Oilers game

2022 - 3 - 3

Duncan Keith

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Copper & Blue"

GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers @ Chicago Blackhawks (The Copper & Blue)

Mikko Koskinen had a 39-save performance, while the Oilers got goals from Leon Draisaitl, Kailer Yamamoto and an empty-netter from Connor McDavid en route to a ...

If the Oilers win something like six games between now and deadline day, what’s his motivation to go out and add? I think we had lots of good looks on a couple of power plays, couple of good chances in the first, they get the lead and we kind of go from there. Stalock had a handful of games in Bakersfield on his comeback tour, it will look to continue back in San Jose. He hasn’t been on the ice for a 5x5 goal against since Jay Woodcroft became head coach. Can the Oilers close out their trip with a bang? He’s 7-0-1 over his last starts, and he’s got a plenty good .934 SV% to go with it.

GDB 55.0 Wrap Up: Oilers sloppy, sluggish, and slow in 4-3 OT loss ... (Oilers Nation)

For as tough as last week was against some very good hockey clubs, I thought the Oilers needed to win all three games against the Flyers, Blackhawks, and ...

- The second period was a rough one for Edmonton as they looked like they were running on fumes and barely able to keep up. With the game tied and a win still on the table, it was no secret that the boys had to close out this game with a whole lot more chutzpah than they’d provided to that point. - Are you surprised that Sam Lafferty scored only his second goal (1-0) in his last 70 games played and that it happened against the Oilers? You’re not, are you? - In the dying moments of the first period, Evander Kanetied the game for a second time (2-2) with a one-touch shot that beat Fleury down low after Draisaitl found him with a pass as he was charging towards the goal. - Mikko Koskinenwas back between the pipes and looking to build on what has been an extremely effective stretch of games for the big man. Normally, this never works but miraculously, Kane was able to get the goal and steal his team a point. To be honest, the Oilers looked more like they were hanging on for dear life rather than pushing for the lead, and I don’t know that I’ve ever been so grateful to hear the buzzer sound as I was in that moment. Instead, what we got was another round of sloppiness that paved the way for the home side to make something happen, but it wasn’t until a costly mistake by Koskinen with the puck that they were able to take advantage. I mean, the number of quality looks they had on net was shocking and I actually think the Oilers were lucky that they weren’t back in a hole instead of tied and in the mix. Moving into the second period, the Oilers needed to play with a whole lot more urgency than they offered in the beginning because they were far too often late to arrive and a step behind when they got there. I don’t know how many times and in how many places I need to say that the Blackhawks are terrible and that the Oilers should beat them, but I wanted to do it again now because of how important these points are. For as tough as last week was against some very good hockey clubs, I thought the Oilers needed to win all three games against the Flyers, Blackhawks, and Canadiens because the standings are simply way too tight to lose points against teams that have no chance of making the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers eke out a point in a middling effort in Chicago ... (Edmonton Journal)

In the process, they miss a terrific chance to climb an extra spot further up the Pacific Division standings. Here's the tale of the tape… Cult of Hockey Player ...

But the O/T loss erases a chance to move ahead of LV (who lost) and into a 2nd Place tie with L.A. Edmonton hosts Montreal Saturday. A rough, rough 1st Period. An unforced turnover up the wall led to the 1-0. Played a gritty, physical game which included 5 hits, among them a thudding effort on Kirby Dach. But he also ended up -2, with scoring Chances For/Against 1-5 with him on the ice. The puck was more often than not headed in the right direction with him on the ice. Skated miles in his 18:30. 2 shots on goal, 75% on the faceoff dot and led all forwards in 5v5 CF (15-10, 60%). A good clear on a 2nd Period PK. Fed Shore for a dangerous 2nd Period opportunity. Was able to block one shot with the net all but empty in O.T. but could not get his leg on the winner a heartbeat later. The Oilers best D-man on the night in his return to Chicago after the big off-season trade. Passed up a good chance right in front by instead trying to go back-door to McDavid. A 1st Period turnover led to a good Chicago scoring chance against. Also had a couple nasty turnovers, both during a couple rough patches in the 2nd frame. And earned the primary assist on the 2-2 goal when he burst up the right side, drew a man over to him and then managed to roll a pass over a defender’s stick and into the path of a hard-charging Kane. Then late in the 3rd, won a critical board battle in the Chicago end to keep possession. Barrie lost a board battle on Sceviour’s turnover and then his position vis-a-vis the puck carrier on the 1-0. But then Koskinen gifted Chicago with the 3rd Period go-ahead goal on a no-look clearing attempt into the corner which (insert irony here) Kubalik intercepted and cashed in for the 3-2.

Edmonton Oilers' Duncan Keith returns to Chicago, receives ... (ESPN)

Duncan Keith returned to his first NHL home Thursday night, playing his first game in Chicago since he was traded to the Oilers in July.

Keith, a Winnipeg, Manitoba, native, was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2002 draft. "He was a great teammate," Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome said. Keith's return coincided with the Blackhawks paying tribute to Niklas Hjalmarsson, another key defenseman from the team's run of three championships in six seasons. "We were kind of joking that we're going to fight each other for it and just see what happens, and I think he kind of gave up on it," a chuckling Toews said. The crowd of 19,688 responded with a long standing ovation, and Keith waved from Edmonton's bench. Keith developed into one of the NHL's top defensemen while spending 16 years in Chicago, winning the Norris Trophy twice and three Stanley Cup titles.

Oilers cap daunting road trip at .500 after taking a point in Chicago (Sportsnet.ca)

The Edmonton Oilers may have deserved a little bit of luck, but they surely did not deserve both of the points Thursday night in Chicago.

“I didn't love our board work today,” said head coach Jay Woodcroft. “We made a lot of plays along the wall that either directly or indirectly led to a lot of chances against — and (two) goals against early in the game. Kane was a bright spot, cashing off a two-on-one with Leon Draisaitl (1-1-2), and then catching the break on the goal that forced OT. He has only played in 16 games while some Oilers have played in all 55. This was a temporary step back but not one to get all bent out of shape about, with the Oilers right in the mix for second playoff spot in the Pacific coming off likely their toughest road trip of the season. The fact they’re collecting points along the way speaks to where their game is at and shows promise for the pedigree of the team they might be 15, 20 games from now. We need to continue to add that drive and that grit to our game, and simplify a little bit. And so goes the reshaping of a hockey team that has always been one of the NHL’s most compelling teams to watch, even while it hasn’t won anything for a long, long time.

Blackhawks vs. Oilers NHL March 3, 2021: Preview, how to watch ... (Second City Hockey)

When Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers come to 1901 W. Madison on Thursday, it will be the last time this season after the Chicago ...

The last time the Blackhawks played against the Oilers — Feb. 9 — the Blackhawks allowed a lot of Edmonton activity, with the Oilers generating 28 shots, 56 shot attempts and 2.16 expected goals at 5-on-5. 75.3% (28th) — Penalty kill — 76.7% (16th) 48.6% (20th) — Faceoffs — 51.8% (8th) 20.4% (16th) — Power play — 26.3% (3rd) They’re also ranked 11th at generating 5-on-5 scoring chances per 60 minutes at 31.63. In addition, the Oilers have the league’s third-best power play, scoring on 26.3 percent of their opportunities. Keith’s teammates gave him a special entrance on Wednesday: 2.43 (30th) — Goals per game — 3.26 (9th) The Oilers are one of the best teams at generating chances, ranked 10th in the NHL with 2.57 expected goals for per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 play. At all strengths, that PDO rises to just .998. Part of the reason for that low amount of luck is that the Oilers’ goaltending has just been awful for most of the season. However, despite their health struggles, the Oilers remain one of the best teams in the league at driving the puck during 5-on-5 play, with a 50.81 percent shot share, No. 11 in the NHL this season. The Oilers’ injury list is extensive, currently including eight players with multiple key contributors like Jesse Puljujarvi and Zack Kassian. The Oilers almost exclusively rely on McDavid and Draisaitl, who lead the team with 77 and 76 points, respectively.