Pre-Game Talk: Final Game 3. Best of 5. 1 new Pole.

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Lots to dissect from Game 2. Oilers muffed the 2nd period yet again. Skinner let in a brutal goal in the 2OT and wasn't sharp on the 2 previous goals. Defensive misreads causing several breakaways. Special teams weren't very special. Depth scoring evaporated. Defensive breakouts were far from clean at times causing many extended shifts in our zone under Florida pressure. We also got sucked into playing Florida's game getting involved in way too many post whistle scrums. Florida feeds off of that, don't give them any life.

1 concern I have is now it is 2 games where we went into the 3rd period chasing the game and McDavid's minutes are ballooning, he looked out of gas after the 10 minute mark of the 1st OT as did Draisaitl. We cannot afford to chase Game 3 as the cumulative effect will wear us down in a long series, which is what Florida wants so it is imperative we get and maintain the lead allowing KK to roll 4.

But still the Oilers were 1 shot from winning the game. What has to happen for the Oilers to get a split out of Florida?

 

[CycloneSweep]

Florida will have last change and get the matchups they want so we have to keep McDrai apart. Playing them together means we are incredibly easy to shutdown and will just lead to like a 4-1 Florida win.

We need a crap ton more from Nuge, and the entire bottom 6.

Klingberg out, Stetcher in.

Skinner is going to have to play lights out cause Florida is heading home super confident and this OT loss is going to sting, losing games like that can often get in guys heads.

We don’t have an answer to the Lundell line so McDrai are going to have to have huge games cause our bottom 6 can’t compare.

We can for sure win, and this team can surprise but based on the first 2 games we are going to be in for a really rough time in Florida. Best case scenario is a split so here’s hoping.

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

Lots to dissect from Game 2. Oilers muffed the 2nd period yet again. Skinner let in a brutal goal in the 2OT and wasn't sharp on the 2 previous goals. Defensive misreads causing several breakaways. Special teams weren't very special. Depth scoring evaporated. Defensive breakouts were far from clean at times causing many extended shifts in our zone under Florida pressure. We also got sucked into playing Florida's game getting involved in way too many post whistle scrums. Florida feeds off of that, don't give them any life.

1 concern I have is now it is 2 games where we went into the 3rd period chasing the game and McDavid's minutes are ballooning, he looked out of gas after the 10 minute mark of the 1st OT as did Draisaitl. We cannot afford to chase Game 3 as the cumulative effect will wear us down in a long series, which is what Florida wants so it is imperative we get and maintain the lead allowing KK to roll 4.

But still the Oilers were 1 shot from winning the game. What has to happen for the Oilers to get a split out of Florida?

Let’s take em both.

 

[Messrules11]

One game at a time and shoot high ffs

 

[Fishy McScales]

Florida will have last change and get the matchups they want so we have to keep McDrai apart. Playing them together means we are incredibly easy to shutdown and will just lead to like a 4-1 Florida win.

We need a crap ton more from Nuge, and the entire bottom 6.

Klingberg out, Stetcher in.

Skinner is going to have to play lights out cause Florida is heading home super confident and this OT loss is going to sting, losing games like that can often get in guys heads.

We don’t have an answer to the Lundell line so McDrai are going to have to have huge games cause our bottom 6 can’t compare.

We can for sure win, and this team can surprise but based on the first 2 games we are going to be in for a really rough time in Florida. Best case scenario is a split so here’s hoping.

It certainly got in yours by the look of it.

 

[CycloneSweep]

It certainly got in yours by the look of it.

Since 1980 in the Stanley cup finals team who win a game in double OT or later have won the series 10 times and lost twice. (Dallas lost both of those)
Historically double OT playoff losses are massively impactful. Now it’s not impossible in the slightest but it’s a problem.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

I'm not worried yet, series is 1-1....where it probably should be

Oilers are 3-5 in Game 2s in the Knob era...their worst record of any game in the series
and his team get stronger as the series goes on

plus, Florida is actually worse at home then on the road
need a split at worst obviously so go get Game 3

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Since 1980 in the Stanley cup finals team who win a game in double OT or later have won the series 10 times and lost twice. (Dallas lost both of those)
Historically double OT playoff losses are massively impactful. Now it’s not impossible in the slightest but it’s a problem.

and what's the record of a team who wins game 1 of series?

this stat is meaningless

 

[Fishy McScales]

Since 1980 in the Stanley cup finals team who win a game in double OT or later have won the series 10 times and lost twice. (Dallas lost both of those)
Historically double OT playoff losses are massively impactful. Now it’s not impossible in the slightest but it’s a problem.

My point is it says more about your mental fortitude than that of pro athletes.

 

[CycloneSweep]

and what's the record of a team who wins game 1 of series?

this stat is meaningless

75%
The stat isn’t meaningless but it’s not definitive. It just shows the impact and importance of winning those games.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

75%
The stat isn’t meaningless but it’s not definitive. It just shows the impact and importance of winning those games.

this team lost a game with 0.4 seconds on the clock....I doubt losing a double OT game has an impact on the series

 

[CycloneSweep]

this team lost a game with 0.4 seconds on the clock....I doubt losing a double OT game has an impact on the series

Double ot takes a ton out of you.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Double ot takes a ton out of you.

so? losing with 0.4 seconds would break some teams mentally

 

[Mr Positive]

Bring back Nurse-Stecher. It sucks to have to remove Kulak, but it's him or Nurse. We aren't taking Klingberg out because he's RD. Having two LD on one pairing is what is causing our issues there

 

[CycloneSweep]

Bring back Nurse-Stecher. It sucks to have to remove Kulak, but it's him or Nurse. We aren't taking Klingberg out because he's RD. Having two LD on one pairing is what is causing our issues there

They should sit Nurse for all his dumb icings alone.

 

[nturn06]

Oilers win games 3 and 4, I expect a blowout win in game 3.

 

[MessierThanThou]

I'd alternate Kane and Perry on the first unit like they were alternating Hyman and Perry.

I'd sit Brown to let him rest a little more and bring in Jeff Skinner. Also, having two rested guys in Skinner and Stecher come in could give us an edge after that double OT.

Skinner-McDavid-Perry
Henrique-Drai-Frederic
Kane-RNH-Kapanen
Podz-Janmark-Arvidsson

Kulak-Bouchard
Ekholm-Walman
Nurse-Stecher

 

[Fishy McScales]

I know Stecher is the Nurse whisperer, but I don't know that Kulak on the right side is the primary problem (he has struggled).

The problem is simply that the harder the opposition gets, the more Nurse falters. He is the problem whether he plays with Kulak or Stecher.

He doesn't process the game well enough to find small, smart solutions in tight situations under this ferocious forecheck. He ices it, rims it into the D-man on the blueline or throws a bad pass back into danger. Routinely he does this under zero pressure.

He's not getting scratched obviously, but he's the root cause. This level is just a touch too high for him to handle.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I'd alternate Kane and Perry on the first unit like they were alternating Hyman and Perry.

I'd sit Brown to let him rest a little more and bring in Jeff Skinner. Also, having two rested guys in Skinner and Stecher come in could give us an edge after that double OT.

Skinner-McDavid-Perry
Henrique-Drai-Frederic
Kane-RNH-Kapanen
Podz-Janmark-Arvidsson

Kulak-Bouchard
Ekholm-Walman
Nurse-Stecher

That second line would last 3 shifts before he loads up the top line because they can’t leave the zone. If the plan is to make Draisaitl a non factor that line will do it.
Hey Drai, play with 2 or our 3 worst performing forwards against a great team. That should be good.
Henrique and Frederic are awful.
Those 2 struggles against Nosek, Bennett would look like McDavid against them.

 

[North Cole]

Finish a powerplay or two in the second when Florida unravelled and it's a different story. OT is always a coinflip.

Can we quickly figure out what the f*** we're doing in the second period? The 2nd continues to let Florida back into the game...
Two third period comebacks against a team that has basically never lost a game defending a lead is good. Panthers know leads aren't safe. Makes them play differently.
Skinner has played pretty well, I know we would like a breakaway save, but also just stop giving them breakaways.
Win one of 3/4 in Florida and I think we win the cup, this team is historically too good in games 4-7.
Curious to see how we respond to a loss vs Florida, last two series we came back to win four straight.
Nurse and Klingberg were f***ing rough last night. That Nurse continues to stand behind his net for 20 seconds only to ice the puck is perplexing. Guy must have some otherworldly fear of being able to hit a stick in transition. Bouchard had some awful plays but at least he evens them out by getting points back.

I think this Florida team is beatable, we just couldn't finish and made some uncharacteristic mistakes. Still can't believe they gave up a shorty.

In response to the poll, I don't think lineup changes are needed. Klingberg just needs to think faster. No reason to go after Bennett, if you can get back to 25-30% powerplay this series is over very quickly because the Panthers will have to neuter themselves to not get killed by it. 11-7 is a disaster. McDrai icetime is high because we keep going into reverse in the 2nd period and then have to double shift them for the third, add on three OT periods and it is what it is. They can handle it for 5 more games.

 

[MessierThanThou]

this team lost a game with 0.4 seconds on the clock....I doubt losing a double OT game has an impact on the series

Yeah, it's like they can come back from that, and losing in Game 7 after rallying from 0-3, but oh no...we lost in double OT. Series OVER.

Give me a f***ing break.

 

[foshizzle]

Lots to dissect from Game 2. Oilers muffed the 2nd period yet again. Skinner let in a brutal goal in the 2OT and wasn't sharp on the 2 previous goals. Defensive misreads causing several breakaways. Special teams weren't very special. Depth scoring evaporated. Defensive breakouts were far from clean at times causing many extended shifts in our zone under Florida pressure. We also got sucked into playing Florida's game getting involved in way too many post whistle scrums. Florida feeds off of that, don't give them any life.

1 concern I have is now it is 2 games where we went into the 3rd period chasing the game and McDavid's minutes are ballooning, he looked out of gas after the 10 minute mark of the 1st OT as did Draisaitl. We cannot afford to chase Game 3 as the cumulative effect will wear us down in a long series, which is what Florida wants so it is imperative we get and maintain the lead allowing KK to roll 4.

But still the Oilers were 1 shot from winning the game. What has to happen for the Oilers to get a split out of Florida?

Swap wingers for Drai and McDavid. Perry is too slow for McDavid. Kane just works way better with McDavid (analytics prove this). Drai needs someone who can get him the puck- neither Kap nor Kane are good passers.

Reduce Perry’s minutes. He was flubbing opportunities all game long. He is 40. Perry also goes to the front of the net and does nothing else. McDavid needs someone to give and go and be open in the slot…Kane…J Skinner….inwould t even mind Podz up with McDavid because he can get the puck back and run Florida’s D

Move Janmark back to the wing. Reunite Janmark-Henrique-Brown.

 

[MessierThanThou]

Swap wingers for Drai and McDavid. Perry is too slow for McDavid. Kane just works way better with McDavid (analytics prove this). Drai needs someone who can get him the puck- neither Kap nor Kane are good passers.

Reduce Perry’s minutes. He was flubbing opportunities all game long. He is 40. Perry also goes to the front of the net and does nothing else. McDavid needs someone to give and go and be open in the slot…Kane…J Skinner….inwould t even mind Podz up with McDavid because he can get the puck back and run Florida’s D

Move Janmark back to the wing. Reunite Janmark-Henrique-Brown.

Are you thinking...

Kane-McDavid-Kapanen
Skinner-Drai-Perry
Podz-RNH-Arvidsson
Janmark-Henrique-Brown

I could go with that. I just like Frederic in there because he keeps us from being pushed around, but he has looked pretty useless.

 

[Duke74]

We don’t have an answer to the Lundell line so McDrai are going to have to have huge games cause our bottom 6 can’t compare.

I think the answer to the Lundell line may be putting RNH at 3C and moving players around the lineup accordingly. We have the luxury of three centers, why not use that to our advantage, especially with Florida getting last change.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I think the answer to the Lundell line may be putting RNH at 3C and moving players around the lineup accordingly. We have the luxury of three centers, why not use that to our advantage, especially with Florida getting last change.

Because we don’t have 4 wingers that can play in the Top 6 and Nuge can’t run a line. Unless you are giving Nuge Kane and a healthy Hyman no combination can match that line.

We don’t even have enough wingers with Nuge in it to run 2 solid top 6 lines.