WCF: Edmonton Oilers (P3) vs Dallas Stars (C2) - Oilers win 4-1

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by jg13

Both teams finished 3rd in their division but Oilers had more points so I assume they get home ice if they play the panthers in the final?

I think it's by points, Oilers gets the nod sadly

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I hope the Avs have a very good summer in terms of roster moves because they're the one team in the west I can envision having the heart and star power to overwhelm the Oilers and send them into their permanent decline.

Genuinely did not expect how Vegas or Dallas have shown up.

Actually though, what gives? In two years we can't get one competent showing against these clowns. Every team has folded in uncharacteristic fashion (I guess characteristic of LA)..

Hopefully Marchment decapitates one of the golden babies in garbage time. I want to see them irate and sour.

[Manhattanboy]

I don’t care anymore.

I just don’t care anymore.

No more. No more.

— Phil Collins

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

I think it's by points, Oilers gets the nod sadly

Panthers havent had home ice yet

[Rhett44]

Panthers are our last hope again. But everything seems to be going the Oilers way lately.

I still can't get over this division format for playoffs. The Oilers should have been playing this loser Stars team round 1. They should be playing a team that actually had a chance at a cup like the Avs round 3.

Instead they have another bye to the finals. And every team is just laying down for them.

[vilzeh]

I hate Oilers so much, that I'm actually gonna quit watching NHL if they win the cup. I just can't. My blood is boiling. Marchand, Tkachuk & Bennett, wreck those entitled brats, POUND THEM TO THE GROUND.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Two Stars penalties behind the Oilers net, both you would see not called in 90% of playoffs games...especially with 5 mins left in a one goal game

Combined with the Perry pick on the first goal that went uncalled.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The Stars have the same problem as the Leafs - core players who produce in the regular season but disappear in big games in the playoffs. With the Leafs it’s Matthews and Marner. With the Stars it’s Robertson (20 pts in 29 games in the last two playoffs), Duchene (12 pts in 36 games), and Hintz (19 pts in 31 games). Their best big-moment player was Pavelski, and they miss his clutch scoring.

More data points in the playoffs being a different style of hockey that some players struggle to adapt to more than others.

We forget just how clutch Pavelski was for the Stars. I suppose Rantanen could be that guy but he's not been nearly as consistent. It just goes to show that to win a cup you need guys that are clutch in the postseason as there are just so many players that are good enough to light it up in the regular season but not good enough to break through the grind of the playoffs.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

This is a really good post. Same two teams in the finals, same four in the conference finals. Nearly every other series felt repetitive as well. It's a very boring structure, seeing the same matchups year after year.

Call it sour grapes if you want, but I'd be thinking the same if the Oilers weren't involved in the equation. Outside of Leafs/Sens and Stars/Avs there's been very little excitement about these playoffs.

Not only that but it seems like teams are throwing in the towel in series much more than they used to. Carolina, Las Vegas, Dallas in particular look like teams that just showed up for the participation trophies. There was a time where losing teams still fought tooth and nail. Not even a single OT game in the conference finals as the games haven't really been competitive. The Oilers and Panthers look like the only teams this postseason that really wanted to get to the final and were willing to do whatever it takes.

[Five-hole]

Everyone uses the cliche of one team wanting it more than the other, but that might actually apply here. The complete lack of battle and determination by the Stars in the 3rd is baffling.

It's one thing to be outplayed. But the Stars were absolutely listless. No jump at all. Losing puck battles everywhere. Brainless plays with the puck (keep dumping it to a side where they have no support). Have an easy out-man on the puck but their second guy stands there and watches.

Someone explain to me why this is.

[Erick Estrada]

Hard to imagine but I wonder if DeBoer may be coaching for his job in game 6. I don't know how the organization could justify bringing him back after their showings in the conference finals the past two seasons. He's simply not pushing any of the right buttons to get his guys going. There's enough talent on this team that any average head coach could easily get them into the playoffs, but they need a guy that's going to take them to the next level in the playoffs and DeBoer has never really been able to do that with any of the teams he's coached as he's good enough to win a round or two consistently and not any further save for that one Sharks run.

[Toonage]

I figured after the 2nd go around in this spot and being down he and his staff would know what adjustments were needed, what buttons to be pressed etc. Nothing.

But he still gets them there, and the roster is capable. Just not against the Oilers. His job is probably safe.

[jg13]

how the team we saw the last 3 games ended up beating colorado is beyond me

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by jg13

how the team we saw the last 3 games ended up beating colorado is beyond me

Maybe Edmonton has something to do with it.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

I hate Oilers so much, that I'm actually gonna quit watching NHL if they win the cup. I just can't. My blood is boiling. Marchand, Tkachuk & Bennett, wreck those entitled brats, POUND THEM TO THE GROUND.

I’m not turning on sportsnet in the summer if they win. They will be insufferable.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by jg13

how the team we saw the last 3 games ended up beating colorado is beyond me

Zero intensity

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Everyone uses the cliche of one team wanting it more than the other, but that might actually apply here. The complete lack of battle and determination by the Stars in the 3rd is baffling.

It's one thing to be outplayed. But the Stars were absolutely listless. No jump at all. Losing puck battles everywhere. Brainless plays with the puck (keep dumping it to a side where they have no support). Have an easy out-man on the puck but their second guy stands there and watches.

Someone explain to me why this is.

It looked like regular season game 43 for the Stars

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Maybe Edmonton has something to do with it.

It's hard to credit the teams we hate so much but that roster has bought in and it's evident they want the cup much more than their opponents.

[Enoch Root]

Confidence is a fickle thing. To me, it looks like Dallas has little confidence when playing the Oilers - passes aren't crisp, their finishing touch isn't there, they turn away and play safe instead of pressing the play and playing on their toes...

The good news is that it can change instantly, but someone has to cause it to change.

There was a faceoff in the Oilers zone with 7 seconds left in the 1st last night. DAL wins the draw and gets off a shot, aimed high glove side. It hits Skinner's shoulder BEFORE SKINNER EVEN MOVED. If the shot is 2 inches higher or 2 inches to the right, it beats Skinner clean. And if so, DAL comes out to start the 2nd feeling great. And Skinner feels like he let the team down with a late goal against. Completely different atmosphere, and completely different attitudes on the 2 benches.

When you're feeling confident, you hit that corner. When you're pressing, you hit the goalie, or the post, or miss the net. That is the difference between winning and losing, in a league where teams are so closely matched.

[The Yen Man]

Pathetic showing by the Stars so far. If this was how the Stars were going to play, Jets would have probably given the Oilers a better challenge.