GDT: Game 4 • Oilers @ Devils • "Band Together" • 5pm • SNETW

[ElysiumAB]

I don't mean to rain on the optimism parade, but it's almost identical to when Hitch got here and the team looked completely different.

Granted, new players, new coach, new GM...... but still, you guys are scaring me.

 

[McGhostbuster]

I don't mean to rain on the optimism parade, but it's almost identical to when Hitch got here and the team looked completely different.

Granted, new players, new coach, new GM...... but still, you guys are scaring me.

Disagree, under Hitchcock, the team won games based on sketchy defensive play and decent outputs from Koskinen, McDavid and Draisaitl. 8 of our first 12 games with Hitch were 1 goal games that really felt like they could have gone either way.

Right now we are play fast aggressive hockey, tighter defensive schemes and have depth scoring. The real question is that more on our opponents being weaker to start the season (although I feel the Islanders will be a top 10 team). Time will tell really, but it's okay to have fun while it lasts.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I don't mean to rain on the optimism parade, but it's almost identical to when Hitch got here and the team looked completely different.

Granted, new players, new coach, new GM...... but still, you guys are scaring me.

Very different scenarios. New coach during season gives teams a "man we suck we got out coach fired let's move make this one proud boost"

When you have had an entire training camp and summer with a new coach, you don't have that boost.

Also the team as a whole looks better than the one last year. Even when Hitch took over it was a couple guys dragging the team

 

[PinSeeker]

Jersey board is on suicide watch, yikes. I know that feeling!

 

[RegDunlop]

Hunch Time

Got a feeling this is Nuge's night.
First star worthy. GW goal in OT or late in 3rd

 

[Morpheus]

Hunch Time

Got a feeling this is Nuge's night.
First star worthy. GW goal in OT or late in 3rd

Hope so
Nuge been kinda quiet stats wise

 

[backhandsauce]

Bodog is offering +900 for the Oiler's to win by 2, I like that bet....

 

[oljimmy]

I don't mean to rain on the optimism parade, but it's almost identical to when Hitch got here and the team looked completely different.

Underlying numbers tell a different story. First three games under Hitch we posted 44, 40 and 37% of the high danger scoring chances. These first three games it's been 58, 52 and 60%. You're right that it's still early but the flow of play during that Hitch run was really bad, we just squeaked out a ton of strange wins while averaging way less shots and scoring chances than the opposition.

 

[Rusoilers]

I remember when Kovalchuk left from the Devils and Russians were happy to have him back. Not me because I love the NHL and hate to see a player screw a team over. So now he signs with the Kings and what have the Devils to show in it? I cheer for Russia national team but hope kovalchuk slips and falls )). I am being a random guy Haha

 

[iCanada]

Underlying numbers tell a different story. First three games under Hitch we posted 44, 40 and 37% of the high danger scoring chances. These first three games it's been 58, 52 and 60%. You're right that it's still early but the flow of play during that Hitch run was really bad, we just squeaked out a ton of strange wins while averaging way less shots and scoring chances than the opposition.

Plus those numbers are not score adjusted in either direction. Given that we've been winning most of the time that represents a huge shift.

 

[backhandsauce]

Kosky or Smith?

 

[SomeDudeOTI]

Hunch Time

Got a feeling this is Nuge's night.
First star worthy. GW goal in OT or late in 3rd

I'll take the 3rd, not sure I'm ready for OT yet.

 

[Rusoilers]

I get up at 5 am to watch. Exactly in 12 hours ahead. But I find gene Principe a fun guy. I like his hair too. But mcdavid is truly a treat to watch. And the Deutsche dangle Drai. My girlfriend loves him. We need a playoff and it's a good start oilers. Put the stanly cup where it belongs

 

[Morpheus]

I get up at 5 am to watch. Exactly in 12 hours ahead. But I find gene Principe a fun guy. I like his hair too. But mcdavid is truly a treat to watch. And the Deutsche dangle Drai. My girlfriend loves him. We need a playoff and it's a good start oilers. Put the stanly cup where it belongs

Good stuff
Gene gets at hard time here sometimes but he is way better than Ryan Leslie (Flames) and he has hair (unlike Leslie)

 

[lakai17]

I don't mean to rain on the optimism parade, but it's almost identical to when Hitch got here and the team looked completely different.

Granted, new players, new coach, new GM...... but still, you guys are scaring me.

 

[oXo Cube]

Eakins hasn't lost yet

 

[Sweetpotato]

My favorite part of this is not a soul outside Edmonton wouldve guessed this. The other teams looked primed but no one would've said "the oil are going to come out strong"

 

[bone]

Plus those numbers are not score adjusted in either direction. Given that we've been winning most of the time that represents a huge shift.

Intuitively, I didn't think they've been wining as much as your post suggested, but my intution is wrong. They've been leading for 82:02, trailing 19:59, and tied 77:59.

Most impressive to me that they've only trailed about 20 minutes despite trailing 6 times. Only twice did it take more than 2 minutes to even the score, and only once did it take more than 4 minutes. The longest stretch they trailed was 10:02 and that spanned the first intermission.

Basically so far, if they needed to score, they did so quickly.

 

[bone]

Eakins hasn't lost yet

Krueger hasn't lost in regulation yet either. So maybe the curse is even broke for recently departed Oiler coaches.

Oh wait, there TMc.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Eakins hasn't lost yet

Gibson is incredibly good.

 

[Louis Cypher]

 

[Kolja]

The board is optimistic.

NJD playing back to back.

Incoming loss, no doubt!

 

[Mav3rick07]

I have a bad feeling about tonight . But then again, I had a bad feeling about the Islander game and we dominated.

I love the 3-0 start but it’s hard to assume anything. Gonna be hard to match their speed but we’re looking much better than last season !!

 

[94 Oil Drops]

Devils are either gonna be incompetent or desperate. We better neutralize them and dishearten them quick. Hall is gonna shoot the lights out. Big game.

McDavid and Hall are both fast. I'd love to see what would happen if one tried to check the other at full speed.

 

[McTrashBoat]

McDavid and Hall are both fast. I'd love to see what would happen if one tried to check the other at full speed.