One of the earliest conversations we had on this blog, going back over 20 years ago now, came in regard to elevating the status of the teams that reach the Stanley Cup final, and lose. At first blush, it seems silly, unnecessary, old-man gibberish. Well, I may be old-manning you here, but it’s my sincere belief that the 2006 Edmonton Oilers are in fact an elevated team in this organization’s history.
It isn’t celebrating mediocrity, it’s celebrating achievement and properly framing history. There are 32 teams now, not six teams. Honoring high achievement has always been the practice in baseball. Two teams each year win the pennant. I highly recommend it for hockey. Here are the pennant winners since 1969’s expansion, with two of Dallas, Edmonton, Florida and the New York Rangers about to add to the collection.
- Montreal (12): ’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’76-’79, ’86, ’89, ’93, ’21
- Boston (10): ’70, ’72, ’74, ’77, ’78, ’88, ’90, ’11, ’13, ’19
- Philadelphia (8): ’74, ’75, ’76, ’80, ’85, ’87, ’97, ’10
- Edmonton (7): ’83, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’88, ’90, ’06
- Pittsburgh (6): ’91, ’92, ’08, ’09, ’16, ’17
- Chicago (6): ’71, ’73, ’92, ’10, ’13, ’15
- Detroit (6): ’95, ’97, ’98, ’02, ’08, ’09
- Dallas (5): ’81, ’91, ’99, ’00, ’20
- New Jersey (5): ’95, ’00, ’01, ’03, ’12
- New York Islanders (5): ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84
- Tampa Bay (5): ’04, ’15, ’20, ’21, ’22
- New York Rangers (4): ’72, ’79, ’94, ’14
- St. Louis (4): ’68, ’69, ’70, ’19
- Calgary (3): ’86, ’89, ’04
- Colorado (3): ’96, ’01, ’22
- Los Angeles (3): ’93, ’12, ’14
- Vancouver (3): ’82, ’94, ’11
- Anaheim (2): ’03, ’07
- Buffalo (2): ’75, ’99
- Carolina (2): ’02, ’06
- Florida (2): ’96, ’23
- Vegas (2): ’18, ’23
- Washington (2): ’98, ’18
- Nashville (1): ’17
- San Jose (1): ’16
- Ottawa (1): ’07
- Atlanta-Winnipeg
- Columbus
- Minnesota
- Phoenix
- Seattle
- Toronto
The 2006 Edmonton Oilers won a pennant, so did Jarome Iginla and Trevor Linden and Craig Ramsay and Brad Park and Keith Magnuson and Brian Propp (well, he won a lot of them before the Oilers positively skewered him every spring). Pennant winners: It’s the right thing to do. If you run through these teams in the years they won pennants, you will find many worthy players who deserve recognition. Cliff Koroll, Gilbert Perreault, Daniel Alfredsson, Mark Howe, Fernando Pisani. Please consider the pennant. It’s the right thing to do.
Noon to 2pm today, Sports 1440, it’s the Lowdown. We’re one day from the big series, the last calm moment before chaos rains down upon us for another 10 days. No better time to discuss things with the wise Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal. We’ll talk about past and present, with a heavy does of future. We’ll have a guest from the Dallas side and Dunkin’ with Declan, too. You can reach me at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section or on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. Question: Would you like to see an updated 2024 Lowetide draft list later this week?
Even the alphabet putting Toronto last on the list this time.
Pennants had value because the two MLB leagues really were two separate leagues. They weren’t conferences. Teams didn’t play anybody in the other league.
Pennants also had value because for the first 70-odd years there were no playoffs (and thus virtually no randomness).
Sadly the value of the pennant has been debased by playoff inflation. Look at baseball last year, where something like the top 8 teams were all gone by the third round. (My details may be off but the point stands.)
Hi all,
Out of curiosity, does anyone else on here live in London, England?
Dear Oilers:
Now you have to beat Dallas Stars. This is Edmonton’s real enemy going back to the 1990s.
Beat them with your top end quality, and like one pundit said the lower end of the batting order has been given time to figure this situation out. There’s no reason everyone can’t go out and shine against Dallas.
the fans
Totally hate the idea of celebrating losing. Eventually the Leafs hang 6 banners up because they made the playoffs 6x in a row lol
late to the chat as usual.
I vote for Pennants too. Totally agree with LT, winning the East or West is worthy of a Pennant Banner. Never thought about it before this blog, but agree 100%.
It’s one of the very best things LT does.
Me too, late. Sorry I wasn’t around to post this earlier as I’m always ready to post criticism for LT’s takes that I disagree with… but I also try to give credit where due too. Pennants might be my second favourite LT thing.
A Florida-Edmonton final would be lovely. Edmonton vs. the enhanced Calgary Flames.
Home Record:
Dallas 26-11-4
Edmonton 28-9-4
Road Record:
Dallas 26-10-5
Edmonton 21-18-2
The Oilers had a very slight edge at home but the Stars had the best road record in the league.
In the playoffs, the Stars are 5-1 on the road.
With home ice advantage and an extra 3 days rest, the Stars may tough to beat at home and the betting line tomorrow reflects that with Dallas at -128 and the Oilers at +110.
Game 1 may be a pivotal game in the series and it’s very likely the Oilers cannot afford to lose the first two games in Dallas.
More:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/betting/news/oilers-stars-odds-series-price-nhl-game-1-props-predictions/cb73d83a1cbc513f3508940f
Yes, very likely that edmonton would rather be up 2-0 then down 2-0. Yes this will likely be a tough series.
It was Vancouver that provided Edmonton with the greatest challenge all year long. So i think we have a good chance against Dallas as well.
There is no cinderella team here, this is a clash of two very good teams.
McDavid and Draisaitl will get theirs.
Dallas is a MUCH better team than Vancouver.
Who are you cheering for?
I have no “cheering” preference but before the season I did put a unit on Dallas to win the cup so have about 1200 reasons to see them advance.
I also remember you saying Dallas Carolina in the Cup, “Book it”! I also offered you a bet on that which you totally ignored.
I beleive it was Jack Black and a bunch of kids who sang: Its a long ways, to the top if you want to [win the cuuuup….]
Or was it someone else…
https://x.com/RimJutherford69/status/1737699469209354318
·
May 22
So if i were to interpret the model… it says it likes the oilers better, but… theres a good chance they dont overcome that hole they dug themselves. If they do, if they actually make the playoffs, then…
Ha!
That aged well…
There was a show called Loser that captures this idea perfectly. The loser’s journey is 98% the same as the winner’s, except it ends in infinitely more heart break. If anyone deserves some recognition it’s the athletes and teams that give the same blood, sweat, and tears, but get none of the glory.
The ’06 run remains my best experience of playoff hockey to date. Yet the first thing I always remember is Roloson getting steam-rolled into his own net and that empty feeling at the end of game 7 when it finally sunk in that it was all over. But then the next memory for me was shaking uncontrollably as Edmonton beat SJ in game 3 in OT, in a game they were down 2-0 and in a series they were down 2-0. That come back was massive and magical, and it’s a shame that’s not the feeling I remember first!
I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to say this is the best Oilers team we’ve seen since the glory days. Failing to win the cup doesn’t change that. I know it will inevitably tarnish the memories of the season, but I’m trying to remember the good times along the way, because ultimately I’d rather remember those moments. Here’s hoping one of my last memories of these playoffs is the Nuge lifting the cup with his little baby arms!
This is what im trying to focus on. The journey, not just the end result.
I get to watch with my three kids (12, 10, 8) at prime age to enjoy this run (and blessed to watch a talented team with the best player in the world).
Enjoy the moments. The journey is what is fun… or should be?
The pain is always greater than the joy…
And longer lasting
San Fernando…Cup Game 5 SH OT goal. That’s the first thing I remember!
Its interesting that Troy Stecher still isn’t participating in practices and this has been going on for a while. Kane was the only other non Black Ace to not skate (and even some black aces participated).
He must be hurt – not that he’d play prior to injury (as much as some want him in for Ceci or Deharnais, that’s not going to happen without injury).
So watching the flo v nyr…
Does this mean we are stuck with Singh for the oil dal series…? Please say no!
No..it will be Cuthbert and Simpson.
Ok thank you!
Even with their slight pro canuck vibe last series i would still take them over singh.
Both Cuthbert and Simpson have strong ties to Edmonton.
That “vibe” is imaginary.
Well it is just my perception.
So I suppose all perceptions are “imaginary” – so you are correct.
Just like imagining bouchard wasnt an nhl player or Rafferty was the future norris champion…
Is there a problem with having a Western Canadian broadcast team from Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton Or Vancouver doing our West Conference series? I am watching a Eastern broadcast team doing the East Conference final and wondering why we will not have a Western broadcast team doing our Western Confernce Final series. What is wrong with our country??
When will we as Western Canadians demand to be treated fairly as equals to our Ontario bretheran? We are 12 million strong and we should demand to be treated as a people with our own identity and culture. We should be represented on the hockey broadcast with Western Canadian broadcast teams not transplanted Ontarians!
Why can’t we have our regular broadcast team of Michaels, DeBrusk and Principe do the games. They do us proud, we like them and they are Western Canadian broadcasters…so sad to kowtow to those Leaf lovers!
Cuthburt and Simpson is the network’s #1 broadcast team.
You may personally prefer another tandem (Jack Michaels is not an option as he is a regional play by play guy with contractual obligations to do the the Ched broadcast) but the tandem doing the Oilers’ game is their top tandem.
They are the Eastern Canadian Toronto Maple Leafs top tandem and are not appropriate for Western broadcast hockey. Let’s be honest here..why can’t we have a true Western Canadian broadcast team!!
I am sure that Mr. Michaels, Louie and Gene would surely rather be on National TV than on radio or regional broadcast TV. Ontario is not the center of my hockey universe.
Listen to the radio.
Don’t let it spoil the experience.
Let’s go, Oilers!
Game day, bitches!
After reading today and SayIt’s comment leading to looking at Lindell, this is there for the taking
Dallas essentially has 2 puck and skating able D. Tanev is smart but old slower and small, he’s vulnerable. Lindell and Petrovic are skating and puck optional. Suter has some game but isn’t big and is 112YO and not fast
I am confident Knobby knows what to do. If they can execute the forecheck and O zone counters they come up with they could make it really hard on Dallas D
They also have a skilled forward group but again have several areas to exploit. The Oilers numbers match up or are better in a lot of areas
So now I think if the Oilers play as smart as Dallas and as mistake free mostly, and don’t have a collapse in net, I think some pundits have some pie coming
If 06 Oilers can beat 06 Detroit… then this is anyones game.
not sure why you Don’t like Tanev. He had been excellent all playoffs. and he is not small. smart. not small.
He’s not an Oiler. Why would we like him?
We’re not here to pump his tires.
He still stinks like the Flames… like someone pissed on a campfire.
I was hoping that they got him, he’s a very good D. But he’s under 200 which is smaller for a D, and he’s not that mobile. It’s something to try to exploit because he’s playing with slow and puck optional Lindell, so he also has little help
Rick Tocchet wins the Jack Adams award.
https://www.nhl.com/news/rick-tocchet-wins-jack-adams-award-as-nhl-coach-of-year
Knoblauch finished 5th (3 1st place votes).
Oh the old PDO pony award.
You know how the old “curse of the jack adams” is talked about… its more… when the luck runs out and the team isnt as good as the one season they ran hot numbers…
I’ll enjoy it when they miss the playoffs again next year.
Condors have re-signed Griffith for two year which is likely a good think with Malone retiring.
Deleted
After some casual pre-scouting today here are some thoughts.
1) If you strongly dislike “off the glass and out,” just wait till you see Tanev and Lindell. Also wait until you see them try to make headman passes under any semblance of pressure.
2) Heiskanen/Harley are very vulnerable to cycles. This is a weird pairing frankly. They don’t really compliment each other. Its like putting Bouchard with Vinny.
3) Dallas will attempt to defend the zone entry aggressively when Tanev and Heiskanen are on the ice but they end up chasing back a fair bit. Tanev is good positionally but slower than molasses on retrievals.
4) As noted below Dallas d play very aggressive and they will get caught on player rotations. The Oilers have more natural attackers – McD, Drai, Hyman, Kane and Foegele than Colorado and may be able to exploit this.
5) Dallas will clog up the neutral zone but are less consistent at it that Vancouver and way less passive than L.A. There will be room to wheel and Dallas will be vulnerable to the Oilers five man unit pressure system when they are on. The Tanev pairing especially could get caught out if the McD unit is in top flight.
6) Dallas’ smaller forwards got tossed around a fair bit by both Vegas and Colorado in the o-zone. Duchene, Robertson, Johnson and Stankoven (he took a beating but kept popping up).
7) Dallas rims the puck around a lot. A lot a lot.
8) Colorado created a pairing of small dmen and that pairing had trouble in Game 6, they couldn’t handle the bigger cycle players of Dallas.
9) DeBoer will shift up his lines quite a bit. Like Coach K in that regard.
10) Colorado ran out of gas, simple as that. After the 1st period of Game 6 they went to relying almost solely on MacKinnon and Rantanen for zone entries and setup plays. Too many guys standing around and watching.
11) Colorado got their chances. A funny puck bounce here, nice save by Oettinger there, missed net once and a while. It was closer than it appeared.
12) Dallas does have some young player energy but Colorado and Vegas were able to push it mostly to the outside. Lots of skating but not much done.
Oilers in 3?
Thanks
Dallas’ light players that are playing are Dadonov 185, Steel 185, Johnston 184, Stank 171. On D Heiskanen 194 Tanev 193. The others are all listed over 200. The only F under 6′ is Stank at 5’8 and he is not fast but he’s smart and assertive
They really don’t have many fast forwards especially if Hintz isn’t in, something to try to exploit. It doesn’t look like their D outside of the offensive top pair are either
It looks to me like they should get pucks deep and make the D skate like Van for the bottom 4 and try to hit the top pair
You have mentioned Benn, but they aren’t a particularly physical team. Although there is a Suter, have to watch anyone from that headhunting gene pool especially Oilers. I’m still mad at his uncle for hurting Wayne badly. And Paul
Benn has a screw loose if you push the right buttons as for Suter maybe Paul&Kris have something in store for Suter nasty, nasty Son.
Yup I agree with that take.
Seguin, Duchene and Pavelski are built like brick sh*thouses. Benn, Smith, Marchment and Faksa are big dudes but aside from Benn they don’t play physical I agree.
their top fellas, Robertson, Johnson, Stankoven, Steel and Dadanov all have Nuge builds. I think some of that is just how young a few are so I don’t think they’ve put on the man beef yet.
Pavelski has been very quiet these playoffs.. very quiet.
I think you can pressure their backend for sure. Chip and chase on opposite sides will be critical. Send in on Lindell, Harley and either Petrovic or Suter (that one doesn’t matter as much). Gaining the zone with control will make a bigly difference though. Their taller fellas don’t have great pivot strength so get on them quick and make them crossover and twist.
Faska and Marchment are both other 16 hits/60 in the playoffs.
Sheldon Keefe the new bench boss in New Jersey.
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/sheldon-keefe-to-become-next-coach-of-the-new-jersey-devils
New pet?
This is related to earlier comments in the thread.
Oilers are Gorr the God Butcher. One by one eliminating the vain deities of the large coastal civilizations. Overlooked and forgotten! But not for much longer.
Thanks for clearing that up. I have no idea, who or what that is or was?
I like your doggie though.
Puppy is doing fine. He’s resting up for the series. Spent most of today snoozing in my lap while I attended Zoom meetings.
Gorr the God Butcher is a Marvel comic character. The picture is from the most recent Thor movie.
But I did take him for a stroll around Victoria today, wearing one of his Oilers jerseys. He barked and growled at some people that probably used to wear Canuck jerseys.
I’m just trying to be funny
It’s like a dad-joke comedic stand-off.
Knoblauch looks quite a bit like the Bale Gorr.
HH is that you?
No… there’s testicles…
This series is a toss up it’s going to be crucial that Skinner breaks even with Oettinger. Both Goalies are 25 years old, buckle up this will be a ride.
Everyone will have to play well. The Stars have their weaknesses, it’s a matter of making the plays that exploit them. Ceci and Des playing well and moving the puck well will be huge
Stars are also a slower paced team according to Curlock at ON (piece up today). I think that helps the Oilers lesser players – more time to get things done. But Dallas forward depth means mistakes will be punished even more
If they have the legs to skate them hard it will be good
Matchups will be a key.
Dallas bottom 6 has scored 9 goals…Oilers 2.
Oilers bottom 6 is bursting at the seams especially once Henrique returns. Carrick is going to be a handful and Ryan will score 2 goals this series.
May have to take up edibles at my ripe ol age, can’t drink. I’m much more restless than previous seasons.
Would you say Dallas does more shot blocking? Suter, Tanev, Pavelski.
https://x.com/RomulusNotNuma/status/1525863769083109376
As I said earlier…We are always at war with Eurasia.
We?
Dallas, Calgary and LA are probably the three teams the Oilers have met the most often in the playoffs. But LA might be in the lead — a lot of meets in the 80’s, 90’s, and recently. Calgary was mostly in the 80’s and Dallas mostly in the 90’s.
Come to think of it, long-term LA hockey fans must really hate Edmonton. The gift of Gretzky is their only consolation.
Hey, that’s cruel… they got Krushelnyski too
And Mad Marty.
Right! Now there’s a guy who had a unique career, would love to see a documentary on him.
What they’re saying.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/ouch-80-of-nhl-analysts-pick-dallas-stars-over-edmonton-oilers
Provided that goes to Dallas’s head, this is a huge advantage for the Oilers.
Oilers are Gorr the God Butcher, going after the coastal deities.
Pretty sure the Stars won’t read it.
Maybe, but it will be difficult for them to avoid 80% of all sources.
this has been discussed below
I was looking around various blogs and youtube NHL commentary sites. Looks like most of the media thinks Dallas has the advantage in this series. But their arguments aren’t all that convincing. I suppose that’s why people play the game rather than just talk about hockey.
I think it’s better to be underdogs. This team doesn’t play as well when in front of things
Hearing Vancouver fans predicting Dallas warms my heart. Feelings were definitely hurt!
LT, I’m fully on board with this pennants concept, but here:
Dallas (5): ’81, ’91, ’99, ’00, ’20
Are you being a little unfair to the good people of Minnesota? I realize this count is by franchise, but those North Stars teams earned their 1981 and 1991 pennants for their team and their fans.
(Okay, okay, I’m married to someone from Minneapolis, and yes, I loathe the Wild.)
Dino Ciccarelli is a cult hero in the state of Minnesota.
Lia Assimakopoulos
@Lassimak
Jake Oettinger (illness) left practice early, but Pete DeBoer expects he’ll be fine for Game 1.
Roope Hintz (upper body) skated “extensively” on his own before the team’s practice today. Still day-to-day.
Jani Hakanpää (lower body) did not skate today.
—————————————-
Gazdic said yesterday Hintz would be out of a bit still.
Update from practice is that Henrique is a full participant (I think, previously, he was skating at practice but hit the bench for line rushes).
Coach told Stauffer yesterday he’s play in the series and likely early (but made it sound unlikely for game 1).
Per Gregor:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Henrique-Draisaitl-Holloway
Foegele-McLeod-Ryan
Janmark-Carrick-Brown
Gagner-Perry
Kane not on ice
Its interesting that Henrique is in Kane’s spot.
I think that likely means he’s not going to play tomorrow and is a placeholder (or Kane himself may be in jeopardy).
Kane was labouring after taking that one spill behind the Nuck’s net near the end of game 7. Hopefully he’s ready to go.
I agree with the likelihood of Henrique as a placeholder in this case, but as an intellectual exercise I dont mind the makeup of that line.
Holloway brings great speed while Henrique plays the Nuge role that Drai fares so well with. Good to have options!
Hey OP, you want to go to Game 4 in Edmonton? I’m thinking of doing a quick trip. In and out!
I’ll go if he says no !
Farris, we’ll have to do it another time. My Dad is interested in going! Can’t say no to the big guy.
I would love to but I just can’t – I’m just run off my feet, drowning, with client work right now that I don’t feel comfortable eve comiting to a 3-hour drive (x2).
My firm’s Edmonton office has Loge seats and I was offered game 3 for clients and had to turn it down.
Heck, wife is off to Europe for 2.5 weeks on Monday, by herself as I just don’t feel I can get away (nor would I want to go during playoffs) – and I don’t mind working on vacation – always do.
Wife away also leaves me with dog duty.
Anyways, thanks, I appreciate it, but can’t make it work
Godspeed OP!
In today’s presser, Coach said that Hintz was Dallas’s #1 centre. OP was wrong again.
Everyone but he has known this for a long time.
I heard him say that.
I also know DeBoer has played him the 2nd most TOI/G at 5 on 5 during the regular season and playoffs.
NHL players tend to be superstitious, most won’t even touch the Conference Championship trophy, let alone celebrate with it.
Thus I was impressed by a young Captain Crosby, who in 2008 refused to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy (“its not the one we want!”) and then proceeded to lose in the Cup final anyway. But then the next year he handled it freely, saying that he wanted the team to celebrate the accomplishment. I thought it showed his maturity in the moment.
In 2018 the Knights celebrated with the Clarence Campbell Bowl and then lost in the finals. So on 2023 the only took pictures with it, and proceeded to win the Cup.
Ovechkin touched the Prince of Wales prior to winning the Cup. Landeskog and MacKinnon touched the Campbell in 2022.
There’s no proof that touching/ not touching the Conference trophy impacts your ability to win the Cup. So why not celebrate life’s successes as they come? For some players, that might be the acme of their career. Celebrate it.
Certain people/players have specific superstitions. silly or not it doesn’t deter them from doing them, from lucky underwear to game day chairs or like myself personally a playoff beard. Makes the journey more fun for some people…although I’m pretty sure both the players that choose to lift the Conference championship trophy or don’t tend not to lose much sleep over it once its decided who’s lifting the big cup.
It looks to me like Oettinger is the difference for Dallas. They haven’t been dominant so far outside of him. Against Dallas
Vegas
SV% .931
SH% 5.7
SF% 49.7
GF% 45
Colorado
SV% .914
SH% 6.21
SF% 53.11
GF% 45
Based on that Vegas kept up and the Avs carried the shot battle, based on the low SH% they couldn’t beat Oettinger
They need to be better at doing the things to counter a big goalie playing well with a team keeping structure out front. I have mentioned it many times, the Oilers aren’t great at playing the style that beats this
Oilers are playing with structure in front of their big goaltender too. Keep Dallas cooped up in their Dzone playing defense, eventually the pressure will result in the puck crossing the goal line past their big goaltender. Easy-Peezy. LOL
Obviously not giving gimmies is massive, and the more they attack by rushing the better, takes the structure away and it’s more likely the goalie has to move across and open up
Get him moving side to side one-timers by Leon,Holloway,Kane and Bouchard this big yard ape can be had and like Skinner when he leaks he leaks.
Last few postseasons it’s seemed that every good to great goalie the Oilers run into just needs 2-3 games to be ground down to average numbers. That adjustment period might be the difference between Oil winning and losing a series, but imo they exhibit a habit of breaking down or busting through opposition goaleurs.
Maybe so, but they haven’t beaten two of said goalies
There is one game plan for the stars. Hammer their D and hammer them often.
Bouchard would be #6 Toi on the stars.
They have the depth on forward, but 0 depth on D
Knock out one defenseman you’re sitting pretty. Knock out two you won the series
That makes a lot of sense. But watch out, Alex Petrovic is their 6th defender. LOL.
If it comes down to a battle of attrition. Oilers should win.
A lot of verbal about Dallas being a complete deep team. But in reality their D depth is non existent and Wedgewood is not playable
Narratives have a way of developing. Dallas has fantastic depth in their forward group and an excellent goaltender. So modulo a little verbal slop, they’re a very deep team.
Not sure why you think this.
Nils Lundqvist played 59 games in the regular season and scored 19 points +13.
If/when Jani Hakanpaa returns from injury will slide in at 3 RD.
The coaching staff playing the dude 4:27 per game (all situations) in 12 games is why and that guys partner is a guy that, prior to these playoffs, had played ONE NHL game in 5 seasons.
The Stars third pairing is abysmal and the chances of Hakanpaa returning in this series are close to zero – he’s not even skating.
Regular season 5V5
Lundqvist
FF 51.57%
xGF 53.75%
SCF 54.69%
HDCF 54.86%
ONSH 7.5%
PDO .991
Abysmal!
Lundqvist played 60 games in the regular season and finished with an abysmal +13
Those numbers mean absolutely nothing without context including his 18% TOI vs elites and 40% vs. Grits.
The coach is playing the dude less than 4 and a half minutes per game in the playoffs – THAT is the biggest indicator.
Ryan Suter is 3LD and played all 82 games and managed 17 points and a +14
Aren’t Prince of Wales and Clarence S. Campbell Bowl already pennants?
Yes, you’re right. But even when a team wins one of these they stuff it in an old hockey bag and throw it in the closet. The mantra is Stanley or bust.
I don’t have a great sense for how this series will go. I was pretty confident Edmonton would beat Vancouver. They made it closer than I expected, but it more or less went how I imagined.
I don’t think I’ve seen a recent game between these two teams where both Edmonton and Dallas were playing well. Game 1 I expect will be lopsided, but for which side, I don’t know.
There will be a lot of tuning in this series. Dallas is quite different than Vancouver. Edmonton’s current state-of-tune is probably pretty good for this first game.
I finished up the Power Wins for us and them. Playoffs are a new dawn, but to me it gives a glimpse into the teams still. Reg season KK era. PW are wins by 2G no EN. Clear Losses are the opposite
Oilers
GP 69
Power Wins – 27 (39%)
Wins – 17
OT Wins – 8
SO Wins – 2
Clear Losses – 10
Losses – 12
OT Losses – 4
SO Losses – 1
GF/GA – 255/186
Goal Diff – 69
5v5
PDO – 1.002
SV% – .914
SH% – 8.81
GF% – 55.8
xGF% – 57.1
Dallas
GP 68
Power Wins – 21 (31%)
Wins – 19
OT Wins – 8
SO Wins – 2
Clear Losses – 9
Losses – 16
OT Losses – 7
SO Losses – 1
GF/GA – 250/198
Goal Diff – 52
5v5
PDO – 1.006
SV% – .912
SH% – 9.39
GF% – 54.6
xGF% – 55.2
The Oilers look better except in having one more Clear Loss. They scored more 5v5 and gave up less. 6 more Power Wins. The 5v5 metrics are very close, although Dallas’ higher SH% suggests better finishing, and they had depth scoring as we know
Moving to playoffs – the Oilers are a little bigger in players being used per yesterday’s numbers. Although if Hintz stays out they lose size at C. The Oilers’ have been more physical, and have almost double the PIM/GP which they better watch as Dallas PP was 29%.
Dallas’ PK has been 69.2% (Oilers’ 91.4%) this is good if they continue to struggle, might be why they have not been taking a lot of penalties, I expect there to not be as many PP’s this series. Better take care of business 5v5
Dallas GF per period –
TOTAL 38, P1 15, P2 11, P3 10, OT 2.
GA
TOTAL 31, P1 8. P2, 12, P3 10, OT 1
Oilers GF per period –
TOTAL 46, P1 15, P2 19, P3 11, OT 1
GA
TOTAL 33, P1 10, P2 10, P3 12, OT 1 (Dallas has the least GF in P3, Oilers the most GA in P3 – have to focus on not giving up leads this series please- keep the hammer down!)
I think this is the rub. It has been mentioned by others. In playoffs 5v5
Dallas
PDO – 1.017
SH% – 7.64
SV% – .941 !!
GF% – 55
xGF% – 54.5
Oilers
PDO – .997
SH% – 10.8
SV% – .889
GF% – 51.9
xGF% – 49.2
The story will be written mostly in net. The Oilers high SH% and low GF% is about the wobbly goalie and making key mistakes at bad times
The Kings and Dys were all about defense and I felt the Oilers had trouble getting inside for a lot of the time, thus the low xGF%
Dallas has played an extra game and have given up fewer GA so are playing well defensively. A buddy who has been watching them and has a hockey background said they are playing well structurally which isn’t surprising given coach DaBore
If Stu and Pick can hold up their end, it is key to defend the Royal Road well as Dallas hasn’t been as hot shooting in playoffs as reg season
It is also key to start playing inside more and being consistent in getting in front of Oett’s eyes, and D shooting for tips/deflections when there is no clear shot
Oett like Stu is a big heavy goalie. A Dys player mentioned the need to get Stu moving as big goalies have trouble with that – Pick is a much more agile and quicker goalie for example I think
They really need to get Oett moving with seam plays and low high plays from behind the goal line. We’ll see if Dallas crowds up the middle D zone ice as much as the Kings and Dys did. The Dallas D is lighter than the Dys and not as tall so it may be less stifling
Dallas outside of goal isn’t showing better than the Oilers, but I find this one hard to call. The other series as well, we’ll have better handle once it starts. That makes me nervous, can’t wait to get it going!
The most encouraging information for me here is the GF in the 2nd period. Throughout the regular season this was easily our worst period. Very good news with the long change especially on the road
Everybody can turn the puck over and be the goat – everyone. Its not about that.
Not everybody can be the toughest or the biggest. But, everybody must engage. Stop, check with stick and body. Interrupt, anticipate, agitate. Play hard and play effective.
If you don’t, if you have one soft play in the corner it is not often noticed as the puck … say goes back behind the net, but then up and out via the far boards, through neutral ice and offensive zone entry achieved. The soft player who originally swooped is now well back and covering, looking like they are defensively responsible, however it was the play three steps prior where the zone entry was lost. This is the illusion of being responsible defensively.
A defensive responsible player checks from above the opponent, seals the boards, forces and pressures. There are no defensive players who do not hit. By the very nature of being “defensive” you don’t have the puck, so you must get it and one of the most effective ways is to physically take it.
Our third line center is a proven NHL player. He is good and he has value. No team or player is perfect, and the coach needs to match strengths and weaknesses.
Coach must also get a players best game. McLeod has more to give, hes capable of more, and he is asked to lead that third line, regardless of wingers assigned. If he is adding value by supressing the opponents, great, keep doing that, but he still needs more. After playing 12 games his offence is ….not good. Is he winning his minutes? Close, but -3 in 12 games. 0 points.
McLeod has been good at zone exits and zone entries, but his wingers too slow to get on pucks. Perry is slow, and his game does not match McLeods in any way. Henrique is skilled but not fast either.. Foegele is quick but doesn’t hold pucks well. Coach might have to free up Holloway to boost the third line. Or provide Janmark and Henrique. Hard to say what the best fit is here, but McLeod is important in this line up and has to bear down, the third line has been missing in action.
He is going to have to win his minutes against their 3rd line. When Hintz was in it was Duchene at C, when out it was Seguin it looks like. He’s faster than both – smother them
I asked yesterday when’s the last time McLeod had a breakaway or beat a D-man wide to the outside for a semi-breakaway. He’s one of the fastest skaters in the league he should be putting more pressure backing in thr opponents D. He does battle hard on the boards and I don’t care so much about his physicality it’s not using his gifted speed offensively that frustrates me.
Dallas isn’t as fast or rough as the last 2
Maybe that allows him to push more
I think Dallas will be extremely difficult to beat. Whereas somehow it felt like the Oilers should handily beat the Dys and yet every game was a nailbiter other than Game 6.
My only actual worry is McDavid’s health.
Here’s hoping it’s like 2022 where we were supposed to trounce LA and went 7, then get cooked by Calgary and win in 5.
Dare to dream, a hurt 97 is still a very good hockey player.
Where does the clear air come from with this Dallas team?
It comes when they can ice three full lines and get Johnson out against 3rd line comp.
Without that they end up with guys playing too high up the batting order especially among forwards. The Duchene/Pavelski trio got clear air against a Colorado team that ran out of fuel once Nichuskin left the scene, especially in Game 6. The rest of the team sawed off, sort of. They’re actually kinda mediocre 5v5, more on that in a second.
Duchene too needs a lower batting order, he can’t keep up with 1st line speed and his dzone awareness is pretty meh. With Hintz injured everyone had to bat higher up and the results were quite mixed. I’ll take the McD trio against a first line of say Robertson-Johnson-Stankoven, 10 days out of 10. I’d gladly put the Leon line or even the McLeod line up against Marchment-Duchene-Pavelski, 10 days out of 10. Benn without Johnson is a different level of mediocre, no shame at his age, just a thing.
Dallas overall didn’t really carry play against Vegas outside of a handful of periods. I’d almost go as far as to suggest the Knights got “Nucked,” by Dallas in that series. Shame that is, a true shame.
Dallas’ defense is way worse than Vancouver’s. Maybe on par with L.A. but a bit younger. You can see that in their PK work. Abysmal. They kill like L.A. actually and if they try to kill like Vancouver they will pull themselves out of position more often than not. The Royal Road will be wide open. Oettinger is already tired, get him moving and get bodies in front of him.
Dallas has a very good PP. I don’t want to see our guys shoot themselves in the foot with bad penalties. Then again we’re rocking the best PK in the playoffs and I think leaning on their older and younger fellas will pay dividends.
This is the best matchup for the Oilers so far these playoffs. I like their chances.
How did Dallas beat then Colorado then?
Colorado didn’t not look great outside the MacKinnon line. They were suffering from McDaviditis where the other lines went and worked hard but they were all just waiting for MacKinnon and Makar to do something.
Love the optimism!
The pundits picking Dallas (and it’s most of them) are citing:
1) Oilers goaltending disadvantage – it’s ‘mostly goalie’ after all.
2) Dallas beating the past 2 champs, especially the Avs who looked unstoppable vs Jets
3) Dallas coherent and relentless play… Oilers still have gaps and gaffs.
4) Season record (I know, I know, look at the Dy’s) but also that last whupping by Dallas
The wise commentators (Bieksa, Gazdic) are reserving judgment until the rubber hits the ice. I’m with them, you never know until the first whistle blows… and even then, this Oiler team has been slow to warm up in series.
Rebuttals
1) Oettinger isn’t that good this year. Folks are remembering back years ago, he was injured and then was overplayed this year.
2) The Jets suck… and I’m getting tired of having to repeat myself on that one. Please folks go and look up the fancies on the Jets and then watch them play a game or two against playoff comp when the games mattered from Jan to Apr. Or watch them get thundered by an undermanned Avs team whichever is easier.
3) This isn’t backed up by their 5v5 play. Half their star players are dashes in the playoffs. Recency bias from the Avs series after Nichushkin had to leave. Though Colorado throttled them in Game 5.
4) Meh, three wins difference in team records and that’s with the Oilers faceplanting. Stu had a no good fugly game in November against them and the Oilers beat themselves at the end of the year. I noted the risk of taking penalties against them that was the issue this year.
Its perfectly fine to sit on the fence. No harm in that. The Sportsnet guys have clearly been told to throttle their enthusiasm for the Oilers. All fine and dandy.
I’m not taking them lightly. L.A. are posers, Vancouver will be a bubble team at best next year. Dallas is a legit opponent but not as good as Vegas. Stylistically this is a matchup that suits the Oilers just peachy.
I expect both teams will be disciplined, it will be won 5 on 5. They will be able to let these teams play. There won’t be much drama, it may even be boring. May the best team win.
Sportsnet panel discussing what a great season it had been for the Canucks before discussing the fact that Edmonton had moved on was something else. Culthbert’s tone during Game 7 was always “Vancouver just needs another one!!” and never “Can Edmonton hold on?!” For whatever reason, there is a clear anti-Oilers bias on Sportsnet. Not a flagrant one, but a clear and consistent one. Maybe its as as simple as in the back of their heads they would rather fly to Van than Edmonton for the coming series. I don’t know. I don’t care. But all my paranoid Edmontonian angst was dialed way up during that series. And I don’t even live there anymore.
When you watch American media discuss the series they are jacked for Edmonton and McDavid and Leon. From What Chaos to TNT. They actually seemingly like the sport and react in kind. With TSN and Sportsnet, they reflect instead their willingness to treat Edmonton like its somewhere up there maybe by Sudbury or something but who cares and as an organization we should be punished for not being in a larger media market.
It might also be a matter of market size, consciously or otherwise.
Other fanbases lament Simpson in the sidekick role, reminding us frequently that he was once an Oiler.
SayItAin’tSo, Gretz, SayItAin’tSo! never lost optimism in 23-24 and it proved to be the correct take when shitting on this Oilers team was fashionable.
I wrote longwinded posts but was far from the only one. Yourself, DevilsLettuce, Munny2.0, of course OP were staunch hopians. Kept the sane when the going wanted to get crazy in that early November time period.
I’d also suggest Reja, leadfarmer and LMHF#1 kept the candle lit, moreso after the coaching change. There was frustration but not really doubt.
I secretly think LT was all in the whole time but as a media man he knows sometimes you gotta stir the pot to keep folks interested 😉
I watched a lot of the Dallas/Colorado series. Oettinger comes way out of his crease to cut down angles. He’s a great goalie but I think he is susceptible to back door and cross ice passes. That needs to be exploited. Also, I think their defense is overrated. I’m a big fan of Harley and Heiskanen as their top line defense but they’re both left handed. They switch sides all of the time, but they can be exploited attacking the left side (their right). Also, Heiskanen plays a lot. We need to make his life miserable. Tanev is their only legit right shot defenseman. Their third pairing is weak. Petrovic is now starting. He is an AHL’er.
Dallas beating Colorado should have a huge fat asterix beside it … if Nichushkin doesn’t leave his teammates in a lurch, there’s a good chance we’re playing the Avs instead.
I am grateful to Dallas for taking out Vegas and Colorado, as the both those teams have had the Oilers number over the past few years.
But these are not the Dallas Stars that featured all the stars like Modano, Niewendyke and Lehtinen, and the huge thugs like Hatcher, and had a HOFer in Belfour in net. Seriously, do the Stars have anyone on their roster that is a surefire, first ballot HOFer?
I like the Oilers chances just fine … the only team that really beats the Oilers these days is the Oilers when they don’t play the way that they’re capable of.
There will be plenty of things for both teams to exploit. Oilers have better depth on defense and not bad depth in the forward group. I think Edmonton can be the more physical team. They will come out with a suitable game plan. I don’t think the Stars will be taking the Oilers lightly, that would be a big mistake.
Yup I agree with your read on Oettinger and would extend it to their defensive structure writ large. They are aggressive, sometimes they cheat for offense, but they are very aggressive. If you’re aggressive and you get burned there is an odd man somewhere in the dzone. This is what bites Carolina over and over and over again. Dallas doesn’t play man to man but they play aggressive.
I still think man to man is the best type of defense for fast skilled teams but players have to be extremely disciplined. You can’t chase and you can’t take yourself out of the play. Its easier to sit back and block whatever is coming down the middle. And when you have tall tall trees on the backend, why wouldn’t you do it? But a man to man played well will tilt the ice like nothing else.
If we look at games 4-6 where the Nucks were aggressive in a man to man setup on the PK you can see just how effective it is. Especially if you’re making a point to firm up the line on zone entries.
A box setup is perfectly fine but it comes with a risk that you end up sitting back for too long. A man to man is more engaging, its faster paced and when everyone is humming its way more effective at stopping o-zone sorties dead in their tracks and turning it back. But you cannot cheat.
“It isn’t celebrating mediocrity, it’s celebrating achievement and properly framing history. “
In my youth I wrestled in the Canadian nationals. I had to beat 42 others in order call myself champion. I won a few matches early…then got my ass kicked.
No one remembers who finished 2nd unless your cheering for the guy who lost.
The only ONES who need celebrating is the CHAMPIONS! Everyone else is a loser. That’s a fact.
Are you a father?
“If your not first, your last”
This said in jest, although its how society seems to work quite often. All kinds of wrong in calling everyone else a loser. It is indicative of, in my opinion, a misguided value system.
I love stories of different people’s journeys in life. There are stories worth telling, and hearing beyond those of the “champions”.
‘If you ain’t first you’re last’ is the joke.
Even Ricky Bobby learned his lesson by the end of the movie.
I hate participation rewards. Losers always wine about their best. Winners go home and %^&* the prom queen.
I love that 2006 team, but we are not the Dys – we do not put up banners for lesser achievements.
The irony is, knowing the participants and their placements adds important context to the achievement and can make the achievement more impressive.
If you said you won a wrestling tournament, probably not a lot of people would care.
If you said you won a wrestling tournament with Alexander Karelin placing 2nd and Saitiev coming 3rd, then wow… That is an incredible achievement.
People with the mentality of “people only care about 1st” makes me think they don’t want you to know who came in 2nd, because they may not have been very good and it makes their 1st place finish look less impressive.
So …..
Every year there are 31 Losers and 1 Winner in the NHL?
Teams rarely win back-to-back cups so on the year you win you are a Winner, but then get tossed into the losers pile, like Vegas this year?
I guess that means Vegas are Losers, and the four remaining teams are all Losers, but 1 will become a Winner this year but will probably get tossed into the Losers pile next year.
Then you have the Losers who have never, ever, won anything. 11 teams are Lifetime Losers.
Is it tomorrow yet?
Fun Fact:
Cody Ceci is 3rd in TOI ….behind only Bouchard and McDavid.
Just a few seconds ahead of Ekholm!
I for one did not have that on my Bingo Card.
I thought Ceci held up reasonably well in games 6 & 7.
Certainly, a lot better than I expected on the road.
( lots of time in his own end for sure)
That the coaches are getting more out of Ceci and Des to me is some fine work. Both were having their issues and improving during playoffs is something. They even had Foegele playing more physical at the end of last series
True….
Illness played a big part I imagine.
Not true.
https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20232024&seasonTo=20232024&gameType=3&playerPlayedFor=franchise.25&sort=timeOnIcePerGame&page=0&pageSize=50
It is if you look at 5v5 TOI:
https://naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=3&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=EDM&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL
POINT & COUNTER POINT!!
Glory is reserved for the winners.
Penance is the medicine for also-ran’s.
Warning: post-Catholic trigger alert! When I read the title it immediately provoked painful and erroneous images of too many Hail Mary’s.
I think we need to take this one step further. Pre-67 Stanleys represent the best of a 6 (SIX) team league. A ratio of 1/6. Post Original Six NHL playoffs should consider a consistent ratio. Current era Division Titles should at a minimum be considered equivalent to one old school Stanley. Do the math again on those NEW STANLEY totals.
Furthermore, the argument that Connon McDavid cannot be considered as great at (insert name of old hockey legend here) because he has never won Stanley is literally correct but certainly not a relevant argument once we consider the NEW STANLEYs. Yardsticks have been moved a considerable (yes I know, the yardstick metaphor is from a different sport)
I recently ran some numbers where I calculated how many other teams you had to be better than cumulatively towards championship runs, and Toronto for example falls from #2 over all in cups to #11 overall in overall vanquished rivals.
The family, and cat, have been in ‘its summer’ mode the last two days as there has not been a NHL Playoff game on. Well, it is not summer time as the playoffs resume tonight with at least a game per night until next Wednesday!
GOG Oilers in 6!
I texted a friend from the lower mainland earlier this week:
It’s still winter in Alberta!
It’s hockey season, baby! Let’s do this!
Fun fact: There is a town in Sask called Pennant.
Funner fact: If you leave there heading southeast, the next destination is a town called…Success.
both towns just S.E. of two others…Love and Climax….Man I love Saskatchewan town names.
Even better:
On the Montana side of the border from Climax are two communities named Turner and Havre (pronounced “Have ‘er”).
So now you have a triangle of Turner, Havre and Climax.
Not to mention another town close to the US border called Big Beaver.
(Apologies if this is a little too “blue” for a family blog.)
You’ve got my vote for pennant recognition!
Over the years I’ve watched Jamie Benn injure many a’ good player in the playoffs
If we win the series I’ll pretend he’s Derian Hatcher and count it as
closurerevenge.Benn has been playing LW. Kane is sometimes RW. Vinny is RD. I think Mr Benn will have to be watching out as well, especially if he thinks he’s going to start shenanigans, after who the Oilers just had to deal with. He’s a pipsqueak comparatively
“He’s a pipsqueak comparatively”
You know not playoff Benn
He’s not 6’5 250 lbs!
Well if you are merely talking size sure. Not sure what that has to do with injuring people though. Matt Cooke wasn’t big and he had a large body count.
Yep. Expect him to be a royal pain in the ass all series.
Dallas has several “dinks”.
While Benn leads the parade when motivated, Ryan Suter shouldn’t be dismissed, Mason Marchment hits like a truck and Chris Tanev is sneaky dirty.
Aren’t the Clarence S. Campbell and the Prince of Wales trophies (and banners that get raised) already a bigger “prize” than the MLB’s pennants?
This is more about recognition by fans and the hockey world. If you honour pennants, then Ryan Smyth’s 2006 run has elevated status in his story. It’s more a mindset for the masses than I’m dreaming of.
Agree on that sentiment!
More honour for the Campbell and Wales trophies are needed. A history of the teams that have won them is a great start.
The idea that players or teams aren’t “great” unless they’ve won the cup is outdated. Conference trophies are a high bar.
I think us Oiler fans highly value the 2006 team as one of the great Oiler teams, that without an untimely injury would have have won it all. However, to the rest of the hockey world they are largely forgotten. It’s the same in other sports though. The loser in the Superbowl is also forgotten, or even perceived as a loser.
100% I agree with this. That ’06 team was super special, and particularly so for those of us who weren’t around for the glory years. I’m probably even a bit more extreme than you; I hold all teams that win a round in high esteem — ’97 Oilers come to mind.
Everybody gets a trophy nowadays.
How about some advanced numerology for Pennant Championship Eve:
Edmonton beat Dallas in 1997. McDavid of course wears number 97. 9 + 7 = 16, or the number of games needed to win it all, and he was 106 days old when Todd Marchant scored in OT. Draisaitl scored 106 points this season and if you add the point totals from Carrick, Kulak, McDavid and Bouchard (these players have played a combined 44 years in the NHL; 44 also being the total playoff games played between the two franchises) and you get 357: the total number of Dallas episodes, featuring the Ewing family who famously owned… you guessed it: vast oil properties.
We’re through the looking glass here people.
We’ve always been at war with Eurasia.
What is your favourite team there?
lol
I can imagine doing something like this back in the day after smoking a big fatty. However, now we think like this when sober and straight. Well done sir – gave me a laugh!
The most amazing thing I heard recently in regard to Maple Leaf futility is this:
The Montreal Maroons have more recently won three rounds.
The one that amazes is me is that the Leafs will no longer be on the Cup if they don’t win by 2030. Unreal.
This article is a few years old, but figured I should cite a source: https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-12-years-win-stanley-cup-name-removed/
I also like the stat that there are only 5 teams who have never played in the month of June: Seattle, Minnesota, Arizona,CBJ and the Leafs
Cup or bust
Cup
Not to pick nits, but isn’t that basically celebrating being conference champions with the raising of the banner, etc?
I think it works better for baseball because historically the American and national leagues never played each other in the regular season. The pennant therefore has more meaning as a championship; the World Series itself is then the “lesser” final. I get what LT is getting at, I think it would help franchises like Vancouver, Buffalo, and the one located on the north shore of lake Ontario, I can’t remember their name…. actually recognize how desperate their futility has been, but I don’t know if its going to work for hockey unless we went strict East and West during the regular season.
The pennant was a huge deal at one time. You had your Senior Circuit and Junior Circuit who never played each other until the World Series. They also had different rules (DH) up until recently. Even the strike zone was different as the Umps in the Nationsl league called a lower ball strike zone where as the American had a high strike zone.
Coach did a one on one with Stauffer yesterday and “confirmed” that Henrique should be playing in the series. It may not be game 1 but he said it would/should be “fairly early”.
I know there are some that opine not to mess with the current lineup if its rolling but I think this player 100% goes in to the lineup if he’s 100%.
I think its obvious (at least for me) that the top 2 lines are not touched and there is even a reasonable argument not to mess with the 3rd line – both McLeod and Foegele seem to play better with Ryan and both are coming along.
With that said, I move Foegele to the right side and add Henrique to the third line and move Ryan down to the fourth, probably for…… hmmmm……Brown?
I 100% agree with this in regards to the 3rd line.
I leave the top 6 as well and run Rico-McLeod-McLovin
As for the 4th line, to me removing Brown is a no brainer. He helps the PK but Henrique can PK as well. I think Janmark has proven his worth, and I love what Carrick brings with size, fiestiness and RH face-offs. To me the question is Ryan vs Perry. To be honest, I would go with a strict rotation to keep both old men rested and hungry.
I agree with this. I’ve liked how Foegele – McLeod – Ryan look, but I do wonder how they will score. Henrique adds considerable skill to that trio.
Well honestly, it’s me & only me that believes that Knoblauch shouldn’t mess with a winning formula. However, I will say it isn’t necessary for them to rush Henrique back into the lineup due to the play of the members of the bottom six in closing out the Canucks. Which I have to say is good news heading into a best of seven with the Dallas Star with which the Oilers are underdogs. I also believe the Oil will show up with their best foot forward and show Dallas what they’re made of.