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 Oilers » Pregame: Edmonton @ Detroit (Game #11)
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 Re: Pregame: Edmonton @ Detroit (Game #11) [message #794138 is a reply to message #794136 ]
Tue, 09 November 2021 13:00 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
NetBOG  is currently offline NetBOG
Messages: 2918
Registered: January 2006
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2 Cups

Adam wrote on Tue, 09 November 2021 12:48



This is the second post like this in two days from a poster annoyed because people are daring to criticize the team. You should always look at your team with a critical eye. It is a mistake to think just because you've won a few games that the team is beyond reproach - just as it's a mistake to think you should tear it all down if you have a long losing streak.

So let's look at what's gone wrong the last couple of years and see if we have addressed these things:

- Lack of depth scoring - the 3rd and 4th line have been badly outscored and most are minus players despite the team being 9-1.

- the coach's heavy reliance on loading up McDavid/Draisaitl which makes it easier for other teams to try to throw a blanket over them in the post-season. He doesn't seem to have confidence that the team can work with those two split up and at the first sign of trouble he reverts to that.

- Over-reliance on special teams - this is of course a problem because the NHL throws out their rule book in the playoffs. Well, so far, 15 of the Oilers 45 goals this year are on the powerplay. That's a full third for anyone keeping score. On top of that, the powerplay is firing at a ridiculous 50% efficiency. While I think it is the best powerplay in the game, I also think it's fair to say that it is likely to regress.

- An unwillingness to challenge the league or refs about persistent non-calls. As the team's powerplay efficiency has continued to climb, we're seeing less calls from the referees - afraid that giving the Oilers too many powerplays will decide the game. They should be calling infractions - it is the other team giving up the game by doing illegal things not the ref's fault, but it's a microcosm of what we can expect to see in the post-season. Again, complete silence from the Oilers, even as media pundits puzzle about the decided lack of calls drawn by McDavid.

- Defence issues - I think it's safe to say we haven't really fixed that, even though we've shuffled the players involved.

- Goaltending issues - It's the same tandem. Smith is hurt again. Koskinen is getting overplayed again.

- Coaching issues as the Oilers get out-maneuvered by opposition coaches and Tippett shows no creativity. Still an issue - we're just fortunate we have some incredible players who can win games no matter what sometimes.

I don't think any of these things are unfair to point out, and I really really hope that Holland, Lowe & Nicholson aren't just looking at the record and thinking all is well with the world. We have some of the ingredients of a championship team, so what does it take to get us over the edge? Understanding these weaknesses now could make a big difference in finding and acquiring the right pieces to excel.


Aaah yes, leave it to the Eeyore of Oilfans to shout down anybody that has even a tiny bit of optimism.



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Read Message Pregame: Edmonton @ Detroit (Game #11)
By: OilFans on Tue, 09 November 2021 02:00
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By: Adam on Tue, 09 November 2021 08:56
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By: GabbyDugan on Tue, 09 November 2021 09:48
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By: Adam on Tue, 09 November 2021 10:08
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By: Kr55 on Tue, 09 November 2021 10:41
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By: Mike on Tue, 09 November 2021 10:57
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By: Adam on Tue, 09 November 2021 11:03
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By: RDOilerfan on Tue, 09 November 2021 11:14
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By: Adam on Tue, 09 November 2021 12:48
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