1
00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:05,880
Speaker 1: Welcome to Kracking this morning, a presentation of the Kraken

2
00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:10,920
Speaker 1: Audio Network Ken Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.

3
00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:13,000
Speaker 1: Here's Mike Benton's.

4
00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,120
Speaker 2: Finally here, the finale of the six game road trip

5
00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:17,720
Speaker 2: and for the Kraken time to make the jump now

6
00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,560
Speaker 2: for the Stanley Cup playoffs. With ten games to play

7
00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,200
Speaker 2: and just two points back, that's their gap for the

8
00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:27,120
Speaker 2: final wildcard spot in the West. This should be a

9
00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,240
Speaker 2: great one. The Crack and take on the Edmonton Oilers,

10
00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:33,440
Speaker 2: final match up of the regular season between the two teams.

11
00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,400
Speaker 2: It's gonna go down this evening at six pm Pacific time.

12
00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,960
Speaker 2: Airtime coverage five thirty for your pregame shows served up

13
00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,680
Speaker 2: by Frostbrewed cors Light Choose Chill on the Global Credit Union.

14
00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:47,280
Speaker 2: Cracking Audio Network Ever fits you. Al Katiski in the

15
00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,919
Speaker 2: booth in Edmonton, I got you by the way right

16
00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,600
Speaker 2: from the starts with pregame show and leading up to

17
00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,240
Speaker 2: postgame coverage a half hour after the final horn, We're

18
00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,680
Speaker 2: gonna hear from Cracking and coach Lane Lambert in just

19
00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,240
Speaker 2: a bit covering more from the road trip, a growth

20
00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,480
Speaker 2: in culture, plus our conversation with Tom Gozzola of Edmonton

21
00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:08,840
Speaker 2: Sports Talk Radio. Where the Oilers stand right now on

22
00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,680
Speaker 2: their side of the regular season, that's left over the

23
00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,399
Speaker 2: goaltending tandem, questions, Leon Dreich, Sidle out of the lineup,

24
00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:19,199
Speaker 2: and much more heading into this matchup coming up at

25
00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:23,880
Speaker 2: Rogers Place. The Kraken previously on Saturday getting so close

26
00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,360
Speaker 2: to swiping two points out of Buffalo, though falling three

27
00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,120
Speaker 2: to two in a shootout. They got goals from Bobby

28
00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,640
Speaker 2: McMahon and Chandler Stevenson, but a two to zhing lead

29
00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,119
Speaker 2: said the crack and had to push a little bit

30
00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,000
Speaker 2: more and Buffalo had enough time to make their comeback.

31
00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,560
Speaker 2: Rasmus dahl Lean cut the lead to one on a

32
00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,800
Speaker 2: late second period power play goal. Peyton Krebs tied the

33
00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:48,160
Speaker 2: game with eight twenty one left in regulation, and then

34
00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,360
Speaker 2: the Sabers needed only two rounds to dispatch goals on

35
00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,920
Speaker 2: Philip Greenbauer closing it out Uko Pecca Lucanan with the

36
00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,240
Speaker 2: winner on a thirty two save effort, though Grewbauer was

37
00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:02,360
Speaker 2: terrific on his side, making thirty four saves. Nonetheless, the

38
00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:04,720
Speaker 2: Kraken is still facing a road trip where they can

39
00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,800
Speaker 2: only gain max a two to two and two record.

40
00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,400
Speaker 2: All things presuming they find a way to grab their

41
00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:14,880
Speaker 2: first win in Edmonton since January third of twenty twenty three,

42
00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,920
Speaker 2: but potential good news hitting the Crack and roster. Beginning

43
00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,080
Speaker 2: on Monday, Jayden Schwartz was seen back on ice taking

44
00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,000
Speaker 2: reps out of the non contact jersey and back in

45
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,880
Speaker 2: a regular jersey as well. Plus Shane Wright also showing

46
00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,680
Speaker 2: up very promising signs after he left the game in

47
00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,840
Speaker 2: Buffalo off a high hit late first period with Logan Morrison,

48
00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,839
Speaker 2: who didn't get in a game here for this most

49
00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:42,040
Speaker 2: recent stint sent back down to ahhow Coachella Valley before

50
00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,120
Speaker 2: we get to Tom Gozola. The Krack and reconvening for

51
00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,760
Speaker 2: practice Monday at Kraken Community ice Plex and afterward. Here's

52
00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,040
Speaker 2: reaction from krackenhead coach Lane Lambert meeting with the media

53
00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:53,240
Speaker 2: young players conveterans.

54
00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:54,359
Speaker 3: Where do you see as far.

55
00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,240
Speaker 2: As like the groundwork being with the culture stead.

56
00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:00,680
Speaker 4: Front, Well, it's uh, you know, it's just expected.

57
00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:03,960
Speaker 5: You know. We we talked about that a little bit

58
00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,919
Speaker 5: at the start of the year, and we've had guys

59
00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,040
Speaker 5: step in for other guys, uh, you know, for the

60
00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,160
Speaker 5: most part all year long. Great job by both of

61
00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,920
Speaker 5: those guys. Certainly, Berkeley gave us a spark, and you know,

62
00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,720
Speaker 5: those were two big men going at it with Reagan Stanley.

63
00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,079
Speaker 5: So we're a team. We stick together, and we did

64
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,160
Speaker 5: a good job of that. We're looking as guys right

65
00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:28,560
Speaker 5: now from like a passion and energys season, I think

66
00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,240
Speaker 5: we uh lass, you know, certainly if I go back

67
00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:35,280
Speaker 5: to the last three games and you know, notwithstanding the

68
00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:37,320
Speaker 5: other ones, I think, you know, I think our energy

69
00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,160
Speaker 5: level or our passion level, our compete level is high.

70
00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:43,680
Speaker 5: I feel like we're starting to get back a little

71
00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,880
Speaker 5: bit of what our rhythm was before the break, which

72
00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,880
Speaker 5: is nice to see. We're making more plays, you know,

73
00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:50,920
Speaker 5: we just have to keep it going.

74
00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,320
Speaker 2: Change towards out there regular Darcy. Is he getting closer?

75
00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:58,200
Speaker 5: He is getting closer yet he'll be coming on on

76
00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,080
Speaker 5: the trip with us, and we'll make a decision.

77
00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:03,600
Speaker 3: From there, yea, and share right like he's all as long.

78
00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,360
Speaker 5: He was out there, Yeah, And for him, we'll just

79
00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,560
Speaker 5: see how he feels, you know, later on to day

80
00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,920
Speaker 5: after practice, Plain practice has been at a premium all season.

81
00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:14,240
Speaker 4: For today, I.

82
00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:16,760
Speaker 3: Felt like you were also feeding that level of intensity

83
00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,480
Speaker 3: that's needed was that punnier approach of the group today.

84
00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:20,839
Speaker 3: Energy signed more.

85
00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,080
Speaker 4: So than that as well. Yeah, I just you know,

86
00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:26,000
Speaker 4: it's obviously late.

87
00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,480
Speaker 5: We you know, just came off a road trip, flew

88
00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,640
Speaker 5: all the way home for one day, you know. Uh,

89
00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,240
Speaker 5: just we just got to make sure that we had

90
00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,560
Speaker 5: some focus in practice today. I thought our energy was

91
00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:40,840
Speaker 5: pretty good, you know. And you know it's up to

92
00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:42,599
Speaker 5: us coaches and the coaching staff.

93
00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:44,400
Speaker 4: To demand out of them and they do a good

94
00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:45,159
Speaker 4: job of responding.

95
00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,200
Speaker 2: All right, final match up of the season coming up

96
00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:50,960
Speaker 2: with the Kraken and the Edmonton Oilers, and as we

97
00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,760
Speaker 2: get closer and closer to April, the stakes are raised.

98
00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:57,120
Speaker 2: This is going to be a fun one going down

99
00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,280
Speaker 2: at Rogers Place. Joining us now to talk about it

100
00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,000
Speaker 2: in a crack in this morning is Tom Gozola, host

101
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,520
Speaker 2: on Edmonton Sports Talk Radio. By the way, you can

102
00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:08,320
Speaker 2: find them at Twitter and exit. Tom Gozola. Hi, Tom,

103
00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:10,200
Speaker 2: it's about springtime now. How are you?

104
00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:11,479
Speaker 3: Hi'm Mike.

105
00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:13,839
Speaker 6: I'm well, thanks, good to be on with you. Always

106
00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,000
Speaker 6: a pleasure, you know that. I like that you mentioned

107
00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,080
Speaker 6: springtime because we just had a snowfall over the weekend

108
00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,159
Speaker 6: and as much as we wanted to be spring. Winter

109
00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,880
Speaker 6: keeps coming back up, and it's like a gut punch

110
00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,680
Speaker 6: every time. I think this is our fourth iteration of winter,

111
00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,000
Speaker 6: even though we're right into spring now.

112
00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:32,359
Speaker 3: So thank you for reminding me.

113
00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:34,840
Speaker 6: You've been here enough to know, yes, that this can

114
00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,200
Speaker 6: happen in Alberta.

115
00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:40,360
Speaker 3: Yes, soon enough, we'll have spring. I'm pretty sure.

116
00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,440
Speaker 2: It actually hit us with freezing temperatures here in Seattle

117
00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:46,200
Speaker 2: the other day. One of these days we're going to

118
00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:48,440
Speaker 2: get down to the single layer. I don't know when,

119
00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,800
Speaker 2: but you reminded me about my laught trip to Calgary

120
00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:54,400
Speaker 2: back after New Year's Day and the minus temps hit

121
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:58,159
Speaker 2: you right in the face like a tidal wave. Tom,

122
00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,760
Speaker 2: give us the pulse and the state of the Edmonton

123
00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:03,719
Speaker 2: Oilers right now, with eight games to play on their side.

124
00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,719
Speaker 6: The Oilers right now, they are starting to pick it up. Actually,

125
00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,040
Speaker 6: I mean, this has been a team all season long

126
00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,880
Speaker 6: that we've wondered if they'll be able to put together

127
00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,800
Speaker 6: a stretch of games where they actually have a legit

128
00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:18,560
Speaker 6: winning streak.

129
00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:21,160
Speaker 3: Heading into this game, they've won.

130
00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,719
Speaker 6: Three in a row for just a second time this season,

131
00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,560
Speaker 6: which is insane considering it's a team that's gone to

132
00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,440
Speaker 6: back to back Stanley Cups and then, you know, as

133
00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,080
Speaker 6: a conference final appearance in the last four years, lost

134
00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,640
Speaker 6: in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights. And

135
00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,520
Speaker 6: you know, has McDavid in dry Cydle and Evan Bouchard

136
00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,120
Speaker 6: who's an elite offensive player from the back end, and

137
00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:46,599
Speaker 6: they have just completed their second winning streak of the

138
00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:48,880
Speaker 6: season and we'll see if they can continue it against

139
00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,919
Speaker 6: the Kraken on Tuesday. But it's been a team that

140
00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,160
Speaker 6: can't get any traction going and something that's been discussed

141
00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:55,599
Speaker 6: in the room.

142
00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:57,719
Speaker 3: I mean, the players are saying, it'd be nice to

143
00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,960
Speaker 3: win a bunch of games in a row. Here's an opportunity.

144
00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,560
Speaker 6: They look at Seattle and understand how important this game

145
00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,520
Speaker 6: is for the Kraken, and they also look at what

146
00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,080
Speaker 6: they're trying to accomplish it that is, try to win the division,

147
00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,840
Speaker 6: which I know the probability of it isn't that high.

148
00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,840
Speaker 6: Three points back of the Ducks going into action on

149
00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,400
Speaker 6: Monday night, you know, depending on what happens between the

150
00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,080
Speaker 6: Ducks and the Leafs on Monday night. The Oilers, you know,

151
00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:24,840
Speaker 6: have not won a division since nineteen eighty seven, and

152
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:30,680
Speaker 6: it's still a bit of a potential for it to happen,

153
00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,200
Speaker 6: but I think more so they want to be playing

154
00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,960
Speaker 6: good hockey going into the postseason, and they've sort of

155
00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:37,400
Speaker 6: shown that incrementally.

156
00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:39,320
Speaker 3: You're seeing them play a responsible game.

157
00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,840
Speaker 6: It's kind of been reflected in their last ten with

158
00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:44,320
Speaker 6: the six to three and one mark in the three

159
00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:45,160
Speaker 6: game winning streak.

160
00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,160
Speaker 3: But it doesn't mean they're back.

161
00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,480
Speaker 6: I know, like once a week we always say after win,

162
00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,920
Speaker 6: are they back, and the next game they usually let

163
00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:53,600
Speaker 6: everybody down.

164
00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:54,360
Speaker 4: Yeah.

165
00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,080
Speaker 2: I think it raised a good point there, tom as

166
00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:58,160
Speaker 2: far as I think where matters go in my head.

167
00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,680
Speaker 2: In two separate parts. First off, I mean one of

168
00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:04,120
Speaker 2: the all time quotes from Connor McDavid talking about this

169
00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,920
Speaker 2: pillow fight that is right now in the Pacific Division.

170
00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,360
Speaker 2: So I think it leads me to wonder based on

171
00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,680
Speaker 2: the fact that Edmonton is three points back of Anaheim,

172
00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,000
Speaker 2: who has just taking a rocket ship it feels like,

173
00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,120
Speaker 2: compared about a couple of years ago, now to top

174
00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:21,960
Speaker 2: spot in the Pacific Division. Vegas fired their head coach

175
00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:26,040
Speaker 2: with eight games to play. Nashville has crept back into

176
00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,880
Speaker 2: the wildcard picture the Kings, and now the crack is

177
00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:31,400
Speaker 2: still battling it out with them right now for wildcard

178
00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,840
Speaker 2: spot number two. I think, first off, to me, what

179
00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:39,439
Speaker 2: surprised you the most about the Pacific Division this year

180
00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:43,920
Speaker 2: in general? And secondly, where's the bar set right now

181
00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,199
Speaker 2: for Edmonton based on how matters have shaken out? Are

182
00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,319
Speaker 2: we talking about second round this year, conference final this year,

183
00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:52,840
Speaker 2: or Cup final or bust?

184
00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:58,679
Speaker 6: Okay, Well, I'll start with the Pacific Division. I'm surprised

185
00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:04,560
Speaker 6: that an Edmonton or of Vegas hasn't played to the

186
00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:08,160
Speaker 6: potential that they, in my opinion, could, and that goes

187
00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:10,080
Speaker 6: off of their recent history and what they've been able

188
00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:14,040
Speaker 6: to accomplish in recent years and going into the season,

189
00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:16,600
Speaker 6: I looked at the Pacific and I thought, you know,

190
00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:18,920
Speaker 6: Calgary would even be a little bit more competitive. I

191
00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,640
Speaker 6: didn't think much of Vancouver. I thought Seattle will be

192
00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:24,520
Speaker 6: right in the mix. The Ducks, I thought would be

193
00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,120
Speaker 6: right in the mix, a little bit pluckier than years past,

194
00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,079
Speaker 6: especially with Joel Quinville, the additions of a bunch.

195
00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:31,200
Speaker 3: Of really good veterans, so.

196
00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:35,360
Speaker 6: I expected them to be feisty, intonacious, which they have been. Unfortunately,

197
00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:38,520
Speaker 6: the other teams have been so weak that it's the

198
00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:39,640
Speaker 6: Ducks that are that are.

199
00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:40,880
Speaker 3: Kind of leading to charge of Kings.

200
00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,400
Speaker 6: I don't know, Like personally, we've seen so much of

201
00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,240
Speaker 6: the La Kings, especially in the postseason here in Edmonton.

202
00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:47,800
Speaker 3: Over the last four years, that.

203
00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:51,880
Speaker 6: With it being a year of transition with Kenny Holland

204
00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:53,400
Speaker 6: taking over, I thought maybe.

205
00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:55,959
Speaker 2: The Boilers could charge the King's rent at this point

206
00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:56,920
Speaker 2: in Rogers' place.

207
00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:02,000
Speaker 3: Very well said so true, but I didn't.

208
00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,000
Speaker 6: I thought the Kings would be exactly where they are, so,

209
00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,680
Speaker 6: I mean it kind of halfheartedly got some of it right,

210
00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,760
Speaker 6: But yeah, I thought Edmunds in r Vegas would be

211
00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,720
Speaker 6: the front runner with you know, Seattle and Anaheim kind

212
00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:14,960
Speaker 6: of in the mix and maybe La but maybe a

213
00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,479
Speaker 6: bit of Calgary, but certainly not Vancouver.

214
00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,960
Speaker 3: But it's it's been a pillow fight.

215
00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:24,280
Speaker 6: When McDavid called it that, you know, it was very appropriate,

216
00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,240
Speaker 6: and when we were calling it a turtle derby, I

217
00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,520
Speaker 6: thought it was very appropriate.

218
00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,320
Speaker 3: And it's still kind of is it's.

219
00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:32,800
Speaker 6: It's it's by far the weakest division in the NHL,

220
00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,720
Speaker 6: and there's disappointment, I think it admitted because of the

221
00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:38,679
Speaker 6: opportunity that presented.

222
00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:41,360
Speaker 3: Itself for a team like the Oilers to just take.

223
00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:45,040
Speaker 6: The Division and have that first place locked up, and

224
00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:47,480
Speaker 6: that has not been the case. I mean that's kind

225
00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,480
Speaker 6: of been part of the frustration with the Oilers is

226
00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:53,600
Speaker 6: they don't take advantage of their opportunities. And so that's

227
00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:55,600
Speaker 6: kind of where the Oilers are at in regard to

228
00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:58,520
Speaker 6: the Pacific Division and the fans sentiment.

229
00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,120
Speaker 3: And where the team's talking about how they're playing is

230
00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:06,600
Speaker 3: they should be better. And lately we've been.

231
00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:11,319
Speaker 6: Seeing some more responsible, veteran professional games from the oil

232
00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,920
Speaker 6: and it's kind of looking like they're getting back to

233
00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:19,000
Speaker 6: being that businesslike team that knows how to play at

234
00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,560
Speaker 6: this time of year, and that's been encouraging for the

235
00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,160
Speaker 6: fan base. I think it's been encouraging. Inside the locker room,

236
00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:28,000
Speaker 6: there's been some strife this year. I mean, trading Stut

237
00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:32,480
Speaker 6: Skinner for Tristan Jarry was not a great deal for

238
00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,559
Speaker 6: the Oilers. I mean, Jarry has become the backup. He

239
00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,080
Speaker 6: lost the starting job to Connor or Ingram. Ingram wasn't

240
00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:39,280
Speaker 6: even in the NHL.

241
00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:39,880
Speaker 3: To start the season.

242
00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:42,680
Speaker 6: The Oilers pulled off a trade with Utah to get

243
00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,960
Speaker 6: him early in training camp, and he missed some time

244
00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,600
Speaker 6: and then went down to Bakersfield did not play particularly well.

245
00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:52,240
Speaker 3: His numbers were atrocious.

246
00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,720
Speaker 6: Everybody that covered and watched the team down at Bakersfield

247
00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,360
Speaker 6: said he earned that, you know, eight sixty save percentage

248
00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,480
Speaker 6: and I think his his goals against was well above three.

249
00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:05,040
Speaker 3: And they just said his game wasn't there.

250
00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,240
Speaker 6: And then when he got called up to Edmonton, you know,

251
00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,760
Speaker 6: he's been pretty steady for him. He's the starter for

252
00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:13,520
Speaker 6: the orders now. And then giving up Skinner and kol Ak,

253
00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:18,280
Speaker 6: it was just salting the wound when Colorado picked up

254
00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,360
Speaker 6: Kolak from Pittsburgh for a second rander, And I think

255
00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:24,920
Speaker 6: it was Samuel Gerard, like, it's just asset management came

256
00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,920
Speaker 6: under fire here and you know how much of a

257
00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:30,679
Speaker 6: powder cake this market is, Mike anything and everything is

258
00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:35,240
Speaker 6: under the microscope, and there was an issue. And when

259
00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,920
Speaker 6: Paul Coffee had to be brought back, you know, did

260
00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,040
Speaker 6: he really want to come back? Doesn't seem like it.

261
00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,240
Speaker 6: Did the coaching staff want him back.

262
00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:45,280
Speaker 3: No, not really. But when the guy.

263
00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,760
Speaker 6: Who's writing the checks wants him back, it says, I

264
00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:50,440
Speaker 6: need some stability on the bench, and I think Paul

265
00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,920
Speaker 6: Coffee's the guy that's That's.

266
00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,079
Speaker 3: What everybody has to deal with.

267
00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,880
Speaker 6: And you know, it's it's been all right, Like there's

268
00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:00,600
Speaker 6: been some improvement with the defense, you know, I'd make

269
00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,280
Speaker 6: the case that some of it is the personnel. Getting

270
00:13:03,320 --> 00:13:05,959
Speaker 6: Connor Murphy at the deadline or just before it has

271
00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:10,000
Speaker 6: helped solidify the order. Second pair with Darnell Nurse, the

272
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,480
Speaker 6: first pair of Bouchard neck Home has been pretty steady,

273
00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:17,360
Speaker 6: and then the third pair with Ty Emerson and Jake Walman,

274
00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:19,680
Speaker 6: you know, seems to be playing better. But this this

275
00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,199
Speaker 6: is a flawed team, and so there's been frustration along

276
00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:24,720
Speaker 6: the way. But they're kind of where I thought they

277
00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:28,839
Speaker 6: would be a step back season because two long years

278
00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:35,840
Speaker 6: of hockey and some shuffling with the personnel. It's tough

279
00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:37,720
Speaker 6: to overcome, and they're doing their best to do it.

280
00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:42,360
Speaker 2: If the playoffs began tomorrow, Tristan Jari or Connor Ingram

281
00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:45,440
Speaker 2: who starts gaming has to be Ingram.

282
00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:47,160
Speaker 3: I mean Ingraham.

283
00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,200
Speaker 6: They finally came out and said Chris Noblock said Ingram's

284
00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:50,920
Speaker 6: their number one.

285
00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,720
Speaker 3: He's been the steadier of the two.

286
00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:58,040
Speaker 6: It feels like Jari's game has gotten to a point

287
00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,920
Speaker 6: where he's trying to rebuild it right now, and he

288
00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:03,880
Speaker 6: gave the Orders a good performance in Utah last week,

289
00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,720
Speaker 6: which was encouraging. Prior to that he had barely played

290
00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:08,920
Speaker 6: in the last couple of weeks.

291
00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:10,480
Speaker 3: He got to start in Dallas.

292
00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,800
Speaker 6: Where he got sheld for seven and then the night

293
00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,680
Speaker 6: prior to that, he played in Colorado in mop up

294
00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:20,080
Speaker 6: duty because Connor Ingram got hit by Nathan McKinnon had

295
00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,520
Speaker 6: to leave the game and Jarry put in a good

296
00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:25,280
Speaker 6: period in a bit where it looked like he might

297
00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,040
Speaker 6: have been on the up and up, but the next

298
00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,560
Speaker 6: night out he got his butt handed to him by

299
00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,680
Speaker 6: the Dallastars, which has happened by the Stars doing it

300
00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:37,200
Speaker 6: too many teams this season. So there's no ambiguity to

301
00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,720
Speaker 6: who's the starter and who's the backup. And you know,

302
00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,760
Speaker 6: the five point five million dollar goalie is the backup

303
00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:44,920
Speaker 6: right now, and Connor Ingram, who's on a pretty team

304
00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:49,320
Speaker 6: friendly deal with the Mammoth picking up some of the contracts,

305
00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:51,440
Speaker 6: has clearly taken the number one job.

306
00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:52,720
Speaker 3: So that's where we're at.

307
00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,200
Speaker 6: And Mike, you could look at the numbers that Connor

308
00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,600
Speaker 6: Ingram's got and when you compare it to what Stu

309
00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,960
Speaker 6: Skinn had done in Edmonton, they're very similar, and so

310
00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,640
Speaker 6: that's kind of added insult to injury with this deal

311
00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:10,120
Speaker 6: as well. But where Ingram has been pretty solid is

312
00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,640
Speaker 6: he doesn't have the peaks and valleys that Stu Skinner

313
00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:19,640
Speaker 6: was having. He's generally very steady, and even with Tristan Jari,

314
00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:23,080
Speaker 6: we've seen some peaks and valleys, and the consistency is

315
00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:25,080
Speaker 6: all the orders are looking for, and it's been Ingram

316
00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:26,240
Speaker 6: who's been given him that.

317
00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,200
Speaker 2: Tom Gazzol joining us right now on Cracking this morning

318
00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,320
Speaker 2: ahead of the Crack and then the Edmonton Oilers again

319
00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:36,600
Speaker 2: tonight's six pm Pacific time. Leon Dryseidel my goodness to

320
00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:39,360
Speaker 2: say what he has done against the Kraken, calling it

321
00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,920
Speaker 2: video game numbers might not be doing a justice thirty

322
00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,400
Speaker 2: four points in fifteen games, but then again, a lot

323
00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,600
Speaker 2: of teams have also taken a hit against sim where

324
00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,600
Speaker 2: it just kind of feels like Bulldozer meets Tulip. But

325
00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,440
Speaker 2: dry Cidle is off with the remainder of the regular season.

326
00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,520
Speaker 2: How has Edmonton handled this with him injured and out?

327
00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:01,320
Speaker 6: That was a beautiful descriptive by the way, Yeah, Flower

328
00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:05,080
Speaker 6: getting run over by vehicle and don't worry, like to

329
00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:08,840
Speaker 6: the Crack and faithful dry sitlesk ask how Nashville's fans

330
00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,760
Speaker 6: feel about Leon dry Sttle. He's done it for a

331
00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:16,720
Speaker 6: while now to a number of teams anyway. Yeah, they've

332
00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:19,280
Speaker 6: been okay without him. You know, some people wonder out

333
00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:21,600
Speaker 6: loud and rightly so has it forced your orders to

334
00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,680
Speaker 6: play a better team game and not just rely on McDavid.

335
00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,640
Speaker 3: And dry Sitle? And I think there is some merit

336
00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:27,040
Speaker 3: to that.

337
00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,920
Speaker 6: You know, we've seen them roll three lines more consistently,

338
00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:35,760
Speaker 6: even dipping into rolling four lines as opposed to going

339
00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,240
Speaker 6: nuclear as we like to call it here, where you.

340
00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,760
Speaker 3: Know, if they get behind in a game, Chris.

341
00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:45,120
Speaker 6: Snabloc has done what every other order's coaching this time

342
00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,560
Speaker 6: frame has done, and that's go to McDavid and dry

343
00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:51,560
Speaker 6: Sitle because they are so good together, they're so potent offensively,

344
00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:54,840
Speaker 6: but you don't have that option right now. So they've

345
00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,040
Speaker 6: had to rely on it at least three lines a night,

346
00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,840
Speaker 6: and then dipped into the fourth line a little bit more.

347
00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,240
Speaker 3: And that's gotten guys more engaged in games.

348
00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,480
Speaker 6: And when you have veterans in the lineup, good NHL players,

349
00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:07,600
Speaker 6: that's what they want.

350
00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:08,640
Speaker 4: They want to.

351
00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:12,399
Speaker 6: Be tapped on the shoulder and expected to provide something

352
00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,040
Speaker 6: to the team and that's how they build confidence.

353
00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:16,560
Speaker 3: And so we've kind of seen a little bit more

354
00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:18,640
Speaker 3: of that now. Don't get me wrong. They want Leon

355
00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:21,560
Speaker 3: dry Saddle back in the lineup, but they don't want

356
00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,520
Speaker 3: to rush this injury. He is back in town.

357
00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:27,400
Speaker 6: I saw him the other night at the game, and yeah,

358
00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,080
Speaker 6: fully expect him to be The expectation, at least from

359
00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:31,960
Speaker 6: what I'm told by the team, is that he's ready

360
00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:32,639
Speaker 6: for the playoffs.

361
00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,399
Speaker 3: Hopefully it's tracking that way, but the Kraken won't have

362
00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:37,880
Speaker 3: to deal with him on Tuesday.

363
00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,560
Speaker 2: Sounds like Trent Frederick will not play in this game,

364
00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:44,040
Speaker 2: according to reports, as Edmonton again has won three in

365
00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,600
Speaker 2: a row coming off the win over the Anaheim Ducks.

366
00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:49,680
Speaker 2: From the oiler standpoint, Tom wants the pug drop. What's

367
00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,040
Speaker 2: their biggest key here for this game.

368
00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:53,399
Speaker 6: They're good with the lead, Mike when they when they

369
00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:55,679
Speaker 6: get the lead, They've been very good this season. So

370
00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,760
Speaker 6: I think you'll take away any hopes of the krack

371
00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,359
Speaker 6: and putting together a quote on quote good road game.

372
00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:04,119
Speaker 6: You know, I'm sure the Seattle will want to take

373
00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,720
Speaker 6: the crowd out of it early. All those cliche things

374
00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:12,159
Speaker 6: that a road team can do. Effectively. I take with

375
00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:14,800
Speaker 6: the oil the five on five scoring has been a

376
00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:16,919
Speaker 6: little bit better with Dry Siddle out all at that

377
00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,240
Speaker 6: as well, the power play, even though it's top in

378
00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:23,360
Speaker 6: the league, is not as efficient without them.

379
00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:24,440
Speaker 3: Not a surprise.

380
00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:28,680
Speaker 6: The PK has been pretty suspect this year, although in

381
00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:30,840
Speaker 6: the last little bit it's been much better. I think

382
00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:32,560
Speaker 6: a lot of that has to do with Connor Murphy

383
00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:38,119
Speaker 6: helping out Jason Dickinson as well, another defensive minded player,

384
00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,800
Speaker 6: good veteran player that the Oilers added at the deadline,

385
00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:43,640
Speaker 6: and we're starting to see the effects of those two

386
00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:44,720
Speaker 6: on the PK.

387
00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:45,720
Speaker 3: Especially so.

388
00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:49,840
Speaker 6: For the Oilers, I think it's just another solid, as

389
00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:51,879
Speaker 6: close to sixty minute effort as you can get.

390
00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,320
Speaker 3: Listen, Mike, they're going to get the offense.

391
00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,480
Speaker 6: I mean, when you've got McDavid, you've got Matts Savoy,

392
00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:59,959
Speaker 6: who's catching fire right now. Vasilli pod Colson has been

393
00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,880
Speaker 6: shipping in. Ryan Nugan Hawkins has been pretty steady all season.

394
00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:06,960
Speaker 6: Zach Hyman, who we haven't even mentioned yet, has a

395
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,120
Speaker 6: thirty goal season. He's only played fifty five games. I mean,

396
00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,400
Speaker 6: he's put together a hell of the season. So if

397
00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:16,120
Speaker 6: you take care of your own end. There's a high

398
00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:19,280
Speaker 6: probability that things in the offensive zone will take care

399
00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:20,800
Speaker 6: of themselves with this Oilers team.

400
00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:21,960
Speaker 3: And I think.

401
00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:25,960
Speaker 6: That that responsible type of game will be priority number

402
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,480
Speaker 6: one because when when the Orders are playing responsible veteran hockey,

403
00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,840
Speaker 6: they'll get they'll get the lead after they build up

404
00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:36,159
Speaker 6: their opportunities, and as long as they get continue to

405
00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,399
Speaker 6: play well defensively, they should be just fine.

406
00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,639
Speaker 2: Tom, appreciate this. Let's talk sooner than later here and

407
00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:46,040
Speaker 2: in the meantime, cheers to shorts weather finally coming right

408
00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,520
Speaker 2: around the corner here. Thanks Bud, appreciate.

409
00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:51,320
Speaker 6: You'll I'll go trudge through the snow and my shorts

410
00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:51,879
Speaker 6: mic for you.

411
00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,240
Speaker 2: Oh that's great, Tom, Thank you very much, crack and

412
00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,560
Speaker 2: looking to forward to two and two split with Edmonton

413
00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,720
Speaker 2: in this regular season SERI with Edmonton. They won the

414
00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:04,600
Speaker 2: first match up three to two back on October twenty fifth,

415
00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,840
Speaker 2: fell for nothing in November to the Oilers, and then

416
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,959
Speaker 2: absorbed a nine to four loss in Edmonton back on

417
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,200
Speaker 2: December fourth. Edmonton has suffered their struggles on the power play,

418
00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,080
Speaker 2: just four of twenty eight in their last ten games,

419
00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:21,280
Speaker 2: but don't be fooled by the overall scope. Without question,

420
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,320
Speaker 2: a big key for the Kracket is staying out of

421
00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,160
Speaker 2: the penalty box. With Edmonton leading the NHL in power

422
00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:31,760
Speaker 2: play percentage thirty point two percent on the entire season,

423
00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,400
Speaker 2: yet they are hampered in a bit in the absence

424
00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,800
Speaker 2: of Leon Dreich title who leads Edmonton and right now

425
00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:41,320
Speaker 2: tied for third in the NHL with sixteen power play goals.

426
00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:45,600
Speaker 2: Next closest to him Connor McDavid with eleven and oh hey,

427
00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,840
Speaker 2: speaking of McDavid, very much of the conversation once again

428
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,679
Speaker 2: for the art Ross and the hard trophies as well.

429
00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:54,359
Speaker 2: He leads the NHL right now with one hundred and

430
00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:58,119
Speaker 2: twenty four points in seventy four games, three ahead of

431
00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:02,280
Speaker 2: Nikita Kucharov, who the Crack became very familiar with earlier

432
00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:05,800
Speaker 2: this past month. So the Kraken we'll get to work

433
00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,760
Speaker 2: on trying to contain Edmonton tonight six pm Pacific time,

434
00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,960
Speaker 2: once again aritime covers of five point thirty. We certainly

435
00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:15,160
Speaker 2: hope that you can join us. Big thank you again

436
00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,119
Speaker 2: to Tom Gazol for joining us and for kracking this morning.

437
00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:21,080
Speaker 2: I'm Mike Benton. Have a happy Tuesday. You're home for

438
00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:26,679
Speaker 2: the Kraken. Sports Radio ninety three point three kJ R FM,