The Edmonton Oilers performed a uncommon full hockey sport towards the New York Rangers on Saturday evening (Nov. 23). They dominated early and infrequently, leading to a 6-2 victory at Rogers Place. The Oilers have been relentless within the offensive zone all through the sport, leading to a 21-9 shot differential after the primary interval, and outshooting the Rangers 40-34 by the top of the sport. New York was by no means actually on this sport and didn’t have a lot sustained offence all through the competition. The Oilers put the pedal to the ground and got here away with a dominating win. With that mentioned, listed below are three takeaways from this Saturday evening victory.
Oilers Acquired Contributions All through the Lineup
All people stepped up for the Oilers on this one, and that’s an ideal signal. They want contributions from all through the lineup extra incessantly in the event that they wish to discover sustained success this season. There have been 10 completely different gamers who had factors, together with a number of unsuspecting suspects. Vasily Podkolzin scored his first aim of the season, Troy Stecher obtained his first level of the season, Kasperi Kapanen registered his first level as an Oiler, and each Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark registered two assists every. On prime of that, Darnell Nurse scored a giant shorthanded aim on the finish of the primary interval, and Adam Henrique additionally obtained an help.
Associated: Oilers Dominate Rangers in 6-2 Victory
The standard gamers additionally obtained on the scoresheet with Connor McDavid getting three factors, and each Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard registering two factors every. This was the prototypical 60-minute efficiency. They obtained nice goaltending, defended effectively, obtained secondary scoring, and the massive weapons nonetheless had a giant evening.
Stuart Skinner Quietly Had a Nice Recreation
Stuart Skinner has been the subject of dialog in Oil Nation and never for purpose. His current struggles have introduced up a number of commerce talks, and if the group ought to prioritize buying a goalie corresponding to John Gibson or Mackenzie Blackwood. It was a bit shocking that he obtained the beginning after surrendering 5 objectives on solely 26 pictures throughout his final outing towards the Minnesota Wild, particularly with a five-day break looming. No person wants a reset on this workforce greater than the Edmonton netminder.
Nevertheless, Skinner had an ideal sport which was overshadowed by the six-goal offensive outburst. The 26-year-old goaltender stopped 32 of 34 pictures for a superb .941 save share (SV%). The primary aim he allowed was a short-side shot off the stick of famous person ahead Artemi Panarin. Skinner obtained a big chunk of that shot, however it nonetheless ended up behind the web. That’s most likely one he would need again, however aside from that, he was nice. He made the saves he wanted to, managed his rebounds, and likewise made some huge saves to snuff out any likelihood New York had of coming again within the sport.
This looks like a damaged file, however Skinner wants to search out consistency in his sport. If he can flip it round, this can be a really harmful workforce down the stretch. The group clearly trusts him, so the fanbase ought to, as effectively.
Oilers’ Break Comes at a Nice Time
Their subsequent sport isn’t till Friday evening (Nov. 29) towards the Utah Hockey Membership. Regardless of the win, this five-day break comes on the good time for this Oilers squad. They’re battling some accidents and an sickness bug in the intervening time, so it’s necessary that they get some relaxation and heal up. They only obtained Nurse again from harm, after lacking the final three video games, however are nonetheless with out Viktor Arvidsson and Zach Hyman. Bouchard additionally missed the morning skate forward of this contest and was deemed a game-time determination resulting from an sickness, however he ended up taking part in. Hopefully, when the Oilers hit the ice in six days, each Arvidsson and Hyman are within the lineup, and the workforce is 100% wholesome, minus Evander Kane, who’s nonetheless recovering from surgical procedure.
This workforce may additionally use a reset after their underwhelming begin. They’re at present 11-9-2, which is sweet sufficient for fourth place within the Pacific Division. They’ve been extraordinarily inconsistent as a workforce, particularly concerning their effort stage. Followers don’t know which Oilers workforce will present up on most nights.
They appeared tired of competing throughout their current 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, however then responded properly towards the Ottawa Senators, earlier than in the end laying one other egg towards the Wild. Then they dominated a very good Rangers workforce. There’s been a number of back-and-forth with their compete stage, so hopefully, this break will get them targeted, energized, and engaged shifting ahead. This workforce is sweet, they simply must put within the work on a constant foundation.
After the mini-break, the Oilers start a three-game street journey that goes by Utah, Colorado, and Vegas, earlier than returning dwelling for 3 extra.
