I said before the series started there was no way the Oilers could match our bottom six. I was "informed" that Edmonton's bottom six had speed, skill and savvy and would bury our 3rd and 4th lines.
Like the speedy Corey Perry. Looked like he should have gotten a delay of game penalty trying to skate with the puck.
Add in, Nurse making brain dead plays.
Skinner looking dazed and confused.
Oilers as a team back on their heels and not handling the Canucks relentless forecheck.
So can Knobby figure this out?
In fairness, our bottom six normally includes Holloway, Foegele and McLeod, all of whom have a good amount of speed. The problem is with Henrique out last night and Draisaitl missing most of the 2nd, that means two of those guys are now playing in the top-6... not ideal. Even still Derek Ryan had the primary assist on Ceci's goal.
My take: Oilers did fine until the 10 minute mark of the third... we were playing "text book" play with the lead for the first 10 minutes, chipping pucks in deep, very passive on the forecheck and making Vancouver come the full length of the ice... it's what you are "supposed" to do, but it was absolutely the wrong strategy with a team with Hughes on the back end and that can skate like Vancouver. Eventually Vancouver's breakout was... gonna breakout as we saw with Garland's goal.
Knobloch had them playing way too passive... I don't expect that to happen again.
