Studs and Duds Week 6

It was a tough week for the Edmonton Oilers in this weeks edition of Studs and Duds.

The team had a five game losing streak dating back to last week, but it was finally snapped with a 5-2 win over the decent Dallas Stars. While the scores did not go our way this week against the two California teams, I felt the Oilers were in every game, despite the 8-3 combined score against LA and Anaheim.

In the three losses this week, the Oilers out shot their opponents but just could not score to save their lives. I was preaching about patience and that the Oilers were going to score again soon and sure enough, they did. Sure, some of those goals were really flukey, but I think the universe balances it all out after some flukey non goals going the Oilers way.

The Studs

The Studs #3: Adam Larsson

After ranting about how some say Larsson is not an impact player because he does not produce enough offence, I still strongly disagree with that assessment. Adam Larsson is our best defenceman this season (no not Kris Russell). Sure, like any other 24 year old will, Larsson does make some errors every now and then, but I felt when it came to the play this week, Larsson was dependable as always. Against Dallas last night, Larsson posted four shots on net and laid a punishing hit on John Klingberg. He’s also on my list for next Oilers jersey I want to own.

The Studs#2: Jesse Puljujarvi

How does a healthy scratch end up on the second spot of my studs list? By posting his first career multi point game against Dallas. Puljujarvi was bound to play with McDavid at some point and that time has come. Rather than sending him down to the AHL, Puljujarvi is a legit option on the top line. Like many players, Puljujarvi has looked great with Connor McDavid. I am seeing Puljujarvi shoot the puck more and one thing I’ve noticed is that his shot is very heavy. It’s not one I’m sure lots are eager to get in front of.

While he’s not scoring at the rate as his Finnish Friend, Patrik Laine, Puljuarvi looks like he belongs on the team. Expect up and downs as a rookie, but I’m excited to see more of him with 97.

The Studs #1: Connor McDavid

I love HFboards for posting some incredibly inane stuff. Check out this thread talking about how McDavid was in a “slump” with no goals in his last ten and “only” 8 assists in his last ten games. What happens the very next game? McDavid only scores his first NHL hat trick against Dallas. Not only that, McDavid looked dangerous all night long. While there are some very frustrating parts to his game (which are not part of his own, explained below), McDavid is easily the most exciting player to watch in hockey. He’s the ultimate driver of the play.

The Duds

Dud #1: The NHL Officiating

If there is one thing that is driving me away from wanting to watch hockey lately, is not the Oilers losing. No, it’s the poor NHL officiating especially when it comes to Connor McDavid’s game. I thought it was hilarious that McDavid was called for hooking, especially when we have seen McDavid getting grabbed and hooked every single game this season. I said it on the Podcast that if the NHL wants to increase it’s scoring and entertainment of it’s product, it needs to start calling penalties again.

Ten years ago, those type of plays would be getting called and we would be having 100 point scorers. Ten years later, it seems we are entering the dark ages of the dead puck era 2.0.

Look at what happened to Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames. Constantly gets slashed by Eric Staal of the Minnesota Wild, results in a broken finger that required surgery. Gaudreau is out for six weeks while Staal did not receive a damn penalty.

The NHL needs to do a better job of protecting their players and making the game watchable. The NHL also needs someone ala Mario Lemieux or Brett Hull to call out how the game is going to a boring slog.

Dud #2: Injuries strike again

Johnny Gaudreau is out 6 weeks. Taylor Hall is out 3-4 weeks with knee surgery. Steven Stamkos is out 4 months with knee surgery. It stinks having good young talent being hurt in the NHL. Even scarier was in the AHL. Craig Cunningham of the Tucson Roadrunners collapsed at centre ice during warm ups and had to be stretchered off. It’s an incredibly scary moment that pauses the game of hockey. I’m pretty sure the hockey world is sending it’s best wishes to Cunningham and hoping for a full recovery.