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Post Game - Oilers Dominate The Blue Jackets |
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Well that was a fun way to start the day... Final Score 4-0 Edmonton
An 11AM game, Edmonton time against a team that is actually fighting for a playoff spot. On paper this game had 3-1 loss written all over it. Instead we got one of the best performances Edmonton has put on all year including easily their best shift all season (but we will get into that in a moment).
Six and a half minutes into the first period the Oilers struck first was Kassian firing a fairly harmless shot on goal, resulting in the 1-0 lead. That would be the least exciting goal of the numerous that Edmonton scored in this game. Kassian's goal marked his 10th of the season, making him the 5th Oiler this season to score double digit goals.
The rest of the first period was a fairly dull affair with the shots ending up 10-9 in favour of Columbus, but neither goaltender had to worry about any 5 star chances.
The game took a completely different direction in the second period.
Let's get right into The Shift.
From 16:50 to 14:53 in the second period, roughly a full 2 minutes the Oilers controlled the puck. It was easily the most dominant shift the Oilers have had all season. The play began with RNH, Lucic, Chiasson, Sekera and Benning on the ice, and finished with Klefbom Larsson, McDavid, Draisaitl and Currie, along with a tough play and struggle back to the bench by Zack Kassian.
The goal itself was a great play; a slap pass from Draisaitl to Currie in front of the net to score his 2nd of the season. Currie is quickly becoming the feel good story of the year as the 26 year old from PEI now has 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 games.
Some highlights from The Shift
- Chiasson, Lucic, and RNH do a great job of fighting to keep the puck in the Columbus end and manage to get some shots on net as well. The plays were textbook; cycle the puck down low, get it back to the defensemen, shot, collect the rebound, repeat.
- About 30 seconds into The Shift, Columbus has a chance to get the puck out but before they can do anything with it or get a change, RNH picks the pocket of Nutivaara to not only keep the puck in the offensive zone, but allow Lucic and Chiasson to get off the ice and for McDavid and Draisatl to jump on.
- Adam Larsson had a few strong looks on this play, involving one play right in front of Bobrovsky. The play was almost blown down, but some good digging in front kept the play alive and possession still controlled by Edmonton.
- Columbus is completely gassed, allowing Draisaitl and McDavid to put on a passing clinic. The shot comes back to Klefbom who wires a shot which ends up hitting Kassian in front.
- Kassian is struggling to get off the ice and as he does so manages to get his stick on the puck to keep possession for Edmonton.
- Kassian gets off the ice and Currie joins the play and immediately gets involved getting the puck to McDavid.
- The Oilers get a couple more chances before McDavid cuts in front, drawing the exhaused Blue Jackets to him and passes it back to Draisaitl who one-times the puck to Currie for the goal.
It was a dominant performace for Edmonton, and while it can't be expected to happen all the time, it helps show how dominant the Oilers can be when their best players are involved in the play. I don't know what the ceiling is for Currie, but in a short amount of time he is making himself known.
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This game had a few more great things to celebrate, including Draisailt's 40th goal of the season, done in a pretty spectacular way. Draisaitl almost stole the puck, then did steal the puck before streaking in with McDavid shortly behind him. Draisaitl gets the puck to McDavid who immediately gets the puck back to Draisaitl who scored from the one spot he absolutely loves to score goals.
This season Draisaitl is shooting 22% which is likely unsustainable, however we are seeing the young German transition from a playmaker into a sniper before our eyes and while he might not score 45-50 every season, he is absolutely good for at least 35 a year which is phenomenal.
Alex Chiasson scored his first in 21 games and McDavid is the first Oiler since Mark Messier to have three consecutive 90 point seasons. Neat!
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The third period started with Korpisalo replacing Bobrovsky in net. Aside from the first goal, I wouldn't fault the netminder for any of the goals he allowed...his team really let him down in front.
Milan Lucic was noticeable in good ways all game. Both he and RNH were squared up against the Panarin and Duchene duo for most of the game and the two played great defensively, limiting any real scoring chances. About halfway through the third period, the Blue Jackets had a 2-1 chance but it was Lucic who got back quick to make it a 2-2 and preventing any real opportunity.
The Blue Jackets got the first powerplay opportunity in the third period and were able to get a few good chances but Koskinen stood tall. Overall it was not an overly busy night for Mikko, but kudos to him for getting the shutout and ensuring the guys in front of him did not need to worry about the backend. I also wrote this line about Koskinen's shutout before the game was done. Don't @ me.
Edmonton had a powerplay late in the third but failed to generate any grade A chances.
The third period was overall a dull affair, but that was due to Edmonton putting in some real hard work in the second, then playing a tight defensive game in the third period. They did not turtle by any means in the third; they mucked up the neutral zone and made it impossible for the Blue Jackets to start anything.
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At the end of the day it was a great performance by Edmonton, and if I was a Blue Jackets fan I would be concerned about my playoff chances. The moves Columbus made at the deadline, most notably Duchene and Dzingel, were supposed to be the key pieces to ensure they made it into the post season, however they only have one OT win in the three games they have played since acquiring these players.
All in all it was a fun game to watch and hopefully something the Oilers can continue to build off of as they finish their Eastern road trip Monday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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