Pre-Game Talk: Round 1: Oilers vs Kings - 2024 Playoffs

[Davo Ikinzom]

Just went down a rabbithole of learning about the HFDallas purge. Let's just say this site, and what is and isn't allowed (especially on the mainboards), makes a lot more sense now.

The what?

 

[Ritchie Valens]

We know LA refuses to abandon the 1-3-1 regardless of the score, so as long as we score the first two or three, we’re golden. I’m not as anxious this year about facing LA as I was the last two years. The main reason being, Talbot isn’t a high-pressure goalie. I don’t think he’s as good as Korpisalo and certainly not as good as Quick when it matters.

I’m self-admittedly not the biggest Skinner fan but in this series, I’d much rather have him than Talbot.

 

[OilerTyler]

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Glad to hear Kane and Janmark are trending to play. They need Kane's physical, heavy game and EV goal scoring. Janmark too is just so good in his structured, goal suppression game and enough skill to move around the lineup in short bursts. Can see the value and versatility of this trade deadline depth pickups with the no Kane and Janmark practices roster today.

Oil are deep. This will be a heavy series.

 

[oobga]

We know LA refuses to abandon the 1-3-1 regardless of the score, so as long as we score the first two or three, we’re golden. I’m not as anxious this year about facing LA as I was the last two years. The main reason being, Talbot isn’t a high-pressure goalie. I don’t think he’s as good as Korpisalo and certainly not as good as Quick when it matters.

I’m self-admittedly not the biggest Skinner fan but in this series, I’d much rather have him than Talbot.

I think Talbot has more in him. He outperformed Gibson in that 2017 series, even though he was completely exhausted, but sadly the rules didn't apply to the ducks, and all our skaters choked hard at key moments.

I think Talbot's failing this year is that McLellan busted him (again) playing him way too much. He's 36 now so even harder to recover from the McLellan goalie gauntlet. Think he's gonna take a summer to collect himself again. Think we see some of Big Sieve Dave in this series.

 

[BlackDogg]

There is a Mark Stone groundhog day in Feb now.

 

[Despote]

Best way to beat 1-3-1 is by not allowing it to get set up in the first place...

2nd best way is to build speed and numbers via control regroups. I wanna see this kind of play to break through the neutral zone. Need to work as a five-man unit.

 

[Senor Catface]

Check Dm's

DM me as well, good sir!

 

[bellagiobob]

DM me as well, good sir!

Ditto, I'm curious as well.

 

[Morpheus]

DM me as well, good sir!

Me too thank you

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

The DM hookups on this page would have been considered a damned scandal back in the day.

 

[barry halls]

There are lots:
-Biased officiating that hand out LA PPs like candy
-McDavid continually being molested without any calls
-Our superstars overpassing in the slot
-Oilers goals that get called back due to the false perception of goaltender interference
-Skinner reverting to last year's playoff form
-Kane, Nurse, and Draisaitl losing their temper and taking stupid penalties
-The power play playing in a static and predictable fashion
-Nurse, Ceci, and Desharnais turning into pylons
-Hyman's hot mitts going ice cold
-An injury to key player(s)
-RNH, McLeod, and Foegele all disappearing
-Henrique, Perry, and Ryan looking like senior citizens
-Bouchard and Draisaitl serving up hot LA-style pizzas

I’m guessing at least 8 of these come to pass

Or get him an actual good partner he can play with. Let's count down his partners in his career when he found his way to be a top 4 Dman.

Bear
Ceci
Desharnais


Any of those look like top 4 Dmen to you like Tanev for example? Lmao


I understand the start but are you using his rookie season as too? His recent games haven't been bad.

You're not convinced he's the starter. Then who is?

Pickard? The only games he's played are against non play off teams. In fact, he lost both games to Arizona. Does that inspire more confidence in you than Skinner?

I don’t think we have a real starter, I had more faith in Mike Smith going into playoff games.

I also thought firing Woody for Knob was a terrible mistake and was sure we’d miss the playoffs, so I have accepted I don’t know what I’m talking about, and hopefully Skinner will force me to eat some delicious crow too.

 

[tardigrade81]

Oilers in 5

I’m getting A and W on Monday

 

[guymez]

Henrik Lundqvist...pffft...he has a lot of nerve ranking Skinner that high.
I mean what does he even know about goaltending?

 

[McBeastMode]

 

[alphahelix]

If somebody tells me whatever the hell people are DMing about I’ll blab, I’ll say it out loud, who’s gonna git me?

 

[CupofOil]

This all comes down to Skinner. Is he a legitimate starter? I'm still not convinced. And no, playing well for portions of 2 seasons does not mean he has established himself. He was horrible at the beginning of this season, poor in the playoffs last year, and some of his recent games haven't inspired confidence. When he's dialed in he's great, but that can be said of most goalies. If Skinner starts well and keeps his svp above .900 the Oilers will make it to the cup final.

Skinner has been a lot more good than bad the last two seasons, I don't know how some of you guys aren't seeing this.

With that said, I get the skepticism about him in the playoffs because he hasn't proven it yet but to say that he's not a legitimate starter or that he only played well for portions us a bit disingenuous. Hopefully he proves his worth this postseason.

 

[brentashton]

If somebody tells me whatever the hell people are DMing about I’ll blab, I’ll say it out loud, who’s gonna git me?

Ya not sure what is so scandalous that it can’t be posted here. We’re creating two class of Oiler fans. Those that know and those that don’t.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

If somebody tells me whatever the hell people are DMing about I’ll blab, I’ll say it out loud, who’s gonna git me?

Man of the people

 

[brentashton]

Man of the people

A true martyr if he follows through.

 

[Lay Z Boy GM]

Hmm seeing Hank rate Skinner that high is interesting, I can’t doubt an all time great.

Skinner is better than last year, I just didn’t see that much improvement. Key thing for him is he needs to be consistent.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Henrik Lundqvist...pffft...he has a lot of nerve ranking Skinner that high.
I mean what does he even know about goaltending?

I mean he doesn’t sound very confident in it haha nice to know he thinks that high of Skinner though.

 

[Oilhawks]

Ya not sure what is so scandalous that it can’t be posted here. We’re creating two class of Oiler fans. Those that know and those that don’t.

 

[tardigrade81]

Have you seen Pickard lately?

Ya…. He hasn’t been super great either. Let’s just hope Skinner is up to the task. When he is hot he is unreal, but unfortunately it goes both ways with him. I’m hoping with a second year of playoffs under his belt he won’t be nervous, and hopefully will play well. I’ll even wear my Skinner shirt!!

And post a Van Damme split from Double Team for good luck

 

[BlackDogg]

Ya not sure what is so scandalous that it can’t be posted here. We’re creating two class of Oiler fans. Those that know and those that don’t.

I'm a tier 2 HF fan anyway.