Oilers Survive Early Pressure, Score Five Unanswered Goals to Win
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Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers played host to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night in a contest that was a tale of two games.
The action started with an Edmonton goal from Zach Hyman, but the remainder of the first period was all Pittsburgh. Rickard Rakell scored the equalizer for the Pens, then made a great pass to Crosby to give the visitors their first lead of the night.
The Penguins ended up outshooting the Oilers 19-9 in the opening 20 minutes. Bryan Rust then scored two minutes into period number two to extend the Pittsburgh lead to 3-1.
The Oilers dominated Pittsburgh after the first period.
Unfortunately for the Pens, they were unable to replicate the success that they found in the early portion of the game. Tyson Barrie returned the Edmonton deficit to one goal by scoring a couple of minutes after Rust.
Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Leon Draisaitl each struck late in the frame to give the Oilers a 5-3 lead heading into the third period. Edmonton’s high-flying offense set a franchise record in the middle period on Monday by registering 26 shots on goal in the second period alone.
The third period was a bit more balanced, but the Oilers remained in control. When it was all said and done, Edmonton finished the game with 47 shots and six goals.
For the Penguins, this game was the exact opposite of the game they played against the Columbus Blue Jackets over the weekend. Pittsburgh spent too much time chasing the Oilers instead of possessing the puck themselves, and it resulted in a loss.
On the bright side, the Pens did manage another solid offensive outing, at least for part of the game. They owned the NHL’s best offense ahead of this contest, and I’m optimistic that tonight’s game won’t derail that.
On the Oilers’ side, this was an important game to win, as it was the final game of a six-game homestand to open the season. Edmonton is now 3-3, which isn’t great for starting the year with six home games, but they did manage to get back to .500 before hitting the road.
Leon Draisaitl led the way for his club with three points (one goal and two assists) in the winning effort.
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Pittsburgh will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames, while Edmonton will travel to play the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.