HOCKEY: In the Box with Brent Oliver
Mr. & Misses Smith
Three straight losses to two bad teams and one good one has Oilers fans turning the oven on again. But what’s that? Don’t put your head in just yet – there’s some actual rumours of a goalie coming here! Please Santa, it’s all I ever wanted as a little girl. Will we get our wish, or can the Oilers turn it around all on their own. Brent catches up on this disappointing week for the Oilers, presented by Home & Away YEG, opening March 10, 2022 in the old Mercer building
Couldn’t Hab Gone Worse
With losses to both Chicago and Montreal, the Oilers proved yet again that they can’t put together a decent game against teams they need to beat. The lowly loser point coming out of Chicago was something (literally the ONLY thing), but another lacklustre effort compounded with the goaltending woes points to way bigger issues if this team is hoping to make the playoffs.
The Montreal game was an effort in pure futility with Smith starting, and all of us knowing exactly what came next. A 5-2 loss on paper, but Smith actually let in 7 goals on 28 shots with two being disallowed. If you know how to do math, that’s 1 in every 4 shots going in. The less said about losing to the worst team in the league the better. Skinner was recalled the next day as Smith was said to be “sick”. Maybe it’s an allergy to pucks.
Flame Out
I went to a local watering hole to watch the Battle of Alberta Monday since Covid has been declared over by our dear leader, and had some lovely chats with the regulars about all the ills that the Oilers suffer from. This game was a good litmus test to see if not only the Oil could rebound, but get over injuries to Nuge, Pool Party, Kassian, Barrie and more. Welp – they fucking couldn’t. I have to admit, the Flames are a good team: well coached and well balanced and the addition of Toffoli from the Habs has already proven to be a smart move, with Tkatchuk – likely everyone’s most hated player – doing his best to draw penalties, agitate and throw other teams off their game. Now wouldn’t it be nice to say that about the Oilers? A guy can dream.
The Eyes of March
Twelve days until the NHL trade deadline means the Oilers have got to make some decisions soon. We’ll start with goaltending (SORRY). Mike Smith is valueless, so we either sit and pay him, or waive him outright and absorb some salary hit. If that’s the case we’ll need to move something out to make room for a goaltender coming in. Rumours and sportswriters have two predominant narratives going around currently for a goalie out of Philly – Hart or Jones, or Varlamov from the Islanders. Any of those three deals would cost between real players, prospects and draft picks but at this point – but can the goaltending get any worse? Sorry, I should say “worse” – more like “unreliable”. The Oilers are likely not picking up a goaltender that scares any other team for a playoff run, but when you’re upgrading from Smith and Koskinen – anything will do. Other targets for the Oilers should likely be a shutdown defenceman, maybe from one of those teams, or some bag of shit like the Kraken who will be bad for a few years. If Pool Party and Nuge return, and are healthy, and/ or don’t get traded – forwards should be solid enough surrounding the two best players in the world. Speaking of which, one of those two players hasn’t been up to his amazing McJesusy self the last week or so. Hopefully it’s just a snake bit slump and not something worse like demanding a trade out of this organization that seems so profoundly disorganized.
The Connor McDavid Player of the Week Award
With 3 goals in the last 3 games, welcome to the podium – Evander Kane. You actually look like you care, are staying out of trouble (hopefully) and scoring some delicious goals.
Predicsh
Mar 9 vs Capitals – Bounce back time and everyone gives Ovi shit about Putin to put him off his game. Oilers win 3-1.
Mar 11 vs Lightning – We get our asses handed to us on national TV. 7-1 Bolts.
Mar 15 vs Red Wings – New Oilers goaltender gets first win for new team. Oilers win 4-1.
Mar 17 vs Sabres – Happy dumb green beer day! The Oilers flounder against a team they should beat. Buffalo wins 5-3.
Five straight games at home means plenty of potential jerseys to be picked up off the ice. Something’s gotta give in the next week in Oil Country. Everyone pray to whatever god you believe in!
See you next week – In The Box.
