GDB 66.0 Wrap Up: Oilers complete the third period comeback, lock in huge 3-2 win over the Bruins

1 year ago

Depth goals ftw! Final Score: 3-2 Oilers

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When these two teams met up 10 days ago, the Oilers came up with one of their better efforts of the season despite falling to the Bruins by a 3-2 score. It was one of those nights where the boys probably played well enough to win, but some costly mistakes ultimately sunk the ship. For tonight’s rematch, the Oilers needed to bring that same level of effort while also eliminating the errors that led to their demise. So to see the boys run the show for the first three or four minutes of the game, I was pumped about the way things were going outside of not getting anything past Swayman. Unfortunately, the Bruins didn’t have the same issue as Brad Marchand was able to open the scoring on a quick wrister that beat Skinner up high to snatch an early lead. The Oilers’ luck didn’t improve much either as David Pastrnak ended up extending the lead with 0.2 seconds left on the clock after a tough giveaway by Skinner in the dying seconds of the frame.

I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that spotting the Boston Bruins a two-goal lead is a disastrous plan, but that’s where the Oilers were heading into the second period. Even more frustrating was the fact that the Oilers actually had a pretty decent road period but just couldn’t get the saves they needed to keep the game knotted up. Down by two goals with 40 minutes to play, the only option for the Oilers was to get the next goal or this thing was going to be game over long before the final buzzer went. Thankfully, Evan Bouchard understood the assignment and picked up his first goal in 43 games to pull the Oilers back to within a single goal and into the mix. Once Bouchard’s goal went in, I was hoping that the Oilers would be able to gather some momentum and get themselves back into the game, but that extra lift just never seemed to materialize. I mean, there were some shots on net and a few decent looks on Swayman, but for the most part, the Bruins did a really good job of keeping Edmonton to the outside of the ice and limiting their ability to attack in tight.

Down by a goal with 20 minutes to play, the boys needed to find a way to get more pucks on net. They needed to do a better job of creating their own luck since it was abundantly clear after two periods that the Bruins weren’t going to make anything easy for our boys. But even though we all read the stats and know how good the Bruins have been all season, I also felt that getting one more goal was doable if our side could bring a little bit of their A-game. Boston is a damned fine hockey team, but so are the Oilers at their best. What I didn’t expect, however, was that the boys would find a way to not only tie things up but even wrestle the lead away from a team that had yet to give up a third period lead all season. Led by goals from Ryan McLeod and Darnell Nurse, the Oilers did what no other team has been able to do so far this season and beat Boston when they had a lead late. And yeah, there were moments when you wished the Oilers did things differently, but it’s hard to argue how exciting it is to see the boys pull out a win like this.

The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Evan Bouchard got the Oilers on the board (2-1) after a giveaway at the Oilers’ blue line led to a 4-on-1 going the other way. Once in the Boston zone, Janmark hit Bouch with a pass up high and dad buried his shot clean, giving dad his first goal since November 28th against the Panthers.
Ryan McLeod tied the game (2-2) with a one-timer goal from the slot after Devin Shore found him with a pass that he was able to lean into.
Darnell Nurse gave the Oilers the lead late in the third period (3-2) with a seeing-eye wrister from the point that made its way through a few legs before beating Swayman through the legs.
What a weird night for Stuart Skinner, ya know? After allowing a couple of soft goals in the first period, Stu was dialed in the rest of the way and wouldn’t allow another on the evening. It was the kind of performance you want to see from your starter as he battled back to give his team the netminding they needed to close out the comeback. Skinner finished the night with 26 saves and a .929 save%.
Another game, another Mattias Ekholm appreciation post. The guy is a monster on the ice and I love watching the way he punishes the opposition any time he gets the chance. I’m not saying he’s the flashiest guy you’ll ever see, but dammit do I love the way he defends.
How about Devin Shore? The guy has yo-yo’d between the NHL and AHL all season, but after being recalled this latest time, Shore finds himself on a three-game point streak.
Looking at the special teams, the power play finished at 0-for-1 on the evening while the PK wrapped up the evening at a perfect 2-for-2.
I love Jeremy Coupal. The guy doesn’t miss on offside reviews and I love it.
You know I love seeing that the Oilers won 53% of the playoffs.

PRESENTED BY BETWAY

THE FACE PALMERS

Brad Marchand opened the scoring (1-0) with a quick snap on the first shot of the game after he came onto the ice for a line change with perfect timing, beating Skinner with a well-placed snipe through the five-hole before he could get set.
David Pastrnak extended the lead (2-0) with a one-timer from the slot after David Krejci intercepted a horrific giveaway by Skinner on a clearing attempt that quickly wound up in the back of the net. These are the mistakes you cannot make against the Bruins and the Oilers just cannot avoid shooting themselves in the foot.
The Oilers only had 13 shots on goal after 40 minutes and that’s nowhere near good enough when your opponent is as strong as the Bruins.
How did the Oilers only get one power play chance? The Bruins were running picks and interference all night and just seemed to get away with it.
Oilers were outshot 28-22 and I’d like to see them get more pucks on net than that.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD			Edmonton	Boston

3:51	Bruins	Brad Marchand (20) Assists: David Pastrnak (41), Brandon Carlo (11)	0	1
19:59	Bruins	David Pastrnak (45) Assists: David Krejci (38)	0	2

2ND PERIOD
			Edmonton	Boston
10:44	Oilers	Evan Bouchard (4) Assists: Mattias Janmark (13)	1	2

3RD PERIOD
			Edmonton	Boston
6:08	Oilers	Ryan McLeod (11) Assists: Devin Shore (7)	2	2
15:11	Oilers	Darnell Nurse (7) Assists: Cody Ceci (12), Leon Draisaitl (56)	3	2

#GOODCONTENT

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