The countdown hits four. At least Connor got a point? Final Score: 6-4 Kings
With tonight’s game in the books, the Oilers have only four contests remaining until the time comes for what could potentially be the greatest tank battle of all time. With so many Canadian teams in the running for this year’s lottery the Oilers may have to do something drastic to ensure that a fifth first overall pick finds its way into the pocket of its rightful owner. We will find a way. All I can think about is how funny it would be if the Oilers won another draft lottery. At this point of the season, what else do we have left to do but laugh at ourselves?
If I’m being honest, I’m actually counting down the days until the season is over. This season has been longer than any of us could have imagined, and I think we could use the break. I also think that this coming summer could be more entertaining for the Oilers than the last half of the season has been (as per tradition). I want to see the look on Bettman’s face when the Oilers somehow win another draft lottery, and I want to see what kind of moving and shaking Chiarelli is going to do with the roster. If I were to guess, this summer will likely see a massive overhaul for the Oilers and for the first time in forever that won’t just mean for the peripheral players.
As for tonight’s game it was pretty much what I expected from a March matchup between the Oilers and Kings. From the second period onward, the Kings were able to kind of do as they pleased against the Oilers and Edmonton was left trying to plug the holes in the dam. While there were moments where the Oilers were engaged in the game, and able to generate chances offensively, the Kings were just too much on every level. They were just too big, strong, and talented for the Oilers to be able to create any kind of even match ups. Unfortunately, games against teams as good as the Kings show just how far off the Oilers are from actually competing seriously.
As much as it is disappointing to watch another game like this, I still have hope that there are better days are ahead. I just hope the hockey gods call our number soon. 
The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

  • Jordan Eberle had some great follow up on the puck to bang home his 25th goal of the season. He also added an assist on Maroon’s power play goal in the third period.
  • Connor McDavid scored a goal (his 15th) by swinging his stick at the puck when it was on Lecavalier’s stick, right in front of Quick. You would think that Lecavalier would have known better but I guess he’s not used to someone as fast as Connor. McDavid followed that up with a primary assist on Patrick Maroon’s power play goal in the third period. Another two points for Calder McDavid! Connor McDavid now finds himself on a seven game point streak.
  • Patrick Maroon has been so much better than I think anyone expected when he was brought over from the Anaheim Ducks. Maroon put home his 8th goal of the year with a beautiful shot, through a crowd, on the power play. He followed that up with his 9th goal by driving to the net and banging home a loose puck. I love this guy.
  • Jordan Oesterle put up another assist tonight and quietly played a team high 22:20 while finishing the night an even 0 on the night.
  • The Oilers went 55% in the face off circle. No small feat against the Kings. 

THE FACE PALMERS

  • Crazy start to tonight’s game. The Kings scored and the Oilers responded within a minute, then the Oilers scored and Kings returned the favour.
  • How did Jeff Carter’s goal count? I know I may be biased but that seemed like blatant goaltender interference to me. 
  • I won’t complain about the refs again. I won’t complain about the refs again. I won’t complain about the refs again. I won’t complain about the refs again. I won’t complain about the refs again.
  • The Oilers power play is so bad that they were just as likely to give up a shorthanded goal as they were to score one of their own. Although they did score a PP goal tonight, they also allowed a shortie which always seems worse. The Oilers went 1/4 on the power play.
  • Tonight was not Laurent Brossoit’s night. Actually, Brossoit hasn’t had an overly great run since being recalled after the trade deadline. I wouldn’t say that this run is enough to give up on Brossoit, not even close, but it does make it clear that the Oilers will be in the market for a backup goaltender in the offseason. Brossoit finished the night with 27 saves and an .844 save%.
  • When you put up four goals you should have a good chance to win the game. The Oilers were let down by their goaltending and defensive lapses that resulted in goals. 
  • The Hall-Draisaitl line had a tough night tonight. They couldn’t get much going and always seemed to be on the ice for goals against. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s what I saw.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
00:16
LAK
Tyler Toffoli (28) Wrist shot – ASST: Brayden McNabb (8), Milan Lucic (30)
1 – 0 LAK
00:38
EDM
Jordan Eberle (25) Backhand shot – ASST: Jordan Oesterle (5)
1 – 1 Tie
09:53
EDM
Connor McDavid (15) Wrist shot – ASST: NONE
2 – 1 EDM
10:20
LAK
Jeff Carter (19) Wrist shot – ASST: Milan Lucic (31), Luke Schenn (11)
2 – 2 Tie
2ND PERIOD
03:11
LAK
Tyler Toffoli (29) Snap shot – ASST: Milan Lucic (32)
3 – 2 LAK
13:07
LAK
Andy Andreoff (5) Wrist shot – ASST: Tyler Toffoli (23), Jeff Carter (35)
4 – 2 LAK
17:26
LAK
SHG – Trevor Lewis (8) Wrist shot – ASST: Brayden McNabb (9), Jonathan Quick (3)
5 – 2 LAK
3RD PERIOD
09:22
EDM
PPG – Patrick Maroon (8) Wrist shot – ASST: Andrej Sekera (24), Jordan Eberle (21)
5 – 3 LAK
16:50
EDM
Patrick Maroon (9) Tip-in – ASST: Connor McDavid (30), Adam Clendening (6)
5 – 4 LAK
19:27
LAK
EN – Jeff Carter (20) Wrist shot – ASST: Tyler Toffoli (24), Jake Muzzin (31)
6 – 4 LAK

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THE NORTH X NORTHGRETZ PODCAST

It’s a special birthday edition of North By NorthGretz! We celebrate Chris The Intern’s birthday before talking about the Nurse/Haley situation, whether or not the Oilers have a shot at Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and if we’ve seen the last of Nugent-Hopkins in an Oilers jersey. Then it’s time for Chris to embarrass himself playing a movie quotes game before all of life’s mysteries are once again answered in Ask The Idiots! 
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