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Running Up That Hill (The G)
Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
A year ago, TSN’s Travis Yost predicted it was possible for the Edmonton Oilers to ride the phenom Connor McDavid and ridiculous goaltending into the playoffs and that turned out true. In fact, but for luck and a timely misplacing of the rule book perhaps the story would have had more chapters in 2016-17.
For this year, the offseason verbal has been fairly negative considering the success of last year’s team. The injury to Andrej Sekera, the trade of Jordan Eberle, the lack of a big name addition have all contributed to a general malaise. Yost’s prediction remains intact for 2017-18, and as we prepare for training camp (and end this preview series) it’s worth remembering the keys to last year’s success.
PREVIOUSLY IN THE SERIES
- The Blues Magoos (Bloody Well Right)
- Beyond the Blue Horizon (Leftorium)
- Centerpiece
- Left Wing Locked
- Hazy on the Starboard Side
- Pipeline: Goalie
- Pipeline: Defense
- Pipeline: Forwards
- Cam Talbot. He posted excellent regular season numbers: .919 overall SP saw him finish No. 10 overall among NHL starters, who I define as having started 35 or more games. Even strength SP was .927, tied for No. 10 overall. Led the league (tie) in wins (42). Power play SP, tied for No. 14, .877, an area the team needs to tighten. In the playoffs, he was .924 overall, .923 even-strength SP and .926 against the power-play. The number of games that could have turned on a dime without stunning saves from Talbot were myriad, and any reasonable Oilers observer would agree he’ll need to repeat that kind of performance this year. His resume as an NHL goalie has been very good.
- Laurent Brossoit. I’m a big believer in giving a man his chance and Laurent Brossoit has earned the backup opportunity. He’s in a tough spot, the manager who brought him in remains in the organization but the manager who can keep him here has no real connection. Brossoit performed admirably once recalled last year (8gp, 1.99 .928) albeit in a small sample size. Brossoit is the most confident young goalie to arrive from the minors I can recall and there’s a gigantic opportunity waiting. He may be asked to start more than the average backup in the Talbot era, it will be very interesting to see how he responds to this pressure.
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