Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs LA Kings (P3) | LAK lead 1-0

[kingsfan28]

Woohoo, great news for the Kings. Im guessing Iaffalo moves back to the 4th line. That's how deep the Kings are. 36pt Iafilo on the 4th line.

He also moves back to pp 2, when Valardi goes back to pp1 upon his return. Both pp units become better.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I want him and Fiala back as an oil fan. No excuses.

Fiala is a very good player but he needs to step it up in the playoffs. He's been a ghost so far in the playoffs.

 

[Coffey]

I mean, it will be the crux of the series. It will be decided with special teams. Edmonton is a team practically built around their powerplay. They have to generate them in order to survive. They will always perpetually never have enough powerplays.

Are they really though? Edmonton was 5th for 5v5 goals in the regular season and LA was 18th in the league.

And yea they were also first for PP and SH goals in the league too. There is a reason people valued them highly coming into the playoffs. They were a complete scoring machine.

 

[yeaher]

McDavid is tired, Edmonton prioritized stats instead of glory

 

[deaderhead28]

Stay classy Oiler fans, people throwing full beer bottles at players on the ice.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Like I said, he played a poor game, as did his linemates. In fact I'd go as far to say that basically the entire top six played terribly outside of Draisatl. For two periods the Oilers were the better team, I don't think anyone would contest that, but they made some stupid plays at key times and lost the game.


Yeah, they're probably much worse. Why it's almost as if he's really, really good.

Then again we almost won the game without any help from him, sooooo.....

Brother Mcdavid tried his thing and ALMOST SCORED ! He also drew 2 penalties which resulted in a goal on the 5 on 3 powerplay . But he didn’t have an off night , Kings matched up Danault with him whos a selke level defensive center whos a nightmare for most players around the league and got shut sown . Also Kings coach switched Doughty and Anderson defending against Mcdavid to Gavrikov and Roy and Gavrikov was lights out against Mcdavid . He pummeled him the rest of the night as did Danault . He had 6 hits and im pretty sure each one was on Mcdavid . Cheers bud enjoy the tears

 

[Coffey]

McDavid is tired, Edmonton prioritized stats instead of glory

Lol what does that even mean?

 

[Crown Royal]

Edmonton will take this. It is a coin flip whether it will take 4 or 5 games.

Heads, you lose.

Oilers in 3.

years

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I want him and Fiala back as an oil fan. No excuses.

It doesn't seem like Fiala is coming back at all, unfortunately

Sorry 2 for 12 my bad.

Two of those games without Anderson (McDavided), Vilardi, and Fiala.

LA is such a different team with Fiala. It’s not an excuse but it would be like the Oilers without McDavid honestly impact wise.

All the talk about those last two games mean Jack shit.

Maybe Fiala will be back by Christmas but it’s a big break for the Oilers.

I don't think it's the same per se because McDavid is McDavid but Fiala WAS the Kings' leading scorer until Anze passed him in the last week due to injury. He's over PPG.

Unfortunately people will only get to imagine a Kings team with a PPG winger on the 3rd line...if that's why this version of the Kings looks different, that's a big reason why, all the scoring burden has shifted back to Kopitar. It's an underestimated impact.

 

[Crown Royal]

I mean neither of these teams is a threat to anyone but themselves but sure.

but whatever you but say but

 

[Telos]

Are they really though? Edmonton was 5th for 5v5 goals in the regular season and LA was 18th in the league.

And yea they were also first for PP and SH goals in the league too. There is a reason people valued them highly coming into the playoffs. They were a complete scoring machine.

They are at that, but they still rely more on their powerplay than just about any other team in the postseason. Their historic powerplay this year was pretty remarkable as they scored like 30% more goals on the powerplay than most other playoff teams and their powerplay was on another plane of existence being 6.4% more successful than those in just second place.

It is not just playing the Kings, but Edmonton's key to beating all teams and winning a Stanley Cup will be utilizing and capitalizing this weapon against opponents now that are defensively stronger with better goaltending. They aren't going to get through the West and the East with just 5 on 5 play. They need to use their superweapon and achieve the complete scoring machine if they want to have any hope of lifting the cup.

 

[Coffey]

They need to use their superweapon and achieve the complete scoring machine if they want to have any hope of lifting the cup.

You can say that about any team brother. Does that mean any team that’s under Edmonton in 5v5 scoring has zero chance of winning a cup?

Yes they have an incredible PP, but can score in any other situation too.

 

[barry halls]

Not going to lose any sleep if the Oilers lose this series, this is entertainment, just fun and games with no real bearing on my life or yours. The outcome of a hockey game is as meaningless as the outcome of a movie plot or novel. Whatever happens the Oilers have had a very entertaining year to this point and McDavid and Draisaitl will still be wearing Oilers jerseys next year, it’s all good! I’ll personally be super happy for the fanbase of whoever wins the cup this year. Cheers to Kings fans on a great game last night and good luck tomorrow, let’s all enjoy the rest of the playoffs guys!

Sincerely,
your brother in hockey,
Barry Halls

 

[LAKings88]

It doesn't seem like Fiala is coming back at all, unfortunately



I don't think it's the same per se because McDavid is McDavid but Fiala WAS the Kings' leading scorer until Anze passed him in the last week due to injury. He's over PPG.

Unfortunately people will only get to imagine a Kings team with a PPG winger on the 3rd line...if that's why this version of the Kings looks different, that's a big reason why, all the scoring burden has shifted back to Kopitar. It's an underestimated impact.

I hear you and not a direct comparison but impact wise. Fiala is a game breaker and can make something out of nothing. There would be an asterisk if LA played Edmonton without McDavid. Is what is and I won’t bring it up anymore. Just don’t think those last two regular season games mean anything given the absences in LAs lineup.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not going to lose any sleep if the Oilers lose this series, this is entertainment, just fun and games with no real bearing on my life or yours. The outcome of a hockey game is as meaningless as the outcome of a movie plot or novel. Whatever happens the Oilers have had a very entertaining year to this point and McDavid and Draisaitl will still be wearing Oilers jerseys next year, it’s all good! I’ll personally be super happy for the fanbase of whoever wins the cup this year. Cheers to Kings fans on a great game last night and good luck tomorrow, let’s all enjoy the rest of the playoffs guys!

Sincerely,
your brother in hockey,
Barry Halls

This is way too wholesome so IM GOING TO TAKE IT AS AN INSULT

 

[Telos]

You can say that about any team brother. Does that mean any team that’s under Edmonton in 5v5 scoring has zero chance of winning a cup?

Yes they have an incredible PP, but can score in any other situation too.

Well, then I guess they have it made if they don't need their powerplay and all they need is their 5 on 5 to win the cup because no other team in the playoffs can boast that. If you're a swordfighter that can beat anyone with one arm behind your back then you're the best swordfighter in the world and deserve to win it all at that point.

 

[BigKing]

Woohoo, great news for the Kings. Im guessing Iaffalo moves back to the 4th line. That's how deep the Kings are. 36pt Iafilo on the 4th line.

As mentioned earlier, you probably see Anderson-Dolan sit with Kaliyev moving down to Line 4 with Kupari and Grundstrom. Vilardi slots in to Line 3 with Lizotte and Iafallo.

Makes the power play stronger as a whole. It's being talked about in this thread how Edmonton is power play reliant but the improved power play for the Kings is a huge reason for them being a better team than last year.

Kings special teams were dogshit in last year's playoff series. Serious issues with PP QB since they didn't have Doughty and then they were missing the skill of Arvidsson and this year's version of Vilardi. New power play coach this season has them moving the puck around more efficiently while utilizing cross-ice passes to both sides of the ice versus only trying to set up Kempe.

Kings are the biggest cheek-turners in the league. They hope Edmonton gets frustrated and takes stupid penalties. They would love to be on the PP as much as possible--who doesn't--not only to score but to also hopefully keep McDavid in check. Last year, a power play seemed like two minutes where McDavid hopefully couldn't score but I think Edmonton may have had as many SH goals as the Kings had PP goals. This season, I think Kings fans feel pretty good about scoring at least once if the Kings get four power plays: even without Fiala.

If Game 1 is any indication, the Kings are not going to look to pick up any "selfish" penalties no matter how much I'd like them to even up a roughing minor. They want power plays and they definitely don't want 4-on-4.

 

[Coffey]

Well, then I guess they have it made if they don't need their powerplay and all they need is their 5 on 5 to win the cup because no other team in the playoffs can boast that. If you're a swordfighter that can beat anyone with one arm behind your back then you're the best swordfighter in the world and deserve to win it all at that point.

No I get what you’re saying. I’m just tired of seeing “Oilers need their PP to win” when they proved they can score in any situation. Even though they score a lot, they let in a lot too. So ya, they will need to score in droves again if the defense lets up.

Either way should be a good fun close series I figure.

 

[Belos]

So this is how I see the matchups. (I you want more details because you have that much time, just refer to my post in the lightning vs leafs thread).

I am of the mindset that there's a CLEAR distinction to be made between main contributors and glue/complimentary players. Those ratings reflect that. While conservative, i truly believe they do justice to what we see and players true abilities and not favorable box score circumstances


Los Angeles Kings

77 Byfield(+), 87 Kopitar, 83 Kempe
79 Moore, 85 Danault, 83 Arvidsson
84 Fiala, 77 Lizotte, 81 Vilardi
83 Iafallo, 76 Kupari, 76 Grundstrom
79 Kaliyev

84 Anderson, 85 Doughty
82 Gavrikov, 82 Roy
79 Edler, 80 Durzi



83 Korpisalo
80 Copley

Edmonton Oilers

83 Nugent-Hopkins, 96 McDavid, 83 Hyman
82 Kane, 92 Draisaitl, 77 Yamamoto
75 Kostin, 77 Bjugstad, 76 Janmark,
77 Foegele, 78 McLeod, 76 Ryan

82 Nurse, 79 Ceci
87 Ekholm, 80 Bouchard
80 Kulak, 77 Desharnais

85 Skinner
77 Campbell

LA is probably the most well rounded team that doesn't have a true Elite player. For a top heavy team like the Oilers, could be a tough out. Like LA doesn't have any real weaknesses. They're not last year CGL...

Tough luck playing a team like that for the Oilers. Should they advance, sky's the limit.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

So this is how I see the matchups. (I you want more details because you have that much time, just refer to my post in the lightning vs leafs thread).

I am of the mindset that there's a CLEAR distinction to be made between main contributors and glue/complimentary players. Those ratings reflect that. While conservative, i truly believe they do justice to what we see and players true abilities and not favorable box score circumstances


Los Angeles Kings

77 Byfield, 87 Kopitar, 83 Kempe
79 Moore, 85 Danault, 83 Arvidsson
83 Iafallo, 81 Vilardi, 84 Fiala
75 Grundstrom, 77 Lizotte, 79 Kaliyev

84 Anderson, 85 Doughty
82 Gavrikov, 82 Roy
79 Edler, 80 Durzi



83 Korpisalo
80 Copley

Edmonton Oilers

83 Nugent-Hopkins, 96 McDavid, 83 Hyman
82 Kane, 92 Draisaitl, 77 Yamamoto
75 Kostin, 77 Bjugstad, 76 Janmark,
77 Foegele, 78 McLeod, 76 Ryan

82 Nurse, 79 Ceci
87 Ekholm, 80 Bouchard
80 Kulak, 77 Desharnais

85 Skinner
77 Campbell

LA is probably the most well rounded team that doesn't have a true Elite player. For a top heavy team like the Oilers, could be a tough out. Like LA doesn't have any real weaknesses. They're not last year CGL...

Tough luck playing a team like that for the Oilers. Should they advance, sky's the limit.

Vilardi doesn't play center anymore.

Byfield--Kopitar--Kempe
Moore--Danault--Arvidsson
Fiala--Lizotte--Vilardi
Iafallo--Kupari--Grundstrum

 

[Belos]

Vilardi doesn't play center anymore.

Byfield--Kopitar--Kempe
Moore--Danault--Arvidsson
Fiala--Lizotte--Vilardi
Iafallo--Kupari--Grundstrum

Tks for the info. I will say that lineups aren't too be taken too literally... Its more so the ratings. But yeah LA is tough.

 

[Bandit]

you think that will take over the rest?

Leafs game thread has over 2k already and there’s still a period to go. And they’re getting their asses kicked. It won’t be close in terms of post count.

 

[GOilers88]

I want him and Fiala back as an oil fan. No excuses.

Amen

 

[yababy]

You don’t win a cup without a Norris caliber stud defenceman. Last time Oilers had one the nearly won a cup.
Why do they resist going out and getting one? Draisaitl should have been swapped for that piece years ago

 

[kingsfan28]

What's the status on Fiala and Valliardi?

Valardi in for game 2, Fiala is in LA .