[OOT] March 5 with nine games!

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Man, that Oilers D is just atrocious. I really hope the Flames bring their A game on Monday and rightfully light these losers up.

Failed to put the pin in their season a month ago.

Looks like they'll get another shot. It would tip that team and the fanbase over the edge after the last couple games.

[dino7c]

7-1 final in my mind

[Bunk]

That time of year were teams have nothing to lose, relax and play better. See Vancouver and Montreal.

[MonaTone]

I love how the Edmonton post game advertiser's byline(?) Is, "count on a save when you need it the most"

Laughs at Smith

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Failed to put the pin in their season a month ago.

Looks like they'll get another shot. It would tip that team and the fanbase over the edge after the last couple games.

That game honestly scares the hell out of me. Not because the Oilers are good (they aren't). But because it's a big time trap game, and the Flames always seem to give McDavid way too much time and space and they have a habit of crapping the bed against him.

That being said, it's been a long time since we played them last, and the Flames are playing much better hockey these days.

[CroFlames]

Panel defending Mike Smith knocking the net off.

The “stumble” was on purpose. That’s a penalty all day.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Bunk

That time of year were teams have nothing to lose, relax and play better. See Vancouver and Montreal.

Now far be it for me to try and ruin a good narrative but, the Canucks have been playing like this since the beginning of December. The only reason it doesn't feel like that is that they were so god damn awful for October/November, that the hole they were in has taken this long to make it feel like they're even close to relevant for play-off discussions.


They still aren't making it, but it has taken three months of .600 hockey to erase how bad they were at the start.

[dino7c]

Oilers always get the calls and breaks against the Flames too, its not like the Flames didn't totally dominate them last time

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Bunk

That time of year were teams have nothing to lose, relax and play better. See Vancouver and Montreal.

Almost like it's better to just let them play and see where things go rather than put soul-crushing expectations on the team from the outset (Canucks will probably do that to themselves next year though).

McDavid was a blessing in disguise in that regard. Because the team had him, there was always the expectation that they should be doing great things immediately. It's ####ed up their management decisions for years now and they'll suffer hard for it when one of the hart twins leaves.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I could see the Oilers and Canucks ending up 9th and 10th in the west (or 3rd/4th in the wildcard race).

Exactly where we want them.

that's the dream!

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Now far be it for me to try and ruin a good narrative but, the Canucks have been playing like this since the beginning of December. The only reason it doesn't feel like that is that they were so god damn awful for October/November, that the hole they were in has taken this long to make it feel like they're even close to relevant for play-off discussions.


They still aren't making it, but it has taken three months of .600 hockey to erase how bad they were at the start.

Demko has been playing over his head for a couple months IMO.

The Canucks play hasn't been that impressive.

[Saqe]

Haha Smith. Too bad the Panthers decided to have a slump when they played, otherwise the Oilers would be even further back from a playoff spot. That is not a good team, mediocre at best.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Panel defending Mike Smith knocking the net off.

The “stumble” was on purpose. That’s a penalty all day.

Not to mention they called one of the worst calls in NHL in history on Montreal right after to even things up

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by direwolf

That game honestly scares the hell out of me. Not because the Oilers are good (they aren't). But because it's a big time trap game, and the Flames always seem to give McDavid way too much time and space and they have a habit of crapping the bed against him.

That being said, it's been a long time since we played them last, and the Flames are playing much better hockey these days.

Vladar starting tonight means a rested Markstrom for the Oil.

He seems to play best with prep time. Bodes well I think. It also sounds like Sutter has had that game circled on the calendar.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Demko has been playing over his head for a couple months IMO.

The Canucks play hasn't been that impressive.

Demko is a big part (most) of it. Though not sure he's playing over his head. He's really just been at this level since the bubble vs LV. Remember people here used to say the same things about Markie. I think Ian Clark is just phenomenal at his job

Whether it's someone just on a heater or not, it's been 3 months of .600 hockey. It didn't just start two weeks ago.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Any jerseys on the ice?

yes, but there were Oiler players still in them

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Not to mention they called one of the worst calls in NHL in history on Montreal right after to even things up

Yup, and the panel was calling the Smith call bad, making an excuse for the Oilers play, but of course never mentioned that atrocity of a call

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Demko is a big part (most) of it. Though not sure he's playing over his head. He's really just been at this level since the bubble vs LV. Remember people here used to say the same things about Markie. I think Ian Clark is just phenomenal at his job

Whether it's someone just on a heater or not, it's been 3 months of .600 hockey. It didn't just start two weeks ago.

Yeah, I'm not sold on the Canucks' play, but Demko has been lights out.

And when you have a great goalie, you have a chance to win every night

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Demko is a big part (most) of it. Though not sure he's playing over his head. He's really just been at this level since the bubble vs LV. Remember people here used to say the same things about Markie. I think Ian Clark is just phenomenal at his job

Whether it's someone just on a heater or not, it's been 3 months of .600 hockey. It didn't just start two weeks ago.

Fair, I suppose I'm not giving him enough credit.

It's just unusual for a young goalie to not face some hurdles in his first couple seasons.

His consistency since the bubble seems too good to be true just from the historical perspective of young goalies entering the league.

Marky had a bumpy road early on. Didn't seem to settle into that solid starter form until that third season or so.

Demko's progress seems rather expedited. Wouldn't be surprised to see a drop off for half a season next year.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Demko's progress seems rather expedited. Wouldn't be surprised to see a drop off for half a season next year.

Demko's thing has always been to step in and excel with a much shorter run way then most when moving to the next level.

One thing about Markstrom's early development was that he had no dedicated goalie coach on Florida. It set him back early and saw a lot of bad habits seep into both preparation and play. He steadily improved after joining the Canucks but before Ian Clark came in. Ian Clark just played a big role in getting him over the hump of a consistent elite level.

Considering the level of success Clark has seen in multiple organizations now, I think he is just very good at identifying raw talent and developing it.