2023-24 NHL Season

[EagerBeaver]

Guys, it's official. The Panthers have hit the panic button, and activated Kyle Okposo for game 4. Remember him? The guy on life support. Yep, and he will be bringing his ventilator out on the ice with him. Hockey analysts are discussing the move and the reasons behind it. These are being posited:

1. Out-toughing the Rangers is not working, due to counter-measures being employed by Laviolette such as Rempe (thug insect repellant), Trouba and company. The Rangers have out-hit the Panthers in the 2 wins. When the out-toughing is not happening and not enough goals are being scored, you put in the offensive skilled player over the tough defensive minded player. If not for Rempe, the teams would be even in hits the last two games, but instead Rangers are +10

2. Problem is Okposo's best offensive days are behind him. In fact Okposo's, best offensive days were when I saw him play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, a team no longer in existence, back in 2007 or so.

Is this the answer? Well we will see. I told you guys that the past recipe against the Rangers was always to send out the tough guys on them and goon them, and they will be intimidated and thrown off their game. In the past, those strategies did work, but it has all changed now. Those days are over. The fans in NYC already knew it, but now you guys and the Panthers know it.

Okposo could reenter Panthers lineup for Game 4 against Rangers | NHL.com

Forward on 4th line during morning skate for potential 1st appearance since May 14

www.nhl.com

 

[EagerBeaver]

Of goalies remaining in this postseason, Shesterkin leads with a .925 save % followed by Oettinger at .923. Shesterkin is a postseason career .927 save % goalie, which is very impressive. In the postseason the pressure is higher and it's the best teams with the best goal production.

 

[EagerBeaver]

The Rangers are also +22 on blocked shots. Another toughness stat. It's all about sacrificing your body, taking some pain and stopping or slowing down a shot on your goalie. This, along with hits, are toughness stats and the Rangers are winning those stats.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Guys, it's official. The Panthers have hit the panic button, and activated Kyle Okposo for game 4. Remember him? The guy on life support. Yep, and he will be bringing his ventilator out on the ice with him. Hockey analysts are discussing the move and the reasons behind it. These are being posited:

1. Out-toughing the Rangers is not working, due to counter-measures being employed by Laviolette such as Rempe (thug insect repellant), Trouba and company. The Rangers have out-hit the Panthers in the 2 wins. When the out-toughing is not happening and not enough goals are being scored, you put in the offensive skilled player over the tough defensive minded player. If not for Rempe, the teams would be even in hits the last two games, but instead Rangers are +10

2. Problem is Okposo's best offensive days are behind him. In fact Okposo's, best offensive days were when I saw him play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, a team no longer in existence, back in 2007 or so.

Is this the answer? Well we will see. I told you guys that the past recipe against the Rangers was always to send out the tough guys on them and goon them, and they will be intimidated and thrown off their game. In the past, those strategies did work, but it has all changed now. Those days are over. The fans in NYC already knew it, but now you guys and the Panthers know it.

Okposo could reenter Panthers lineup for Game 4 against Rangers | NHL.com

Forward on 4th line during morning skate for potential 1st appearance since May 14

www.nhl.com

Nothing like a cheerleader cheerleading!
Panic button? Come on Eb!

1st- you will never see Paul Maurice panicking, he’s a rational man and a fierce analyst.
2 nd- why would the Panthers panic? They are dominating the Rangers for most of the game, it is mathematically, only a matter of time before they get the most of the series. Only Shesterkin can delay the end result, or change the course of it. We’ve seen it in the past, a goalkeeper steeling an entire series. Hold on tight to your rosary and keep praying !

This series is the best hockey so far.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Panthers dominated the Rangers again & finally beat Shesterkin in OT. Series tied 2-2 & if it wasn’t for Shesterkin’s heroics they’d easily be leading 3-1.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I would bring him in, had a .9 something in 120 min last playoffs.

There’s no way they’ll advance past Dallas with Skinner or Pikard. They signed Campbell to a big contract last year to help them in the playoffs. He had a tough start but so did the entire team. It was only a question of time until Mcdavid, Hyman, Draisaitl & Bouchard would find their game. The Oilers erred in not recalling Campbell sooner simce he was playing great hockey in Bakersfield. Now what do they have to lose? PUT SOUPY BETWEEN THE PIPES OR GO HOME!

 

[EagerBeaver]

There’s no way they’ll advance past Dallas with Skinner or Pikard. They signed Campbell to a big contract last year to help them in the playoffs. He had a tough start but so did the entire team. It was only a question of time until Mcdavid, Hyman, Draisaitl & Bouchard would find their game. The Oilers erred in not recalling Campbell sooner simce he was playing great hockey in Bakersfield. Now what do they have to lose? PUT SOUPY BETWEEN THE PIPES OR GO HOME!

Soup did play great in Bakersfield, and putting him in net would be the ultimate panic move, but the other 2 goalies have really not instilled any confidence in their coaches. This was identified as their weakness before the series, Dallas was favored as a result, and is anyone really surprised at what has happened?

Overall I have to agree with Doc, there is nothing to lose, except the series. Roll the Dice ON SOUP!!!!!

team

 

[ThunderLipps]

Pretty sure if the Oilers lose this series Draisaitl will move on no matter how much the Oilers pay him. If I was management in July I would try to get a top goalie for him if he requests to move on. Could be hard to find a team willing to give up said goalie and also Draisaitl wanting to go there. Knowing the Oilers they will probably take another forward and defense if he leaves. If the move happens and it betters the team McD may stay on past his contract. Read Skinner will play tonight, ooops. The NY Florida series is impressive hockey to watch will be tough to beat the winner of that one.

 

[gaby]

..et les pendules sont à l'heure....un 3ème match décidé en o/t....beaucoup grâce à SHESTERKIN....oui une excitante série et LAFRENIÈRE nous en met plein les yeux....en a bavé MAIS jamais trop tard pour éclore....et wow....

 

[Doc Holliday]

Pretty sure if the Oilers lose this series Draisaitl will move on no matter how much the Oilers pay him. If I was management in July I would try to get a top goalie for him if he requests to move on. Could be hard to find a team willing to give up said goalie and also Draisaitl wanting to go there. Knowing the Oilers they will probably take another forward and defense if he leaves. If the move happens and it betters the team McD may stay on past his contract. Read Skinner will play tonight, ooops. The NY Florida series is impressive hockey to watch will be tough to beat the winner of that one.

Leon still has a year left & there is no doubt in my mind he won’t be in Edmonton a year from now. However he’s in full control of his destiny since he has a no movement clause in his contract. He could waive it to go to a destination of his chosing if they’re willing to give up assets for him but why would they give up anything of value for him knowing they can sign him while giving up nothing for him a year from now? Also playing with Mcdavid on the high scoring Oilers offense may only help to further boost his capital for his next contract which will be tremendously lucrative & likely to make him a top 5 highest paid player in the league until Mcdavid’s turn comes up in two years. Mcdavid may very well leave Edmonton also,two years from now so why would Draisaitl re-sign long term?

As for the goaltender situation they can only seriously address it if they buy out Campbell or entice some other team into taking on his contract but this will cost them dearly whether in the form of high draft picks or top organizational prospects. Or both. Campbell has 3 more seasons left at $5 million each. He also has a modified no-trade but he’d likely waive it if it means playing in the NHL instead of the AHL.

There are about only 5 or 6 goaltenders in the entire league which can truly make a big difference in a team’s success & these teams are holding on to these goalies. They are not trading them & will re-sign them at all costs. However as we’ve seen with Winnipeg in these playoffs having a Vezina type of goalie doesn’t necessitate guarantee playoffs success. Even top goalies can have hot or cold stretches during a season. Shesterkin sucked for the first half of the season but found his game after the all-star break. Bobrovsky sucked all season long until halfway into their first playoffs series against Boston a year ago. He’s been great since. Nashville’s & the Islanders goalies were expected to be among the league’s best prior to this season but struggled all season. Goalies are & have always been a different breed. Chicago never would have traded Dominik Hasek jad they be able to predict how great of a goalie he became. Think Montreal never regretted giving Carey Price all that money & term after his MVP season? Think again.

 

[EagerBeaver]

if it wasn’t for Shesterkin’s heroics they’d easily be leading 3-1

If it wasn't for a bad pass by Zibenajad, the Rangers would be up 3-1 and heading towards a clinch in game 5 and the Stanley Cup Finals. Rangers again won all the toughness stats, hits and blocked shots (28-8). Rempe had 5 hits in 6 minutes, which would have been a team high except Kakko had 7 hits in 14 minutes.

Shesterkin was .925, exactly his postseason average and .02 below his postseason career average. So it was essentially his usual performance. And since he is part of the Rangers team, there is no "if", as if it was unusual thing for him to stop shots and save the Rangers.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Rangers again won all the toughness stats,

That’s a bit of a stretch, besides the blocked shots because they don’t have any choice since Shesterkin, with all his talent would not be able to keep up! For the body check numbers are 47-43 favoring NY, very slim advantage. As for Rempe, come on, everyone says he doesn’t have any impact on the game.

 

[Womaniser]

That’s a bit of a stretch, besides the blocked shots because they don’t have any choice since Shesterkin, with all his talent would not be able to keep up! For the body check numbers are 47-43 favoring NY, very slim advantage. As for Rempe, come on, everyone says he doesn’t have any impact on the game.

Right, what about puck possession time and scoring chances ?
Hits only isn't the principal winning factor.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

It’s obvious the Rangers are totally outplayed so far, and the day Shesterkin fails(everyone does), the score board will look very different.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Skinner has allowed 2 goals on his first 5 shots faced! WTF!!

 

[ThunderLipps]

Mcdavid may very well leave Edmonton also,two years from now so why would Draisaitl re-sign long term?

Pretty sure McD and Draisaitl know between them what they are planning once their contracts expire. I like team devotion but let's face it playing and living in Edmonton while having a chance to move to Boston or another major city.

 

[ThunderLipps]

Skinner has allowed 2 goals on his first 5 shots faced! WTF!!

Yeah after the goal on the first shot and then on the fifth I was about to turn the game off. Skinner held down the fort and the rest of the team performed well, even Nurse got an assist.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Yeah after the goal on the first shot and then on the fifth I was about to turn the game off. Skinner held down the fort and the rest of the team performed well, even Nurse got an assist.

It was a disastrous beginning. Actually the goal that caromed off Darnell Nurse's ass wasn't really Skinner's fault, although the first goal was awful. But Skinner and Nurse bounced back and the Oilers finished the game strong, leading us to believe it is game on as the series heads back to Dallas. Both series might end up going 7.

I thought Knoblauch could pull Skinner after the second goal, which would really have been a knee jerk reaction, but he remained calm. At this point Oilers probably need to ride with Skinner, and hope that the ride is smooth.

 

[gaby]

Yep....another shaky start for SKINNER....BUT teamates took charge and what a comeback.....a decisive one.....and good coaching with McLEOD and PERRY back...both played a good good game.

 

[Cap'tain Fantastic]

Thats why Skinner straightened his act after the first 2 goals!

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1795668027721293824/pu/pl/lMD1HXxL_IDz9QZ_.m3u8?tag=12