The Oilers have 2 of the top 5 NHL forwards in the league and score tons of goals but it does not matter if you cannot defend.

Exhibit A on why having players who can defend like Johan Larsson matter. It would also help if Mike Smith could make a few saves to make his coach look good.
- Pegullaville

What does this have to do with what I said about Reinhart?

Or do you just want to further debate the merits of the Larrys?

What does this have to do with what I said about Reinhart?

Or do you just want to further debate the merits of the Larrys?
- jcragcrumple

That’s Larold to you, sir

That’s Larold to you, sir
- sbroads24

The Oilers out hit the Blackhawks 20-10 in the first period.

They are the more truculent team, I’m confused to how they are down by 3

Reinhart can't win one-on-one battles?

Boss, did you steal Pachla's username and password?
- jcragcrumple

you're right...rarely wins one-on-one battles

What does this have to do with what I said about Reinhart?

Or do you just want to further debate the merits of the Larrys?
- jcragcrumple

I don’t need to debate the Larry’s.

The Oilers are visual proof of what happens when you have a bunch of offensive firepower and ignore the other two zones of the ice.

It doesn’t help that McDavid and Draisatil are completely one dimensional either.

i don't think he has enough puck-battle to be effective
- Michael Pachla

I agree, the discrepancy in Eichel and Reinhart's plus/minus when they played on the same line most of the time shows some of this. Reinhart was -15 and Eichel was a +5. There were more shots taken with Reinhart on the ice then Eichel. Speed and puck battle.

Not to mention you can't have your best players on the first line PP, have the first line most minutes and kill penalties because their offensive production will drop off. PK takes a lot of energy, they are there to score, others should be there to stop goals and be strong at the PK.

How has Strom looked?

bob looks locked in for fla

How has Strom looked?
- Gr8daygo

pulled off a jochen hecht-like, behind the net, bank-in-off-the-goalie goal

pulled off a jochen hecht-like, behind the net, bank-in-off-the-goalie goal
- Michael Pachla

Nice. Just getting this game on. Might be fun to watch some of the guys that have been bantered about for months.

Moving Montour looks to be gaining steam.

bob looks locked in for fla
- Michael Pachla

if he gets average D in front of him, they will easily win the series IMO

Nice. Just getting this game on. Might be fun to watch some of the guys that have been bantered about for months.
- Gr8daygo

time to get lean

Moving Montour looks to be gaining steam.
- SABRES 89

can we get a late first and guhle back for him?

Moving Montour looks to be gaining steam.
- SABRES 89

If they don't get to be like stickmen lean on D, if this happens, this won't be good news for Risto or the Risto must go army.

Moving Montour looks to be gaining steam.
- SABRES 89

Would make sense in that neither him or Miller ever looked good in Ralph’s system.

Btw, is anybody else perturbed that we have the most active fan base on this site and we don’t have a new blog since 10 days ago. Big fail by eck

Kubalík going to get paid big time and Strome will be ours

Kubalík going to get paid big time and Strome will be ours
- gerbe75pts

Those two passes he made to Toews in the 1st were excellent.

It also helps that McDavid had an incredibly soft pass near his own net that directly lead to a Blackhawks goal.

Johan Larsson should be the Oilers #1 target this offseason. Jesper Fast should be their 2nd
- Pegullaville

I don't think things are going to change for the Oilers unless or until both of McDavid and Draisaitl begin actually trying defensively.

Moving Montour looks to be gaining steam.
- SABRES 89

Curious who they will be targeting...

Would make sense in that neither him or Miller ever looked good in Ralph’s system.

Btw, is anybody else perturbed that we have the most active fan base on this site and we don’t have a new blog since 10 days ago. Big fail by eck
- turbo044

That's flat out wrong about Miller not looking good in Ralph's system, as he did the 2nd part of the season.

Ristolainen is the other player in addition to Montour that didn't look good.

It was even worse when they were paired together.

Both should be traded to allocate that money towards the forwards.

Curious who they will be targeting...
- Gr8daygo

Wings, Flames and Lightning have interest.

you're right...rarely wins one-on-one battles
- Michael Pachla

Really? I think he's damn good along the boards

Spector says , the Sabres are looking for a center for Skinner. We have one his name is Jack Eichel but our head coach can't seem to figure this out.

I don’t need to debate the Larry’s.

The Oilers are visual proof of what happens when you have a bunch of offensive firepower and ignore the other two zones of the ice.

It doesn’t help that McDavid and Draisatil are completely one dimensional either.
- Pegullaville

That's what i was going to say. Draisaitl especially. Plus minus is a pretty poopty stat but how tf do you score 100 points and be a -15. Larry would be a good fit on that team