Oilers Thoughts: Jarry and Levi fumble their starts, Oilers’ offence and physicality, Walman struggling early, and more
All summer and throughout training camp, the Edmonton Oilers coaching staff reiterated the importance of defensive structure.And just when you thought the Oilers were going to buckle down defensively and start looking like those elite, defensively dominant, Cup-winning New Jersey Devils teams of the late ’90s, they go and win a pond-hockey-like 9-7 game against the Vancouver Canucks in the second game of the season.
And because there is never a dull moment in Oil Country, there are plenty of thoughts to unpack. In this version of Oilers Thoughts, we’ll look at what’s working, what’s not after the first two games of the season, and more.
Jarry and Levi both off to rough starts
The first two games of the regular season served as a reminder that you can’t put too much stock in how a player has performed in the pre-season, no matter how good they’ve looked.
The pre-season outings of Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi had Oilers fans excited that there was going to be a good problem in net, with the question of who deserves more starts as both of them played well. But two games in, and with both netminders giving up 13 goals between them, raise your hand if you have that “not this again” feeling.
And fingers aren’t pointed entirely at their goaltenders, because the Oilers have some defensive structure to tighten up as well. But after two games, with both netminders fumbling their starts and sitting last (Levi, .682 SV%) and third-last (Jarry, .739 SV%) in the NHL in save percentage at the time of this writing, that’s simply not a recipe for success.
But much like you’ll read throughout the rest of the piece, it’s still very early, and the sky hasn’t fallen just yet. On the flip side, a positive is that Levi picked up his first win as an Oiler and fun fact: his seven goals against are an Oilers franchise record in a road victory.If Levi had played a solid last game, I would’ve said let him run with the ball from here on out until he drops it. At this point, with both netminders getting off to rough starts, I think you have to go back to Jarry and, just like in previous seasons, rinse and repeat until one of the netminders takes the reins. But hey, if all else fails, at least they still have Frederik Andersen as an option when he’s ready.Mathieu Joseph is off to a good start in EdmontonBefore the season started, I made a prediction that Mathieu Joseph could surprise this season with a bigger role than what many expect. And I’ve liked what we’ve seen so far from the 29-year-old.
He’s thrown 10 hits through two games against the Canucks, tied for second-most in the NHL, while also leading the Oilers’ forward group with three blocks.
Mathieu Joseph collected his 100th career assist while setting up Owen Michaels with his first NHL goal last night 🍎
Joseph was more involved in the second game than in the first one. He made a good defensive play, using his stick to break up a scoring chance, backchecked hard, and drilled a Canuck after Ryan Shea was hit. And of course, his best play of the night was when he fed Owen Michaels in front from behind the net, where Michaels buried his first NHL goal, while Joseph picked up his 100th assist.
Joseph isn’t flashy, but he knows his role: use his speed, get in on the forecheck, and cause a disruption. So far, so good from the Laval, Que. native.
Oilers have no shortage of offence or physicality despite defensive struggles
While the Oilers’ defensive structure and goaltending have been suspect, their offence hasn’t been, and neither has the physicality.
Remember last season when Evan Bouchard started the season slow offensively? Well, he’s started this season like a man on a mission, currently leading the NHL with eight points (four goals, four assists) through two games.Also, the Oilers currently have three players sitting first and second in NHL scoring, with two more Oilers tied for third after two games. Bouchard leads the way with eight points, followed by Connor McDavid with seven, while Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin are tied for fourth with four points apiece. It’s good to see that kind of offensive production early, considering the Oilers are missing some key pieces from their top six.
Oilers win 9-7.
McDavid 5 points
Eight different goal scorers.
Again, offence isn’t the concern even with Hyman, RNH and Savoie out.
Defend Defend Defend Defend Defend
Defend Defend Defend Defend Defend
Defend Defend Defend Defend Defend
I’d start Jarry on Saturday.
On another note, head coach Mike Babcock has preached an aggressive forecheck since the beginning of camp, and to go along with that fast and aggressive style is the expectation to finish your checks. Through two games, there’s been no shortage of Oilers willing to dish out the physicality.
In the first game, seven Oilers finished with four or more hits, including Colton Dach (four), Trent Frederic (four), Kasperi Kapanen (four), Max Jones (five), Mathieu Joseph (five), Alex Formenton (five), and Podkolzin (five). In the second game, five Oilers finished with two or more hits, with Joseph once again leading the way with five.
Kapanen is making the most of his opportunity
Kasperi Kapanen came ready to play this season.
Fresh off a new contract and with the familiarity of having a coach behind the bench under whom he’s had success, I had a feeling Kapanen was going to be given more opportunity than he’s used to, and it would then be up to him to take advantage of it. So far, he’s off to a good start.
Last season, Kapanen averaged 14:35 per game, and through two games, he’s averaging 18:22, though I’d say that increase in minutes is due to necessity because of injuries. He was flying in the season opener, to the point that he was clocked at the highest speed that anyone in the NHL has hit so far, according to NHL Edge, reaching 23.43 MPH.
The second game of the season may have been the best game I’ve seen Kapanen play in an Oilers’ uniform. He was once again flying and was given an opportunity on the first-unit power play, where he looked very fluid, whereas in previous seasons, it seemed like that PP role may have been too much for him to handle. That said, he looked in sync with the big unit, setting up Podkolzin for a PP tally.
Kasperi Kapanen pulls off the Forsberg!! 😳
Overall, Kapanen has put up two points in two games and is filling in nicely in the top six with all the injuries, and the early signs are telling me that my 40-point plateau prediction for him this season isn’t far-fetched.Jake Walman’s early strugglesOf all the predictions I made before the season started, Ryan Shea taking over a top-four spot from Walman and Walman dropping to the third pairing is one I’d rather have not come true, simply because having a player making $7 million a season on the third pair is not ideal for the Oilers. It’s still early, and this could change as soon as next game, but it’s certainly not the start the Oilers would have wanted to see from Walman.In the first game, he was paired with Connor Murphy but made an indecisive pinch that led to a Canucks breakaway goal. By game two, Walman was dropped to the third pair to play with Shakir Mukhamadullin, and it was a tough outing for the blueliner.
Boeser off the post to make it 6-2 Oilers.
Walman bobbled the puck in the second period, which led to a goal against. On the Canucks’ second goal, he failed to challenge Brock Boeser, leaving a huge gap, and then Boeser shot right through the Oilers’ D-man and found the back of the net.
In total, Walman was on the ice for three goals against at five-on-five in the last game.
The Oilers as a whole need to be better defensively, but on the blue line, that starts with Walman, their second-highest-paid D-man. Yet, it’s still very early, and he has plenty of time to figure it out.
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