Tag: Edmonton Oilers

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Strome’s Late Goal Lifts Ducks to 5-3 Win Over Oilers, Ending Edmonton’s Streak

Strome’s Late Goal Lifts Ducks to 5-3 Win Over Oilers, Ending Edmonton's Streak
Strome’s Late Goal Lifts Ducks to 5-3 Win Over Oilers, Ending Edmonton's Streak

The Anaheim Ducks secured a 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center on Sunday, thanks to a late tie-breaking goal by Ryan Strome. With just 2:36 remaining in the third period, Strome came out from behind the net and banked the puck off Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard’s pad, sending it across the goal line. After a video review, the goal was confirmed, putting the Ducks up 4-3. Strome had hesitated to celebrate initially, given his team’s recent near-misses, but expressed relief when the goal was finally counted. Mason McTavish sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

McTavish was part of a strong offensive effort from the Ducks, alongside Cutter Gauthier and Robby Fabbri, each of whom contributed a goal and an assist. Lukas Dostal played a solid game in the net, recording 20 saves. This victory was important for Anaheim as it followed a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers the previous day, and the Ducks were able to build on their recent improvement, with their chemistry on display, particularly in the performance of Gauthier’s line.

Strome’s Late Goal Lifts Ducks to 5-3 Win Over Oilers, Ending Edmonton's Streak
Strome’s Late Goal Lifts Ducks to 5-3 Win Over Oilers, Ending Edmonton’s Streak

The Oilers, despite strong individual performances from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who both extended their point streaks, struggled in this game. Draisaitl scored two goals, and McDavid registered two assists. Evan Bouchard also added a goal and an assist for Edmonton, but they couldn’t maintain their momentum. The Oilers’ goalie, Calvin Pickard, made 27 saves in the loss. This marked the first time Edmonton had lost consecutive games since mid-November.

Edmonton took an early 1-0 lead with a power-play goal from Draisaitl at 8:03 of the first period, assisted by McDavid. Bouchard extended the lead to 2-0 later in the period, capitalizing on a rush initiated by Viktor Arvidsson. The Ducks responded with a goal from Gauthier, cutting the Oilers’ lead to 2-1. Despite being outshot and under pressure, Anaheim managed to stay in the game with timely goals.

In the second period, McDavid and Draisaitl connected again on a power-play goal, giving Edmonton a 3-1 advantage. However, Anaheim mounted a comeback, with Drew Helleson scoring on a wrist shot that deflected off Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse. Fabbri then tied the game at 3-3 with a one-timer, setting the stage for Strome’s decisive goal. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch expressed disappointment, noting that the team should have maintained their lead when up by two goals.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights
Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

The Edmonton Oilers continued their strong run with a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators, moving into second place in the Pacific Division. Zach Hyman extended his career-high goal streak to six games, scoring the go-ahead goal in the second period. Stuart Skinner made 20 saves, helping Edmonton secure its 11th win in 13 games and surpass the Los Angeles Kings in the standings, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by three points. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s six-game winning streak, their longest since 2017, came to an end.

In other NHL action, Washington Capitals’ Aliaksei Protas scored twice in a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Jakub Vrana provided the game-winning goal, while Logan Thompson made 25 saves as the Capitals improved their record to 10-2-1 in their last 13 games. Kevin Fiala scored the lone goal for the Kings, who have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since mid-November.

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights
Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

The Colorado Avalanche saw Joel Kiviranta achieve his first career hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Cale Makar contributed with a goal and two assists, and Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen each added two assists. Colorado has now won three consecutive games and four of their last five, while Seattle’s Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko found the net in the loss.

The Carolina Hurricanes ended a five-game road losing streak by defeating the New York Rangers 3-1. Jack Roslovic scored the decisive goal on a power play in the second period after a high-sticking penalty drew blood. Carolina’s Pyotr Kochetkov excelled with 22 saves and two assists. The Rangers have struggled recently, losing 12 of their last 16 games and dropping to 2-6-0 in their past eight.

The Florida Panthers showcased their special-teams dominance in a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen both scored short-handed goals during the same penalty kill, while Sam Reinhart added two goals. The Panthers maintained their perfect record when leading after two periods (14-0-0) and extended their dominance over Tampa Bay with nine wins in their last 11 matchups, including playoffs. Tampa’s Brayden Point and Nick Paul scored in the loss, which snapped their four-game winning streak.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak
Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Quinton Byfield delivered the decisive blow in overtime, scoring his second goal of the game with just 1:41 left to give the Los Angeles Kings a thrilling 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Byfield’s wrist shot from the right circle handed the Kings a victory in their first regular-season meeting with the Oilers, who have eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. This win extended the Kings’ home streak to six games, while Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves in net.

Warren Foegele had a strong outing, contributing a goal and two assists, and Tanner Jeannot also scored for the Kings. Together with Byfield, Foegele and Jeannot combined for seven points and a plus-7 rating. The Kings revamped their roster in the offseason, acquiring Foegele and Jeannot to help match the Oilers’ physical play, which had been a factor in Los Angeles’ playoff exits. The additions paid off as they played a pivotal role in the victory.

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak
Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Edmonton’s offense saw contributions from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored a power-play goal, and Kasperi Kapanen and Viktor Arvidsson, who each found the back of the net. However, the Oilers’ three-game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Despite a solid performance from Stuart Skinner, who recorded 24 saves, Edmonton couldn’t hold onto a lead. The Oilers have been dominant when leading after two periods this season, but the loss dropped their record to 16-2-3 in such situations.

The turning point of the game came in overtime when Jeannot stole the puck from Evan Bouchard along the boards, allowing the Kings to gain possession. This shift drained Edmonton’s top players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who were forced to defend intensely before Byfield’s game-winner. Jeannot’s play in overtime exemplified the Kings’ physicality and their ability to wear down the Oilers’ key players.

McDavid and Draisaitl continued to impress with their point streaks. McDavid extended his to 10 games, marking his 16th point streak of 10 or more games, placing him second in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky. The Kings and Oilers were both back in action the next day, with Edmonton visiting Anaheim and Los Angeles hosting Philadelphia, setting the stage for more intense matchups.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Oilers End Senators’ Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson
Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

The Edmonton Oilers secured a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, breaking the Senators’ season-high six-game winning streak. Zach Hyman scored a decisive power-play goal late in the second period, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 20 saves for Edmonton. This win marked the Oilers’ third consecutive victory and their 11th win in the last 13 games. Ottawa’s Nick Cousins tied the game briefly in the second period, but Edmonton’s strong play sealed the Senators’ fate.

Viktor Arvidsson shone for the Oilers, contributing a goal and an assist, while Adam Henrique added another goal for the team. Hyman has been in remarkable form, scoring in six straight games and netting 10 goals in nine games since recovering from an injury. For Ottawa, Nick Cousins was the lone goal scorer, finding the back of the net just 25 seconds into the second period. Leevi Merilainen, stepping in for the injured Linus Ullmark, made 12 saves in relief.

Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson
Oilers End Senators’ Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

The Senators faced a setback when Linus Ullmark left the game after the first period due to an injury sustained from a high shot. Merilainen, in just his fourth NHL game, stepped up to finish the game after earning his first career win the night before against Vancouver. Despite their efforts, Ottawa was unable to extend their winning streak. Edmonton’s offense and strong goaltending proved too much for the Senators.

Connor McDavid was instrumental in setting up the opening goal, sending a pass to Viktor Arvidsson for a tap-in during the first period. Arvidsson, returning to the first line after recovering from injury, was playing his third game back. Additionally, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both extended their point streaks to nine games. Draisaitl has tallied 20 points during this stretch, while McDavid has contributed 18.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Saturday. The Ottawa Senators will face the Winnipeg Jets, while the Edmonton Oilers will take on the Los Angeles Kings. With the Oilers continuing their strong performance and the Senators hoping to rebound, the upcoming games will be crucial for both teams.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings return home to take on hot Oilers

Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the past five and a half weeks. After the holiday break, they will look to continue their success when they play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Back on Nov. 18, the Oilers were 9-8-2 after a 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. They bounced back the next night with a 5-2 win against the Ottawa Senators, starting their current 12-3-0 run. Most recently, they’ve won three straight games, including a 3-1 victory against the Senators on Sunday.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” goalie Stuart Skinner said after the win. “We’re finding ways to win games. We don’t want to lose two in a row, and we’ve been doing a pretty good job of that lately. I think the way we’ve been playing in all ends of the ice has been pretty consistent.”

Earlier in the season, the Oilers scored 2.63 goals per game and allowed 3.16 goals. Since Nov. 19, they’ve flipped the script, averaging 4.07 goals while allowing just 2.33 per game. Their special teams have also improved, with the power play rising from 16.3 percent efficiency to 28.2 percent and the penalty kill from 67.4 percent to 86.7 percent.

Zach Hyman has been a key part of the Oilers’ success. The 32-year-old has scored seven goals in a six-game streak and has 10 goals in nine games since returning from injury on Dec. 5.

Los Angeles Kings players react after a goal in the 2nd period

“When you’re feeling good, things are easier, things slow down,” he said. “When you’re not feeling good, everything seems fast. … So much of hockey and sports are results-driven. And when you’re not getting the results, you know that it’s about the process and about getting your looks and getting your chances and being around it.”

The Kings, on the other hand, are starting a five-game homestand after a tough road trip. They lost back-to-back games to end a seven-game trip that lasted 13 days.

Los Angeles has had some struggles lately, winning only two of their last six games (2-2-2), but they are just one point behind the Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division.

“It’s a pretty good trip,” coach Jim Hiller said. “We would have liked points out of (a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday), but the trip itself was good. We played some pretty good hockey.”

The Kings hope their strong home record can help them bounce back. They’ve been one of the best home teams, going 10-2-1 in 13 games, including five straight wins at home. Their last home loss came on Nov. 20 against Buffalo.

Defenseman Mikey Anderson has stepped up in the absence of Drew Doughty, playing a career-high 22:43 minutes per game, more than a minute higher than his previous best.

“What an engine and he’s really taking a step,” Hiller said. “We’ve talked about that more than once. He’s a really important player for us.”

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Ekholm’s Overtime Goal Lifts Oilers to 3-2 Win Over Bruins in Thrilling Comeback

Oilers vs Bruins
Oilers vs Bruins

The Edmonton Oilers staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night, thanks to Mattias Ekholm’s decisive goal just 1:04 into OT. Ekholm, trailing on the rush, received a pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who capitalized on a rebound off Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman’s pads. This victory marked the Oilers’ sixth win in seven games, fueled by Zach Hyman’s goal and assist and Connor McDavid’s late third-period equalizer. Leon Draisaitl also contributed three assists, extending his and McDavid’s point streaks to seven games.

The Bruins initially controlled the game, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Elias Lindholm scored just over a minute into the game, and Mark Kastelic doubled the advantage before intermission. However, the Oilers chipped away at the deficit with Hyman’s second-period goal, ultimately setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Boston concluded their Western Conference road trip with a 2-2-1 record, despite Swayman’s 23 saves.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche mounted a third-period rally to defeat the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Joel Kiviranta scored twice in the final frame, with Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen adding goals to secure the comeback. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar provided two assists each, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 32 shots. San Jose’s Carl Grundstrom and William Eklund scored in the second period, but the Sharks ultimately fell short, continuing their struggles with six losses in their past seven games.

Oilers vs Bruins
Oilers vs Bruins

In a high-scoring overtime matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Nashville Predators 5-4. Bryan Rust capped a four-point night with his second goal in OT, giving Pittsburgh their eighth win in 11 games. Sidney Crosby also shone with a goal and three assists, while Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson chipped in with a goal and an assist each. Despite strong performances from Nashville’s Brady Skjei and Filip Forsberg, the Predators remain inconsistent following an earlier slump.

The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to four games by defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1. Nikita Kucherov continued his hot streak with two assists, tallying 20 points over his nine-game run. Gage Goncalves scored his first NHL goal, with Anthony Cirelli and Nick Perbix adding insurance. St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich recorded his tenth point in 11 games, but the Blues struggled as starting goalie Jordan Binnington was replaced after allowing three goals on 11 shots.

Finally, the Ottawa Senators achieved their fifth consecutive win with a 3-2 OT victory over the Calgary Flames. Brady Tkachuk netted the winner just 55 seconds into overtime, converting on a rebound after a dynamic end-to-end sequence. Linus Ullmark played a key role with 29 saves and his first assist of the season. Calgary’s Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau managed to keep the Flames competitive, but their recent slump continued as they fell to 1-2-2 in their last four games.

Categories
FEATURED

The Bruins have a chance to secure a successful road trip with a victory against the Oilers

Boston Bruins (NHL)

After a come-from-behind win, the Boston Bruins have a chance to finish their Western Conference road trip with a winning record when they face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

The Bruins have split their first four games of the trip, losing the first two before winning the last two, including a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. In that game, they scored twice in the third period and once in overtime to come back from a two-goal deficit.

“It wasn’t the start that we had anticipated coming off (a strong showing in Saturday’s) Vancouver game,” said Boston interim head coach Joe Sacco. “We got down two, but the guys regrouped, found our game and stuck with it for the next 40 minutes or so.”

David Pastrnak, the team’s leading scorer, scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Meanwhile, Morgan Geekie and Marc McLaughlin helped tie the game in the third period, with both players scoring in back-to-back games.

McLaughlin, a 25-year-old from Massachusetts who has only played 22 NHL games, scored his first two goals of the season. His second goal came after a strong effort, which is exactly what Sacco wants from his team.

“This is a second-effort league, and that was a good second effort by Marc,” Sacco said of McLaughlin’s rebound goal on Tuesday.

The Bruins know who to rely on in late-game and overtime situations. With four of their last five wins being decided by one or two goals, they trust their star players.

“Just give the puck to 88 (Pastrnak) or 63 (Brad Marchand) and then pray,” said Boston forward Nikita Zadorov. “They are our best players, so put it in their hands, they’re going to make it happen.”

Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues

The Bruins will need their stars to step up against the Oilers, who are also filled with top players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. The Oilers had won five straight and eight of their last nine games before losing 6-5 to the Florida Panthers on Monday.

After a tough loss in their first game since last spring’s Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton begins a stretch of three games in four days. Both McDavid and Hyman recently survived injury scares.

Hyman, who suffered a broken nose from a shot to the face on Monday, is expected to play. McDavid also collided with teammate Darnell Nurse during practice on Tuesday but is not expected to miss any time.

“You don’t want to see any of that, and sometimes it happens,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “And you have to be careful on the drills that you do so you don’t set up a situation where players get hurt. But also, if you never have any contact, you don’t have game-like practices and situations.”

Viktor Arvidsson, who has missed 15 games due to an undisclosed injury, could also return for the Oilers on Thursday after impressing in recent practices.

“I think he might have been the best player on the ice for us. I thought I was that impressed with him,” Knoblauch said. “But that’s one thing about practice and games, so I think it’s ease him in there.”

The Oilers will be looking to bounce back from their first loss since Dec. 3 and their first time allowing more than three goals since Nov. 21.

“I think the sense of urgency goes up,” said McDavid. “We talked about not letting losses turn into two, three, or four games. You gotta respond. We always have and I would expect the same on Thursday.”

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Golden Knights Face Wild Test Seeking Redemption Following Defeat Against Oilers

Golden Knights Face Wild Test Seeking Redemption Following Defeat Against Oilers
Golden Knights Face Wild Test Seeking Redemption Following Defeat Against Oilers

The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Minnesota Wild. Despite entering Saturday’s matchup with momentum from a 3-2 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets, the Golden Knights struggled to maintain their form against Edmonton. The Jets game showcased their ability to carry the play and secure crucial points, but their performance against the Oilers highlighted areas of concern, particularly during the second period when they conceded four unanswered goals.

In their loss to Edmonton, the Golden Knights saw Ryan Nugent-Hopkins open the scoring on a power play late in the first period. The game quickly spiraled in the second as they struggled defensively, allowing Edmonton to dominate. While Victor Olofsson, Ivan Barbashev, and Brett Howden managed to find the net, their efforts weren’t enough to complete a comeback, especially after Jeff Skinner’s decisive goal for the Oilers.

Golden Knights Face Wild Test Seeking Redemption Following Defeat Against Oilers
Golden Knights Face Wild Test Seeking Redemption Following Defeat Against Oilers

This afternoon’s game against the Minnesota Wild presents another formidable challenge. The Wild’s star forward, Kirill Kaprizov, is in excellent form, boasting 20 goals and 45 points in 29 games. Minnesota’s defense, which allows the fewest goals per game, poses a significant obstacle. However, their struggles on the penalty kill could offer an opportunity for the Golden Knights’ fifth-ranked power play to make an impact, particularly as 5-on-5 scoring may prove challenging.

With the Pacific Division standings tightly contested, the Golden Knights need to secure points to maintain their lead over the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers. Consistent performances in games like this are crucial if they hope to clinch the division title. Goaltending will also play a key role, with Ilya Samsonov set to face Filip Gustavsson, who ranks among the league’s best in save percentage and goals-against average.

Both teams’ lineups highlight a mix of star players and depth. The Golden Knights will rely on their top line of Barbashev, Eichel, and Stone, while the Wild counter with Kaprizov, Rossi, and Zuccarello. Defensive pairings and special teams will be tested in what promises to be a tightly contested matchup. Fans are encouraged to follow THN’s coverage for updates, analysis, and exclusive content on the Golden Knights.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury returns to starting role against Panthers

Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has mainly played a backup role in his 21st NHL season. However, the 40-year-old has now been called into more regular action due to a lower-body injury to teammate Filip Gustavsson, who got hurt in last Thursday’s 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Fleury will start his third game in the past six when the Wild take on the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minn.

“Sad to hear about ‘Gus,’” Fleury said about Gustavsson, who Wild coach John Hynes says is dealing with a short-term injury. “Hopefully, things aren’t too bad for too long for him. … If I can give the team a chance to win when I’m in there, I think that’s all I want. Obviously, winning is always the goal.”

The Wild have alternated wins and losses in their last six games. They are coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday evening.

Florida is making its first trip to Minnesota since winning the Stanley Cup last season. The Panthers are coming off a 6-5 win over Edmonton on Monday night and have a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice praised the team’s recent successes, mentioning the fourth line of Tomas Nosek, A.J. Greer, and Jonah Gadjovich.

“Sam Reinhart for me is the best player on the ice, but that line as a group is probably the most impactful,” Maurice said. “I’m happy for them. … Now they get a real big piece of that (most recent) win, which builds your room.”

Reinhart leads Florida with 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 32 games. Matthew Tkachuk is second with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 27 games, and captain Aleksander Barkov is third with 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 22 games. Barkov missed the Panthers’ last game due to illness, and his status for Wednesday is uncertain.

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after the win

Minnesota is led by the hot forward Kirill Kaprizov, who has 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists) in 30 games. Matt Boldy follows with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games, and Marco Rossi has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 31 games.

Kaprizov has scored two goals in each of his last two games and has 13 points (9 goals, 4 assists) in his last 10 games.

Florida may return Sergei Bobrovsky to the net after he gave up five goals on 30 shots in Monday’s win. Bobrovsky is 14-6-1 with a 2.98 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage in 21 games this season. In 20 career games against Minnesota, Bobrovsky has a record of 13-5-1 with a 2.37 GAA and a .918 save percentage.

Spencer Knight could also start for the Panthers. He is 5-5-1 with a 2.85 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 12 games this season. Knight has faced Minnesota once in a backup role, stopping all six shots he faced, though he didn’t factor into the decision.

Fleury is very familiar with playing against Florida. In 32 games against the Panthers, Fleury has a record of 18-10-2 with a 2.29 GAA and a .922 save percentage.

The Wild are 8-5-1 at home, while the Panthers are 10-6-1 on the road.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Carter Verhaeghe helped the Florida Panthers secure a 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers

Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winning goal in the third period and also added an assist as the Florida Panthers won 6-5 in a back-and-forth game against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

Sam Reinhart and Niko Mikkola each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who had been shut out in their previous two games. Matthew Tkachuk, Gustav Forsling, and Jesper Boqvist also scored for Florida. Anton Lundell had two assists, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves.

Zach Hyman scored twice, and Connor McDavid registered three assists for the Oilers, who saw their five-game winning streak end. Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist, while Kasperi Kapanen and Connor Brown also scored. Stuart Skinner made 22 saves.

Boqvist gave Florida a 1-0 lead with a short-handed breakaway goal at 2:42 of the first period.

Hyman tied it 1-1 at 15:13 of the first when McDavid found him in the slot, and Hyman scored with a shot high on Bobrovsky’s blocker side.

Tkachuk gave Florida a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal at 19:32, deflecting Reinhart’s shot with his skate.

Hyman tied it 2-2 at 6:20 of the second with a breakaway goal, lifting a backhand shot stick side past Bobrovsky.

Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers

Brown put the Oilers ahead 3-2 just 43 seconds later with a one-timer from below the left circle that beat Bobrovsky.

Draisaitl extended Edmonton’s lead to 4-2 at 9:24 on a power play, firing a one-timer from the right circle off a pass from McDavid.

Forsling’s shot from the blue line deflected off Edmonton defenseman Ty Emberson and floated past Skinner to make it 4-3 at 17:55 of the second.

Mikkola tied the game 4-4 at 6:53 of the third with a goal from the left circle after a feed from Lundell.

Reinhart put Florida back in front 5-4 at 7:23, scoring from the goal line by banking a snap shot off Skinner’s mask.

Kapanen tied it 5-5 at 8:02, scoring after a loose puck bounced off the end glass and slid inside the right post.

Verhaeghe scored the game-winner at 13:05 with a shot from the slot that went over Skinner’s blocker, giving the Panthers a 6-5 victory.

Categories
FEATURED

Oilers get off to a fast start, defeat Golden Knights

Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights

Leon Draisaitl scored his league-leading 22nd goal and also had two assists as the Edmonton Oilers took a 5-0 lead and held on to win 6-3 over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor Brown each had a goal and an assist for Edmonton, which extended its win streak to a season-high five games. Zach Hyman and Corey Perry also scored, Darnell Nurse added two assists, and Stuart Skinner made 38 saves. The Oilers are now 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Ivan Barbashev scored his team-leading 15th goal, and Brett Howden and Victor Olofsson also scored for Vegas, which saw its four-game win streak come to an end. Noah Hanifin had two assists, and Adin Hill made 28 saves but allowed a season-high six goals. The Golden Knights had given up only five goals in their last four games combined.

Edmonton took a 1-0 lead at 17:36 of the first period with a power-play goal by Nugent-Hopkins, who fired a wrist shot from the left circle past a screen into the top far corner. The goal ended a 101-minute shutout streak by Hill and the Golden Knights, as the Oilers had lost 1-0 to Vegas on December 3 in Las Vegas.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Oilers started the second period strong with four consecutive goals by Hyman, Brown, Draisaitl, and Perry on just eight shots in the first 12:53, making it 5-0. But Vegas, which had hit the post three times earlier, got back in the game near the end of the period with two goals in 26 seconds from Olofsson and Hanifin.

Vegas made it 5-3 just a minute into the third period with a short-handed goal by Howden, who stole the puck from Skinner behind the goal and scored on a wraparound into an empty net.

However, Jeff Skinner ended the Golden Knights’ momentum just 38 seconds later when he scored off a rebound of a Mattias Ekholm shot from the high slot, putting the Oilers back up by three and ending the scoring.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Golden Knights and Oilers gaining momentum before their Pacific showdown

Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)

The Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers have both won four games in a row and eight of their last 10.

One of these two teams will continue their strong run when they meet in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon.

Ivan Barbashev scored his team-leading 14th goal of the season — and his first career overtime goal — to help the Golden Knights secure a 3-2 win in Winnipeg on Thursday night. Barbashev also had three assists in a 4-2 victory over the Oilers on Nov. 6 and scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Edmonton on Dec. 3.

Keegan Kolesar, who is from Brandon, Manitoba, scored a goal in his hometown to help Vegas complete their comeback over Winnipeg and improve to 8-1-2 in their last 11 road games.

“We were able to tie it up, then go down again, we stayed with it right to the very end,” Kolesar said. “We didn’t let it waver in any way in our play, played right to the whistle, and we were able to come up with two points.”

The Golden Knights likely owe some of their success to goaltender Adin Hill. Hill made 18 saves on Thursday night, improving his record to 11-2-2 in his last 15 starts. That includes stopping 27 shots in the first game against the Oilers and saving all 28 shots in their most recent match.

Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after the win

Hill will again face off against superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Draisaitl scored a goal and had three assists, while McDavid picked up two assists in Edmonton’s dominant 7-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. To put it in perspective, 13 of Edmonton’s 18 skaters had at least one point in the win.

“Everyone was really good, but Leon really was at another level,” Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said about Draisaitl, who has 10 points (four goals, six assists) during his current four-game point streak.

McDavid has also been on fire, with a four-game point streak (two goals, seven assists), and has recorded points in 13 of his last 15 games.

The Oilers might be without defenseman Evan Bouchard on Saturday after he took a hard hit from Ryan Hartman with 3:30 left in the third period. Bouchard collided head-first with the net and crashed into the boards.

“We’ll fly home and get it checked out,” Knoblauch said. “Hopefully it’s something minor.”

Bouchard, who has played in all 29 games this season, was seen limping after the game but appeared to avoid a serious injury. He had missed only two games in the previous three seasons.