Post-Game Talk: Sleepy Oilers have rotten soup

[CycloneSweep]

Highly predictable result.

- afternoon game
- playing our masters, the Dallas Stars
- Jamie Benn loves having us as his bitches

Said this earlier, Kulak needs to be bumped down to the bottom pairing. He's starting to sink a bit. Problem is, there is really no one to move into his spot at this point.

Yep. This team has a massive gap on the second pairing and Bouchards game will suffer for it too.

Outcome was expected but how it happened was gross.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yeah the defense needs work. Everyone knows that. It’s underperforming relative to expectations as well

@CantHaveTkachev point was that them counting on Logan Thompson to keep up his performance is risky, and it is. He could easily start to fall back and they have no fallback option.

The VGK were going to be a playoff team, no one should have expected otherwise

Yep. Teams can fall off sometimes for a year and the Knights had a lot of trouble getting traction last season and looked tired. In reality over the period since their inception that team has played a lot of games. They had a long offseason and are fresh this year along with a full year to work in new players.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Vegas is 8 points up on us, we have a game in hand, and have SEVENTY games left to play.

It doesn't matter how much runway there is. This team looks content to be handily over ,500 and just hanging around. This isn't the roster that can play hard every night and its a team very predicated on a handful of players getting it done. When one or more of those don't show up its as good as a loss. I really thought the team would enter a diffferent phase this year and play like a first place club but I'm starting to wonder.

When I had hoped for more I was expecting that we would be getting more out of Holloway, have Virtanen or Janmark in lineup, and a modicum of production from guys like Pulju.

Its interesting that Ryan Murray is already being scratched multiple games. He's too bad to even be out on the ice. We needed to be very careful with cap spending this offseason as not enough of it around. We needed help in goaltending and at least one bonafide forward coming in. Instead we reupped Yama and Pulju and got duds like Murray.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I always remember this long read on The Athletic about Campbell (for those who subscribe) and his road to the NHL - How Jack Campbell was saved on his way to the Maple Leafs.

Hard not to cheer for him to eventually turn it around, and I'm hopeful that he still will do so.

paywall. What is the article about?

 

[CycloneSweep]

I always remember this long read on The Athletic about Campbell (for those who subscribe) and his road to the NHL - How Jack Campbell was saved on his way to the Maple Leafs.

Hard not to cheer for him to eventually turn it around, and I'm hopeful that he still will do so.

This just really really makes it obvious that we need to get rid of Schwartz. Campbell is a guy who needs the right kind of goalie coach to get him out of funks and Schwartz is the worst goalie coach in the league.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Skinner starting Monday.

 

[bellagiobob]

It doesn't matter how much runway there is. This team looks content to be handily over ,500 and just hanging around. This isn't the roster that can play hard every night and its a team very predicated on a handful of players getting it done. When one or more of those don't show up its as good as a loss. I really thought the team would enter a diffferent phase this year and play like a first place club but I'm starting to wonder.

When I had hoped for more I was expecting that we would be getting more out of Holloway, have Virtanen or Janmark in lineup, and a modicum of production from guys like Pulju.

Its interesting that Ryan Murray is already being scratched multiple games. He's too bad to even be out on the ice. We needed to be very careful with cap spending this offseason as not enough of it around. We needed help in goaltending and at least one bonafide forward coming in. Instead we reupped Yama and Pulju and got duds like Murray.

Not my point. Vegas hasn’t locked anything up over anybody with 70 games left.

 

[Harry Curry]

It’s an wonderful sentiment, and I think one that we all share. But unless I’m out in the weeds that is a different Ben, and the the pic was posted for, uh, less admirable reasons.

SImply an odd coincidence. Kid gets hit in the puck during play. Takes it like a champ and goes to see Jack and Louie along with his smoke show momma. Of course the kid's name happens to be Ben.

When I saw the name I was certain there was going to be somebody taking offense to something to do with this situation because they got the Ben's mixed up.

 

[Sanchez]

 

[Duke74]

Much better lines although now McDavid's line seems weakened. I'd try McLeod or Holloway there. McLeod can keep up with Connor and Holloway has sufficient IQ to complete plays with McDavid. Yamamoto to the fourth line is long overdue.

 

[Kerberos]

About time Yamo gets demoted. He should be pressboxed but this is an improvement.

 

[Rengorlex]

I actually like Jesse in The top line, sure he hasnt done much but has generally Been a solid defensive presence and The top line has struggled defensively.

 

[duul]

Bourgault looks really good in the A, would be cool to get him a game or two up here just for a taste. Show the organization you aren't playing if you aren't playing well enough. Yamo shouldn't be skating on an NHL ice surface.

 

[Vagabond]

The good news today is noticing Woody playing Yamo on the 4th line during practice today. Looks like Pulji gets another chance on the top line. Hyman is now playing on the 2nd.

So

RNH-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Kane-Draisaitl-Hyman
Foegele-McLeod-Ryan
Shore-Holloway-Yamamoto

Plus Skinner gets the start. Thankfully.



Edit:

My internet is poor so I wouldn't have posted the same link many ppl before me have. I even refreshed and my feed was still behind evidently. Lol

Anyhow.. that 2nd line looks like it could be lethal.

 

[Vagabond]

Skinner starting Monday.

Skinner just has the look of confidence.

 

[brentashton]

Much better lines although now McDavid's line seems weakened. I'd try McLeod or Holloway there. McLeod can keep up with Connor and Holloway has sufficient IQ to complete plays with McDavid. Yamamoto to the fourth line is long overdue.

hopefully these configurations have more drive and finish than what was out there yesterday. Yamamoto is finally moved off the top 6, but he probably drags down the 4th line that has been a positive In early games this year. Should be interesting tomorrow.

 

[russ99]

Woodcroft is starting to lose me, it’s very obvious with a lot of playing time that RNH -McDavid is a not a good fit and while you’re at it throw a struggling player up there too. Way to nullify McDavid’s potential.

 

[CupofOil]

Glad I missed this one.

Campbell's stats are horrifically bad. Way too early to make a real judgment but, yikes, this is a rough damn start for him. Very similar to the way Koskinen started last year. Winning record but horrendous save pct.

 

[MessierII]

Woodcroft is starting to lose me, it’s very obvious with a lot of playing time that RNH -McDavid is a not a good fit and while you’re at it throw a struggling player up there too. Way to nullify McDavid’s potential.

Yeah the numbers point to him being completely nullified.