I could probably count on one hand (with fingers left to spare) the number of times I’ve ever seen embellishment called where I agreed with it. I’ve seen diving called much more often where it was a good call.
They're paying Nurse $10.4 million, so they're pretty much forced to sign players like Ceci. Sure, Ceci's no Nicklas Lidstrom - or even a Chris Tanev - but he doesn't throw games away like Nurse. Living where I do I get virtually all the Oiler (and Flames) games. And he's honestly been playing better than he did in either of those two hockey wastelands.
Over the last several years, Edmonton has gone through goalies like shtt through a goose. They're like Toronto, clinging to the hope their big 4 will carry them, despite years of not getting it done. Both teams have the same problem: neither likes to play in their own end. Recall they're paying Jack Campbell $5M (can you say Bakersfield?
), so throwing money around is not the solution to their woes. And they're paying Nurse almost $10M and he's the legendary half f-ed fox in a forest fire in his own end. They're stuck with him because nobody will take him at that number.
Over the last several years, Edmonton has gone through goalies like shtt through a goose. They're like Toronto, clinging to the hope their big 4 will carry them, despite years of not getting it done. Both teams have the same problem: neither likes to play in their own end. Recall they're paying Jack Campbell $5M (can you say Bakersfield?
Furthermore, Skinner came into the playoffs at 2.62 and .905 (career nos.). He's not Marty Brodeur (who is?) but he's not the real problem. Pickard is a 32 year old, low budget ($850,000) journeyman. If he was anything more than a Hail Mary, he would have shown it sometime over the last ten years.
So, at the end of the day, they don't like to play defense and they're happy to try to win 6-5.
Did you watch the Canucks-Oilers tonight?
Vancouver got better as the game went along. Or the Oilers grew tired. Both, I guess. Van has big mobile defense (except Hughes
) and small fast forwards. They're much better organized in their own end than Edmonton is. I also think we've seen Pickard's ceiling. Edmonton is lucky to have split his two starts, and I expect to see Skinner back in Saturday night. Pettersson was very active last night and it made a lot of difference. I also noticed Draisaitl floating back into his own end on Miller's goal. Miller, btw, was tough on McD most of the night. The guy I thought would jump up was RNH, but he didn't show much.
