WCF: Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche ( Avs lead 3-0 )

[Muffin]

Lol Oilers... You need a goalie to win, they have none. Feel bad for the players and fans, all these years and still haven't found a good goalie.

Good luck, they gonna need it.

Smith is the least of their worries right now.

 

[Impaler]

In that case, Mike Smith is dog poop.

Oilers haven't had a good goalie for years. I feel bad for the fans and the players, all these years and still no goalie to help the team. Smith sucks and all he can do is talk a big game, can't play one that's for sure.

Best of luck to them... they gonna need it. Lol

 

[Freaky Styley]

The guy we used to match up against your big boys like MacK/Rantanen that game relies 100% on athleticism and suffered an injury that killed said athleticism, so he just looks like a taller Esa Lindell/left handed Rasmus Ristolainen out there. We've had a lot of defensive breakdowns but we also just don't have the personnel to shut down the Avs forwards without a 100% Nurse.

I agree, the Avs weren't playing at full strength too. But without an elite defensive forward (not eve sure which of EDM's forwards would be considered their best defensively) or an elite D corps it's probably a losing battle. Even so, the other option hasn't been working and hockey is a team effort. If everyone buys in, there's a game-breaker on your side that can provide the offense without the whole team playing loosely goosey hockey. I think it's all moot anyway but it;s the only chance they have.

 

[snag]

Woodcroft is so far in over his head. He's riding two all time and unsustainable playoff runs to the Western Finals. They are giving up 70% of the chances in the series, and their starting goalie is Mike Smith. Add in that they are undisciplined, have no defensive structure, no transition game, no forecheck... and he's talking about the refs? This series is over.

In over his head...two all time and unsustainable playoff runs....huh??

1. He has done well with the tools provided
2. He is a rookie coach...not sure what that second sentence means.

Anyhow, these are the tools he inherited. It was shit before him...and he made it better.

That said, there was a lot of non-calls in this game. Hell, there was even one where Mack was gonna get a holding penalty and with the ref having his arm halfway up Mack let go so the ref put his arm down.

The Oilers deserved every penalty they got. But the Avs definitely should have had more too.

Oilers haven't had a good goalie for years. I feel bad for the fans and the players, all these years and still no goalie to help the team. Smith sucks and all he can do is talk a big game, can't play one that's for sure.

Best of luck to them... they gonna need it. Lol

I don't even remember what it is like to have confidence in your goalie.

 

[Gurglesons]

Not really sure how Smith is to blame for either of these games. Edmonton’s defense and forwards are awful.

McDavid and Drai are consistently taking 1:30-2:00 shifts. MacKinnon is taking :30 second ones. And I mean look at the Avs 3rd and 4th lines. NAK waiver wire - LOC whatever - 35 year old Helm. McDavid has gotten burned multiple times doing this in Colorado and LA series.

Also that Nurse contract is going to be such an anchor.

 

[Three On Zero]

The guy we used to match up against your big boys like MacK/Rantanen that game relies 100% on athleticism and suffered an injury that killed said athleticism, so he just looks like a taller Esa Lindell/left handed Rasmus Ristolainen out there. We've had a lot of defensive breakdowns but we also just don't have the personnel to shut down the Avs forwards without a 100% Nurse.

Nurse at 100% still can’t shut down the Avs, he more of an offensive defender

 

[Hasbro]

Bednar excels using the last change at home so there's some hope for the Oilers at home.

 

[BrickNHL]

Not really sure how Smith is to blame for either of these games. Edmonton’s defense and forwards are awful.

McDavid and Drai are consistently taking 1:30-2:00 shifts. MacKinnon is taking :30 second ones. And I mean look at the Avs 3rd and 4th lines. NAK waiver wire - LOC whatever - 35 year old Helm. McDavid has gotten burned multiple times doing this in Colorado and LA series.

Also that Nurse contract is going to be such an anchor.

What does that mean?

 

[snag]

Nurse at 100% still can’t shut down the Avs, he more of an offensive defender

It's not even his body that is the problem....it is his brain. He is not a very cerebral player. And that isn't even a hockey iq thing....there are plenty of effective d-men with moderate hockey IQ that just do their job and not be stupid. But I mean sometimes ....he just goes full Pejorative Slur out there.

And like they said in Tropic Thunder....you should NEVER go full Pejorative Slur.

 

[Three On Zero]

It's not even his body that is the problem....it is his brain. He is not a very cerebral player. And that isn't even a hockey iq thing....there are plenty of effective d-men with moderate hockey IQ that just do their job and not be stupid. But I mean sometimes ....he just goes full Pejorative Slur out there.

And like they said in Tropic Thunder....you should NEVER go full Pejorative Slur.

Based on athleticism, he’s top of the league.

Based on being able to read the play or think two steps ahead, he’s average to below average

 

[CycloneSweep]

I thought the Oul could go 5 games at least but from how they have played they might not even hold the lead for a few minutes this series.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

The Kadri show tonight, great player. Much tighter game, 3 minute mental lapse did the Oilers in; Nurse & Smith need to be better.

 

[snag]

Based on athleticism, he’s top of the league.

Based on being able to read the play or think two steps ahead, he’s average to below average

Yes.....physically/athleticly he comes from pedigree.

 

[Avs2022]

I was told Woodcroft was going to make adjustments after game 1 and the Oilers win game 2. So I ask, what adjustment did he make so his team went from scoring 6 goals to 0 goals?

Thanks in advanced

Bednar out adjusted him

 

[CycloneSweep]

Based on athleticism, he’s top of the league.

Based on being able to read the play or think two steps ahead, he’s average to below average

Really accurate. And he gets paid like he is top at both.

 

[Gurglesons]

What does that mean?

Like that 4th line ain’t some beast. The Oilers should be able to go 30-45 seconds against it without McDavid and Drai playing 2 minute shifts.

 

[Three On Zero]

Really accurate. And he gets paid like he is top at both.

I would be curious to see him and paired with Niemaleinen in a couple years. If Niemaleinen continues his upward trend

Big bodied defensive defenceman to take the grunt work

 

[BelovedIsles]

Kadri has been outplaying Draisatl. Kadri is playing for a new contract and he won’t be denied. This man is on a mission.

Devon Toews still continues to be one of the most underrated defenseman in the league. Still shocks me that the Islanders gave up on him so soon. Blown away by how solid he is, and yet he makes half of what Nurse makes hahaha.

Toews>>>>>>>Nurse, even at the same cap hit.

Toews hurts, but it was a financial decision. Couldn't trade Leddy, less desirable on the market. I was pulling for Leddy (to be traded) all summer.

His gap control is among the best in the league. Always loved that about him.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I would be curious to see him and paired with Niemaleinen in a couple years. If Niemaleinen continues his upward trend

On the 3rd pair? They are both left d and neither have really ever played their right side.
Niemelainen is a fun and heavy defender but he, like Nurse, doesn’t have the hockey smarts to play a crap ton of minutes well, but unlike Nurse he isn’t as athletic by a mile. He does love to hit

 

[AMDZen]

For real though

Has there ever been a more punchable face behind the bench than Jay Woodcraft?

I swear when he's angry, it looks like something is growing out of the middle of his forehead.

 

[Three On Zero]

On the 3rd pair? They are both left d and neither have really ever played their right side.
Niemelainen is a fun and heavy defender but he, like Nurse, doesn’t have the hockey smarts to play a crap ton of minutes well, but unlike Nurse he isn’t as athletic by a mile. He does love to hit

Whoops, didn’t know they were both left lol. I just feel it could have been a Tanev/Kylington type pairing (Nurse is better than Kylington)

 

[BrickNHL]

Like that 4th line ain’t some beast. The Oilers should be able to go 30-45 seconds against it without McDavid and Drai playing 2 minute shifts.

Well first of all it’s Cogliano - Helm - LOC and yes that 4th line is some beast. They’re playing so damn well, first against the Blues and now the Oilers.

 

[CycloneSweep]

For real though

Has there ever been a more punchable face behind the bench than Jay Woodcraft?

I swear when he's angry, it looks like something is growing out of the middle of his forehead.

Tortorella, easily.

Whoops, didn’t know they were both left lol. I just feel it could have been a Tanev/Kylington type pairing (Nurse is better than Kylington)

Yeah but Niemelainen will never be close to a Tanev, and I like Niemo

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

Woodcock will make the necessary adjustments heading into game 2. Wait no, game 3.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Well first of all it’s Cogliano - Helm - LOC and yes that 4th line is some beast. They’re playing so damn well, first against the Blues and now the Oilers.

4th lines and McDavids kryptonite.