Monday Musings: More Time for Mikko?
Through 32 games Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have each made 16 starts. That is a big enough sample size (39% of the season) to see there is a discrepancy in the numbers between Smith and Koskinen.
GDB 31.0: Tighten Up Defensively (7pm MT, SNW)
I have a strong bias towards offensive hockey. I admit it. I respect solid defence, but I gravitate towards offensive players. However, despite my love of offence, I recognize it is very difficult to win consistently in the NHL if you give up too many goals. The Oilers offensive production has been incredibly consistent this…
Game Notes Kings @ Oilers: Pacific Division Playoffs
I love the passion of Oilers fans. Despite a rough 13-year stretch, you are still heavily invested in your team. Most of you have found a balance to enjoy the victories and critique the losses. Losing 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night ignited some frustration within Oilersnation, which was fair, but head coach…
Game Notes: Senators @ Oilers – Home Cooking
The Edmonton Oilers open up a four-game homestand tonight against the rebuilding, 29th place Ottawa Senators. The Sens have lost five games in a row, including the first three on their current five-game road trip, and they’ve been outscored 17-5 during their losing streak. They arrived early this morning into Edmonton after their 5-2 loss…
Trading for Taylor Hall
It is only a matter of when, not if, the New Jersey Devils will trade Taylor Hall. Since being traded to New Jersey Hall is tied for 18th in points-per-game among NHL forwards at 0.99 points/game. His closest teammates are Kyle Palmieri at 0.67 PPG and Nico Hischier at 0.65 PPG. There are six sets…
Monday Musings: Oilers Refuse to Lose
The Edmonton Oilers are one of only two teams who have yet to have a winless streak of more than two games. The New York Islanders are the other. Due to the NHL’s loser point we focus on winless streaks instead of losing streaks. A team can lose three games in a row, but if…
Projections, Projections and Projections
Projections are fun. Anyone can make a prediction at the start of the season on who they think will make the playoffs and who won’t. For years there have been some obvious projections, like the New England Patriots making the playoffs in a brutal AFC east, or the Pittsburgh Penguins making the playoffs in the…
Larsson Penalty Didn’t Cost Oilers the Game
Adam Larsson’s five minute elbowing major occurred 2:45 into the second period last night. He was given a game misconduct, which isn’t automatic for any major penalty. He got the misconduct due, I assume, to rule 45 involving elbowing penalties.
GDB 27.0: Big Minutes for Star Players (8pm MT, SNW)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is in Edmonton getting his hand/finger looked at, and in his absence, Leon Draisaitl is likely going to play more minutes. Draisaitl played 29 minutes Sunday night in Arizona. He did play 4:10 in overtime, so he was at 24:50 in regulation. If the game is close tonight, I suspect you will see…
Game Notes Oilers @ Avalanche: Expect Offence
When the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche play, offence is often overflowing. It probably shouldn’t surprise us considering the top-end talent on both teams, but usually when these teams play the offence has the advantage. They have averaged 7.5 goals/game in their last ten meetings and the Oilers have won seven of them. Both teams…
Coaches On Alert
Coaches at any level of sports can have a major impact, both positively or negatively, on your sporting journey. I was lucky. I never had a horrible coach. I quit peewee hockey because I didn’t enjoy my coach at that age. He was too competitive, but he coached me again in Midget, and then I…
Klefbom Discusses the Powerplay, Cooking, Fashion and More
Before the Oilers left on their road trip, Oscar Klefbom stopped by the TSN 1260 studios to voice a commercial. When he was finished he joined Jason Strudwick and me on air for an impromptu interview.