The Oilers conclude their busiest stretch of the season tonight versus the Anaheim Ducks. This is their 15th game in 28 days, and they’ve managed to go 7-7-0 so far. They are 7-3 since March 1st when Cam Talbot starts, and he’ll play tonight.
Prior to March the Oilers were 23-34-7 (prorated over full season equals 68 points), and despite significant injuries to their blueline this month, they’ve still managed to improve their point totals. Todd McLellan challenged his team, and so far they have responded.
They still have a lot to improve before they are a playoff contending team, but instead of limping to the finish line like they have the past eight seasons, at least they are competitive down the stretch this year.
The best case scenario for the Oilers is finishing 25th, and the worst case is they will finish 30th for the third time in the seven years.
Despite a respectable finish in their final 18 games, the Oilers will once again be closer to the basement of the NHL than to the playoff cut line. I’ve seen improvement, but ultimately not enough and moral victories and small improvements simply aren’t good enough.
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OT | PTS | ROW |
|
75 |
31 |
38 |
6 |
68 |
29 |
|
|
75 |
31 |
38 |
6 |
68 |
29 |
|
|
75 |
30 |
37 |
8 |
68 |
24 |
|
|
|
75 |
27 |
35 |
13 |
67 |
23 |
|
78 |
30 |
41 |
7 |
67 |
26 |
|
|
74 |
27 |
36 |
11 |
65 |
21 |
Buffalo has 72 points and seven games remaining — the Oilers won’t be catching them.
Fifteen games in 28 days is a lot of hockey, and facing a Ducks team that is three points out of first place in the Pacific and four points ahead of third place San Jose is not an easy task, but the Oilers only play three games in the final 13 days of the season, so they will have ample time to rest up. Tonight will be a test of their desire and mental toughness and McLellan will be watching to see who shows up and who doesn’t.
LINEUPS…
Oilers lineup courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
Ducks lineup courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
QUICK HITS…
- Nail Yakupov asking for a trade isn’t a surprise. I can see why he’d be frustrated. Right around the trade deadline a source told me Yakupov and his camp had asked for a trade, but I could never get a solid confirmation so I didn’t write it. My source mentioned at the time the Ducks were close (not guaranteed but close) on a deal with Yakupov and Benoit Pouliot prior to the trade deadline, but the injury to Pouliot put an end to those discussions.
Teams will have interest in Yakupov. The return will be more than what some expect, but it also won’t be as much as you’d hope for a player only four years removed from being the first overall pick in the draft. Considering Yakupov’s camp was allowed to talk to other teams, Yakupov will know who had interest, and I’m guessing he will want to make a solid impression for the Ducks tonight.
Today Yakupov said, “The agent and the team had a discussion about it, but I don’t know any details. That’s it. I’m still here.” Trust me, he knows every detail. He knows the Ducks had interest and he’ll know which other teams were/are interested. His agent, Igor Larionov, wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t tell his client what was up. Larionov will join me at 2:05 MST today to discuss Yakupov.
- Patrick Maroon has five goals in 12 games with the Oilers, while Yakupov has six goals in 56 games. I don’t see where Yakupov fits moving forward. Having three different head coaches in four years is not ideal for a young player, and I believe both the organization and Yakupov have an equal share in his lack of production to this point. Both sides can look within and they should recognize what needs to change moving forward. The Oilers won’t have a coaching carousel under Peter Chiarelli, and when Yakupov goes to a new team next year he will need to realize he needs to play smarter. I like Yakupov’s attitude and tenacity, and if he decides to dedicate himself to playing smarter and within a system he will be a solid NHL player.
- The Oilers went 2-4 with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in the lineup this month. If they keep all three they are better off having Draisaitl or RNH play the wing in the top-six than spread them out over three lines. Teams barely have two scoring lines in today’s NHL — expecting three seems like a losing proposition.
- The Oilers haven’t won 19 games at home since 2006/2007 when they went 19-19-3. They last won 20 games at home in 2005/2006 when they finished 20-15-6. They are currently 18-18-2 with three home games remaining.
TONIGHT…
GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers are 2-4 at home in March, but they stun the Ducks with a 4-2 victory.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid has scored a goal on every day of the week this year except Monday. He has one on Wednesdays and Sundays, two on Fridays, three on Saturdays and four on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is his final Monday game of the season so he scores a goal.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Korpikoski has seven career goals versus the Ducks, tied for the most against any team (Dallas is the other). He tallies his eighth career goal versus Anaheim tonight.
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My name is drew remenda and I am a idiot.
Really disgusts me listening to Drew Remenda.
Nail goes out and plays his heart out and doesn’t bury a shot. Bends over in disgust with himself.
Drew makes a comment about body language.
Every player who misses a grade A chance does that.
Talk about kicking a guy when he is down.
At 22 if I was in the headlines, not knowing where my future is, having an agent who is supposed to represent me airing my dirty laundry in the open. Sorry if I show a little emotion.
Everyone who talks about what this team needs, they need a better class of commentator or a commentator with some class.
Not looking like a baked potato would be a step in the right direction. I cringed when Remenda said that as well…he is the worst.
Bring back DeBrusk FFS.
So Drew it’s ok for Maroon to show disgust but when it’s Yakupov it’s shameful?
Austin Mathews? How good is he really? Anaheim isn’t even trying tonight. Who is the concesus number one next year? Seems like we are getting him too.
Lame penalty against mcdavid. But like it mattes anymore.
Lmao yak cityyy
#10
SIUTBOHC
These refs love cali eh
Good lord how has the reffing been getting worse over the years. Did mcgough get the job of training the new refs and linesman? ?
Wow. If this game actually mattered and I cared I would be pretty upset with the officiating. Brutal calls all night and Kesler seems to be able to trip and interfere whenever he wants. What a loser.
Brutal calls are the norm
The Ducks are starting to irk me like Vancouver used to. Kesler is a big reason for that. Go Hawks or anybody but Anaheim.
That was the worst offside call ever. That puck was a foot from even getting to the blue line. Once again the linesmen are just guessing at the offsides. Just pathetic.
It seems like every game there are at least 2 times where the Oilers are called offside, but if you go back at look at it in slow motion, they are onside. This may be the worst ever.
Watching the Oilers game is not good for my health.
The frustration of bunch of near misses, costly turn overs, and the refs…
Nicely done Edmonton, keep that 30th spot close to your heart and don’t worry about that losing culture and mentality you have firmly engrained in your team.
Yak can’t WAIT to be gone, he’s counting down the games left like the schedule is an advent calendar
wow…can you be any more of a sad pathetic troll loser???
O omniscient one, we bow to your absolute surety of your knowitalledness.
I thought that you guys are supposedly playing for Stanley Cup this year…so what happened?
3rd year of the rebuild. You know, like where you guys were 7 years ago..and you still can’t keep up Lol.
How many #1 picks does it take to make the playoffs? Oiler fans still aren’t sure…
Go away you sad pathetic troll loser
We decided to keep Calgary company in the basement. I think their fan base needs the support.
If Mark Wheeler is assigned to do lines in the playoffs,the NHL referees association will have zero credibility. He wasn’t even stationed in a proper position to make a call at the blue line yet he made abad call that may have had a bearing on the outcome of a game.
Perhaps he wants to start his offseason early. With calls like that he will get his wish.
13 seconds to go and a Phantom Offside? Just let it play out ya bozo.
Yak scores and finishes the game -1. Poetic.
We still care about this useless stat?
you miss the point.