Post-Game Talk: We’re all smilin with you tonight Stu

[bone]

lmfao. I'm sure we had homes in Edmonton last night that had that many people in them.

Great win!! it would be such an advantage to finish them in 5 and have a nice break before the conference finals while Win/Dal beat the crap out of each other. Lets go!!

Close it off Wednesday, odds are that Game 1 of the Western Final would be a week away, unless Dallas wins 2 in a row from here, but even then likely not until Tuesday next week.

 

[Arty Spooners Bsmnt]

I have to say that Louis Debrusk's commentary on those two goal crease penalties by the Oilers was just brutal. Louis take a look at the replays while you're yapping and see what really happened.

 

[MoneyGuy]

According to Rishaug this morning, Knoblauch mentioned that Ekholm could be available in the next round. (if the Oil get there)

Yeah, saw that on Twitter right after I posted the question.

 

[Kinibo]

I'm in the Rob Brown camp, but it seemed to have worked for this game.

Might have to do with whatever injury Drai is working through right now. He’s one of the best two way players in the league and so it could be just a matter of playing to his remaining strength.

 

[bellagiobob]

I don’t think it’s a long term thing. Vegas will adjust and so will we.

It was a huge reason why we won that last game so I don’t know what leg brown really has to stand on.

Maybe it’s an injury issue, but Drai hasn’t been his usual self for a while now, and Knobs recognized that. Like most elite athletes, they have pride and like challenges, so Knobs offered him a big one, shut down the lifeblood of the other team. That’s just smart coaching, putting an elite player in a role that is just as important as him being an offensive threat, which maybe he isn’t right now.

 

[foshizzle]

I'm in the Rob Brown camp, but it seemed to have worked for this game.

Draisaitl has said many times that the personal trophy he covets is the Selke. I think he loves this.

 

[PaPaDee]

He was limping in the hallway when Stu came back to the room. Next series is very optimistic.

That limp didn’t look good. But if some of round 2 pushes to 7 games… maybe.

 

[Macheteops]

I'm assuming the #1 job is Skinners again even if Pickard is healthy? I don't agree with it. I feel more confident in Pickard but Skinner did look sharp last night and management loves him

 

[CrazyJoeDavola]

What a decisive, mature game by the Oilers.

McDavid looks like he had his Yzerman moment, as another poster put it.

Knob with some killer lineup changes.

And most importantly, a shutout for Smilin’ Stu!

Everyone should go buy something at California Closets tomorrow.

That was me that keeps saying we won't win until McD has is yzerman moment. I still think Drai needs this, too. But it was a start

 

[OilerTyler]

I'm assuming the #1 job is Skinners again even if Pickard is healthy? I don't agree with it. I feel more confident in Pickard but Skinner did look sharp last night and management loves him

I wouldn’t assume that at all.

 

[bellagiobob]

I'm assuming the #1 job is Skinners again even if Pickard is healthy? I don't agree with it. I feel more confident in Pickard but Skinner did look sharp last night and management loves him

Coaches aren't as reactionary and definitive as fans are, there is no ' he's never playing another game in an Oilers uniform' hyperbole. Knobs knows he's going to need both goalies again at somepoint, that's just the reality of having two sub .900 goalies. At the moment we only have one option for the next game, and it's Stu, and if he plays well and we win, he probably starts the next series, but it will likely be game to game from here on out, as long as this run lasts.

 

[1981 Oilers]

I will give him props after a good game. Last night was a simple one. He made a few great saves. Made a breakaway save and another key save at 1-0.

I will bow down to Stuart if he can come close to 900 average and steal his net back for the rest. One game doesn't turn it all around.

Maybe, if we win this series, start Picks first 3 next series and Stuart after? lol. Judging by how terrible Stu is games 1-3

Maybe we just put him in for GM 4 in each series . Whatever works, I’m onboard
I just want a cup or 5

 

[bucks_oil]

I think there's some nuance there.

I think you don't trust any one Goaltender unless their name is Price. I don't think going with an option like Skinner is bad per say - my main problem is that we more or less anointed him the started without him earning it and haven't pushed him.

To me - I think the ultimate is a 1A/1B tandem of budget/value goaltenders. There's several things there;

1) goaltenders are the most important piece of your team. While they won't win you shit, they will sewer you if they're bad.

2) goaltenders themselves are unreliable - so you can't rely on any one as any given one might fall off a cliff, or get injured. Having two equal goaltenders insulates you from this risk.

3) there is some solid historical evidence that Goaltenders preform the best with less work - to quote Brian Burke - you'll never win in the playoffs if you're Goaltender is starting more than 55 games. They need time to cool off and work on their fundamentals. Having two equal goaltenders keeps both fresh.

4) some combination of "goaltenders are voodoo / separation in goaltenders in today's game is much lower than it used to be" - if you scout well it's easy to find guys that over preform their contracts. This creates a cap advantage.

5) this fosters roster competition in a position that's typically impossible to foster roster competition in.

A large part of my problem with Skinner is that he was basically given the reigns with no backup plan, and then given no rest. Sink or swim. And then he sank - and we had no other options, and we just kept going back to him with no other options.

Pickard became an option, but that was a fluke and him stepping up, not by design. If it was up to it management or our Goaltending staff they'd never let him start playoffs games or earn the net over Skinner regardless, they've said as much.

This is all fair and I generally agree. Exceptions as below from the goalie perspective.

1) They can absolutely win you games, on their own some nights... it's just difficult to find guys that can do that night in night out (because it's frankly exhausting).

3) Yes, cool off is right... people say it is a mental position. And that's true... if favors perfectionists who are by nature very hard on themselves. But that also makes it a very emotional position. Some guys (like Campbell) take that all inside and self-blame, others (rare like Fuhr) truly just let it wash over them and focus on doing what they can do, and others (like M Smith, P Roy) are Alphas who demand the same level of perfection from their teammates. Over time, if a team is over relying on a strong goaltender as a crutch, that goalie is going to get drained emotionally... lose confidence... or worse, resent certain teammates for repeated errors that no-one calls them on. When your top D-man makes an error, you do you best to bail them out... when the same guy makes the same dumb errors all the time, it's hard to focus when your coaching-brain is screaming WTF!

5) I'm a big believer in goalie tandems, not necessarily for competition reasons, but more for support... when you've got an Ullmark/Swayman situation you've got a built in relief valve for the pressure... not just physically spacing out games, but having another guy who can silently understand why you'd be pissed at a certain goal against or situation... and/or can help point out minor slips in your game that you haven't spotted yet.

6) Pressure... to all of the above, that's why tandems work. One thing people know but also fail to appreciate is just how perfect a goalie has to be to be solid. Obviously that's the job. but what is unappreciated is that when a player is having an off game, hits the post, muffs a shot... they have two outlets: i) they come off to the bench and vent with friends, and ii) they can go out the next shift and HIT someone, or breakup a play. For the goalie, all they can do is stop the next puck... there's no other outlet... and that next shot might be unstoppable and out of their control... it's a game of precision, like golf, but nobody moves the ball in your backswing. A perfectly executed breakaway = goal and a perfectly played breakaway =/= save... that imbalance can be the cause of frustration.

7) Self-awareness, responsibility: the best teams talk objectively about all mistakes, take ownership, and chat through what was going through their mind on a given play... do that and your goalie (who may or may not be the talking type) will open up too... to point 6 that becomes a safe and productive outlet. Team will be the better for it.

 

[BlackDogg]

Pickard day to day to day to day to day.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

Punished Skinner

wha...what's happening in your avi

 

[LTIR]

Alright, who all is visiting California Closets after this win?

 

[bucks_oil]

In case anyone is wondering why the NHL desperately wants Vegas to win, that little video has all of the info needed!

Lol... it's all about building the market isn't it.

However what they maybe don't appreciate is how much a good-ole' win in Edmonton gets people in a feisty and 'festive' mood. Ya know what I'm sayin' ?

The NHL could try playing the (ahem) long game in established markets

 

[Jarvi]

I'm assuming the #1 job is Skinners again even if Pickard is healthy? I don't agree with it. I feel more confident in Pickard but Skinner did look sharp last night and management loves him

Doubtful imo. Everyone saw Pickard play well, and Stu doesnt have the history to warrant blind faith. This is how it should have been last year, and every year we don't have a top 10 goalie. You run with the hot hand, and don't give a lot of leash for poor play. Its almost beneficial in a way to have Stu over a Hellebuyck type, because when Helle shits the bed it's a lot tougher of a conversation to sit him.

I don't like our goalies a whole lot, but I like the setup with cheap tenders over 1 high paid star. It's really crazy to me that people want to go out and get Saros or Swayman at 8mil+. Imagine getting Skinner vs LA level goaltending, and at the same time losing a Kane equivalent piece because that cap is tied up in a position that every year has guys massively play above/below their cost. Look at Kuemper, dog for Washington and in the Vezina race with LA. Then Thompson looks great for Washington this year. There is just too much variance in the position for me to be comfortable locking such a large % of the cap to it for such a long time.

 

[snag]

Yeah, but that's not fair, Matthews has his struggles in the playoffs and Bouchard is one of the best playoff producers in NHL history lol.

Can't remember where I saw it....maybe even here...where Matthews is still suffering from an injury he suffered in the handshake line

 

[Duke74]

Draisaitl has said many times that the personal trophy he covets is the Selke. I think he loves this.

It would be interesting to see him develop a strong defensive game one season. I think if he put his mind to it, he could do it. He may have to sacrifice some offence, which, considering our depth, is ok, but it may make him a stronger overall player.

 

[1981 Oilers]

Love to see this news. We need all hands on deck if we make it to WCF. Would like all other series to go distance

 

[Stoneman89]

It would be interesting to see him develop a strong defensive game one season. I think if he put his mind to it, he could do it. He may have to sacrifice some offence, which, considering our depth, is ok, but it may make him a stronger overall player.

Drai played a sound defensive game last night, which is good because he's still not skating well. Not sure what the issue is. Much better than the borderline reckless style of the prior 2 games. Kudos for him to adapt.

 

[Duke74]

Drai played a sound defensive game last night, which is good because he's still not skating well. Not sure what the issue is. Much better than the borderline reckless style of the prior 2 games. Kudos for him to adapt.

I'm guessing another ankle injury, but who knows.

 

[snag]

I would be embarrassed to even post that.

That must be why in desperation they sent this to me via email...so desperate for a crowd you invite your enemy!

Have no idea how they got my address lol

 

[bleedthenorth]

Doubtful imo. Everyone saw Pickard play well, and Stu doesnt have the history to warrant blind faith. This is how it should have been last year, and every year we don't have a top 10 goalie. You run with the hot hand, and don't give a lot of leash for poor play. Its almost beneficial in a way to have Stu over a Hellebuyck type, because when Helle shits the bed it's a lot tougher of a conversation to sit him.

I don't like our goalies a whole lot, but I like the setup with cheap tenders over 1 high paid star. It's really crazy to me that people want to go out and get Saros or Swayman at 8mil+. Imagine getting Skinner vs LA level goaltending, and at the same time losing a Kane equivalent piece because that cap is tied up in a position that every year has guys massively play above/below their cost. Look at Kuemper, dog for Washington and in the Vezina race with LA. Then Thompson looks great for Washington this year. There is just too much variance in the position for me to be comfortable locking such a large % of the cap to it for such a long time.

8 mil is definitely too much but we're spending far too little. It's just so risky, we shouldn't be entering every postseason shitting our pants every night wondering if netminding is going to sink us any given game

also wouldn't lump Saros in with Swayman, Saros has been excellent for much longer on a weaker team. if a signed Saros and he happened to crumble, who could blame the GM?