Post-Game Talk: SCF = Shitty Cup Final

[TheNumber4]

You really think the Oilers are paying him 15 million a year as he hits the decline?

Yes and they should. I don’t know how anyone can be an Oilers fan and not realizing how important Leon is to this whole thing. It’s not even just Leon’s value as a player it’s about his value as a wingman for McDavid and keeping McDsvid around. They are a package deal. There is no world where Drai leaves and McD stays.

Must've got the memo that the NHL wasn't gonna look at additional discipline for Drai. Not sure if its been mentioed here but Subban was angry about it and that Drai and Foegele should have had suspensions. Messier, staring like a dope just nodded head and said nothing to counter despite Mess as a player doing worse 500X in playoff play in his career. indeed the Drai play could easily be characterized as a Mess play, a Gordie Howe play, and its always been part of the game. I'm not gonna cry over the elbow, its again what the fans here said had to happen to mitigate the best Florida player. To let him know you're there.

Oilers fans: We gotta get in Barkovs grill, we can't let it be easy for him out there.

Drai does exactly what is asked and what is needed.

Some Oilers fans: Well we didn't want it like that.

lol

It would be a travesty if that Drai play got suspended. Not after all the bullshit we’ve seen let go. I also think Barkov faked it. All the Cats faked their injuries last night.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Bad officiating or not, being 0-7 on the PP is awful and there's really no way to spin this around on the refs. The Oil deserve to lose if they can't score on the PP.


Especially when we've been given 7 PPs in 2 games.

obviously officiating could be better but its a loser excuse to be down 2-0 in series. Not being able to score EV or on PP is obviously why we are losing. Scoring 1 goal in a playoff game won't get you any wins with Skinner in net. We knew that going in.

Failing to score is our failing in this series. The officials could be calling penalty shots and we might not beat Bobo considering how awful we've been on clean breakaways.

 

[Little Fury]

You really think the Oilers are paying him 15 million a year as he hits the decline?

Yes?

 

[foshizzle]

Kevin Woodley with Kevin Karius and Grant Fuhr this morning on Skinner for game 2:

The first goal.

- It was a good shot, but Stu was a half-step behind- so out of position which left the far side wide open. If he was a half-step out and square- that's a routine stop.

The second goal

- Stu wasn't ready for the shot. Kevin mentioned that most goalies in the NHL are taught to look around the screen on the short side- Stu stayed in the middle and look around the screen the wrong way. The reason goalies are taught short side is because that's the fastest route from puck to net. The far side obviously takes longer, but there are more bodies in the way.
- Also on the second goal they spoke about Stu's mechanics. The way he goes into the butterfly with his legs flat and behind him. In order for him to push laterally, he has to bring his leg up- then push. Bob, on the other hand, is wide in his butterfly and that's part of the reason he is so explosive.
- He just didn't look set and ready.

They also spoke about the second goal from Rodrigue in game one. Both Grant and Kevin said that Stu needs to recognize the puck is behind the net- no threat- and his eyes don't leave the puck. Stu needed to do a quick scan of the threats and thus he could be prepared for the shot.

They didn't blame Skinner, how can you when the offence only scores 1- but there are items to clean up. They also said this comes with time and experience. I have never been so convinced that Schwartz needs to be fired. I think with better coaching, these minor things that lead to big goals against can be corrected. I also think a subtle change in his butterfly mechanics will make him way better side to side. I'm a Skinner critic, but now I am starting to think he is a good goalie who can be great with the right coach

 

[MessierThanThou]

McDrai could only do so much after the one-two punch of Chiarelli and Holland with his useless armchair GM son. That Nurse contract crippled us and Skinner is a backup who can steal the odd game but also cost us as many as he steals.

 

[TheNumber4]

obviously officiating could be better but its a loser excuse to be down 2-0 in series. Not being able to score EV or on PP is obviously why we are losing. Scoring 1 goal in a playoff game won't get you any wins with Skinner in net. We knew that going in.

Failing to score is our failing in this series. The officials could be calling penalty shots and we might not beat Bobo considering how awful we've been on clean breakaways.

We need to score more EV and PP. But we should also expect not the f***ed by officiating and to have a fair playing field. None of anything matters if we are getting f***ed by Refs anyways is another way to look at it.

Officiating isn’t the reason we lost. But You need everything to go right in a game with tight margins to win. Fair officiating included.

 

[jukon]

I was quite upset when Bjugstad wasn't signed because McLeod needed a raise. This feeling is magnified every game in these playoffs.

 

[elmeroil]

Yes and they should. I don’t know how anyone can be an Oilers fan and not realizing how important Leon is to this whole thing. It’s not even just Leon’s value as a player it’s about his value as a wingman for McDavid and keeping McDsvid around. They are a package deal. There is no world where Drai leaves and McD stays.

I'm not saying I want him to go, Leon has been a great Oiler. I'm saying I don't think they can win paying them both huge $ there will be no $ left and they'll both be in their 30's. I also see Drai wanting to explore other places to play.

 

[Little Fury]

looks like Barkov is gonna be ok
another Panthers miracle!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800567656468373830

Huh the way Vancouver and Calgary fans are acting (because Florida doesn't have fans of their own), I thought he was dead.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yes and they should. I don’t know how anyone can be an Oilers fan and not realizing how important Leon is to this whole thing. It’s not even just Leon’s value as a player it’s about his value as a wingman for McDavid and keeping McDsvid around. They are a package deal. There is no world where Drai leaves and McD stays.


It would be a travesty if that Drai play got suspended. Not after all the bullshit we’ve seen let go. I also think Barkov faked it. All the Cats faked their injuries last night.

For sure I agree. Just relaying what that idiot Subban was saying. Seem to recall Subban with a lot of stinky elbows and dirty play as well. In the SC final you have to take some chances. You have to infract to get at Barkov. You're not just gonna take a guy like that out with a solid hit. Guy is built like a tank.

If Oilers fans want to cry about what Drai did, and I think its odd if some do, then stop crying about what guys do to our stars in playoffs. Its part of playoffs for these things to occur and they have to to equal scores. Drai knows that BEnnett has been taking runs at everybody and nailing his players. People could realize what Drai did is Quid pro quo.

 

[TheNumber4]

I'm not saying I want him to go, Leon has been a great Oiler. I'm saying I don't think they can win paying them both huge $ there will be no $ left and they'll both be in their 30's. I also see Drai wanting to explore other places to play.

You pay your drivers. And fill the rest of the roster with whatever. Major drivers on this team are McD, Drai, Bouch. They can all be extended. But we will cheap out on depth lines, and depth pairs, which is what we do now anyways.

 

[Little Fury]

I was quite upset when Bjugstad wasn't signed because McLeod needed a raise. This feeling is magnified every game in these playoffs.

Bjugstad was terrible though.

 

[foshizzle]

you just called Alex Wennberg an "equivalent asset"...he had 30 points last year

Henrique had 51 points

they are not "equivalent"

(plus we got Carrick)

They are equivalent. Feel free to scan TSN's trade list and pick out which team gave up a first. Henrique is a 40 point player. Carrick is a depth player you get for a 6th, lol. Chris Tanev for a 2nd. Top 4 d man. There is another one. Like I said, go through the TSN tracker. Easy to do

 

[TheNumber4]

For sure I agree. Just relaying what that idiot Subban was saying. Seem to recall Subban with a lot of stinky elbows and dirty play as well. In the SC final you have to take some chances. You have to infract to get at Barkov. You're not just gonna take a guy like that out with a solid hit. Guy is built like a tank.

If Oilers fans want to cry about what Drai did, and I think its odd if some do, then stop crying about what guys do to our stars in playoffs. Its part of playoffs for these things to occur and they have to to equal scores. Drai knows that BEnnett has been taking runs at everybody and nailing his players. People could realize what Drai did is Quid pro quo.

Subban is a confirmed oilers hater. Anything he can say or do to put down or get the oilers f***ed, he will say. He’s a petty dumbass.

I had no issue with what Drai did. He was returning a head shot that was done to Bouch. The oilers are a retaliatory team. You knee us, we knee you. You headshot us, we headshot you. It was working fine all playoffs until officiating decided to suck off the Cats.

 

[Little Fury]

I'm not saying I want him to go, Leon has been a great Oiler. I'm saying I don't think they can win paying them both huge $ there will be no $ left and they'll both be in their 30's. I also see Drai wanting to explore other places to play.

If you don't think they can win with mcDavid and Drai making big money, wait till you hear about their chances of winning with just McDavid.

 

[mkatcherin00]

I'd be fine if all of 37-71-91 weren't back next year. Just not good enough.

Yes

Way too much dead weight on the team

Between 20-30 mill of dwadweight that could leave and it would not hinder us. I'm throwing nurse Campbell in there. Ceci.

 

[Drivesaitl]

We need to score more EV and PP. But we should also expect not the f***ed by officiating and to have a fair playing field. None of anything matters if we are getting f***ed by Refs anyways is another way to look at it.

Officiating isn’t the reason we lost. But You need everything to go right in a game with tight margins to win. Fair officiating included.

Things going right wouldn't be McD getting flat out beat clean on a scoring play by Barkov on McD's 2nd shift of the series leading to the first goal of the series. McD got owned on the play. By Barkov. Before the season and series is over McD needs to erase that and make multiple plays where he beats the doors off Barkov leading to goals.

Yes the margins are slim. So slim that the Oilers lose game 1 just on that McD play where as a center, and a captain he got blown up by the other teams Center and captain. Yeah, the team needs McD to answer to that. He hasn't yet. It was the play of the series so far that is getting seen around the world. .McD has to change that story line and only he can do it.

 

[MessierThanThou]

I'm not saying I want him to go, Leon has been a great Oiler. I'm saying I don't think they can win paying them both huge $ there will be no $ left and they'll both be in their 30's. I also see Drai wanting to explore other places to play.

We'd have some money left and probably a legit second-pairing Defenseman if we traded Nurse before that awful contract was signed...and never hired Holland. We actually interviewed Bill Zito.

 

[mkatcherin00]

Draisaitl plays better with speed on his wings. Having Henrique there isn’t effective. One of Nuge/Henrique needs to center the 3rd line. The issue is I don’t think we have another guy right now who can or should play in the top 6. The only speedy guys we have is McLeod, Foegele and Holloway and the first 2 have both made cases to not play. Although McLeod HAS played well with Draisaitl. Maybe go like

Henrique - McDavid - Hyman
McLeod - Draisaitl - Holloway
Janmark - Nuge - Brown
Gagner - Carrick - Ryan

It's like knob is high

Mcloed looks decent when he's on the wing with drai

Everybody knew how dogshit that third line was the moment it was announced

 

[foshizzle]

McDrai could only do so much after the one-two punch of Chiarelli and Holland with his useless armchair GM son. That Nurse contract crippled us and Skinner is a backup who can steal the odd game but also cost us as many as he steals.

His "useless" Armchair son has been pretty good. He believes in analytics and used it to push for Hyman. He pushed hard. He also pushed hard for Ekholm (when has Holland sr ever traded a well liked player). Chiarelli and Holland Sr i totally agree with

 

[Zguy370]

For sure I agree. Just relaying what that idiot Subban was saying. Seem to recall Subban with a lot of stinky elbows and dirty play as well. In the SC final you have to take some chances. You have to infract to get at Barkov. You're not just gonna take a guy like that out with a solid hit. Guy is built like a tank.

If Oilers fans want to cry about what Drai did, and I think its odd if some do, then stop crying about what guys do to our stars in playoffs. Its part of playoffs for these things to occur and they have to to equal scores. Drai knows that BEnnett has been taking runs at everybody and nailing his players. People could realize what Drai did is Quid pro quo.

Don't even bring Subbans name up, he not all there

 

[K1984]

Must've got the memo that the NHL wasn't gonna look at additional discipline for Drai. Not sure if its been mentioed here but Subban was angry about it and that Drai and Foegele should have had suspensions. Messier, staring like a dope just nodded head and said nothing to counter despite Mess as a player doing worse 500X in playoff play in his career. indeed the Drai play could easily be characterized as a Mess play, a Gordie Howe play, and its always been part of the game. I'm not gonna cry over the elbow, its again what the fans here said had to happen to mitigate the best Florida player. To let him know you're there.

Oilers fans: We gotta get in Barkovs grill, we can't let it be easy for him out there.

Drai does exactly what is asked and what is needed.

Some Oilers fans: Well we didn't want it like that.

lol

The NHL attempting to move towards a black and white standard with respect to calls made on injured players is creating opportunity for teams to take advantage of it. The Panthers are doing it, and as normal the Oilers are behind.

If you sell that you're injured (Loustarainen + Barkov) the penalties become automatically a major, especially in a knee or board scenario. Had Bouchard feigned injury Bennett would have got 5 too, but he didn't.

If a major penalty is called as a result of an "injury," the injured player shouldn't be eligible to return. f***ing guy last night gets borderline carried off on a stretcher then he's out next shift. That isn't a major if he isn't "injured," but by then it was too late.

 

[Little Fury]

If Oilers fans want to cry about what Drai did, and I think its odd if some do, then stop crying about what guys do to our stars in playoffs. Its part of playoffs for these things to occur and they have to to equal scores. Drai knows that BEnnett has been taking runs at everybody and nailing his players. People could realize what Drai did is Quid pro quo.

Yeah been seeing a lot of "well don't complain when people go after the Oilers' star players" and I'm like what do you think we've been seeing?

I'm also not gonna pretend to be sad if one of the other team's stars get hurt.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I think they said Florida has statistically a 91% chance of closing it out now. Getting at least a split is monumentally important. Now it would have to be a huge upset to come back and actually win.

What is surprising to me is what kind of lack of urgency seemed to be apparent, especially on the part of Drai. Was he sick?

Top six as a collective haven't been good enough. The difference has been in special teams PP which if it produced anything could have played a factor in either game. One of the Oilers best tendencies is its puck control game, patience and poise used to scan for weakness and exploit. Florida's team defense has been stellar and content to let Oil forwards dangle outside high danger areas or telegraph their tendency for long cross seam passes and gets sticks in the passing and shooting lanes.

I have to give Florida team defense a lot of credit in their work. Clog the home plate area and force Edmonton to dangle on the outside. I'm sure Draisaitl and others are hurt but this team needs to find a way to get its elite finisher more than 2 shots on net. I'd like to see them move Draisaitl into mid-range centre slot on PP for different looks and shot angles. They've done that a little bit. Show Florida some different looks and ratchet up the shot volume while pushing for rebound putbacks. Hyman looked strong and heavy in his net front work but Oil failed to put pucks on net to make Florida make stops and defend at net front.

 

[Duke74]

On the holding the puck at the point too long- I agree to an extent. Leon refuses to move out of the corner and Hopkins refuses to leave his square. McDavid is the only one rotating. Way too static.

I also hate how Leon has reverted back to playing off to the side on not challenging the middle (this is 5 on 5).

I'd like to see more movement on the PP. Why not try Leon in the bumper position?