The Cult of Hockey's "2 good things & 4 bad things in Oil loss to Van" podcast 

The dynamic duo of Nurse/Ceci work their magic once again. Staples is right - demote them down to third pair. This is ridiculous already, especially for two veterans.

This loss rests squarely on Skinners shoulders.

Nurse is by far the worst defenseman on the team, every time nurse was on the ice Vancouver started buzzing. They knew to attack on his side, because he doesn't challenge until they have time to shoot.

Wow after hearing Bruce talk about skinner it makes sense.

Embarrassing humiliating way to lose a game they should have had in the bag. Cece and Nurse... Pathetic.

This team is a puck possession team who gets a lot of shots and goals and we sat on a lead and did nothing offensively for 2 periods. The PK was excellent. Skinner just couldn't make a save tonight. The only grace there is the Canuck goalie was bad too. 4-1 lead, so damn tough to lose that one.

I think the one thing that no one can see is that Vancouver is actually a good team. Counting pre-season, that's 7 straight against the oilers. They finished the season with 109 points, yet nobody thinks they have a chance. The Preds were the second best team since the all-star break. They're a big bruising tough team to play. Vancouver has earned their right to be here.

I've said it plenty, and it rang true again tonight... There is but 1 TEAM that can beat the Oilers in a 7 game series when the Oilers play 60 minutes like WE ALL KNOW they can... That team is.... Wait for it... The EDMONTON OILERS!!! Dennis Greene said it best... "They are who we thought they were, and We let them off the hook!!!' The Oilers had them at 4-1, and they simply forgot to play the rest of the 60 minutes... Sorry Dave and Bruce, this was a tough one...

No no, Dave, this was a humiliating, pathetic hockey game by the whole team.

How long of a leash does nurse get for god sake!!??

when it was 4-1 Oilers I thought they had the game and so did the Oilers. When Drai got hurt the game changed and we need to give credit to the Canucks who turned it up a notch and the Oilers had no answer for the Canucks speed, forechecking. From 4-1 on the Canucks kept the Oilers to 4 shots.

Again this is not a championship team. Oilers had ZERO shots during the 4-1 Collapse. That was 22 minutes shotless.

At 17:08 of the podcast, David and Bruce address the 4 on 4 situation. It happened in the third period with the Oilers having a two goal lead. In this circumstance, put out your best defensive players. David made a comment that maybe you should put out the penalty kill unit. That is not that far fetched. RNH can score, as can McLeod. Ryan and Foegele can also put the puck in the net when needed. And Janmark will make himself look bad, if that is what it takes to prevent a goal in that critical point of the game. It was somewhat unbelievable that the Oilers would put out the same lineup, for the 4 on 4, that they would if they were down a goal or two. Some of the "big names" have to realize that they are not "the best tool for the job" in all game situations. Go Oilers Go!

Philip Proberg, Stretcher on D. Forward : Conor Brown Xavier Bourgourgh and petrov in the lineup. bench : Cici , nurse, Perry and Janmark.

Nurse ought to donate half his salary to abused children.

Gets paid like a doctor … plays like a Nurse

Trade skinner for ulllmark this summer n get nurse to waive his ntc time for an actual goalie and nurse is useless

Game 1 vs. Carolina in '06 and losing Roloson was a tough one, even though Jussi didn't play too bad. Roloson was in the running for the Conn Smythe before Andrew Ladd's questionable play. To this day, well...New York can go ahead and sweep them.

Call a timeout for the love of God !!!!

great summary. Oilers were so 'in control' - shocking really. Oilers -seems they are a really good team - but so much drama - never know exactly what will happen next. fun for the Canucks fans - and is nice for Cdn teams to do well.

As much as I hate how the Oilers lost this game... I am feeling relieved that Leon was just having cramps and not some serious injury.

Oilers can’t win a cup with Darnell Nurse on this team. Cracked under pressure

Not surprised, same old oilers inconsistency issues defending and goaltending. Ken Holland, 5 years to address these weakness’s. They need some more toughness again because other teams are picking on oilers physically. They need some more talented bruisers. Too bad Kostin wasn’t in their line up.

Succumbing to the famous, aimless 3 goal lead.....

Nurse coasting and gliding and always late to react!! 😤

Long post follows. Read / Don't Read up to you. Statistics for Round 2 Playoff Game 1 Edmonton at Vancouver May 8th, 2025. These are "Base" statistics, not the advanced and detailed ones the Cult of Hockey uses. They are simply a foundation for reference. Edmonton Oilers Hyman 2 Goals (1 on PP) Ekholm 1 Goal Ceci 1 Goal Nuge 1 Primary Assist (on PP), 1 Secondary Assist Draisaitl 1 Primary Assist, 1 Secondary Assist (on PP) Ryan 1 Primary Assist Bouchard 1 Primary Assist McDavid 1 Secondary Assist Skinner 19 Saves on 24 Shots = .792 Save %age (really bad), 57 minutes played Vancouver Canucks Joshua 1 Goal, 2 Primary Assist Lindholm 1 Goal, 1 Secondary Assist Miller 1 Goal Zadorov 1 Goal, 1 Secondary Assist Garland 1 Goal Cole 1 Primary Assist Soucy 2 Secondary Assists Boeser 1 Primary Assist Blueger 1 Primary Assist Hoglander 1 Secondary Assist Silovs 15 Saves on 18 Shots = .833 Save %age (not great), 60 minutes played 3 Stars: Hyman (2 Goals), Zadorov (1 Goal, 1 Assist), Joshua (1 Goal, 2 Assists) Edmonton Vancouver Shots on Goal 19 24 Hits 31 35 Faceoffs Won 19 33 PP 1/1 0/3 Giveaways 4 (2 per NST) 5 (4 per NST) Takeaways 9 (7 per NST) 7 (6 per NST) Blocked Shots 11 (8 per NST) 12 (10 per NST) Player TOI SOG +/- PIM Hits Blocks Giveaways Takeaways Bouchard 25:42 3 1 0 2 2 0 1 Ekholm 23:42 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 Nurse 18:53 1 -3 0 0 3 0 0 Ceci 18:27 1 -3 0 0 0 0 1 Desharnais 17:50 0 -1 0 0 1 0 0 Kulak 14:03 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 McDavid 24:03 0 -1 0 3 1 1 3 Hyman 21:50 4 -1 0 2 0 0 0 Nuge 19:48 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 Draisaitl 16:43 3 -1 2 0 0 0 0 McLeod 16:08 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 Janmark 14:06 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Kane 13:28 1 0 0 4 1 0 0 Foegele 13:17 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 Holloway 11:04 0 -1 2 7 0 0 1 Perry 10:15 0 -1 0 2 0 0 0 Brown 7:35 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Ryan 7:15 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 Oilers Faceoffs Won Lost Percent McLeod 6 3 66.7 McDavid 5 13 27.8 Ryan 3 3 50.0 Nuge 3 7 30.0 Draisaitl 2 5 28.6 Kane 0 1 0.00 Janmark 0 1 0.00 Canucks Faceoffs Won Lost Percent Lindholm 14 4 77.8 Miller 11 7 61.1 Pettersson 6 4 60.0 Blueger 2 1 66.7 Lafferty 0 3 0.00 This was a pretty high event game. Leon got hurt. The Oilers "stopped" playing really in the 2nd period. Skinner was pretty awful and the guys in front of him didn't help. PP at 100% (one PP), PK at 100% (on 3 PP's by Vancouver). Special teams Oilers won. The Oilers really shouldn't have won this game (and they didn't). Oh on the score sheet it looked great at times BUT it was like Bouch couldn't make a pass at a "woman of the night" with a roll of $50's (even though he got a primary assist), Nurse / Ceci pairing was not great (though Ceci Scored). A lot of my negatives seem to also have attached positives. Perry is invisible out there and maybe needs to make room for someone who will work. Ryan played well. Honestly McDavid didn't play up to his standard and, again, Leon got hurt just over 1/2 way into the 2nd period. While Janmark played "okay" they REALLY Missed Henrique. Hopefully the Leon situation can be resolved fairly quickly (and Henrique) but we'll see. Take care all.

If Drai is hurt we are cooked

7 day layoff didn't help, but all the same issues popped up: goaltending and defense.

Ed from Comox, BC; I had a feeling that the Canucks might come back. They always seems to narrow the gap to one goal, then their momentum builds, and they score the equalizer. In this case they scored the go ahead goal. The Canucks third line are going to hard to contend with.

This game looked like the start of the regular season...... all over again!

Even if the Canucks somehow lose this series, Game 1 was epic.

Can this bloody oilers team lay some hits???? Vancouver is a smaller team for christ sake

I’ve never been so disgusted in my life, watching them give the game away yesterday. It’s always the suspects, Nurse, Ceci and Skinner.

Bench Perry , insert Ryan.

On the 5th goal Nurse decided to slash Josheau in the back of his leg and was flat footed against Garland

I'm going to make a wild prediction here, but I think the Canucks have gotten into Skinner's (and the rest of the Oilers) head. If the Oil lose game two, then I predict a 4-0 sweep for the Canucks. If the Oil manage to win convincingly in game 2, then I predict it will go the full seven games (with a toss-up as to who wins the series). I also think the Oilers were out-coached tonight as well....

The 4:1 lead misleads us to think the game was somewhat even. Canucks were better in all areas. Oilers had no answer. Canucks more physical, more battles won, better goaltending, better zone exits, better forecheck. McDavid and Skinner not good enough. Oilers have to work to get the puck out of their zone and it's usually a desperate chip or icing. Canucks always leave their zone with possession. Oilers tried to win another one like game 4 round 1. That doesn't work against these Canucks. I think some blame goes on Knoblauch as well; Canucks looked like a team that figured out the Oilers. Oilers looked like a team gifted a couple of goals, desperate to hold on.

Would Jack Campbell let in 5 goals??? Tough call.

The good thing is the Oilers played like crap and still had chance to win. Hopefully they played their worst game of the series.

Bench Nurse and Cece, and insert Broberg n Stecher. I dont think those two wouldve surrendered 4 goals. Vinny needs to be physical especially on their stars. if he's not he's useless. He needs to use his size, look at Zadorov, he laid some big hits, one was on Kane, Vinny heeds to do the same. And if he's not gonna block the shot, and all of our D for that mater...GET THE HECK OUT OF THE WAY!!! Don't screen your goalie!

I'll panic if we see the same in game 2. The Oilers always crap the bed after a layoff. Look at the first game after the all-star break.

I enjoy listening to you both. But there was a lot more confidence in bravado A few days ago. I got the sense yall really didn't think this was gonna be a series

A terrible experience,

Cheer up Bruce.

Better team won today. Oilers won 1st period but weren't even in this one for the last 40. Knoblauch was definitely out coached. I don't know what he was thinking trading chances with the canucks. They weren't playing defensively. Coverage was awful. Forecheck and back check wasn't there. They were rushed off the puck too much, not making a pass or a play just rushing chips and dump ins, leading to turnovers and just allowing the canucks to set up and break out because they were beating them to the pucks. Game didn't do much for confidence. IF they got passed the canucks some how is Knoblauch going to take this team in an trade chances with Avs? Just a garbage performance.

You guys can’t hand the Canucks a compliment 😂, like they had nothing to do with this victory? Man, respect your opponent .Art of War 101 😂😂😂

Both goalies had issues but Canucks badly outplayed the Oilers in the last two periods.

HAHA! One down three to go for Vancouver!

1) oilers are an average defensive team at best. Play to your strengths and attack. Always attack. Regardless of the score, look to get the next one. 2) Can someone please tell Nurse he's not the goalie on the team. If someone is shooting from the point, turn, pick up a man and at the very least, tie up a stick. 3) Skinner needs to be better. He's so weak down low around the crease. 4) Shoot the puck. I want 40 shots on net. I hated that game against LA where Oilers won while only getting like 15 shots. Now they think they can regularly win that way. 5) Keep breakouts simple. Flip it out. Very casual play in the dzone today

What hasn't been mentioned and why I think, as Bruce said, "They didn't have their sh#t together", is the long seven day lay off. They got lulled out of their intensity and sharpness by the schedule (no fault of their own). Three or four days off would have been best, but seven? As Knob said, they had 'puck touches' and some practice but nothing matches the intensity of a playoff game other than playing that playoff game. I wouldn't be surprised if in some way the lay off resulted in Leon's body giving way. I know it may be a stretch but skating around a rink for seven days then playing like he did in the first period (he was best player on the ice) without playing in a week there may be something there. Skinners and some D core sharpness was gone too. When Leon got hurt, I think the team got rattled. The lines were all interrupted and, again, the seven day dullness resulted in the old mistakes to creep back into their game. Yes, they were lucky getting some goals but they should have been able to handle a 4-1 lead and I think they would have if not for such a long 'rest'. They can and hopefully will come back. And hopefully, Leon is back to 100%.

Beardsley is level headed and honest. Baldy is a deaf dumb and blind super fan. He's one card short of a full deck.

Feels kinda like that 9-6 loss to the Flames. How's Leon?

I keep hearing " should have had it in the bag" but sorry, the stats don't lie, Canucks had the run of play the whole game ( even most of the pp Edmonton scored on) the anomalies were the goals Edmonton got. Canucks controlled play in every respect for the majority of that game .

Silov for Nucks was awful and the Canucks not as bad a the score. Nucks were the stronger team over 60 minutes. A great comeback and true Tocchet hockey.

Skinner continues to worry me. Nurse, well.. 😶

This is Draisaitl’s team. They lost all hope when he was banged up

Normal Oilers slow starts and layoffs were never their friend. RUSTY but still the best team since Nov.

Remember that outshot 13-34 LA win that the fans called "Mature" a week ago? I said it was turds covered by the air freshener of a lucky win. I also said if they try that VS any top team they will get buried fast and harsh. TA DA! Oiles played like superstars for 19 mins, and then when right back to being outworked and out thought and thinking they can just insist on Skinner being the best goaltender of all time and play like garbage and still win in a "mature" way. What Bullshet. Get to work or watch someone else hoist the cup in 3 weeks.

Got Out worked, plain and simple.

Boys if you any push the offence at least make an effort to defend. I don’t mind the lack of shots in the third if they could defend.

4 goals again NURSE on the ice . I was nerves watching him play on the defend ... look like he lost his balance , just swinging stick ... i don't know how he get pay 8 - 9 mil a year .... If someone explain for me ????

David I've been saying that forever Corey to the 4th

OEG needs to start showing some faith in the pipeline, outside of all the misguided noise of injecting Broberg over vets, which is ridiculous and non-starting point. Know, and agreed with Lowtide long ago, that they should have injected Lavoie at various points down the stretch. He would not only virtually eliminate Joshua with much the same physicality and size, but, fully out shoot, and outscore him on average. Not to mention, first shot/shooter scorer who will most likely will not resign with us.

Skinner lost the game with two horrible goals against.

3 2 1 implosion 😮flush it next

Oil took foot off the gas. Can't protect a lead against Vancouver. Gotta stick with their strength and keep scoring, maximum pressure at all times on Vancouver.

Nerves got to Skinner

Canucks tried to gift the Oilers this game, the Oilers magnanimously insisted the Canucks have it! My bad thing is all the Oilers in the post game saying they played well...going into a 100% defensive style for the entire second half of the game and generating only 2 shots is a terrible strategy! MCD, Kane, Nurse, Skinner all had terrible games. I question not calling a time out when your team is reeling and refusing to go on offence.

LETS GOOOOOOO Garland owns Edmonton

Not gonna lie. AFter watching last nights debacle, I don't like our chances. We got thoroughly dominated and scored a few lucky goals. Nuge missing that shot was crippling. He has completely lost his ability to shoot. He's the weakest link on the powerplay (although he had a great assist last night) and his offensive touch is MIA. Was hoping the playoffs would bring more out of him but he seems to be folding under the pressure

Take out ceci put sketcher with nurse on 3 pairing

Oilers 2024 > Oilers 2023 Canucks 2024 < Knights 2023 Edmonton should've / could've won against Vegas last year and the only way they lose this series against Vancouver is if they piss it away

Without hearing Bruce's first words, just by looking at his face I can see he's ready to spout out some vitriol about something.

Oilers couldn’t beat our third string goalie. Would it be an NHL record if the Canucks got wins from 3 different goalies in consecutive rounds? The best part is despite Skinner being a 4th string calibre goalie on a decent team, they have no choice but to play him as they have no other options.

Thank you guys for being the only media-outlet (that I'm aware of) which correctly identified the Oilers' complete ineptness at 4-on-4. I might add that EVERY TIME Draisaitl takes retaliatory penalties in the playoffs, it never ends well for Edmonton. If he hadn't returned Zadorov's slash (leading to the 4-on-4, leading to the 4-3 goal and cue the comeback) the Oilers would have won the game.

The best we can hope for with Skinner is he’s a non factor. Another playoffs with a sub .900 save percentage.

Oilers forget to show up, after the first period. They tend to lose the first game in a series, let’s see if they can turn it around, if they lose game 2, they are probably done.

bruce is pissed off cannot really blame him though

A ton of mistakes by the Oilers, McDavid invisible and Skinner not good, although post game Skinner says he played well, hmm.

Can't blame defense. Blame coach. Should have kept the pressure on. Skinner good for most part but garland goal was pathetic.

JT Miller lucky tip......man you homers are the worst.

Game 1 is the least important. However, that one hurt.

What an embarrassment.

Edmonton again winning all your hypothetical scenarios. Why can't they play these games hypothetically. ( if Leon didn't get hurt, if only the Oilers got 30 shots on goal, if only...)

Nurse is worst D in the playoffs..

Ceci is third pairing D , skinner suck again nurse overpaid brain cramps machine and nuge is last 30 playoffs games 6 goal around that not good at all .

Canucks third line is one of the best in the league, they dominated

With Nurse, Skinner, Campbell, and Holland on the team, Oilers will not win the cup.

Almost won eh? 3 shots in the third? Not happening .

Oilers aren't winning the cup. Championship teams don't just stop playing hockey like that when they're up 4-1. This all stems from McDavid, it's the same old MO where he always has to give it back. Doesn't have that true killer instinct.

Nice to see the better team win.

Pretty pathetic when you guys pivot from pretty much guaranteeing, a win against an inferior team and then saying there’s no way your team can win with one player missing from the lineup. Doesn’t say much about your depth.

4 bad things. Nurse muffins Nurse out of position Nurse out of position Bruce Mcurdty - Blaming Skinner, absolutely lost out there like Nurse.

💩 the 🛏

I've told Baldy and Beardsley numerous times that you cannot win. A Cup with Skinhead in goal. But Baldy loves to be delusional and spin spin spin the false narrative.

They will be lucky to win a single game. Especially now that Drai is injured. Clearly outmatched once Vancouver recovered from a slow start. Knoblauch is a puppet who needed to regain control after goal 3 but hasn’t got the chops.

Team has no killer instinct. They want to believe they can be this clever, snobby, sexy, smartest in the room, high IQ bull crap where they turtle leads, over pass all too often, let other teams off the hook by not punishing them through imposing will... Soft. Gutless. Skinner is technically bad relative to some of the Russian goalies

My gut feeling is that this series is over. Sorry.

Blame skinner? Goals 2-5 2, shit happens 3, deflection of the year 4. Triple screen 5. Weak coverage by Nurse

Say somethen now ? All those yappy oiler fans coming to vancouver streams BEAKING OFF WHERES THE SWEEP ? WHERES THE BLOWOUT ? WHERES MC NUGGETS ? WHERES SKINHOUND ? WHERE OH WHERE