Post-Game Talk: From the jaws of defeat…

[Salvaged Ship]

Should be 10-0 if not for getting "Hilled" in Vegas.

You could argue they should have lost last night, goes both ways. I’m happy

 

[Drivesaitl]

I couldn't watch the game and reading the GDT it felt like we were getting our asses kicked. The first 10-15 pages was just shitting on Stu. Figured we were down big and was happy I didn't watch. Went to page 37 and saw that we had won in OT. WTF. Stu let in 2 goals...one of which was tipped by Drai and we are shitting on him like that...

With respect you didn't watch the game and are telling us how we should feel about Skinners game yesterday.

I detailed just some of the miscues Skinner made in yesterdays game, this just some of them, and were not connected with any of the GA. Just terrible plays he made.

I think its odd the entirety of discussion seems to be focused on the goals. I get more concerned, or as much about the brutal plays Skinner makes that aren't getting punished. Because he continues to make those.

How about the clusterf*** Skinner pass right into his slot from behind the net in first period. WTF is that? Or the coming out of net, passing to D that is covered and then keystone cops getting back to net and just hoping his D doesn't get stripped. The number of hot passes Skinner gives his D is ridiculous.

In the third Debrusk somehow credits Skinner for waiting way too long to play puck and Pasta just being a foot away from the strip. You could hear the crowd audibly gasp on that one too. The crowd realizing it was 2-2, there were boo's as well. First time I've heard it directed at Skinner. I mean he's playing on a club that just tied the game, the team is a cheat code in OT, and he's playing 50/50 chips with the only Dangerous Bruin player instead of playing that safe like anybody with a brain would do. you just want to bang your head at the decision making.

Debrusk described it as a "confident play" Its a play I'm never confident about watching Skins play with fire. Skinner creates dangerous plays where none otherwise exist. Its not just the goals he allows its his decisions on ice or with the puck.

Now tell me how you'd feel, or that the players would feel seeing Skinners incomprehensible pass the puck into his own slot (to nobody) while he was behind the net and his D were on either side. If Boston scores on that its the latest laughing stock play of the year by Skinner and it tops even the Vegas goal which was horrible. Can't speak for everybody but several of us don't trust Skinner, rarely have, and theres more than ample reason not to, even in yesterdays game. Also note that the fans even in attendance were audibly concerned with the pass into the slot, and Skinners play with Pasta coming in on him to steal puck. You could hear them gasp even on telecast.

In score counts too needs to be remembered Boston are no juggernaut now. They struggle to score, have an awful PP, and even Pasta isn't scoring much this season. He's on a 30G pace. Only 5 clubs in the league score less G/G than the Bruins. Yesterday the Bruins were shooting wide or passing off chances. No goal scoring confidence on that club. Skinner was facing one of the least potent offense in the league. People think its Boston and they must be one of the harder outs. Its not the case now.

 

[TheNumber4]

Worth noting - we have the fourth easiest schedule in the league if you average out the points percentages of our opponents of our remaining games.

There is some bad news there though, too;

View attachment 948723

f***ing Vegas.

Calgary, LA, and Vancouver though are all in the top 10 for most difficult remaining schedules.

What is that? 4 matches with Vegas this year? And how many times do we get to beat up the flames just the one opourtunity ?

 

[McAsuno]

Why change up the pairings? I don't get it.

It makes sense in a way. Nurse has been playing solid too and generally has better outcomes when he's paired with a partner that can transition the puck cleanly and not panic like Cody fricken Ceci.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I usually go by Knoblauch's comments. He said he played well last night. People act like elite goalies rarely let in high quality chances and never let in anything else. He's also being paid 2.X million per year.

The Oilers should probably explore an upgrade to Pickard to have a 1A/1B, but that doesn't appear to be in the cards this year. I guess perhaps if Kane is on LTIR until playoffs, but I don't think there are any dramatic upgrades available at a good price.

I never really get this comment. So because you're being paid 2.6M a year you shouldn't be doing the utmost to be the best you can possibly be? The Oilers spend plenty on the goalie file if counting Campbell contract and buyout. I could buy the excuse Skinner wasn't ready to be a starter 3yrs ago. I can't buy a player improving very little in the span he's been here and expectations for a player being less just because they get paid less than some others. Hyman had a Rocket Richard year last season and only gets 6M. We don't pay Ekholm a ton and it doesn't stop him from being a stud, and imo one of the more imposing D in the game and good in all areas and also scores. Somebody tell Janmark he's doing too much (he's been one of the best players on the club everygame this year. I guess he's overperforming his contract.

These are pro players playing in the top rung of hockey. Through history several goalies have overperformed and been happy too and have become excellent despite their pay grade. Of note Skinner is also up for contract negotiation and his current play being among league worst for staters, its probably not getting him a big deal either.

Skinner is making a guaranteed 2.6M a year. We've paid him 7.8M in this contract for 3yrs just to be Stu Skinner I guess. Even though its a shitload of pay which should be good enough to inspire anybody.

Lastly the Oilers are dealing with a goalie who changed agents one year after signing his contract. Presumably he feels as if he's being underpaid. He thinks he's some kind of stud and has the same agent as hellbuck. The "we're only paying this guys so much could change soon" Really I wish the Oilers would just not sign another contract with him but I doubt thats what they end up doing. Skinner, despite his drawbacks and his agent are highly using "once allstar, and SC finalist" in their ploys to get the most buck for this weaksauce bang. Skinner problably gets way more in his next deal and for what really?

 

[K1984]

You could argue they should have lost last night, goes both ways. I’m happy

100%. Won one we maybe shouldn't have, lost one we should have won.

 

[Fourier]

Not how it works. They will add a player to fit a specific role and not get another J.Skinner or Kakko

What is the role? If it is 4th line center get the best player you can. But Frankly whether he is RHD or LHD is far less important than what he can do on the ice. And FO% is even less relevant.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It makes sense in a way. Nurse has been playing solid too and generally has better outcomes when he's paired with a partner that can transition the puck cleanly and not panic like Cody fricken Ceci.

Sure it makes sense. You want to change up D pairs or lines once in awhile so you know you can go to different configs and have familiarity there. Decades ago coaches like Sather would be doing this and nobody second guessing every decision.

 

[McAsuno]

Sure it makes sense. You want to change up D pairs or lines once in awhile so you know you can go to different configs and have familiarity there. Decades ago coaches like Sather would be doing this and nobody second guessing every decision.

Yeah, it sounds fine to me. Who knows, maybe Nurse and Bouchard actually pan out and play great together. But oh nooo, the yappers would have to find a new Oiler target to scapegoat if they can't scapegoat either of the 2.

f*** you jeff skinner!

 

[K1984]

It makes sense in a way. Nurse has been playing solid too and generally has better outcomes when he's paired with a partner that can transition the puck cleanly and not panic like Cody fricken Ceci.

I don't know if the analytics back up what I've been seeing or not, but the Ekholm - Bouchard pair just hasn't been good for the past few weeks, and they were simply awful the last two before they were split up. Bouchard is getting the flak for it, but Ekholm hasn't been innocent in this respect either.

Thought the chaos died down when the pairs switched up, and thought the Ekholm - Emberson pair worked quite well when it got together. Strudwick made a good point on GYB - Bouchard has been turning pucks over in the O zone and is getting caught deep, but Ekholm isn't quick enough to get back and cover. Kulak is and Nurse is though.

 

[McAsuno]

I don't know if the analytics back up what I've been seeing or not, but the Ekholm - Bouchard pair just hasn't been good for the past few weeks, and they were simply awful the last two before they were split up. Bouchard is getting the flak for it, but Ekholm hasn't been innocent in this respect either.

Thought the chaos died down when the pairs switched up, and thought the Ekholm - Emberson pair worked quite well when it got together. Kulak seems to have a magic touch with whoever he plays with, so I think it's a good idea to put him with Bouchard to see if he can get him back on track. Strudwick made a good point on GYB - Bouchard has been turning pucks over in the O zone and is getting caught deep, but Ekholm isn't quick enough to get back and cover. Kulak is though.

Small sample size is the biggest concern for a Nurse/Bouch pairing. But I am glad its going to get a larger look with the schedule being a bit more softer. If it doesn't work out, it is what it is.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

This is also rewarding nurse for his strong play by giving him an actual top pairing D to play with.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Reddit has gone back to calling Skinner haters idiots after yesterday's game. They think we won because of him.

Dear Stan, I meant to write you sooner, but I just been busy... please find us a f***ing goalie.

Skinner played very well and made plenty of very big saves in the first period.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I never really get this comment. So because you're being paid 2.6M a year you shouldn't be doing the utmost to be the best you can possibly be? The Oilers spend plenty on the goalie file if counting Campbell contract and buyout. I could buy the excuse Skinner wasn't ready to be a starter 3yrs ago. I can't buy a player improving very little in the span he's been here and expectations for a player being less just because they get paid less than some others. Hyman had a Rocket Richard year last season and only gets 6M. We don't pay Ekholm a ton and it doesn't stop him from being a stud, and imo one of the more imposing D in the game and good in all areas and also scores. Somebody tell Janmark he's doing too much (he's been one of the best players on the club everygame this year. I guess he's overperforming his contract.

These are pro players playing in the top rung of hockey. Through history several goalies have overperformed and been happy too and have become excellent despite their pay grade. Of note Skinner is also up for contract negotiation and his current play being among league worst for staters, its probably not getting him a big deal either.

Skinner is making a guaranteed 2.6M a year. We've paid him 7.8M in this contract for 3yrs just to be Stu Skinner I guess. Even though its a shitload of pay which should be good enough to inspire anybody.

Lastly the Oilers are dealing with a goalie who changed agents one year after signing his contract. Presumably he feels as if he's being underpaid. He thinks he's some kind of stud and has the same agent as hellbuck. The "we're only paying this guys so much could change soon" Really I wish the Oilers would just not sign another contract with him but I doubt thats what they end up doing. Skinner, despite his drawbacks and his agent are highly using "once allstar, and SC finalist" in their ploys to get the most buck for this weaksauce bang. Skinner problably gets way more in his next deal and for what really?

The Oilers haven't developed a goalie in 40 years, dude. There's been a complete organizational failure between the pipes for longer than some of us have been alive.

Skinner is what he is. Expecting him to be some amazing goalie is too much. We already blew our load on Campbell and that's exactly why we are where we are. A complete failure to address an area of need once again because the team couldn't be arsed to dig deep on him. If the Oilers plans went as they wanted them to Skinner isn't forced to be the starter.

Go after the goalie coach who's been here for a decade and has seen goalie after goalie get fed into the meat grinder. Or whoever scouted Campbell. Or whatever minor league scouts that have been failing year after year.

 

[Stoneman89]

It gets back to the sheer lack of consistency that the annointed #1 goaltender, Stu Skinner demonstrates in his game and frankly, is one of his only consistent characteristics he does have. Last night he lost the tipped goal, he wasn’t tracking the puck well, wasn’t feeling the puck as evidenced by him fumbling around the crease for loose pucks, playing certain plays with low average positioning etc..

Good #1 goalies typically are dependable and can be found to have solid fundamentals that allow them minor swings one way or the other from their otherwise above-average performance. Skinner doesn’t have minor swings in performance. He can swing quite wide at times.

Until he can deliver consistency in his game to game, week to week, month to month performance we shouldn’t be surprised by cries of frustration with his game, especially during the course of a GDT thread where anything is possible.

When I saw the first goal in real time, I was pissed at him, but after looking at the highlites, Drai clipped the puck and it changed direction to find a spot 4 " X 4" to the side of his head, so he's off the hook with that one. The 2nd one was a weak effort though, and there were a couple instances where he flat out lost site of the puck after making a save, good or routine. That is one part of his game that concerns me, the inability to find loose pucks in tight.

But then again, 8 million dollar man Jeremy Swayman let in a complete stinker to Hyman and couldn't close the door on McDavid in tight, so it makes me feel a little bit better.

 

[nally]

With respect you didn't watch the game and are telling us how we should feel about Skinners game yesterday.

I detailed just some of the miscues Skinner made in yesterdays game, this just some of them, and were not connected with any of the GA. Just terrible plays he made.

I think its odd the entirety of discussion seems to be focused on the goals. I get more concerned, or as much about the brutal plays Skinner makes that aren't getting punished. Because he continues to make those.

How about the clusterf*** Skinner pass right into his slot from behind the net in first period. WTF is that? Or the coming out of net, passing to D that is covered and then keystone cops getting back to net and just hoping his D doesn't get stripped. The number of hot passes Skinner gives his D is ridiculous.

In the third Debrusk somehow credits Skinner for waiting way too long to play puck and Pasta just being a foot away from the strip. You could hear the crowd audibly gasp on that one too. The crowd realizing it was 2-2, there were boo's as well. First time I've heard it directed at Skinner. I mean he's playing on a club that just tied the game, the team is a cheat code in OT, and he's playing 50/50 chips with the only Dangerous Bruin player instead of playing that safe like anybody with a brain would do. you just want to bang your head at the decision making.

Debrusk described it as a "confident play" Its a play I'm never confident about watching Skins play with fire. Skinner creates dangerous plays where none otherwise exist. Its not just the goals he allows its his decisions on ice or with the puck.

Now tell me how you'd feel, or that the players would feel seeing Skinners incomprehensible pass the puck into his own slot (to nobody) while he was behind the net and his D were on either side. If Boston scores on that its the latest laughing stock play of the year by Skinner and it tops even the Vegas goal which was horrible. Can't speak for everybody but several of us don't trust Skinner, rarely have, and theres more than ample reason not to, even in yesterdays game. Also note that the fans even in attendance were audibly concerned with the pass into the slot, and Skinners play with Pasta coming in on him to steal puck. You could hear them gasp even on telecast.

In score counts too needs to be remembered Boston are no juggernaut now. They struggle to score, have an awful PP, and even Pasta isn't scoring much this season. He's on a 30G pace. Only 5 clubs in the league score less G/G than the Bruins. Yesterday the Bruins were shooting wide or passing off chances. No goal scoring confidence on that club. Skinner was facing one of the least potent offense in the league. People think its Boston and they must be one of the harder outs. Its not the case now.

Thanks for the in depth-analysis, Drivesaitl. That does put things into better perspective.

Man I hope Skinner can turn it around. It cost us a 1st to get Rollie back in the day. We still need a dman...if nothing but for playoff depth. Pushing Stetcher to 7 and either moving Kulak down to 5 or replacing stetcher at 6, is the play...hopefully

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

When I saw the first goal in real time, I was pissed at him, but after looking at the highlites, Drai clipped the puck and it changed direction to find a spot 4 " X 4" to the side of his head, so he's off the hook with that one. The 2nd one was a weak effort though, and there were a couple instances where he flat out lost site of the puck after making a save, good or routine. That is one part of his game that concerns me, the inability to find loose pucks in tight.

But then again, 8 million dollar man Jeremy Swayman let in a complete stinker to Hyman and couldn't close the door on McDavid in tight, so it makes me feel a little bit better.

Yeah I didn't love that goal either, but then seeing Drai tip it softened my opinion on it. As Grapes would say "If you're not going to block the puck get out of the way." Fluke goals happen, we're no stranger to it on either end of the ice.

Second was just a complete defensive breakdown. Like woof.

 

[Stoneman89]

Yet I was defending him from the usual falling on players that goes on here when they go through a tough stretch. With posters matter of fact telling me it doesn't matter at all what he did last season. I don't know. We're a demanding fanbase. Hyman more than earned some benefit of doubt and even at tht you could see the try was still in his game and getting chances. The 55 goals is outlier, will never happen for him again. 30-40 is good benchmarks for him.

But this fanbase, some posters were shittng on Ekholm after the Florida game. Saying he's not the same player. The cool kids use the term "washed" now apparently.

Lol, pretty sure it was you that said Ekholm was Draisaitl's beotch when we traded for him and wondered how we ever could get along without the immortal and locker room fave Tyson Barrie.

 

[5 14 6 1]

In the last 25 games at all Strengths for all teams, the Oilers rank:

#2 in Points
#3 in GA
#5 in GF
#4 in GF%
#5 in xGA
#11 in xGF
#6 in xGF%
#5 in CF%
#2 in HDCF%
#8 in SV%

All this with a PDO of .99

Team is rolling right now.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Thanks for the in depth-analysis, Drivesaitl. That does put things into better perspective.

Man I hope Skinner can turn it around. It cost us a 1st to get Rollie back in the day. We still need a dman...if nothing but for playoff depth. Pushing Stetcher to 7 and either moving Kulak down to 5 or replacing stetcher at 6, is the play...hopefully

Thanks for reading things that did occur yesterday. I'm less convinced we need another D. Emberson has been such a godsend, Ekholm is of course great and Nurse having recovered game puts us in good stead. provided we're healthy our D is looking top notch and playing impeccable hockey this season. The biggest change we could make is renting a solid goalie. I doubt the org does it because they seem to want to hand keys to Skinner for everything.

 

[brentashton]

Thanks for the in depth-analysis, Drivesaitl. That does put things into better perspective.

Man I hope Skinner can turn it around. It cost us a 1st to get Rollie back in the day. We still need a dman...if nothing but for playoff depth. Pushing Stetcher to 7 and either moving Kulak down to 5 or replacing stetcher at 6, is the play...hopefully

You deleted the first part of your post, replying to my post, but I wanted to say I agreed with your comment that Skinner is a 2nd (actually 3rd, with parts of a 4th yr) year and as a younger goalie is prone to bouts of inconsistency.

As to whether we should expect that or not, yes, younger players will have more inconsistency in their game and that is unfortunately is where skinner is at. It’s maybe not his fault but the fact is the org has thrust the starter’s role on his lap and he will be a magnet for that type of response as long as he is the defacto starter, whether he’s a rookie or a 10 year vet.

Unfortunately that’s the spot he’s in.

It’s a concern that a team on the cusp of challenging for a SC has hitched their wagon to that type of situation.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Everyone keeps saying Drai had a goal and 3 assists???

My math ain't mathing on that one.

Draisaitl so good, he assisted his own goal.

 

[TheNumber4]

In the last 25 games at all Strengths for all teams, the Oilers rank:

#2 in Points
#3 in GA
#5 in GF
#4 in GF%
#5 in xGA
#11 in xGF
#6 in xGF%
#5 in CF%
#2 in HDCF%
#8 in SV%

All this with a PDO of .99

Team is rolling right now.

View attachment 948771

GA and xGA is an interesting marker.

 

[guymez]

I don't know if the analytics back up what I've been seeing or not, but the Ekholm - Bouchard pair just hasn't been good for the past few weeks, and they were simply awful the last two before they were split up. Bouchard is getting the flak for it, but Ekholm hasn't been innocent in this respect either.

Thought the chaos died down when the pairs switched up, and thought the Ekholm - Emberson pair worked quite well when it got together. Strudwick made a good point on GYB - Bouchard has been turning pucks over in the O zone and is getting caught deep, but Ekholm isn't quick enough to get back and cover. Kulak is and Nurse is though.

Bouchard should be getting the flack for it. He has been absolutely brutal defensively game in and game out. Not nearly enough positives in his defensive game this season.
Ekholm hasnt been the best version of himself either but the dropoff isnt nearly as dramaitc.
When Ekholm is off he is stil an NHL dman.
When Bouchard is off he is absolute garbage. Too much extreme varience in his game.
He really needs to even out his game so that if, and when, he does have an off night he isnt an AHL dman.

 

[tardigrade81]

I’m just trying to imagine how much better this team would be if we didn’t sign Arvidsson and Skinner. They have been huge disappointments.

Could have got me for next to nothing