Matt Henderson: G23 Oilers vs Blue Jackets: Applying The Pressure
- Matt_Henderson

Yeah I take no issue with Eakins presser yesterday, leading your points about being an aggressive tenacious team in all areas of the ice.

Though I'm still a little puzzled that a move back to this style comes on the heels of better goaltending.

That poop seems like lip-service. With the tending they had, mixed with a young fragile team - no system was going to help them out of the first 20.

I just hope they get this aggressive style together for a win or two and gain some extended confidence. Actually looking forward to tonight's game.

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

With the worst goals against in the league don't you think playing a better team defense should be the first priority? The Oilers are as bad at preventing goals as the Nucks are at scoring them.

Gagner .... his mouth hurts still
- Killbot460

good luck trying to get any real value from him
- TomKlassen

Hey, everybody has some value

The only reason Acton goes in over Arcobello is cuz he brings size which we need badly in our line-up.

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

With the worst goals against in the league don't you think playing a better team defense should be the first priority? The Oilers are as bad at preventing goals as the Nucks are at scoring them.
- LeftCoaster

You mean allowing 3.73 goals against is bad? Ha-ha! I thought from following these threads for the last week or so that was all Duby's fault.

Statistics suggest with greater frequency that teams that can successfully carry the puck on zone entries rather than dump and chase generate more shots, even if their turnovers are noticeable. (here's a couple articles:http://nhlnumbers.com/201...ssion-over-dump-and-chase
http://blogs.edmontonjour...ch-players-drive-the-bus/)

Simply to suggest that their fancy/risky style of play isn't inherently flawed, they just need to execute better. The Oilers do need to limit their turnovers, but they can do so by getting better at zone entries rather than aborting and dumping. (http://blogs.edmontonjour...one-puck-possession-line/)

Part of it is that the defense features few players that have success on carry-ins
(http://blogs.edmontonjour...-edmonton-oilers-in-2013/).
And, even before you get to the point of zone penetration, a strong breakout from a defenseman who can skate the puck into the neutral zone can help diversify your attack. http://blogs.edmontonjour...xits-data-2012-13-season/

Anecdotally, I watched a game last year where the total ES time that Oilers defensemen possessed the puck in the neutral zone was 1:38 seconds. I counted.

You can see our defenseman's tentativeness in possessing the puck when you compare it to say, Pittsburgh's group: http://www.pensburgh.com/...fancy-stats-sidney-crosby

You mean allowing 3.73 goals against is bad? Ha-ha! I thought from following these threads for the last week or so that was all Duby's fault.
- striker777

probably about 70% Dubys fault

I`m glad this coaching staff realizes the inneffectiveness of a player like Arcobello in the bottom six, even though many on this forum do not. HE IS TOO LITTLE. If he can`t bring something truly amazing to his game (lightning speed, incredible passing, Theo Fleury type grit, etc.) he is not going to stick.

He either has to out-skill and out-finesse the top two centermen, or he has to outmuscle the bottom two, and he is a solid C+ in both categories (with an A+ for effort). Arco doesn`t really have the skill set to be a top six guy and he will never be a bottom six guy, and this is why he will constantly be challenged to crack any lineup. People shouldn`t be comparing him to Gordon and Acton, it`s the whole round peg square hole thing. He should be compared to Gagner and RNH, and he is not going to take those spots. (Gagner isn`t exactly ripping it up though, so perhaps sitting HIM for Arco could make sense). There may well be nepotism concerning Acton, but it certainly is not what is keeping Arcobello out of the lineup.
- JLO961

I'm one of the first people to tell you I hate the size and physical compete level the Oilers display every night............But I would play Arcobello and his 12 pts and -3 on the 3rd line before I'd play Ryan "old geezer" Smyth and his 5pts and -12 ! It's not like he a beast out there either!

Good post. I hope the Oil management group has FINALLY recognized the glaring deficiencies in the Team. No size on the top 2 lines. It boggles the mind that so many fans identified these problems the past 2 years and the Team did nothing to address it.
Any player with size also needs speed on the top 2 lines to keep up with linemates and to get in on the forecheck as soon as possible. Bigger players will allow linemates to gain both room to operate and probably give them a boost in confidence. Our talented kids just aren't playing defensively and they keep trying to force the play, often turning over the puck. If that doesn't change, no system they put in will lead to success.

probably about 70% Dubys fault
- SpoiledByOil

I'd. Swing that # to the 18 skaters every game in front of him.

OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME

With the worst goals against in the league don't you think playing a better team defense should be the first priority? The Oilers are as bad at preventing goals as the Nucks are at scoring them.
- LeftCoaster

It cant be number 1 in every game day blog. That would be boring. But tweaking the system is addressing the defensive issues for the club as a whole.

Hey, everybody has some value
- ChetManly

Notice how I wrote real value. Real as in will actually get us something that we need.

It cant be number 1 in every game day blog. That would be boring. But tweaking the system is addressing the defensive issues for the club as a whole.
- Matt_Henderson

How's the mustache coming?

I'd. Swing that # to the 18 skaters every game in front of him.
- striker777

yea because we've been out played and out shot in every single game right? nothing to do with a goalie letting in 4 goals on 10 shots consistently for sure. Oilers are the only team in the league that have defensive breakdowns and turnovers.

Edit: for stupid mistakes

How's the mustache coming?
- Yeti1181

Terribly! I haven't shaved in about 4 days and my chin has caught up to the lip. So that needs to go again. I imagine by the end of the month it will be almost passable, but still.

Terribly! I haven't shaved in about 4 days and my chin has caught up to the lip. So that needs to go again. I imagine by the end of the month it will be almost passable, but still.
- Matt_Henderson

I shall post mine to make you feel better

I'm one of the first people to tell you I hate the size and physical compete level the Oilers display every night............But I would play Arcobello and his 12 pts and -3 on the 3rd line before I'd play Ryan "old geezer" Smyth and his 5pts and -12 ! It's not like he a beast out there either!
- Rhino

He is VERY slow and has given up a few strides for sure, but he still `has it`along the boards. He would make Arcobello look very silly in practice trying to win a battle along the boards. These guys each have their role and Arco can`t do Smytty`s job. On the wall, digging behind the net, etc. Unfortunately Smyth has to skate in between and those are some pretty old and slow legs. I respectfully disagree.

Good post. I hope the Oil management group has FINALLY recognized the glaring deficiencies in the Team. No size on the top 2 lines. It boggles the mind that so many fans identified these problems the past 2 years and the Team did nothing to address it.
Any player with size also needs speed on the top 2 lines to keep up with linemates and to get in on the forecheck as soon as possible. Bigger players will allow linemates to gain both room to operate and probably give them a boost in confidence. Our talented kids just aren't playing defensively and they keep trying to force the play, often turning over the puck. If that doesn't change, no system they put in will lead to success.
- haymac

While that's true, simply put, this core - this fab-5, needs to be better. Period. They're learning and it's a long road.

Having said that, adjustments need to be made. Agreed we need to acquire size or more tenacity within talent up front.

He is VERY slow and has given up a few strides for sure, but he still `has it`along the boards. He would make Arcobello look very silly in practice trying to win a battle along the boards. These guys each have their role and Arco can`t do Smytty`s job. On the wall, digging behind the net, etc. Unfortunately Smyth has to skate in between and those are some pretty old and slow legs. I respectfully disagree.
- JLO961

Smytty does (frank)ing NOTHING out there, Arcobello is better defensively, better at faceoffs, better offensively and by far more physical. You make some of the worst posts on this site that I've ever seen. But it's ok because you make tons of money and (frank) super models.

Smyth had a reasonable game in front of the net against Calgary. He was deflecting some shots and causing some havoc.

That being said I would rather see the Oilers pay him 2.25 million a year to be a professional "grit consultant" than to play hockey.

I'm one of the first people to tell you I hate the size and physical compete level the Oilers display every night............But I would play Arcobello and his 12 pts and -3 on the 3rd line before I'd play Ryan "old geezer" Smyth and his 5pts and -12 ! It's not like he a beast out there either!
- Rhino

I agree acro should be playing makes no sense to have him sit

While that's true, simply put, this core - this fab-5, needs to be better. Period. They're learning and it's a long road.

Having said that, adjustments need to be made. Agreed we need to acquire size or more tenacity within talent up front.
- Salvo

it just kills me.

I agree that it's a long road, and their age cant be forgotten.
but I don't think this group is ever going to be the answer.

I watch those games where it's just endless cycling and losing board battles in our zone. this isn't lack of understanding, or a bad system. they flat out get outsized and outmuscled. add to that the extra long shift and running out of gas and they're ripe for the picking for an imminent quality scoring chance.
(and after all that, its just as frustrating when we finally do gain possession and get a brief foray into the offensive zone only to lose a board battle, or run into 3 defenders and then head back)

im desperate for management to do something about it.
whether it be through the first, or through gagner, or through yaks, or a package. I just want it done.

I believe that nothing will help get these kids where we want them to be more than confidence from wins. and if they don't get it sooner rather than later, they may never find success with this organization. and no system, coach, new goaltender, patience etc is going to get this team there until we obtain a defender and that size up front.

It cant be number 1 in every game day blog. That would be boring. But tweaking the system is addressing the defensive issues for the club as a whole.
- Matt_Henderson

Ok you win