erudyk_29
Active Member
Thought I would drop my thoughts on the Oilers/NHL in general heading into the final game of the season tmr against San Jose.
What should we expect out of the Oilers this playoffs? Absolutely no idea. I could see this team getting bounced first round by a motivated Kings team backed by a strong Darcy Kuemper performance. I could also see them going on another finals run. Both possibilities seem equally likely in my opinion.
It seems that we will see the return of McDavid, Draisaitl, Walman and Hyman either tomorrow against the Sharks or for game 1. Kane and Frederic seem possible for game 1, but there's a bit less clarity there. I would probably expect to see Kane game 1, and maybe see Frederic game 2, based on what I've been hearing. Nurse, who has had a very strong season relative to his play in recent years, will likely be suspended at least 1 game, but we don't know yet. I think suspending him more than one game, especially a playoff game would be very extreme, 1 game seems fair. Ekholm as I'm sure you're all aware will likely miss quite a while, and his injury may be quite a long term thing. He may end up missing the whole playoffs. This is a huge loss.
The Oilers have, considering everything they've been dealing with, played quite well recently. They were bested last night by a healthy Kings team looking to prove a point against essentially the Bakersfield Condors with a couple random Oilers players added in. Before that, a 3 game win streak against the very hot Blues, Presidents Trophy winning Jets and the Sharks, with a depleted line up.
Going with the team being healthy minus Ekholm, I would go:
Skinner - McDavid - Brown (Line has looked really good lately, Skinner and McDavid have some good chemistry, resist the urge to go back to Nuge - McDavid - Hyman immediately please Knob)
Kane - Draisaitl - Hyman (Draisaitl likes players that go get the puck, these two can do that. He's liked having Podz and I like him, but he can't finish and is probably better used in the bottom 6)
Frederic - Nugent-Hopkins - Podkolzin (Two gritty wingers in Podz and Frederic, two excellent defensive players in Nuge and Podz, should be effective at both ends of the ice)
Janmark - Henrique - Perry (Perry can move up and down the lineup but I think this is a really solid veteran 4th line, Janmark is quick too so that should help with both Perry and Henrique being very slow)
Nurse - Bouchard (Pretty basic pairing of puck mover + grittier defenseman, would obviously much prefer Ekholm with Bouch but...)
Kulak - Walman (Two really good skaters paired together should be fun)
Stetcher - Emberson (Not ideal, but honestly, could be much worse, please for the love of god don't let Josh Brown anywhere near playoff ice even with many injuries)
Skinner
If this roster plays up to it's potential it will be a very tough out for any team. If the Oilers play their best game, and the Kings play their best game, Oilers win every time. That being said, with notable players coming off of injury, inconsistent goaltending, general inconsistency among other things, there are reasons to be worried about this Oilers team. If they hit the ground running and get a split in LA, I think they win in 6. If the Kings win both at home, it could be a rocky road. I think this series will go 6 or 7, I really doubt either team will be able to truly dominate and take control. LA having a competent goalie this year is a big boon for them. Don't feel like predicting a winner, I have no idea which way to go.
The other series (as of writing this) are stacking up as:
Washington vs. Montreal (or maybe Columbus) (Washington in 5)
Unless we get some insanity run from Montembault and Demidov turns into an elite forward right out the gate, Washington wins this easily. Still fun to have the Habs back in the playoffs again. Similar story for if CBJ makes it.
Carolina vs. New Jersey (Carolina in 5)
This could be a fun series... if Jersey was healthy. With all the injuries, Canes easily take this one and it will probably be a snoozer.
Toronto vs. Ottawa (Ottawa in 7)
I see this one going the distance, with the Sens taking a close series. Simply because I trust Ullmark more than Stolarz, despite his stellar season. I also prefer Ottawa's blue line.
Tampa vs. Florida (Tampa in 6)
The Lightning are playing very well right now. Florida is a great team but now that Tampa's core has had a bit of rest following a couple early exits, they're looking close to their former selves again. Should be a fun series, I have the Bolts taking it.
Jets vs. Blues (Jets in 6)
The Blues have been hot lately and might give the Jets a bit of trouble but I think Winnipeg pulls it out. That being said if Hellebuyck is as bad as he was last year in the playoffs, St Louis has a really good shot. Jets go as far as Hellebuyck takes them.
Dallas vs. Colorado (Colorado in 7)
This is THE series to watch in the first round. This will be very close, Dallas is much deeper offensively as Colorado still heavily relies on Mac/Makar, though if Landy comes back and is good he will help them out. Colorado's defense skates circles around Dallas's though, which will be without Miro Heiskanen for at least game 1. Oettinger vs. Blackwood is pretty much a 50/50. This one is a coin toss, but I think Colorado's defensive edge will be the difference.
Vegas vs. Minnesota (Vegas in 4)
Minny has been badly injured and the Knights have been (annoyingly) a well oiled machine. I don't see this one being close.
What should we expect out of the Oilers this playoffs? Absolutely no idea. I could see this team getting bounced first round by a motivated Kings team backed by a strong Darcy Kuemper performance. I could also see them going on another finals run. Both possibilities seem equally likely in my opinion.
It seems that we will see the return of McDavid, Draisaitl, Walman and Hyman either tomorrow against the Sharks or for game 1. Kane and Frederic seem possible for game 1, but there's a bit less clarity there. I would probably expect to see Kane game 1, and maybe see Frederic game 2, based on what I've been hearing. Nurse, who has had a very strong season relative to his play in recent years, will likely be suspended at least 1 game, but we don't know yet. I think suspending him more than one game, especially a playoff game would be very extreme, 1 game seems fair. Ekholm as I'm sure you're all aware will likely miss quite a while, and his injury may be quite a long term thing. He may end up missing the whole playoffs. This is a huge loss.
The Oilers have, considering everything they've been dealing with, played quite well recently. They were bested last night by a healthy Kings team looking to prove a point against essentially the Bakersfield Condors with a couple random Oilers players added in. Before that, a 3 game win streak against the very hot Blues, Presidents Trophy winning Jets and the Sharks, with a depleted line up.
Going with the team being healthy minus Ekholm, I would go:
Skinner - McDavid - Brown (Line has looked really good lately, Skinner and McDavid have some good chemistry, resist the urge to go back to Nuge - McDavid - Hyman immediately please Knob)
Kane - Draisaitl - Hyman (Draisaitl likes players that go get the puck, these two can do that. He's liked having Podz and I like him, but he can't finish and is probably better used in the bottom 6)
Frederic - Nugent-Hopkins - Podkolzin (Two gritty wingers in Podz and Frederic, two excellent defensive players in Nuge and Podz, should be effective at both ends of the ice)
Janmark - Henrique - Perry (Perry can move up and down the lineup but I think this is a really solid veteran 4th line, Janmark is quick too so that should help with both Perry and Henrique being very slow)
Nurse - Bouchard (Pretty basic pairing of puck mover + grittier defenseman, would obviously much prefer Ekholm with Bouch but...)
Kulak - Walman (Two really good skaters paired together should be fun)
Stetcher - Emberson (Not ideal, but honestly, could be much worse, please for the love of god don't let Josh Brown anywhere near playoff ice even with many injuries)
Skinner
If this roster plays up to it's potential it will be a very tough out for any team. If the Oilers play their best game, and the Kings play their best game, Oilers win every time. That being said, with notable players coming off of injury, inconsistent goaltending, general inconsistency among other things, there are reasons to be worried about this Oilers team. If they hit the ground running and get a split in LA, I think they win in 6. If the Kings win both at home, it could be a rocky road. I think this series will go 6 or 7, I really doubt either team will be able to truly dominate and take control. LA having a competent goalie this year is a big boon for them. Don't feel like predicting a winner, I have no idea which way to go.
The other series (as of writing this) are stacking up as:
Washington vs. Montreal (or maybe Columbus) (Washington in 5)
Unless we get some insanity run from Montembault and Demidov turns into an elite forward right out the gate, Washington wins this easily. Still fun to have the Habs back in the playoffs again. Similar story for if CBJ makes it.
Carolina vs. New Jersey (Carolina in 5)
This could be a fun series... if Jersey was healthy. With all the injuries, Canes easily take this one and it will probably be a snoozer.
Toronto vs. Ottawa (Ottawa in 7)
I see this one going the distance, with the Sens taking a close series. Simply because I trust Ullmark more than Stolarz, despite his stellar season. I also prefer Ottawa's blue line.
Tampa vs. Florida (Tampa in 6)
The Lightning are playing very well right now. Florida is a great team but now that Tampa's core has had a bit of rest following a couple early exits, they're looking close to their former selves again. Should be a fun series, I have the Bolts taking it.
Jets vs. Blues (Jets in 6)
The Blues have been hot lately and might give the Jets a bit of trouble but I think Winnipeg pulls it out. That being said if Hellebuyck is as bad as he was last year in the playoffs, St Louis has a really good shot. Jets go as far as Hellebuyck takes them.
Dallas vs. Colorado (Colorado in 7)
This is THE series to watch in the first round. This will be very close, Dallas is much deeper offensively as Colorado still heavily relies on Mac/Makar, though if Landy comes back and is good he will help them out. Colorado's defense skates circles around Dallas's though, which will be without Miro Heiskanen for at least game 1. Oettinger vs. Blackwood is pretty much a 50/50. This one is a coin toss, but I think Colorado's defensive edge will be the difference.
Vegas vs. Minnesota (Vegas in 4)
Minny has been badly injured and the Knights have been (annoyingly) a well oiled machine. I don't see this one being close.
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