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GDB 62.0 Wrap Up: Oilers @ Kings

By baggedmilk

Feb 26, 2016, 01:23 ESTUpdated:

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Purcell and Schultz were both scratched tonight. The yard sale is open. Final Score: 2-1 Kings

Could there be better timing for a California road trip than when the Oilers have lost five straight games? The Oilers need a win and playing the Kings and Ducks is always an easy way to get wins on the board, right? Point nights for all involved? Absolutely. Where are the Leafs when you need them? I won’t lie to you guys, I was not at all excited to watch this hockey game. Not only was I concerned about the Oilers’ ability to compete against a very good Kings hockey team, the Gord damned game had to start at 8:30pm. Don’t the schedule makers know how old I feel? Dicks.

Anyway…

I couldn’t help but feel like the last thing the Oilers needed during this slump is back-to-back games against two of the best teams in the Western Conference, and it was affecting my ability to get McExcited. I thought that the Oilers needed some confidence and the possibility of getting pumped on back-to-back nights seems like the worst way to pump your tires. McDavid factor aside, the Oilers needed to play light years better than they had on their home stand if they were going to have any chance against the Kings. Surprisingly, that’s pretty much what happened. I mean, they didn’t win but they played well.

Despite the fact the Oilers played a pretty solid road game, Twitter almost seemed preoccupied by who wasn’t playing rather than those that were. For some, even Connor’s seemingly limitless brilliance wasn’t enough to keep them from falling into the speculation vortex. At the same time, I get it. After news broke that both Justin Schultz and Teddy Purcell had been scratched before puck drop it was hard to focus. According to Bob McKenzie, there is a list of suitors for Purcell, but we’re not 100% sure whether Schultz was scratched for trade reasons or suck reasons? Is this the end of the Schultz era? We wait.

Trade teases aside, the Oilers played well enough to win this hockey game through the first 40 minutes. While they were able to limit their mistakes in the first two periods the same could not be said in the third. The Oilers took a lead into the third period and they lost it. At least the moral victory column continues to grow.

We wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

As bad as the Oilers are, watching Connor McDavid makes it all worth it. He is a beacon of hope when the rest of the Universe seems to be raining piss down on our heads.
The Oilers scratched Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz tonight so you’d have to think that there’s a trade announcement coming as soon as tonight. Tomorrow morning more likely, but what the hell do I know?
Zack Kassian scored a huge goal late in the second period (his third) to put the Oilers up by one goal, and a chance to win a game. Kassian played well and it looks like he wanted to make the most of his opportunity to play with Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl.
Cam Talbot was rock solid tonight and he kept the Oilers in the game through all sorts of late pressure by the Kings. He was also great at controlling the pace, and freezing pucks when he had the chance. He finished the night with 34 saves and a .944 save%.
I liked the Khaira-Lander-Yak line tonight. That line was in the mix all night and were good at creating chances early.
Speaking of Khaira, I like seeing him in the lineup. He plays a simple game, loves to smash bang, and generally makes good choices. Welcome back, JJ.
Nail Yakupov had a solid game again and was rewarded with ice time late in the game when the Oilers needed a goal.
It’s going to be hilarious to watch the league implode when the Oilers win the draft lottery again.

THE FACE PALMERS

Why do the Oilers make it seem like a bad thing to have a lead going into the third period?
Jonathan Quick has robbed Connor McDavid way too many times this season. Too many. Connor is due for one.
The Kings defensive top-six houses so many good players with so much experience. It’s hard not to be even a little bit jealous.
Jeff Carter hadn’t scored a goal in seven games before tonight. Slump. Busted. Is it just me or does Carter always seem to score against the Oilers? Is that a thing? I think it might be a thing.
I find it hard to believe that a team that hits as often as the Kings only got ONE penalty on the night. *adjusts tinfoil hat*
Anton Lander may never score again.
Not a great night in the faceoff circle despite dominating in the first period. The Oilers finished 48% on the dot.
The Oilers have had 18 one-goal losses. That’s incredible.
The refs missed two blatant high sticks to the face in the first period. No calls. Lame.
I was hoping to, at least, use the pity point dance gif tonight. Sad.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD
NONE
2ND PERIOD
18:55	EDM	Zack Kassian (3) Snap shot – ASST: Taylor Hall (33), Leon Draisaitl (28)	1 – 0 EDM
3RD PERIOD
05:27	LAK	Jeff Carter (15) Wrist shot – ASST: Tyler Toffoli (20), Dwight King (5)	1 – 1 Tie
14:10	LAK	Dwight King (6) Tip-in – ASST: Jeff Carter (27), Tyler Toffoli (21)	2 – 1 LAK

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