2016-2017 NHL Discussion Thread [Archived] Hockey • Page 338

I actually want the Blue Jackets to try in the final two games because I want them going into the playoffs on a positive note with confidence. History tells us that probably won't happen as we will likely call up some young guys to see if they should be added to the playoff roster. I just want to win a playoff series haha.

 

Yeah, meanwhile Tampa plays the goddamn Sabres and MTL who I swear will probably throw the game to spite us.

Is it October yet?

 

yeah I can see Ottawa throwing the game against the islanders as well.

 

What do you mean by weak oilers depth?

 

your bottom six isn't as good as the Sharks bottom six and same can be said about depth defenseman.

 

We'lllll seeeeee

 

shots fired lol

 

you can't just sit there and tell me you'd rather have the oilers depth than the sharks depth.

 

I want to junk talk with other fans during the playoffs, but I cheer for the Jackets. We just end playing sad '90s songs like I'll Be by Edwin McCain and Stay by Lisa Loeb after they get eliminated.

 

Like I see what you're saying for sure. But at this point, I feel like Edmonton can only get better. McD and Drai are one of the deadliest duos in the league and they're both sooooo young. If edmontons defense can stay consistent and healthy, I'm pretty confident in it. Klefbom got 4 assists last night - that's incredible for a d-man.

 

I think oilers have better depth when it comes to defense.

You have Jannick Hansen playing on line 1. I think that's saying something lol.

ps I'm a jets fan

 

Not by the Oilers bottom 6 though 'cause their corsi is terrible.

 

Hansen is playing on the third line.

A healthy Sharks forward group is

Labanc - Thornton - Pavelski

Donskoi - Couture - Marleau

Hansen - Hertl - Boedker

Ward - Tierney - Karlsson

also no way is Oilers defense better than sharks. Schlemko and Dillon are actually a ridiculous good pairing.

 

Oilers are like 11 in their last 13 or something, and the Sharks have been brutal the latter end of this season - it's fairly easy to pick the oilers over them I guess?

But I realize come play off time it's anyone's game

 

sorry that does look better. I was looking at what CBS sports had the depth chart as.

Showed ward/Hansen on the first line and that looked pretty bad.

 

I screwed up but the third line is Hansen / Hertl / Boedker aka the 2 Swiss and a Dane.

 

Yeah I realize how good that duo is. It's basically another version of Thornton/Pavelski the past few years.

I'm talking about depth against depth though which Sharks have the advantage in. Mcdavid is basically the X factor in this series. If we can't stop him, we lose. If we can stop him, maybe a win?

 

nah this line has been the new third line. Deboer hates breaking up lines that have chemistry.

 

Well letangs out and crosby is questionable this Saturday. Let's hope so.

 

Truthfully SJ could have won the cup with a better third pairing. Edmonton are way too green, even though they are talented. Brings me back to Pitt going to the playoffs with Crosby/Malkin for the first time and getting spanked in the first round. Their time may come, but I don't think it's this year

 

Roman Polak got burned so many times in that final round from Pitts speed and everyone blamed Dillon for that.

also never forget Deboer having Spaling take key face offs in the defensive zone against Crosby.

 

I just feel like people arnt giving this Edmonton team enough credit. Why arnt they being seen as legitimate contenders? What more do they need to prove? They have two players in the top 10 point scorers in the league, one of them at #1. They have an amazing coach that has completely changed the game style of this team. A goaltender that has set franchise records this season for wins.

Also this team is not AS inexperienced in the playoffs as people make them sound. Lucic, Maroon, Kassian, Larrason, Deharnie (still don't know to spell his name lol), and more key players all have played. So what McDavid and Draisatl havnt. They've already proven they produce under pressure. McDavid was injured for half his rookie season last year, came back his first came and scored two incredible goals in his first game back - he didn't miss a beat. Why are they all of a sudden going to choke in the playoffs when they have yet to do so?

 

Time will tell. For your sake Talbot will need to have enough gas left in the tank for anything to happen

 

I think the Oilers are in the middle tier in terms of playoff teams which isn't bad at all.

I wouldn't consider them top 5 because like I said before they don't have the depth like some other teams do.

Mcdavid and Drai may be an amazing duo. My counter point is what if a team is able to shut them down. Who will do the scoring after that? That's why I'm still iffy on the depth come playoff time.

My other point is I know Oilers fans have consistently said "Talbot loves having a heavy workload" but I'm still worried about how much gas he has left coming into the playoffs.

like I said before and I agree with @cherrywaves. This is the year the Oilers make some noise in the playoffs and eventually lose in later rounds. I think next year is the real prime chance to become a top 5 team if they do everything right.

 

Look at the 06-07 Pens. Similar setup for the most part. Explosive stars, grizzled vets, good young(ish) goalie. I'm just saying, it's going to be the first time in the playoffs for at least a few of the major core pieces. A little experience goes a long way