Oilers 1st quarter vs. 2nd quarter

The Oilers reached the halfway mark of the season sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with a record of 21-14-7. 

The Oilers were 9-6-6 during the second quarter (I use 21 games in first and second quarter and 20 in the third and fourth), after going 12-8-1 in their first 21 games. They had 25 points in their first 21 games and picked up 24 in their last 21.

They’ve been fairly consistent, all things considered.

When I look at their team statistics, I give them an B+ for the second quarter. Had they managed a few more regulation wins I’d have given them another A.

You can read their first quarter report card here. This time I will compare the team and individuals on how they fared in the second quarter compared to the first 21 games.

The Oilers played nine home games and 12 road games during this 21 game stretch, which funny enough is the exact same amount as their first 21 games.

Their points totals were very close.

               First Q    vs.                  2nd Q

Record    12-8-1 (25 pts)             9-6-6 (24 pts)
Home:      5-4-0 (10 pts)               4-3-2 (10 pts)
Road:      7-4-1                             5-3-4
GF-GA    64-54                            54-56
SF/SA     657-632                        640-630
PP          12 of 63 (19%)              16 of 69 (23.2%)
PK          8 of 60 (86.7%)             16 of 64 (75%)    

McDavid’s numbers dipped a bit. He had four fewer goals despite taking 11 more shots. His final few games on the road trip were dominant and I could see him going on an offensive run again. Even with his “dip” in production he still averaged one-point-per-game.

The only concern in his game for me is that he regressed in faceoffs. In his first 21 games he won 43.9% of his draws (126 of 287). These past 21 games he was 41.9% winning 81 of 193. He took almost 100 fewer draws and is winning fewer of them. 

Draisaitl had a very strong quarter. He was +9 after being -6 in his first 21 games. He produced more points and averaged almost one more shot per game. He scored fewer PP goals, but had more points and that is a good sign.

Eberle had a brutal quarter. He can’t finish. He only had one goal, but the same nine assists in 21 games. It is obvious he is lacking confidence around the net. I thought he played okay on the in the final three games of the road trip, but they need a lot more from him. His defensive zone coverage and backchecking have improved, but he’s paid to produce and they need him to snap out of this prolonged offensive funk.

Lucic’s totals were fairly consistent. He had two fewer goals, but the same number of assists, penalty minutes and shots on goal. His plus-minus looks much worse because of the -3 last night in Ottawa, but I’d argue RNH and Gustavsson played a bigger role in that stat than Lucic. If he can produce 10-12 points next segment playing without McDavid, that would be a solid quarter.

The Big Rig is rolling. He was just named second star of the week after scoring five goals in three games. He is fourth in the NHL in EV goals with 15 and he leads the Oilers with 16 goals. He is scoring, fighting, hitting and playing consistently. He had ten goals during this quarter, easily the most productive 21-game stretch of his NHL career.

RNH had a tough quarter at EV. He was -11 despite scoring more EV goals. He was down a bit in the faceoff dot. He was 46.9% in the first quarter (150 of 320) and went 46% (134 of 291) this quarter. The Oilers need more from him.

He had a fantastic quarter. He produced 12 points, was a plus player and had four times as many shots as the first quarter. That is a huge jump and illustrates how much more involved he was in the play.

He’d been extremely consistent. His injury was simply awful, brutal news for a player who was making an impact every game.

He has played fairly consistent despite not getting credit for a goal — both of his were waived off. He has used his size and speed quite well, and if he can control the bad decisions with the puck he’ll continue to be a good complementary player for the Oilers. 

The best news for him was getting sent to Bakersfield. He needs to play regularly and play a lot. I expect him to take a few games to get his conditioning back, but I hope they play him 18-20 minutes a night in the AHL.

The most concerning part of his game this quarter was he didn’t produce many scoring chances. I did think he played fairly well the past three games. Maybe he’s coming out of his funk. 

He has looked fine for a rookie. He looked a bit tired in December, but the break seemed to give him some energy. He’s looked much quicker the past few games. 

He ripped up the AHL producing 21 points in 13 games and he has two points in three games since being recalled. He’s an effective fourth liner, especially now that he has some confidence to make some plays with the puck.

He didn’t play enough to make an educated assessment. He was recalled today and I’m curious to see if they put him with Lucic-RNH and put Kassian back with Letestu. I’d give him a look on the second or third line and see what he can do.

He was on the ice for too many goals against. When he’s playing well he can still be an effective fourth liner and PKer, but I don’t see him playing every game. 

Not enough games to make a real assessment.

He had a fantastic quarter, producing 13 points in 19 games. Only Draisaitl and McDavid produced more. We didn’t see the Shin Pad Assassin nearly as much this quarter and that was a huge positive.

I think we forget how little experience Klefbom has. He will play his 150th NHL game tomorrow, and for much of his first 149 games he’s had to play big minutes. Klefbom has played 891 minutes and has yet to take a penalty. That is very impressive. John Carlson also has 0 PIMs, 914 minutes. No other D-man who has played 891+ or more minutes has less than 10 PIMs.

Klefbom has been very smart with his stick and positioning, but I think he can make more consistent decisions with the puck.

The rookie has played very well. He’s chipping in offensively and he earned huge points from his teammates for not hesitating and going after Wideman after he cross-checked Lander repeatedly. Benning keeps earning more icetime and he’s added some much needed depth on the right side.

He has been steady. He isn’t flashy. He is physical, he grinds down the opposition and he is here to defend. Any offence is a bonus. His footspeed could improve, and I’m sure it will be something they work on in the summer, but another steady quarter from Larsson.

The Oilers miss his speed and tenacity on the blueline, but they finally have enough depth that one injury doesn’t derail their progress.

He wasn’t as effective this quarter as he was in the first 21 games. I thought he made better decisions with the puck in the first quarter. His speed in the D zone helps, because he pressures the puck carrier quickly, but I’d like him to be a bit less scrambly. I also think he needs to add more offensively. I have seen him avoid taking a shot on goal, instead passing it in the corner, and I wonder if he is worried too much about getting his shot blocked. The past few games I’ve noticed him passing up shots and just putting puck to a guy in the corner.

He scored a huge goal and despite only playing eight games he’s made an impact. He is a solid depth defender. If he is your #6/7 your defence is fairly solid.

Didn’t play enough (again), and with him being waived (again), you have to think his time with the Oilers is nearing the end.

He needs to stay healthy. Injury and illness have limited him to only nine games. He needs a strong second half.

Made his NHL debut and looked more comfortable each game. He needs more time to develop in the AHL.

Cam Talbot had 19 starts in the first quarter going 11-7-1 with a .919sv% (534 saves on 581 shots) and a 2.48 GAA. In the second quarter he had 18 starts, going 9-4-5 with a .920sv% (496 saves on 539 shots) and a solid 2.39 GAA.

Talbot has been very consistent all season. 

Jonas Gustavsson had two starts in the first quarter, 1-1-0 with a .898sv% (44 saves on 49 shots) and a 2.51 GAA. He was decent in Detroit, but shaky versus Los Angeles.

In the second quarter he was 0-2-1 with a (69 saves on 81 shots) .851sv% and a 3.99 GAA. He struggled and today was placed on waivers.

The Oilers didn’t have as many wins this quarter, but points are what matter most and picking up 24 has earned them 49 total points after 42 games. They are one point behind Anaheim and San Jose for first in the Pacific, and more importantly, they are six points ahead of Vancouver, who sits ninth in the West.

Overall, the Oilers have had a good start to the season, but the games will get more difficult in the second half, and much more exciting for fans. If you haven’t been already, I’m guessing most readers will be scanning the standings daily now.

The other factor that can’t be overlooked is the Oilers have been fairly healthy, especially among their top forwards. When your best players are in the lineup your chances of winning improve significantly. The Oilers also have more quality players, but staying healthy can’t be overlooked.

Lastly, I sense the Oilers will recall Laurent Brossoit and let him get some extra practice time with goalie coach Dustin Schwartz. The Oilers play Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in their upcoming home stand. Talbot could play all six, and then Brossoit could start next Saturday in Calgary against the team who drafted him.

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