The Edmonton Oilers haven’t finished first in their division since 1987. That is the longest drought in the NHL.
Winning the division isn’t a must for playoff success of course, as the Oilers won the Cup in 1988 and 1990 finishing second and third in the Smythe Division, but it illustrates how long it is has been since the Oilers had a dominant regular season.
They could end their drought this year, but they will need to play well against Vegas down the stretch to do it.
Tonight is the first of three meetings between the two teams over the final 19 games. First place might be decided by who wins this short three-game series.
If Edmonton wins (in regulation — screw you Bettman and your loser point — so we have to write this possibility every time) tonight they will fly home in first place in the Pacific Division with 76 points. Vegas would also have 76 points, but Edmonton owns the tiebreaker (regulation wins) and has a game in hand. If the Oilers lose they’ll remain in third place and four points (or three if in OT/SO — see how annoying this is, GARY?) behind Vegas.
VEG, VAN, CGY, NSH and MINN win. EDM and WPG lose in OT/SO. ARI loses.
Pacific standings and WC. VEG 76 pts in 64 GP VAN 74 pts in 62 GP EDM 74 pts in 63 GP
WC CGY 72 pts in 64 GP NSH 70 pts in 62 GP
WPG 70 pts in 65 GP ARI 70 pts in 66 GP MINN 67 pts in 62 GP#GreatRace
The Oilers won’t dwell on a disappointing 4-3 OT loss last night. Their record on the second night of back-to-back games illustrates why I expect a much better effort, especially in the first period, tonight in Vegas.
The Oilers are 6-0 on the second half of BTBs and 5-0 on the road.
Lost 3-1 in Detroit, then won 4-1 in Columbus. Won 4-2 in Vegas, then won 4-3 in Arizona in a shootout. Lost 5-2 to Vancouver, then won 3-2 in Vancouver. Lost 5-2 to Pittsburgh, but defeated Montreal 4-3. Won 4-2 over St.Louis, and then crushed Calgary 8-3. Won 4-1 in Florida, and then 4-3 in OT in Carolina.
Mike Smith was in goal against Columbus, and the last three victories, while Mikko Koskinen defeated Arizona and Vancouver.
The Oilers offence really showed up in the second games, scoring 27 goals. They will need their offence ready from the opening puck drop tonight.
Oilers fans will be just as fired up, I presume. The playoff race prepares you for the utter chaos of emotions you feel in the playoffs. You will either be flying high after tonight’s win, or gutted with the loss. There is very little in between during a playoff race and the playoffs. And it is about damn time.
My wife, Traci, is not a diehard. She only watches parts of games, but she loves the playoffs. She doesn’t like to watch because she gets too frustrated. She is a very calm and harmonious person, except when she watches sports. Suddenly she is cursing at the screen or will leave the room with, “I can’t watch this, it is pissing me off.” I say nothing.
Sometimes she will look at me with contempt and say, “How can you sit there and show no emotion?”
I miss having that unbridled passion or frustration, depending on the outcome. Luckily I have it when I watch my nephew play for the Sharks or when I watch the NBA and NFL, because I’m not covering those leagues on a daily basis.
But I love the intensity and passion of meaningful games. They are way more fun to watch and report on. The energy in the building is electric. You can feel the energy and I love it. In a hockey-crazed market like Edmonton you sense it on the streets, at the office, the community rink, pretty much everywhere you go.
Oilers fans haven’t experienced this heightened emotion, outside of 2017, for many years. And I think the brutal 2018 and 2019 seasons only made Oilers fans miss these types of games.
Enjoy tonight and the remaining 18 games. Those feelings are why we love sports.
The Oilers have no other healthy forwards so the lines should remain the same. Matt Benning could draw in on the blueline, however. Mike Green and William Lagesson were okay, but didn’t stand out enough for me to sit Benning for another game. Unless he is nursing an ailment.
McDavid’s line took some time to find some chemistry, which is expected considering the trio had never skated with each other before, but they found their stride midway through the second period and looked good the rest of the way. Tyler Ennis and Andreas Athanasiou each scored a goal and added an assist, while McDavid had three helpers. Ennis was really confident with the puck. He is a very skilled player and he had a strong first game. Getting off to a good start can go a long way for players on a new team. You feel part of the group right away and your confidence rises.
I think the Oilers get a bit of a break facing Marc-Andre Fleury instead of the newly acquired Robin Lehner. Fleury has a .906Sv% this year, but since January 1st, 2020 he is 9-6-2 with a .893Sv%. He has allowed three or more goals in 12 of his past 17 starts. He is still a good goalie, but not at the same level of the past two seasons in Vegas. Lehner played very well with Chicago and he is a massive upgrade on Malcolm Subban. I won’t be surprised if he pushes Fleury for the starter’s job down the stretch.
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Tough one to call. The Knights have won six in a row and scored 26 goals. The Oilers are undefeated on second games of BTB. I see this one going to OT, where the Oilers’ OT struggles continue as they lose 5-4.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: @Leon Draisaitl picks up his 100th point becoming only the 43rd player in NHL history to register consecutive 100-point seasons.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The intensity of a tight playoff race brings out the competitive side in every player. Jujhar Khaira and @William Carrier have a spirited first period scrap that gets both teams, and the fans in Vegas, energized.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
