Sean Maloughney: Oilers vs Blues - Line Shuffles Continue

Dubas and Sullivan seem incapable of making ANY changes in season. So don't be surprised if no one from PIT is sold off even if they are well out of contention. If Rutherford were still in charge, Sullivan would have been fired months ago and half the roster would be different from season's start.

I hope this team gets their defensive structure back going like it was during the win streak. They seem to be falling back into old habits the last few games.

Thanks Sean.

@OIldumb - Did they not mainly play against bottom feeders when they went on that streak?

A quick look at the competition they played over those 16 games:

- 0 games against top 5 teams
- 1 game against 5-10th place teams
- 3 games against 11-15th place teams
- 2 games against 16-20th place teams
- 10 games against 21-32nd place teams

Maybe the structure does not work when they are playing against real competition? Sure made that new coach look good though.

Thanks Sean.

@OIldumb - Did they not mainly play against bottom feeders when they went on that streak?

A quick look at the competition they played over those 16 games:

- 0 games against top 5 teams
- 1 game against 5-10th place teams
- 3 games against 11-15th place teams
- 2 games against 16-20th place teams
- 10 games against 21-32nd place teams

Maybe the structure does not work when they are playing against real competition? Sure made that new coach look good though.
- DuranDuran

And how many games have the Flames lost to bottom 5 teams this season?

Oilers went on a nice run, and played to the level of their competition... But at least closed them out. Flames have barely played to the level of their competition and played down when they've been, aagainst even lower. At least one regularly shows up so far this season.

And how many games have the Flames lost to bottom 5 teams this season?

Oilers went on a nice run, and played to the level of their competition... But at least closed them out. Flames have barely played to the level of their competition and played down when they've been, aagainst even lower. At least one regularly shows up so far this season.
- wreckage

Youll have problems post season like before.

"A quick look at the competition they played over those 16 games:

- 0 games against top 5 teams
- 1 game against 5-10th place teams
- 3 games against 11-15th place teams
- 2 games against 16-20th place teams
- 10 games against 21-32nd place teams

Maybe the structure does not work when they are playing against real competition? Sure made that new coach look good though."

This is bang on! Although they really needed the winning streak to get back into the playoff race, going on that huge run was probably a curse. The usual suspects who do not bring it every night started thinking that they're great and not have to work...and now they will be exposed when the schedule is tougher. Playing the weaker teams didn't expose the little things that the Oilers consistently do wrong.

Centres (Draisaitl and McDavid) flying the zone early, the poor passes out of the back, Dmen not fighting in the slot, wingers not clearing the zone, forwards not immediately getting back after an 0-zone turnover (Draisaitl goes to the f7n bench!!!) etc. etc.

A hockey game is a real battle, it's a war, and the Edmonton Oilers remain one of the physically easiest teams to play in the entire league.

I know Perry has slowed down, but Kane-Drai-Perry is somewhere close to a line that is needed in the playoffs (if they're all rolling).

Nuge-McDavid-Hyman is just not a line going to get it done in the post season (it's better when Hyman is totally on top of his game, but he can't be the physical F1 force on a line every night).

And how many games have the Flames lost to bottom 5 teams this season?

Oilers went on a nice run, and played to the level of their competition... But at least closed them out. Flames have barely played to the level of their competition and played down when they've been, aagainst even lower. At least one regularly shows up so far this season.
- wreckage

I'm not trying to say the Flames are good. Last night, we saw what they looked like without Markstrom. I'm just trying to say that maybe the Edmonton D core is not as good as they showed through that winning streak.

And how many games have the Flames lost to bottom 5 teams this season?

Oilers went on a nice run, and played to the level of their competition... But at least closed them out. Flames have barely played to the level of their competition and played down when they've been, aagainst even lower. At least one regularly shows up so far this season.
- wreckage

Look at the talent level of the two teams. Are you blind?

Look at the talent level of the two teams. Are you blind?
- LFS

Oilers are top heavy. Sure Calgary has no McDavid or Draisaitl, but you're nuts if you don't think their 3rd line is ahead of the Oilers by miles and their D is currently more complete than the Oilers.

- 0 games against top 5 teams
- 1 game against 5-10th place teams
- 3 games against 11-15th place teams
- 2 games against 16-20th place teams
- 10 games against 21-32nd place teams

It comical people can run with this when it circles the internet. After the 17th game loss, someone scrolled thru 2+ months of games and took a snip of the current standings.

We beat playoff teams within that stretch. Not Oilers fault they slipped out of playoff position during that 2 months.
We beat the NYR, who were holding the 3rd overall spot in the NHL. Not the Oilers fault they slipped 3 positions during that 2 months.

People get suckered and so easily take the bait.

I hope this team gets their defensive structure back going like it was during the win streak. They seem to be falling back into old habits the last few games.
- Oildrum

Just a blip. Seems like the players have bought into the new coaches 200' theories they'll be fine.

- 0 games against top 5 teams
- 1 game against 5-10th place teams
- 3 games against 11-15th place teams
- 2 games against 16-20th place teams
- 10 games against 21-32nd place teams

It comical people can run with this when it circles the internet. After the 17th game loss, someone scrolled thru 2+ months of games and took a snip of the current standings.

We beat playoff teams within that stretch. Not Oilers fault they slipped out of playoff position during that 2 months.
We beat the NYR, who were holding the 3rd overall spot in the NHL. Not the Oilers fault they slipped 3 positions during that 2 months.

People get suckered and so easily take the bait.
- nanook82

Well, look at where the comment came from. MoronMoron doesn't care much for facts.

- K-man25

5-0 DET...

Well, look at where the comment came from. MoronMoron doesn't care much for facts.
- Oildrum

Solid W today. Good on them.

Finally they're benching Connor Brown for Mondays game.

Finally they're benching Connor Brown for Mondays game.
- Oildrum

But they win with him in the lineup. Not good dude. lol

Well done Oil!!!

Big comeback!!

Can I get an honest assessment of Brown?
Has he lost a step because of his knee injury? (I think it was a knee)
He used to be a really good player.
See if you could package him up and reunite him with his buddy Nick Paul in Tampa?

Can I get an honest assessment of Brown?
Has he lost a step because of his knee injury? (I think it was a knee)
He used to be a really good player.
See if you could package him up and reunite him with his buddy Nick Paul in Tampa?
- Octavarium

From what I have seen this season, he has lost a step, but occasionally gets it back on his forecheck. It's just not always there for some reason. He has lost his hands especially. Any ability to put the puck on, at, or in net. If reuniting him with an old buddy should get him going it should have been with McDavid when he got his try out up on HIS wing. It appears his ability and heart are both gone. Maybe another chance out east reinvigorates his game, but it appears he is no longer an NHL option.

Octavarium Quote: "Can I get an honest assessment of Brown?
Has he lost a step because of his knee injury? (I think it was a knee)
He used to be a really good player.
See if you could package him up and reunite him with his buddy Nick Paul in Tampa?"


Wreckage Quote: "From what I have seen this season, he has lost a step, but occasionally gets it back on his forecheck. It's just not always there for some reason. He has lost his hands especially. Any ability to put the puck on, at, or in net. If reuniting him with an old buddy should get him going it should have been with McDavid when he got his try out up on HIS wing. It appears his ability and heart are both gone. Maybe another chance out east reinvigorates his game, but it appears he is no longer an NHL option."

Wreckage has the majority of it. I just want to add that for some reason the kid gloves are on with this player. Any other player would be facing massive fan backlash, a few media people regularly throwing him under the bus, and far more benching's. I am shocked how long he has been in our line up and the only reason I can think of is Holland not wanting to look like an idiot. Which is funny because he is obviously not a particularly intelligent looking or acting GM.

Lucic was roasted when his game fell apart and he was significantly more impactful that Brown even at his worst.

Tobias Reider was blamed for an entire season missing the playoff and was ten times the player Brown has been. Joking, but both are in that brutal category.

Eric Belanger was roasted for his decline in Edmonton.

I dont really want Brown "attacked" or "run out of town" but I do want more accountability from him and the organization.

His NHL career, appears to be over. He should be cut loose, benched, or at least sent to the AHL to work on his game for a good long stint.