GDB 51.0 Wrap Up: California Sweep

7 years ago

(Tied for) First-Place! *clap clap* (tied for) First-Place! *clap clap* Final Score: 4-1 Oilers

After last night’s win against the Ducks, I was feeling fired up about tonight’s game against the Sharks. I don’t even know how to articulate the excitement I felt about the opportunity for the Oilers to take down both of the California teams that have historically taken their lunch money over the past decade. Not only did the Oilers have a chance at a California sweep (check!), they also had a chance to head into the break tied for first place. It was a strange feeling to be this excited about a game against the San Jose Sharks, because, as I mentioned, these haven’t exactly been all that much fun over the years.

If the Oilers were going to extend their winning streak and head into the All-Star break on a roll, they were going to have to get the same kind of effort and pack mentality as they got last night. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to get their legs under them as fast as they did in Anaheim and the Sharks took advantage early. Even so, Edmonton found a way to keep themselves in the mix, bent but didn’t break, and eventually found a way to claw themselves out of a hole and into a lead. Unlike tradition, the Sharks’ early pressure didn’t get them as far ahead as they would have liked. In years past, the Oilers would have been down on the ice in the fetal position before the first period was even over. Their ability to hang around and keep games tight has given them opportunities and wins that would never have been there before.

Despite losing the Corsi and needing to block (literally) dozens of shots, the Oilers headed into the third period with a lead and a chance at a share of the division lead. Much like they did against the Ducks, the Oilers were able to surf the waves of pressure that the Sharks threw their way, and rather than hold back and pray for the buzzer they went out and added an insurance marker and an empty net goal. It may not have been perfect, but when the Oilers combine near perfect goaltending with the ability to score four goals, they’re going to have a very good chance at winning, and that’s exactly what happened tonight. Talbot was lights out and he got some run support from the team in front of him. That, my friends, is a huge win going into the All-Star Break.

It’s January, the Oilers are tied for first place in the division, and I don’t know what to do with my hands.

For the last time before the All-Star break, we wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

The first of Andrej Sekera’s two goals was the most Sekera goal of all time. Not only did he score a goal (his sixth) but the puck also hit a Sharks player on its way to the net. That’s a Sekera Special, right there. His second goal was a perfectly placed clapper from the point on the power play and, at least for one night, Reggie Sekera outduelled Brent Burns for the ‘Offensive Juggernaut’ title.
Drake Caggiula flew down the left wing on a partial break and he made no mistake on a quick wrister that beat Martin Jones for his fourth goal of the season.
McPoint! Connor McDavid added to his league lead in assists with his 42nd helper of the year and added an empty net goal to seal things off at the end. This was Connor’s 18th multi-point game of the year, and I’m still pinching myself that he’s here.
I know the fancies say that playing goalies on back-to-back nights is a bad idea but Cam Talbot was the wall Trump is looking for once again. He made all the saves you would expect your goalie to make and a bunch that seemed like sure goals. As much as Talbot deserves to be in the All-Star Game I’m happy that he gets to spend a few days off with his family. He’s earned the break. Dadbot finished the night with 32 saves and a .970 save%.
Two more points for Leon Draisaitl as he continues to build his case for Peter Chiarelli to hand him the keys to a gold mansion in the river valley somewhere.
Oscar Klefbom was once again +2 and led the team in ice time with 25:37. Those are big minutes on the second night of a back-to-back and Klefbom handled them admirably. It’s nice to see him get better as the season progresses.
Pat Maroon was a wrecking ball on the ice and I loved every minute of it. He was smashing bodies, running around like he didn’t know how to stop, and causing mayhem anytime he had the chance.
The penalty kill was perfect and they had some heavy lifting to do. The Sharks have a very good power play but couldn’t manage to get anything past Talbot on any of their four attempts. Magic by the Oilers.
The power play came up big with Andrej Sekera scoring the winning goal on a perfectly placed (with the help of a deflection or two) slapshot from the point.

THE FACE PALMERS

Matt Benning had a shot blocked in the offensive zone and the Sharks walked it back into the Oilers’ end and Logan Couture cashed in on a nice passing play.
I couldn’t tell you how many times the Oilers gave up the puck at their own blueline but I’d wager that the number pushed close to double digits. I know the ice was bad but both teams were playing on the same sheet and I didn’t see the Sharks giving it up that much.
Brandon Davidson had a tough game and it showed in his ice time. Davi played a team low 10:42 and didn’t get much time after a couple of early giveaways.
I wonder how much you have to pay to ride the gondola up to wherever it is that the Sharks film their hockey games from.
I hate goal challenges. Most of the time, they do nothing apart from slow the game down. At best, they cancel out goals in a league that’s supposedly starved for offense. *farts loudly*
Adam Larsson got a double minor for high-sticking in the third period despite Thornton being clipped on Larsson’s follow through. That’s not supposed to be a penalty. I will not complain about the refs. I will not complain about the refs. I will not complain about the refs.
The Oilers finished 49% in the faceoff circle which isn’t bad considering the team they were playing against, but they were an awful 29% in the first period. Still an area for improvement.
The Oilers had 28 blocked shots which might seem like a good thing until you really think about it.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
04:05	San Jose	Logan Couture (17) ASST: Mikkel Boedker (11), Patrick Marleau (9)	0-1
19:54	Edmonton	Andrej Sekera (6) ASST: Connor McDavid (42)	1-1

2ND PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
17:09	Edmonton	PPG – Andrej Sekera (7) ASST: Leon Draisaitl (26)	2-1

3RD PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
11:31	Edmonton	Drake Caggiula (4)	3-1
18:08	Edmonton	EN – Connor McDavid (17) ASST: Leon Draisaitl (27)	4-1

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