McDrai
Registered User
- Mar 29, 2009
- 24,115
- 18,628
I think I should throw a temper tantrum more often after an Oilers loss! I saw a replay of the game and all I have to say is wtf was that team we saw yesterday? Night and day difference from the season opener. That was one of the best games I've seen from McDavid. He made something happen nearly every shift and you could just tell he was feeling it all night long. Drai also had a sneaky good night setting up players with his excellent passing ability. RNH also had a great game. No real flash with him but he was in the right place at the right time and he seemed to be all around the net. He's really changed his game from a few years ago when he was strictly a perimeter player and refused to go to the dirty areas. I think he knows that he doesn't have to be that overly skilled player who has to dangle or skate past everyone. He has been able to simplify his game on the wing and just get to the right spots to be fed by his linemates.
Yamamoto is one of if not my favorite players. He reminds me of a Gallagher type of player as his motor just never stops and is relentless on the forecheck. Great play by him on the last goal, forcing an error and feeding RNH. One critique I have of Yamamoto is just learning to not take those offensive zone penalties. I know relentless forechecking is his thing but I think if he dials it back just a tad he will find himself in the box a lpt less.
I was also impressed by Puljujarvi. Although he did not show up on the scoresheet I did notice his compete level is a lot better and he is also tenacious on the forecheck like Yamamoto. If you're getting 7 shots on net some nights the goals will come. I noticed some people want to move him up to the first line but I think it would be best to keep him on the 3rd line vs lesser competition and so that he can finally develop a familiarity with his linemates. I didn't notice many of the other forwards...Turris made some nice plays defensively and is a welcomed addition on the PK. I do agree with others who have stated that Khaira and Chiasson should be moved to the taxi squad. We have other players who could do a better job in those spots.
The defense was OK. We seem to have a pretty big issue with point shots that find their way through multiple bodies and seem to be tipped a lot. We need to bring more pressure up top so that the opposing defense doesn't have time to get that shot off. I was probably impressed the most with Koekkoek. Some good shot blocks and just seems very calm and composed in the defensive zone. Didn't notice Barrie too much and was kind of just "there" on the PP, filling that Klefbom role lol. Was hoping for more from him, specifically on the PP but I think he just sees the skill of McDrai and just figures he can pass to them and let them work their magic.
Nurse, Jones, and Larsson didn't look too good to me eye. I saw some blunders made by all of them. If Bouchard had the ability to play LD he would be an upgrade on Jones at the moment, in my opinion.
Koskinen was a lot better this game and I saw athleticism from him that I don't usually see. He was not giving up on pucks and was tracking pretty well. I think he should work on the long shots with a bunch of bodies in front of him in practice. He seems to struggle with those point shots with a bunch of traffic in front, which he shouldn't have too much problems with considering his height. Good game by him though and that's what we need more of if we want to do some damage in the division.
In summary, that was a great bounce back game and hopefully the Oilers can put up more consistent performances such as that one in the future.
Yamamoto is one of if not my favorite players. He reminds me of a Gallagher type of player as his motor just never stops and is relentless on the forecheck. Great play by him on the last goal, forcing an error and feeding RNH. One critique I have of Yamamoto is just learning to not take those offensive zone penalties. I know relentless forechecking is his thing but I think if he dials it back just a tad he will find himself in the box a lpt less.
I was also impressed by Puljujarvi. Although he did not show up on the scoresheet I did notice his compete level is a lot better and he is also tenacious on the forecheck like Yamamoto. If you're getting 7 shots on net some nights the goals will come. I noticed some people want to move him up to the first line but I think it would be best to keep him on the 3rd line vs lesser competition and so that he can finally develop a familiarity with his linemates. I didn't notice many of the other forwards...Turris made some nice plays defensively and is a welcomed addition on the PK. I do agree with others who have stated that Khaira and Chiasson should be moved to the taxi squad. We have other players who could do a better job in those spots.
The defense was OK. We seem to have a pretty big issue with point shots that find their way through multiple bodies and seem to be tipped a lot. We need to bring more pressure up top so that the opposing defense doesn't have time to get that shot off. I was probably impressed the most with Koekkoek. Some good shot blocks and just seems very calm and composed in the defensive zone. Didn't notice Barrie too much and was kind of just "there" on the PP, filling that Klefbom role lol. Was hoping for more from him, specifically on the PP but I think he just sees the skill of McDrai and just figures he can pass to them and let them work their magic.
Nurse, Jones, and Larsson didn't look too good to me eye. I saw some blunders made by all of them. If Bouchard had the ability to play LD he would be an upgrade on Jones at the moment, in my opinion.
Koskinen was a lot better this game and I saw athleticism from him that I don't usually see. He was not giving up on pucks and was tracking pretty well. I think he should work on the long shots with a bunch of bodies in front of him in practice. He seems to struggle with those point shots with a bunch of traffic in front, which he shouldn't have too much problems with considering his height. Good game by him though and that's what we need more of if we want to do some damage in the division.
In summary, that was a great bounce back game and hopefully the Oilers can put up more consistent performances such as that one in the future.
Last edited:
he's also a good penalty killer
