Final Score: Ducks 4 – Oilers 3
Now seriously, what the heck was that? Just brutal.
For the first 20 minutes, the Oilers came out and played forceful and inspired hockey, working that excellent play into the production of 2 goals. If not for a less than stellar period for Cam Talbot, the Oilers, on the back of one helluva goal by McDavid, could have been up 1 or maybe even 2. It seemed as if everything was going to work out just fine…
But then the remaining 40 minutes of hockey were played; and, hoooooly they were not pretty. What followed the encouraging first was a clobbered together effort of unstructured, uninspired, undisciplined, and overall poor play, that left this Oilers team resembling their 2014 comrades at times. Not good.
It’s strange, because over the past 4 games, we have seen such an opposite display than what was witnessed tonight. Perhaps the biggest contrast in play was Cam Talbot, who coming off of 2 straight shutouts, offered up 4 goals on only 18 shots. It was not his finest night, but to be fair, Talbot has propped this team up on more than a few nights. It’s hard to pile on a guy who has been a rock on this team from pillar to post.
It’s also not like he got all the support in the world and just blew it, either. The players in front of him, as stated above, were just not very good. When not getting beaten to pucks, almost every guy on the ice took their turn with giveaways, mental mistakes, inefficient passing, etc.
Perhaps the stat that encapsulates the inadequate evening the best is the quantity of shot attempts in the 2nd period. Anaheim had 36. The Oilers? Just 11. The 3rd would prove to be a little bit better, with total shots favouring the Oilers 11-8.
The only players who could really be defined as having a positive night was the top line. With 2 goals generated in the first, and McDavid and Maroon getting the helpers on a very late Letestu power play marker, that trio would combine for 7 points on the night. A very lone bright spot on the night.
Here’s the thing… yes tonight was bad. And in a game against he divisional opponent with whom you are tied in the standings with, of course you would like to see a much better effort from the team. But these games do happen, and in the frustration caused by tonight’s effort, it just may be important to remember that the Oilers are still 4-1 in their last 5. The sky isn’t falling, and I am sure that each and every member of that roster will be scratching and clawing to redeem themselves tomorrow night.
Especially when you consider the fact that somehow the Oilers only lost this game by 1 goal. If the Oilers had been even a smidge better tonight, not giving up just 1 of the poor goals that they did, it is very possible that this game could have went to OT. It wouldn’t have been deserved, but it would have resulted in a useful point, at the very least.
So even though tonight’s game resembled a truly eye-gouging pair of bowling shoes, I think it is safe to say that we can erase this stinker from our minds, and get prepared for a hopefully much better effort tomorrow night. A similar effort tomorrow night, however…
Oilers Player of the Game
Connor McDavid. On a night when 90% of the roster was not checked in, Connor found a way for himself to be. I am sure that his effort bled into the likes of Maroon and Draisaitl, which kept that line active as Edmonton’s pulse all game.
3 points on the night for McDavid and his effort on the last minute power play demonstrated exactly what a gamer this kid is. He has no quit, and I would be willing to wager more than a few dollars that the lowly Avalanche feel a bit of his wrath tomorrow night. There is no doubt that he will be motivated.
10 Takeaways
1. For starters, just take this away and show to a co-worker, friend, dentist, grocery store clerk, etc.:
Oh, it's McDavid again. https://t.co/CAFedwjYnd
— NHL (@NHL) March 23, 2017
2. The Ducks’ second goal highlighted pretty clearly what can happen when your 7th defencemen draws into the lineup. Gryba, who has been rather serviceable in his role this year, and at times somewhat impressive, definitely had a poor night, and the goal in mention was his low point. Opting to leave an open man for his trailing forward to cover, Gryba chose to sort of do nothing, and it resulted in an easy one timer in the slot.
3. As a result of the poor night for Gryba, I wouldn’t be surprised if Benning draws back in tomorrow evening.
4. Good news or bad news first? Good news, the Oilers penalty kill successfully killed off all 5 of Anaheim’s power plays.
5. Bad news, that means all 4 goals by Anaheim came at even strength. Not even a few goals while down a man could save tonight’s lacklustre effort.
6. Laurent Brossoit looked pretty good in his relief outing, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Of course, he does have the post to thank for that, as one weird sequence saw a post hit and then immediately hit again on the rebound attempt. LB will take it!
7. Even though Brossoit played well, it’s a good bet that Talbot gets the start tomorrow in his attempt to redeem himself.
8. Connor McDavid now has 26 goals and 85 points with 9 games to go. Can he get to 30 goals? How close can he get to 100 points?
9. Leon Draisaitl scored his 25th goal of the season as he continues to alleviate some of the concerns regarding his play that were popping up a couple weeks ago. He has been a deadly offensive force as of late.
10. The Oilers now sit behind the Ducks by 2 points, and remain down by 4 to the Sharks. Neither of those teams play tomorrow, which will allow Edmonton to flex a game in hand in an attempt to make some ground in points.
Oilers Highlights
ICYMI, @Drat_29 hit the 25-goal milestone. #EDMvsANA pic.twitter.com/RrKo0wfZ1O
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 23, 2017
Letestu gets a late goal, 4-3 ANA #EDMvsANA #Oilers McDavid gets an assist, so we got that going for us, which is nice, survives a challenge pic.twitter.com/WkcaqpU5mX
— abirdofparadise (@ubirdofparadise) March 23, 2017
Up Next: Overnight to Denver
The Oilers will immediately head to Denver for a tilt against the last place Avalanche tomorrow night. This is a win that the Oilers must have, especially after tonight.
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