Edmonton Oilers

[Axeman33]

Because Devin Shore is, by many accounts, one of the worst players who has played regularly in the NHL in the past 3 seasons and Dave Tippett still played him more than a lot of his much better forwards.

Name those "better forwards" you talk about with TOI examples.

[agentzero]

4-0 under the new guy. Is this new coach bump, or have we noticed a significant difference in method of play?

[2014olympicgold]

4-0 under the new guy. Is this new coach bump, or have we noticed a significant difference in method of play?

McDavid looks like he's enjoying playing hockey again. But as it will always be with this team, it's about the goaltending. They're getting it right now. It was nice to see Smith give up that early goal but the team rebound and push forward through that.

It's not like the teams they've faced though are world breakers (NYI, SJS, LAK, Ducks).

[Axeman33]

McDavid looks like he's enjoying playing hockey again. But as it will always be with this team, it's about the goaltending. They're getting it right now. It was nice to see Smith give up that early goal but the team rebound and push forward through that.

It's not like the teams they've faced though are world breakers (NYI, SJS, LAK, Ducks).

As I said earlier last week, this team needs Smith to return to form.

[rataylor22]

Name those "better forwards" you talk about with TOI examples.

Sorry just to be clear. Are you asking for players who’s ATOI was less than Shore’s but are better than him, or are you suggesting TOI is a proxy for talent?

[lobo1969]

4-0 under the new guy. Is this new coach bump, or have we noticed a significant difference in method of play?

1. Oiler D standing up more on their own blue line... and it seems to be working. Really knocking down the chances against.

2. Oilers have been 'forced' to play a 11/7 roster partly because of the Duncan Keith injury and the bench has really balanced out the playing time of all Dmen. Nurse not being over worked with too many minutes now.

3. Niemelainen adding an element of physical play that this team has been lacking. Has played well and not looked out of place. Looking further up the depth chart even past Broberg. Could stay the rest of the season as 6/7.

4. New things being tried on PP which has been below average for a while now. 2nd unit actually getting some playing time and producing now.

5. Concerted effort to keep McDavid and Draisaitl apart on their own lines and only play together on PP1. RNH anchoring C3 with Derek Ryan and Foegele and that line has been hot! Since Kane came in, Oiler's are showing some legit depth on the wings now.

[2014olympicgold]

Jesse Pulj is out 3-4 weeks with a UBI

[lobo1969]

Jesse Pulj is out 3-4 weeks with a UBI

LBI, but it still sucks. Wonder if he did something to his groin when extending to score his goal last night.

[stevegamer]

Who do you guys expect moves up int he lineup to replace Puljujarvi?

[Axeman33]

I'm going to assume they look to move Foegele up somehow.

[chuckcouples]

As I said earlier last week, this team needs Smith to return to form.

Smith has officially returned to form. I don't think this is what you were hoping for though.

Screenshot 2022-02-24 104308.jpg

[doulos]

Smith has officially returned to form. I don't think this is what you were hoping for though.

Screenshot 2022-02-24 104308.jpg

I am no fan of Smith, but his stats are currently worse than during his previous 3 seasons. Wouldn't a "return to form" lead him to generally head back towards his average?

[chuckcouples]

2 of the previous 3 years, his save percentage was .900. Last year was the aberration so expectations should be for him to be close to .900. That means he should have made about 3 extra saves this year.

[doulos]

2 of the previous 3 years, his save percentage was .900. Last year was the aberration so expectations should be for him to be close to .900. That means he should have made about 3 extra saves this year.

So what you're saying is that if you remove a significant part of his actual play, then you get the stats that fit your narrative?

[rataylor22]

So what you're saying is that if you remove a significant part of his actual play, then you get the stats that fit your narrative?

I believe what he's actually saying is over his last 126 games (4 seasons) Moke Smoth has a 0.905 sv% and that's all that should really be expected of him.