Pacific Division Roundup: All eyes on Erik Karlsson
1 year ago
It’s hard to say that it was a successful week for the Edmonton Oilers.
While the team managed to pick up five of a possible eight points, they played some crappy teams, and a 2-1-1 record wasn’t good enough. Let’s look at the Pacific Division roundup…
The Edmonton Oilers’ week:
After their six-game win streak was snapped by the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets on January 25th, the team managed to get back on track with a win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Which leads up to this past week.
The week started off great, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. The Oilers slipped up in their next game, losing 2-1 in a shootout to the lowly Philadelphia Flyers. They then beat my hometown Ottawa Senators 6-3 this past Saturday, but had blown a 3-1 lead before pulling away. However, the week ended on a rough note as they were embarrassed by the Montreal Canadiens, who smashed Edmonton 6-2 at Centre Bell.
In recent Pacific Division Roundups, I’ve noted that they’ve had an “easy schedule” for the past month or so. Well, after a game against the Red Wings on Wednesday, they’ll play the New York Rangers on Friday, and Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, two playoff teams.
The Oilers are still doing well in the standings as they are third in the Pacific Division, but there could be some improvements… such as trading for Erik Karlsson or Tyler Bertuzzi. Ironically, they were linked to both this past week.
The Vegas Golden Knights’ week:
After a tough stretch heading into the all-star break, the team from the gambling capital of the world has seemingly turned it around. They won all three of their games this past week in convincing fashion and jumped from third in the Pacific Division in last week’s article to first.
Captain Mark Stone underwent back surgery at the start of February but has yet to be listed on the long-term injured reserve, despite being out indefinitely.
The Knights only have two games next week, playing both the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning at home on Thursday and Saturday respectively.
The Seattle Kraken’s week:
Unlike the Knights’ week, the week for Seattle didn’t go so great. The Pacific coast team was on the Atlantic coast playing all three New York Metro teams and the Philadelphia Flyers. They were shut out by the Islanders, and lost to both the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers back-to-back, before salvaging their week with a win against the Flyers.
Like we always do in this section, let’s see how the three former Oiler players’ weeks went.
Jordan Eberle: 4 games played, 1 goal, 1 assist, -2
Adam Larsson: 4 games played, 1 goal, 0 assists, +1
Justin Schultz: 3 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0
The Los Angeles Kings’ week:
The Kings only played one game this past week, shutting out the Penguins 6-0 on home ice. It makes sense, as they played at least two games more than anyone else in the Pacific heading into this past week.
Although they swept their week, they find themselves in the first wildcard position, but are tied on points with the Oilers and the Kraken, all with 65 points. Their schedule is busier this week, as they play the Buffalo Sabres at home on Monday, the Anaheim Ducks away on Friday, and the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
Speaking about the Coyotes, defenceman Jakob Chychrun will be a healthy scratch until he is moved, according to Sportsnet’s Adan Vigan. Furthermore, the Kings were apparently close to a deal, but it hit a snag due to monetary reason per Elliot Friedman on 32 Thoughts.
It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out for one of the former Pacific Division’s bad teams.
The Calgary Flames’ week:
The Flames picked up three points of a possible six this past week. They lost 5-4 in overtime to the Rangers, lost 2-1 to the Red Wings, but smashed the Sabres 7-2.
The Flames have been trending water the past month or so, which isn’t great for a team named the “Flames”. This upcoming week, they’ll face the Senators away on Monday, the Red Wings at home on Thursday, and the Rangers at home on Saturday.
They currently find themselves with 60 points, tied for the final wildcard spot, but the Minnesota Wild have a game in hand.
The Vancouver Canucks’ week:
The Cancuks also had the New York Metro road trip (plus a game against Detroit). They lost 5-4 in overtime to the Devils, 4-3 to the Rangers, won 6-5 against the Islanders. Funnily enough, both Bo Horvat and Anthony Beauvillier scored in this game, with Horvat already scoring three goals in just four games this past week.
They also lost 5-2 to the Red Wings on Saturday and will wrap up a home and home against the Red Wings on Monday, before taking on the Rangers on Wedensday and the Flyers at home on Saturday.
Since Rick Tocchet took over on January 22nd, the Canucks are 3-3-1, but have only beaten fellow tanking teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets. May they forever be mediocre with how they treated the beloved Bruce Boudreau.
The bad teams of the Pacific:
The San Jose Sharks had a solid week, beating the Lightning 4-3, losing to the Florida Panthers 4-1, before beating the Washington Capitals 4-1. Erik Karlsson had two goals and five assists in the three games he played. Please find a way to acquire him, Ken Holland. Former Oiler Matt Benning was held off the score sheet.
As you’d expect, the crap-ass Ducks allowed a ton of goals, and only picked up three of a possible eight points. Their first two games in the week went to overtime, winning one and losing the other in the shootout. They were promptly blown out by the Penguins and Golden Knights, allowing 13 goals in just two games. Former Oilers Ryan Strom and Dmitry Kulikov were held off the score sheet.
As it stands:
Here are the Pacific Division Standings as of Monday, February 13th…
It’s currently a dogfight for the top four teams in the conference. All teams have played a similar amount of games, and the Oilers have a tougher schedule coming up. They’re still in a solid spot, as Calgary is the first team on the outside looking in, but it would have been nice to beat Montreal, Columbus, and Philadelphia.
Hopefully, the Oilers can make some trades to reinvigorate their team heading into the postseason. Bring in Karlsson, Kenny!
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