Post-Game Talk: The summer of our discontent

[K1984]

Something lost in all this was…Walman was awful in the finals.

Awful in Game 3 and 5 of the Finals. A stud in Games 1 and 4.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I like looking at moneypucks shot location chart after a game. Every game we won in the playoffs the majority of our shots were around the net. Every game we lost the area around the net looked like a ghost town. I know Florida has big, strong D but you still have to make the effort and pay the price if you want to win. The team played game 5 and 6 like it was just some regular season game in November.

Yeah, for all the shots we generated in game 6 the majority of them were from long range that had virtually no chance of going in. I don't think we scored a single goal in this series where the initial shot came from beyond the circles.

Just hugely disappointing efforts in the last two games.

 

[WaitingForUser]

Awful in Game 3 and 5 of the Finals. A stud in Games 1 and 4.

Almost like playing on his offside made him weaker.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Something lost in all this was…Walman was awful in the finals.

Looking back, bringing Ekholm back in to the fold ruined our D. Just destroyed a corps that was working. Killed chemistry and players got lost in the shuffle.

I mean you still put Ekholm back in, but it was bad timing, he played 1 game before the final and didn't really get time to get up to up to speed. Our coaching staff failed on this.

 

[rebuildorbust]

One day we will celebrate these last two years

if there was ever dynasty for non cup winning teams, it would be the oilers of the last two years

And we should be proud of that.

 

[Yablo21]

Yeah, for all the shots we generated in game 6 the majority of them were from long range that had virtually no chance of going in. I don't think we scored a single goal in this series where the initial shot came from beyond the circles.

Just hugely disappointing efforts in the last two games.

I disagree Oilers' first 2 periods were the best they played all series, They were turning over pucks, forcing Panthers to ice the puck. Bob bobbled every puck, he ultimately made the saves but to say they had no chance of going in is not true. If they scored first or make it 1-1 we are likely playing game 7 tomorrow. They played well enough to win game 6, if they played like that in game 3 or 5 we likely don't lose both. J.Skinner being benched for 90% of the playoffs was a major error, going back to McDrai every game we we're down was a mistake and took the depth out of rhythm. Knoblauch had a good playoffs but he made awful decisions in the finals, benching Stecher after one mistake was just wrong, especially when you see Elkholm make numerous mistakes and likely shouldn't have played in the last 2 games.

I do not accept the narrative that the Panthers were way better. We let them gain momentum, giving up the shorty in Game 2 was honestly the series changing moment. An inexcusable mistake and got Marchand into beast mode. We let Panthers dictate the play from that point forward. There were so many moments when we could have gained momentum and we let them slide, Game 5, 3 powerplays in the first without a goal was another big mistake.

And despite the disappointment Games 1 and 2 were the 2 greatest hockey games I have ever watched in my life. Its too bad we didnt get that for 5 more games.

 

[Stoneman89]

One day we will celebrate these last two years

if there was ever dynasty for non cup winning teams, it would be the oilers of the last two years

And we should be proud of that.

Let us all know when you're throwing the celebration party so we call bring our childhood participation ribbons for your display board.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I disagree Oilers' first 2 periods were the best they played all series, They were turning over pucks, forcing Panthers to ice the puck. Bob bobbled every puck, he ultimately made the saves but to say they had no chance of going in is not true. If they scored first or make it 1-1 we are likely playing game 7 tomorrow. They played well enough to win game 6, if they played like that in game 3 or 5 we likely don't lose both. J.Skinner being benched for 90% of the playoffs was a major error, going back to McDrai every game we we're down was a mistake and took the depth out of rhythm. Knoblauch had a good playoffs but he made awful decisions in the finals, benching Stecher after one mistake was just wrong, especially when you see Elkholm make numerous mistakes and likely shouldn't have played in the last 2 games.

I do not accept the narrative that the Panthers were way better. We let them gain momentum, giving up the shorty in Game 2 was honestly the series changing moment. An inexcusable mistake and got Marchand into beast mode. We let Panthers dictate the play from that point forward. There were so many moments when we could have gained momentum and we let them slide, Game 5, 3 powerplays in the first without a goal was another big mistake.

And despite the disappointment Games 1 and 2 were the 2 greatest hockey games I have ever watched in my life. Its too bad we didnt get that for 5 more games.

But they didn't score. Panthers let us take shots that any goalie could stop. We couldn't get inside. Think of the goal Tkachuk scored. Did we ever even come close to that level of scoring chance? Bouchard and Nuge clappers from outside the circles with no traffic or anyone even near the crease. Yes we turned pucks over but generated nothing from those mistakes by the Panthers.

Both games 5 and 6 were the Panthers absolutely schooling us. They knew from last year that the Oilers could conceivably come back from anything so they nipped that in the bud super quickly.

 

[Yablo21]

I disagree Oilers' first 2 periods were the best they played all series, They were turning over pucks, forcing Panthers to ice the puck. Bob bobbled every puck, he ultimately made the saves but to say they had no chance of going in is not true. If they scored first or make it 1-1 we are likely playing game 7 tomorrow. They played well enough to win game 6, if they played like that in game 3 or 5 we likely don't lose both. J.Skinner being benched for 90% of the playoffs was a major error, going back to McDrai every game we we're down was a mistake and took the depth out of rhythm. Knoblauch had a good playoffs but he made awful decisions in the finals, benching Stecher after one mistake was just wrong, especially when you see Elkholm make numerous mistakes and likely shouldn't have played in the last 2 games.

I do not accept the narrative that the Panthers were way better. We let them gain momentum, giving up the shorty in Game 2 was honestly the series changing moment. An inexcusable mistake and got Marchand into beast mode. We let Panthers dictate the play from that point forward. There were so many moments when we could have gained momentum and we let them slide, Game 5, 3 powerplays in the first without a goal was another big mistake.

And despite the disappointment Games 1 and 2 were the 2 greatest hockey games I have ever watched in my life. Its too bad we didnt get that for 5 more games.

And nobody seems to want to talk about the officiating, I get it, thats loser talk, but they we horrible. Complete double standard, when you look at all the slashing, hooking and holding they let the Panthers get away with its completely understandable how they neutralized our elite players. Panthers first goal in game 6, came after a clear crosscheck from behind.

 

[Kerberos]

One day we will celebrate these last two years

if there was ever dynasty for non cup winning teams, it would be the oilers of the last two years

And we should be proud of that.

2nd place is just the 1st loser.

 

[McJadeddog]

Almost like playing on his offside made him weaker.

Exactly. Our best left shot dmen were as follows in order: Walman, Kulak, Ekholm, Nurse. Ekholm likely only that low due to injury, but he is getting pretty old.

Somebody, obviously preferably Nurse, needs to be traded to bring in another right shot D. It won't be Nurse though, as nobody will take him and that ridiculous contract. Next best is likely Ekholm, due to age and the fact that moving his $6 M salary helps with cap problems.

We need a right shot guy though. Bouchard, <new guy>, Emberson/Stecher is fine, but we need that <new guy> for certain, and it can't be Klingberg.

 

[McJadeddog]

And nobody seems to want to talk about the officiating, I get it, thats loser talk, but they we horrible. Complete double standard, when you look at all the slashing, hooking and holding they let the Panthers get away with its completely understandable how they neutralized our elite players. Panthers first goal in game 6, came after a clear crosscheck from behind.

There were actually 2 penalties on that play. There was a hook on Ekholm in the corner, and then the interference/cross check at the blueline as well.

 

[McJadeddog]

I find alternate means to watch it now.

I don't give the NHL money if I can avoid it. I actively despise the league. I purposefully don't buy NHL branded gear, I use "other means" to watch hockey, I will actively not support companies with ties to the NHL if I have a choice. It's the worst pro sports league that exists, hell, the CFL takes itself more seriously than the NHL does.

 

[WaitingForUser]

There were actually 2 penalties on that play. There was a hook on Ekholm in the corner, and then the interference/cross check at the blueline as well.

Not to mention the high stick to Podz minutes before this.

 

[WaitingForUser]

I don't give the NHL money if I can avoid it. I actively despise the league. I purposefully don't buy NHL branded gear, I use "other means" to watch hockey, I will actively not support companies with ties to the NHL if I have a choice. It's the worst pro sports league that exists, hell, the CFL takes itself more seriously than the NHL does.

Some said it yesterday and it best describes My feelings. Best sport worst league by far.

 

[McJadeddog]

That rumored Frederic deal is just like the Engvall deal

Yeah its a very similar deal for certain. Similar cap hit %, same term and similar player. They are both terrible deals mind you, but they are very similar.

 

[McJadeddog]

Some said it yesterday and it best describes My feelings. Best sport worst league by far.

Yup, I love hockey, its my favorite sport and its not close. Which makes my feelings on the NHL even more crazy. The thing that is most frustrating, is that the NHL could be way better with very few, easily implemented, changes. But as I said, the NHL is run by former hockey players, and as much as I love hockey, holy-mother-of-god are hockey players f***ing stupid for the most part.

You'd think the NHL would bring in business consultants or similar to help them review their product, hell maybe they do and the NHL just ignores the recommendations, I don't know. But the product is vastly weaker than it should be, and the only reason is the NHL's own hubris and stupidity.

 

[Yablo21]

I think the Fredrick deal will work out, anybody who covers the Bruins speaks very highly of him. Its not his fault we decided to rely on a player in the playoff with a high ankle sprain.

 

[oXo Cube]

I think the Fredrick deal will work out, anybody who covers the Bruins speaks very highly of him. Its not his fault we decided to rely on a player in the playoff with a high ankle sprain.

Everyone who covers the Oilers speaks very highly of Stuart Skinner.

These guys don't know their face from their ass.

 

[WaitingForUser]

Yup, I love hockey, its my favorite sport and its not close. Which makes my feelings on the NHL even more crazy. The thing that is most frustrating, is that the NHL could be way better with very few, easily implemented, changes. But as I said, the NHL is run by former hockey players, and as much as I love hockey, holy-mother-of-god are hockey players f***ing stupid for the most part.

You'd think the NHL would bring in business consultants or similar to help them review their product, hell maybe they do and the NHL just ignores the recommendations, I don't know. But the product is vastly weaker than it should be, and the only reason is the NHL's own hubris and stupidity.

Nothing will change until game management is completely eliminated and discretionary calls are answered for by the people making them or by the league itself. It has only gotten worse since gambling sponsorship became the main focus.

 

[McJadeddog]

Nothing will change until game management is completely eliminated and discretionary calls are answered for by the people making them or by the league itself. It has only gotten worse since gambling sponsorship became the main focus.

Yup, game management is the single, by far, largest problem with the NHL. But the league LOVES it, they just absolutely love it, they think that "playoff reffing" is the best thing since sliced bread, and playoff reffing is the ultimate expression of game management. Imagine the NFL saying that roughing the passer, or offsides, weren't penalties in the playoffs? Of that what constitutes pass interference is different during the regular season and playoffs? Not only announcing it, but PROUDLY announcing it! It's pure madness.

No sane person will take this league seriously until this changes.

 

[MessierThanThou]

Yup, game management is the single, by far, largest problem with the NHL. But the league LOVES it, they just absolutely love it, they think that "playoff reffing" is the best thing since sliced bread, and playoff reffing is the ultimate expression of game management. Imagine the NFL saying that roughing the passer, or offsides, weren't penalties in the playoffs? Of that what constitutes pass interference is different during the regular season and playoffs? Not only announcing it, but PROUDLY announcing it! It's pure madness.

No sane person will take this league seriously until this changes.

It was very clearly one-sided reffing against us. I can't believe more posters aren't complaining about this. I know we were still the lesser team, but Kane was totally neutralized by the officiating.

 

[Louis Cypher]

That shouldn't be as much of an issue after two back to back Finals runs. Players should know their chances of winning a Cup here go up.

It helps but if players have choice we are still just above midfield in the pecking order.

 

[kevy9999]

Everyone who covers the Oilers speaks very highly of Stuart Skinner.

These guys don't know their face from their ass.

And you obviously don't know what a healthy Frederic looks like. His ankle limited his impact. A healthy Frederick will definitely help our team

 

[MessierThanThou]

And you obviously don't know what a healthy Frederic looks like. His ankle limited his impact. A healthy Frederick will definitely help our team

*looked like

We may not see a healthy Frederic again.