GDB 54.0 Wrap Up: That Blows

7 years ago

Three game streak! Wait… Final Score: 2-1 Hurricanes

After last night’s trash feast in Nashville I couldn’t decide whether or it was going to be a good thing or not that the Oilers were back at it less than 24 hours later. Part of me thought it might mean good news for the team to get back on the ice as quickly as possible and give themselves another shot at redemption, but that was the exact same thing that I said yesterday. I thought the Oilers were going to come out firing against the Predators after the gong show that was the Minnesota matchup and that just didn’t happen at all. Though, tonight’s game was better overall the Oilers suffered the same fate and the losing streak continues.

As much as I was expecting doom and gloom from the jump the Oilers actually had a decent start to the hockey game. Apart from the defensive lapse that led to a goal by Jordan Staal and their inability to get one the puck past Cam Ward, the Oilers play a respectable road period. The biggest problem, though, was the lack of scoring for a team that was on fire before the All-Star Break. Who better to make it rain in a time of drought than Connor McDavid with his 18th goal of the year, a goal that temporarily seemed to give his teammates a boost. By the time the second period ended, things were looking good.

With the game tied headed into the third period, the Oilers had a chance to break their losing streak and get themselves much-needed points in the standings. Things started out alright until the Oilers found themselves down a man early. Unfortunately, the questionable tripping call that put Jordan Eberle in the box resulted in the Canes scoring what ended up being the game-winning goal. I know that the Oilers could have killed it off, and they had a few chances to clear the zone, but it’s still annoying that the game winner came from such a lame call. After that, the rest of the period was a wash and rather than score a point or two the losing streak continues.

As much as it’s annoying that the Oilers lost again, this was a better 60-minute effort than we’ve seen in the last two game, but when no one other than Connor McDavid can score you’ve got a road map for a bad time. The Oilers can’t be a one-man band all of the time.

Wrap it up.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

The Oilers desperately needed a goal and who better to get it than the captain. After snapping his stick after taking a slash, Connor grabbed a new cue from the bench and used it to score the game-tying goal (his 18th) almost immediately. Connor was easily the best Oilers forward tonight and he was creating chances all night long. McDavid’s goal was also his 60th point which netted him a $212,500 bonus cheque. *ka-ching*
Leon Draisaitl got four shots on net tonight but was snake bitten a little bit. Despite not being able to finish, Draisaitl made things happen and kept plays alive more than he let them die.
For the second night in a row, Cam Talbot was solid in net for the Oilers and he gave his team a chance to win. You could say that he’d maybe want Staal’s goal back but I that’s nitpicking and Dadbot was not the problem tonight. He finished the night with 21 saves and a .913 save%.
Oscar Klefbom played a team-high 26:47 tonight and got an assist on his perfect pass on McDavid’s second-period goal. Klefbom keeps getting better which can be nothing but good news for the Oilers.
Adam Larsson also had a good night on the top pairing, playing a quietly effect 22:02. Larsson got the second assist on McDavid’s goal and he finds himself producing points a little bit since the beginning of 2017.
Outshot the Hurricanes 25-21 but can’t score right now if their name isn’t Connor McDavid.

THE FACE PALMERS

Oscar Klefbom drifted over to the right side (Talbot’s right) to chase his man and it created a 2-on-1 down low. Nuge couldn’t eliminate Staal’s stick and he banged the puck past Talbot to take the lead.
The Hurricanes have the 23rd ranked NHL power play and they made it look easy tonight on Aho’s third-period goal. Carolina moved the puck around the zone, shot, retrieved missed pucks, and maintained pressure until they were finally able to score.
Only six shots in the third period which isn’t nearly enough for a team that was down a goal.
Matt Benning got absolutely levelled by Viktor Stahlberg behind the net despite not having the puck. It was a weird play because Stahlberg got bumped into the lane by Davidson and Benning was blindsided inadvertently. It probably could have been interference but who knows? Regardless, Benning left the game and didn’t return after being down on the ice and bleeding. Horrible news for one of the best stories of the season. I hope he’s alright.
The Oilers need to get more out of their second line than what they got tonight. The Lucic-Nuge-Eberle line didn’t produce much of anything and it looked, to me, like the two wingers were sluggish and late getting everywhere. RNH may not have had a great night either but at least he backchecks.
Kris Russell played the fewest minutes of any defender (Benning excluded) and I think it’s because he’s getting a horrible habit of passing to guys that are looking in the opposite direction. He did it again tonight and it’s starting to blow my mind. Small details, people. McLellan must not have liked something if played him so few minutes even with an injury on the back end.
Pouliot only played 10:19 which is pretty much getting paid to watch hockey. His days are numbered.
The Oilers couldn’t score on any of their three power-play chances despite getting plenty of chances. When they were winning games they were able to get some offense from the PP but the bonus goals weren’t there tonight. On the bright side, they did produce chances so maybe that means that they’re in for another run.
The Hurricanes scored on their lone power play chance. What else can you say?
44% in the faceoff circle. Broken record.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
11:36	Carolina	Jordan Staal (11) ASST: Elias Lindholm (18), Jaccob Slavin (17)	0-1

2ND PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
08:04	Edmonton	Connor McDavid (18) ASST: Oscar Klefbom (12), Adam Larsson (11)	1-1

3RD PERIOD

TIME	TEAM	DETAILS	SCORE
01:48	Carolina	PPG – Sebastian Aho (16) ASST: Justin Faulk (13), Teuvo Teravainen (17)	1-2

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