Happy Monday, Internet, and welcome to another fresh edition of the Mailbag to help get your week started and break down all things Edmonton Oilers. This week we’re looking at round one against the Kings, the NHL playoffs, Jay Woodcroft&#8217;s soft touch, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or hit me up on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.

<figure id="attachment_131931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-131931" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-131931" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-1024x773.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="773" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-1024x773.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-300x227.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-768x580.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-1536x1160.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-2048x1546.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-131931" class="wp-caption-text">Apr 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) reacts to a goal as the Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates their overtime win during the overtime period in game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Los Angeles Kings won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
1) Harold asks &#8211; For the most part, the Oil are playing pretty damned well against the Kings but keep getting burned by their own mistakes. Do you think this is a product of nerves or should we be giving the Kings more credit for their defensive style?
Jason Gregor:
I haven&#8217;t seen nerves as much of an issue. Lack of finishing in the first three games and unnecessary penalties were more of the issue.
Robin Brownlee:
No nerves involved. Lack of discipline and putting LA on the PP way too often has hurt them. Korpisalo has been very good.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I think this is on the Oilers. They keep getting drawn into taking bad penalties and that&#8217;s what killed them. It shouldn&#8217;t be a product of nerves because this team went on a long playoff run last year. I don&#8217;t know what to make of it but they need to snap out of it.
Baggedmilk:
Oilers are taking way too many penalties and the Kings are burning them for it. If you look at the even strength possession numbers, Edmonton is dominating and it&#8217;s making this whole series all the more frustrating.
<figure id="attachment_131170" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-131170" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-131170" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-131170" class="wp-caption-text">Mar 27, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft reacts in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
2) Yves asks &#8211; How does everybody feel about the way Jay Woodcroft has handled his players that make costly errors such as Desharnais in <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2023/04/18/gdb-1-0-wrap-up-oilers-blow-two-goal-leads-as-kings-open-series-with-overtime-win/">Game 1</a>?
Jason Gregor:
Mistakes happen. You put him right back out there when it is one. In game four he made a few errors, and they sat him down. He hasn&#8217;t altered from the regular season. Players can&#8217;t play scared to make a mistake, if they are they won&#8217;t play well.
Robin Brownlee:
We&#8217;re four games in. Woodcroft hasn&#8217;t lost the ability to handle his players properly since the Oilers won nine straight games to end the season has he? I feel fine about the way he&#8217;s running the bench. We saw a little more of Broberg after the awful first period Desharnais had Sunday.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I think it&#8217;s fine. Vinny is one of those players who&#8217;s experiencing playoff hockey for the first time and although his mistake was a bad one, I&#8217;m okay with letting him play through it early in the series. If it keeps up though, a change will be needed.
Baggedmilk:
Woody will never throw anyone under the bus. That&#8217;s not his style and I can&#8217;t imagine he&#8217;ll be changing it up anytime either.
<figure id="attachment_132020" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-132020" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-132020" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres.jpg 1861w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-132020" class="wp-caption-text">Apr 19, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal scored by forward Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
3) Oilers fan in Van asks &#8211; Leon Draisaitl is on another planet right now and I&#8217;m wondering what everyone thinks he&#8217;s doing so well to earn the individual results and points he&#8217;s putting up?
Jason Gregor:
Draisaitl has the second highest points/game in NHL history. He&#8217;s elite in the regular season and is one of the rare players who can raise his game even higher. Big, strong, smart, skilled and driven. A lethal combination.
Robin Brownlee:
You&#8217;re on the money. On another planet. Watch him. Start with how relentless he is on the puck and go from there.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
He seems more driven and he&#8217;s shooting the puck more. In the regular season, he tends to always be pass first which never made sense for me considering he&#8217;s a 50+ goal scorer and we&#8217;ve seen him shoot the puck a bit more in these first few games. Not only is that giving him more chances to score, but it&#8217;s opening up more passing lanes since the Kings need to respect the fact that he&#8217;s actually shooting.
Baggedmilk:
He&#8217;s a war machine. Plain and simple. That said, I have been side-eyeing the TV anytime I see Vegas and Winnipeg.
<figure id="attachment_132015" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-132015" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-132015" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-132015" class="wp-caption-text">Apr 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting (58) battle for the puck during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
4) Anna asks &#8211; Outside of Edmonton and LA, which series are you paying the most attention to and why?
Jason Gregor:
Tough to say just one. I&#8217;ve enjoyed the Winnipeg/Vegas series, as well as Rangers/Devils and the Leafs/Lightning. All three have been great. Winnipeg/Vegas is a bit of potential pre-scouting as Edmonton, if they win, plays the winner. Rangers/Devils has always been a good rivalry, plus I&#8217;m curious if the Devils small forwards can win and Leafs/Lightning has a lot of skill and a lot on the line.
Robin Brownlee:
Colorado and Seattle because the Avs are defending champs.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I&#8217;ve been pretty dialed into the other series involving Canadian teams. The Jets and Leafs are both very interesting stories for different reasons and their matchups are very compelling.
Baggedmilk:
None. I&#8217;m too focused on what&#8217;s going on here.
<figure id="attachment_124366" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-124366" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-124366" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-124366" class="wp-caption-text">Nov 23, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) passes during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
5) Clay asks &#8211; Which playoff matchup has been the most interesting or surprising to everyone? I&#8217;ve been impressed with the way the Jets have played against Vegas, and wonder if winning the Western Conference was almost a bad thing for the Golden Knights.
Jason Gregor:
The results of the LA/EDM series have been surprising based on shots, quality of shots and Edmonton&#8217;s inability to score a goal without Draisaitl on the ice. How is it possible they haven&#8217;t done that in four games.
Robin Brownlee:
No contest. Oilers-LA for me.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
The way that the Seattle Kraken have been pushing the Colorado Avalanche has been fascinating to me. I thought they&#8217;d get run out of the building early on and that certainly wasn&#8217;t the case. Good on them for pushing the way they have.
Baggedmilk:
Has to be the Oilers vs. LA for me because the Oilers are playing really well for the most part but dropped games that they probably deserved to win. It&#8217;s been extremely frustrating to be honest.
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<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-127539" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Article-1-SME-1-1.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Article-1-SME-1-1.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Article-1-SME-1-1-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
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Happy Monday, Internet, and welcome to another fresh edition of the Mailbag to help get your week started and break down all things Edmonton Oilers. This week we’re looking at round one against the Kings, the NHL playoffs, Jay Woodcroft's soft touch, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or hit me up on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.



[caption id="attachment_131931" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-131931" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Edmonton-Oilers-Los-Angeles-Kings-1024x773.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="773" /> Apr 17, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) reacts to a goal as the Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates their overtime win during the overtime period in game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Los Angeles Kings won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

1) Harold asks - For the most part, the Oil are playing pretty damned well against the Kings but keep getting burned by their own mistakes. Do you think this is a product of nerves or should we be giving the Kings more credit for their defensive style?

Jason Gregor:

I haven't seen nerves as much of an issue. Lack of finishing in the first three games and unnecessary penalties were more of the issue.

Robin Brownlee:

No nerves involved. Lack of discipline and putting LA on the PP way too often has hurt them. Korpisalo has been very good.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I think this is on the Oilers. They keep getting drawn into taking bad penalties and that's what killed them. It shouldn't be a product of nerves because this team went on a long playoff run last year. I don't know what to make of it but they need to snap out of it.

Baggedmilk:

Oilers are taking way too many penalties and the Kings are burning them for it. If you look at the even strength possession numbers, Edmonton is dominating and it's making this whole series all the more frustrating.

[caption id="attachment_131170" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-131170" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20332334-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Mar 27, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft reacts in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

2) Yves asks - How does everybody feel about the way Jay Woodcroft has handled his players that make costly errors such as Desharnais in <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2023/04/18/gdb-1-0-wrap-up-oilers-blow-two-goal-leads-as-kings-open-series-with-overtime-win/">Game 1</a>?

Jason Gregor:

Mistakes happen. You put him right back out there when it is one. In game four he made a few errors, and they sat him down. He hasn't altered from the regular season. Players can't play scared to make a mistake, if they are they won't play well.

Robin Brownlee:

We're four games in. Woodcroft hasn't lost the ability to handle his players properly since the Oilers won nine straight games to end the season has he? I feel fine about the way he's running the bench. We saw a little more of Broberg after the awful first period Desharnais had Sunday.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I think it's fine. Vinny is one of those players who's experiencing playoff hockey for the first time and although his mistake was a bad one, I'm okay with letting him play through it early in the series. If it keeps up though, a change will be needed.

Baggedmilk:

Woody will never throw anyone under the bus. That's not his style and I can't imagine he'll be changing it up anytime either.

[caption id="attachment_132020" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-132020" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20500500_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Apr 19, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal scored by forward Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

3) Oilers fan in Van asks - Leon Draisaitl is on another planet right now and I'm wondering what everyone thinks he's doing so well to earn the individual results and points he's putting up?

Jason Gregor:

Draisaitl has the second highest points/game in NHL history. He's elite in the regular season and is one of the rare players who can raise his game even higher. Big, strong, smart, skilled and driven. A lethal combination.

Robin Brownlee:

You're on the money. On another planet. Watch him. Start with how relentless he is on the puck and go from there.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

He seems more driven and he's shooting the puck more. In the regular season, he tends to always be pass first which never made sense for me considering he's a 50+ goal scorer and we've seen him shoot the puck a bit more in these first few games. Not only is that giving him more chances to score, but it's opening up more passing lanes since the Kings need to respect the fact that he's actually shooting.

Baggedmilk:

He's a war machine. Plain and simple. That said, I have been side-eyeing the TV anytime I see Vegas and Winnipeg.

[caption id="attachment_132015" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-132015" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/USATSI_20492759-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Apr 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (28) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting (58) battle for the puck during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

4) Anna asks - Outside of Edmonton and LA, which series are you paying the most attention to and why?

Jason Gregor:

Tough to say just one. I've enjoyed the Winnipeg/Vegas series, as well as Rangers/Devils and the Leafs/Lightning. All three have been great. Winnipeg/Vegas is a bit of potential pre-scouting as Edmonton, if they win, plays the winner. Rangers/Devils has always been a good rivalry, plus I'm curious if the Devils small forwards can win and Leafs/Lightning has a lot of skill and a lot on the line.

Robin Brownlee:

Colorado and Seattle because the Avs are defending champs.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I've been pretty dialed into the other series involving Canadian teams. The Jets and Leafs are both very interesting stories for different reasons and their matchups are very compelling.

Baggedmilk:

None. I'm too focused on what's going on here.

[caption id="attachment_124366" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-124366" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/USATSI_19492765-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Nov 23, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) passes during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

5) Clay asks - Which playoff matchup has been the most interesting or surprising to everyone? I've been impressed with the way the Jets have played against Vegas, and wonder if winning the Western Conference was almost a bad thing for the Golden Knights.

Jason Gregor:

The results of the LA/EDM series have been surprising based on shots, quality of shots and Edmonton's inability to score a goal without Draisaitl on the ice. How is it possible they haven't done that in four games.

Robin Brownlee:

No contest. Oilers-LA for me.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

The way that the Seattle Kraken have been pushing the Colorado Avalanche has been fascinating to me. I thought they'd get run out of the building early on and that certainly wasn't the case. Good on them for pushing the way they have.

Baggedmilk:

Has to be the Oilers vs. LA for me because the Oilers are playing really well for the most part but dropped games that they probably deserved to win. It's been extremely frustrating to be honest.
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Star Mechanical is Edmonton’s top plumbing and heating company. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to helping with all your plumbing and heating needs, from repairs and maintenance to installation and upgrades. With years of experience and a reputation for quality workmanship, you can trust us your local Star to get the job done. <a href="https://starmechanical.ca/?utm_source=nation_network&amp;utm_medium=blog_post" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit us at starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let us help keep your home running smoothly.

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