GDB 13.0 Wrap Up: As it was meant to be, Oilers win 4-3 in Detroit

5 years ago

That’s a good way to start off the road trip, boys! Final Score: 4-3 Oilers

Coming into today’s game against Detroit, my biggest concern was that the Oilers would play down to the Red Wings’ level. Over the first month of the season, we’ve watched our boys battle and hold their own against some of the best teams in the NHL and, to me, that meant that it was absolutely crucial that they not let themselves slip against lesser competition. Not only did I want to see the Oilers win this game as we all expected them to, I wanted them to make it hurt. I know it might seem a little much to want to see a total demolition of a rebuilding team, but I’ve watched more than enough rebuild-related beatdowns over the past decade to make me want to be on the other end of the equation for once. I don’t think that’s too much to ask? No, I didn’t think so either. After Drake Caggiula scored only 12 seconds after the opening faceoff, I thought my dreams of a rebuild beat down were about to be answered.

Getting a goal on the first shot of the game was the kind of start that we haven’t had go our way a whole lot, but it certainly brought a smile to faces across the Nation and made this humble blogger believe that there were to be no beets in my future. Unfortunately, Edmonton’s goal per 12-second pace didn’t last, the counterpunching began, and a bad defensive breakdown in their own zone permitted the Red Wings to get on the board and a lucky bounce off the boards got them another. Even though they were heavily outshot all night long and the Oilers were clearly the better team here, the Red Wings were incredibly resilient and it was a quality that kept them in it for all 60 minutes. The good news is that our boys didn’t let the untimely goals or youthful exuberance affect them beyond allowing this game to end up closer than it should have been. But as the game wore on, the Oilers poured on waves of offensive pressure with each line contributing something different, and it got to the point where the Red Wings were overwhelmed and making mistakes that cost them enough goals to lose.

At the end of the day, the team that was supposed to win did exactly that, and even though it wasn’t the lopsided beatdown that I was hoping for, our guys still walk away with two more points in the bank which is ultimately what matters.

The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

How about Drake Caggiula scoring on the first shot of the game for the Oilers? First of all, the Drake clearly doesn’t want to give Ty Rattie his spot back as he continues to produce with McNuge, and secondly, it’s way more fun to GET a first shot goal than to allow one. Fact! Science! Hell yes! How bad does Caggiula want The Answer title belt?
Not to be outdone, Alex ‘The Answer’ Chia’s son refused to give up his title as he added his sixth goal of the season by pumping home a perfect cross-ice pass by Connor McDavid. This battle for The Answer belt is really heating up!
How about Kyle Brodziak scoring his first goal of the season that came as a result of a top shelf snipe? Khaira set the two-time Oiler up with some time in the high slot and Brodziak made no mistake of scoring his first goal with the Oilers in almost a decade. Deciding that one goal just wasn’t enough, Brodziak followed up with an insurance marker midway through the third period to add another nail into the Red Wings coffin.
I want to give a special shout out to the fourth line for playing well all night long, and it seemed like only a matter of time before they would click and make something pop. You gotta love when you get two big goals from the fourth line that help carry the team to a win.
I will never tire of watching Connor do Connor things like putting up another casual two-point performance. Sometimes when I’m watching him it feels like he’s just waiting to be drafted to a league above this one that doesn’t exist yet.
It was another great night for Oscar Klefbom as he continues to perform like a top pairing defenceman for this hockey team. Once again, he played the most minutes on the team (24:57) and he looked damned good doing it. Both he and Larsson have really taken steps forward this season.
Mikko Koskinen earned a second straight start after his brilliant performance against the Blackhawks on Thursday and he followed it up with another fine effort for the Oilers, though I’m sure he’d like to have the first two goals back. Koskinen was a highly debated signing around here, I know I personally thought it was ridiculous at the time, but the Hope from Helsinki has come in and done his job in all three appearances and he’s walked away with the win every time. Koskinen finished his night with 23 saves and a .885 save%.
I don’t know what it’s going to take to get Tobias Rieder a goal but I can’t think of any forward that deserves one more then he does. The guy is doing everything right except for finishing, and I can’t help but think the floodgates are about to open.
It was another perfect night for the Oilers PK as they shut the door on both of Detroit’s opportunities. Another nice performance after the gong show against Minnesota earlier in the week.
Gotta like 53% in the faceoff circle! It’s always nice to start with the puck rather than chase it.
The boys at Nation HQ are doing Movember and are looking for donations and people to join their team. If you’re interested in either you can Click here

THE FACE PALMERS

De La Rose was on a 13-game scoring drought and ended it tonight against the Oilers. Are you surprised? You’re not, are you? After a tough giveaway by Nurse in the defensive zone, the Red Wings got all kinds of undeserved zone time and they turned it into a game-tying goal.
Tough luck for Koskinen and the Oilers on Danny DeKeyser’s goal in the final minute of the second period. His point shot bounced off the end boards, towards the net, and in off of Mikko Koskinen’s skate to bring the home side back to within one. Shit happens, though I’m sure we’ll some complaints about Koskinen’s positioning.
Tyler Bertuzzi made things interesting at the end of the game as he batted the puck out of mid-air and past Koskinen to bring the Red Wings back to within one. With 90 seconds left in the game, Bertuzzi’s goal made things close but was ultimately too little too late.
The Oilers only got one powerplay chance on the night but they really weren’t able to make anything happen with it. I know it was a small sample size but I’m always hoping for goals when it comes to the PP.
I don’t want this to seem like I’m being negative or complaining after a big win, but the Oilers need to get something, ANYTHING out of their third line. Right now, the Ryan Strome line is as likely to score as I am and I don’t think I have to tell anyone how big of a problem that is.
I can’t imagine ownership is all that happy about the half-empty barn in Detroit. The timing of their rebuild and that of the new arena opening has gotta be frustrating on some or all levels.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
00:12	Edmonton	Drake Caggiula (5) ASST: Connor McDavid (11), Oscar Klefbom (6)	1-0
14:52	Detroit	Jacob De La Rose (1) ASST: Gustav Nyquist (10), Michael Rasmussen (2)	1-1

2ND PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
01:15	Edmonton	Alex Chiasson (6) ASST: Connor McDavid (12), Adam Larsson (4)	2-1
14:29	Edmonton	Kyle Brodziak (1) ASST: Jujhar Khaira (3)	3-1
19:24	Detroit	Danny DeKeyser (1) ASST: Luke Glendening (5), Martin Frk (1)	3-2

3RD PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
08:57	Edmonton	Kyle Brodziak (2) ASST: Jujhar Khaira (4)	4-2
18:34	Detroit	Tyler Bertuzzi (5) ASST: Dylan Larkin (9), Gustav Nyquist (11)	4-3

#GOODCONTENT

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OILERSNATION RADIO

It’s been another action-packed seven days for our beloved Edmonton Oilers since we last recorded, and they finished their week with a 3-1 record which gave us plenty to talk about. We start things off by recapping the week that was, specifically going through the games against Minnesota and Chicago and talking about how sometimes the stats don’t always match up to results. With that in mind, Cooom drops a hot take on us about a major player being moved out of town, and we give our thoughts on whether or not it will happen. Major player? Leaving? Say it ain’t so, Cooom.

Source: NHL, Official Game Page, 11/03/2018 – 7:45 pm MT

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