Post-Game Talk: Be still my Oily heart

[Stoneman89]

 

[gretzkyoilers]

Like last year it seems like it takes a few games for the Oilers to adapt to their opponents way of playing? Mind you the Oilers started playing more aggressively in the 3rd and in OT. Got to give it to the Kings, as they are a much better team this year.

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

 

[Stoneman89]

Had we lost, it was almost a given that the net would go back to Skinner. But now it stays with Picks.

 

[Louis Cypher]

The LAK really tired out due to playing 4 D and no 4th line. Let's hope that fatigue sets in for the final 3 games.

2 games. We are winning in 6.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. A Classic.
Two Oiler teams through this series. A lifeless, inept one with low shot counts, terrible self mistakes and bad goaltending. And a third period monster that feasts on tired Kings and terrible coaching decisions. Oiler holy trinity leading the way with McDavid, Draisaitl, and both-way threat but elite clutch time Bouchard. One of my X-Factor players coming in was Klingberg. This guy's 26:08 toi steady veteran poise and composure can't be overstated. With big wobbles on the top pairing, Klingberg is a revelation with steady top 4 responsibilities and play. Cory Perry an ageless wonder and this team's heartbeat.

Winning the Special Teams is massive. PK stabilizing with aggressive forward work to disrupt a lethal 5 forward Kings PP. NHL Edge zone times is beginning to creep back to a more normal, at least saw-off, zone time. Big spike in neutral zone which is starting to generate turnovers. Hiller's post game presser showed some negative emotion befitting a guy who isn't helping with passive game strategy and poor tactical choices. Cap tip again to Jim!

 

[Canovin]

The only Skinner we should go back to Jeff Skinner for Frederic.

 

[brentashton]

I'd argue this hasn't been fun at all.

Series tied at 2-2 and you want to piss and moan. Boo hoo.

It’s pro hockey, and all the teams are good. I mean if your looking for blowouts, maybe go watch Thursday night men’s league games.

 

[McTonyBrar]

While his speed is gone, his calmness and poise with the puck on his stick can not be overstated.

He has a calming effect back there because he always gives people the puck in a good spot, and puts it on their tape.

Might just end up being a beastly signing.

Remember, when we first saw him he was coming off a LONG layoff. It looks like he's back to game speed.

Agreed when we first saw him he looked like Vinny with better puck skills and terrible skating. Now, he looks like he's closer to his Dallas self

 

[Cloned]

Knoblach sounded much more relaxed and comfortable talking about Pickard after the game last night than he did after game 3 when he was really nervous and didn’t want to go there. When he spoke last night he seemed like a guy that felt vindicated after winning a battle.

I’ve always thought he was a Pickard guy. Just the way he criticized Skinner in the RS made me think he likes Pickard better.

I guess he won the power struggle with Schwartz.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

The only Skinner we should go back to Jeff Skinner for Frederic.

I actually thought Frederic did very well on that line with Henrique and Brown in the latter part of the game.

I think I might put Skinner in for Arvidsson, but who knows, they got the lines humming as the 3rd rolled along.

 

[K1984]

Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. A Classic.
Two Oiler teams through this series. A lifeless, inept one with low shot counts, terrible self mistakes and bad goaltending. And a third period monster that feasts on tired Kings and terrible coaching decisions. Oiler holy trinity leading the way with McDavid, Draisaitl, and both-way threat but elite clutch time Bouchard. One of my X-Factor players coming in was Klingberg. This guy's 26:08 toi steady veteran poise and composure can't be overstated. With big wobbles on the top pairing, Klingberg is a revelation with steady top 4 responsibilities and play. Cory Perry an ageless wonder and this team's heartbeat.

Winning the Special Teams is massive. PK stabilizing with aggressive forward work to disrupt a lethal 5 forward Kings PP. NHL Edge zone times is beginning to creep back to a more normal, at least saw-off, zone time. Big spike in neutral zone which is starting to generate turnovers. Hiller's post game presser showed some negative emotion befitting a guy who isn't helping with passive game strategy and poor tactical choices. Cap tip again to Jim!

Good point on Kilngberg and he has been under the radar massive for us so far in this series.

He can't skate at all, but he is very, very sure handed with the puck. When he gets it he's making a steady play with it almost every time, which can't be said for a lot of our other defenders. Just makes good reliable decisions with it.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Like last year it seems like it takes a few games for the Oilers to adapt to their opponents way of playing? Mind you the Oilers started playing more aggressively in the 3rd and in OT. Got to give it to the Kings, as they are a much better team this year.

They're getting healthier (or more comfortable playing hurt) and used to eachother as well. You can see the consistency come as they get more used to each other in the game.

 

[CupofOil]

I don’t really understand why were as bad defensively as we are. We have some decent to good personnel but when you put it together it just doesn’t work.

Nurse is once again a train wreck in the playoffs. Guy just can’t make good decisions out there once the game ramps up.

Bouchard is a mixed bag. Most dangerous player for either team. Least you get good with him. Dude can flat out make plays.

But its kinda sad we can’t defend at least a bit better.

It's easy to understand some of which you laid out. Nurse is traditionally a poor playoff performer, can't blame Ceci for this anymore, Bouchard is well.... we know defensively.
Walman is average at best defensively even in the best of times and he seems to be still carrying an injury, same with Klingberg who is another high event player then you have Emberson who is a rookie in over his head. Ekholm is the one guy that stabilizes and with him out, it's a mess.
Stecher is probably their 2nd best Dman defensively and he's out. That speaks volumes.

Honestly, this just speaks to the superpowers of McDavid and Draisaitl that this team is in this position despite them getting little help from depth players and their own top 6 wingers, a poor defense without Ekholm and the goaltending..,... well, we know.
Not trying to poo on a win but this team is McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard (offensively) and a cloud of dust. Going to need more from others to get by the Kings nevermind making any sort of run thereafter.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

It's easy to understand some of which you laid out. Nurse is traditionally a poor playoff performer, can't blame Ceci for this anymore, Bouchard is well.... we know defensively.
Walman is average at best defensively even in the best of times and he seems to be still carrying an injury, same with Klingberg who is another high event player then you have Emberson who is a rookie in over his head. Ekholm is the one guy that stabilizes and with him out, it's a mess.

Honestly, this just speaks to the superpowers of McDavid and Draisaitl that this team is in this position despite them getting little help from depth players and their own top 6 wingers, a poor defense without Ekholm and the goaltending..,... well, we know.
Not trying to poo on a win but this team is McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard (offensively) and a cloud of dust.

At least last night the depth killed penalties, the depth wore the Kings out on the forecheck and the earned at least one PP. They need to chip in more, but making things hard on LA (the opponent) so the stars have tired or banged up oppositions are good as well.

 

[ahmedou]

Impossible!

Is!

Nothing!

 

[popo]

Good point on Kilngberg and he has been under the radar massive for us so far in this series.

He can't skate at all, but he is very, very sure handed with the puck. When he gets it he's making a steady play with it almost every time, which can't be said for a lot of our other defenders. Just makes good reliable decisions with it.

Klingberg seems to be getting better and better. Our defense is miles better since he started dressing in game 2. His skating isn't strong, but he is smart enough positionally - it is Walman and Bouchard getting beat wide with cement feet in the neutral zone. Klingberg got up and down the ice, joined the rush, and had some scoring chances.

Need him paired with Nurse. Nurse has no breakout pass and needs a puck mover to defer to. Otherwise Nurse will spend every breakout skating to the red line and dumping. There is a place for dump and chase hockey, but not sure that is how this team is being coached to play.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

Kling gives me a heart attack a few times a game, but at this point hes probably been our second best dman? Its been rough. But the guy is quite slick w/ the puck when he wants to be.

 

[McHelpus]

Hiller is rattled- go to 4:50. Lmao.

I mean that question would piss anyone off lol

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Good point on Kilngberg and he has been under the radar massive for us so far in this series.

He can't skate at all, but he is very, very sure handed with the puck. When he gets it he's making a steady play with it almost every time, which can't be said for a lot of our other defenders. Just makes good reliable decisions with it.

I actually think his skating is ... ok. Shows on NHLEdge as 54 percentile top speed and 69 percentile burst >20 MPH (though massively small sample size): NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Skaters

Think its more of a mobility challenge with his pivots still compromised from significant surgery. Awkward when pivoting that may present as slow to some degree. But we see a player with high calm and poise in his game, his brain, helping to make up for footwork. Not a perfect player who still has some high risk decision making but this player delivering stable, quality minutes is an unsung aspect of this series with Ekholm out.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Not even kidding. OP is Jack Johnson. One of the usual nuck mouthbreathers.

Surprised it isn't our boy DJ Heers HAHA

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I agree, I also think this is the team feeling out the officiating.

 

[bucks_oil]

Good point on Kilngberg and he has been under the radar massive for us so far in this series.

He can't skate at all, but he is very, very sure handed with the puck. When he gets it he's making a steady play with it almost every time, which can't be said for a lot of our other defenders. Just makes good reliable decisions with it.

He's been looking better for sure. He did have a bumper play from behind our goal out into the slot that he got away with in the third/OT... I gasped at that, memories of Bouchard in game 1... but other than that, a solid game last night.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[McTonyBrar]

I'd argue this hasn't been fun at all.

Then leave. Why are you even on here?