Advertise on podcast: Got Yer Back - Rishaug & Strudwick

The Edmonton Oilers escaped with a win over the New York Rangers thanks to a brilliant performance from Devon Levi, who stole two points on a night Edmonton was unusually loose with its defensive details. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown break down Levi’s emergence, a much better third period and why Mike Babcock has convinced Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to embrace a more direct dump-and-chase approach. Brownie and Struddy get into a spirited debate over Edmonton’s reliance on Draisaitl for critical late-game faceoffs, while Shakir Mukhamadullin continues to make Jake Walman’s path back into the lineup increasingly difficult. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Rishaug, Mark Connolly, Jason Strudwick, and Rob Brown break down the Oilers win over the Canucks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers dropped a wild 5–4 game to the Anaheim Ducks on a night filled with penalties, fights, strange officiating and strong emotions from Connor McDavid after he was driven into the net. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown debate whether the hit was dirty, Edmonton’s delayed response and Vasily Podkolzin’s decision to step in, while McDavid explains why those plays are particularly dangerous and reminds everyone that he is, in fact, “not a robot.” The game itself was sloppy and special-teams heavy, with Edmonton repeatedly hurting itself through penalties and turnovers despite another four-point performance from McDavid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers salvaged a point in a 4–3 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils, with Tristan Jarry delivering another strong performance on a night Edmonton struggled to keep pace through stretches of the game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins takes centre stage after becoming the franchise’s all-time leader with 1,038 games played, and Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown reflect on his loyalty, versatility, connection to the city and eventual place in Oilers history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers improved to 7–0 on the road with a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers, continuing a run of disciplined, low-event hockey that has dramatically improved their defensive numbers. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown break down Connor McDavid’s spectacular opening goal and torrid scoring pace, another strong goaltending performance from fourth-stringer Matt Tompkins and the impact Mike Babcock’s structure is having throughout the lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick, and Rob Brown break down the Oilers 4-0 victory over the Islanders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick, and Rob Brown on the Oilers 4-0 win over the Flames to end their homestand.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers dropped their second straight game with a shootout loss to Detroit, but there were encouraging signs from Tristan Jarry, Colton Dach and Ike Howard despite another uneven performance. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown debate whether Edmonton truly bounced back from the Leafs loss, examine the recurring second-period struggles and a third line that may be due for a shakeup, while Zach Hyman’s injury creates another opening in the top six. Still a bounce-back from the Leaf game? (04:28) Dach & Howard depth deliver (11:57) 3rd line leaking goals (28:12) Brownie Points (48:00) Struddy's World (58:42) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers were handed a 7–2 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs on a night Mike Babcock felt should have brought a much better level of compete from his group. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown break down Toronto’s success against the McDavid line, Edmonton’s mounting five-on-five defensive mistakes, the struggling bottom six and whether Babcock should have changed his matchups or split McDavid and Draisaitl. Devin Levi’s injury puts the crease firmly in Tristan Jarry’s hands, while the show also examines the scratches of Trent Frederic and Isaac Howard, Owen Michaels’ declining faceoff numbers and what Edmonton’s lineup could look like as injured players return. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers survived a wild 6–5 shootout win over the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins making an immediate impact in his season debut while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for an absurd 10 points. The guys break down Carolina’s relentless pressure, Edmonton’s costly puck-management mistakes, Devin Levi’s clutch saves and whether the Oilers need to reshuffle a struggling bottom six. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown have all the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Edmonton Oilers leaned on special teams and Devin Levi to pull out a 4–3 overtime win over Minnesota, with birthday boy Evan Bouchard scoring the winner after the Wild’s top unit controlled much of the night at five-on-five. Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown debate Mike Babcock’s matchup decisions and whether McDavid and Draisaitl should have been split, while breaking down the resurgent penalty kill, McDavid’s growing PK role, Levi’s continued push for the crease and what Nugent-Hopkins’ return means for the lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deep dive on the Edmonton Oilers hot start as Ryan Rishuag welcomes Dennis King along with stalwart contributors Jason Strudwick and Rob Brown. Plus, teeing up a marquee head-to-head with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Rishaug, Jason Strudwick, and Rob Brown break down the Oilers 6-2 win in Utah and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Mark Connolly filling in for an injured Ryan Rishaug, the guys break down the Oilers’ first regulation loss of the season, a 4–2 setback to Utah in which Edmonton’s depleted forward depth finally appeared to catch up with them despite another reasonably solid defensive effort. Jason Strudwick & Rob Brown on the panel. PK on the hook, but didn't play poorly (5:50) Never trust a D-man?? (7:38) Things got chippy with the top line (32:55) Brownie Points (51:20) Struddy's World (55:40) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oilers swept their California road trip and extended their winning streak to five and are still without a regulation loss, led by a four-point performance from Connor McDavid in his 800th NHL game and 39 saves from Devon Levi. The guys break down whether Edmonton’s lower-risk, “bend but don’t break” style is sustainable despite regularly being outshot, while highlighting the early impact of Ryan Shea and the commitment McDavid and the rest of the group are showing to Mike Babcock’s system. Vasily Podkolzin’s torrid scoring start also raises the question of whether the Oilers may already have another legitimate top-six finisher in-house. Rishaug, Strudwick and Brown break it all down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.