GDB 15.0 Wrap Up: Evander Kane hat trick leads Oilers to comeback victory
8 months ago
The Oilers are so back.
On Wednesday evening, Edmonton hosted the Seattle Kraken, defeating the newest NHL team 4-3 in OVEEEERRRTIME. This was their third win in a row, which brings their record to 5-9-1. There’s still a long way to go, but things are looking on the up and up.
The Oilers started the scoring with a pretty nice goal from captain Connor McDavid, before Seattle scored three in a row to take a 3-1 lead. Never fear, though, as the Oilersnation Player of the Game decided to go into beast mode.
THE WRAP UP IS PRESENTED BY BETWAY
Oilersnation Player of the Game: Evander Kane
Remember the most recent time the Oilers played the Kraken, how Zach Hyman scored a natural hat trick in the first period? Well, Evander Kane also scored a natural hat trick, with two goals in the third period and the game-winning goal in overtime.
Kane’s first goal in Wednesday’s contest came within five feet of the Seattle goal, as he received a pass from Evan Bouchard and slotted it past the goaltender. The second goal, which came with under a minute remaining in the game, also was within five feet of the goal, as Leon Draisaitl gave him a sick feed for the easy tap in. The third goal was rather similar to the second, albeit a little bit further back, as he found open space to receive the puck from Hyman and beat the Kraken goaltender with a one-timer.
With three goals on the night, Kane now has seven goals and 15 points in 15 games. After a tough start to his season, Kane is really starting to find his game in the top six. This was Kane’s fourth hat trick since joining the Oilers.
Other notes from the game…
Adam Erne, thank you for your service. The 28-year-old spent six games in the NHL before being placed on waivers and sent to Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League. After numerous injuries, the most recent being Dylan Holloway’s long-term injury, Erne was recalled. Well, in his first game back, he elbowed Seattle’s Pierre-Edouard Belleaere in the head, which will surely be a suspension. Rockstar stuff there from Erne, as Bellemare completed the game.
Connor McDavid looks to be back in form, as he rushed down the left wing board, received a pass from Draisaitl, and beat the Seattle goalie by going across the goal mouth. This was his fourth goal of the season, and he now has 13 points in 13 games. Odd to say a player has been underachieving with a point per game, but that’s the way it is with the best player to have ever played.
Stuart Skinner saved 33 shots on 36 attempts for the Seattle Kraken, giving him a .917 save percentage for the game. This was Skinner’s third straight game with a save percentage over .900, as he had a .970 save percentage on Monday, and a .944 save percentage on Saturday. For the season, Skinner has an .881 save percentage and a 3.23 goals against average, still pretty bad, but he’s been better as of late.
Evan Bouchard had an under-the-radar game, picking up three assists in the evening. For the season, the defenceman now has three goals and 15 points in the 15 Oilers games. At this pace, he’ll easily beat his career-high 43 points set in 2021-22.
The Oilers return to action on Saturday as they’ll face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2:00 PM MT in Tampa. Let’s get back to .500, shall we?
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