Is the bottom 6 really the issue during this slump.

[bone]

Interesting thought came to mind after seeing a Willis tweet today, but looking at this slump, it's starting to look like the Oilers without either of McDrai are closing the gap.

At Even Strength, McDrai is -2, McDavid (no Drai) -2, Drai (no Connor) -6, and with neither -4.

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Still not great, but it's starting look like the depth players at even strength are starting to get better. In fact over the last 10 games, the Oilers are +2 (55.6%) when neither are on the ice and shockingly -9 with Draisaitl on the ice (Connor is even without Drai).

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

The issue really is that the PP has dried up completely while the PK has completely fallen apart. The good news is that if the bottom 6 are able to stay close to a 50% goal share, once McDrai (especially Draisaitl) break out of this quasi-slump of theirs and the PP gets going, the team could make a real run. Especially if they stop the leaking on the PK.

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[AddyTheWrath]

Stupid mistakes has been the biggest reason for this slump (plus rotten/inopportune special teams) and I honestly think a lot of it is psychological. Who knows whether that’s because of goaltending or just general frustration though.

How many games have we been tied / leading recently where we just completely fold in the 3rd? Seems like a new thing because that was never really a huge issue under Tippett before.

 

[bone]

Stupid mistakes has been the biggest reason for this slump (plus rotten/inopportune special teams) and I honestly think a lot of it is psychological. Who knows whether that’s because of goaltending or just general frustration though.

How many games have we been tied / leading recently where we just completely fold in the 3rd? Seems like a new thing because that was never really a huge issue under Tippett before.

100% agree. I'm just pleasantly surprised to see it's not just the bottom 6 sinking us with the stupid mistakes leading to poor even strength play. That and 10 goals in 10 games without McDrai on the ice is actually pretty good considering one of them are on the ice about 60% of the game. So here's hoping the bottom half of the roster can keep it going once the Special Teams recover and McDrai return to being what they are.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

No it's not that the bottom six is the problem.

It's the front office that's bottom six in the league that's the problem.

 

[SwedishFire]

If bottom 6 has a close to 50% goal share with top6, then they are elite! Their icetime is close to half in compare!

Very impressive!
I think Dave realised he was an asshole to a lot of he bottom 6ers, and gave them a boost instead.

Whwn Oilers where hot, their PP was a insane, like 90%. When loosing its close to reverse. Oilers where never hreat at 5 vs 5 scoring even under the hot streak

 

[Stoneman89]

Interesting thought came to mind after seeing a Willis tweet today, but looking at this slump, it's starting to look like the Oilers without either of McDrai are closing the gap.

At Even Strength, McDrai is -2, McDavid (no Drai) -2, Drai (no Connor) -6, and with neither -4.

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Still not great, but it's starting look like the depth players at even strength are starting to get better. In fact over the last 10 games, the Oilers are +2 (55.6%) when neither are on the ice and shockingly -9 with Draisaitl on the ice (Connor is even without Drai).

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

The issue really is that the PP has dried up completely while the PK has completely fallen apart. The good news is that if the bottom 6 are able to stay close to a 50% goal share, once McDrai (especially Draisaitl) break out of this quasi-slump of theirs and the PP gets going, the team could make a real run. Especially if they stop the leaking on the PK.

Ask Matty. He knows everything.