Pre-Game Talk: Decisions Decisions Decisions v2.0

[brentashton]

I don’t see “two straight win” fortitude being in this gang’s make up. I say that because although they can get it in spurts, they don’t seem able to demonstrate it on a sustained, consistent level.

Maybe 20 guys will prove me wrong this weekend.



Maybe.

 

[joestevens29]

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

Think he meant if Pickard started series, we would've won it by now.

I don’t see “two straight win” fortitude being in this gang’s make up. I say that because although they can get it in spurts, they don’t seem able to demonstrate it on a sustained, consistent level.

Maybe 20 guys will prove me wrong this weekend.



Maybe.

For me we've been the better team 4 out of 5 games so i can see us winning two in a row, but they need to want it

 

[brentashton]

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

I interpreted that to mean with Pickard in for the start of the series, the Oilers would have already wrapped up the series. Early tending by Skinner lost those key games when the Oilers dominated the play.

 

[frag2]

Finally sit Ceci, I love Perry, but swap him for Gagner and go push it to 7

We have a better chance winning the cup than that happening...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Both Foegele and Ceci have deserved a trip to the press box.
McLeod and Perry aren't far behind, but I'll give them at least give them some credit for a) rock-solid defence as a centre, and b) at least being involved in scrums and helping keep Evander's emotions in check. Though I do hate those two as a combo as they play the game in polar opposite ways.

Nurse should be in this conversation too, but 1) he's improved since he got away from Ceci; and 2) they don't have a replacement for him.


I'd imagine Henrique is back next game, even if it's with all the painkillers. If not, I'd go Gags or even Carrick. In any case, McLovin can take a seat.

Henrique/Gags/Carrick-McLeod-Perry
Janmark-Ryan-Brown

The 4th line's been solid, so they can pick up the defensive slack. Though I'd also be fine swapping Brown and Perry.

I'd like Stecher to get in, but I get the feeling something's going on there. Even then, give me Nurse covering for Broberg in 3rd pairing minutes, vs. the abomination that the 25-5 have been.


Ekholm-Bouchard
Kulak-Vinny
Broberg-Nurse / Nurse-Stecher

 

[russ99]

Shot metrics don't mean jack if they can't shoot.

This is the biggest issue, other than game 3, defense has been pretty good, as good as expected with this player group and obvious shortcomings. And Pickard has been good enough in net to win.

The elephant in the room: How does this team, as 12-man forward group, play their shifts like the Janmark goal, unafraid on entry, maintain possession under pressure and physical opposition, get to tough areas then relentless on forecheck keeping the puck until that offensive zone pressure leads to a goal?

Look at those "down 3 games" references at the top of the thread, pretty much all of them are defined by persevering by the above.

We're too cute, peeling off when we have an chance on breaks, trying to pass the puck into the net looking for the pretty shot or deferring back to the point. Old habits die hard.

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

He means to oil would have won already I think

 

[McBigYak]

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

I think he means it is over as in the Oilers have advanced already, which is a compliment to Pickard not an insult.

 

[GMofOilers]

This is the point of the series our previous disappointments over take the Canucks no experience.

Canucks have no idea how hard it’s going to be to close out the series. They are in for a shock

 

[frag2]

Shot metrics don't mean jack if they can't shoot.

This is the biggest issue, other than game 3, defense has been pretty good, as good as expected with this player group and obvious shortcomings. And Pickard has been good enough in net to win.

The elephant in the room: How does this team, as 12-man forward group, play their shifts like the Janmark goal, unafraid on entry, maintain possession under pressure and physical opposition, get to tough areas then relentless on forecheck keeping the puck until that offensive zone pressure leads to a goal?

Look at those "down 3 games" references at the top of the thread, pretty much all of them are defined by persevering by the above.

We're too cute, peeling off when we have an chance on breaks, trying to pass the puck into the net looking for the pretty shot or deferring back to the point. Old habits die hard.

Must be our water lol

 

[Canovin]

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

Like others have said. Had we started Pickard, the Oilers would have won by now. 4-0

 

[joestevens29]

Like others have said. Had we started Pickard, the Oilers would have won by now. 4-0

In all fairness the amount of negativity around here sometimes I can see why one might think it's a negative comment and jump on a guy

 

[brentashton]

In all fairness the amount of negativity around here sometimes I can see why one might think it's a negative comment and jump on a guy

You - I like your comment, man!

Others respond - f*** you, what do you mean by that?

 

[oilers4life5]

I am not worried. Gary’s game managers who decide who they want to win. Also we have to decide if we are going to shoot ourselves in the foot.

So many issues with team last night, and not a single one of them were Pickard. Like what?

He means we would have won already.

 

[Ibanez]

I don’t see “two straight win” fortitude being in this gang’s make up. I say that because although they can get it in spurts, they don’t seem able to demonstrate it on a sustained, consistent level.

Maybe 20 guys will prove me wrong this weekend.



Maybe.

Pray for the best. Prepare for the worst

Nothing this team does screams Stanley cup caliber.

McDavid seems to be the best in the world in the reg season but doesn’t always show up when it matters in the playoffs. Happened against the knights last year too.

We wait. Mentally I’m already done though. Sucks.

Wife last night. “You’re calm”. Yup. Ain’t nobody got time for these types of efforts

 

[FunkyChicken]

Pickard stays. To risky to start Skinner in an elimination game.
Stetcher for Ceci. Pair with Nurse.
Perry out. Henrique, if able. Carrick is option 2. I don't like Gagner against the big Vancouver D, but he would be option 3.

Kane Drai Holloway
*Henrique/RNH McDavid Hyman
Janmark DR Brown
Foegele McLeod RNH/Carrick

Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Stetcher
Kulak Desjarnais

Pickard

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Pickard stays. To risky to start Skinner in an elimination game.
Stetcher for Ceci. Pair with Nurse.
Perry out. Henrique, if able. Carrick is option 2. I don't like Gagner against the big Vancouver D, but he would be option 3.

Kane Drai Holloway
*Henrique/RNH McDavid Hyman
Janmark DR Brown
Foegele McLeod RNH/Carrick

Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Stetcher
Kulak Desjarnais

Pickard

You gotta play Mcdavid with Drai.

 

[BlackDogg]

Pray for the best. Prepare for the worst

Nothing this team does screams Stanley cup caliber.

McDavid seems to be the best in the world in the reg season but doesn’t always show up when it matters in the playoffs. Happened against the knights last year too.

We wait. Mentally I’m already done though. Sucks.

Wife last night. “You’re calm”. Yup. Ain’t nobody got time for these types of efforts

I actually shut it off after the Canuck goal. When McDavid basically isn't playing, you are just wasting your nerves.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

The core thought it was more important to have friendship on the team over an actual upgrade so they partly deserve this result. This series has been exactly like the Vegas series hyman completely disappears nuge disappears Bouchard making dumb crucial mistakes causing back breaking goals and McDavid fading as the series prolongs. McDavid is playing like a regular first liner instead of the best player in the league and this is the result. They got their shit pushed in the second period last night and seemingly nothing was said during intermission to change their approach. If Demko had been healthy this is probably another Winnipeg series result.

 

[McBigYak]

The core thought it was more important to have friendship on the team over an actual upgrade so they partly deserve this result. This series has been exactly like the Vegas series hyman completely disappears nuge disappears Bouchard making dumb crucial mistakes causing back breaking goals and McDavid fading as the series prolongs. McDavid is playing like a regular first liner instead of the best player in the league and this is the result. They got their shit pushed in the second period last night and seemingly nothing was said during intermission to change their approach. If Demko had been healthy this is probably another Winnipeg series result.

To be fair Bouchard had a rough game but he has been unbelievably good in these playoffs. He is a high event player and is bound to have a game like this the odd time.

I give him the biggest pass out of all the stars.

 

[Ibanez]

To be fair Bouchard had a rough game but he has been unbelievably good in these playoffs. He is a high event player and is bound to have a game like this the odd time.

I give him the biggest pass out of all the stars.

It was a gaffe but yeah we shouldnt be crapping on bouch. He’s been amazing.

 

[elmeroil]

I wonder if Mcdavid and Drai will end up like the Sharks team that was good in the reg season but never got it done. Man it's hard to win it all, 2nd and 3rd round might be the ceiling. It's a shame but it's reality.

 

[oil Leaks]

Stecher for Ceci
Henrique for McLeod or Foegele. Leaning towards McLeod cause he brings nothing to the table other than skating fast, Foegele at least will go to the corner.
Gagner for Perry

Bottom 6 and d pairing
McLeod or Foegele-Henrique-Gagner
Janmark-Ryan-Brown

Nurse-Stecher

 

[CycloneSweep]

This series is already over in my mind and I am trying to think on how we right this ship and take one last swing at the cup next year.

This series is playing out exactly like the series against Vegas. Vegas winning games 1,3,5 Oilers winning 2 and 4. And then game 6 Edmonton just gets spanked.

We again go into a game 6 with exhausted stars and too many passengers.
If McDrai are to ever win a cup they can't be out of gas in the second round.

 

[BIeucheeseWithWings]

Honestly, McDavid just seemed so emotionless during the post game. I don't catch much Oilers games, but is he always like that?

Dude has zero bass in his voice.