Two-goal leads in the third period are our kryptonite. Final Score: 3-2 Avalanche in OT
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On Thursday night, the Oilers broke their five-game losing streak at Rogers Place with a clutch win over the New York Islanders, and it was a much-needed result and effort for a team that hasn’t been very good at home all season. From start to finish, the boys were moving their feet and playing the simple style of game that had all four lines finding ways to chip in, and I felt like if they could keep that same vibe going tonight against the injury-riddled Avs that they would be able to lock in another two points. The tricky part, as we all know, is having the Oilers play the right way consistently and while the matchup vs. Colorado looked good on paper, we all know what happens when we count our chickens early. So that’s why I wasn’t exactly surprised to see that it was the Avalanche that had all of the energy early on, and while the Oilers certainly got more engaged as the period wore on, I also think that they relied on their goaltender way too much. Thankfully Stuart Skinner was dialed in on the 15 shots he faced in the first period compared to the seven the Oilers put on Georgiev. The good news is that our side managed to sneak one through on the power play whereas the Avalanche could not.
Heading into the second period, the Oilers needed a whole lot more urgency in their play to avoid getting caved in and giving up their lead. Even though they managed to grab the lead ahead of the intermission, I find it hard to believe that the boys weren’t talking about what they needed to do better. I bet they talked about playing their own game rather than allowing Colorado to push the pace. But once again, it was the Avalanche that had all of the jump and they were basically able to do as they pleased offensively as the Oilers struggled mightily to break up their cycle. But even as there was plenty of instances that surely annoyed anyone cheering for the blue and orange, the boys still found a way to bend without breaking. Despite being peppered with shots from all over the mad, the Oilers got the goaltending they needed to keep their lead intact, and that magic from Skinner actually opened the door just enough for his teammates to slide through with a second power play goal to extend their advantage before the break. On the opposite end of a goalie-ing for once, there’s little doubt that Stu wasn’t a bit part of the reason the Oilers found themselves up by a pair, and if the first 40 minutes were any indication, the boys were probably going to need him again in the third.
Up by two goals with a period left to play, the boys were in a position to pick up two massive points and a second straight win at home but they were going to need to do a much better job of locking things down. As much as it was nice to have their goalie stand on his head and cover up their mistakes, the Oilers needed to find a way to contribute a little more. But just as I was writing that last sentence, Nathan MacKinnon halved the lead with a coast-to-coast beauty that we’ll be seeing on Sportscentre all night, and all of a sudden, the Oilers were put right back on their heels. And with the momentum back in their corner, the Avalanche looked like they were not at all done yet. Once they got themselves on the board, the Avs looked like the dam had broken wide open and it felt like only a matter of time before the game was tied. Moments later, it was Brad Hunt of all people — who else could it be — to tie the game at the midway point of the period to set the Oilers up for what would be the fourth blown two-goal lead at Rogers Place in their last five attempts. From the moment that second goal went in, I was waiting for the third straight marker to come, and even though it took overtime to get there, my lack of surprise doesn’t make the loss any less infuriating. Why can’t the Oilers ever kick a team when they’re down rather than allowing them to snap a losing streak?
The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

  • Zach Hyman opened the scoring on the power play (1-0) on the back of a beautiful passing play that Leon hit McDavid on the back door before setting Hyman up for a tap-in at the doorstep. Hyman picked up a second power play goal with just under five minutes left in the second period (2-0) on a scramble near the crease that he was able to smash through Georgiev and slowly over the line.
  • After a rare night off against New York, Stuart Skinner was back between the pipes for his 24th start of the season and looking to pick up a win over the team that swept the Oilers back in June. And from start to finish, Skinner was spectacular and had it not been for him, the Oilers would have gotten blown our rather than ending the night with a point. Without question, he was the best Oiler by a country mile. Skinner finished the game with 42 saves and a .933 save%.
  • I like that we’re talking about a two-point night for Leon Draisaitl as he’s quietly putting up a ridiculous season that not even people are talking about?
  • I love the power play more than I love my friends and family. The Oilers picked up another two goals on five chances with the man advantage and I will never get tired of watching this brilliance.
  • The Oilers also killed off all five
  • I can’t even celebrate the fact that the Oilers won 55% of the faceoffs.
  • I ate a lot of pasta and drank a delicious bottle of red wine before and during the game.

PRESENTED BY BETWAY

THE FACE PALMERS

  • Didn’t it seem like only a matter of time before Nathan MacKinnon was going to get a goal? I mean, the dude fired 5300 shots on net so I wasn’t surprised to see him get one, but the fact that the goal he did get (2-1) was a highlight reel beauty certainly adds a little bit of salt to the wound.
  • Are you surprised it was Brad Hunt that tied (2-2) the game on his first goal of the season with a snapshot from the slot that beat Skinner down low? You’re not, are you? Me neither.
  • Cale Makar completed the comeback with a snipe in OT (3-2) that happened on the rush after he flew into the zone and picked his spot up and over Skinner’s shoulder.
  • The Oilers hate having a two-goal lead in the third period. It’s like having on is almost insulting to them. Thursday’s win was the outlier, not the norm.
  • Why can’t this team close out teams that limp into Rogers Place? Why can’t they win more than one game in a row at Rogers Place? Why does this team find new and creative ways to shoot themselves in the foot?
  • What do you think is going to happen when you allow 45 shots on goal?
  • The NHL site had the Oilers listed with 10 giveaways but I don’t buy that for a second.
  • The breakouts continue to suck. 
  • Make. A. Trade. This team can’t defend and needs help.
  • Philip Broberg got hit right between the eyes midway through the second period and bee-lined down the tunnel. Honestly, I think we might need to say a prayer for the kid or something because his luck is horrible when it comes to staying healthy and I was legitimately worried we were going to lose him again at a time when he’s starting to figure things out.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIODAVALANCHEOILERS
15:37
Edmonton
Zach Hyman (19) (Power Play)
Assists: Connor McDavid (43), Leon Draisaitl (39)
0
1
2ND PERIODAVALANCHEOILERS
15:03
Edmonton
Zach Hyman (20) (Power Play)
Assists: Tyson Barrie (24), Leon Draisaitl (40)
0
2
3RD PERIODAVALANCHEOILERS
3:06
Colorado
Nathan MacKinnon (10)
Assists: Cale Makar (27), Evan Rodrigues (8)
1
2
8:19
Colorado
Brad Hunt (1)
Assists: Evan Rodrigues (9), Samuel Girard (6)
2
2
OT SUMMARYAVALANCHEOILERS
2:09
Colorado
Cale Makar (10)
Unassisted
3
2

#GOODCONTENT

Talk to me, Twitter. Hit me up at @jsbmbaggedmilk and Wanye at @Oilersnation and you could find yourself landing in this very spot. 

BETTER LAIT THAN NEVER

After a rough loss to the Seattle Kraken earlier in the week, I was a wee bit upset on this week’s episode of Better Lait Than Never, which meant I had a hard time not running my mouth. Subscribe to Better Lait Than Never for FREE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts from!