Post-Game Talk: YOLO and HNY HFOIL

[Bring Back Bucky]

I stated my opinion, and we can agree to disagree. Seems like you want to argue about it, but I'm moving on. In the spirit of the season, have a Happy New Year.

I love the kinder, gentler 2025 version of @Stoneman89 It’s like a breath of fresh air in a smoggy city, or a taste of honey after a mouthful of lemons.

 

[Stoneman89]

I love the kinder, gentler 2025 version of @Stoneman89 It’s like a breath of fresh air in a smoggy city, or a taste of honey after a mouthful of lemons.

Thankyou Bucky, I try. BTW, not a big fan of honey, but I love lemons. Maybe not by the mouthful, but I still love them.

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

Thankyou Bucky, I try.

And God love ya for it. Happy new year to you and yours !

 

[tardigrade81]

There better be significant revenge. They ran our show pretty good last Sunday and we owe them a punch in the mouth.


Those streaks were great but they ended a while ago. He hasn't done a whole lot for a few games now. But hey, the past is great.

Those jerseys they blind our players!!!! It's not their fault dammit!!!!

 

[Stoneman89]

And God love ya for it. Happy new year to you and yours !

Same to you, bud! God bless us, everyone!

 

[tardigrade81]

Good professional result by the Oilers last night doing enough to W and the game was never really in doubt. That said Utah are horrible and NHL has some real problems in quality of play and parity even despite the draft. Seems like so many teams now in a 32 team NHL are bad, and that so many players on clubs, that are established are not going all out in these games and perhaps especially around holiday season. Overall these are just not quality games. You can see the same players playing well whether it be McD, Drai, or Ekholm but on Utah really it was hardly anybody. When pro teams can't even do basic things on a PP, can't even establish in zone it makes you wonder.

This might be framed too in how awful Canada has looked in the world Juniors. Its among the most inept and offensively incapable Canada junior side I've ever seen. That US were going to W yesterday seemed inevitable and I don't blame it on any officiating. I only mention this as the sum of flipping between games was really an underwhelming look at hockey. Canada would be being embarassed further in this tournament without George in net.

Canada has been horrific. Our goalie has been solid but that's about it

Not so sure we will beat the Czechs tomorrow

 

[Fourier]

Thankyou Bucky, I try. BTW, not a big fan of honey, but I love lemons. Maybe not by the mouthful, but I still love them.

I also love lemons. One of my favourite fruits.

 

[FunkyChicken]

Nice to see the team reward Brown for solid play and him rewarding the team with a couple of points.

 

[VainGretzky]

Thankyou Bucky, I try. BTW, not a big fan of honey, but I love lemons. Maybe not by the mouthful, but I still love them.

I have 2 cars in my driveway you would love

 

[Drivesaitl]

I actually applaud the linesman. Since video introduced I am astonished by how many close calls they get right. Unlike referees. It's ridiculous to keep these reviews going. Supposed to be a sport with human emotion, interaction, and imperfect performance, not video or computer generated outcomes.

Yep. you captured that part of what I was saying. Great players make great zone entries in real time that are deemed close enough during play to be deemed onside. For 100yrs this worked fine and maybe there was only occasional instances where an obvious offside was missed. What the video replay does is totally alter everything and so that even the greatest players plays, that are at least close to onside are now nullified just because technology can, not because it improves the game or playing or viewing experience in any way. Worse the at home viewers and newer fans probably change the channel instead of waiting.

Hockey's value is being the fastest team sport around. Video review cancels out the best attribute of hockey. That and commercials

When they put in this offside ruling they had to have realized as well how much the glory of a goal in the moment is destroyed. Now everytime I see a goal I have to wait a bit before cheering because I don't know its being called back. Its kind of removed the glory of the goal scoring moment, and thats the biggest shame. Used to be absolute bedlam when a goal is scored. Now you'd see Bobby Orr diving historically after the goal review. heh

Nice to see the team reward Brown for solid play and him rewarding the team with a couple of points.

Connor Brown is working well and getting some nuts.

 

[RegDunlop]

Yep. you captured that part of what I was saying. Great players make great zone entries in real time that are deemed close enough during play to be deemed onside. For 100yrs this worked fine and maybe there was only occasional instances where an obvious offside was missed. What the video replay does is totally alter everything and so that even the greatest players plays, that are at least close to onside are now nullified just because technology can, not because it improves the game or playing or viewing experience in any way. Worse the at home viewers and newer fans probably change the channel instead of waiting.

Hockey's value is being the fastest team sport around. Video review cancels out the best attribute of hockey. That and commercials

When they put in this offside ruling they had to have realized as well how much the glory of a goal in the moment is destroyed. Now everytime I see a goal I have to wait a bit before cheering because I don't know its being called back. Its kind of removed the glory of the goal scoring moment, and thats the biggest shame. Used to be absolute bedlam when a goal is scored. Now you'd see Bobby Orr diving historically after the goal review. heh


Connor Brown is working well and getting some nuts.

It's really a bigger deal than I think the league will admit.
Officials have - in at least one media segment I've viewed - said that they have not called the play offside when it was a close call, since if there was any question, it would be challenged. Right there it shows that the rule influences their judgement and they lean one way. It's absurd.

As for the commercials, it's atrocious to me. You and I prob get to the same amount of games (few) but I actually cannot stand the extended comm break when all the players stand around.
I guess you'd adjust but I just can't fathom playing that way. To lose the adrenaline, momentum, and 'feel' in the game was thankfully nothing I've ever experienced when I played, due to TV!

 

[Stoneman89]

I have 2 cars in my driveway you would love

I just got rid of one, but thanks for the offer. Had a 2011 Range Rover Autobiography Supercharged SUV. Incredible vehicle but the old gal started breaking down about 3 years ago. Pretty much changed out all the suspension components, and last summer had to wait 2 months for a part from the UK. This summer was in the shop again for a replaced fuel pump, and then in October crapped out on me again with the timing belt going and then having to replace a cylinder. The repair cost far exceeded what I was going to sell it for, so I said adeu. The thoroughbreds always get you in the end. In hindsight, should have moved on 3 years ago, but c'est la vie. Now have 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, and it is very nice, with all the new innovations. Plus, I would expect any replacement parts to be readily available.

 

[Zerotonine]

Find it comical how everyone likes to point out how Skinner has a good game and solid stats for that said game.

We all know Skinner had potential and can be solid. The problem is consistency and it's a huge problem and unfortunately he is worse more then he is good. Which you can't continue to win a 7 game series with a streaky goalie over the long run which had been proven the past 2 seasons

 

[Drivesaitl]

Find it comical how everyone likes to point out how Skinner has a good game and solid stats for that said game.

We all know Skinner had potential and can be solid. The problem is consistency and it's a huge problem and unfortunately he is worse more then he is good. Which you can't continue to win a 7 game series with a streaky goalie over the long run which had been proven the past 2 seasons

Just to point out the Oilers allowed 5HDSC in the game, hardly anything. Yet it was 1GA 3goal posts, and another shot not going in because it hit Shaft of goalie stick. Skinner often in these one goal games is living charmed life. Charmed by playing behind a team that plays arguably the tightest game in the league in front of him, and that he has bestie friend goalposts on either side. I can't remember a goalie that gets the benefit of so many posts, and those pucks not going in.

Now Debrusk would say because he's only allowing post. But its just not the case. Theres often ample room.

The trouble is even in his 1G games theres enough to think he just got lucky.

I disagree about the consistency. Often the case is that some nights the same shots are going in. Last Night Sergachev beat Skinner 3X. From range. All those could've gone in.

 

[TheNumber4]

Find it comical how everyone likes to point out how Skinner has a good game and solid stats for that said game.

We all know Skinner had potential and can be solid. The problem is consistency and it's a huge problem and unfortunately he is worse more then he is good. Which you can't continue to win a 7 game series with a streaky goalie over the long run which had been proven the past 2 seasons

We don't all know the bolded. But we should.

We should also know that completely false statements like he never keeps it to under 3 goals a game is just plain wrong and inaccurate. But you keep saying it anyways.

But sure, the problem with an Average goalie paid to be below average, is consistency. We'd all like more consistency, but expecting perfect consistency doesn't even work with goalies paid 3 times what Skinner's paid. Maybe adjust your expectations and it'll lower your rage meter.

We won more 7 game series than any other team in the League except one last year. So you can say it's an "issue" based on your fee fees, the same fee fees that told you he NEVER keeps it to under 3 goals a game, but you'd be wrong. The results show you are wrong.

 

[Drivesaitl]

We don't all know the bolded. But we should.

We should also know that completely false statements like he never keeps it to under 3 goals a game is just plain wrong and inaccurate. But you keep saying it anyways.

But sure, the problem with an Average goalie paid to be below average, is consistency. We'd all like more consistency, but expecting perfect consistency doesn't even work with goalies paid 3 times what Skinner's paid. Maybe adjust your expectations and it'll lower your rage meter.

We won more 7 game series than any other team in the League except one last year. So you can say it's an "issue" based on your fee fees, the same fee fees that told you he NEVER keeps it to under 3 goals a game, but you'd be wrong. The results show you are wrong.

This attribution has virtually nothing to do with Skinner, except that he's there. This is an associative variable and in no way a causative one, and he nearly resulted in the playoffs being sunk At Vancouver. Not exactly a big iceberg.

 

[TheNumber4]

Just to point out the Oilers allowed 5HDSC in the game, hardly anything. Yet it was 1GA 3goal posts, and another shot not going in because it hit Shaft of goalie stick. Skinner often in these one goal games is living charmed life. Charmed by playing behind a team that plays arguably the tightest game in the league in front of him, and that he has bestie friend goalposts on either side. I can't remember a goalie that gets the benefit of so many posts, and those pucks not going in.

Now Debrusk would say because he's only allowing post. But its just not the case. Theres often ample room.

The trouble is even in his 1G games theres enough to think he just got lucky.

I disagree about the consistency. Often the case is that some nights the same shots are going in. Last Night Sergachev beat Skinner 3X. From range. All those could've gone in.

Oh the horror! 1GA! How will we ever win again.

I find it funny after a good game from Stu, you have to focus on hypotheticals to shit on him. Like what IF he didn't make that save, and what IF he didn't cover the net only exposing the posts.

Newsflash, none of that happened.

You know what did happen though, in the Anaheim game, Pickard let in an actual non-hypothetical bad goal. Actually TWO actual non-hypothetical bad goals. Yet, zero paragraphs written lol.

It's also possible that teams are telling their shooters to shoot around Stu, cause he rarely lets in goals THROUGH him. And thus they are left hitting the post trying to snipe top corners. Shooting on Pickard, a team might ask them to just get a shot on net, which works cause he let a wrist shot squeeze under his pad.

This attribution has virtually nothing to do with Skinner, except that he's there. This is an associative variable and in no way a causative one, and he nearly resulted in the playoffs being sunk At Vancouver. Not exactly a big iceberg.

Nearly. Oh no. And the Panthers nearly committed the worst choke job in Cup history. But in reality, none of that happened. In reality we got 99.7% of the way to a Cup with Stu/Picks tandem in net.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Oh the horror! 1GA! How will we ever win again.

I find it funny after a good game from Stu, you have to focus on hypotheticals to shit on him. Like what IF he didn't make that save, and what IF he didn't cover the net only exposing the posts.

Newsflash, none of that happened.

You know what did happen though, in the Anaheim game, Pickard let in an actual non-hypothetical bad goal. Actually TWO actual non-hypothetical bad goals. Yet, zero paragraphs written lol.

It's also possible that teams are telling their shooters to shoot around Stu, cause he rarely lets in goals THROUGH him. And thus they are left hitting the post trying to snipe top corners. Shooting on Pickard, a team might ask them to just get a shot on net, which works cause he let a wrist shot squeeze under his pad.


Nearly. Oh no. And the Panthers nearly committed the worst choke job in Cup history. But in reality, none of that happened. In reality we got 99.7% of the way to a Cup with Stu/Picks tandem in net.

You really seem to get worked up about this sort of thing.

Yeah, opponent coaches are telling their players to miss net on Skinner and to completely whiff on the one timers that are staring at empty net. haha

Oh the horror! 1GA! How will we ever win again.

I find it funny after a good game from Stu, you have to focus on hypotheticals to shit on him. Like what IF he didn't make that save, and what IF he didn't cover the net only exposing the posts.

Newsflash, none of that happened.

You know what did happen though, in the Anaheim game, Pickard let in an actual non-hypothetical bad goal. Actually TWO actual non-hypothetical bad goals. Yet, zero paragraphs written lol.

It's also possible that teams are telling their shooters to shoot around Stu, cause he rarely lets in goals THROUGH him. And thus they are left hitting the post trying to snipe top corners. Shooting on Pickard, a team might ask them to just get a shot on net, which works cause he let a wrist shot squeeze under his pad.


Nearly. Oh no. And the Panthers nearly committed the worst choke job in Cup history. But in reality, none of that happened. In reality we got 99.7% of the way to a Cup with Stu/Picks tandem in net.

Reality is we needed 7 games and last minutes of game to get a narrow win against sad sack Nuts because Skinner shit the bed in multiple games and we needed Pickard to save us and redirect. Reality includes timeline and how events occurred.

 

[TheNumber4]

You really seem to get worked up about this sort of thing.

Yeah, opponent coaches are telling their players to miss net on Skinner and to completely whiff on the one timers that are staring at empty net. haha


Reality is we needed 7 games and last minutes of game to get a narrow win against sad sack Nuts because Skinner shit the bed in multiple games and we needed Pickard to save us and redirect. Reality includes timeline and how events occurred.

I'm the one worked up? And you write essays on Stu, no matter a good game or not lol OKAY THERE.

Opponent coaches may be telling their shooters too look for lateral oppurtunities (you wouldn't against Stu?). Opponent shooters may also be left with picking top corners cause Stu when his game is on, covers alot of net with his big body and solid positioning. Both of those strategies lead to what you deem as "luck" for Stu, missed one timer opportunities off forced passes, and goal posts being hit due to solid positioning.

Reality is we won 3 series with Stu/Picks in net. Won one decisively against an underrated Kings team, won one closely against a team that had our number all year and has a chip on their shoulders trying to prove something every time they play us, and beat a powerhouse Stars team in series that could have gone either way if not for Stu's Game 6 and Game 1 performance outplaying Oettinger the whole way through. Oh and took a powerhouse Panthers team farther than any other team could muster. We took them to the limit and 1 goal/1 save was the difference. In short, the reality is we had an amazing chance of winning the cup last year with this tandem and that played out in the results.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I'm the one worked up? And you write essays on Stu, no matter a good game or not lol OKAY THERE.

Opponent coaches may be telling their shooters too look for lateral oppurtunities (you wouldn't against Stu?). Opponent shooters may also be left with picking top corners cause Stu when his game is on, covers alot of net with his big body and solid positioning. Both of those strategies lead to what you deem as "luck" for Stu, missed one timer opportunities off forced passes, and goal posts being hit due to solid positioning.

Reality is we won 3 series with Stu/Picks in net. Won one decisively against an underrated Kings team, won one closely against a team that had our number all year and has a chip on their shoulders trying to prove something every time they play us, and beat a powerhouse Stars team in series that could have gone either way if not for Stu's Game 6 and Game 1 performance outplaying Oettinger the whole way through. Oh and took a powerhouse Panthers team farther than any other team could muster. We took them to the limit and 1 goal/1 save was the difference. In short, the reality is we had an amazing chance of winning the cup last year with this tandem and that played out in the results.

Stu does get me going a bit. But no gnashing of teeth I assure you. There is some butt clenching during games if you want me to get graphic.

jk Skinner is one of the easier goalies to solve post in as he gives up a lot of room there. Also a lot on ice even with his poor butterfly. The one aspect Skinner has really improved on is his blocker. Blocker high is not an easy one if he spots the shot. He's used his blocker well but yesterday got the luck of the shaft on one. One of the things the Oilers have really done excellently is not allow shots from point to get through. Those were always tracking puck challenges for Stew. Well placed shots go in. He still has trouble looking through screens, more than he should at his height.

 

[TheNumber4]

Stu does get me going a bit. But no gnashing of teeth I assure you. There is some butt clenching during games if you want me to get graphic.

jk Skinner is one of the easier goalies to solve post in as he gives up a lot of room there. Also a lot on ice even with his poor butterfly. The one aspect Skinner has really improved on is his blocker. Blocker high is not an easy one if he spots the shot. He's used his blocker well but yesterday got the luck of the shaft on one. One of the things the Oilers have really done excellently is not allow shots from point to get through. Those were always tracking puck challenges for Stew. Well placed shots go in. He still has trouble looking through screens, more than he should at his height.

Well the most volatile and easiest to scapegoat position in the game will do that lol. Only need to look at HF Rangers to see that, and they have the "best goalie in the world."

Stu's an average goaltender. He's paid like one, he performs like one, it is what it is. And with that, there will be pros and cons in his game. This place acts like he's the worst goalie who's ever laced em up in this League, and yet there's no evidence of it. You can pick out some negatives in his game, a lack of lateral movement and athleticism, but I can tell you, just logically and reasonably there's no way he gets to average if there aren't positives in his game as well. But you'll never hear those positives here on HF Oil. For example, he really doesn't let muffin soft shots in THROUGH HIM, despite the narrative, which are amongst the worse goals a goalie can give up. Will he get burned at a slightly higher rate on cross crease one tees, yes, but the goals that really kill a team, a soft muffin through his body, where he'd be 100% to blame, he's solid on those. Which is why if you can defend well and not give up clown show chances against, you'll get good performances from him.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Well the most volatile and easiest to scapegoat position in the game will do that lol. Only need to look at HF Rangers to see that, and they have the "best goalie in the world."

Stu's an average goaltender. He's paid like one, he performs like one, it is what it is. And with that, there will be pros and cons in his game. This place acts like he's the worst goalie who's ever laced em up in this League, and yet there's no evidence of it. You can pick out some negatives in his game, a lack of lateral movement and athleticism, but I can tell you, just logically and reasonably there's no way he gets to average if there aren't positives in his game as well. But you'll never hear those positives here on HF Oil. For example, he really doesn't let muffin soft shots in THROUGH HIM, despite the narrative, which are amongst the worse goals a goalie can give up. Will he get burned at a slightly higher rate on cross crease one tees, yes, but the goals that really kill a team, a soft muffin through his body, where he'd be 100% to blame, he's solid on those. Which is why if you can defend well and not give up clown show chances against, you'll get good performances from him.

Below average goaltender.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Well the most volatile and easiest to scapegoat position in the game will do that lol. Only need to look at HF Rangers to see that, and they have the "best goalie in the world."

Stu's an average goaltender. He's paid like one, he performs like one, it is what it is. And with that, there will be pros and cons in his game. This place acts like he's the worst goalie who's ever laced em up in this League, and yet there's no evidence of it. You can pick out some negatives in his game, a lack of lateral movement and athleticism, but I can tell you, just logically and reasonably there's no way he gets to average if there aren't positives in his game as well. But you'll never hear those positives here on HF Oil. For example, he really doesn't let muffin soft shots in THROUGH HIM, despite the narrative, which are amongst the worse goals a goalie can give up. Will he get burned at a slightly higher rate on cross crease one tees, yes, but the goals that really kill a team, a soft muffin through his body, where he'd be 100% to blame, he's solid on those. Which is why if you can defend well and not give up clown show chances against, you'll get good performances from him.

He's paid MORE than Logan Thompson who has a higher pedigree, much higher upside, drastically better fundamentals, and is rocking it in Washington. Sizzling stat line across the board and a sexy 15-2 record and earning it. Just as example.

I love goalies. But good goalies. Skinner is not that. he just frustrates with his inability and slacker attitude to getting better.

 

[Stoneman89]

Below average goaltender.

He certainly has the stats of a below average goalie this year, but he is trending upwards. He had a horrible start once again this year, and same thing with the trending upwards. I give him some slack last year, as Campbell unexpectedly shit the bed, and Stu was thrust into the starter role. This year, and especially after the cup run, I thought he'd come in with a lot more confidence and try to have a really good year. But unfortunately, like the rest of the team, he came in with the crushing mental anchor of coming so close to hoisting the cup and having it snatched away, that it took a good month and a half to finally turn the corner. Still is way too inconsistent for my liking, and I am not crazy of his side to side mobility and losing sight of the puck at times, but there are things to like for sure. Hopefully he can continue to work on his weaknesses and try to even out his game more.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Find it comical how everyone likes to point out how Skinner has a good game and solid stats for that said game.

We all know Skinner had potential and can be solid. The problem is consistency and it's a huge problem and unfortunately he is worse more then he is good. Which you can't continue to win a 7 game series with a streaky goalie over the long run which had been proven the past 2 seasons

There isn't a goaltender available that is better or more consistent than Skinner so we're going to ride Skinner until we either win the cup or get eliminated.

The haters are just screaming into the void