The Copper & Blue - Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings Game Day CoverageA site for fans of the Edmonton Oilers. Someday we'll get to write about an Oilers playoff game. Hopefully sooner than later.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/13253/copper-fave.jpg2022-03-15T22:30:00-06:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/227430342022-03-15T22:30:00-06:002022-03-15T22:30:00-06:00Oilers Hang On To Defeat Red Wings 7-5
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<img alt="NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ekSWiLTkC7E6XReeCrsrmMI9KGw=/0x0:4048x2699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70628603/usa_today_17903276.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Warren Foegele scores the game winner in a wild finish</p> <p id="618Jw8">The Oilers had a picture-perfect open to tonight’s game. It didn’t quite end that way.</p>
<p id="6OHwEK">The Oilers would score three goals in the first three and a half minutes of the first period to chase Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss from the crease after just six shots. Devin Shore would get the party started early in the first, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman would make it 3-0 just a bit after the lights went up. A power play goal late in the first by Kailer Yamamoto would put the Oilers up 4-1, and that should have been the end of it.</p>
<p id="uHy9xD">The Wings punched back. Sam Gagner would score a bad angle goal to pull the Wings back to 4-2 at the end of 40. A third period would see the Wings score two goals in 35 seconds to tie it up. </p>
<p id="HxcoTA">Edmonton would make it 5-4 when Evander Kane scored his ninth goal of the season early in the third. A miscommunication behind the Oiler net between Duncan Keith and Mikko Koskinen would get the Wings back to 5-5 when Lucas Raymond would score his 19th on the year.</p>
<p id="fasdAQ">Warren Foegele would score the game winner with just over five minutes in the third period, Evander Kane would score an insurance tally with a minute left. Oilers win, 7-5. </p>
<p id="hull24">This game was wild. It should have been over after five minutes, but the Wings made it way more interesting than it should have been. The Oilers hung on long enough and got a much needed goal from Warren Foegele, who had just one point in his previous eleven contents prior to tonight’s game winner. </p>
<p id="jdCwBd">Mikko Koskinen would pick up his 22nd victory with a 29 save performance. It wasn’t a pretty victory, but it’s two big points for the Oilers. The Oilers now have 70 points on the year, and they’re up two points over the Vegas Golden Knights (who got clobbered by the Jets 7-3.)</p>
<p id="K9FNYS"><strong>THEY SAID IT</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="VNE9Ty">Not a Picasso, by any stretch, but what I liked was even though it wasn’t a perfect night, our team found a way to grind it out when things weren’t going our way in the third period, but we found a way to make a difference and get the two points. </p></blockquote>
<p id="Ggv0ai"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkx6VQj9hX4lGPd0Zq8QnuwEsMh65LPRJ-i"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>
<p id="0StcdN">That’s Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft on his club’s 7-5 win. </p>
<p id="wNcB8z">There’s plenty to love - you scored seven goals. Devin Shore scored a goal. Kailer Yamamoto scored a power play goal. McDavid had one. Foegele scored for the first time in seventeen years. That’s all really good stuff. The Oilers don’t score seven goals per game on the regular, and you’re going to win when you do. Clean up the play in your own zone (two goals in 35 seconds is a killer), you’d like to clean up the goal where Koskinen and Duncan Keith were in each other’s way, and you’ve got no complaints. </p>
<p id="ZGIy4m"><strong>REWRITING THE BOOK?</strong></p>
<p id="iRhJtZ">One thing I noticed during this game was that the usual heavy sighs that come following a goal with Koskinen in net didn’t happen today. I don’t want to go so far as to suggest that there’s a shift in how we’re hearing about Koskinen, but I did notice that after Koskinen laid the 1980s style poke check in the second period, it’s almost as if a light bulb went on and the big hats started to see Koskinen “play the game the right way” for the first time in his Oilers tenure. Seconds after his poke check, Koskinen had a big ol’ glove save on Sam Gagner and the broadcast booth seemed to eat it up. Granted, it was a five goal night for Koskinen, but it was a <em>seven</em> goal night for the Oilers. I heard “battling” in reference to Koskinen’s play on the broadcast tonight. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a shift in tone from what we’re used to hearing.</p>
<p id="aSpCq0">Ugly game? Yeah. </p>
<p id="chR5zZ">Two points? You bet.</p>
<p id="NRYdkH">Separation from Vegas in the standings? All of that. </p>
<p id="HKurEO">Buffalo on Thursday? That too.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/15/22980392/oilers-hang-on-to-defeat-red-wings-7-5-kailer-yamamoto-warren-foegele-mikko-koskinenJeff Chapman2022-03-15T18:30:00-06:002022-03-15T18:30:00-06:00GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings
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<img alt="NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NZMcUML2MfSDVFPGhcjepby4Oz0=/0x0:6393x4262/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70628039/usa_today_17852386.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Red Wings in town, Oilers look for their third win in a row</p> <h2 id="N0GU2j">
<a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com"><strong>Edmonton Oilers</strong></a><strong> (32-23-4, 3rd, Pacific)</strong>
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<a href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/"><strong>Detroit Red Wings</strong></a><strong> (24-28-7), 5th, Atlantic)</strong>
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<h2 id="dXrv7f"><strong>15 March 2022</strong></h2>
<h2 id="avPhX3"><strong>Rogers Place</strong></h2>
<h2 id="xcUDFN"><strong>7 PM MT</strong></h2>
<h2 id="bof1Rw"><strong>TV: Sportsnet West</strong></h2>
<h2 id="5Svo6y"><strong>Radio: 630 CHED</strong></h2>
<p id="fdRhv6"><a href="http://wingingitinmotown.com/"><strong>SB Nation Opponent: Winging It In Motown</strong></a></p>
<p id="HPLiWd">The Edmonton Oilers look to keep the good times rolling on their five game homestand. Winners of their first two, they look for their third win in a row as Ken Holland’s old club is in town.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kane-McDavid-Yamamoto<br>McLeod-Draisaitl-Hyman<br>Foegele-Shore-Ryan<br>Archibald-Malone-Kassian<br><br>Nurse-Ceci<br>Keith-Bouchard<br>Broberg-Barrie<br><br>Koskinen<br><br>Puljujarvi not ready yet. Possible for Thursday v. Sabres. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oilers</a></p>— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonGregor/status/1503785241923661828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a>
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<p id="hVjlVX"><strong>THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR</strong></p>
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<li id="xvB6MB">
<strong>Mikko Koskinen will get the start for the Oilers in net</strong>. The Oilers are winners of two in a row with Mikko Koskinen in net, and they’ll try for three in a row with Koskinen getting the start. A win will give Koskinen his 22nd of the season. </li>
<li id="OfnHkk">
<strong>Moritz Seider. </strong>That’s it, just Moritz Seider. Look for him. A monster rookie for the Detroit Red Wings, the sixth overall pick from 2019 is absolutely one of the front-runners for the Calder Trophy this season. Seider’s got 41 points in 59 games this season, and he’ll be looking for more tonight. </li>
<li id="lwrOpX">
<strong>A win for the Oilers could provide some seperation in the standings. </strong>A win for the Oilers could give them some separation if the Jets can defeat the Golden Knights. With both clubs currently at 68 points (and with Vegas having played 2 more games than the Oilers), expect to do plenty of scoreboard watching tonight. </li>
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<p id="WRX3sA">We’re getting pretty close to the final quarter of the season. The Oilers need to bank as many points as they can if they’re going to make a playoff appearance. Let’s see two more tonight. </p>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/15/22980187/game-thread-edmonton-oilers-vs-detroit-red-wings-connor-mcdavid-leon-draisaitl-mikko-koskinenJeff Chapman2022-03-15T15:00:00-06:002022-03-15T15:00:00-06:00Mikko Koskinen To Start Tonight Versus Detroit
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<img alt="NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IX50Hwqr9X7kY-Uv2uW4GJ3U7J0=/0x0:3676x2451/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70627223/usa_today_17852408.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>OH HELLO THERE | Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Koskinen gets the nod for Edmonton, will look for 22nd win of season</p> <p id="iYHq21">Mikko Koskinen will get the start for Edmonton tonight. </p>
<p id="b7BC2G">Koskinen is 9-1-2 in his last twelve starts, and has put up a lovely .927 SV% over those twelve games. His last performance was a near-perfect 31 save effort in Edmonton’s 4-1 win over Tampa Bay this past Saturday night. Koskinen has been in net for both of Edmonton’s victories on this homestand, he’ll look for win number 22 tonight as the <a href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com">Red Wings</a> are in town. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">From <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EdmontonOilers</a> Mikko Koskinen about not being able to play 3 of 4 games or #1 in playoffs "that's something you(media)make up. I'm not going to buy into that"</p>— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenePrincipe/status/1503428953939210240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a>
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<p id="5bsFZr">Koskinen’s recent play has suggested that he should be the unquestioned number one goaltender in a tandem with Mike Smith. With Smith really having a tough go of it this season, Koskinen’s case is stronger than it has been in previous years. He’s got an opportunity to seize the goaltending reins as the Oilers look to separate themselves from the <a href="https://www.knightsonice.com">Vegas Golden Knights</a> in the Pacific Division standings. The Golden Knights and the Oilers each have 68 points, but Edmonton has two games in hand. </p>
<p id="2gamOA">As the trade deadline approaches, the Oilers may find themselves wanting to make a change in goal. Strong play by Koskinen may ultimately change their minds, and a win tonight would help strengthen Koskinen’s hold on the starter’s crease.</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/15/22979858/mikko-koskinen-to-start-tonight-versus-detroit-edmonton-oilers-mike-smithJeff Chapman2022-03-15T09:30:00-06:002022-03-15T09:30:00-06:00GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings
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<img alt="NHL: Washington Capitals at Edmonton Oilers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JW7FTvTeSlfJrJHEABRn5csf-4s=/0x0:3340x2227/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70625368/usa_today_17863466.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With two games in hand over the fourth place Golden Knights, the Oilers can start making some space with a win over Detroit tonight.</p> <h2 id="N0GU2j">
<a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com"><strong>Edmonton Oilers</strong></a><strong> (32-23-4, 3rd, Pacific)</strong>
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<a href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com"><strong>Detroit Red Wings</strong></a><strong> (24-28-7), 5th, Atlantic)</strong>
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<h2 id="dXrv7f"><strong>15 March 2022</strong></h2>
<h2 id="avPhX3"><strong>Rogers Place</strong></h2>
<h2 id="xcUDFN"><strong>7 PM MT</strong></h2>
<h2 id="bof1Rw"><strong>TV: Sportsnet West</strong></h2>
<h2 id="5Svo6y"><strong>Radio: 630 CHED</strong></h2>
<p id="fdRhv6"><a href="http://wingingitinmotown.com"><strong>SB Nation Opponent: Winging It In Motown</strong></a></p>
<p id="s1RhAf"><strong>TWO IN A ROW</strong></p>
<p id="YrKcd1">A two goal performance from Connor McDavid paired with a 31-save performance from Mikko Koskinen helped garner the Oilers a 4-1 win over the <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> on Saturday night. Kailer Yamamoto added one, while Leon Draisaitl added another to help push the Oilers over Tampa Bay. The Oilers are Golden Knights both have 68 points in the Pacific Division. With two games in hand, the Oilers would love to create some space between the teams with a win against Detroit tonight. Can the Oilers make it three wins in a row? </p>
<p id="hIwWbl">Let’s go to the tape.</p>
<p id="LU0ZM1"><strong>THE OILERS ARE SAYING</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="C0dmZe">“I’m not sure what it is, I think we just find a comfort level in our game...Obviously the start is important. We haven’t found a way to get the first goal too many times, so when we do, we have to bear down and find a way to get a win. I thought we did a good job of that tonight.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="OLAr7N"><a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-edmonton-oilers-game-recap/c-331724320"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>
<p id="BKkbYT">That’s Connor McDavid on getting the first goal in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.</p>
<div id="UBgNjI"><div style="max-width: 1280px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.4074%;"><iframe src="https://www.nhl.com/video/embed/mcdavid-turns-on-the-jets/t-329248080/c-10909619" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="FWlk60">What a first goal it was. Kailer Yamamoto made a hit and had the assist. Meawhile, McDavid’s just breezed by some guy named Victor Hedman. All in a day’s work. </p>
<p id="aKhBIk"><strong>THE RED WINGS ARE SAYING</strong></p>
<p id="OTibjI">“We didn’t like the way we were playing, didn’t like the way it was going, but we’re still down by one goal and there’s an opportunity to get some life and get back in the game...We wanted to have some positive energy and come out in the third and try to create some looks, and we did that for a little bit of time.”</p>
<p id="DGkxAQ"><a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-red-wings-calgary-flames-game-recap/c-331723642"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>
<p id="hGqtL8">That’s Red Wings forward Sam Gagner after his club’s 3-0 loss to the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com">Calgary Flames</a> on Saturday. </p>
<p id="3wPbo5">The Red Wings managed just nineteen shots in the shutout loss. </p>
<p id="LGNhq7"><strong>HAVE SOME OF THIS</strong></p>
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<li id="urQ4LE">This is a crucial time in Edmonton’s season: they’ve got two games in hand over the Golden Knights. Both Edmonton and Vegas have 68 total points in the standings. The Oilers are on a little roll, having recent wins over the Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Oilers need to put their feet on the gas and hang onto third place. Maybe they catch the Kings in the process. Maybe they don’t. They need to handle their business tonight against a Red Wings squad that put up just nineteen shots in Calgary. </li>
<li id="wHsJyT">Mikko Koskinen ought to get the start tonight. He’s having a good run of things lately, going 9-1-2 in his last twelve starts dating back to late January. <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1503035123289055236">He’s put up a .927 SV% over that time</a>, and it’s clear that he’s the best option currently on the roster right now. If the Oilers don’t end up making a deal for another goaltender by Monday’s trade deadline, they need <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/14/22976709/the-case-for-mikko-koskinen-edmonton-oilers-stuart-skinner-mike-smith">to start thinking about the stretch run.</a> </li>
<li id="iuaiw9">
<strong>BIG MO</strong>: Moritz Seider is the one to watch for Detroit. The defenceman is just 20 years of age and is a strong candidate for the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. Already with 41 points in 59 games, the 6th overall pick from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft is already Detroit’s best current blueliner. He <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/video/clip/_/id/32594514">had a goal against the Oilers last time these two teams hooked</a> up. </li>
<li id="ZG91Kc">Keeping goals out of the net has been a trouble spot for the Red Wings all season. Averaging 3.71 goals against a game, only the Montréal Canadiens are allowing more goals on average (3.78). What gives? Alex Nedeljkovic (.901 SV%) and Thomas Greiss (.891 SV%) are having a tough go at things in net.</li>
<li id="DTZfyW">
<strong>BACK AT PRACTiCE: </strong>The Oilers look to be getting close to <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1503437289799622657">activating Jesse Puljujärvi off of IR</a>. That’s gonna be a good day when it comes.</li>
<li id="N9D0RC">
<strong>ENGAGING: </strong>I’m a pretty tough Zack Kassian critic, but if you’re going to have a 3.2MM fourth liner, he’d better be the best damn 3.2MM fourth liner he can be. If you’re not scoring goals, go help someone score a goal. And if you’re not helping someone score a goal, pester the other team to keep goals out of our net. Kassian played just over seven minutes of ice time against the Lightning on Saturday night, and he was engaged for the first time in what felt like forever. Good. More of that. Disrupt their play. Seize the means of production. </li>
</ul>
<p id="igdPup">This is a big game. Go win this big game. </p>
<p id="OCkRYC"></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/15/22978970/game-preview-edmonton-oilers-vs-detroit-red-wings-connor-mcdavid-moritz-seider-mikko-koskinenJeff Chapman