Pre-Game Talk: Pole: Dallas or Winnipeg

[tiger_80]

Tough to say, if it was after the regular season I’d say I’d rather play Dallas. But Winnipeg has looked extremely mediocre in the playoffs and obviously are heavy favourites to lose the series anyway.

Dallas looks really strong this year but we seem to play them well. They seem to be fully healthy and Raantanen is on a massacre right now

The regular season means nothing. The Oilers did not play all that well against LA and Las Vegas and defeated them quite handily in the playoffs. Dallas vs Oilers would be as close as it gets.

 

[Tarus]

I can't help but want to see the Oilers get some revenge for that sweep at the hands of the jets a few years ago.

Also, it doesn't feel like a real playoff run if the Oilers don't fundamentally break another canadian franchise in the playoffs.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

I'd say Jets but in order to come back down 3-1, Hellebuyck would need to get hot
I don't wanna face a hot Hellebuyck

 

[MessierThanThou]

I can't help but want to see the Oilers get some revenge for that sweep at the hands of the jets a few years ago.

Also, it doesn't feel like a real playoff run if the Oilers don't fundamentally break another canadian franchise in the playoffs.

I have a feeling we just broke LA too.

 

[Tarus]

I have a feeling we just broke LA too.

I think they're just dumb with a bit of delusion, not broken. They're still operating under the premise that they can tinker with the fringes of the lineup while still relying on a geriatric core to compete for the cup.

Holland is a fine GM if you want to build(slowly) around some decent core pieces, but he's terrible when you need to replace those core pieces.

 

[Porkleaker]

Stars, because that's what it'll likely be. I'd like to see that series go 7 though, get the team some rest.

 

[Chet Manley]

I think they're just dumb with a bit of delusion, not broken. They're still operating under the premise that they can tinker with the fringes of the lineup while still relying on a geriatric core to compete for the cup.

Holland is a fine GM if you want to build(slowly) around some decent core pieces, but he's terrible when you need to replace those core pieces.

Can't imagine Holland take's that job if the plan is to rebuild. It'll be forced on them if noboby arrives to knock Kopitar and Doughty down into complementary roles. Odds are stupid low but perennial playoff teams don't just pack it in.

 

[brentashton]

I don’t care.

Next victim, please step forward.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

I don’t care.

Next victim, please step forward.

This^^^

 

[Drivesaitl]

Picked Dallas. I want every other "Canadian" team to exit. Screw Winnipeg.

Plus I want the Oilers to beat all the best clubs. Feel that Stars are better than the Jets.

 

[Tarus]

Can't imagine Holland take's that job if the plan is to rebuild. It'll be forced on them if noboby arrives to knock Kopitar and Doughty down into complementary roles. Odds are stupid low but perennial playoff teams don't just pack it in.

That was actually my point. Holland doesn't do rebuilds, he builds around an existing core.

They're going for it with a nearly 40 old Kopitar as their top center.

 

[Mr Positive]

Well, every game Winnipeg wins gives us a bigger energy advantage over whoever we play next.

 

[ManOfSteelI]

When you look back at that roster and realize Puljujarvi was our fourth best forward Helle's performance gets a lot less impressive.

There was also this absurdity

 

[rboomercat90]

This was cool!

Does Hunter have a microphone?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Like a ski pole?

 

[bellagiobob]

I think the Jets are the better team, but Otter is by far the most consistent goalie, and is playing incredible right now. Stylistically I would prefer Dallas, not a physical team and I think we line up well against them. Goaltending being the obvious wildcard.

 

[OilerTyler]

People aren't taking into account the toll that having to bus in from Fargo will take on our team. I'd rather play the team in a city with an airport.

 

[TKB21]

Has anyone actually looked at the Dallas D? They are f***ing terrible outside Harley and Heiskanen.

 

[Esko]

Jets would mean a long series and the travel would be so much less for the team. Confident that the Oil can handle either.

 

[MikeS24]

I think the Jets are the better team, but Otter is by far the most consistent goalie, and is playing incredible right now. Stylistically I would prefer Dallas, not a physical team and I think we line up well against them. Goaltending being the obvious wildcard.

Otter is around 0.920 right now, which is elite. Andersen 0.937

 

[Coffey]

Hello, I’m a pole.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I can't help but want to see the Oilers get some revenge for that sweep at the hands of the jets a few years ago.

Also, it doesn't feel like a real playoff run if the Oilers don't fundamentally break another canadian franchise in the playoffs.

Be worth it I guess just to see guys like Kane, Frederic, Nurse, Perry etc tune in the Jets. Damned straight Perry would want a piece of Scheifele again. Thats from his Montreal days. Oilers would remember and want some revenge. Hellbuck playing real well though.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Otter is around 0.920 right now, which is elite. Andersen 0.937

Otter plays really well until he doesn't. Dallas play him too much. Hellbuck being larger scares me more. On surface stats might appear Ott is better but if only because Dallas defend worlds better than Jets do, generally speaking. Hellbuck sees a lot more HDSC. Dallas shutdown a lot and still games where Ott loses all by himself.

Hellbuck is larger. Huge advantage.

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

Look I don’t want to jinx us, but Dallas doesn’t seem impressive at all for me. Outshot in every game this series, out hit, depth doesn’t seem to be scoring or contributing. Their bottom four Defensemen look slow and exploitable. If this is the Dallas we get, then we can match the Rantanen line with Drai to prevent him from going off. I feel great about this.

 

[PBandJ]

Jets.

Every Oilers Cup has gone through Winnipeg. The prophecy must be fulfilled.