Sorry, but I’m not buying the overused “They got Goalie’d” phrase people use whenever Edmonton’s offence doesn’t produce. We don’t hear people say Calvin Pickard or Stuart Skinner got “Shooter’d.”
Yes, sometimes the opposition goalie will play unreal. Last night Adin Hill played well, but he didn’t have to stand on his head. How many odd-man rushes did he face? How many rebound chances? He was solid, but not out-of-this-world.
The Oilers played well in many facets last night, but they didn’t finish their chances. They missed the net on some of their best ones, and it cost them. Again.
If this was the first time they’d be shut out this season, it would be different, but Edmonton has been shut out four times in 25 games. Mattias Ekholm scored with 33 seconds remaining in Columbus with the Oilers trailing 6-0 to avoid what would have been a fifth shutout on this list and Leon Draisaitl scored with 2:22 remaining while trailing 3-0 to Dallas in another game. That is six games out of 25 where the offence gave their team zero chance to win.
They were shut out three times last season and twice in both 2023 and 2022. For those who keep talking about averages, and why the Oilers will score more regularly due to their shot totals, the Oilers are on pace to be shutout 13 times this season. Ouch.
I heard it right after the game and again this morning, how the Oilers were “Goalie’d” by Hill. Let’s break it down.
First period, the Oilers managed three shots on goal and none of the shots by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brett Kulak and Kasperi Kapenen were threatening. They came from 36, 53 and 44 feet respectively.
The second period is where Edmonton created its most dangerous chances. Their best scoring chance came early in the period, but Connor Brown missed the net. He wasn’t Goalie’d. He simply misfired. They also created a rebound opportunity as Brett Kulak’s initial shot was saved and Jeff Skinner got a stick on the rebound. It was the only time in the first 40 minutes that Hill had to make two saves in quick succession.
Edmonton did fire 16 shots on goal in the third period, but only one was a rebound opportunity as Evan Bouchard delivered a hard point shot with 1:29 remaining and Hill made a solid stop on RNH’s rebound attempt.
The team had lots of shots, but they were mainly one-and-done and none were really that dangerous. In the entire game, you could argue Stuart Skinner’s glove save on Tomas Hertl when he was able to walk right into the low slot and made a deke, only to be stymied by Skinner, was a more difficult stop than any Hill had to face.
The Oilers worked very hard. They were quick on pucks, especially in the third period, and I’m not critiquing their effort. But the lack of finish has been an issue all season, and it keeps showing up. They haven’t been able to find a long stretch of offensive consistency.
They were shut out on October 9th against Winnipeg.
Leon Draisaitl scored with 153 seconds remaining in Dallas to avoid a shutout on October 19th.
Ekholm’s goal with 33 seconds remaining occurred on October 28th.
New Jersey shut them out on November 4th.
They were blanked by Montreal on November 18th.
And last night it happened for a fourth time.
It is a trend that can’t keep getting overlooked. They create a lot of shots, but this season they haven’t created an abundance of second or third opportunities, not a significant number of screen situations and not many rebound goals.
Again, their overall effort last night wasn’t the issue. They worked very hard. They won puck battles, they defended quite well overall. But their offensive execution needs to improve. They have to increase their willingness to create more from in tight. No doubt they miss Zach Hyman, Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson, but even with Hyman and/or Arvidsson, they were shut out three times.
The Oilers need more greasy goals. The organization can’t keep looking at expected goals and just assume they will “regress to the mean.” Practical and theory don’t always jive, and with 30% of the season finished, it is more than just a funk.
The penalty kill was in a funk for the first month. It woke up.
Goaltending struggled early, but Pickard and Skinner have improved, especially in the last five starts for Skinner.
The offence got on a roll for a bit, but the roster doesn’t have many players who make a living around the net.
Oct 13, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
What options do the Oilers have?
Hyman is likely to return on Thursday and his forte is creating chances in tight. He has been top-three in the NHL the past few seasons on inner slot shots. Prior to his injury, he was still around the net, but he wasn’t cashing in. I wonder if part of that was due to less time in the off-season working with his skills coach, compared to the summer of 2023. Hyman missed the net more at a much higher rate in the first 18 games than he did last year. His touch was just a bit off. Him banging home a few goals, rather than banging them wide of the net, will help.
Is it time to try Jeff Skinner with either Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid? Skinner isn’t a net-front-presence type of player, but he’s a shooter, and, in the past few games, he’s been around the net more often. He isn’t a great forechecker, so he likely is better suited to play with McDavid than Draisaitl, as Draisaitl benefits from having a strong forechecker on his line. The challenge is Kris Knoblauch likes RNH on McDavid’s left wing.
Encourage more guys crashing the net and creating havoc in front of opposing goalies. The problem with that is many players are who they are at this stage of their careers. Connor Brown, Skinner, RNH, McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t net-front players. But could they do it a bit more, until pucks start going in more often?
The truth is the Oilers rank 28th in goals by forwards. Draisaitl (17) and McDavid (12) have combined for 29, which is second most by two teammates in the NHL. The other forwards must start scoring. Shots, schmots. Expected goals, mehxplexted goals. Score. Finish. Get Rebound. It is time they roll up their sleeves and get greasier.
Getting “Goalie’d” is a cop-out. The forwards need to be better and make life difficult for opposing goalies.
MONTH OF GIVING…
Thank you, Tyler, for the great bid on the Astoria Lighting package yesterday. Awesome.
DAY Three: 🎁 Today we have two great packages to bid on.
Package #1: The Ultimate Made to Measure experience.
- $1500 towards two outfits hand-picked by Sterling Derk to fit your style. Options of blazers, shoes, jeans, etc.
- Additional $500 in GCs towards shirt, ties, or accessories at Mr Derk.
- All tailoring of clothes is included.
- In store consultation with Sterling Derk to ensure you fill out your wardrobe properly.
Package #2: Golf Experience at the Ranch
- 10 rounds of golf at the Ranch Golf and Country Club with a power cart for each round and use of driving range before every round.
- One round of golf for three people with their Head Pro Shawn Piercey who will buy lunch and beverages.
- One round of golf for two with GM Murray McCourt and Kevin Karius from Sports 1440.
You can bid via text between 2-6 p.m. on Sports 1440 by texting 833.401.1440 (can call same number) and include your name and donation amount. Money raised will support Brightview Elementary Breakfast program.
