Post-Game Talk: A Sixy Win

[PositiveCashFlow]

Anyone have a clip of Ek ripping on Kapanen after a goal?

 

[CupofOil]

I think it's time to have a conversation about Darnell Nurse.
Since people (including myself) are allowed to endlessly shit on him when he's struggling, it's only fair to praise him when he's playing well and after a rough start to the season with an endless rotation of bottom pairing D flanking him, he's been arguably the Oilers best Dman along with Kulak. 3 goals, 10 points only one on the PP and very little McDrai time at even strength and a +2 with solid defense playing almost 21 minutes a night (without much PP time). He also looks happier in general so it deserves to be noted that he's been playing very well and looking like the Nurse we saw a few years ago.

 

[McShogun99]

Rangers better pay Shesterkin whatever he wants because they’re a mediocre team that’s getting bailed by elite goaltending.

 

[soothsayer]

I think it's time to have a conversation about Darnell Nurse.
Since people (including myself) are allowed to endlessly shit on him when he's struggling, it's only fair to praise him when he's playing well and after a rough start to the season with an endless rotation of bottom pairing D flanking him, he's been arguably the Oilers best Dman along with Kulak. 3 goals, 10 points only one on the PP and very little McDrai time at even strength and a +2 with solid defense playing almost 21 minutes a night (without much PP time). He also looks happier in general so it deserves to be noted that he's been playing very well and looking like the Nurse we saw a few years ago.

He's playing his game again as an elite skating defensively focused defenseman with a physical edge. That's always been his ideal form in the NHL, with the bonus of being able to chip in 30-40 points. If he keeps his focus on defense and physicality, he might just be worth his contract or close to it at some point if he can also chip in offensively when it comes organically (rather than it being forced).

He's been one of the positives this year, no doubt about it. I loved this version if Nurse when he was coming into the league, and I'm loving it now too.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Rangers better pay Shesterkin whatever he wants because they’re a mediocre team that’s getting bailed by elite goaltending.

They really are the Winnipeg Jets of the EC. Look good in the regular season because goaltending is propping them up, then flop in the playoffs.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Skinner played a great game and exactly the type of game we need him to play. He made saves when needed.

 

[ConnorNova0929]

Leon Selkesaitl

Rather have JT Miller though, eh Canucks fans? Morons lol

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Emberson had an interesting game. He is a little better defensively than I gave him credit for but he is not fantastic at passing the puck up out of the zone and you can see in the ozone he lacks confidence. Overall he got the job done though and could be a third pair guy long term or a good quality number 7.
As you can see from the above post what we need now is a strong defensive defenseman first to cover off at least some of Nurse's two brain dead giveaways per game and second to help out with teams like Minny. While I would love to have a prime Provorov its not very realistic given long term cap implications. But defensive guys with a good first pass up are out there especially closer to the deadline as there are about 10 difference makers at the top of the coming draft. These guys are paid 3.5 ish long term and we could get some retention short term.

Nurse is much better with someone who can also transition the puck to get it out of his own zone rather than a strong defensive player

 

[bobbythebrain]

I think it's time to have a conversation about Darnell Nurse.
Since people (including myself) are allowed to endlessly shit on him when he's struggling, it's only fair to praise him when he's playing well and after a rough start to the season with an endless rotation of bottom pairing D flanking him, he's been arguably the Oilers best Dman along with Kulak. 3 goals, 10 points only one on the PP and very little McDrai time at even strength and a +2 with solid defense playing almost 21 minutes a night (without much PP time). He also looks happier in general so it deserves to be noted that he's been playing very well and looking like the Nurse we saw a few years ago.

It's no secret I've been one of his biggest detractors, but it's totally a tale of 2 players. I'm not even joking in thinking he came on these boards and read what ppl were saying.

How do you go from 2 years of no hockey IQ to having it?

No more needless dumps or rims. Skating with confidence. Great outlet passes and early. Shooting when he skates down low vs that stupid to nobody pass.

It's a complete 180. Good for him to be able to re-invent his game like that. Loving this player atm

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Rather have JT Miller though, eh Canucks fans? Morons lol

Jt Miller.

The guy who cried and went home at the first sign of trouble

It's no secret I've been one of his biggest detractors, but it's totally a tale of 2 players. I'm not even joking in thinking he came on these boards and read what ppl were saying.

How do you go from 2 years of no hockey IQ to having it?

No more needless dumps or rims. Skating with confidence. Great outlet passes and early. Shooting when he skates down low vs that stupid to nobody pass.

It's a complete 180. Good for him to be able to re-invent his game like that. Loving this player atm

I wonder how much of it is not having to play with ceci.

He probably has a lot more confidence in his partner when he plays with kulak, therefore giving him more confidence

 

[bobbythebrain]

Jt Miller.

The guy who cried and went home at the first sign of trouble


I wonder how much of it is not having to play with ceci.

He probably has a lot more confidence in his partner when he plays with kulak, therefore giving him more confidence

I'd ease up on JT. Dude is unreal. Love that player.
He played for Torts the idiot who stapled him to the 3rd line. Cooper did the same in TB despite his awesome results
Then, in Van when he's killing it, the media and fans turn on him for rightfully yelling at a "lazy, entitled and Fortnite is a priority over hockey "Juolevi

 

[McFlyingV]

View attachment 935010


3 Dmen in the top 5.

Bouchard was 3rd and Ekholm 6th last year, and Nurse was 5th the year prior so that's not all that surprising. The forward group obviously needs to step up, but the Oilers have a lot of offence from the backend. It's one of their major strengths.

 

[timekeep]

Skinner played a great game and exactly the type of game we need him to play. He made saves when needed.

He had a great game, let in two softies but there were two major letdowns by Perry and Ryan on the first goal, shouldn't have even a shot on goal.

 

[syz]

I wonder how much of it is not having to play with ceci.

He probably has a lot more confidence in his partner when he plays with kulak, therefore giving him more confidence

I certainly don't miss seeing him rim the puck behind the net to Ceci only for Ceci to bobble it.

 

[Oilslick941611]

He had a great game, let in two softies but there were two major letdowns by Perry and Ryan on the first goal, shouldn't have even a shot on goal.

every goalie ever lets in softies. Im not holding it agaisnt him last night, its not even worth mentioning to be honest. He did his job and did well and most importantly, was there when we needed him.

 

[timekeep]

every goalie ever lets in softies. Im not holding it agaisnt him last night, its not even worth mentioning to be honest. He is job and did well and most importantly, was there when we needed him.

I agree, this is what I'm hoping out of him. Unfortunately i was told my daughter wanted a Skinner or Hyman jersey for xmas so if we chose that one, i hope he i don't hate him.

 

[McFlyingV]

He had a great game, let in two softies but there were two major letdowns by Perry and Ryan on the first goal, shouldn't have even a shot on goal.

Second goal wasn't a softie at all. Nurse made a bad turnover and one of the best players in the NHL got to rip a shot top corner from the slot uncontested.

First goal looks weak, but on closer look was incredibly unlucky. Skinner actually makes the save with his pad and the puck is going wide of the net off his pad and then makes one of the oddest deflections I have ever seen off the knob/shaft of his stick which causes it to go in.

I'm one of the more vocal Skinner critics on here, but there was just nothing to hate on last night.

 

[McFlyingV]

Jt Miller.

The guy who cried and went home at the first sign of trouble


I wonder how much of it is not having to play with ceci.

He probably has a lot more confidence in his partner when he plays with kulak, therefore giving him more confidence

It is largely Ceci and I was saying it for the longest time. I still laugh that posters actually tried to convince themselves that losing Ceci was a detriment to this team. Worst puck retrieval and worst controlled zone exits D on this team last year. I'm still baffled at what exactly we were losing aside from a big body in front of the net that could box guys out, but would often miss his assignment on the high danger opponent.