games (roughly 3.60 goals per game) and in between these difficult first 8 and the incredible pre-Allstar streak 37 goals counted in 15 games (roughly a 2.40 goals per game).
So he has made some great stops, but he simply hasn’t been good enough and although he isn’t THE problem, he is a part of the problem right now.
That being said, the most successful goalies are extremely consistent. Skinner is talented, and he is definitely inconsistent.
How true is this though?
Vasilevskiy is rocking an .897 this season.
Oettinger is at .903.
Saros is at .904.
Shesterkin was at .899 through the end of February.
Bobrovsky was at .901 last season.
Demko was at .901 last season.
Never mind ups and downs within a season, these are weak full season numbers from a bunch of the top goalies in the league.
Oetinger’s last season and his playoff performance prior to last season put him in the elite conversation, but in his 4 NHL seasons to date, last season is the only elite season he’s had.
Vasilevskiy has never not had a season where he’s out of the conversation, so this season is an anomaly. Bobrovsky is back to doing usual Bob things, but last year he was not performing at his usual levels.
So this season to date, the goaltenders in the elite category, IMO are Hellebucyk, Daccord, Swayman, Demko and Bobrovsky using 0.915 in Save Percentage and 2.50 in GAA.
Skinner is 25th in save percentage amongst goalies who’ve played 25 or more games and is 15th in goals against average. This puts him in the same range as Oetinger, which is in the approximate range of average for NHL goaltenders this season.
Hopefully he is able to get back into the conversation as a top 10 goaltender this season.
Skinners increased performance matched the win streak. Chicken or the Egg situation.
Oilers are not the best defensively. They can be better but will they be great? They have been built for offence.
Thus even at their best turnovers will occur and you hope your goalie will make the save.
Going with Skinner – Pickard has risk. So does spending assets on another goalie.
teddyturnbuckle
February 25, 2024 11:25 am
New rule Oiler players. Unless your name is McDavid, Draisaitl or Nuge you shoot on every 2 on 1. Sometimes I think these guys watch McDavid in practice and think they can dangle their way around also. Foegele was set up in the slot in the first period with a point blank shooting angle on a 2 on 1. Instead of shooting he tried to McDavid a pass to a guy who was covered.
blah blah blah inside position
Look there’s very little to pick apart in Mcdavids game but defensive effort occasionally is it
catches Kadri and does not take a single stride again
They also ripped Draisaitl for being easy to get under his skin and make him lose focus/discipline.
Chelios is a Dinosaur
February 25, 2024 10:44 am
I was so patient and positive in October it almost killed me, this is nothing.
OriginalPouzar
February 25, 2024 10:40 am
Last night was a good one for one Dylan Holloway, who played a rambunctious game and showed up consistently. He had an elasticity to him, shooting while parallel to the ice, going ass over tea kettle, losing his balance in full flight but correcting like a seasoned pilot. I have no idea if this young man will ever score enough to spend extended time on a skill line, but am looking forward to seeing the story unfold.
I query the same thing about his ability to produce.
On the one hand, I think “put him up with Leon and he’ll start to produce”.
On the other hand, every time he gets put up there, well, it doesn’t seem to click.
Then again, after being promoted, he seems to be moved down so very quick, often same game, without a real chance to get comfortable/settled.
Does he change his game when he’s in the top 6? Does he need to change his game when he’s in the top 6?
One thing I am certain is that he does need to “slow his game down” at time. No, don’t lose that motor and aggressiveness and tenacity – that’s key to his game, but he seems to go 100 miles an hour on every play and on every puck and he needs the game to slow down for him and to slow his game down.
Part of me sees Holloway as a very good complimentary player in the top 6. What Warren Foegele has done this season but more skilled, faster and well, just “better”.
Part of me wonders if he’ll be more than a 4th line energy player and top PK guy.
I wonder if that wrist/scaphoid injury and the fact he needed a second surgery as the first one “didn’t take” has indeed caused some permanent damage.
That wouldn’t be a unique outcome with that injury (from everything we learned about it at the time).
I remember his shot being a weapon for Wisconsin – he had a really good release and was a volume shooter.
We haven’t seen that AT ALL at the NHL level and it was hit and miss at the AHL level. Of course, the ability to use a good shot at the pro level is a skill in itself that doesn’t always translate (i.e. see Petrov and Savoie at the AHL level and Lavoie at the NHL level – in each case, to this point).
Holloway is a centre. When they put in in the top six, they put him on wing, and he doesn’t get enough touches. We finally have a centre who can transport the puck, and drive the puck through the middle of the ice and defense like Messier did, who is not trying to make fancy plays at the blue line (Draisaitl), or go wide like McLeod and McDavid are prone to do.
Put him at 3rd line centre. Yell sic-em, and forget about him for the next decade.
SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!
February 25, 2024 10:35 am
Injuries and illness are the most likely culprits. Leon has been a bit, how do we say, pissy, the last few games. He chirped Gully after scoring that PP goal against Minny (which TV crews cut away from…) which was kinda odd and then last night. Weird times.
Im assuming McDavid has some kinda wrist injury and that’s where the shot has gone. Funny to talk about a guy slumping when he’s got like 19 assists the last couple weeks but it’s got that feel doesn’t it?
Knoblauch’s rookieness has been showing a bit the last few weeks IMO. No I don’t want to fire him but he’s gone to McDrai since three games before the ASG break. During Woody’s tenure that would have been enough to set this place alight and the Blender for everyone else has been on Frappe too.
When Stu is slumping the skyward stares per sixty jumps and it’s been off the charts his last five starts. No I don’t expect Hasek in his prime but for both fellas they’ve been spotting 1.5 against per game lately. Just tighten it up a tad.
Im with LT, a touch of disappointment right now but this too shall pass. Luckily for us everyone in the West is sorta swooning which is providing some padding here. We’ll see how it all shakes out but I feel like another run is coming. It’s tough having to play 82 when you’re really focused on the 2nd season. One day at a time gents, one at a time. March has been a good month the last few years even when February gives mixed results.
Some would expect their goalie to be able to help his team battle through some down swings in play, keep the team in some games they may not deserve to be in, outplay the team sometimes, steal a game sometimes – other goalies do it to the Oilers.
imagine a player – any player- in the NHL posting:
0 goals & 4 token assists and still drawing into the lineup.
Shamus23
February 25, 2024 10:10 am
Well I thought I was lucky going to the game last night. Was I wrong. Disappointing outcome for sure. Lots of guys did not show up. 15 giveaways at least, dumb penalties, sub par goaltending, D was really bad, just a terrible game overall.
Janmark, Holloway and Hyman ( Except that bad giveaway) all had a game.
LA is a must win to get them on track and is going to be a tough one as I am sure they will play the Oilers that in your face style they saw from Calgary last night.
Team really needs some D help and probably 2 bottom 6 C men
Holloway had 19-1 Corsi last night, Brown 15-1, Neither was on the ice for a single shot by Calgary at 5v5. Their line with Ryan was the least of Edmonton’s concerns.
This does not change the fact that Brown had a very good game and his play was part of the reason the line was effective.
I don’t think Holloway assisted Brown’s elite PK work last night.
OriginalPouzar
February 25, 2024 9:44 am
That was not a good game by the Oilers last night, in fact, it was the opposite – aside from a handful of players (Janmark, Holloway, Hyman, Brown, Ryan) none was good enough.
Even Hyman, one of the “good enough” players with two goal made a horrid giveaway at the offensive blue leading to a 3 zone clear breakaway.
The captain led the way early with a lazy backcheck directly leading to the first goal against (yes, Bouch made a bad turnover but the captain gave up on the backcheck for no apparent reason) and another poor effort on the 3rd goal against.
Leon followed the captain with countless turnovers, not moving his feet and, well, we saw the selfish “unacceptable” penalty that essentially finished the game off.
This team is slumping – they have reverted back to not commiting to forward support at either blue line, the neutral zone and on the back-check, they are cheating for offense and not waiting for plays to come, they are making poor decisions in all zones, they are playing undisciplined and they are not finishing.
I am frustrated and a bit concerned but not, in any way, changing my mindset that this team, while far from perfect, at the top of its game, is still a contending team.
They are not at the top of their game but we know, with certainty, that they do have the requisite game to compete for Stanley.
They WILL get that game back. The season is an 82 game grind and they are in the absolute dog days of the season. Its ugly right now but the beauty will show itself shortly and its going to be a fun deadline, stretch-run and playoff run.
I agree. Let us hope they have the right mindset and attitude to revert back to supporting each other in all three zones. Far too stretched out and cheating.
Corey Perry should be deployed the way Tampa deployed Maroon, on the 4th line, and move him up situationally when his unique skills were required.
The problem with this, is that Tampa had a plethora of top nine forwards who could PK, so they could stash a one dimensional scorer and shit disturber/enforcer on the fourth line.
However Holland has a full team of these old situational players already for 4th line duty. Ryan, Janmark, Gagner, Brown, Perry, Erne,
And arguably, the team would have been better off come playoff time, just giving all these old men minutes to Lavoie in the hopes of serendipitous upside.
In his last 4 games Perry has played 45 minutes and posted a dash-7.
All earned at 5v5, with the Oilers outscored 1-8 in 43:40.
This with a slightly posittive Corsi & shot share, but a PDO of … wait for it … .694.
Definitely a shit streak, but he has looked slow in transition & in the defensive zone & it has proven costly. For all his 5v5 expected goal share of “56.64%” in that span (love all those insignificant digits in a contrived number that is simply an estimate, but I digress), I actually watched those games & saw him as a net liability. Hoepfully just a slump, or the same bug that is bugging much of the team.
I hear what you’re saying about Perry’s foot speed and its defensive impact. But across those same 4 games McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Nurse and Ceci all have a negative 5v5 goal share. And Perry was definitely a net positive against Boston.
In just over 7 minutes of ice at 5 on 5, Brown was on the ice for 15-1 shots attempts and 6-0 shots and an expected goal share of 100% – he didn’t nullify anything.
He also led the forwards with a clean 3:40 on the PK.
I agree he is a good player but he’s also failed to gain any sustained transaction up the lineup – each time he’s given an opportunity in the top 6 it just hasn’t meshed and the 3rd line has been awful a few times with him on it.
It may be prudent for him to get some sustained time at center on a line where he is the best player and driver – the issue is the coach never finding minutes for that line – even when they are team’s most effective line, as they were last night.
Subtracting Campbell was a huge positive.The NHL isn’t supposed to be a developmental league and the negative mindsets of struggling pros isn’t helpful. Loser mentalities can definitely be catching. Brown needs to go. Jackson needs to own it. This is in fact why there’s an AHL. If someone claims Brown off waivers , all the better. Let his struggles be someone else’s problem or victory. Either way I believe we’re stuck
Sierra
February 25, 2024 9:38 am
The oilers looked terrible last night. Nothing worked. Poor quality passes, inability to handle passes, could win puck battles, lost many races, not enough saves. It’s frustrating, anger enduring even. I can’t help but wonder if there is an illness raging through the team. They were just so bad.
They looked completely uninspired, very lethargic.
Sierra
February 25, 2024 9:31 am
A handful of posts thus far this morning and a few are talking about the 16-0 team vs the team the rest of the season. This is on my mind too.
Would the real Oilers please stand up! Or is the post-ASB the real Oilers? They aren’t as bad as the early season Oilers, but the commitment to structure and system is reminiscent of the pre-streak Oilers.
This is the real team, inconsistent defensively, porous goaltending and not enough effort. But plenty of talent!!! It won’t ever win anything that matters except regular season individual trophies.
It’s not a long-term strategy, but it does work. And the current Oilers do not have the luxury of “long-term” at this point.
Tocchet seems to be doing fine.
TruthHurts98
February 25, 2024 9:22 am
This team appears to be miles away from competing for home ice let alone a Cup. From my vantage point they don’t seem to have it mentally. They have the talent, but talent alone doesn’t get you far. Maybe this will wake them up, but I have my doubts.
The Oilers future $11 million dollar defenseman, Evan Bouchard, starts the Battle of Alberta with his head up his a$$. Hilarity ensues.
If not for Skinner, the score likely would have been 5 or 6 or more nothing after one period.
The OIlers 16-0 game, the game they played during the streak, is an unstable equilibrium. Their natural equilibrium is the start of the season and last night. For a contender, it has to be the reverse. When things go bad, the equilbrium state should be a solid foundation of system play and hard work.
The OIlers are like a laser. There are no emissions unless it is stimulated properly.
Knoblauch has lost the plot on forward deployment. He keeps on pushing McLeod and Holloway down the roster in favour of Holland’s Team For Old Men.
Hyman isn’t a defensive stalwart and isn’t the shooter Connor needs, he’s the puck hound with his stick on the ice. He’s helpful, he deserves his gig, but I’m thinking a level up. Zach has also been better defensively this season, but there are still some beauty gaffs
The idea is while Connor needs to play two ways, there might be better ways to deploy him, if the right personnel was available. Not easy for sure, but that’s the job
Zach Hyman had 8 SOG last night. The Oilers had 76 shot attempts, but only 47.5% hit the net.
The Oilers D had 4 SOG (Bouchard had 0), while the Flames hit the net on almost 60% of their attempts and their DCorps had 13 SOG, which speaks volumes about the comparative teams’ defensive efforts.
Jari Kurri was Finnish, but he was also an elite defensive player.
The difference is that Laine has never been a 200 foot player. It’s too bad the Bison King didn’t have Laine’s shot, if so, then a Kurri comparison would be in the same Country Code.
Only counts if you travel. You get to the airport and by the time you get to the hotel it’s 3 am. Sure. If you go sleep in your own bed it doesn’t count as scheduled loss
DevilsLettuce
February 25, 2024 9:08 am
I apologize, I’ve said Foegele has been eating donuts 10 of the last 11 games, it’s been 10 of 12 games.
Should of been traded when his value was inflated, he’s a top 6 player on a lottery destined team.
Management has alot to figure out with the forward group, even with 2 top 5 players, the puck skills drop off into no man’s land about 5 forwards in.
If we are talking straight up point production, why would a 12 game sample trump any of:
1) this season (mid level 1st line production)
2) last 82 games (first line production)
3) last 2 seasons (2nd line production)
4) last 3 seasons (2nd line production)
Plus some solid depth PK.
Plus some solid forecheck work, plus some decent 2-way play, etc.
Despite me talking about his points a ton that last few weeks, I don’t love Warren Foegele. I like him as a player and would love for him to be a mainstay on an elite 3rd line.
At the same time, his production over the year and over the years speaks for itself and many of the “requested upgrades” are likely not that.
leadfarmer
February 25, 2024 9:02 am
Mcdavid and Drai played 23 min on Friday and expecting results on Saturday. Mcdavids defensive play cost big goals in both games. Coincidence? I think not. Young genius coach is just the same guy weve been firing.
Schedule is too tight to do this the rest of the way. Both need at bats limited to 19 min a night
Among the top-32 in scoring, below is every player logging 19 minutes or less:
5) JT Miller: 19:37
10) Elias Petterson: 19:10
15) Matthew Tkachuk: 18:32
17) Sebastian Aho: 19:34
20) Carter Verhage: 18:01
22) Brock Boeser: 18:37
25) Jesper Bratt: 19:06
27) Jason Robertson: 18:22
29) Matt Duchene: 16:52
30) Aleksander Barkov: 19:25
32) Filip Forsberg: 19:03
33) Brandon Hagel: 19:18 (tied at 55 points with Duchene/Barkov/Forsberg)
The first goal featured a cross ice pass by 97 for Hyman, who tried to make a quick pass to Bouchard who didn’t get it cleanly and then jailbreak the other way. McDavid couldn’t get inside Kadri, a tough thing to do, but he got back and made the attempt. The errant passing was the key imo. Hyman shoots the puck in, McDavid gets to center shoots the puck in, just make the simple play early. Oilers are too cute for their own good imo, it’s been going on for weeks and started during the 16-game winning streak.
He actually didn’t He tried to get inside but Kadri had a step and leverage. That’s not an easy play against anyone, but Kadri is outstanding in that kind of exchange.
He got back and made the attempt but then completely stopped.
McDavid 100% gave up on that play – he stopped skating. One more hard stride and he sticks with Kadri – no not on the inside but right with him and likely able to break up the play.
You left out the part about “it was inside the Oilers blueline with about 60ft to the goal line” Kadri was driving forward with speed and McDavid was behind him.
That to me sounds like
“33 year old Kadri had position on the fastest player in the NHL …..” but it seems you don’t . . . . . . . . . not sure why.
When Bouchard gets the puck and startshis charge of the light brigade 1-on-3, arguably 1-on-4, the three forwards were in front of him all flat-footed because of the misplace McDavid pass to Hyman.
The bad pass and the OIler forwards were all within his field of view, and yet he went on his misguided charge to take on 3 or 4 Calgary defenders, instead of dumping the puck in.
When Bouchard turned it over, he had Ekholm in position in the neutral zone, two forwards parallel and one forward behind him.
McDavid wasn’t even flat-footed, he was in motion going laterally across the line and he was essentially within a stride of Kadri in the neutral zone.
Bouchard had enough support to make the play and McDavid had full ability to stop the play, even without taking a penalty – he choose not to put in the effort.
leadfarmer
February 25, 2024 8:57 am
This is why I don’t like long winning streaks in the middle of the season. Becomes such a big emotional let down when you finally lose and you forget how hard you have to work every night
There’s one thing I want Holland to do this trade deadline. Create cap space to absorb some of these stupid contracts he gave out to give these guys another crack at it next season. Either these guys figure it out come playoff time or they don’t. I don’t think bringing in a player is gonna be the difference
How does this being wrong square with being the GM of a team with a cooperative owner that spends, one of the best players of all time, another great forward, both in prime, and 5 years later the same holes in the roster, the same issues on the ice?
Holland is about to have his last kick at the can as a GM. He’s a proven general manager.
Holland brought in Zack Hyman, Evander Kane, Matthias Ekholm and Cory Perry among others.
He has assets to trade and like all of us know the Oilers as constituted are close to contending status.
When you think about it logically, Holland is the only hope Oilers have to improve the team this season.
Holland & whoever he trades for at the deadline
very late to the daily party:
LOVE THIS
Watching Kane score that overtime winner, Holland must be having sleepless nights not signing him.
It’s crazy people were writing him off, the Oilers need a puck skilled forward that excites 97 and 29.
His remaining cap hit is 759k, could you imagine an actual puck gifted top 6 forward instead of this nonsense of settling for the bare minimum production because of their “two-way” ability.
27gp 28 points, Oilers could of had this guy and been left looking for a defender, maybe MAF if he agrees.
Score goals and defend, well you’d be considerably on the attack far more with a talent like Patrick Kane alongside either 97 or 29 then a third line two way milk toast dime a dozen already 8 of em talent.
If you only bring offense when you’re in the top 6, you’re not actually top 6. Top 6 brings their offense everywhere, if the Oilers are not aiming for an everywhere talent within the forward ranks they better be obtaining prime Chara and turn into the Ray Lewis lead Ravens. This forward group is simply not dynamic enough.
Nuge/McDavid/Hyman
Kane/Draisaitl/Kane
Mcleod/Hollywood/Janmark
Maroon/Cole Sillinger/Perry
Ekholm/Bouchard
Nurse/Durzi
Kulak/Vinny
Broberg/Tinordi
Skinner
MAF
I’m sure Holland inquired on Kane as, from accounts, he does his diligence on pretty much every player.
At the same time, to imply that Holland could have signed him and chose not to seems, well, a major reach.
The Oilers had nowhere near the cap space to sign him to a similar contract at the end of November and there is no indication the player was looking to come play in Northern Canada.
Last night on HNIC at the 1st intermission:
Bieksa: Oilers need a better starting goalie
Friedman: Disagree. Oilers need to fortify the group that plays in front of the goalie
I’m with Friedman. The right-handed Ekholm is the droid we’re looking for
And actually commit to playing solid defence without the puck as a team would help.
Bieksa’s not wrong … in a sense. What we need is the 28 year old version of Skinner that’s been a starting goalie for 5 seasons. Until that point, Friedman is correct – they need to fortify the group that plays in front of him.
If Durzi is available, they should go get him. Broberg is a reasonable price for a top 4 RHD that you would have for several years under team control. They should also add multiple firsts and whatever other draft capital/prospects that are needed for Crouse (yes I know this likely means trying to offload Campbell to make Crouse’s salary fit). It’s time to go like Tampa and Vegas and push the chips in before Leon, Connor, Skinner and Bouch’s contracts run out.
And who is that?
It would have to be a player with term left. Scanning the league, IMO these are the candidates:
Durzi?
Parayko?
Pulock?
Karlsson?
Borgen?
These seem to be to me the only players that would have a similar positive impact, in terms of their current contracts. Also of note, Pulock and Borgen would provide far more of a defensive boost than they would help offense.
Borgen & Durzi seem to be at the proper price point, but are they actually available? Most importantly, are they better than Ceci in the top 4?
That’s the problem when there are lots of unresolved problems, what to do?
Completely agree – please stop telegraphing pass and shoot more Connor
When we look for who is coming in at the deadline, if Henrique is the big add then he slots as 3c by my eye. That would make a possible 2nd line of
McLeod – Drai – Kane
Could an off side Kane provide the goal scoring winger needed? Think one timers from Drais backhanded passes. McLeod is very good defensively and with a fast zone entry.
Those would be forehanded passes for Kane one timers, I think
You are correct. My bad on that.
LT I love the dialogues, always entertaining and insightful. Don’t know what the hey is going on right now, but believe better games ahead. Just wanted to add that even though I’m not a big fight lover there are times it’s called for. Coleman deserved a tune up and was impressed with Janmark’s response. And he added a goal!
My greatest fear at the trade deadline. Dallas trading for Tanev (or Pesce, but that is less likely to happen).
Elliotte Friedman has said Dallas is the front runner.
What about Vegas grabbing geuntzal with all the cap space?
You know they will make a splash and aren’t afraid to spend.
This team is not a defensively gifted group. They are most definitely an offensively gifted group. They know this.
The thing about defense, is it doesn’t require them to be gifted, it means buying into the system and keeping the puck off of the opponents stick as much as possible.
They have proven they can do this. They simply are not doing it.
F*%* the shooter mentality, the team went on a near historic run by suffocating their opponents with a puck possession mentality. They were holding the puck, letting chances come to them, and forcing opponents to make mistakes.
Since the end of January, theyve reverted back to trying Outscore their mistakes with fancy hilite passes through the middle, no structure, which exposes dmen trying to pinch, neutralizes their ability to properly forecheck.
There’s glimpses of it in there every now and then but every mediocre team can probably say that.
My one note in this vein. I would like to see them using the dmen to play keep away during line changes instead of dumping the puck in. Giving up possession freely is not a great idea imo.
Completely agree.
I keep coming back to goaltending as well. Put aside poor defensive play by the forwards for a minute.
Great goalies cover for mistakes made. When Skinner was great they were winning. Last night he should have kept that game closer. Mistakes will be made.
Inferior teams with excellent goaltending have beaten the Oilers.
So is Skinner enough? Yes? Or yes if he gets help?
If you had to list just one thing that would give us greatest chance of success, bar injuries, it would probably be excellent goaltending. Can Skinner deliver is a good question.
He’s inconsistent so far in his career . You would need Skinner to get hot during the playoffs, if not it’s over. That said there are not many consistent goalies in the league.
Skinner did keep the game closer. He kept a 6 or 7 to nothing score to three against in the first period.
And therefore…?
I am disappointed that the Oilers still have too many unknowns at this time of year. I understand the need to put up wins but:
Holloway has talent and upside, they don’t know where to deploy him best.
Broberg is unknown. Any defencman past top 6 is unknown at the NHL level
Will the coach build lines and trust them, or default to Connor , Leon
Will any identity emerge from bottom six? Even a trusted third line?
Can the team emerge through the physical games? Or will there be too much wear and tear on the stars?
How will they manage the workload and injuries down the stretch and be ready for playoffs?
Broberg is not unknown. He played two full months last season exceptionally well on the 3rd pairing.
With his pedigree and experience, he should have been given a decent chance to fill the spot beside Nurse to start the season.
Holloway. Just make him the 3rd line centre, and forget about him for a decade.
2 months of 3LD isn’t equatable to 1RD.
Well if Broberg is known, then he is a known unsuccessful Or at least unready NHL defence man as his home is the AHL.
Oilers perhaps have him pegged in their assessment. But I would like to see them at least have a 7th d man ready and trustworthy.
Right now he is not that.
Broberg needs reps.
We shouldn’t underestimate the GM’s role in how the coaches deploy
There are key pieces missing, like established centres in the bottom 6. It would help those wingers that aren’t scoring and often getting outscored
It would help the backend as well I think
McDavid has 5 goals in his last 17 games and 0 in his last 9.
To start the season he had 6 goals in 17 games, including a goal-less stretch of 8 games.
What does it all mean?
I think it is an indicator of puck luck (see 3 McDavid posts vs Wild, and a few empty net misses over last couple of weeks) or is it that his scope calibration is just a little bit off? Is he rushing himself too much, does he have an ailment, is his focus off slightly?
Clearly he is overdue and when he breaks out of this slump, will this team follow?
Last season, he was beating goaltenders clean with his shot selections. This season, it’s like he’s not trying near as much, and is passing off on too many clean look opportunities. I’m not suggesting he’s injured, is he too focused on other things we are not appreciating as much?
I think it’s mental more than physical, along with defences adjusting to him.
Last year, he scored a couple of goals early in the season off of one-timers, and then he was off to the races on his way to the Maurice.
This year, he only shoots from in close, and lately has been hitting a lot of goal-posts and crossbars. As a result, he’s gone back into default pass-first McDavid mode.
His shot per game average last season was 4.3. This year, it’s 3.3.
KK needs to get on him to shoot more. Even the best player in the world needs coaching.
I’ll go back to shooting top net. Last season Connor and Nuge were and set career highs
This year back to under arm and such, and given almost all goalies play the odds and protect the bottom 2/3 of the net, not as successful
McDavid has hit a bunch of crossbars with the sharp angle shot he takes from the L circle. The goals that are missing this season are the ones where he would blow past defensemen down the right side, swatting the defenseman’s stick away and cut sharply across the goal crease on his edges and finish it off by flipping a shot past the goalie.
D-men are backing up more and not giving him that ice anymore. They’ll let him gain the zone more easily now instead of trying to stand him up at the blueline. McDavid has not adjusted by shooting from distance … he’s gets sucked into the mouth of the defense and then they converge on him.
Bar down is the answer
He has had some bad luck but his shot is accurate and he can beat goalies with it
The more unpredictable he plays the more options he has. Nobody can keep up with him when he does it that
I was surprised to see McDavid slow down on the back check on Calgary’s first goal. The broadcast had a replay of the goal with audio. As Mcdavid was initially backchecking you can hear someone yell “no” (probably a linesman). This seemed to occur the same time McDavid seem to let up on the backcheck. It may of confused him for that split second for whatever reason.
I thought it was Kadri straight armed him, causing Connor to slow and him to gain a step. I thought immediately about Connors struggles with Kadri in the past.
I like your pick up here though, I was not aware of linesman calling out no to a ootential
offside.
The 82 game schedule is a grind if anyone is expecting veteran players to go all out every game it’s not realistic. This team is built for the Playoffs as for now they need to inject some carefree youngsters that will work the corners for Leon and Connor
Thumbs up.
It is why you should have young emerging players on the roster who play hard every night, instead of Holland’s Team For Old Men.
Holland is stubborn look no further than Brown who obviously should of started the season in the minors. One loose link in the chain can cave a whole bottom six and has.
Trying to send Brown to the minors for game 1 would have resulted in him being on the Anaheim Ducks roster at noon the following day.
Someone didnt do there due diligence on this player. In life sometimes you have to admit a mistake and cut bait. Brown may show a pulse and go to the net come playoff time but he‘s been bringing down his linemates for 55 games. I would say as of now dollar for dollar worst signing in Oilers history.
One could discuss that statement – has zero to do with the point I was making (and responding to).
I’m wondering how much of last night could be attributed to the coaches wanting them to make a play every shift
there are times when the neutral zone is
chalked up and the play is a dump in
It felt like they were forcing it while not being sharp or fast, turning the pucks over as a result.
Leon esp seemed frustrated tho not exactly sure why
Nuge seemed absent and I know he’s been sick.
The play for Connor on first GA was to
take a penalty
The play on the first goal against was for Bouchard to dump the puck in.
The next play was for the players that were supporting to actually do their job and put in the effort to make the defensive play they were in position to make.
I don’t imagine for a second its going to happen (and I’m not even sure I would be in favor) but they do have the roster space and cap room to call Rodrigue up and give him one spot start.
The daily portion of his AAV would cost like a couple grand on the overall cap calculation and he could go down the next day.
I would be intrigued but that would be a kick in the ass to Pickard who has been well above expectations overall for the team when they needed him.
Won’t happen, probably shouldn’t happen – would love to see it.
Pickard has done his job and deserves a couple of more starts in saying that the 2-1 go ahead blast against Minny should of never went in. Pickard had the angle covered and knew the only place he could be best on was the 1 foot area to the right of him. Pickard whiffed on it and that goal was a backbreaker.
I am concerned about the upcoming schedule, starting on Saturday they play 6 games in 9 days. So the next 8 games will be crucial.
I am also very concerned about Stu. He has an 0.867 save percentage over his last 6 games. For context, Campbell was banished to the Netherworld with a save percentage of 0.873 and a very similar GAA after 5 games…
I think 2 of Fleury, Dowd, Edmunson or Henrique will be incoming, but will it be too little, too late?
How would it be too late?
The Oilers have 6 points on the first non-playoff team with 2 games in hand and their goal differential of 42 better is telling
Yeah, the Oilers are closer to VAN (1st in the West) points percentage wise than they are to STL in 9th. And most think VAN are un-catchable.
Schedule compression, home/road split and travel became a factor late in the season.
The Oilers remaining schedule is pretty rough.
You actually think the Oilers are in danger of falling out of the playoff race?
Because of a 4-5-1 run after a 16-0-0 run?
Still 20-5-1 in their last 26 games (2nd to FLA).
Still 28-8-1 in their last 37 games (best in the league).
Still 30-11-1 in 42 games under Knoblauch (best in the league).
You never know I guess, but it seems more an over-reaction to some very recent poor play than anything to me.
And in terms of schedule toughness, FWIW, the websites that track that sort of thing say the Oilers have the 18th or 22nd most difficult remaining schedule (ie – less difficult than most).
No, I think it’s highly unlikely that they fall out of a playoff spot but it’s not quite as easy as those sites say since they are focused entirely on opponents without looking at other important factors like back to back games and instances of 3 games in 4 nights or 5 in 7 which the Oilers have a few.
For example, the Oilers still have a 4 game ET road trip with those 4 games in 6 nights while some of the teams they are competing with for playoff spots do not.
While games in hand are a benefit, teams that have already banked those points and have less demanding remaining schedules and travel going forward have an advantage in rest and recovery.
Nashville is a good example.
They are leading Anaheim 3-1 at the moment and are likely to finish the night 2 points behind the Oilers with Edmonton holding 4 games in hand.
However, in March Nashville has only 1 back to back while the Oilers have 3 and much more travel.
All the Oilers top players will be playing big minutes and both Draisaitl and McDavid, who have been consistently scoring this rough patch are banged up. They will be playing heavy minutes and will be targeted by the opposition.
I have significant concerns about the lack of consistent depth scoring on this team.
Hopefully my fears will not come to pass. Regardless, this will be my last comment on this board until after that 8th game.
The problem isn’t Skinner. The problem is the team defensive play and work effort in front of him.
He literally has saved two seasons. As a rookie and a sophomore goaltender.
The Flames could have had over six in the first period last night, because the OIlers were so pathetic in front of him. Skinner limited them to three.
While, I appreciate your viewpoint, we all know that are half a dozen near-misses often going both ways, probably every period of every game a team plays.
Also, we see such claims a lot; that is a goaltender who kept his team in the game, “they could have had 6 goals in the 1st period”.
However, it is an extremely uncommon event in the NHL for a single team to allow 6 goals in 1 period or more than 8 goals in one game. It’s an extremely hard league to score goals in, although it is no longer a 3-2 league.
That being said, the most successful goalies are extremely consistent. Skinner is talented, and he is definitely inconsistent.
He’s allowed 26 goals in his last 6 games (around 4.30 goals per game). Prior to that he allowed 16 goals in 12 games (approximately 1.30 goals per game).
To begin the season he allowed 29 goals in 8 games (roughly 3.60 goals per game) and in between these difficult first 8 and the incredible pre-Allstar streak 37 goals counted in 15 games (roughly a 2.40 goals per game).
So he has made some great stops, but he simply hasn’t been good enough and although he isn’t THE problem, he is a part of the problem right now.
How true is this though?
Vasilevskiy is rocking an .897 this season.
Oettinger is at .903.
Saros is at .904.
Shesterkin was at .899 through the end of February.
Bobrovsky was at .901 last season.
Demko was at .901 last season.
Never mind ups and downs within a season, these are weak full season numbers from a bunch of the top goalies in the league.
Consistency can change year to year.
Oetinger’s last season and his playoff performance prior to last season put him in the elite conversation, but in his 4 NHL seasons to date, last season is the only elite season he’s had.
Vasilevskiy has never not had a season where he’s out of the conversation, so this season is an anomaly. Bobrovsky is back to doing usual Bob things, but last year he was not performing at his usual levels.
So this season to date, the goaltenders in the elite category, IMO are Hellebucyk, Daccord, Swayman, Demko and Bobrovsky using 0.915 in Save Percentage and 2.50 in GAA.
Skinner is 25th in save percentage amongst goalies who’ve played 25 or more games and is 15th in goals against average. This puts him in the same range as Oetinger, which is in the approximate range of average for NHL goaltenders this season.
Hopefully he is able to get back into the conversation as a top 10 goaltender this season.
I concur. I also like Skinner.
Skinners increased performance matched the win streak. Chicken or the Egg situation.
Oilers are not the best defensively. They can be better but will they be great? They have been built for offence.
Thus even at their best turnovers will occur and you hope your goalie will make the save.
Going with Skinner – Pickard has risk. So does spending assets on another goalie.
New rule Oiler players. Unless your name is McDavid, Draisaitl or Nuge you shoot on every 2 on 1. Sometimes I think these guys watch McDavid in practice and think they can dangle their way around also. Foegele was set up in the slot in the first period with a point blank shooting angle on a 2 on 1. Instead of shooting he tried to McDavid a pass to a guy who was covered.
Great point. I honestly believe a team does take on characteristics of its captain, its identity.
Greasy goals count just the same as pretty goals. watch our opponents out score us, and most goal are bread and butter goals.
https://x.com/producerdrew_/status/1761591293631668242?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
blah blah blah inside position
Look there’s very little to pick apart in Mcdavids game but defensive effort occasionally is it
catches Kadri and does not take a single stride again
Yep.
Hence, McDavid’s reaction after the goal…
I was happy that he was pissed, presumably at himself.
Given he may have been even worse on the 3rd goal, it seems it doesn’t matter.
And if you watched the Wilds broadcast the night before they ripped him apart for the lazy defensive work on Kaprizov that cost the goal and game
They also ripped Draisaitl for being easy to get under his skin and make him lose focus/discipline.
I was so patient and positive in October it almost killed me, this is nothing.
I query the same thing about his ability to produce.
On the one hand, I think “put him up with Leon and he’ll start to produce”.
On the other hand, every time he gets put up there, well, it doesn’t seem to click.
Then again, after being promoted, he seems to be moved down so very quick, often same game, without a real chance to get comfortable/settled.
Does he change his game when he’s in the top 6? Does he need to change his game when he’s in the top 6?
One thing I am certain is that he does need to “slow his game down” at time. No, don’t lose that motor and aggressiveness and tenacity – that’s key to his game, but he seems to go 100 miles an hour on every play and on every puck and he needs the game to slow down for him and to slow his game down.
Part of me sees Holloway as a very good complimentary player in the top 6. What Warren Foegele has done this season but more skilled, faster and well, just “better”.
Part of me wonders if he’ll be more than a 4th line energy player and top PK guy.
Who was it Holloway played a few shifts with late in the MIN game, Connor and Perry?
That line looked dangerous.
It’s up to DH to figure it out, but there is so much there. He makes things happen and is assertive consistently, something the team dearly needs
I wonder if that wrist/scaphoid injury and the fact he needed a second surgery as the first one “didn’t take” has indeed caused some permanent damage.
That wouldn’t be a unique outcome with that injury (from everything we learned about it at the time).
I remember his shot being a weapon for Wisconsin – he had a really good release and was a volume shooter.
We haven’t seen that AT ALL at the NHL level and it was hit and miss at the AHL level. Of course, the ability to use a good shot at the pro level is a skill in itself that doesn’t always translate (i.e. see Petrov and Savoie at the AHL level and Lavoie at the NHL level – in each case, to this point).
Holloway is a centre. When they put in in the top six, they put him on wing, and he doesn’t get enough touches. We finally have a centre who can transport the puck, and drive the puck through the middle of the ice and defense like Messier did, who is not trying to make fancy plays at the blue line (Draisaitl), or go wide like McLeod and McDavid are prone to do.
Put him at 3rd line centre. Yell sic-em, and forget about him for the next decade.
Injuries and illness are the most likely culprits. Leon has been a bit, how do we say, pissy, the last few games. He chirped Gully after scoring that PP goal against Minny (which TV crews cut away from…) which was kinda odd and then last night. Weird times.
Im assuming McDavid has some kinda wrist injury and that’s where the shot has gone. Funny to talk about a guy slumping when he’s got like 19 assists the last couple weeks but it’s got that feel doesn’t it?
Knoblauch’s rookieness has been showing a bit the last few weeks IMO. No I don’t want to fire him but he’s gone to McDrai since three games before the ASG break. During Woody’s tenure that would have been enough to set this place alight and the Blender for everyone else has been on Frappe too.
When Stu is slumping the skyward stares per sixty jumps and it’s been off the charts his last five starts. No I don’t expect Hasek in his prime but for both fellas they’ve been spotting 1.5 against per game lately. Just tighten it up a tad.
Im with LT, a touch of disappointment right now but this too shall pass. Luckily for us everyone in the West is sorta swooning which is providing some padding here. We’ll see how it all shakes out but I feel like another run is coming. It’s tough having to play 82 when you’re really focused on the 2nd season. One day at a time gents, one at a time. March has been a good month the last few years even when February gives mixed results.
He really should be a 1B until/if he irons out the swings in play. At least more. Any drop can’t be close to a trip to the A
It is not swings in Skinner’s play. It is the swings in the play of the team in front of him defensively.
Skinner is fine.
Some would expect their goalie to be able to help his team battle through some down swings in play, keep the team in some games they may not deserve to be in, outplay the team sometimes, steal a game sometimes – other goalies do it to the Oilers.
May I ask why playing McDavid with Leon is a sign of rookieness?
Every coach, rookie to Hall of Famer have done it.
Dave Tippett did it.
Ken Hitchcock did it more than any other coach.
And none of them won with this squad, and all were fired and are not employed in the NHL as head coaches. Not exactly a ringing endorsement
Doesn’t speak to the original statement or my response to it.
This Friday will be March 1st.
Imagine a player – any player- in the NHL posting:
0 goals & 4 token assists and still drawing into the lineup.
This man has only – 2 primary assists- all season.
Truly incredible…..no idea how Vegas plans to defend him.
Nearing 2 years since the back of the net has been found, truly an amazing accomplishment.
a cool mil a point is a good gig if you can get it
Ross Johnston: 0G/3A in 44 games
Reese Johnson 2G/1A in 36 games
Nic Delaurier 0G/3A in 50 games
🤣🤣
Ducks
Hawks
Philly enforcer.
So two players are deployed on AHL level squads, while one guy chucks knucks for a living.
None of these players were brought in and paid to be a top 6 two way winger.
Brown is awful, your post only provides more proof.
Well I thought I was lucky going to the game last night. Was I wrong. Disappointing outcome for sure. Lots of guys did not show up. 15 giveaways at least, dumb penalties, sub par goaltending, D was really bad, just a terrible game overall.
Janmark, Holloway and Hyman ( Except that bad giveaway) all had a game.
LA is a must win to get them on track and is going to be a tough one as I am sure they will play the Oilers that in your face style they saw from Calgary last night.
Team really needs some D help and probably 2 bottom 6 C men
Officially charged with 15 giveaways. More giveaways than shot blocks shots (12).
Calgary meanwhile had 7 giveaways & 25 shot blocks.
That might be a winning formula if you have the puck all night & out-Corsi the other guys 100-40, but this wasn’t that.
Calgary would have had a touchdown in the first if not for Skinner’s exemplary goaltending.
What did you not like about Dylan Holloway’s game to suggest that the Oilers need two bottom six centremen?
Doesn’t score?
Imagine being so cruel as to place Dylan Holloway with Connor Brown……absolutely fascinating .
Shockingly, Holloway almost overcame it.
Free him
Holloway had 19-1 Corsi last night, Brown 15-1, Neither was on the ice for a single shot by Calgary at 5v5. Their line with Ryan was the least of Edmonton’s concerns.
If those two can find some regular goals it would be a big thing
yes it would sure help. A fourth line that can push play north & saw off has some value, especially if it can draw multiple penalties like last night.
Brown was one of the team’s best players last night – along with Janmark and Holloway.
Brown led the forwards in PK TOI with a clean 3:40.
I will fix that for you. Dylan Holloway is a good hockey player.
This does not change the fact that Brown had a very good game and his play was part of the reason the line was effective.
I don’t think Holloway assisted Brown’s elite PK work last night.
That was not a good game by the Oilers last night, in fact, it was the opposite – aside from a handful of players (Janmark, Holloway, Hyman, Brown, Ryan) none was good enough.
Even Hyman, one of the “good enough” players with two goal made a horrid giveaway at the offensive blue leading to a 3 zone clear breakaway.
The captain led the way early with a lazy backcheck directly leading to the first goal against (yes, Bouch made a bad turnover but the captain gave up on the backcheck for no apparent reason) and another poor effort on the 3rd goal against.
Leon followed the captain with countless turnovers, not moving his feet and, well, we saw the selfish “unacceptable” penalty that essentially finished the game off.
This team is slumping – they have reverted back to not commiting to forward support at either blue line, the neutral zone and on the back-check, they are cheating for offense and not waiting for plays to come, they are making poor decisions in all zones, they are playing undisciplined and they are not finishing.
I am frustrated and a bit concerned but not, in any way, changing my mindset that this team, while far from perfect, at the top of its game, is still a contending team.
They are not at the top of their game but we know, with certainty, that they do have the requisite game to compete for Stanley.
They WILL get that game back. The season is an 82 game grind and they are in the absolute dog days of the season. Its ugly right now but the beauty will show itself shortly and its going to be a fun deadline, stretch-run and playoff run.
Go Oilers!
I agree. Let us hope they have the right mindset and attitude to revert back to supporting each other in all three zones. Far too stretched out and cheating.
Re: cheating for offence
Oilers averaged just 3.36 goals per game in January, with 1.27 GA.
Oilers have improved to 3.70 goals per game in February, with 4.20 GA.
Clearly it’s working. 🥴
I heard you and Dave talk about this and how the goals against in this stretch has TRIPPLED from January.
Tripled in 1 fewer GP. I think Dr. Jekyll went somewhere to Hyde.
Corey Perry should be deployed the way Tampa deployed Maroon, on the 4th line, and move him up situationally when his unique skills were required.
The problem with this, is that Tampa had a plethora of top nine forwards who could PK, so they could stash a one dimensional scorer and shit disturber/enforcer on the fourth line.
However Holland has a full team of these old situational players already for 4th line duty. Ryan, Janmark, Gagner, Brown, Perry, Erne,
And arguably, the team would have been better off come playoff time, just giving all these old men minutes to Lavoie in the hopes of serendipitous upside.
Didn’t Tampa deploy both Maroon and Perry on the 4th line together?
In his last 4 games Perry has played 45 minutes and posted a dash-7.
All earned at 5v5, with the Oilers outscored 1-8 in 43:40.
This with a slightly posittive Corsi & shot share, but a PDO of … wait for it … .694.
Definitely a shit streak, but he has looked slow in transition & in the defensive zone & it has proven costly. For all his 5v5 expected goal share of “56.64%” in that span (love all those insignificant digits in a contrived number that is simply an estimate, but I digress), I actually watched those games & saw him as a net liability. Hoepfully just a slump, or the same bug that is bugging much of the team.
I’ve been championing a mobility scooter for Perry, your data only strengthens my belief.
I hear what you’re saying about Perry’s foot speed and its defensive impact. But across those same 4 games McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Nurse and Ceci all have a negative 5v5 goal share. And Perry was definitely a net positive against Boston.
Yeah, I thought Perry really struggled to move around last night…
As you mention, probably should be on the 4th line, but Brown will nullify anything positive Perry has to bring.
Might have to a long look at the 3rd line. With Foegele and McLeoed. Perry needs speed on his line.
Silky hands to soft for 4th line …..Slow boots a problem ( at times) on the top 2 lines.
In just over 7 minutes of ice at 5 on 5, Brown was on the ice for 15-1 shots attempts and 6-0 shots and an expected goal share of 100% – he didn’t nullify anything.
He also led the forwards with a clean 3:40 on the PK.
Dylan Holloway is a good player. Why are they deploying him on the 4th line?
I agree he is a good player but he’s also failed to gain any sustained transaction up the lineup – each time he’s given an opportunity in the top 6 it just hasn’t meshed and the 3rd line has been awful a few times with him on it.
It may be prudent for him to get some sustained time at center on a line where he is the best player and driver – the issue is the coach never finding minutes for that line – even when they are team’s most effective line, as they were last night.
Subtracting Campbell was a huge positive.The NHL isn’t supposed to be a developmental league and the negative mindsets of struggling pros isn’t helpful. Loser mentalities can definitely be catching. Brown needs to go. Jackson needs to own it. This is in fact why there’s an AHL. If someone claims Brown off waivers , all the better. Let his struggles be someone else’s problem or victory. Either way I believe we’re stuck
The oilers looked terrible last night. Nothing worked. Poor quality passes, inability to handle passes, could win puck battles, lost many races, not enough saves. It’s frustrating, anger enduring even. I can’t help but wonder if there is an illness raging through the team. They were just so bad.
They have been sick, also 3rd game in 4 nights
Minny was the game to win
They looked gassed against the Wild watching live, not sure how it looked on TV.
They looked completely uninspired, very lethargic.
A handful of posts thus far this morning and a few are talking about the 16-0 team vs the team the rest of the season. This is on my mind too.
Would the real Oilers please stand up! Or is the post-ASB the real Oilers? They aren’t as bad as the early season Oilers, but the commitment to structure and system is reminiscent of the pre-streak Oilers.
This is the real team, inconsistent defensively, porous goaltending and not enough effort. But plenty of talent!!! It won’t ever win anything that matters except regular season individual trophies.
It wasn’t just 16-0, it was also 24-3.
Even Boston last year lost their game for stretches and slumped.
27 games is about a third of the season – that was not a mirage.
Time to fire the coach to spark the team to another 16 game win streak?
No . . . but . . . the one thing the Oilers have not had through the McDavid era is a nasty S.O.B. coach. Tocchet or Tortellini-esque.
I think this bunch needs a little fear instilled. Life is too easy as an Edmonton Oiler.
That was Hitchcock.
That ship has sailed.
Torts even adapted because that schtick is toast.
It’s not a long-term strategy, but it does work. And the current Oilers do not have the luxury of “long-term” at this point.
Tocchet seems to be doing fine.
This team appears to be miles away from competing for home ice let alone a Cup. From my vantage point they don’t seem to have it mentally. They have the talent, but talent alone doesn’t get you far. Maybe this will wake them up, but I have my doubts.
The secret to beating this team is no secret.
Outwork the Oilers, and they WILL fold.
With such parity in the league, the team that is outworked generally loses. That applies to everyone, not just the Oilers.
Miles from competing?
I mean, they are in a home ice position as of today (2nd in the Pacific by points percent).
But sure 🤷
The Oilers future $11 million dollar defenseman, Evan Bouchard, starts the Battle of Alberta with his head up his a$$. Hilarity ensues.
If not for Skinner, the score likely would have been 5 or 6 or more nothing after one period.
The OIlers 16-0 game, the game they played during the streak, is an unstable equilibrium. Their natural equilibrium is the start of the season and last night. For a contender, it has to be the reverse. When things go bad, the equilbrium state should be a solid foundation of system play and hard work.
The OIlers are like a laser. There are no emissions unless it is stimulated properly.
Knoblauch has lost the plot on forward deployment. He keeps on pushing McLeod and Holloway down the roster in favour of Holland’s Team For Old Men.
They should watch old Oiler tapes and see how Slats did it
Connor needs his Kurri, the guy doing the dirty work that can score
Drai needs a speedy scoring winger, or a speedy centre with talent that’s not connor
Cough*Hyman*cough.
Maybe one day
Exactly
Hyman isn’t a defensive stalwart and isn’t the shooter Connor needs, he’s the puck hound with his stick on the ice. He’s helpful, he deserves his gig, but I’m thinking a level up. Zach has also been better defensively this season, but there are still some beauty gaffs
The idea is while Connor needs to play two ways, there might be better ways to deploy him, if the right personnel was available. Not easy for sure, but that’s the job
Zach Hyman had 8 SOG last night. The Oilers had 76 shot attempts, but only 47.5% hit the net.
The Oilers D had 4 SOG (Bouchard had 0), while the Flames hit the net on almost 60% of their attempts and their DCorps had 13 SOG, which speaks volumes about the comparative teams’ defensive efforts.
A player like Patrick Laine would be a perfect fit for Connor or Leon.First shot shooter like Kerri,and also Finnish.
Jari Kurri was Finnish, but he was also an elite defensive player.
The difference is that Laine has never been a 200 foot player. It’s too bad the Bison King didn’t have Laine’s shot, if so, then a Kurri comparison would be in the same Country Code.
Yesterday was a scheduled loss, third in four
I guess some of you don’t know about or have forgotten the term. It wasn’t me who made it up, was it Woodguy? It’s a thing
Only counts if you travel. You get to the airport and by the time you get to the hotel it’s 3 am. Sure. If you go sleep in your own bed it doesn’t count as scheduled loss
I apologize, I’ve said Foegele has been eating donuts 10 of the last 11 games, it’s been 10 of 12 games.
Should of been traded when his value was inflated, he’s a top 6 player on a lottery destined team.
Management has alot to figure out with the forward group, even with 2 top 5 players, the puck skills drop off into no man’s land about 5 forwards in.
Oilers are the current Lakers.
Are you hating on Foegele because he’s a 3rd line player or because a certain poster seems to be pumping him as a 1st line player?
If we are talking straight up point production, why would a 12 game sample trump any of:
1) this season (mid level 1st line production)
2) last 82 games (first line production)
3) last 2 seasons (2nd line production)
4) last 3 seasons (2nd line production)
Plus some solid depth PK.
Plus some solid forecheck work, plus some decent 2-way play, etc.
Despite me talking about his points a ton that last few weeks, I don’t love Warren Foegele. I like him as a player and would love for him to be a mainstay on an elite 3rd line.
At the same time, his production over the year and over the years speaks for itself and many of the “requested upgrades” are likely not that.
Mcdavid and Drai played 23 min on Friday and expecting results on Saturday. Mcdavids defensive play cost big goals in both games. Coincidence? I think not. Young genius coach is just the same guy weve been firing.
Schedule is too tight to do this the rest of the way. Both need at bats limited to 19 min a night
Among the top-32 in scoring, below is every player logging 19 minutes or less:
5) JT Miller: 19:37
10) Elias Petterson: 19:10
15) Matthew Tkachuk: 18:32
17) Sebastian Aho: 19:34
20) Carter Verhage: 18:01
22) Brock Boeser: 18:37
25) Jesper Bratt: 19:06
27) Jason Robertson: 18:22
29) Matt Duchene: 16:52
30) Aleksander Barkov: 19:25
32) Filip Forsberg: 19:03
33) Brandon Hagel: 19:18 (tied at 55 points with Duchene/Barkov/Forsberg)
Source: CapFriendly
I would encourage one to look at how much recent Cup winning coach Bednar plays his two top forwards.
McDavid would have been benched for that backcheck effort on the first goal if he wasn’t McDavid. Set the tone for the night.
This looked like the team from the start of the season.
This team vs the 16 game win streak team are the same team.
I guess it comes down to concentration? I don’t know. I hope they do.
The first goal featured a cross ice pass by 97 for Hyman, who tried to make a quick pass to Bouchard who didn’t get it cleanly and then jailbreak the other way. McDavid couldn’t get inside Kadri, a tough thing to do, but he got back and made the attempt. The errant passing was the key imo. Hyman shoots the puck in, McDavid gets to center shoots the puck in, just make the simple play early. Oilers are too cute for their own good imo, it’s been going on for weeks and started during the 16-game winning streak.
He had Kadri clean and let him go.
Just gave up on the play.
Piss poor attempt.
He actually didn’t He tried to get inside but Kadri had a step and leverage. That’s not an easy play against anyone, but Kadri is outstanding in that kind of exchange.
Nope.
He had his man and gave up.
Sorry, but I’m never going to agree on this one.
Kadri had leverage & pushhed off. Kadri won the battle, McDavid lost it. But there was a battle.
Now if you want to discuss McDavid’s play on the third Calgary goal, I’m all ears.
And it’s a super easy play.
Take the penalty – hook him, hack him or cut his feet out from under him – but stop the shot.
Huge fail by McDavid on that one.
That’s the crux of the play IMO.
As LT said McDavid did not have body position, so the choice was penalty or no penalty.
In hindsight McDavid made the wrong choice.
I yelled “Take the penalty” amd startled my wife! That was his only play at that moment imo.
Well said LT
He got back and made the attempt but then completely stopped.
McDavid 100% gave up on that play – he stopped skating. One more hard stride and he sticks with Kadri – no not on the inside but right with him and likely able to break up the play.
What the hell was that?
I’ve got my man… until he gets to the slot, then it’s the defenseman’s/goalie’s problem?
You are correct.
Kadri is 33 years old. At best McDavid was half a step behind to start the back check.
The ‘ will ‘ by McDavid on the back check did set the tone.
And McDavid -clearly – expressed it on the goal against
The first goal against was Bouchard’s mindless charge up the ice with no cover, and then turning it over at the blueline.
Kadri had position on McDavid. McDavid should have taken a penalty rather than surrender the battle because Kadri had the edge in positioning.
Calgary was shooting bullets uncontested from mid-slot between the dots for two peiods.
33 year old Kadri had position on the fastest player in the NHL …..
97 did not have position
the play there was to take a penalty
I think he already has a lady bing
You left out the part about “it was inside the Oilers blueline with about 60ft to the goal line” Kadri was driving forward with speed and McDavid was behind him.
That to me sounds like
“33 year old Kadri had position on the fastest player in the NHL …..” but it seems you don’t . . . . . . . . . not sure why.
Except “no cover” does not represent the play.
Nurse was well back and Bouchard had two forwards behind him when he lost the puck.
It was Ekholm, not Nurse.
When Bouchard gets the puck and startshis charge of the light brigade 1-on-3, arguably 1-on-4, the three forwards were in front of him all flat-footed because of the misplace McDavid pass to Hyman.
The bad pass and the OIler forwards were all within his field of view, and yet he went on his misguided charge to take on 3 or 4 Calgary defenders, instead of dumping the puck in.
When Bouchard turned it over, he had Ekholm in position in the neutral zone, two forwards parallel and one forward behind him.
McDavid wasn’t even flat-footed, he was in motion going laterally across the line and he was essentially within a stride of Kadri in the neutral zone.
Bouchard had enough support to make the play and McDavid had full ability to stop the play, even without taking a penalty – he choose not to put in the effort.
This is why I don’t like long winning streaks in the middle of the season. Becomes such a big emotional let down when you finally lose and you forget how hard you have to work every night
There’s one thing I want Holland to do this trade deadline. Create cap space to absorb some of these stupid contracts he gave out to give these guys another crack at it next season. Either these guys figure it out come playoff time or they don’t. I don’t think bringing in a player is gonna be the difference
I don’t think Holland thinks that deeply about things
I also think he’s very interested in a new mantle bauble to put a cap on it
How does this being wrong square with being the GM of a team with a cooperative owner that spends, one of the best players of all time, another great forward, both in prime, and 5 years later the same holes in the roster, the same issues on the ice?
You are suggesting they become sellers which would be the only way to do that.
If they did nothing for the rest of the season, they’d be able to fit in about $500K of the bonuses.
Any player sold off at this point will only sell off apx 30% of their cap hit.