Heritage Classic

[PositiveCashFlow]

Ek looks like he just got back from the Fort Mac rigs

 

[ZJuice]

Whyte Ave looked like Calgary with all of the flames jerseys

Not bad.

I like the oilfield ethos.

View attachment 759936

She looks like she is a captive

Me thinks someone is struggling in the bedroom.

But he is constantly doing kegels. This doesn't make sense!!

 

[TB12]

I agree with your point. However players at apex level of competition who have played within system structures most of their lives should be able to pick and execute variations on a fairly similar theme. They don't seem to communicate on the ice. Really pretty surprised this team has had some much trouble picking up a box and one system.

Good point. They do seem like a quiet team and not talking on rotations and line changes is a killer.
I’ll also say that some coaches are just much better at teaching and reinforcing systems. I’m not in the room so no idea how Woody teaches them but results haven’t been great.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Can’t ask for a better day. This is gonna be great!!!

5-1 Oilers!!!

Also don’t ask me who the lady is. I just noticed she’s in the photo lol.

 

[tardigrade81]

I didn’t get a call so I’m assuming either skinner or Campbell is in net tonight

 

[Oilhawks]

I agree with your point. However players at apex level of competition who have played within system structures most of their lives should be able to pick and execute variations on a fairly similar theme. They don't seem to communicate on the ice. Really pretty surprised this team has had some much trouble picking up a box and one system.

Indeed. Many fans like to shoulder the blame entirely on management and coaching (and they both deserve their share), but the players don’t deserve a pass (including leadership). No “mamba” mentality to be found here so far. Let’s see if they start to turn the corner tonight

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Good point. They do seem like a quiet team and not talking on rotations and line changes is a killer.
I’ll also say that some coaches are just much better at teaching and reinforcing systems. I’m not in the room so no idea how Woody teaches them but results haven’t been great.

As a general rule, I tend to place accountability on players far more than coaching. There was much hype about Woodcroft when he took over and made some system tweaks which the players easily adopted and implemented. But now, a wanna be Cup window team reported two weeks early amongst much fanfare to begin their collective goal to work on goal suppression and has completely botched it. We see similar issues from coach to coach to coach and within varying system play.

If returning to a man to man defense helps this team better transition to offence and at least fix one area of this team's epic collapse, then that would be a win. But this team looks slow, consistently outworked, and prone to bad situational decision making.

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

If both teams don't come out like it's a playoff game. They're both missing the playoffs. This should be a Battle. But it won't be. Unless it gets ugly stupid in a blow out either way.

 

[brentashton]

I didn’t get a call so I’m assuming either skinner or Campbell is in net tonight

Skinner had the fancy equipment special ordered in advance for the game, so Schwartz says its his net. Great decision making Matrix.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I know you didn't mean it this way but that's a very appropriate statement for the decision they'll have to make after the next game if he no shows the next two. Let Brown float and take the caphit next season or flush him on to the waiver wire.

We know already the answer to this but for any GM with a semblance of foresight, this is a tough decision to make. Holland is not one of those GMs.

I did mean it that way. I'm underrated. My poetic form double entendres are wasted

 

[snag]

Every shot takes off 10lbs. It's why I quit drinking.....

And I find I temporarily lose weight after a bender lol

So is this game gonna actually be in 4k?
Edit: Damn I hate the post merge....

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Indeed. Many fans like to shoulder the blame entirely on management and coaching (and they both deserve their share), but the players don’t deserve a pass (including leadership). No “mamba” mentality to be found here so far. Let’s see if they start to turn the corner tonight

The Oil have underperformed in all areas. A status quo off-season cost some quality depth. Woodcroft's coaching was exposed in the Vegas series and system changes to address own zone gaps exposed by Vegas has not landed with this veteran team. When Foegele is arguably your best/most consistent player to date, it's pretty clear there are a lot of passengers. Tendency for poor discipline and dumb mistakes at critical times in games have continued outside of the system tweaks.

 

[tardigrade81]

Skinner had the fancy equipment special ordered in advance for the game, so Schwartz says its his net. Great decision making Matrix.

He played very good against the rangers. Single handedly kept us in it. He deserves the start

 

[rboomercat90]

I'm am far from a supporter of League administration but there is no way that the decision to play McDavid is based on anything but the team and McDavid. McDavid playing or not will not impact the revenues which are already baked in. There is far too much at stake for the Oilers for them to let the League influence this decision even if they tried.

I agree the decision on McDavid is solely up to McDavid and or the team. It still doesn’t mean the correct one is being made. Considering this game is likely a once in a lifetime event for these players in Edmonton and the fact that McDavid (like most stars of this era) has never played for Canada in a best on best tournament I can see corners being cut here to let him experience this. I just hope nothing goes wrong for him in this game.

 

[brentashton]

We'll see if Brown floats or gets flushed.

If he floats anymore, he should get flushed.

 

[bellagiobob]

View attachment 759956

Can’t ask for a better day. This is gonna be great!!!

5-1 Oilers!!!

Also don’t ask me who the lady is. I just noticed she’s in the photo lol.

Have fun at the game! Despite Gary’s wet dream to have every outdoor played in 70F weather, tonight is pretty much perfect weather for an ODR game.

 

[FlameChampion]

Awesome!

Blue collar and this version of the Oilers should never be mentioned in the same sentence.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[brentashton]

He played very good against the rangers. Single handedly kept us in it. He deserves the start

They’ve alternated starts all regular season to this point. He wasn’t anything more special than Jack was in the game prior. Would have expected to rotate back (actually, if anything I expected Campbell to get the back to back with the Rangers but I understood and accepted when Skinner started instead). But Skinner hasn’t earned this back to back over Campbell in any shape or form.

Anyways, let’s enjoy the game, I hope Skinner plays well and the Oilers make the Flames lick the floor. This game really has the feel of being a must win, occurring on such a large stage. If they trip and skin their nose in this one, it will be a real carwreck.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I agree the decision on McDavid is solely up to McDavid and or the team. It still doesn’t mean the correct one is being made. Considering this game is likely a once in a lifetime event for these players in Edmonton and the fact that McDavid (like most stars of this era) has never played for Canada in a best on best tournament I can see corners being cut here to let him experience this. I just hope nothing goes wrong for him in this game.

What corners are you talking about? By whom?

 

[rboomercat90]

Woody looking very desperate now

Wasn’t he just saying this week that the systems are fine?

 

[ZJuice]

Blue collar and this version of the Oilers should never be mentioned in the same sentence.

Sad but true. Especially Holland. $5 mill per year and can't have some intern make him a spreadsheet that shows him how much he is destroying our cap with every signing he makes. Sleepy Ken

 

[brentashton]

View attachment 759956

Can’t ask for a better day. This is gonna be great!!!

5-1 Oilers!!!

Also don’t ask me who the lady is. I just noticed she’s in the photo lol.

Nice seats. Enjoy the experience.

 

[ZJuice]

Lower bowl tickets for $120 each right now! I might go alone because I'm having a mental breakdown (not oilers related lol)

 

[FlameChampion]

Woody looking very desperate now

Well to be fair to Woody, with the effort put forth by this team, no systems going to look good. Looks just as bad on the players. Can’t figure out a common NHL system or unwilling to play it.