Skookum Jim wrote on Sun, 09 June 2024 20:57

I think the coaching staff have realized this.. Nurse had the least amount of ice time among the 6 D-men last game.. Nurse with 16.. had Kulak 17.. Broberg 18 .. Bouchard 27 .. Staples with a good article talking about the Oiler D.. https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey /nurse-and-ceci-on-hot-seat-edmonton-oilers-coach-open-to-ex perimenting-for-game-2 2024 PLAYOFFS This is an interesting analysis by Bieksa of last game's goals against (from the article).. Quote: “You got to feel good if you’re an Oilers fan because they played some pretty good hockey, but I think these goals in particular are just bad reads and bad mistakes. It’s something you can clean up for sure by watching video. (On the first goal against) Ceci and Nurse have to identify this is straight 3-on-2 quick strike. So what they have to do is hold the middle and not allow themselves to get 2-on-1. When Nurse goes here (towards the boards and puck carrier) he gets 2-on-1 and when Ceci goes (towards puck carrier) he gets 2-on-1. And it’s great passing by Florida and it’s in the back of the net and Skinner can’t really save that. That’s all because they open themselves up. They got. to buy time. (On the second goal against) The coverage is good, the positioning is good here but just having your stick on the ice (which Nurse failed to do) is a key detail. I know you don’t think the pass is coming, and it’s kind of not really your guy, but just having sticks on the ice in the d-zone, those are two easy things to clean up if you’re the Oilers.” The comments that caught my eye are the failures to carry out basic NHL defence .. 1) eliminate the potential of turning a 3 on 2 into a sequence of 2 on 1's and a goal.. 2) Nurse not having his stick on the ice.. the guy is 29 you'd expect he had this basic stuff hardwired by now.. which is the most frustrating part. I'd say drop in Desharnais (if he's actually healthy) for Ceci.. but I'm not sure he's a better option with Nurse .. best LHD that can play RHD effectively is Kulak.. Broberg is playing great.. but you don't want him playing RHD so you either put Kulak and Broberg together.. or Ceci and Broberg.. so its Kulak-Broberg.. Nurse seems to be the conundrum .. he can't play RHD.. and your only option for RHD with him is either Ceci or Desharnais .. name your poison.. 😬

Those stats defintely match the eye test.

It's a big challenge figuring this D group out. I honestly think Knob found the ideal setup for what he has. Nurse/Kulak and Broberg/Ceci. Ceci was fine with Broberg as a 3rd pair. Lesser comp, and Broberg was going a lot of the skating and passing for the pair. Worked fine. Nurse/Kulak against tougher comp was more challenging, but there is no better partner for Nurse right now. Unless you want to try Broberg on the right, but that seems like a massive risk. Kulak can read plays way better than Ceci, he can skate much better to close gaps. He is way better with his stick, and far better at passing. Nurse needs a partner that can carry a lot of the load. You are just multiplying ineptness when you put Nurse and Ceci together, 2 players that need their partner to do loads of work for them.

Hope Knob realizes he made a big error. Not that much harm done in the end, we weren't winning that game without scoring. If we do get the ability to aim a shot back next game though, we do not want to be spotting 2 goals to Florida by icing bad D pairs again.

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000