Sean Maloughney: Avalanche Dominate Oilers - Changes Are Needed

Good article and I like your proposed lineup. Standing pat is not an option.

The difference between dmen on both teams is readily observable to even casual viewers. COL dmen are better at both ends of the ice.

If Nurse is actually playing hurt sit him and get Kris Russell in. He has the speed to deal with the Avs forwards and you need those blocked shots.

Should have also countered with Koskinen last game and tossed a curve at the Avs.

Koskinen to start tonight or the Oil going with Smith?

I found it amusing that the oilers were acting tough against the Avs the other night. Kassian et el wanted nothing of the sort in the Flames series but now they think toughness is to their advantage...well, the avs are doing what the oilers did to the flames, not engaging. Lot of stupid penalties oilers are taking and their frustration levels are rising. Oilers need to re-focus and concentrate on putting the puck in the net else they will lose exactly like Calgary did. Theyve come too far to allow their emotions to take over.

I found it amusing that the oilers were acting tough against the Avs the other night. Kassian et el wanted nothing of the sort in the Flames series but now they think toughness is to their advantage...well, the avs are doing what the oilers did to the flames, not engaging. Lot of stupid penalties oilers are taking and their frustration levels are rising. Oilers need to re-focus and concentrate on putting the puck in the net else they will lose exactly like Calgary did. Theyve come too far to allow their emotions to take over.
- Papshady

Kassian isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. Taking 2 stupid penalties should get his a$$ firmly planted on the bench.

Kassian isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. Taking 2 stupid penalties should get his a$$ firmly planted on the bench.
- K-man25

They’re putting him on the first line

If Nurse is actually playing hurt sit him and get Kris Russell in. He has the speed to deal with the Avs forwards and you need those blocked shots.

Should have also countered with Koskinen last game and tossed a curve at the Avs.

Koskinen to start tonight or the Oil going with Smith?
- LordHumungous

Putting Koskinen in is more of a knuckle ball than curve.

Great to see Nurse finally get a goal. Lol. Actually the Oilers deserve a better fate after that period. Colorado didn't have a shot at 5 on 5. Refs aren't really helping the Oilers either. I think they played well. Can they do that for a full game.

Great to see Nurse finally get a goal. Lol. Actually the Oilers deserve a better fate after that period. Colorado didn't have a shot at 5 on 5. Refs aren't really helping the Oilers either. I think they played well. Can they do that for a full game.
- grovegrizzlies

I would like an Oiler win but I'm not feeling good about things after 2 periods. I used to like RNH but don't know why he bothers getting dressed for the game. Must be some kind of contractual obligation. Puljujarvi just wants to get out of what it looks like he thinks are these stupid playoffs without getting hurt. Well third period has started.

As a lifelong Hawks fan there is something off abour the Oilers. I cant put my finger on it. A lot of talent but somehow disjointed.

Outmatched. Fully and completely.

Well you have had a good run but clearly you have now met a team that is far better. No shame in that congratulations on a great season

As a lifelong Hawks fan there is something off abour the Oilers. I cant put my finger on it. A lot of talent but somehow disjointed.
- LFS

Something is off lol? Everyone knows what is "off." The Oilers have great top 6 forwards. That's it. Forward depth isn't great. Defense is mediocre. Goaltending nothing special. Years of poor roster management led to an unbalanced team heavily dependent on a limited number of elite players carrying them. That rarely works well in a long postseason grind.

Something is off lol? Everyone knows what is "off." The Oilers have great top 6 forwards. That's it. Forward depth isn't great. Defense is mediocre. Goaltending nothing special. Years of poor roster management led to an unbalanced team heavily dependent on a limited number of elite players carrying them. That rarely works well in a long postseason grind.
- jfkst1

Sounds like this years pens!

Something is off lol? Everyone knows what is "off." The Oilers have great top 6 forwards. That's it. Forward depth isn't great. Defense is mediocre. Goaltending nothing special. Years of poor roster management led to an unbalanced team heavily dependent on a limited number of elite players carrying them. That rarely works well in a long postseason grind.
- jfkst1

Its more than that

only a matter of time before Kane was going to do something dumb......and he did it last night....Av's outclassing Oilers in ever category.....Kane should be banned for a while.

only a matter of time before Kane was going to do something dumb......and he did it last night....Av's outclassing Oilers in ever category.....Kane should be banned for a while.
- Hockey Pucker

Dumb hit but I doubt he gets any extra. It was a bad hit in a bad spot with a bad outcome but there have been far dirtier that go unpunished. Doesn’t matter. Series is over.

Edit: seems I’m wrong. Kane has a hearing so he’s getting something.

Putting Koskinen in is more of a knuckle ball than curve.
- K-man25

After all the Smith gaffes in Game 1's it was time. When Kuemper was out would have been nice to see Woodcroft counter with Koskinen just to give Smith a break. Needed a shake up. But coaches are so afraid to 'not roll' with their #1 goalies. It was time for a shift. That goal last night at 2-2 says it all. Smith can't make the big save at this point. Horrible weak goal that deflated the club. Sure refs were rough on EDM but that's expected. Gotta play through it. At least Nurse scored lol.

Sounds like this years pens!
- Bobd62

lol Crosby was single-handedly killing the Rags until the dirty play by Trouba.

lol Crosby was single-handedly killing the Rags until the dirty play by Trouba.
- LordHumungous

Lol pens got 3 cups from cheating and tanking! Enjoy watching the tape for the next decade while your team tries to rebuild. No caps space no prospects no draft picks!

Well you have had a good run but clearly you have now met a team that is far better. No shame in that congratulations on a great season
- Rang

Weren’t you the guy that said the Oilers had zero chance of advancing past the Flames?

Lol pens got 3 cups from cheating and tanking! Enjoy watching the tape for the next decade while your team tries to rebuild. No caps space no prospects no draft picks!
- Bobd62

LOL wow take it easy there Torts...

It's impressive the Rags little run here but don't count Tampa out just yet.

Lots of luck and alot of things fell the Rangers way to get to this point.

Like I said it's a first round exit without the Dirty play on Crosby. Rags only wish they had a player that good.

At least your 28 year rebuild is finally producing some mild results.

Outmatched. Fully and completely.
- TurdFergeson

Yup.

But hey, they eliminated the Flames. Thus (to me anyway), the season was still a success.

Yup.

But hey, they eliminated the Flames. Thus (to me anyway), the season was still a success.
- Wildschwein

Have you gotten laid yet??