oilers...

[Cardsfanforlife]

still the team to beat in the west?

kinda feels that way, especially if they get ekholm back.

[theograce]

I think it’s Dallas, but predicting is hard.

Things change fast

[TheJackBurton]

Jim Hiller calling for the challenge on the goaler interference in game 3 has to have been one of the dumbest moves ever done in a series and might end up costing his team the series.

First off, goaltender interference is such a crapshoot to begin with that even if you are positive they were interfered with it's never called the same way twice, and therefore many times just isn't worth it. Goaltender interference has to be the lowest percentage coaches challenge in any of the sports.

Secondly, you had an Oilers team that had all the momentum at the time and the threat to potentially put them on the PP with all that momentum should have prevented the challenge. Even with Edmonton having all them momentum it was only tied, it still could very well have gotten to OT and seen the momentum shift.

if you are going to lose that game you want to lose it 5 v 5 not 10 seconds later on a coaches challenge PP.

Just a mind numbingly stupid coach's challenge.

[Hooking]

still the team to beat in the west?

kinda feels that way, especially if they get ekholm back.

Before last night I would not say the Oilers were the team to beat in the West.

You have to think, right now, before Game 5, lots of people would pick the Blues if they have watched the past two games. Everyone saying Hellebuck is choking but the Blues are shutting them down and playing physical. It is by far the most physical series in the playoffs. Not sure how a lot of the dainty teams can handle that style of play.

But not just that, the Blues are actually scoring goal-scorer's goals and the D is chipping in. They aren't winning just on physical play and wearing the other team down. They are actually playing skilled hockey at the same time.

I have yet to see another team play like that in these playoffs.

I also have blue-tinted glasses so there is that.

[MiamiLaw]

I've said Dallas all year and I still think that. If Dallas was healthy, there'd be no question. Only because they are missing arguably their two best players is it even a discussion.

[bud white]

I've said Dallas all year and I still think that. If Dallas was healthy, there'd be no question. Only because they are missing arguably their two best players is it even a discussion.

Regardless of who comes out of that series ... let's add a few more games ... some double OTs. Go the distance!

[Wattage]

Jim Hiller calling for the challenge on the goaler interference in game 3 has to have been one of the dumbest moves ever done in a series and might end up costing his team the series.

First off, goaltender interference is such a crapshoot to begin with that even if you are positive they were interfered with it's never called the same way twice, and therefore many times just isn't worth it. Goaltender interference has to be the lowest percentage coaches challenge in any of the sports.

Secondly, you had an Oilers team that had all the momentum at the time and the threat to potentially put them on the PP with all that momentum should have prevented the challenge. Even with Edmonton having all them momentum it was only tied, it still could very well have gotten to OT and seen the momentum shift.

if you are going to lose that game you want to lose it 5 v 5 not 10 seconds later on a coaches challenge PP.

Just a mind numbingly stupid coach's challenge.

I think la was tired and desperate. Ankther problem is the coach trying to run 3 lines and 2 d pairings.

For intance, these are some ice times from game 4- the game that had almost a full overtime period and was near an 80 minute gane

Forwards

Malott. Toi 2:27
Helenous 1:44
Lewis 5:19

Defense
Moverare 2:26
Clarke 11:58.


Clarke also got a lot of ice time in overtime just to get up to that, likely cuz they tired out the ither d in fjrst 3 periods

Anyways, this is a big factor why besides game 5, the kings come out fast, but then got dominated in the 3rd periods by edmonton. Amd thats from the 80 minute game, not the 60 minute ones. I think in game 3 mallott didnt have a shift til halfway through the 3rd period. Its been like that every game.

Not being able to roll a 4th line like the blues do and did during our cup run just tires out your top players. Not sure if issue is they arent good enough or coach just doesn't trust them

[DawgDad]

Jim Hiller calling for the challenge on the goaler interference in game 3 has to have been one of the dumbest moves ever done in a series and might end up costing his team the series.

First off, goaltender interference is such a crapshoot to begin with that even if you are positive they were interfered with it's never called the same way twice, and therefore many times just isn't worth it. Goaltender interference has to be the lowest percentage coaches challenge in any of the sports.

Secondly, you had an Oilers team that had all the momentum at the time and the threat to potentially put them on the PP with all that momentum should have prevented the challenge. Even with Edmonton having all them momentum it was only tied, it still could very well have gotten to OT and seen the momentum shift.

if you are going to lose that game you want to lose it 5 v 5 not 10 seconds later on a coaches challenge PP.

Just a mind numbingly stupid coach's challenge.

I think la was tired and desperate. Ankther problem is the coach trying to run 3 lines and 2 d pairings.

For intance, these are some ice times from game 4- the game that had almost a full overtime period and was near an 80 minute gane

Forwards

Malott. Toi 2:27
Helenous 1:44
Lewis 5:19

Defense
Moverare 2:26
Clarke 11:58.


Clarke also got a lot of ice time in overtime just to get up to that, likely cuz they tired out the ither d in fjrst 3 periods

Anyways, this is a big factor why besides game 5, the kings come out fast, but then got dominated in the 3rd periods by edmonton. Amd thats from the 80 minute game, not the 60 minute ones. I think in game 3 mallott didnt have a shift til halfway through the 3rd period. Its been like that every game.

Not being able to roll a 4th line like the blues do and did during our cup run just tires out your top players. Not sure if issue is they arent good enough or coach just doesn't trust them

If they don't recover the could get him fired.

[dhsux]

I've said Dallas all year and I still think that. If Dallas was healthy, there'd be no question. Only because they are missing arguably their two best players is it even a discussion.

If the Blues take down the Jets I will stick with them for round two.

Robertson and Heiskenan being out makes that contest doable.

[TheJackBurton]

I've said Dallas all year and I still think that. If Dallas was healthy, there'd be no question. Only because they are missing arguably their two best players is it even a discussion.

If the Blues take down the Jets I will stick with them for round two.

Robertson and Heiskenan being out makes that contest doable.

Heiskenan has been skating and is rumored to potentially play if there is a game 7. Robertson I don't believe has had any updates.

[thegibby.]

Pickard has been steady, but the momentum has been all Oilers (especially the last 4 or so periods) and the Kings are not getting the quality chances they were getting earlier in the series. I still don't trust the Oils goaltending.... but McDavid has definitely been on a mission of late.

[TheJackBurton]

Jim Hiller calling for the challenge on the goaler interference in game 3 has to have been one of the dumbest moves ever done in a series and might end up costing his team the series.

First off, goaltender interference is such a crapshoot to begin with that even if you are positive they were interfered with it's never called the same way twice, and therefore many times just isn't worth it. Goaltender interference has to be the lowest percentage coaches challenge in any of the sports.

Secondly, you had an Oilers team that had all the momentum at the time and the threat to potentially put them on the PP with all that momentum should have prevented the challenge. Even with Edmonton having all them momentum it was only tied, it still could very well have gotten to OT and seen the momentum shift.

if you are going to lose that game you want to lose it 5 v 5 not 10 seconds later on a coaches challenge PP.

Just a mind numbingly stupid coach's challenge.

I think la was tired and desperate. Ankther problem is the coach trying to run 3 lines and 2 d pairings.

For intance, these are some ice times from game 4- the game that had almost a full overtime period and was near an 80 minute gane

Forwards

Malott. Toi 2:27
Helenous 1:44
Lewis 5:19

Defense
Moverare 2:26
Clarke 11:58.


Clarke also got a lot of ice time in overtime just to get up to that, likely cuz they tired out the ither d in fjrst 3 periods

Anyways, this is a big factor why besides game 5, the kings come out fast, but then got dominated in the 3rd periods by edmonton. Amd thats from the 80 minute game, not the 60 minute ones. I think in game 3 mallott didnt have a shift til halfway through the 3rd period. Its been like that every game.

Not being able to roll a 4th line like the blues do and did during our cup run just tires out your top players. Not sure if issue is they arent good enough or coach just doesn't trust them

That's every bit as bad. Even if you don't fully trust them, you can't sit them for 58 minutes of the game they still need 10-12 minutes.

He's making some incredibly poor decisions.

[somni]

Jim Hiller calling for the challenge on the goaler interference in game 3 has to have been one of the dumbest moves ever done in a series and might end up costing his team the series.

First off, goaltender interference is such a crapshoot to begin with that even if you are positive they were interfered with it's never called the same way twice, and therefore many times just isn't worth it. Goaltender interference has to be the lowest percentage coaches challenge in any of the sports.

Secondly, you had an Oilers team that had all the momentum at the time and the threat to potentially put them on the PP with all that momentum should have prevented the challenge. Even with Edmonton having all them momentum it was only tied, it still could very well have gotten to OT and seen the momentum shift.

if you are going to lose that game you want to lose it 5 v 5 not 10 seconds later on a coaches challenge PP.

Just a mind numbingly stupid coach's challenge.

I think la was tired and desperate. Ankther problem is the coach trying to run 3 lines and 2 d pairings.

For intance, these are some ice times from game 4- the game that had almost a full overtime period and was near an 80 minute gane

Forwards

Malott. Toi 2:27
Helenous 1:44
Lewis 5:19

Defense
Moverare 2:26
Clarke 11:58.


Clarke also got a lot of ice time in overtime just to get up to that, likely cuz they tired out the ither d in fjrst 3 periods

Anyways, this is a big factor why besides game 5, the kings come out fast, but then got dominated in the 3rd periods by edmonton. Amd thats from the 80 minute game, not the 60 minute ones. I think in game 3 mallott didnt have a shift til halfway through the 3rd period. Its been like that every game.

Not being able to roll a 4th line like the blues do and did during our cup run just tires out your top players. Not sure if issue is they arent good enough or coach just doesn't trust them

That's every bit as bad. Even if you don't fully trust them, you can't sit them for 58 minutes of the game they still need 10-12 minutes.

He's making some incredibly poor decisions.

Agree on both points. Man, that challenge was insane. It turned the series.

[bluetunehead]

Edmonton’s skaters can beat anybody when they’re *on* but I just don’t think Skinner and Pickard are enough in goal.

[STL fan in MN]

I've said Dallas all year and I still think that. If Dallas was healthy, there'd be no question. Only because they are missing arguably their two best players is it even a discussion.

Agreed. I thought Colorado was going to take Dallas out as Dallas was crud down the stretch but the Avs fumbled that advantage and now it looks like Heiskanen is close to returning. If they get him back then look out. Not sure on Robertson’s timeline but he’d certainly help too.

So they’re my pick to come out of the West too but it grey hinges on health.

Honestly, I see 6 teams that could viably come out of the West. It’s pretty wide open and a lot will hinge on team health.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I had Dallas and still have them. And if they get out of this first round they won't face another opponent quite as strong as the Avs, except maybe the starpower of the Oil. If I had to rank it would have been Dallas, Avs, Oil, Vegas in that order. Minnesota choked off a chance, and so did LA to put those other 2 away. And obviously you can't really say Dallas and Avs.

Oil get out of this first round and they will be dangerous. They were ripe to be put down early by everyone not named LA. LA for some reason has an urge to not win against the Oil. That Byfield turnover is going to go down in history as one of the worst decisions made assuming they lose the series. They unlocked the demons that are McJesus, Drai and Bouchard.