Post-Game Talk: The result that we deserved

[slaman]

If anyone else was looking for it...

Lucic's "choke" on Lindholm in Game 3: https://gfycat.com/RipeDistantDesertpupfish
Lindholm's "choken" on Maroon in Game 2: https://mobile.twitter.com/OilersNation/status/858189138792677377/photo/1

 

[redgrant]

If anyone else was looking for it...

Lucic's "choke" on Lindholm in Game 3: https://gfycat.com/RipeDistantDesertpupfish
Lindholm's "choken" on Maroon in Game 2: https://mobile.twitter.com/OilersNation/status/858189138792677377/photo/1

lol that fairy isnt so tough when hes face to face with a Lucic.

 

[bucks_oil]

Ebs getting roughed up by the panel on TSN today - deservedly so - but they have a totally one dimensional view of the game. Either you are a top 6 goal scorers or a 4th line knuckle dragger and it doesn't matter who you play with. Perry is on the ANA 3rd line....so what's with that brilliant TSN panel? The reason it's so hard to move Ebs around is not Ebs feelings - the problem is that our centers are midgets (almost literally in the case of DD). You just can't put Ebs with Letestu or DD against a big team like ANA. It's got nothing to do with "try" any more with Eberle. This is as good as he can play at this level (2nd round of playoffs against big top 5 team). Might as well be pissed off that he isn't 5 inches taller Same with Nurse - this is serious pressure for a guy with only 115 regular season games and 9 playoff games experience.

This is the 2nd round and you are starting to see team and individual weaknesses exposed and where the edge of the envelope is for guys. Even McDavid's limitations as a guy with just 125 games of experience are being exposed. Some guys just are not good enough, some are not big or fast enough, and some are not experienced enough - but everyone is trying out there. All of this is invaluable info for the GM to improve the team this summer and we will likely deal Ebs this summer as we can't spend $6 million on a sub-elite winger.

This is a really fantastic post. I agree that all of these players are trying and limitations are being exposed due to experience and skill.

I would only add that a few key adds (where we are weak) can also positively impact the rest of the team... perfect example: one-more puck moving D would help some of our weaker forwards have less difficulty through the neutral zone (and therefore better penetration into the O-zone).

I think Nuge & Ebs definitely fit into this bucket... guys who aren't quite as devoid of offense as THIS playoff (and season for that matter) is making them appear. To me the issue is that in order to generate offense they needed to cheat or be on a team that was willing to chance it with high-risk plays. Now that we play with more structure (and THEY play with more responsibility) the offense has dried up.

Both have had their chances and easily could have 3-4 more points each... which would put them at about 0.5 ppg, which might be their current limit. They are both now finding out the (in their case I think it is) physical limits of their ability. They'll need to continue to get stronger.

 

[FlameChampion]

Ebs getting roughed up by the panel on TSN today - deservedly so - but they have a totally one dimensional view of the game. Either you are a top 6 goal scorers or a 4th line knuckle dragger and it doesn't matter who you play with. Perry is on the ANA 3rd line....so what's with that brilliant TSN panel? The reason it's so hard to move Ebs around is not Ebs feelings - the problem is that our centers are midgets (almost literally in the case of DD). You just can't put Ebs with Letestu or DD against a big team like ANA. It's got nothing to do with "try" any more with Eberle. This is as good as he can play at this level (2nd round of playoffs against big top 5 team). Might as well be pissed off that he isn't 5 inches taller Same with Nurse - this is serious pressure for a guy with only 115 regular season games and 9 playoff games experience.

This is the 2nd round and you are starting to see team and individual weaknesses exposed and where the edge of the envelope is for guys. Even McDavid's limitations as a guy with just 125 games of experience are being exposed. Some guys just are not good enough, some are not big or fast enough, and some are not experienced enough - but everyone is trying out there. All of this is invaluable info for the GM to improve the team this summer and we will likely deal Ebs this summer as we can't spend $6 million on a sub-elite winger.

We have seen this version of Ebs all year for the most part. He started the year with Lucic and McD, he got some points b/c he was with McD but from eye test, it was McD carrying the line (Lucic wasnt good at the start either). For some of the year its true that Eberle was snakebitten, there was the one stretch where he hit the post like every game it seemed. But for the most part Eberle just hasnt looked dangerous (certainly not as much as previous years). His defensive game has improved considerably but he is so slow and weak that his considerably improved defensive game isnt even average in my opinion.

I just dont think he competes hard enough, simple as that. For majority of the year RNH hasnt put up good offensive numbers but his compete level has been there all year. During the year it seemed that RNH would make good defensive plays than his focus would slip for a few second and the other team would capitalize. So far in these playoffs, RNH attention to detail has even been more focused with very little slip up in his defensive game.

During the regular season it was really apparent that RNH couldnt drive a line by himself but I believed that if he played with some skill it would help him offensively. We have seen from yesterday that he looks a lot better with Draitsaitl on his line.

Thing with Eberle is that he has been given numerous chances to play with skilled forwards but just doesnt get a whole lot done. Gets some points here and there but overall hes just not that effective. His shot has really let him down this year and cant create much space for himself.

At the end of the day Eberle still up 50 points. I dont think the Oilers have to replace him at the end of this year but he will likely have to be traded by the year after when McDavid contract kicks in (if not this year) regardless.

Agree with you that these playoffs are invaluable for the GM to analyze the team.

 

[Cawz]

If anyone else was looking for it...

Lucic's "choke" on Lindholm in Game 3: https://gfycat.com/RipeDistantDesertpupfish

Awesomeness

 

[Dorian2]

I think they need to be better for the team to succeed, but based on how little experience they have, I'm not overly disappointed with them.

Not sure if being better is the term I'd use, but I understand what you're saying here. We've seen both players perform much better in other games, so it's more of a consistancy thing IMO. That's probably why TMac goes over his "fixes" after each game. To build consistency. Having said that, consistency is required by a lot more players on the team than those 2 young D's. They've shown that the can rebound consistently in the regular season as well as the playoffs though. So the team IS learning it.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I'll be fair to Eberle, RNH looked better when he was moved to play with 2 bigger bodies. It would likely be the same case with Eberle. Problem is this team doesn't have a big centre unless you move Drai back to the middle.

Not a lot this team can do, but I wonder if they could get away with...

Maroon-McDavid-Kassian
Lucic-Draisaitl-Eberle
Pouliot-RNH-Slepyshev
Caggiula-Letestu-Pakarinen

Hope that the board work of Maroon, Kassian, Lucic, Drai, Pouliot, and Slepyshev opens up enough ice for the 3 smaller guys in McDavid, RNH, and Ebs.

It's tough to take out DD, but there's no where to play him. Perhaps you could take out Caggiula, but that leaves you with a 4th line of mis-matched utility guys.

 

[bone]

Not sure if being better is the term I'd use, but I understand what you're saying here. We've seen both players perform much better in other games, so it's more of a consistancy thing IMO. That's probably why TMac goes over his "fixes" after each game. To build consistency. Having said that, consistency is required by a lot more players on the team than those 2 young D's. They've shown that the can rebound consistently in the regular season as well as the playoffs though. So the team IS learning it.

Certainly, I didn't mean for my comments to be just them as there are several players who need to be better for the team to succeed. Difference with some of the others is they don't get as much leniency as they aren't as young and experienced.

There are 6 or 7 other players that I think need to be better for prolonged success in this run even if they aren't playing horrible. The run so far has predominantly been through unlikely contributions by secondary players.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

I'll be fair to Eberle, RNH looked better when he was moved to play with 2 bigger bodies. It would likely be the same case with Eberle. Problem is this team doesn't have a big centre unless you move Drai back to the middle.

Not a lot this team can do, but I wonder if they could get away with...

Maroon-McDavid-Kassian
Lucic-Draisaitl-Eberle
Pouliot-RNH-Slepyshev
Caggiula-Letestu-Pakarinen

Hope that the board work of Maroon, Kassian, Lucic, Drai, Pouliot, and Slepyshev opens up enough ice for the 3 smaller guys in McDavid, RNH, and Ebs.

It's tough to take out DD, but there's no where to play him. Perhaps you could take out Caggiula, but that leaves you with a 4th line of mis-matched utility guys.

I don't want ebs with a skill centre. Because ebs is only decent when he has the puck with space and he loses it too much to let skilled guys work off the boards.

Any idea if we can move kassian to center? Maybe go back in time?

Caggiula-McDavid-Draisaitl
Lucic-Nugent Hopkins-Desharnais
Maroon-Kassian-Slepyshev
Pouliot-Letestu-Pakarinen

Oh right...eberle...dammit.

 

[Dorian2]

Certainly, I didn't mean for my comments to be just them as there are several players who need to be better for the team to succeed. Difference with some of the others is they don't get as much leniency as they aren't as young and experienced.

There are 6 or 7 other players that I think need to be better for prolonged success in this run even if they aren't playing horrible. The run so far has predominantly been through unlikely contributions by secondary players.

Well, we'll just have to agree to.....agree.

 

[MaxR11]

Anyone else think Kissel pre-planned the whole American anthem thing? Just his body language and how he was immediately pressing people to sing seemed so synthetic and fake. Likely got the operator to cut his mic from the start. I'm not so into this whole staging of sentimental and inspirational porn. It's so fake and lacks realness. In 2006 the crowd sang the Canadian anthem loudly and Lorieau organically let the fans take over. Great moment. Now that Clark guy goes into the stands and everything, while still pretty awesome, just feels so much more plastic and synthetic.

It's kind of like how a few years ago an autistic kid who was a waterboy or something for a high school basketball team finally got his chance to play and shot a bunch of three pointers when the game was way out of reach already. Now there are other high school teams that are basically copying that moment. So synthetic. We are a society of copy cats.

 

[bone]

Anyone else think Kissel pre-planned the whole American anthem thing? Just his body language and how he was immediately pressing people to sing seemed so synthetic and fake. Likely got the operator to cut his mic from the start. I'm not so into this whole staging of sentimental and inspirational porn. It's so fake and lacks realness. In 2006 the crowd sang the Canadian anthem loudly and Lorieau organically let the fans take over. Great moment. Now that Clark guy goes into the stands and everything, while still pretty awesome, just feels so much more plastic and synthetic.

It's kind of like how a few years ago an autistic kid who was a waterboy or something for a high school basketball team finally got his chance to play and shot a bunch of three pointers when the game was way out of reach already. Now there are other high school teams that are basically copying that moment. So synthetic. We are a society of copy cats.

I originally thought it was staged as well, but who knows. I understand it couldn't be heard in the building and watching it today, he did look a little more surprised by it than I originally thought.

 

[TheRebuild]

Anyone else think Kissel pre-planned the whole American anthem thing? Just his body language and how he was immediately pressing people to sing seemed so synthetic and fake. Likely got the operator to cut his mic from the start. I'm not so into this whole staging of sentimental and inspirational porn. It's so fake and lacks realness. In 2006 the crowd sang the Canadian anthem loudly and Lorieau organically let the fans take over. Great moment.

Also, I remember him doing it like once (maybe twice), that guy was awesome. Oilers missed a huge opportunity in paying tribute to him. The guy with the guitar ****ing sucks too... hard. I hate the anthems most nights, I keep hoping that they'll get someone else, but no, always that guy with his ****** under-mic'ed acoustic guitar.

 

[Chooch]

Also, I remember him doing it like once (maybe twice), that guy was awesome. Oilers missed a huge opportunity in paying tribute to him. The guy with the guitar ****ing sucks too... hard. I hate the anthems most nights, I keep hoping that they'll get someone else, but no, always that guy with his ****** under-mic'ed acoustic guitar.

He's supposed to be a 'country' singer, but he doesn't sell it very well. Country Music did not originate here, so its tough for anybody who is Canadian to sell it. He sounds like a person who just can't sing.

 

[Hockeyholic]

If Eberle struggles in game 4, I think you make him a healthy scratch for Friday. Won't happen (Will kill his trade value). I'd just love to see it.

 

[Asiaoil]

The last 30 games of the seaosn is about as well as you will ever see Ebs play. Haven't done the numbers for the 2nd half but he was likely above 2.0 ESP/60 which is solid and reduced his ES GA/60 by a full goal which is massive. He was a damn solid player the 2nd half of the year and any talk of him not trying or being net negative is "yesterday's news". Sure you can (and I did) make the argument at the beginning of the year, but the guy fundamentally changed his game and became a reliable 2 way player this year. Now people (including tv talking heads) are b**tching that he doesn't put up 1 PPG and play the same level of defense. News flash folks - it's not possible - only the elite of the elite of the NHL can do that.

Eberle along with everyone else on the roster is busting a nut right now trying to win. This is not a perfect roster. Far from it. Some guys are too small (DD, Letestu, Ebs, Cags, Russell, Benning). Some guys are too slow (Ebs, Letestu, Gryba, Maroon, Lucic, Hendricks). Some are too inexperienced (McDavid, Drai, Nurse, Benning, Slepy, Cags). If you are part of two of those lists you will be exposed in the 2nd round of the playoffs against a top 5 team. "Try" makes no difference.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

Anyone else think Kissel pre-planned the whole American anthem thing? Just his body language and how he was immediately pressing people to sing seemed so synthetic and fake. Likely got the operator to cut his mic from the start. I'm not so into this whole staging of sentimental and inspirational porn. It's so fake and lacks realness. In 2006 the crowd sang the Canadian anthem loudly and Lorieau organically let the fans take over. Great moment. Now that Clark guy goes into the stands and everything, while still pretty awesome, just feels so much more plastic and synthetic.

It's kind of like how a few years ago an autistic kid who was a waterboy or something for a high school basketball team finally got his chance to play and shot a bunch of three pointers when the game was way out of reach already. Now there are other high school teams that are basically copying that moment. So synthetic. We are a society of copy cats.

Seems like a weird gamble to bet that 18,000 people knew the full lyrics to the American anthem.

 

[MoneyGuy]

Seems like a weird gamble to bet that 18,000 people knew the full lyrics to the American anthem.

I guarantee that 18,000 didn't know the words, and it's not necessary anyway.

 

[StupidGenius]

Seems like a weird gamble to bet that 18,000 people knew the full lyrics to the American anthem.

Not in a sports community. Canadians hear the US anthem before a game at least 55 times a season. I definitely knew all the words by the second year I was watching hockey. Most people who grew up watching HNIC would know both anthems quite well, I'd wager.

It's a little tougher for the inverse to occur, since US teams only hear Oh Canada before a game 15 to 25 times a year, depending on division.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

I guarantee that 18,000 didn't know the words, and it's not necessary anyway.

You get what I mean. Still need a big majority to make it sound that loud.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

Not in a sports community. Canadians hear the US anthem before a game at least 55 times a season. I definitely knew all the words by the second year I was watching hockey. Most people who grew up watching HNIC would know both anthems quite well, I'd wager.

It's a little tougher for the inverse to occur, since US teams only hear Oh Canada before a game 15 to 25 times a year, depending on division.

Yeah if I was performing for HfOil I would expect all you guys too know the words. But I have seen so many people at these games who dont watch religiously be at these and would be shocked if they knew the words to the American anthem. Obviously, I was wrong, but it caught me and few others by surprise. I wouldnt want to risk it if I was Brett Kissel.

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

Still disappointed the refs and linesmen didn't have their heads in the game at the start when they missed the magic doors trick the Ducks pulled off.

Oil will just have to be better on Wednesday night.

I'm sure it had nothing to do with them having their heads in the game. There's 2 sets of rules for American teams vs Canadian teams. It's been so obvious during these playoffs. It's disgusting.

 

[Asiaoil]

I'm sure it had nothing to do with them having their heads in the game. There's 2 sets of rules for American teams vs Canadian teams. It's been so obvious during these playoffs. It's disgusting.

Yeah I know. Getzlaf has 2 minutes in penalties and none since G1. You could have easily tripled that number in Period 1 of G3. Give him the Lady Byng. The NHL wants a NYC/LA SCF so bad you can see it poking out of their pants. Pittsburgh is an acceptable alternative.

 

[PBandJ]

What's this I hear about Eaves potentially being hurt? I heard he left Rogers in a boot?

 

[McAsuno]

What's this I hear about Eaves potentially being hurt? I heard he left Rogers in a boot?

That's correct.