Sean Maloughney: 5 Game Tough Test for the Oilers + Skinner and Nurse

I will give Nurse credit once he plays up to the contract that he and his agent demanded. Best he gets out of me until then is less vitriol.

I am very happy with Nurse's play lately.

I remember last year with Nurse, Ceci and Desharnais getting stuck in the back end with any amount of forecheck. Wasting valuable minutes of top players, loss of momentum and too many goals against.

It seems Nurse is way more stabilized with Stecher and Kulak pairings.

I have also noticed the Oilers using the Dallas Stars 'chip the puck out to center' approach when starting to get pinned in. This is a simple yet effective way for quick relief. With good timing, you can even get some offense.

I would say that Bouchard is the weakest defender on the team now. But with his offensive upside, you kind of need to take the bad with the good. When we had two D men in the box, it felt like a PP goal against was going to happen.

Keep sleeping on the lightning.

Keep sleeping on the lightning.
- TrueGrit

Not sleeping on the Lightning at all. They remain a very good team and I included them in this group of tough opponents the Oilers face in the next 5 games. Also don't think it's unfair to say Vasilevskiy is very good as opposed to unstoppable like he was a few years ago, Hedman is no longer a perennial Norris pick and Stamkos is gone. Great team still but not nearly as good as they once were.

Ekholm a beast last night.

Well done Sean thank you!!

Really appreciate the write-up and the effort Sean.
Thx

Not sleeping on the Lightning at all. They remain a very good team and I included them in this group of tough opponents the Oilers face in the next 5 games. Also don't think it's unfair to say Vasilevskiy is very good as opposed to unstoppable like he was a few years ago, Hedman is no longer a perennial Norris pick and Stamkos is gone. Great team still but not nearly as good as they once were.
- freelancer

Thank you for thoughtful response. I totally agree with Hedman. The loss of Stamkos is less then anyone will every say.

Vasi/any goalie for that matter, is a function of team defense. He is still young and has lots of tread.

I will argue, with the growth of Cirelli, Hagel. The additions of gunezel and the growth of Geekie and Moser will make them as dangerous as anyone. My only concern is Cernak and McDonough staying healthy.

This team will get better with the Cap going up.

Love your Oilers and read you frequently. Great job!!