Post-Game Talk: Kucherov’s “no move” move, meet Skinner’s “no save” save

[TheNumber4]

And you will defend him when he’s ass.

Like that time he let in ONE goal?

 

[Oilhawks]

Yeah, Nurse is feeling it this year. He seems a lot happier than he's been the last few years.
I've said this a few times, I wonder if new fatherhood sapped a lot of energy from him. Nuge seems to be hitting that wall now maybe for similar reasons. Who knows though? I'm just glad he's playing like old Nurse again, that'll be huge if he can carry it into the playoffs which have been his kryptonite although, again, I wonder how much of that was Ceci related.

Kulak has always been awesome in his role, one of the more underrated Oilers that I can remember right up there with Mike Smith.
Emberson settling in nicely as well, like you said. I still see more potential in him than just 3rd pairing but he's solid in that role for now.,

Thinking about the bolded, who was his partner in the Jets series? He was one of the bed players for the Oilers those playoffs

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I get that people keeping bring up the fact they are the oldest team in the league, but that's essentially 2 players, Ryan and Perry driving the average age up significantly.

right now their average age is 30.2, you remove Ryan and Perry and bring in Savoie and Philip and their average drops to 28.4 which puts them squarely in the middle of the league.

the team is essentially a bunch of players right in the heart of their primes with a few outliers on the older end without the 2 or 3 20-year-olds to balance it out, as most teams have.

Ryan and Perry massively skew those age numbers.

This is true, and Perry is still contributing in limited minutes far above expectations. God love him, but Ryan is past his best before date.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Like that time he let in ONE goal?

More like when he lets in 3-5 goals. Lol there’s the Vegas game. You guys are going to be still crying about that game after we win the cup.

 

[TheNumber4]

More like when he lets in 3-5 goals. Lol there’s the Vegas game. You guys are going to be still crying about that game after we win the cup.

If it was that, that would be fine. But we all know it happened after 1GAA. Who's crying, just pointing out what happened like not less than a week ago?

 

[CupofOil]

Thinking about the bolded, who was his partner in the Jets series? He was one of the bed players for the Oilers those playoffs

Barrie I believe, paired with Bear in the Hawks series which was a rough one but they looked really good in the regular season.
It's pretty obvious that Nurse works better with a puckmover. His worst stretches as a pro have been alongside Ceci and Larsson for that brief stretch which was a disaster. I thought he and Bouchard also looked good in their brief stint together and that was the very young version of Bouchard. This season? Stecher and Kulak have worked well with him, in the playoffs (even though the fancies weren't favorable) Broberg was a better D partner for him than Ceci and Ceci also looked better with Kulak but everybody works well with Kulak who, again, is one of the most underrated Oilers that I can remember in recent memory.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

If it was that, that would be fine. But we all know it happened after 1GAA. Who's crying, just pointing out what happened like not less than a week ago?

And what does your Vegas game have anything to do with Keith defending Skinner when he’s bad?

He’s saying people blast skinner when he’s good but I’m saying he does the opposite and vehemently defends skinner when he’s bad.

 

[TheNumber4]

And what does your Vegas game have anything to do with Keith defending Skinner when he’s bad?

He’s saying people blast skinner when he’s good but I’m saying he does the opposite and vehemently defends skinner when he’s bad.

I don’t see anyone defending him when he’s bad. Actually bad. I see debates about what constitutes a good or bad goal. I see debates about what our realistic expectations should be with a 2.6M goalie.

People do blast him when he's good though. Or try to excuse his good performance with angle after angle.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

I don’t see anyone defending him when he’s bad. Actually bad. I see debates about what constitutes a good or bad goal. I see debates about what our realistic expectations should be with a 2.6M goalie.

People do blast him when he's good though. Or try to excuse his good performance with angle after angle.

 

[TheNumber4]

A bad goal or good goal is pretty well defined by the people you perceive to be "defending Stu". I think trying to understand the breakdown on a GA whether that's on the goalie or on the team get's misinterpreted as "defending Stu at all costs". In the GDTs when an ACTUALLY bad goal happens, the "Stu Defenders" call it out pretty fast.

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

I don’t see anyone defending him when he’s bad. Actually bad. I see debates about what constitutes a good or bad goal. I see debates about what our realistic expectations should be with a 2.6M goalie.

People do blast him when he's good though. Or try to excuse his good performance with angle after angle.

Keithisbad and others come into every thread and defend skinner as do you sometimes. His stats don’t lie he has been bad for stretches that’s a fact. People who rush to defend him are as bad as those who rush to shit on him. He has been good lately hopefully he continues

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

Classic example of only seeing what you want to see lol

 

[TheNumber4]

Keithisbad and others come into every thread and defend skinner as do you sometimes. His stats don’t lie he has been bad for stretches that’s a fact. People who rush to defend him are as bad as those who rush to shit on him. He has been good lately hopefully he continues

Actually I haven't defended Stu this year. Cause he hasn't been good enough. I do still have thoughts on what constitutes a bad goal or who's to blame for a goal which I would make regardless of who the goalie is, cause I'm trying to understand the team itself and what really needs fixing.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

A bad goal or good goal is pretty well defined by the people you perceive to be "defending Stu". I think trying to understand the breakdown on a GA whether that's on the goalie or on the team get's misinterpreted as "defending Stu at all costs". In the GDTs when an ACTUALLY bad goal happens, the "Stu Defenders" call it out pretty fast.

1 out of 100 goals is a bad goal to “stu defenders.” Perfect shot, deflected, screened, not screened, open on the PP, unlucky bounce, 2 on 1, magical high danger scoring chances only the Oilers give up etc… The excuse train is endless.

Sorry if you think Skinner hasn’t been defended when he was bad then you are just not paying attention.

 

[TheNumber4]

1 out of 100 goals is a bad goal to “stu defenders.” Perfect shot, deflected, screened, not screened, open on the PP, unlucky bounce, 2 on 1, magical high danger scoring chances only the Oilers give up etc… The excuse train is endless.

Sorry if you think Skinner hasn’t been defended when he was bad then you are just not paying attention.

It's funny. When a bad goal happens, the coach and Stu himself are the first to point it out. More often then it aligns with the defenders. Stu gives up a goal on a breakaway to a 50 goal scorer? Is that really a bad goal? Not IMO. But you know he'll get shit on for it around here.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

A bad goal or good goal is pretty well defined by the people you perceive to be "defending Stu". I think trying to understand the breakdown on a GA whether that's on the goalie or on the team get's misinterpreted as "defending Stu at all costs". In the GDTs when an ACTUALLY bad goal happens, the "Stu Defenders" call it out pretty fast.

The problem I have is that every time the team loses everyone blames him regardless of the circumstances within the game. Basically every goal he lets in is his fault according to some around here. There have been games he's cost us, but solely blaming him after every single loss (and simultaneously giving him next to no credit when we win) is silly. Even when he actually makes decent saves he gets backhanded compliments like "He was lucky to make that save". There was definitely a lot of attention brought to his sv% whenever it's below .900 but not nearly as much when it's above. Five straight games of sv% above .930 is extremely encouraging, and against some tough customers in that stretch too.

He is what he is. He'll never approach a Vezina. He's no Cujo. He's not Roloson either. I think he's decent while simultaneously recognizing that no better option is coming. The team nearly won the Cup with him in net. If he was as bad as people around here seem to think he is Dallas steamrolls us.

I also recognize that management's "intent" was to bring him along slowly while Campbell was supposed to be our starter but we all know how that worked out. Had their grand design worked out Skinner wouldn't be the starter. Alas, it is what it is. Just think that Fuhr was the last goalie this org developed properly. Woof.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Actually I haven't defended Stu this year. Cause he hasn't been good enough. I do still have thoughts on what constitutes a bad goal or who's to blame for a goal which I would make regardless of who the goalie is, cause I'm trying to understand the team itself and what really needs fixing.

To credit you always bring an explanation, and regardless of our takes the posters that at least explain their take is what discussion is about. Always credit you as well for having the most belief in the team in playoffs and when down to Vancouver, when down to Florida, I remember you never gave up hope. I dunno, to me thats worth something. Right now Stu is on his game and I'll again acknowledge that. Sometimes its hard to fathom how this Skinner is the other one. Still some loops though. he lost his footing 3X last night almost falling down. Just a weird goalie, and he still makes me nervous.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

It's funny. When a bad goal happens, the coach and Stu himself are the first to point it out. More often than it aligns with the defenders. Stu gives up a goal on a breakaway to a 50 goal scorer? Is that really a bad goal? Not IMO. But you know he'll get shit on for it around here.

lol did I say anything about Stu or the coach pointing it out? Did I say he doesn’t get blamed for goals when he doesn’t deserve it?

Again… I said he gets defended when he’s garbage just like he gets blamed when he’s not.

 

[Drivesaitl]

ill say it....... nurse has been great since he took that hard hit from reaves. i think it knocked the dumb out of him

Be nice.

 

[TheNumber4]

To credit you always bring an explanation, and regardless of our takes the posters that at least explain their take is what discussion is about. Always credit you as well for having the most belief in the team in playoffs and when down to Vancouver, when down to Florida, I remember you never gave up hope. I dunno, to me thats worth something. Right now Stu is on his game and I'll again acknowledge that. Sometimes its hard to fathom how this Skinner is the other one. Still some loops though. he lost his footing 3X last night almost falling down. Just a weird goalie, and he still makes me nervous.

People should understand too. When I say Stu is Good Enough is does NOT and has NEVER meant that he's an elite goalie. "Good enough" is a statement on what an Average Goalie (that can get hot and has growth potential) can do behind a Great Team, specifically a team with elite Knob Defence and McDrai talent. I said mid-season he was good enough to win a Cup with, and we got 99.7% of the way there. It was not "hope" in Playoffs when we looked down and out, it was a belief in GOOD ENOUGH.

 

[TheNumber4]

lol did I say anything about Stu or the coach pointing it out? Did I say he doesn’t get blamed for goals when he doesn’t deserve it?

Again… I said he gets defended when he’s garbage just like he gets blamed when he’s not.

IMO, on the spectrum of irrational blame and irrational defense on these boards. It's more skewed towards irrational blame.

But it's not like I don't understand it, the goalie position in hockey is ALWAYS the most blamed position in the entire sport. It's the easiest and most available scapegoat. I really don't even care when I see it anymore, go look at the Rags board and hear the comments about "Best Goaltender in the World" Shesterkin. You think we do vitriol well? Wait till you hear New Yorkers sound off on their goalie. Seeing that, I'm just like it is what it is, so just leave it alone. This discussion we are having by the way, is the longest discussion I've had on Stu all year, for a reason.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

IMO, on the spectrum of irrational blame and irrational defense on these boards. It's more skewed towards irrational blame.

But it's not like I don't understand it, the goalie position in hockey is ALWAYS the most blamed position in the entire sport. It's the easiest and most available scapegoat. I really don't even care when I see it anymore, go look at the Rags board and hear the comments about "Best Goaltender in the World" Shesterkin. You think we do vitriol well? Wait till you hear New Yorkers sound off on their goalie. Seeing that, I'm just like it is what it is, so just leave it alone. This discussion we are having by the way, is the longest discussion I've had on Stu all year, for a reason.

For the record I never said you. I said Keith does it… which he does.

Skinner will let in 5 and he spouts non sense about bowman, Schwartz, Zeus you name it. Never holds him accountable.

 

[Drivesaitl]

IMO, on the spectrum of irrational blame and irrational defense on these boards. It's more skewed towards irrational blame.

But it's not like I don't understand it, the goalie position in hockey is ALWAYS the most blamed position in the entire sport. It's the easiest and most available scapegoat. I really don't even care when I see it anymore, go look at the Rags board and hear the comments about "Best Goaltender in the World" Shesterkin. You think we do vitriol well? Wait till you hear New Yorkers sound off on their goalie. Seeing that, I'm just like it is what it is, so just leave it alone. This discussion we are having by the way, is the longest discussion I've had on Stu all year, for a reason.

Wasn't long ago that EVERYBODY on the Devils board was blaming goalies instead of the team playing bad. Didn't matter really what goalies they had. They were all getting shitbombed. Some were decent imo and just year prior rocking it. Your right in that a lot of concern lands on goalies, pitchers, QB's soccer goalies etc. But wish we had better anyway. oh well

 

[TheNumber4]

The problem I have is that every time the team loses everyone blames him regardless of the circumstances within the game. Basically every goal he lets in is his fault according to some around here. There have been games he's cost us, but solely blaming him after every single loss (and simultaneously giving him next to no credit when we win) is silly. Even when he actually makes decent saves he gets backhanded compliments like "He was lucky to make that save". There was definitely a lot of attention brought to his sv% whenever it's below .900 but not nearly as much when it's above. Five straight games of sv% above .930 is extremely encouraging, and against some tough customers in that stretch too.

He is what he is. He'll never approach a Vezina. He's no Cujo. He's not Roloson either. I think he's decent while simultaneously recognizing that no better option is coming. The team nearly won the Cup with him in net. If he was as bad as people around here seem to think he is Dallas steamrolls us.

I also recognize that management's "intent" was to bring him along slowly while Campbell was supposed to be our starter but we all know how that worked out. Had their grand design worked out Skinner wouldn't be the starter. Alas, it is what it is. Just think that Fuhr was the last goalie this org developed properly. Woof.

I would agree with this. I'll add, we should keep in mind Stu is literally saving our asses from the sins of Holland. The Campbell $5M f*** up could have completely ruined the McD era if we were without any viable goaltending. Stu thrust into this situation has done admirably.

Now this doesn't mean we can't look at his goals against and have comments about his ability/performance. What gets alot of posters pissed, is the PERSONAL attacks on Stu like they hate him on personal level. Maybe we should give him a little leeway there, considering the biggest mistake we made on the goaltending front was Campbell and the only reason we are partly saved in that situation is cause Stu has stepped up to be good enough. Not great, but good enough.

 

[TheNumber4]

Wasn't long ago that EVERYBODY on the Devils board was blaming goalies instead of the team playing bad. Didn't matter really what goalies they had. They were all getting shitbombed. Some were decent imo and just year prior rocking it. Your right in that a lot of concern lands on goalies, pitchers, QB's soccer goalies etc. But wish we had better anyway. oh well

Still can't believe they spent a 10th OVERALL PICK+ on Markstrom. His GsaX is 0.7 this year. Completely average goaltending. And a huge drop from the GsaX of 13.7 he had last year. I agree with you, if anything the hiring of Keefe is really what has NJ going this year. He's brought the same high tempo, efficient offence from the Leafs to Devils and that's what's really turning it around.