Nov 10, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) talks to center Leon Draisaitl (29) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON: Are you gathering support or bragging rights?
Since we’re not sure which is more important to the Edmonton Oilers these days, they decided to do both on a Friday afternoon in Washington.
Zach Hyman, who had two assists in the best game this Oilers team has played all season, started the conversation with, “More Oiler-like.” Superb power play, PK, and special teams. Amazing stops that kept us in the game early. Fantastic equal-strength play. It’s the kind of game that inspires admiration and makes you say “Yes.” That’s the way we ought to play.
The Oilers defeated the Washington Capitals 5-0 in a decisive game that was much-needed to cap off a disorganized road trip. From the first puck drop to the last siren, they were the superior team. You would think Edmonton had already experienced this ten times in 2023–24 if you didn’t know how terrible their struggles have been this season.
That’s how it seemed, Hyman remarked. As a player, those kinds of games are far more enjoyable. We must do it more frequently. After 22 three-point nights in the previous season, Connor McDavid (four assists) recorded his first three-point performance of the year in Game 19.
His jump, which has been missing for the last three weeks, is coming back. Unlike at other points this season, McDavid’s explosiveness and the fastest first two steps in the sport were on full display for the entire 60 minutes. For the first time in nearly a quarter of a season, a power play that resembled the team that broke the all-time record for success the previous season produced goals for Leon Draisaitl’s seventh and eighth. Following the three-for-four outcome, Draisaitl was beaming.
There are a lot of guys here that are really concerned. Additionally, I believe that sometimes it is misinterpreted by others. However, we care about it and we want to win,” said Draisaitl, who led a group that included McDavid, Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and romped to a 12-point performance.
As a leadership group, have there been any instances this year where things haven’t gone as planned? Indeed, without a doubt. Has this year seen us perform at our peak? Without a doubt not,” Draisaitl went on. But this room exudes a great sense of pride. This was a wise beginning.
In Tampa and Florida, Edmonton blew two 2-0 first-period leads to start the road trip. Never before has a team played with more desperation in Game 19 of a season, nor perhaps one that was more committed to holding a 2-0 lead this time around.
The 6-12-1 Oilers have not been winning much, and with 10 points separating them from the final wild-card spot on Thanksgiving, they are out of time to stay in the Western Conference. This effort, which included a strong defensive showing and corresponding goaltending from Stuart Skinner, was exactly what was needed. In the first period, the Oilers defeated Washington 21–6, and in the second, 35–25. Skinner recorded the team’s first shutout of the year and third overall. “Obviously, if you can play the entire 60 minutes, you’re doing well for the entire game,” he remarked. “That’s how you win games, so it’s definitely a big one for us,”
The Oilers are designed to draw penalties at even strength with their skill and speed, then finish you on the man advantage that follows. Call them power-play dependent if you will. This season, for some reason, the formula hasn’t added up yet.
The dominant unit was back in Washington, and they kept pressing until the Caps defenders could no longer cover any more ground. Hyman declared, “It’s working; it’s getting the puck back.” Although our power play is sexy to everyone, it’s sexy because we work. We go get the puck, which makes it sexier. Everything is based on work.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch continued, “On the power play, you could see a lot of frustration.” With three power-play goals, their passes, and their plays, it appears that they have broken out of their slump. The most crucial aspects of our team play, though, were the opportunities we missed and how well we checked. There will be moments of weakness and surrender, and we will need our goalie to come up with some huge saves.
“While it wasn’t flawless, it was a lot closer to what we need or want.”
