Pre-Game Talk: The Only Series We’ve Ever Known: Oilers @ Kings

[Drivesaitl]

I'm just catching up in the thread and stopped right at your post. The negative energy in this thread is insane, straight up insane. "Oilers are huge underdogs" "Oilers are likely losing this series" etc. etc.
Get outta here with that noise. I consider myself to be a realist or maybe err slightly on the optimistic side and there's no freaking way you ever count out a McDavid/Draisaitl led team in any series ever especially a McDavid and Draisaitl that will be well rested going into the playoffs unlike other years and a McDavid and Draisaitl led team that knows people including their own fans have given up on them. I'm not giving up on them, it;ll be a tough series especially without Ekholm but they're winning this f***ing series, enough of this negative shit it's embarrassing.

The only poster saying this is Jaded. Where you getting this from. Nearly everybody feels the Oilers are beating the Kings. I think so too but without making official prediction because I'm bad luck doing that.

 

[Heavy Dee]

The only poster saying this is Jaded. Where you getting this from. Nearly everybody feels the Oilers are beating the Kings. I think so too but without making official prediction because I'm bad luck doing that.

Saying the Oilers are underdogs isn't being negative. Every book has them as a dog and most pundits are picking LA.

Iam more than happy being the underdog.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Saying the Oilers are underdogs isn't being negative. Every book has them as a dog and most pundits are picking LA.

Iam more than happy being the underdog.

My own take is people can say whatever they want to say within reason. Any first round is unpredictable. We are talking about relative unknowns otherwise they wouldn't have to play the series. heh.

But I'm glad to have McD and Drai as probability fixers anytime. I remember what it was like when we didn't have players like this.

 

[Heavy Dee]

My own take is people can say whatever they want to say within reason. Any first round is unpredictable. We are talking about relative unknowns otherwise they wouldn't have to play the series. heh.

But I'm glad to have McD and Drai as probability fixers anytime. I remember what it was like when we didn't have players like this.

Agree. And Skinner needs to be ^900. That's lynch pin of the series for the Oilers.

 

[K1984]

I'm just catching up in the thread and stopped right at your post. The negative energy in this thread is insane, straight up insane. "Oilers are huge underdogs" "Oilers are likely losing this series" etc. etc.
Get outta here with that noise. I consider myself to be a realist or maybe err slightly on the optimistic side and there's no freaking way you ever count out a McDavid/Draisaitl led team in any series ever especially a McDavid and Draisaitl that will be well rested going into the playoffs unlike other years and a McDavid and Draisaitl led team that knows people including their own fans have given up on them. I'm not giving up on them, it;ll be a tough series especially without Ekholm but they're winning this f***ing series, enough of this negative shit it's embarrassing.

I don’t know how it’s possible to have an informed opinion that isn’t “Oilers should win unless goaltending craters.”

From the crease out their lineup just isn’t as good as ours, even with the injuries. They don’t score goals and that includes the PP. We would have to be not scoring for them to win. Could that happen? Yes, but based on the past 3 years I don’t see that as likely.

This is Groundhog Day. “Oh but this year’s Kings goalie is the difference! Built for playoffs because size! Byfield is a star!!!!” The second you stop talking about the Kings in superlative and actually look at their team it’s pretty obvious they aren’t a lot different than 22, 23 or 24 and will struggle to win matchups in the Top 6. Just like all those other years.

 

[bellagiobob]

Just went live

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I highly doubt Stauffer said management told the coaching staff to split 97 and 29 but I’d love for you to provide the proof to your claim.

I think it’s bullshit though because those types of conversations aren’t had in the media. No management team is undermining their head coach by telling media they forced lineup decisions on the HC and no coaching staff is telling media that they got told how to run their bench.

I heard him say it as well.

 

[CycloneSweep]

The only poster saying this is Jaded. Where you getting this from. Nearly everybody feels the Oilers are beating the Kings. I think so too but without making official prediction because I'm bad luck doing that.

I think Skaters vs Skaters we win but I have zero faith in this years Skinner

 

[AM]

Sure, its easy to be an Oilers fan now. I never lose sight of having the two best players around. The test for fans will be after this McDrai arc but fortunately thats still a long ways away. Goaltending would be nice though.

Are the oilers leaving Edmonton?

 

[The Panther]

31 other teams can only dream of having these 2 guys on the roster. It's like having Mario and Wayne on the same club. The odds of it happening are similar to those of a giant comet colliding with the Earth.

If you haven't been following global science news, there is currently an asteroid in space that scientists now say has a 2％ chance of striking the earth and killing us all.

 

[rboomercat90]

Solution is quite simple. Don’t engage with them, as they just want to drag you down to their level and are looking for attention. Or put them on ignore. My version of the thread is actually very reasonable, so I must have the right guys on ignore.

I was about to post something similar to this. I’m not seeing any of this over the top negativity. If it’s going on (no reason for me to assume it’s not) then that means I’ve also got these same people on ignore. It’s always the same people that ruin this place. Put them on ignore and it becomes a much more enjoyable place.

 

[MoontoScott]

If you haven't been following global science news, there is currently an asteroid in space that scientists now say has a 2％ chance of striking the earth and killing us all.

Probably a bigger chance than the Kings have of sweeping the series as some here have speculated.

Asteroids and comets are a continual and ongoing threat and the most dangerous ones are those that have not been detected. Giant solar flares are perhaps a greater threat.

No worries though, the Leafs may still have a shot at the cup before one of these events eventually finishes us off--- in the 6th great extinction.

 

[The Panther]

I see this series as about 55％ chance for LA, and about 45％ for Edmonton. But it should be close, whoever wins.

Oilers' best hope is the power play. Kings' best hope is no penalties and stifling defence.

 

[Senor Catface]

If you haven't been following global science news, there is currently an asteroid in space that scientists now say has a 2％ chance of striking the earth and killing us all.

If you're talking about 2024 YR4, it's not big enough to be a "planet-killer."

 

[AM]

You won’t know who’s ready to go and on which line until the start of the first game.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

If you haven't been following global science news, there is currently an asteroid in space that scientists now say has a 2％ chance of striking the earth and killing us all.

If I recall correctly, that asteroid now has a bigger chance of slamming into the moon and it’s also not near big enough to kill us all if that’s the one I’m thinking of that’s coming in 2032 or something like that. And if it does hit the Earth chances are it hits the ocean or an unpopulated area in the middle of Africa.

Or one of Calgary Vegas or Toronto would be fine too.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Probably a bigger chance than the Kings have of sweeping the series as some here have speculated.

Asteroids and comets are a continual and ongoing threat and the most dangerous ones are those that have not been detected. Giant solar flares are perhaps a greater threat.

No worries though, the Leafs may still have a shot at the cup before one of these events eventually finishes us off--- in the 6th great extinction.

I’ve been reading a lot about the polls reversing anytime now and basically all f***ed when that happens.

(See what I did there?)

 

[tiger_80]

It’s not “hopium” thinking your team that has the best 2 players on the planet can win a series against LA. They have been the best playoff performers since Wayne and Mario and now it seems are both finally healthy. It’s mind blowing to me how many people are betting against them.

We will see in a week. If we beat them you will say “glad to be wrong but we have no chance next series.” Book it.

Yes, they've been inconsistent because of injuries, but prior to the stupid shinny tournement in February, they were playing as well as any time last year. Not sure if they can do a lot of damage this year, but they sure can spank that Mikey.

 

[bellagiobob]

I was about to post something similar to this. I’m not seeing any of this over the top negativity. If it’s going on (no reason for me to assume it’s not) then that means I’ve also got these same people on ignore. It’s always the same people that ruin this place. Put them on ignore and it becomes a much more enjoyable place.

Something that I’ve never been able to figure out is why good, common sense posters who know who the shit disturbers are, get upset when they post the same rubbish, but continue to engage with them and get upset, but still won’t put them on ignore.

 

[Dirk Dangler]

I think Skaters vs Skaters we win but I have zero faith in this years Skinner

I’m hoping we’re going to get the good version of Skinner, for a couple reasons. I think the concussion break will have done him some good. Gave him a chance to reset a bit. Also gave him a chance to hang out with the young family. I’d imagine It’s not easy to bring the focus needed to play net in the NHL when you’re having babies. So I expect him to be refreshed and the best version of himself. Hopefully that’s good enough for a run.

 

[KCC]

Agree. And Skinner needs to be ^900. That's lynch pin of the series for the Oilers.

Yup. And I don't trust him at all. You just know EDM will have some really solid games but lose because that plug gives up 3 goals on 10 shots. Pickard should have started and I really don't care about playoff experience either. If that was the case Hellebuck wouldn't choke seemingly every year in the post season. lol. IMO experience isn't as important as some might think.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I think Skaters vs Skaters we win but I have zero faith in this years Skinner

Yeah, apparently we need yet another postseason lesson that goalies are important in playoffs. Who knew?

Its interesting Vegas have Hill in net and yet they got Samsonov for insurance and then they got Akira Schmidt who is a better goalie than anybody we got in our whole org.

Top to bottom that club has no holes, no fill, and they're even injury proof.

Oilers have shitty goaltending and banked on it. Go figure, I dunno.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yup. And I don't trust him at all. You just know EDM will have some really solid games but lose because that plug gives up 3 goals on 10 shots. Pickard should have started and I really don't care about playoff experience either. If that was the case Hellebuck wouldn't choke seemingly every year in the post season. lol. IMO experience isn't as important as some might think.

Yeah, I mentioned Blackwood in game one for Colorado, his first playoff game ever, has a miraculous outing, stones Dallas all night, and they get the W. All the other contender teams have good to great goaltending this postseason. We're stuck with Stewed Skinner, butt clenching and hope. There won't be many dull moments.

That said Vegas and Colorado are playing at a level I'm not sure Oilers get to at all. Those teams are at least equal or better and have quality goaltending. The plan again, like always is for McD and Drai to just go supenova yet again, and every playoffs. There doesn't ever appear to be any semblance of backup plan. backup plan is golf.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

One point I will make on Skinner, he generally does better after he's been knocked down a peg, vs. getting talked up and having his d*** sucked by the media.

Even last spring, he leveled out after s**ting the bed vs. Vancouver (which followed him getting talked up following the LA series as finally arriving). He was solid in games 6 and 7, great vs. Dallas, and gave the Oil a chance to win in the final.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

So what are the guesses on defence?

Nurse-Bouchard
Walman-Emberson
Kulak-Brown

Klingberg is likely the smarter play vs. Brown, but I have a feeling LA comes out looking to punch the Oil in the mouth tomorrow. I'd prefer the Oil to have a few answers to that in the lineup for game 1 (and Max Jones really isn't an answer in the first place). Even better if they're not a key peace and don't mind taking a suspension.

Bounce back to a more skill lineup in game 2, especially if you can get Frederic and/or Kane in the lineup.