Certainly it was not the prettiest win, or a strong win, or a good win for that matter, but as the final whistle blew after Leon Draisaitl scored in the shootout, the Edmonton Oilers walked away with another 2 points, improving to a 4-0-0 record on the season.
The story at 5 on 5 was all New Jersey. In case you're an Oilers fan who doesn't know how this graph works, you want the black lines to be on the opposite side of the graph. New Jersey outchanced Edmonton at even strength throughout the game and it really wasn't even close.
Edmonton capitalized on the few chances they were able to muster, with the story once again being their superior work on the special teams. Relying entirely on the PP to earn wins is not a sustainable strategy and one that will bite this team sooner rather than later.
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THE GREAT
- Ethan Bear continues to improve with every game that he plays. Bear finished the night with 23:52 of ice time and while he didn't register any points, was the reason that the Draisaitl goal occured. Bear seperated the puck from his man, made a sweet pass through a Devils player which led to the Oilers first goal.
- Klefbom continues to be a wonderful if unflashy player for Edmonton. The little things he does right will go unnoticed by many, but year after year when he is injured the Oilers struggle.
- Connor McDavid saved the day with a goal in the last minute of the game. There was a scrum in front of the net as the puck disappeared behind Blackwood. Connor got his stick under the pads and pushed the puck in for a goal. The play was reviewed but the play stood as McDavid notched his third of the season.
- Riley Sheahan continues to impress me with his tenacity. The line generated more shot attempts this game and Sheahan is a strong attacker who keeps the puck going in the right direction.
- RNH got on the board with a couple assists and looked like his usual Nugey self
- James Neal tied his production from last season with his 7th goal of the season. I don't think anything else needs to be said.... Flames fans know.
- Mikko Koskinen kept the Oilers in the game when they needed him. The third goal against saw him fall completely out of position but the group in front of him let him down more with some shoddy defensive work.
THE OKAY BUT NOT GREAT
- Gaetan Haas is starting to look like an NHL player. The potential offense from Haas remains a big question, but he never gives up on a play. There was a moment in the second period where Haas backchecked hard to retrieve the puck from the Devils in the neutral zone. Looking like a fine fourth liner.
- Joel Persson continues to be butter on bread; nothing spectacular but good at getting the job done. He is skating with the puck more and his confidence improves with every shift.
- The new system Oilers that attack the puck and constantly move their feet is great to watch, but the Oilers as a whole were fighting the puck all night. Even McDavid seemed to have difficulty corralling the puck.
- Jujhar Khaira and Granlund have been good defensively but continue to bring nothing offensively. I think we see Archibald and Chiasson in for the next game.
- Jurco won't stay in the top 6 if he can't bring something different to the table.
THE WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT?
- This is the fourth game where the Oilers have had to come back from being behind. The 4-0-0 record will have many ignore this but sooner rather than later this team needs to take a lead and hold it.
- Once again a goal was scored against the Oilers after having an opportunity to clear the zone and failing to.
- Shootouts suck.... more 3 on 3 please.
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Edmonton will attempt to keep the winning streak alive against the Rangers for an afternoon game on Saturday. The Rangers haven't played in a week due to bizarre scheduling and the Oil need to come out on stronger legs than their opponent.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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