How about facing the defending Stanley Cup Champions for a test? A 2-0 start too? Sure, why not! @Leon Draisaitl and @Caleb Jones score early to give the Oilers a nice lead against a good St. Louis team.
Never in doubt!
The Oilers came out flying in the first period. Outshooting the Blues 13-3 and outscoring them 2-0. That’s the fewest amount of shots they’ve had in a first period all season.
The Oilers let up a bit in the second period. St. Louis scored a goal and outshot Edmonton 13-7. Oilers couldn’t just protect the lead in the third period.
St. Louis’ second goal felt inevitable. But Leon. Draisaitl. What a goal.
Oilers hang in and @Josh Archibald seals the deal with the empty-net goal. Solid win, all things considered. Edmonton probably took their foot off the gas pedal too much, but a win’s a win. Draisaitl had an excellent game. I liked the RNH-Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto line a lot. I thought McDavid’s had better nights, and that’s with some unreal plays still from Connor.
@Mikko Koskinen made the saves he needed to make. That was a quality start after not playing regularly. Basically all you can ask from him. I like this defence group a lot. Jones-Matt Benning is a great third pairing and almost every defenceman is a pretty capable passer, save for maybe Adam Larsson. I’d continue with this group even when Kris Russell returns.
Tyler Benson should draw in tomorrow, especially if @James Neal is still unable to play. After the revelation Yamamoto has been you have to give Benson the same chance. I’d like to see him with @Connor McDavid. Hard to ask him to play his game alongside @Riley Sheahan or @Gaetan Haas.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

  • Draisaitl scores early in the first. Draisaitl was getting a little too close with the post against Calgary. Good to see him score early against the Blues
  • Always nice to have the defence chip in a goal. Big Jones guy here.
  • @Jake Allen’s been better in the backup role, but it’s still nice to face him instead of @Jordan Binnington. Binnington’s save percentage has come down a bit, but he’s easily the better goalie most nights.
  • @Sammy Blais is an elite name.
  • Oilers kill off the first power play of the game.
  • How bad was that @Ryan O’Reilly trade on Buffalo’s side? He looks incredible with David Perron.
  • Nice two-on-one with Draisaitl and McDavid.
  • @Sam Gagner with a nice shot down low. I really like Gagner still. He’s useful and still has a scoring touch. I think he should be in the lineup more.
  • Lovely save from Koskinen on a good @Alex Pietrangelo shot.
  • First-period thoughts: Haas looks good tonight.
  • Oilers outshot the Blues in the first period. Excellent start.
  • Give me more Yamamoto on the power play.
  • Larsson throws some big hits on the penalty kill midway through the second period.
  • Another excellent Gagner chance in the second period.
  • Oh my lord, McDavid. He dances around the Blues with seconds left in the second period, just missing a great chance.
  • Draisaitl restores the lead with some sweet finish on a partial breakaway.
  • Third shorthanded goal of the season to seal the deal for the Oilers.

THE DARK SIDE

  • I miss David Perron. That trade wasn’t bad, both the trade to bring him to Edmonton and the one to Pittsburgh, but it’s kind of incredible how he’s hit another offensive level in his late twenties and early thirties.
  • St. Louis making a push in the second period. Oilers are sitting back a bit too much.
  • Not sure what that encounter with the Blues’ bench was with Chiasson, but pretty sure that’s not allowed.
  • Oilers get outshot 13-7 in the second period. Not ideal.
  • Blues tie it up after a period of sustained pressure early in the third period. That felt inevitable.
  • McDavid had some McDavid moments, but I felt this was one of his more mortal games.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST PERIOD

TIMETEAMDETAILSSCORE
05:31
EDMONTON
LEON DRAISAITL (28) ASST: RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS (22)
0-1
05:48
EDMONTON
CALEB JONES (1) ASST: MATT BENNING (6)
0-2

2ND PERIOD

TIMETEAMDETAILSSCORE
10:57
ST. LOUIS
DAVID PERRON (23) ASST: ALEX PIETRANGELO (30), ZACH SANFORD (12)
1-2

3RD PERIOD

TIMETEAMDETAILSSCORE
02:12
St. Louis
Robert Thomas (9) ASST: Tyler Bozak (14)
2-2
04:13
Edmonton
Leon Draisaitl (29) ASST: Kailer Yamamoto (4), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (23)
2-3
18:19
Edmonton
EN – SHG – Josh Archibald (7)
2-4

#GOODCONTENT