I think the Oilers are for real. It just shows how slim the difference is between winning and losing in the NHL. A couple tweaks to a roster. Some chemistry develops quickly and the team goes from narrowly losing games to winning games.

Not sure if the Hawks can make that jump. I felt the addition of DeHaan was significant. The play of Lehner was also (although I think over the course of the year Crow will provide more of the same). Not so sure of Colliton's line juggling, ability to match up with the opponents lines, or his system. But willing to give him a little more time. Also would be great if Dach is healthy and deemed to be NHL ready.
- -Doh-

The Oilers have been tweaking their roster for 10 years. Don't really like that time frame for us.

It's going to be a good test for the Hawks tonight. Are the Oilers for real? Or are they just posers?
- Tyler Cameron

If they have to outscore teams to win, well we know how that has worked out for us the past 2 years, disaster.

Great test for our team, hot PP vs poop show

Honestly this may be the best defense the Oilers have faced this year, now that's saying something

But the more i think about the Peg game they really couldn't do much, even when they were in the sweet spot to score their was stick on stick defense so forwards couldn't elevate the puck, it took a mental breakdown for them to tie the game.

How many times have we gone into a game and everyone and their uncle thought we should of won?

If all 5 dmen are healthy and playing, 240lbs or 108.8 kilograms of Lehner in net, even CC in net, i don't think there will be many games we won't be in.

It's going to be a good test for the Hawks tonight. Are the Oilers for real? Or are they just posers?
- Tyler Cameron

Does that matter for the Hawks?

I am calling it now HAWKS win 5 to 2 GO HAWKS GO !!!!

If all 5 dmen are healthy and playing, 240lbs or 108.8 kilograms of Lehner in net, even CC in net, i don't think there will be many games we won't be in.
- BetweenTheDots

Doesn't matter who is in the line up if their overall D is a disorganized mess of some guys chasing and the rest standing around.

Doesn't matter who is in the line up if their overall D is a disorganized mess of some guys chasing and the rest standing around.
- fattybeef

This is what we should know if true or not after 10 games.

Hawks win in a blowout tonight, Saad with the team's best effort.

Hawks win in a blowout tonight, Saad with the team's best effort.
- DarthKane

In 8 minutes TOI....

Doesn't matter who is in the line up if their overall D is a disorganized mess of some guys chasing and the rest standing around.
- fattybeef

I agree, 1st game all 5 healthy and they bottled things up really well even when the forwards couldn't maintain possession and get it out of the zone.

Some of this is on JC with playing Gus with less than 10 minutes in game and foolishly bringing him in for dzone draws, WTF

In 8 minutes TOI....
- StLBravesFan

Saad doesn’t need much time to make an impact... he’s that good.

New lines in practice this morning:

DeBrincat - Toews - Cagguila
Shaw - Strome - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Nylander

Keith - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook
de Haan - Gustafsson

New lines in practice this morning:

DeBrincat - Toews - Cagguila
Shaw - Strome - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Nylander

Keith - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook
de Haan - Gustafsson
- DarthKane

Why - why not:

Cagguila - Toews - Kane = good success last season
deBrincat - Strome - Perlini = some good success last season
Saad - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is not a 4th liner; Kampf is. Hard to believe that the assistant coaches are "approving" Colliton's lines.

New lines in practice this morning:

DeBrincat - Toews - Cagguila
Shaw - Strome - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Nylander

Keith - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook
de Haan - Gustafsson
- DarthKane

I can dig it

I can dig it
- Savetheembers33

Looks like Crawford is starting. I would have gone with Lehner.

Why - why not:

Cagguila - Toews - Kane = good success last season
deBrincat - Strome - Perlini = some good success last season
Saad - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is not a 4th liner; Kampf is. Hard to believe that the assistant coaches are "approving" Colliton's lines.
- StLBravesFan

Shaw and Kane have had success in the past, it’s worth a try with Strome. Saad-Kampf-Kubalik have played well together, it’s for JC kept them together. Nylander may start on the 4th line, but I’d expect him to swap with Cagguila for a few shifts.

New lines in practice this morning:

DeBrincat - Toews - Cagguila
Shaw - Strome - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Nylander

Keith - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook
de Haan - Gustafsson
- DarthKane

Debrincat was lost playing with Toews

The lines should be -
Debrincat-Strome-Kane
Caggulia-Toews-Nylander/Perlini
*Let either Perlini/Nylander play the full game the next 2-3 games until Dach is healthy then put him on this RW
Saad-Shaw-Kubilak
Wedin-Kampf-Carpenter

Wedin has speed and can kill penalties. Smith us useless and should be waived

Why - why not:

Cagguila - Toews - Kane = good success last season
deBrincat - Strome - Perlini = some good success last season
Saad - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is not a 4th liner; Kampf is. Hard to believe that the assistant coaches are "approving" Colliton's lines.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed - the lines from last year were working, but from the get go this year, the stories and the decisions seem to be all about how splitting up Kane Toews is only way to go. And, I think the opposite of your last comment.

Last year, JC kept same lines, even when it DID seem a change was justified. This year, he can't stick with one plan, except for last game and today's, even after those lines scored nothing in 5x5 against one of worst defenses in NHL. I see it as likely influence of the new assistants, namely Crawford.

Perlini played well last game

so why is Nylander playing?

Perlini played well last game

so why is Nylander playing?
- gazza53

Based on same logic that is keeping two 5x5 scoreless lines together and putting in statistically (so far this year) worse goalie in against hottest team in NHL?

I really don't get what is happening this year. Trying to keep open mind and was always in the JC camp, but I'm scratching my head at the chaos.

Why - why not:

Cagguila - Toews - Kane = good success last season
deBrincat - Strome - Perlini = some good success last season
Saad - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is not a 4th liner; Kampf is. Hard to believe that the assistant coaches are "approving" Colliton's lines.
- StLBravesFan

This is smelling a lot like they are not playing to win, playing to develop

Im okay with Nylander or Perlini playing 4th line minutes the message is you have to play defense on this team and be responsible with the puck.

Cat signed his contract but Strome did not? Cat and Strome separated hmmm

Murphy and Keith paired again

Gus? With de Haan again, is JC still going to try to make Gus something he's not?

Why - why not:

Cagguila - Toews - Kane = good success last season
deBrincat - Strome - Perlini = some good success last season
Saad - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is not a 4th liner; Kampf is. Hard to believe that the assistant coaches are "approving" Colliton's lines.
- StLBravesFan

We all know it's because Crawford is eyeing Colliton's job lol.

This is smelling a lot like they are not playing to win, playing to develop

Im okay with Nylander or Perlini playing 4th line minutes the message is you have to play defense on this team and be responsible with the puck.

Cat signed his contract but Strome did not? Cat and Strome separated hmmm

Murphy and Keith paired again

Gus? With de Haan again, is JC still going to try to make Gus something he's not?
- BetweenTheDots

JC clearly is in way over his head. Looking at the lineup I don't see any logic whatsoever to these lines.


Lehner deserves to start tonight he is the better of the 2 goalies right now . Crawford hasn't played well and his numbers show

Debrincat was lost playing with Toews

The lines should be -
Debrincat-Strome-Kane
Caggulia-Toews-Nylander/Perlini
*Let either Perlini/Nylander play the full game the next 2-3 games until Dach is healthy then put him on this RW
Saad-Shaw-Kubilak
Wedin-Kampf-Carpenter

Wedin has speed and can kill penalties. Smith us useless and should be waived
- PatShart

Switch Kubalik and Kane and I can go for this.

JC clearly is in way over his head. Looking at the lineup I don't see any logic whatsoever to these lines.


Lehner deserves to start tonight he is the better of the 2 goalies right now . Crawford hasn't played well and his numbers show
- Taylorst1

Hawks defense was much better last game compared to the 1st 2, so I'm okay with CC starting with 5 NHL dmen