HOCKEY: In the Box with Brent Oliver
Knock on Woodcroft
What the hell happened? There was Tippett, then no Tippett. There was no Kane, then there was Kane. And where the hell is Craig?
A roundup of Oilers opinions and such coming right up from In the Box – courtesy of Home & Away YEG – opening March 10 in the old Mercer building.
Hey folks! How’s it going? Me? Oh I’m OK … got a new job. Kinda busy with that and avoid Covid like the, err… plague. I guess we start with some news.
After 8 years, Craig Douglas has left In The Box. His exact words to me were “I don’t think I can write about the Oil any longer. I already have one inept, idiotic hockey team that I’m doomed to follow (the Maple Leafs). The Oil piss me off too much to give them my time.”
I can’t blame the guy, before this last run of 4 games, the Oilers were nearly impossible to watch. I have to thank Craig for the past 8 years writing with me. He’s one of my best friends, and part of me is super happy he got out of Oilers’ fandom jail. I’ll occasionally scream “TAKE ME WITH YOU” after an upcoming loss I’m sure – but for now, fare thee well. I’ll likely get a guest columnist or two in the future, but for now you’re stuck with grumpy ol me.
As for format, I think I’m gonna switch it up a little and talk more about the play and news of the Edmonton Oilers, instead of recapping games. Anyone can do that, and many do. So – I’ll give my dumb opinions and you’ll sit there and read them… likely on a toilet.
Kane and Able
No, I wasn’t a fan of Evander Kane being signed to the Edmonton Oilers. The gambling is one thing, the anti-vax stance is another, and domestic violence is clearly the worst. Was the guy worth another chance? I don’t know. As with most things in life, I take a wait and see approach and how he’s played with McDavid has been pretty good in his first handful of games. I would like to know how he’s acting off the ice, but like with most millionaire hockey players – we may never know and just have to accept his input on the ice rather than off. Are all the Oilers angels’? Fuck no. But I also hated when Zack Kassian was traded to the Oilers. People can change… hopefully. I hope Kane does.
Tip-Punt
Goodbye Dave Tippett and Jim Playfair. Did I think they were to blame for all the Oilers’ woes? No… but they sure weren’t helping and something had to give. The owner can’t fire himself, or trade away great players – but at the same time, Dave Tippett couldn’t play goal or defense. A necessary move, and one I completely agree with. I may have even done a backflip or two with the announcement of the new coaching staff.
Enter the Wood-Tang Clan
As , local rock photographer Chris Sturwold and Ayla Brook & The Sound Men drummer accurately predicted in our celebrity predictions column, Jay Woodcroft would take over this team before year’s end. A by-product of the Todd McLellan years, Woodcroft had been coaching his ass off in Bakersfield, along with former Oiler pugilist Dave Manson. Brought in initially with an “interim” tag, there hasn’t been much mention of that in the past 4 games – all wins for the team. Woodcroft has long been known as a player’s coach, and has the whole team firing on all cylinders.
Goals Gone Wild
With 7 goals last night against the dumbfuck Ducks, and 5 against the Kings – the Oilers seem to finally have the offense working, and the defense not overloaded. If you’ve noticed, Woodcroft has been running with 11 forwards, and 7 defencemen. This allows him to double shift McDavid or Drai (or whoever) while adding an extra D-man that we absolutely need. Mike Smith had a great game a while ago, but those always seems to be eclipsed by the soft goals like he let in last night. Do we still have a goaltending problem? Fuck yes we do – but if the D can block more shots, and do their job instead of shooting the puck (what Tippett apparently wanted them to do more of) – that should minimize things. We’re currently in a playoff slot, two points up on LA for the last wild card slot. Can the Oilers hold on? I’m gonna go ahead and say ‘who knows’, but with Woodcroft on a roll, restrictions and fans coming back – the team may actually be worth watching live these days.
The Connor McDavid Play of the Week Award
With three goals and two assists in his last 5 – it’s not just the Super Bowl that Forgot About Drai. Actually, who am I kidding. Drai fucking rules.
Predicsh
Feb 19 vs Winnipeg – Afternoon game will be capped off by a Koskinen 3-2 victory. Nuge with the game winner
Feb 20 vs Minnesota Mild – Back to Back across three provinces won’t be a good thing. And Mike Smith will be bad, prompting more goalie trade talk. 5-2 Wild.
Feb 23 vs Lightning – A good start to Florida road trip will have the Oilers beat the back to back champs 3-2 in OT, and only half the team gets Covid.
We’re goin’ to Winnipeg this Saturday for an afternoon game for some reason, then back home to play the Wild on Sunday. Can the Oilers keep this momentum up? Can Brent after having to write an entire column? We’ll see.
See you next week – In The Box.
