Proposal: Predictions for the Oilers lines, come playoffs.

[Captain Controversy]

Playoffs are just around the corner. Predict your playoff lines for the Oilers!

Hyman Mcdavid Skinner
Brown Draisaitl Frederic
Arvidson Nuge Podz
Kane Henrique Perry
Kapanen
Janmark

Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Walman
Kulak Stetcher
Klingberg/Emberson

Picard
Skinner

 

[K1984]

If I were coach, and assuming everyone was healthy to play, and assuming that Frederic gets at least a few games in prior to the playoffs - this is about what I would do:

Skinner - McDavid - Hyman
Frederic - Draisaitl - Kane
Podkolzin - RNH - Arvidsson
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
*Perry, Kapanen, Ryan, Jones

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Stecher
Kulak - Walman
*Emberson, Klingberg

Skinner
Pickard

The wild card is the health and conditioning status of Kane and Frederic, but in a weird way putting them with Leon might be the best place for them even with little experience as he can dominate a line on his own like he's been doing all year. If Pickard continues to play well enough down the stretch I start him too.

 

[McHelpus]

Skinner - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Kane
Frederic - Nuge - Arvdisson
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
Perry, Kapanen, Jones

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Klingberg/Stetcher

Brochu
Pickard

 

[MessierThanThou]

Skinner - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Kane
Frederic - Nuge - Arvdisson
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
Perry, Kapanen, Jones

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Klingberg/Stetcher

Brochu
Pickard

I like this, though I'd remove Klingberg entirely and probably put Ollie in there with Pickard, just because Brochu isn't even under contract, and even if they did sign him I don't think he'd be eligible for the playoffs because he was signed after the deadline.

 

[Tarus]

Having gotten to know Knoblauch

Kapanen -Mcdavid - Hyman
Brown - Drai - Arvidson
Janmark - Nuge - Perry
Frederic - Henrique - Kane(as the bench warmers)
Healthy Scratches - Skinner(so he can maintain his playoff streak), Jones

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Klingberg

Skinner
Pickard

 

[OilerTyler]

Kane - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Arvidsson
Frederic - Nugent-Hopkins - Perry
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
Skinner, Kapanen, Ryan

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Stecher

Skinner
Pickard

Knoblauch hasn’t exactly been secretive with his preferred line combinations this season. He constantly reverts to the Podz/Drai/Arvy line and demotes/scratches Skinner whenever possible. I don’t see that changing when the playoffs start.

 

[GMofOilers]

Not my fault Skinner doesn’t deserve one start the rest of the way. Send him to the AHL

 

[McFlash97]

Not going to matter. I dont think were getting past round 1. Law of averages tend to even out. This is our weakest roster(age)vs Kings best. Sorry to sound like a downer.

 

[Mr Positive]

Frederic-McDavid-Hyman
Skinner-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Podkolzin-RNH-Brown
Janmark-Henrique-Perry
Kane (if he looks good then I see him in Podkolzin's spot)

Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Walman
Kulak Stecher/Emberson
(Just like with Kane, if Klinberg looks good I see him next to Kulak)

 

[Mr Positive]

Not going to matter. I dont think were getting past round 1. Law of averages tend to even out. This is our weakest roster(age)vs Kings best. Sorry to sound like a downer.

I don't think the law of averages means that LA has any better odds than they would otherwise have

As for the rosters, I highly disagree. This LA squad isn't that great. Their best players are a year older and past their prime. Players like Foegele and Kuzmenko add something but they are also prone to brain farts.

We have a veteran team that will save something for the playoffs. Our best players are in their prime. Also we are the worst possible opponent for LA, stylistically. Honestly I see our pattern continuing. We beat them in 7 games, then 6, then 5. Next up is the sweep

 

[Draiskull]

We need to get a 3rd line going centered by Nuge. Hopefully we figure some of it out before McDavid returns.
Podkolzin seems to be a regular with Draisaitl but he also looked good with Nuge as his C.
Podz-Drai-Kapanen looked good for a bit when they were together but I feel Knob prefers Arvidsson with the 2 even though they dont work as well.

J.Skinner was pretty invisible last night and might be the same in playoffs. He did look good when both Drai and McD were out.

 

[Draiskull]

Kane - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Arvidsson
Frederic - Nugent-Hopkins - Perry
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
Skinner, Kapanen, Ryan

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Stecher

Skinner
Pickard

Knoblauch hasn’t exactly been secretive with his preferred line combinations this season. He constantly reverts to the Podz/Drai/Arvy line and demotes/scratches Skinner whenever possible. I don’t see that changing when the playoffs start.

flip Kane and Frederic and these would be my lines.
Im not a fan of Brown or Janmark anymore though. Kapanen can PK and is better than both IMO.

 

[Louis Cypher]

I don't see J. Skinner on the ice when we are healthy. Maybe when Perry isn't playing. Knob won't play him top 6 for sure.

 

[Mr Positive]

We need to get a 3rd line going centered by Nuge. Hopefully we figure some of it out before McDavid returns.
Podkolzin seems to be a regular with Draisaitl but he also looked good with Nuge as his C.
Podz-Drai-Kapanen looked good for a bit when they were together but I feel Knob prefers Arvidsson with the 2 even though they dont work as well.

J.Skinner was pretty invisible last night and might be the same in playoffs. He did look good when both Drai and McD were out.

At least Skinner was invisible in a good way. Imo a guy like Podkolzin might be out just because he's a one trick pony, giving great defense but no offense. If Skinner is good defensively then his superior offense gives him a huge edge. Look at the ice time. Knoblauch likes Skinner now.

 

[The Panther]

Forwards
Arvidsson -- McDavid -- Hyman
(They haven't tried this yet, have they? I think Connor can play with two righties, and I don't think his wingers need to carry the puck that much, as he does it. This might be interesting.)
J. Skinner -- Draisaitl -- Podkolzin
(Pod can't really score but he's defensively solid and physically tough, thus relieving Drai of that burden. I would put Kane here but Kane + Drai has proven to be a defensive disaster in the past, and big minutes for Evander isn't realistic if he makes it back.)
RNH -- Henrique -- Kane
(Nuge and Henrique are defensively solid, which compensates for Kane, who will nevertheless give this line some bite.)
Janmark -- Frederic -- Brown
(I value Janmark and Brown as PK-ers, even if they don't do much else.)
(*Perry can be like a baseball DH. Stick him in for 2nd-unit PP or the occasional regular shift as needed.)

Defense
Ekholm -- Bouchard
Nurse -- Walman
Kulak -- Stecher
(These are seem pretty logical, but I dunno about Kulak -- Stecher with the way Brett had declined of late... But maybe he'll bounce back.)
(*I haven't liked anything from Klingberg, who frankly looks like he's toast after long injury. So, I guess the 7th guy is Emberson, which isn't real great, but...?)

Goalies-or-reasonable-facsimiles-thereof
Pickard
Skinner
(It has become obvious that Pickard is the better goalie right now. But will Knoblach see this...? After the Jack Campbell egg-on-faces project, there seems to be a stubborn belief among the brass that their drafted-and-developed guy, Skinner, will help everyone save face... but it just isn't working.)

 

[jukon]

I remember them saying that their struggles on the PP last playoffs were because they were so heavily scouted during the regular season.

I wonder how much team strategy played a part in an early surge so they could coast into a playoff spot and ramp up with a couple of games left. They are clearly prioritizing health over home ice, and I'm fine with that. McDavid can win 15 Art Ross trophies but without a cup there will always be that hanging over his legacy.

I hope that our goalies have also been trying to deceive the pre-scout and they actually perform much better when it really counts.

 

[LTIR]

At least Skinner was invisible in a good way. Imo a guy like Podkolzin might be out just because he's a one trick pony, giving great defense but no offense. If Skinner is good defensively then his superior offense gives him a huge edge. Look at the ice time. Knoblauch likes Skinner now.

Podkolzin makes things happen in offensive zone. I'm sure there is a reason why Drai wants him on his line. Maybe Frederic and Kane will do it better but time will tell.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

Playoffs are just around the corner. Predict your playoff lines for the Oilers!

Hyman Mcdavid Skinner
Brown Draisaitl Frederic
Arvidson Nuge Podz
Kane Henrique Perry
Kapanen
Janmark

Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Walman
Kulak Stetcher
Klingberg/Emberson

Picard
Skinner

If brown is in the top six knoblauch should just stay at home.

 

[Draiskull]

At least Skinner was invisible in a good way. Imo a guy like Podkolzin might be out just because he's a one trick pony, giving great defense but no offense. If Skinner is good defensively then his superior offense gives him a huge edge. Look at the ice time. Knoblauch likes Skinner now.

Skinner doesnt PK which gives guys like Borwn and Kapanen an edge over him on a healthy lineup.

For me it doesnt matter what the lines are to start a game because they will get changed pretty quick knowing Knob.

I just dont agree with a lineup that has Drai on the 2nd line. He is our #1C this year. Give him the wingers he wants and others can adjust with the remaining players.

Frederic-Drai-Podz\Arvi?
Kane-Nuge-Hyman
Skinner?-McD-Arvi

 

[The Nuge]

Nuge - McDavid - Hyman
Arvidsson - Drai - Podkolzin
Kane - Frederic - Skinner
Brown - Henrique - Perry
Janmark/Jones

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Klingberg
Emberson/Stecher

Skinner
Pickard

We know Knob likes both of those top 6 lines. Kane and Frederic could create havoc while Skinner adds more skill. The 4th line is basically a rotation of guys who were on our 3rd line last year and were killing it.

 

[Arpeggio]

Assuming everyone is healthy, I think they'll go:

Skinner - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Drai - Arvidsson
Kane - Nuge - Frederic
Janmark - Henrique - Brown

Kapanen might take Skinner's spot, in which case I imagine they'll bump Frederic or Kane up to McDavid's line, and have Kapanen play on the third. Perry will come in for Janmark if they struggle to score. He's just been too slow down the stretch here.

No shot they're breaking up Drai's line, they've gone back to it all season.

 

[K1984]

I don't think the law of averages means that LA has any better odds than they would otherwise have

As for the rosters, I highly disagree. This LA squad isn't that great. Their best players are a year older and past their prime. Players like Foegele and Kuzmenko add something but they are also prone to brain farts.

We have a veteran team that will save something for the playoffs. Our best players are in their prime. Also we are the worst possible opponent for LA, stylistically. Honestly I see our pattern continuing. We beat them in 7 games, then 6, then 5. Next up is the sweep

Bingo. Feel like this is Groundhog Day, everyone was pearl clutching about the Kings last year too.

Three years in a row our best players have ruined their best players in head to head matchups. Could that change? Possibly with injuries and McDavid having an off year. But if everyone is healthy and playing up to standard I don't see why the outcome wouldn't be the same a 4th time.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Nuge - Arvidsson
Kane - Janmark - Brown
Frederic - Henrique - Perry

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Bingo. Feel like this is Groundhog Day, everyone was pearl clutching about the Kings last year too.

Three years in a row our best players have ruined their best players in head to head matchups. Could that change? Possibly with injuries and McDavid having an off year. But if everyone is healthy and playing up to standard I don't see why the outcome wouldn't be the same a 4th time.

I agree that every year it’s the same ole from a certain segment of the fan base, however I’ll admit it does feel quite a bit closer this year. That said, I do think the Oilers are playing a bit of rope a dope and when the time comes they have a veteran, deeply experienced team that will be able to find that extra gear and lock things down when needed.

The Kings meanwhile have a massive mental hurdle to get over. It’s inevitable that they’re going to be in a bad spot at some point and when that happens it’s going to be hard for them to not give into that “here we go again” mentality. Everyone seems to be fading the Oilers against Kings and putting a bunch of stock into their home ice record.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Oilers will continue to just hold it together while the Kings finish strong and get that 2 seed and everyone will make a big deal about the Kings on home ice. Watch Edmonton come out of the gate with a fully healthy lineup game 1 and look completely different competitively from the team that ended the regular season, get on the Kings early at home and put them off kilter early and get them chasing the series.

 

[K1984]

I agree that every year it’s the same ole from a certain segment of the fan base, however I’ll admit it does feel quite a bit closer this year. That said, I do think the Oilers are playing a bit of rope a dope and when the time comes they have a veteran, deeply experienced team that will be able to find that extra gear and lock things down when needed.

The Kings meanwhile have a massive mental hurdle to get over. It’s inevitable that they’re going to be in a bad spot at some point and when that happens it’s going to be hard for them to not give into that “here we go again” mentality. Everyone seems to be fading the Oilers against Kings and putting a bunch of stock into their home ice record.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Oilers will continue to just hold it together while the Kings finish strong and get that 2 seed and everyone will make a big deal about the Kings on home ice. Watch Edmonton come out of the gate with a fully healthy lineup game 1 and look completely different competitively from the team that ended the regular season, get on the Kings early at home and put them off kilter early and get them chasing the series.

I am thinking this way too.

I don't know if it's my heart or my head telling me this, but I feel like this team is going to start rolling at the exact right time. Goaltending is a massive wild card in this, but assuming everyone is back and mostly healthy I feel good about this team.

I think this perspective is important - the Kings are currently at their peak. They don't have much more than this to give. Conversely we are very, very far from our peak for a variety of reasons. Despite this current dichotomy, I think we can still play them tight and win. If we get to peak or even 80-90% of peak, we'll kill them even if they stay on top of their game.