Lightning certainly doesn’t strike twice, because the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Tuesday night time (Dec. 10), to conclude their three-game homestand. The Oilers went an ideal 3-0 on this homestand and did so in several methods. In opposition to the Blue Jackets they relied closely on their offence, in opposition to the Blues they received depth contributions, and in opposition to the Lightning they purchased in defensively. With that mentioned, listed below are three takeaways from this low-scoring affair from Rogers Place.
Draisaitl Hits 20 Objectives
Leon Draisaitl hit the 20-goal mark 11:58 into the second interval. He acquired a breakaway cross which Andrei Vasilevskiy denied, however the Lightning goaltender performed the puck off his defenceman, and it deflected into the web for a fortunate bounce. The Oilers famous person is the primary participant to succeed in 20 targets this season, and in his eleventh NHL season, he’s reached this feat 9 instances.
Draisaitl has been excellent. The entire group struggled early within the season, however ever since Connor McDavid missed three video games attributable to harm in late October, Draisaitl actually stepped up and hasn’t regarded again. Much more spectacular is that 16 of his 20 targets have come at even power, and he’s not on a line with McDavid. He’s producing at this price whereas enjoying with Vasily Podkolzin, Kasperi Kapanen, and Viktor Arvidsson (when he’s wholesome). He’s confirmed that he can drive his personal line, and doesn’t want the assistance of the Oilers’ captain. The German ahead is unquestionably within the operating to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy this season. He completed the sport with a purpose and an help, whereas being named the primary star.
Stuart Skinner Shines
The Stuart Skinner critics have been very quiet these days. The Oilers netminder had one other glorious outing, as he stopped 21 of twenty-two pictures for a glowing .955 save proportion (SV%). After a depressing begin to the season, the 26-year-old is slowly creeping again as much as the .900 SV% mark, as he presently sits with a .895 SV% on the marketing campaign. Skinner has been glorious in his final 5 begins, posting above a .935 SV% in all of them.
He made some clutch saves to maintain the sport tied at one within the second interval, and a few key saves within the third to keep up their one-goal lead. The largest downside with Skinner is his lack of ability to make huge saves at vital moments of the sport. Nicely, he’s positively making them now, and that’s enormous not just for his confidence, but additionally for the group in entrance of him. He’s discovered his recreation, as anticipated, and he simply wants to keep up some consistency.
Oilers’ Defence Prevails
The Oilers have had a tough time closing out video games to date this season. They blew a late lead in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights again on Nov. 6, they couldn’t dangle on in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 16, and so they practically blew a 3-0 lead in opposition to the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 7. Nonetheless, they took a 2-1 lead into the third interval in opposition to the Lightning on this one, and located a method to shut it out, largely to their goaltending, but additionally their defensive consciousness and energy degree.
Associated: Oilers Again to Being Stanley Cup Contenders
It’s no straightforward activity going up in opposition to Nikita Kucherov and this Lightning squad, however the Oilers managed to tighten up defensively and forestall high-danger appears from this high-powered offence. The trouble and a spotlight to element had been so obvious on this recreation. They had been backchecking onerous, forcing giveaways, and utilizing lively sticks to pressure turnovers and transition the puck the opposite manner. They stored them to the surface, and didn’t permit something straightforward.
This complete group purchased in defensively, together with the forwards. Kapanen had a fantastic shot block within the final half of the third interval. He felt that one as he was sluggish to rise up. He put his physique on the road which is what you have to do in shut video games, particularly come playoff time. Tampa Bay is averaging 3.81 goals-per-game which ranks them second within the league, and Edmonton shut them down, whereas holding them to just one purpose. That’s an encouraging signal, and they should preserve this degree of defensive prowess. Whereas they nonetheless have to discover a top-four defenceman to play alongside Darnell Nurse, if their blue line can stay regular, they’ve the flexibility to attend till nearer to the commerce deadline to make a commerce, fairly than overpaying now and making a panic transfer.
The Oilers have gained six of their final seven video games which catapulted them into third place within the Pacific Division, passing the Vancouver Canucks within the course of. They’re again in motion Thursday night time (Dec. 12) once they hit the street for a date with the Minnesota Wild, earlier than returning residence for a five-game homestand to take us into the Christmas break.
