You won’t get an airport playing like that. Final Score: 6-1 Oilers
I don’t know about you guys but I was pretty excited about tonight’s game from the moment I woke up this morning. I know it’s only been four days since the Oilers last played but it felt like an eternity during clockwatching season, and the fact that so much has been happening in the North Division over that span had me hankerin’ for some action. And much to our collective delight, the boys on both sides of the ice were just as geared up to go as we all were because this hockey game started with some pace, let me tell ya. Hits were thrown, shots were fired, and I found myself daydreaming about how amazing a seven-game playoff series between these two teams would be. Things got even better from there too as the Oilers were able to not only handle the early onslaught that the Jets threw their way but also to counterpunch with a pair of late goals to grab themselves a lead with some insurance. As far as starts go, this one had pretty much everything we could have hoped and I was very excited to see whether they’d be able to carry the momentum through the final 40 minutes.
Heading into the second period, the Oilers picked up exactly where they left off as McDavid added the team’s third goal only three and a half minutes into the frame, which apparently opened the floodgates for his teammates as they were able to tack on three more before the period was over. And even though the Jets were able to get one back before play broke for the intermission, let’s not pretend like this thing was anything other than a total dismantling. If this game happened in minor hockey then the parents would probably request that the refs run the clock. More specifically, this game was a prime example of what can happen when you have no idea how to handle Connor McDavid because the guy went supernova and there was absolutely nothing the Jets could do about it. Heading into the third period with a five-goal lead in their pocket, the Oilers didn’t have to do a whole lot apart from not shooting themselves in the foot multiple times over, and thankfully, they didn’t get anywhere close to that. Instead, what we got was 20 minutes of calm, composed hockey that rode out the clock and locked in what can only be described as a huge win for this hockey team.
The wrap.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

  • @Alex Chiasson opened the scoring (1-0) with a one-timed clapper after Larsson set him up on a tee in the high slot. Draisaitl started the play with a beautiful backhanded pass from the corner that Larsson quickly fed to Chiasson and the puck was in the back of the net. We must also tip our caps to Chiasson as the goal was his 100th in the NHL.
  • Only 2:09 after Chiasson opened the scoring, @Connor McDavid gave his team some insurance (2-0) with a little backhanded chip shot up and over a falling Hellebuyck after the puck made its way to him near the side of the crease. McDavid added a second goal (3-0) early in the second period after he faked a slapshot that Hellebuyck bit on and subsequently slid the puck through his legs to complete the sneakiness. Honestly, that second made me laugh out loud. McDavid completed the hat trick (6-1) with a ridiculous deke on a breakaway that saw him run away with the puck like he was in a car being chased by rickshaws.
  • @Leon Draisaitl got himself on the scoreboard (4-0) with yet another one-timer goal after Nugent-Hopkins fed him with a perfect pass to his wheelhouse when the duo broke into the Jets’ zone on a 2-on-1 that they executed perfectly.
  • @Darnell Nurse continued his heater of a season with yet another goal (5-0) after he jumped up into the rush and one-timed a perfectly placed pass by Puljujarvi up and over a moving Hellebuyck.
  • After scaring everyone when he left practice early over the weekend, @Mike Smith was back between the pipes and looking for his 17th win of the season and he did exactly that by handily outduelling the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. From start to finish, Smith made the saves we needed him to make and some of the ones we only hope he would, and the result was yet another chapter in the incredible season he’s putting together for himself. Smith finished the night with 36 saves and a .973 save%.
  • @Ryan McLeod made his NHL debut and I wanted to give him a shout-out for his efforts. I thought he handled the task of playing 3C quite well as he was highly noticeable throughout the game, even drawing a penalty with his wheels in the first period. From start to finish, McLeod was making plays with confidence and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses from here.
  • Another shout-out goes to @Dmitry Kulikov for making his Oilers debut and looking quietly steady while he was at it.
  • I really liked the Bear/Jones pairing tonight and thought the duo did an excellent job of moving the puck up ice any time when they had possession. Both of those guys can make crisp clean passes, and that ability was on full display here against the Jets.
  • Do you love knowing that the Oilers won 50% of the faceoffs? You’re damned right you do.
  • When you have the two best players on the planet, the only option is to make a t-shirt that reflects their brilliance. Shine bright, boys. Pick up the Dynamic Duo tee here.

THE FACE PALMERS

  • @Mark Scheifele got the Jets on the board (5-1) with a powerplay goal after the Jets moved the puck around the zone efficiently until the puck eventually made its way through a body and onto his stick. It was a weird play because it wasn’t like Scheifele got a direct pass or anything but rather was in the right place at the right time.
  • I kinda wish the second period was long, to be honest.
  • The Oilers only got one chance on the powerplay but they were unable to do anything with the opportunity.
  • I guess it wasn’t the Oilers’ night on special teams as their penalty kill also got tagged with one goal on two chances.
  • Unfortunately, the Corsi Gords will be upset tonight as the Oilers were outshot by a 37-30 margin.

SCORING SUMMARY

#GOODCONTENT

Talk to me, Twitter. Tweet at @Oilersnation and @jsbmbaggedmilk for your chance to land in the Best of the Tweets.

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