Oil at Cats

[LGB73]

Lets just remember a certain team got blown out 7-2 on home ice in game 3 and went on to win the Cup. One bad game is just one bad game.

[hotrivets]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

I don't think you can play successful playoff hockey without hitting and being hit- to some extent every time you touch the puck. Guys finish their checks in the playoffs and if you avoid contact or don't finish your checks you are hurting your team and putting them at a disadvantage. During the regular season you can get away with it to some extent but it still puts more pressure on your teammates.

[DawgDad]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

I don't think you can play successful playoff hockey without hitting and being hit- to some extent every time you touch the puck. Guys finish their checks in the playoffs and if you avoid contact or don't finish your checks you are hurting your team and putting them at a disadvantage. During the regular season you can get away with it to some extent but it still puts more pressure on your teammates.

I agree wholeheartedly. The Oilers need to play a cleaner game, stay out of the box (or get leap years better killing penalties). That does not mean don't play physical.

[hotrivets]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

I don't think you can play successful playoff hockey without hitting and being hit- to some extent every time you touch the puck. Guys finish their checks in the playoffs and if you avoid contact or don't finish your checks you are hurting your team and putting them at a disadvantage. During the regular season you can get away with it to some extent but it still puts more pressure on your teammates.

I agree wholeheartedly. The Oilers need to play a cleaner game, stay out of the box (or get leap years better killing penalties). That does not mean don't play physical.

Yeah I forgot "and don't retaliate." No way any team could kill off that many minutes. Oil had few normal shifts with all of the pk time.

Even the goalies take a bit of a beating. Don't like that but it's going to happen. Binner learned to protect himself and not retaliate and that was tough for him.

[Harry York 37]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

No sir.
Kyrou is a ghost of a playmaker in the playoffs. He is still good at finding open ice and firing a rocket, but the man has only one assist in over 20 playoff games. You must get dirty to make a play in the SC playoffs... Kyrou panics or wusses out.
Worst of all, there is so very little "room" in playoff hockey that Kyrou's world-class speed will be very much hindered by the loosening of clutch and grab rules, and Kyrou just will not consistently fight his way through traffic. Certainly not the traffic one sees in a SC playoff game.

The ONlY hope for me with JK is that he has shown streaks of playing hockey the right way. If another year of Holloway inspiration makes the lesson more binding... he might be a playoff asset.
He sucked stanky donkey ballz without Holloway this year - especially in God-danged Game Seven.

[DawgDad]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

No sir.
Kyrou is a ghost of a playmaker in the playoffs. He is still good at finding open ice and firing a rocket, but the man has only one assist in over 20 playoff games. You must get dirty to make a play in the SC playoffs... Kyrou panics or wusses out.
Worst of all, there is so very little "room" in playoff hockey that Kyrou's world-class speed will be very much hindered by the loosening of clutch and grab rules, and Kyrou just will not consistently fight his way through traffic. Certainly not the traffic one sees in a SC playoff game.

The ONlY hope for me with JK is that he has shown streaks of playing hockey the right way. If another year of Holloway inspiration makes the lesson more binding... he might be a playoff asset.
He sucked stanky donkey ballz without Holloway this year - especially in God-danged Game Seven.

He and Schenn both had issues at even strength. Check Schenn's stats vs Kyrou in the WPG series. Yes, I agree Kyrou has to get better in the playoffs. He doesn't have to play like Sam Bennett, he just has to check and take hits and keep moving. He had a couple of PP goals which is important but yes clearly he has to be better at ES.

Holloway's impact cannot be overstated. We really don't know yet how he will hold up physically in the playoffs.

[Harry York 37]

Lets just remember a certain team got blown out 7-2 on home ice in game 3 and went on to win the Cup. One bad game is just one bad game.

I don't know that the Oil didn't concede the win much too early and decided to let their hair down, Canada Style. They had put up with a lot on home ice and Perry has to play nicer up on the top line. The Oil have no one to replace Perry on their fourth line and that hurts almost as much as losing Hyman.

I fantasized a Jim Malone (Connery in "The Untouchables") in the locker room giving a variation of the Conn Smythe "If ya can't beat 'em in the alley..." Speech.
"If they put one of yours in the Locker Room, you put one of theirs in the MORGUE- that's the Alberta WAY!"

[Harry York 37]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

No sir.
Kyrou is a ghost of a playmaker in the playoffs. He is still good at finding open ice and firing a rocket, but the man has only one assist in over 20 playoff games. You must get dirty to make a play in the SC playoffs... Kyrou panics or wusses out.
Worst of all, there is so very little "room" in playoff hockey that Kyrou's world-class speed will be very much hindered by the loosening of clutch and grab rules, and Kyrou just will not consistently fight his way through traffic. Certainly not the traffic one sees in a SC playoff game.

The ONlY hope for me with JK is that he has shown streaks of playing hockey the right way. If another year of Holloway inspiration makes the lesson more binding... he might be a playoff asset.
He sucked stanky donkey ballz without Holloway this year - especially in God-danged Game Seven.

He and Schenn both had issues at even strength. Check Schenn's stats vs Kyrou in the WPG series. Yes, I agree Kyrou has to get better in the playoffs. He doesn't have to play like Sam Bennett, he just has to check and take hits and keep moving. He had a couple of PP goals which is important but yes clearly he has to be better at ES.

Holloway's impact cannot be overstated. We really don't know yet how he will hold up physically in the playoffs.

Schenn "had issues".
You don't get called out by name in a Game Seven unless there is much more wrong than some issues.
Kyrou played "anti-playoff hockey". The kind that deflates not only his shift, but the next one as well.
It happened over and over again. It's very similar to when your goalie lets in a softie. A heartless shift with careless and disinterested play can stab a teammate in the heart. You don't do that when you claim to "play for each other".
You REALLY don't want that on the ice in the playoffs. You really don't.

Bouchard is letting his teammates down in much the same manner. Their skills mask the severity of it for fans who don't see the potential plays that dissolve, due to fear or lack of reading the situation with poise.

[sdaltons]

Lets just remember a certain team got blown out 7-2 on home ice in game 3 and went on to win the Cup. One bad game is just one bad game.

That's true and it had to suck losing at home like that, but this seems worse. Since they lost game 2, they have to steal one in Florida. And after that performance, game 4 is going to be nuts.

[DawgDad]

I saw bits of it switching back and forth with the Cardinals game. Playoffs are a fist fight especially as you go deeper. That's why I don't see how Kyrou fits a winning team in the playoffs. Is there a Kyrou type player on either team?

Bouchard is closest, in my opinion. Tons of offensive skill, but not physically engaged and lacks a burning desire.
Kyrou does have a template named Holloway who can inspire him, so there’s that.
Both are woefully bereft of hockey IQ and make baffling decisions routinely.
Bouchard is an inch or two taller and a few pounds lighter.
He is a year or so younger than Kyrou and is looking for a deal that will be bigger.


It hurts me to watch either of them play in critical moments.
Both have World Class offensive tools and ten cent heads. And worst of all, perhaps ten cent hearts.

I get your point but it's a bit harsh. The Oilers need to play hockey, skating, passing, shooting, checking, defending. Bouchard (and Kyrou) can play hockey. The Oilers were taken out of their game, they lost their focus and discipline, got caught up in retaliation and massive amounts of physical stuff without hockey purpose. They wound up marginalizing their own best hockey players. They CAN be physical in their own right but has to be under control; thinking the game has to be their primary focus at all times. If they can't do that they will be swept away.

No sir.
Kyrou is a ghost of a playmaker in the playoffs. He is still good at finding open ice and firing a rocket, but the man has only one assist in over 20 playoff games. You must get dirty to make a play in the SC playoffs... Kyrou panics or wusses out.
Worst of all, there is so very little "room" in playoff hockey that Kyrou's world-class speed will be very much hindered by the loosening of clutch and grab rules, and Kyrou just will not consistently fight his way through traffic. Certainly not the traffic one sees in a SC playoff game.

The ONlY hope for me with JK is that he has shown streaks of playing hockey the right way. If another year of Holloway inspiration makes the lesson more binding... he might be a playoff asset.
He sucked stanky donkey ballz without Holloway this year - especially in God-danged Game Seven.

He and Schenn both had issues at even strength. Check Schenn's stats vs Kyrou in the WPG series. Yes, I agree Kyrou has to get better in the playoffs. He doesn't have to play like Sam Bennett, he just has to check and take hits and keep moving. He had a couple of PP goals which is important but yes clearly he has to be better at ES.

Holloway's impact cannot be overstated. We really don't know yet how he will hold up physically in the playoffs.

Schenn "had issues".
You don't get called out by name in a Game Seven unless there is much more wrong than some issues.
Kyrou played "anti-playoff hockey". The kind that deflates not only his shift, but the next one as well.
It happened over and over again. It's very similar to when your goalie lets in a softie. A heartless shift with careless and disinterested play can stab a teammate in the heart. You don't do that when you claim to "play for each other".
You REALLY don't want that on the ice in the playoffs. You really don't.

Bouchard is letting his teammates down in much the same manner. Their skills mask the severity of it for fans who don't see the potential plays that dissolve, due to fear or lack of reading the situation with poise.

If Monty, Army, and Steen don't believe Kyrou can be an asset then I'd say he's about to be traded.

Players cannot play with playoff level physical intensity throughout the regular season because the risk vs reward for a single game out of 82 is much different than in a tournament. Anybody can get shut down in a playoff series, Barkov is pointless in this series and finished off minus-5 in the last two Carolina games. But you are 100% right, they cannot quit.

[Aesa]

Edmonton absolutely blew up tonight, and that's going to be hard to recover from.

To be that undisciplined in a game 3 in your second Stanley Cup final is hard to fathom.

I predicted Florida in 6 and tonight showed that it might actually be 5, but I'll stay say 6.

If Florida wins Wednesday, which I believe they will, it is all over for the Oil.

Idk we thought that last year. This Oilers team plays best when their backs are at the wall

They sure as hell did NOT demonstrate that with their play last night.

[Aesa]

Aesa; I guarantee to you that Florida will not win Wednesday. I'd bet thousands of dollars against that happening. As for this Monday night game after watching the 1st period, I barely watched much of the second period as I lost all interest in this scuffle and penalty filled game. A player like Kane will really need to check his lack of discipline on the bench. The Oilers will need to not try so many passes on the power play particularly. Bobrovsky is just too good to give him time to line up the shots. Greer, taking Walman's glove off his hand and tossing it on the ground by the Fl bech was a petty move. Boucher was not amused when Walman squirted the water his way. Funny that him and Mikolla didn;t mix it up. In fact 77 skated away from controversy, probably wisely since Florida was winning. Florida seems to have the Oiles # and that is boring since I don;t have a orse in this final race for the Cup. Oh and to finish, neither the Oilers or the Panthers will win Wednesday, Aesa, because they aren;t playing til Thursday night. LOL

After Harry's comments, to me Bouchard is firing away but not effectively. Maybe "Bob" is i their heads..but the 1st two games many goals were scored, so there is hope on Thursday that Edmonton can win. Please ..Can the rest of the league knock out these Florida teams in earlier rounds?!! .

I only gamble on things of which I have some personal control such as poker but I will make an exception in this case. I am down for $10 Russ.

[MiamiLaw]

Edmonton absolutely blew up tonight, and that's going to be hard to recover from.

To be that undisciplined in a game 3 in your second Stanley Cup final is hard to fathom.

I predicted Florida in 6 and tonight showed that it might actually be 5, but I'll stay say 6.

If Florida wins Wednesday, which I believe they will, it is all over for the Oil.

Idk we thought that last year. This Oilers team plays best when their backs are at the wall

They sure as hell did NOT demonstrate that with their play last night.

That's for sure. They got embarrassed.

[TheJackBurton]

Edmonton absolutely blew up tonight, and that's going to be hard to recover from.

To be that undisciplined in a game 3 in your second Stanley Cup final is hard to fathom.

I predicted Florida in 6 and tonight showed that it might actually be 5, but I'll stay say 6.

If Florida wins Wednesday, which I believe they will, it is all over for the Oil.

Idk we thought that last year. This Oilers team plays best when their backs are at the wall

They sure as hell did NOT demonstrate that with their play last night.

That's for sure. They got embarrassed.

The thing about a game like last night, especially when it got completely out of hand and the Oil took numerous cheap shots that weren't called, the refs will likely be far less lenient on Thurs as they and the NHL don't want another game like that. That last 10 minutes took a half hour because of all the scrums and penalties.

If Edmonton plays anything close to the same game, they will spend half the game in the penalty box. Teams don't go from being that undisciplined to taking no penalties very often.

[Aesa]

Edmonton absolutely blew up tonight, and that's going to be hard to recover from.

To be that undisciplined in a game 3 in your second Stanley Cup final is hard to fathom.

I predicted Florida in 6 and tonight showed that it might actually be 5, but I'll stay say 6.

If Florida wins Wednesday, which I believe they will, it is all over for the Oil.

Idk we thought that last year. This Oilers team plays best when their backs are at the wall

They sure as hell did NOT demonstrate that with their play last night.

That's for sure. They got embarrassed.

The thing about a game like last night, especially when it got completely out of hand and the Oil took numerous cheap shots that weren't called, the refs will likely be far less lenient on Thurs as they and the NHL don't want another game like that. That last 10 minutes took a half hour because of all the scrums and penalties.

If Edmonton plays anything close to the same game, they will spend half the game in the penalty box. Teams don't go from being that undisciplined to taking no penalties very often.

Solid post Jack. Well stated.

[hotrivets]

Edmonton absolutely blew up tonight, and that's going to be hard to recover from.

To be that undisciplined in a game 3 in your second Stanley Cup final is hard to fathom.

I predicted Florida in 6 and tonight showed that it might actually be 5, but I'll stay say 6.

If Florida wins Wednesday, which I believe they will, it is all over for the Oil.

Idk we thought that last year. This Oilers team plays best when their backs are at the wall

They sure as hell did NOT demonstrate that with their play last night.

That's for sure. They got embarrassed.

The thing about a game like last night, especially when it got completely out of hand and the Oil took numerous cheap shots that weren't called, the refs will likely be far less lenient on Thurs as they and the NHL don't want another game like that. That last 10 minutes took a half hour because of all the scrums and penalties.

If Edmonton plays anything close to the same game, they will spend half the game in the penalty box. Teams don't go from being that undisciplined to taking no penalties very often.

The fact that their coaches let that happen does not bode well for the Oil. If it's one guy you sit him but when it is several you need to lay down the law- take a time out or hammer them on the bench.