Post-Game Talk: Oilers 4 Sharks 3 - Hitch a ride to McDavid

[CycloneSweep]

Winning?

What is winning?

It's when you don't cry yourself to drunk after a game.

 

[FlameChampion]

Seems like he has figured out Lucic pretty fast. Screw him thinking about goals. Put him in a physical grinding, cycle line and have him find ways to positively contribute and not be a liability.

I just think he has a better handle on the psychology aspect of dealing with people to be honest.

 

[Frank the Tank]

This alone is huge. How the heck did TM not try this?

I think Hitchcock having coaching experience pre-lockout, which was a UFA minefield, remains an advantage. He's dealt with numerous declining players on big contracts across his career.

 

[CupofOil]

McDavid seems legit sad that McLellan is gone, but I notice Leon seems to give no ****s, lol. I don't think Leon was as fond of him. I think that comment Todd made about Leon only skating for himself or whatever a year ago is something he never forgot.

McDavid is an emotionless robot, he never lets on what he's really feeling.
I love McDavid as a player obviously and he seems like a really nice young man but he's quite possibly the worst interview I've ever seen so it's impossible IMO to read his emotions. No disrespect to Connor intended.

On another note, I loved the Hitchcock interview. Nothing generic about it like every Mclellan interview. He was funny, witty, candid, informative, just seemed like a coach who knows exactly what needs to be done and enjoys being back in the game. Very refreshing.

 

[elmeroil]

I think Hitchcock having coaching experience pre-lockout, which was a UFA minefield, remains an advantage. He's dealt with numerous declining players on big contracts across his career.

This is a great point and let's face it they are stuck with Lucic so might as well use him where he will be effective.

 

[Quinteoilers]

I still can’t get over the fact that Hitch actually forced another coach to adjust first and basically made DeBoer throw out his entire game plan in the third period by double shifting McDavid like that. Those TOI numbers for Braun and Vlasic were ridiculous by the end of the game.

We have an actual coach here now, not just someone who stands behind the bench pretending to coach.

Didn’t get a chance to watch the game, just the hi-lights. What happened to SJ vaunted top 4 Dmen? Karlsson/Burns/Vlasic/Braun were to all but shutdown every team. Are they mismatched or is the whole Karlsson impact over blown?

 

[Cloned]

I think it’s also huge that the players experienced positive reinforcement tonight. Hitch told them to do certain things, like making the opponebt’s defensemen turn, and when they started doing those things the team got better throughout the game and they eventually won it.

 

[NeverForget06]

Dude, can I use your message as my signature on this forum? I had to laugh so hard, I spit my sandwich over my keyboard.

haha sure giver

 

[bone]

Here I am, a wet blanket: there is just no way Hitchock had a measurable effect on the team's system last night. Maybe the team had some extra jump, but I'm kind of shaking my head at the notion that he came in like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia and started magically setting things right. The guy didn't even know players' names. I'd give it until after this road trip before making a judgement on his initial effect.

Agree he didn't impact systems. But his deployment of resources in-game was improved.

 

[Cloned]

Didn’t get a chance to watch the game, just the hi-lights. What happened to SJ vaunted top 4 Dmen? Karlsson/Burns/Vlasic/Braun were to all but shutdown every team. Are they mismatched or is the whole Karlsson impact over blown?

Apparently Vlasic and Braun haven’t been great all year. Karlsson has also been a huge disappointment. Burns is having a nice year though.

So it’s refreshing to have a coach who forced his opponent to overplay the guys who haven’t been as good and who can’t generate as much offense as the other guy (Burns).

 

[Drivesaitl]

I think Hitchcock having coaching experience pre-lockout, which was a UFA minefield, remains an advantage. He's dealt with numerous declining players on big contracts across his career.

That Hitch has had multiple hires and even as a troubleshooter is a positive. I mean who has more coaching experience than this guy and in a range of environments? He's a smart guy to begin with, has learned a lot, and as a veteran he's improved some things in his coaching approach.

He gets the best out of his players. We don't know exactly the how, but its an underestimated value with Hitch.

Hitch as Grandfather type grey hair is kind of interesting as well. He's more jovial now, enjoying life, seems to be easier to be around now. I could see the team liking this guy even though he is very much honest and to the point. Much less talking around things than there is with McLellan. They'll be less confusion and riddles now. Hitch has the confidence to call out anybody, he's worked with high end players lots and is a different personality than Mclellan who has more tentative aspects.

I get more confidence from Hitch. He's arriving here as a made man. He knows who he is, believes in what he can do, and makes no bones about it. Not a hint of second guessing with this guy. When you have that kind of clarity, confidence, behind a bench it helps.

 

[McDNicks17]

I picture the "calling the wrong name" thing as Hitch calling for "Marattie" and then you see Cooper and Ty confusedly looking at each other for a second then racing to be the guy who gets on the ice.

 

[Louis Cypher]

One thing i notice with Hitch is he smiles. TMac is always in a grumpy mood. Same with that idiot Eakins. Lighten up and maybe your players might do the same.

 

[backhandsauce]

Love the Hitch hire already.

I also love the grind line.

 

[CupofOil]

Seemed like the fourth line had more zone time than usual, and weren't a complete wreck in their own end. I think it's a good spot for him, limited minutes and weak competition.

The 4th line has been great ever since the Kassian trade rumors, it's not like last night was the first time they dominated O-zone time. They've been one of the Oilers most consistent lines since the Nashville game.

I actually like Khaira more on that line but it's the only line that suits Lucic's strengths so even though I think the 4th line is better with Khaira, I also feel like the 3rd line is better with Khaira.

 

[rboomercat90]

It's that scary 'A' word we heard so much about. But one that never had any weight behind it because Todd refused to hold himself accountable for anything.

It amazes me that a couple posters are even comparing Todd's usage of Connor to Hitchcock's. The way he deployed McDavid in the 3rd was so refreshing and forced the Sharks to react. Teams never had to react to anything we did with Todd behind the bench because, well, we never did anything. In period adjustments, in between period adjustments... what kind of voodoo is this.

On another note, I do really hope the Sharks fire DeBoer and bring back Todd. I know it won't happen but that would be hilarious.

Sharks fan knew exactly what Mclellan was by the time he left there. They weren’t shy about telling us after we hired him. I assume Wilson did too. They aren’t bringing him back.

 

[nightfighter]

That's interesting in itself with the new coach seeing his usage.

Meanwhile our supposed topline of Larsson and Klefbom with several egregious errors.

Larsson gets walked like a rookie on a goal in 3rd period.

Klefbom actually moves his knee to deflect a shot off the crossbar. WTF. Who does that? The rule is if you can't block a shot get out of the way. Don't partially deflect it. Certainly don't try to stop a slapshot with your knee. I just don't trust his instincts. But several times in the game Klefbom was again a disaster at keeping the puck in Ozone. He's probably worst on the team at this and he's on PP continually. Also gave the puck away countless times with bad passes.

Meanwhile Rattie was benched last game but the new coach likes him. I wonder how long before the new coach figures out players like Lucic and Spooner and what they are doing.

It's interesting because Rattie could never crack the line up in St. Louis when Hitch was there. I don't think Hitch will hang on to any pre-conceptions from the past though. He seems to be pushing the story that this is a fresh start for everyone.

 

[Cloned]

That Hitch has had multiple hires and even as a troubleshooter is a positive. I mean who has more coaching experience than this guy and in a range of environments? He's a smart guy to begin with, has learned a lot, and as a veteran he's improved some things in his coaching approach.

He gets the best out of his players. We don't know exactly the how, but its an underestimated value with Hitch.

Hitch as Grandfather type grey hair is kind of interesting as well. He's more jovial now, enjoying life, seems to be easier to be around now. I could see the team liking this guy even though he is very much honest and to the point. Much less talking around things than there is with McLellan. They'll be less confusion and riddles now. Hitch has the confidence to call out anybody, he's worked with high end players lots and is a different personality than Mclellan who has more tentative aspects.

I get more confidence from Hitch. He's arriving here as a made man. He knows who he is, believes in what he can do, and makes no bones about it. Not a hint of second guessing with this guy. When you have that kind of clarity, confidence, behind a bench it helps.

Yup. The guy is a fixer. He simply gets things done. The kind of guy a struggling hotel would hire to solve their problems when existing management don’t have a clue why things aren’t working.

Seems apt for this organization lol.

 

[The Nuge]

The biggest takeaway for me from this game was just how much more active Hitch had the defense in jumping up into the play. It always drove me nuts how often our defense would let the other team take possession of the puck at the offensive blue line instead of stepping up and chipping it back in deep. We were always so worried about getting back to defend that we needlessly gave up possession. There were some kinks that need working out, but overall, I was happy with the defense. Especially Gravel, who had a very impressive outing. If Garrisson comes in next game, it should be for Benning.

 

[Cloned]

Sharks fan knew exactly what Mclellan was by the time he left there. They weren’t shy about telling us after we hired him. I assume Wilson did too. They aren’t bringing him back.

There’s actually a pretty interesting discussion going on in the Sharks board GDT about DeBoer, McLellan, Wilson and the McDavid tank year.

 

[Quinteoilers]

Apparently Vlasic and Braun haven’t been great all year. Karlsson has also been a huge disappointment. Burns is having a nice year though.

So it’s refreshing to have a coach who forced his opponent to overplay the guys who haven’t been as good and who can’t generate as much offense as the other guy (Burns).

That is refreshing to get that kind of coaching. I’ll bet there will be a lot more grinding 3-2/4-3 etc wins (physically and emotionally draining wins) then 5-1 laughers. Ya gotta build up callouses on those hands to win constistanly.

 

[KingKhron]

McDavid's impossible to get a read off of in interviews, I've given up on trying. He always comes off as disinterested. Just say whatever cliche gets you out of the question the quickest and move on.

I think McDavid, like the generational players that were ambassadors before him, is trying his very best to show zero disrespect to someone fired that morning. It seemed underwhelming but he’s been learning for a lot of years that he has to behave different than other players.

 

[CupofOil]

Oh man reading the entire sharks gdt.... Such misdirected anger at their d and their coach and their precious pavelski and the refs and Oilers late hits?......I've had this feeling many times in the past. It's facing a Hitchcock team. Infuriating beyond belief.

At the refs? The Oilers had 11 f***ing seconds of PP time, WTF could they possibly complain about? Man, those Californians are spoiled.

 

[Beerfish]

So have all of the media who were totally indignant of any criticism of mac full on the hitch bandwagon, mac was holding this team back bandwagon?

 

[oXo Cube]

At the refs? The Oilers had 11 ****ing seconds of PP time, WTF could they possibly complain about? Man, those Californians are spoiled.

Their game day thread is an interesting perspective and a look into the window of more modern hockey fans(for better or worse).

To them, Oilers players finishing their checks is us trying to injure their stars with "late unnecessary hits".

Of course they seem to miss the forest for the trees in that they spent the whole thread complaining about how Vlasic and Braun were pretty bad under pressure.