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Oilers Tie Series 2-2: On Coaching, Bouchard Rollercoaster, and More |
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In my last blog I talked about how Knoblauch was being outcoached by Hiller, the goaltending not being close to good enough for the Oilers, the struggles of Evan Bouchard, Kane not being a factor for Edmonton, and how if the Oilers are going to have any chance of winning this series they need to win both home games.
What a difference a couple days make.
Now we are talking about Hiller and his perplexing coaching decisions, Pickard (starting to) stabilize the netminding, Bouchard saving the day; twice, Kane starting to come alive, and heading back to LA with a 2-2 tie. Let's break some of these things down.
For two games it was looking like Kings coach Jim Hiller could do no wrong. Whatever line he was throwing out against the Oilers were producing chance after chance and the Oilers were blocked time and time again at the blueline. Then the issues began for Hiller. In Game 3, Kane scored the tying goal at the time by crashing the net but not in any egregious way that prevented Kuemper from making the save. Hiller decides to challenge, the call on the ice stands, the Oilers go on the powerplay and score 10 seconds later on a shot from Bouchard which ends up being the game winner.
In Game 4 there was no specific poor call by Hiller but let's take a look at the ice time among defenders.
Bouchard: 35:54
Kulak: 29:26
Nurse: 27:16
Klingberg: 26:08
Walman: 25:47
Emberson: 8:38
Edmundson: 36:16
Anderson: 34:14
Doughty: 32:57
Gavrikov: 31:40
Clarke: 11:58
Moverare: 2:26
For the Oilers, Emberson was not out much, especially in the third period or overtime but Edmonton played 5 of their blueliners well above 20 minutes with only Evan Bouchard playing over 30. For the Kings, 4 of their blueliners all played 30+ minutes with two of their players being utilized very little. As the game went on into the third period and OT the Oilers were dominating the Kings with their blueliners looking completely gassed. That will be something to keep an eye on as this series goes into Game 5 and beyond.
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For the goaltending, I had concerns going back to Pickard in Game 4. The Oilers ended up getting the win and Pickard made some strong saves but the goal that tied the game at 3-3 was easily the worst goal allowed by either netminder in this series. To Pickard's credit he played good enough to win in Game 4 and for the first time in this series, an Oilers goalie had a SV% above 0.900. No reason now to expect he doesn't get Game 5.
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Evan Bouchard is an enigma. At some times, you watch him on plays like the one that led to the Kings third goal and you want to see him immediately benched. Then you watch what he does in the offensive end and you wonder if the Oilers are going to be able to afford him
Bouchard is now the 4th defenseman in NHL history to record back to back multi goal games in the playoffs. He is 2nd among all defenders in NHL history with career points per game in the playoffs at 1.12. That is above Makar (1.08) and behind Bobby Orr (1.24). He scored the game winning goal in Game 3 off a brilliant set play with Draisaitl. In Game 4 he scored in the middle of the third period to put the Oilers only a goal down but his best moment came in the final seconds of the period. Byfield had an opportunity to get the puck out and pot the empty net goal but a brilliant defensive play by Bouchard kept the puck in the zone and moments later, delivered the cannon of a shot that forced OT.
Bouchard can be one of the most polarizing players to watch at times but when he is on he is one of the most dynamic and offensively gifted players in the NHL and the Oilers are tied right now in this series in large part thanks to his efforts. One thing I will say though is the Nurse and Bouchard pairing needs to stop immediately.
Bouchard and Nurse have played 43:55 together at 5 on 5 in this series and have been on the ice for 2 goals for and 5 goals against and have been outshot 21-26 in those minutes. When Bouchard is away from Nurse the goals are 3-4 but the Oilers have outshot the Kings in those minutes 28-15. When Nurse is away from Bouchard the Oilers are outscored 0-1 and outshooting the Kings 21-20. These two players just do not work together and Knoblauch needs to get them away from each other.
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We now head back to LA with the momentum currently feeling like it is on the Oilers sidewhile LA has to be have "here we go again" sitting their in the back of their minds. So far in this series, the Kings have been the superior team in the first period and most of the second while the Oilers have come alive in the third period. Edmonton will be looking to come out far stronger than they have to start games while the Kings will be looking to make a harder push in the final 20.
We now officially have a real series and the race to the finish is going to continue to be a rollercoaster of emotions.
Thanks for reading!
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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