GDT: WCSF GM02 | Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers | Fri. May 10th | 7pm PST | SNP/CBC | Don’t Change That Channel

[StickShift]

I’m expecting Edmonton’s best tonight.

If Vancouver can win game 2, I’ll truly believe that this team has something special going.

 

[LordBacon]

f*** me
We get one of the worst refs in the league

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Got to come out better tonight to start. Pretty much everything that could go wrong did. Too many men penalty, brain dead plays by Cole, missed grade A scoring chances and weak goaltending by Silovs.
If Vancouver gets a better start then I like their chances.

 

[Bgav]

NHL sending Sutherland in LMAO what a joke.


GO CANUCKS GO

 

[HelloCookie]

3-5 canucks, miller with 2+2 and 9 f bombs

 

[Vector]

 

[Vector]

Really interesting point by Drance in his latest article. Whole article is worth reading but this last bit is a good analysis of the Oilers strategy on Wednesday.

The Nashville Predators made a game plan of fronting Vancouver’s perimeter shots, attempting to limit the Canucks’ bread-and-butter looks from the point through layered traffic.

It was an approach that frustrated Vancouver on occasion, but also, arguably, left the Predators too compact in the defensive zone and ceded too much sustained offensive zone time to the Canucks as the first-round series went along. The Canucks may have struggled to score against the Predators, but because they dominated the puck so frequently, Nashville struggled to generate much of anything at all.

The Oilers tried something different in Game 1, and it’ll be fascinating to see if they stick with it in Game 2. Unlike the Predators, the Oilers want this series to be decided by their host of high-end shooters and playmakers. If each game is decided by a single scoring opportunity converted or missed, the way Vancouver’s first-round series was, that cedes the advantage to the underdog Canucks — who also happen to be the kings of the high-variance game script.
Edmonton, in contrast, wants more scoring chances both ways. The more wide open the game is, the more these two teams trade chances, the better off the Oilers should be.

In an effort to bring about a faster pace to this series than Vancouver had in the bumper-car hockey of the first round, the Oilers pressured the points with near reckless abandon. Cutting off the top wasn’t just a priority, it was something Oilers defenders regularly sold out to try to accomplish.

I wonder how much Edmonton’s distinct approach to defending Vancouver in-zone is actually something of a dare to Vancouver’s personnel. By pressuring up high as intensely as Edmonton did, there should be space down low for the Canucks to attempt to make plays and work the puck into dangerous scoring areas. This Canucks team, however, is wired to maintain possession and make conservative puck management decisions when set up in the offensive zone.

If Vancouver tries to make skilled plays down low and either coughs up the puck or misses a shot, it leaves the Oilers in a good position to counter quickly, especially because their forwards are already positioned high in the zone to make their breakout more like a jailbreak. It’s a potentially novel approach to impose Edmonton’s preferred pace and style on this series, and one that worked particularly well in the first half of Game 1.

I’ll be curious to see how Vancouver adjusts in Game 2 now that they’ve seen this tactical approach in action. Will they take what’s given to them, or continue to play the relatively rigid style that has brought them here?

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I hope Brock Boeser lights it the hell up tonight.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Too many cynics here. I expect unbiased officiating tonight. The NHL and NHL referees deserve our full trust as they have demonstrated competence while being fully transparent. Kelly Sutherland has been an NHL referee for 24 years now and it's an honor to have him on board for our game tonight.

(Ok Gary, can my first born be spared now?)​

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

SO HOT HERE TODAY

LETS GET NAKED

 

[TruGr1t]

Typically reffing is the tightest earlier in the series and it gets looser as it moves along. Hopefully, Game 1 is representative of what we'll see the rest of the way.

 

[TruKnyte]

Too many cynics here. I expect unbiased officiating tonight. The NHL and NHL referees deserve our full trust as they have demonstrated competence while being fully transparent. Kelly Sutherland has been an NHL referee for 24 years now and it's an honor to have him on board for our game tonight.

(Ok Gary, can my first born be spared now?)​

I find it fascinating that pretty much every fanbase hates Sutherland. Guy always seems to get the big games, and yet is just completely incompetent at the same time. Expecting a lot of bad calls tonight.

 

[Angry Little Elf]

I find it fascinating that pretty much every fanbase hates Sutherland. Guy always seems to get the big games, and yet is just completely incompetent at the same time. Expecting a lot of bad calls tonight.

Not so much incompetent. Just wants to make himself the star of the game

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

All due respect to Brandon Batchelor, who did a fantastic job during Game 1, but it kills me that there's nowhere for us to hear a Shorty call of these games. I just know his calls for Game 1 would have been absolutely epic. Cuthbert did a good job and all, but so did Hughson in 2011 - but being able to hear Shorty on the radio (they've slayed the dragon) is a different level.

-

Expecting a parade to the penalty box tonight. Hope our PK is ready to run - watch the cross-seam passes to the back door, they love that play.

 

[Canucks LB]

Oilers gonna try to embellish tonight 100% canucks need to be prepared

 

[Vector]

All due respect to Brandon Batchelor, who did a fantastic job during Game 1, but it kills me that there's nowhere for us to hear a Shorty call of these games. I just know his calls for Game 1 would have been absolutely epic. Cuthbert did a good job and all, but so did Hughson in 2011 - but being able to hear Shorty on the radio (they've slayed the dragon) is a different level.

-

Expecting a parade to the penalty box tonight. Hope our PK is ready to run - watch the cross-seam passes to the back door, they love that play.

It infuriates me that fanbases spend years listening to their local broadcast but as soon as the most important part of the season starts, you lose them for "neutral" national broadcast guys. The other sports do this as well.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I’m honestly feeling pretty confident in the team as a whole tonight. 5 on 5 I think we’re the better team. The only player that makes me nervous really is Silovs. Team needs to protect him like they did for the last two periods last game.

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[TruGr1t]

All due respect to Brandon Batchelor, who did a fantastic job during Game 1, but it kills me that there's nowhere for us to hear a Shorty call of these games. I just know his calls for Game 1 would have been absolutely epic. Cuthbert did a good job and all, but so did Hughson in 2011 - but being able to hear Shorty on the radio (they've slayed the dragon) is a different level.

-

Expecting a parade to the penalty box tonight. Hope our PK is ready to run - watch the cross-seam passes to the back door, they love that play.

Dude we avoided Singh/Debrusk, don't be greedy.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Really interesting point by Drance in his latest article. Whole article is worth reading but this last bit is a good analysis of the Oilers strategy on Wednesday.

The Nashville Predators made a game plan of fronting Vancouver’s perimeter shots, attempting to limit the Canucks’ bread-and-butter looks from the point through layered traffic.

It was an approach that frustrated Vancouver on occasion, but also, arguably, left the Predators too compact in the defensive zone and ceded too much sustained offensive zone time to the Canucks as the first-round series went along. The Canucks may have struggled to score against the Predators, but because they dominated the puck so frequently, Nashville struggled to generate much of anything at all.

The Oilers tried something different in Game 1, and it’ll be fascinating to see if they stick with it in Game 2. Unlike the Predators, the Oilers want this series to be decided by their host of high-end shooters and playmakers. If each game is decided by a single scoring opportunity converted or missed, the way Vancouver’s first-round series was, that cedes the advantage to the underdog Canucks — who also happen to be the kings of the high-variance game script.
Edmonton, in contrast, wants more scoring chances both ways. The more wide open the game is, the more these two teams trade chances, the better off the Oilers should be.

In an effort to bring about a faster pace to this series than Vancouver had in the bumper-car hockey of the first round, the Oilers pressured the points with near reckless abandon. Cutting off the top wasn’t just a priority, it was something Oilers defenders regularly sold out to try to accomplish.

I wonder how much Edmonton’s distinct approach to defending Vancouver in-zone is actually something of a dare to Vancouver’s personnel. By pressuring up high as intensely as Edmonton did, there should be space down low for the Canucks to attempt to make plays and work the puck into dangerous scoring areas. This Canucks team, however, is wired to maintain possession and make conservative puck management decisions when set up in the offensive zone.

If Vancouver tries to make skilled plays down low and either coughs up the puck or misses a shot, it leaves the Oilers in a good position to counter quickly, especially because their forwards are already positioned high in the zone to make their breakout more like a jailbreak. It’s a potentially novel approach to impose Edmonton’s preferred pace and style on this series, and one that worked particularly well in the first half of Game 1.

I’ll be curious to see how Vancouver adjusts in Game 2 now that they’ve seen this tactical approach in action. Will they take what’s given to them, or continue to play the relatively rigid style that has brought them here?

Yeah, they have high end shooters that will make you pay. Trying to play their game will end up leading to another 2022 Calgary vs Edmonton outcome.

2022 NHL Western Second Round: CGY vs. EDM | Hockey-Reference.com

2022 NHL Western Second Round: CGY vs. EDM

www.hockey-reference.com

They can be beat using their style if you have depth that outmatches them ala the 2022 Avs.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Dude we avoided Singh/Debrusk, don't be greedy.

True.

 

[Bobby9]

Wonder how the Oilers power play adjusts to Drai being injured. Could be a major issue for them if they're forced to score 5 on 5.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Wonder how the Oilers power play adjusts to Drai being injured. Could be a major issue for them if they're forced to score 5 on 5.

If Draisaitl is dressed, he'll still be effective in his usual side shot spot.

Hyman's first goal in Game 1 was telegraphed enormously, and still didn't stop it. Hope we can nail down some of those cross seam passes today.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Worst ad ever. I stopped listening to AM radio because of that annoying "Wooooo."

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

*TEARS OFF TEAR-AWAYS*
*DOES THE HELICOPTOR*


LETS f***ING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO