Pre-Game Talk: Series Discussion: WC Qualifier - Edmonton Oilers (5) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (12)

[Fourier]

McDavids advantage on the PP doesn't come into effect for a line against line comparison

All I am doing is a line against line comparison, pp is an entirely different beast

Ok...

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[TB12]

Kass has the playoff chops going. Oilers in 3

 

[SK13]

The sooner we get all these teams into the bubble, the more likely this will actually happen.

Great to see McDrai, Nurse and Kass all here.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Blackhawks will have deHaan back, which bolsters their defense. Plus their coaching staff will have had a few months to analyze the Oilers PP. Hopefully Tippett and staff learn the lesson from the Capitals decade of playoffs futility and develop plans B, C, D, and E for PP set-ups. It wasn't until Oshie and Kuznetsov joined the unit to take pressure off go to plays A (Ovechkin one-timer) and B (Green/Carlson shot) that Washington found consistent playoff success with their top-rated regular season PP.

I think the wildcard is what version of Crawford will show up. The playoffs hero of successful seasons past or the guy that tanked (or almost tanked) a few playoffs series and required the Blackhawks to bring in a good back-up? This year they traded away that option in Lehner so all the pressure remains on Crawford.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Kass has the playoff chops going. Oilers in 3

It means 1 Black Hawk is marked for death.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

Calgary Flambes
New Jersey Deviledeggs
Carolina Candycanes
Las Vegas Golden Arches

Jeepers, this is turning into a game.

Columbus Sugar Packets
Arizona Diabetes

Idk... I'm reaching lol

 

[McTonyBrar]

Blackhawks will have deHaan back, which bolsters their defense. Plus their coaching staff will have had a few months to analyze the Oilers PP. Hopefully Tippett and staff learn the lesson from the Capitals decade of playoffs futility and develop plans B, C, D, and E for PP set-ups. It wasn't until Oshie and Kuznetsov joined the unit to take pressure off go to plays A (Ovechkin one-timer) and B (Green/Carlson shot) that Washington found consistent playoff success with their top-rated regular season PP.

I think the wildcard is what version of Crawford will show up. The playoffs hero of successful seasons past or the guy that tanked (or almost tanked) a few playoffs series and required the Blackhawks to bring in a good back-up? This year they traded away that option in Lehner so all the pressure remains on Crawford.

I hardly think their coaching staff got together during Covid to analyze our PP

 

[Not Canada Drai]

Who will be our starter?

 

[Soundwave]

Who will be our starter?

I think it will be Smith based on experience, but if he doesn't start hot, it goes straight back to Koskinen.

 

[Consultant]

Koskinen starts, we win he keeps playing, if we lose game 1, or go down in games 1-2 Smith comes in as the big curve ball/ momentum disrupter, we are a different team with each goalie.

 

[Cloned]

Who will be our starter?

Depends. Are we gunning for Lafreniere?

 

[Not Canada Drai]

Depends. Are we gunning for Lafreniere?

Where's Ty Conklin at these days am I right?

 

[Cloned]

Where's Ty Conklin at these days am I right?

Sign MAB to a contract, quick!

 

[Not Canada Drai]

Sign MAB to a contract, quick!

Spoiler: May Cause PTSD, Medical Professional Assessing Injured Man Wearing Protective Gear On Frozen Surface (2006)

I just realized the net camera is looking on in horror as well.

 

[Cloned]

Spoiler: May Cause PTSD, Medical Professional Assessing Injured Man Wearing Protective Gear On Frozen Surface (2006)

The odd time when I can't like one of your posts.

 

[Frank the Tank]

I hardly think their coaching staff got together during Covid to analyze our PP

Blackhawks’ Jeremy Colliton hopes to use time before playoffs wisely, improving systems and scouting Oilers

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Am I at all disputing that McDavid is a substantially better player? They both have a similar xGF but McDavid being the better player gets much better results out if it because he is much more skilled. The numbers back up that McDavid is a better player. I haven't once said Toews is better or close, my exact words is "McDavid has a very good advantage over Toews". My argument is that Toews has substantially better wingers and they even the lines out.
This goes with the constant theme here that McDavid needs better wingers.
I give you a hint on the one I'm doing with the second line ...*hint ours is miles better*

Toews is more likely to be matched against the Draisaitl line.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

While Kassian looked good in that series against San Jose at times, I don't think 'playoff Kassian' should be a thing.

Dude has 3 points in 21 playoff games.

You admitted how intimidating it was lining up in the OHL against physical forces.

You don't think the D will be thinking twice when Kassian is chasing them into the corner? He does alot more than just score points.

 

[duul]

You admitted how intimidating it was lining up in the OHL against physical forces.

You don't think the D will be thinking twice when Kassian is chasing them into the corner? He does alot more than just score points.

I never played in the OHL, but yes ... you're right, he does provide more than points. However, was he really way more physical in the playoffs than he was in the regular season? I'm not sure.

I took the poster's comment as Zack Kassian becoming a better producer in the playoffs because of his San Jose series. That's all, and perhaps that was a mistake on my part. I think he is a valuable piece for a playoff team for sure, but I don't think he necessarily becomes a significantly better player in them.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

I never played in the OHL, but yes ... you're right, he does provide more than points. However, was he really way more physical in the playoffs than he was in the regular season? I'm not sure.

I took the poster's comment as Zack Kassian becoming a better producer in the playoffs because of his San Jose series. That's all, and perhaps that was a mistake on my part. I think he is a valuable piece for a playoff team for sure, but I don't think he necessarily becomes a significantly better player in them.

I think he becomes more valuable because of wearing a team out, and more is let go in the playoffs.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

You admitted how intimidating it was lining up in the OHL against physical forces.

You don't think the D will be thinking twice when Kassian is chasing them into the corner? He does alot more than just score points.

Depending on how the games are called, playoff Kassian might be penalty box Kassian. Let's hope they give him some leash but after the two suspensions this year he might not fly under the radar too much. We will see.

 

[Samus44]

Blackhawks will have deHaan back, which bolsters their defense. Plus their coaching staff will have had a few months to analyze the Oilers PP. Hopefully Tippett and staff learn the lesson from the Capitals decade of playoffs futility and develop plans B, C, D, and E for PP set-ups. It wasn't until Oshie and Kuznetsov joined the unit to take pressure off go to plays A (Ovechkin one-timer) and B (Green/Carlson shot) that Washington found consistent playoff success with their top-rated regular season PP.

I think the wildcard is what version of Crawford will show up. The playoffs hero of successful seasons past or the guy that tanked (or almost tanked) a few playoffs series and required the Blackhawks to bring in a good back-up? This year they traded away that option in Lehner so all the pressure remains on Crawford.

I think the Oilers PP is so good because they don't rely on set plays and can make scoring plays from every place on the ice. They have three terrific players (McDavid, Draisaitl, Hopkins) that can all make all world shots and passes, the hockey sense to get open, the feet to create time and space, and use different primary skills to attack. McDavid's also an auto zone entry. Chiasson and Neal are a couple of strong net front players, who only have to do that ONE job, and have different ways of acheiving that. Klefbom does a great job keeping it simple and has all the skills needed from a PP QB even if they aren't elite. I think Yamamoto, Bear, Green, Nurse, and perhaps even Benson are also viable alternatives who could come in if injuries strike and without rocking the boat too much.

The Hawks are certainly capable of upsetting the Oilers and any PP can get cold but I think the Oilers have more top end skill and better depth. The goaltending for me is more of a question on the Oilers side, it could either be a massive advantage or their undoing. The Oilers may be lacking a top 6 winger, a 3C, and a true #1 D but they also have a surplus of top end talent with 3 elite players up front and reasonable fill in's. Obviously Nuge and Yamamoto have them covered it's just whether two of Kassian, Ennis, Athanasiou, Nygard, or even Benson can step up. If you aren't going to have a sure thing it sure is nice to have options which Tippett has. The Center position is actually a strength due to the top end talent available (McDavid-Draisaitl, Nuge if needed) and a strong checking specialist (Sheahan). And just like with the wingers depth has at least provided them with the advantage of multiple options (Haas, Kharia, Athanasiou, Granlund?). Unfortunately Cave would've been a solid option as well (RIP). I also believe the PK has a deep list of options with the only real weakness being a lack of strong faceoff options outside Sheahan and Draisaitl.