THE BRIGHT SIDE

• You’ve gotta love balanced scoring!
• Pat Maroon tied the game up for the Oilers off of a beautiful pass from Zack Kassian. Maroon was coming into the zone off of a change and Kassian hit him in the slot, giving him a clear shot on Tuukka Rask. The Big Rig made no mistake as he put the puck upstairs for his seventh goal of the season.
• Adam Larsson got a little bit of luck as his wrister from the point snuck through traffic and took a friendly bounce past Rask two temporarily give the Oilers a 2-1 lead.
• Leon Draisaitl walked into the zone and found Ryan Strome trailing up behind the play. After taking a perfect pass into the slot, Strome made no mistake and fired a rocket past Rask and into the top corner. It was a hell of a shot for his fourth goal of the year.
• Speaking of Draisaitl, he had a hell of a game today. It was one of those days where it seemed like he was able to produce something on almost every shift. His passing game was on point, his puck possession was impressive, he scored the empty netter, and this had to be one of his best games in a while.
• After missing the Buffalo game with the flu, Cam Talbot was back between the pipes and looking to get the Oilers back on track. Talbot looked good after missing Friday’s game and he gave his team a chance to win which is pretty much all you can ask for. Dadbot finished a very solid game with 23 saves and a .920 save%. Big win for Talbot.
• As we’ve come to expect, Connor McDavid had another multi-point night, adding two more assists to his total. I expect him to break the top five in league scoring any day now.
• Darnell Nurse was a +3 to go along with his team leading 25:01 worth of ice time. He’s really emerging as a legit top 4 defender as this season progresses and it’ll be neat to see where his ceiling is. Another solid night for Darryl.
• The Oilers did a really good job of limiting Boston’s chances on net from the high quality scoring areas. A lot of their shots came from the outside and that’s a credit to the Oilers playing a much tighter brand of hockey.
• Once again, Edmonton did a good job in the faceoff circle, winning 54% of the draws they took. Draisaitl led the way at 64% with Nuge following at 58%.
• No #BeetCast tonight! It’s a Grey Cup miracle.
• We’re doing a game day watch party next weekend at the Pint Downtown. It’s a free event where we’ll have games, giveaways, and a NationGear pop-up shop. Get the details here.

THE FACE PALMERS

• The Oilers took the first penalty of the game and weren’t able to kill it off as David Pastrnak was able to gain some space in the defensive zone and bury the opener. Klefbom got caught out of position and Pastrnak took what was given to him. If you’re looking for an extra punch to the figs, Tuukka Rask picked up an assist on the play.
• How many times have the Oilers allowed a goal almost immediately after scoring one? I don’t have the number for you but that’s exactly what happened David Krejci tied things up only 1:16 after Adam Larsson gave Edmonton the lead. Luckily, this quick comeback goal meant nothing in the end.
• Turnovers at the blue line are something that is causing all kinds of trouble for the Oilers. If they could find a way to eliminate those I bet you they would give up a goal or two less per game.
• Remember that scene in Mighty Ducks when they pass the eggs back and forth on the ice? I think the Oilers need to try something like that. Passing is an issue right now and I think the boys could take a minute to work on that. Maybe getting back to basics is what they need so that they remember? The Oilers still had some issues with the breakout tonight.
• Were special teams a problem again? No but they could have been. Were you surprised? No. Why can’t the Oilers score on the power play? Who the hell knows. Another day, another 0/2 performance with the man advantage.

SCORING SUMMARY

#GOODCONTENT

THE BLACK FRIDAY BLACKOUT COLLECTION