What do you change for game 3?

[Seth92]

This is so f***ing dumb. Kane's penalty first of all was a BS call invented because Clarke doesn't know how to stand up. Frederic sure. Pickard for Stu sure.

But taking Bouchard out means replacing him with Brown and elevating Emberson and Klingberg's minutes well into the 20s. Moving Nurse to 10-15 minutes territory means pushing Kulak and an injured Walman into 25 minute plus territory.

I appreciate Nurse has been dogshit, and Bouchard's mistakes can be frustrating but the alternatives will not be better.

I will say that Nurse does need a serious talking to as right now he needs to focus on being the best defensive d-man on the team instead of pushing for offense, particularly because he sucks at offense.

On the 2nd goal. we were only down one with more than half a game to go and a no point in that entire shift was he on the defensive side of his man and pretty much abandoned his assignments putting Draisaitl into a defensive position in that he needed to cover for him. I take Draisaitl's offense over Nurse's every day of the week and twice on Sunday, and Nurse needs to know that.

Up to that point, I'd argue Edmonton was the better team, but that goal pushed a lot of momentum onto LA and Edmonton started taking on water leading to the penalty and PP goal shortly after and then the hole was too deep to dig out of without a hot goaltender.

On one of the PPs we had, Drai passed it to Bouch and LOUDLY banged his stick multiple times very quickly, Bouch skated off with the puck, and the whole team basically played keep away from Drai as they only passed to each other while Drai was posted on the right top circle the whole time with him even getting in slapshot position stick wise and this lasted over 30 seconds until some idiot tried to center the puck to Bouchard of all guys who was completely covered while Draisaitl was in his own zone and ready to shoot it on net for some sort of chance. It started with Bouchard having terrible vision for the game and being greedy all while Drai just wanted to draw the eyes of the Kings to where Bouch is so he could get the puck back and at least get a shot on goal or to walk it in either way the point is Drai knew what he wanted to do and the team somehow just forgot about him and it was so painful to watch!

*So this is a major reason Bouchard gets scratched, in my opinion.

 

[McFlash97]

If I am the Oilers, I bring up Savoie no matter what. Stick him with Drai and Skinner. Cut your losses. Play the young hungry guys. Call up Caggiula. Call up Philp. Sit these ancient relics and castoffs. Theres no hunger or desire there. Its sad to watch

 

[Stoneman89]

Will have to see if Ekholm is okay to play.

According to Oilers medical staff, he's ready to roll for game 3!

 

[McAsuno]

On one of the PPs we had, Drai passed it to Bouch and LOUDLY banged his stick multiple times very quickly, Bouch skated off with the puck, and the whole team basically played keep away from Drai as they only passed to each other while Drai was posted on the right top circle the whole time with him even getting in slapshot position stick wise and this lasted over 30 seconds until some idiot tried to center the puck to Bouchard of all guys who was completely covered while Draisaitl was in his own zone and ready to shoot it on net for some sort of chance. It started with Bouchard having terrible vision for the game and being greedy all while Drai just wanted to draw the eyes of the Kings to where Bouch is so he could get the puck back and at least get a shot on goal or to walk it in either way the point is Drai knew what he wanted to do and the team somehow just forgot about him and it was so painful to watch!

*So this is a major reason Bouchard gets scratched, in my opinion.

Bouchard aka the teams best offensive d man at moving the puck is not getting scratched whatsoever.

That being said, him and Nurse cannot simply be a pairing ever again. If I see those two together as a line tomorrow, I’m calling for Knoblauch’s head.

 

[Duke74]

Yes.

 

[bone]

Refs literally hate us and will not be easier on us on home ice so therefore if we were smart we wouldn't even be considering Kane if the rest of the team actually carried their weight. He is as good as hurting our players as the other team and there are many instances of him running over McDavid or being in his way or last night just being careless and punching Nuge in a scrum. We never needed him or his drama and I stand by that.

I don't disagree with this last part, but since he's here, I don't think there are really better options in the pressbox than him if you've already sent Frederic out as he's clearly not ready.

 

[bone]

On one of the PPs we had, Drai passed it to Bouch and LOUDLY banged his stick multiple times very quickly, Bouch skated off with the puck, and the whole team basically played keep away from Drai as they only passed to each other while Drai was posted on the right top circle the whole time with him even getting in slapshot position stick wise and this lasted over 30 seconds until some idiot tried to center the puck to Bouchard of all guys who was completely covered while Draisaitl was in his own zone and ready to shoot it on net for some sort of chance. It started with Bouchard having terrible vision for the game and being greedy all while Drai just wanted to draw the eyes of the Kings to where Bouch is so he could get the puck back and at least get a shot on goal or to walk it in either way the point is Drai knew what he wanted to do and the team somehow just forgot about him and it was so painful to watch!

*So this is a major reason Bouchard gets scratched, in my opinion.

I'm not saying Bouch is playing awesome, I'm just saying replacing him with Brown doesn't improve the team.

 

[bone]

Bouchard aka the teams best offensive d man at moving the puck is not getting scratched whatsoever.

That being said, him and Nurse cannot simply be a pairing ever again. If I see those two together as a line tomorrow, I’m calling for Knoblauch’s head.

It's so frustrating, because whenever it happens, Nurse for some reason thinks he's the feature dman for offense and the Bouch can be the defensive conxcience for the duo.

It's mind-boggling. I think they could be a great duo if Nurse didn't get so excited to score whenever he plays with Bouch (as inevitably playing with Bouch gets him time with the big dogs on offense).

 

[McAsuno]

It's so frustrating, because whenever it happens, Nurse for some reason thinks he's the feature dman for offense and the Bouch can be the defensive conxcience for the duo.

It's mind-boggling. I think they could be a great duo if Nurse didn't get so excited to score whenever he plays with Bouch (as inevitably playing with Bouch gets him time with the big dogs on offense).

The two top pairings should be
Walman bouchard
Nurse Kulak

I f***ing miss ekholm so much.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Theres some things you can change, some you can't. I never would've gone down the path this org did in the offseason or TDL. Other contending clubs all improved their roster. We didn't.

Father time also marched in which people reading me know I've been saying is inevitable in this roster. Too old, to slow.

We can't now create a different lineup. We can't even bring up prospect studs except for Savoie. We gave them all away.

The team basically now is running on two offensive Cylinders. McD and Drai and obviously. I guess there was hope Kane could dial back the years, Nuge could, Hyman could. Skinner could. That parlay hasn't been working.

Contrast with Kings. Offensively they are much differently equipped. They made modest move bringing in Kuzmenko at TDL,. He's a sparkplug. A lot of skill. Properly motivated guys like him can fly. They also got Kempe leading playoffs in scoring, Still Kopitar, Fiala, and now Byfield finally emerging. So 5 offensive weapons running and Oilers have two. LA Putting these guys together on a PP has been a masterstroke so far.

In Byfield and Kuzmenko the Kings have two added weapons we haven't really experienced before playing them. Its a huge change because when playing the Kings its no matter just shutting down Kempe or Fiala. They can load up two lines now like good teams can do.

What can we do? Read the riot act to all the support offense players that are supposed to be good enough to supplement and give us offensive riches. But I think we did all that last season and playoffs and those guys aren't dialing it up anymore.

Its 2025 and McDrai are on an island. Thats our biggest problem offensively, and overall.

 

[fireantz]

“The answer is in the dresssing room”. Who said that? I didn’t believe it then nor do I now. I didn’t like how many changes were made this offseason but we need even more this year. Trade Skinner, trade Bouch if he won’t sign for 6M. Release all the UFA’s except Perry. Not all of Kane Henrique and Arvidsson can stay( need their cap) On the verge of Hyman, RNH and Ekholm aging out without NHL ready prospects waiting. Bowman doesn’t need a good offseason he needs a miracle.

 

[NotAVacuumSalesman]

They brought the DIRE wolves out of extinction. Just pay a biotech company to clone Ekholm and put him on skates.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Bruce Curlock is the best analyst out there bar none. Great article.

 

[Stoneman89]

Refs literally hate us and will not be easier on us on home ice so therefore if we were smart we wouldn't even be considering Kane if the rest of the team actually carried their weight. He is as good as hurting our players as the other team and there are many instances of him running over McDavid or being in his way or last night just being careless and punching Nuge in a scrum. We never needed him or his drama and I stand by that.

Amazing how some people on here think players are from some video game that you can just plug in and difference. Kane missed an entire year, and some of you think he should just come in and "save" the Oilers. Practice is not the same as a game, and the guy needs some time to adjust. Not his fault the rest of the team might not give him that time. He can't be a defenceman or make saves, or kill penalties. We absolutely need his agressiveness and willingness to mix it up.

 

[chaser17]

Let's change this toxic atmosphere and move on guys. Forget what did or didn't happen and let's ****ing root the boys on and get 2 at home here. The sky isn't falling, LA has won the last 4 VS the Oilers so the coin is due to flip our way here! Kuemper aint no world beater so let's jump on him early and often and let him hear it like the LA fans did to Stu. Everybody not named Mcdavid has more to give here the rest of the series.

 

[Seth92]

Amazing how some people on here think players are from some video game that you can just plug in and difference. Kane missed an entire year, and some of you think he should just come in and "save" the Oilers. Practice is not the same as a game, and the guy needs some time to adjust. Not his fault the rest of the team might not give him that time. He can't be a defenceman or make saves, or kill penalties. We absolutely need his agressiveness and willingness to mix it up.

I never expected much of Kane but the league is done with him. Refs have him on a short leash. Better to cut the losses for a game to wake up the squad as Knob NEVER sits anymore to send a message besides J Skinner

 

[Seth92]

I'm not saying Bouch is playing awesome, I'm just saying replacing him with Brown doesn't improve the team.

Oh no you replace him with Stetcher or Dineen at the very least.

 

[9GWG9]

Play Pickard. I do believe the team want this.

Transplant Ekholms brain into Bouchards head!

I like the idea of giving Savoie a look in the playoffs.

 

[bone]

Oh no you replace him with Stetcher or Dineen at the very least.

Stetcher ain't available and Dineen while he shows potential, is still a massive downgrade.

Of note, Dineen is actually 2 draft years older than Bouchard and still hasn't come close to being an NHL regular so any notion he'd be an improvement is pure myth. Also of note, he has played a game vs. LA this year and he was -2 with xGF of 37%.

 

[Seth92]

Stetcher ain't available and Dineen while he shows potential, is still a massive downgrade.

Of note, Dineen is actually 2 draft years older than Bouchard and still hasn't come close to being an NHL regular so any notion he'd be an improvement is pure myth.

In an ideal world where my crackpot changes were implemented we would run more forwards to account for the loss of the forwards on D (Bouchard)

 

[bone]

In an ideal world where my crackpot changes were implemented we would run more forwards to account for the loss of the forwards on D (Bouchard)

Now I'm confused. So now you're suggesting 13F/5D where the 5D have a top 4 of Walman, Kulak, Klingberg, Emberson with Nurse as the 5th (as you originally suggested he drop to 3rd pairing).

I'm not sure how we'd survive having those top four each playing 26 minutes to keep Nurse down to 15.

Unless you are going a step further and playing 4F/1D even at 5 on 5. In which case, you may want to put down that pipe.

 

[Seth92]

Now I'm confused. So now you're suggesting 13F/5D where the 5D have a top 4 of Walman, Kulak, Klingberg, Emberson with Nurse as the 5th (as you originally suggested he drop to 3rd pairing).

I'm not sure how we'd survive having those top four each playing 26 minutes to keep Nurse down to 15.

Unless you are going a step further and playing 4F/1D even at 5 on 5. In which case, you may want to put down that pipe.

In a world where we might have to deal with injuries again it might just happen someday (with this weak roster we have and the no depth to back them up)

 

[onetweasy]

Bruce Curlock is the best analyst out there bar none. Great article.

I like his tactical reviews but I always have an issue with these articles when they are written with the intention of absolving the goalie. Of course a goal is the result of a breakdown......basically any decent chance in the NHL is the result of a breakdown defensively.

Yes, the team D has been bad but the guys in the media trying to create a narrative that Skinner has been "hung out to dry" is just false.......case in point being 2 goals worse than any other team.

 

[bone]

I like his tactical reviews but I always have an issue with these articles when they are written with the intention of absolving the goalie. Of course a goal is the result of a breakdown......basically any decent chance in the NHL is the result of a breakdown defensively.

Yes, the team D has been bad but the guys in the media trying to create a narrative that Skinner has been "hung out to dry" is just false.......case in point being 2 goals worse than any other team.

View attachment 1021875

I don't think Bruce typically approaches from a perspective of trying to absolve. He likes to just analyze what went wrong (or went right) and what could maybe be adjusted to do less wrong and more right.

It's true many of the chances against that became goals were particularly egregious errors often by multiple players on the same sequence that go beyond just losing a battle or getting beat by player making a superior play. It's also true Skinner didn't help himself out much.

It's Pickard's turn. I don't think it will change much in terms of quality of save, but the team does seem to play harder for him lately, so that may just be enough.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I like his tactical reviews but I always have an issue with these articles when they are written with the intention of absolving the goalie. Of course a goal is the result of a breakdown......basically any decent chance in the NHL is the result of a breakdown defensively.

Yes, the team D has been bad but the guys in the media trying to create a narrative that Skinner has been "hung out to dry" is just false.......case in point being 2 goals worse than any other team.

View attachment 1021875

I don't think he is absolving Skinner of anything, he states he is not making the unexpected saves. He also isnt writing it with the intention of absolving Skinner but from a tactical level which illustrates where the breakdowns are coming and he has always written that. I am not sure who this guy is exactly, he must have coached somewhere as he has a deep understanding of the tactical level of the game.