Fresh off securing their first winning streak of the season, the Edmonton Oilers played host to the Minnesota Wild last night. This is a team that has haunted the Oilers since their inception in the 2000–01 season. And so far, the Wild have won both games they have played against the Oilers this season, in different ways.
In goal for Minnesota was familiar face Jesper Wallstedt, who, yes, could have been had by Edmonton. Unlike last time, the Oilers would get to Wallstedt early, with two first-period goals. They had a 2–1 lead nearing the first intermission, which is good. Then they started to let the Wild take over, which is bad, and Minnesota scored the next five goals in a row.
Oilers lose 7–3.
At this point, we have to hope Minnesota gets eliminated by whatever inside-the-division opponent they face. Facing this team in the playoffs would be certain doom for the Oilers. Here’s the game story.
Penalty trouble made worse by a sliding penalty-kill
Though the score may indicate otherwise, this game was decided by the better special teams at the end of the day. In the first period, the Wild had three power play chances to Edmonton’s one. Spoiler alert, the Oilers did not convert that lone chance.
The Wild didn’t need much time to hit paydirt on their first opportunity. Whoever was supposed to be focused on Joel Eriksson Ek either wasn’t, or got distracted. The result is a breakaway; the ending is predictable.
“Salt in the wound” factor: Wallstedt gets his first NHL assist. We were better off not knowing that.
Minnesota re-tied the game in the last minute of the first period. Once again, they didn’t need to be on the advantage for long. And yet again, a player is completely forgotten about. It might actually be much, much worse to forget Kirill Kaprizov exists, with all due respect to Eriksson Ek.
Brutal three penalties to take, and an even more horrid penalty kill job to boot. That is a major reason why the Oilers lost this game, although there are several total reasons. Can’t expect to win if you get into penalty trouble, and your penalty kill unit can’t bail you out. The penalty kill has been in a major funk as of late for Edmonton, and they will need to figure things out before they come back from the Olympic break.
Give the last two starts before the Olympic break to Connor Ingram
Tristan Jarry was called upon in this game, and while he did post a .900 save percentage in his most recent outing, it bears mentioning he still allowed four goals in that game. This following a loss against his former team in which he was on the hook for all six goals against. Would the Anaheim game be the start of a turnaround, or more shaky play?
We got the latter in this game, as especially in the second period, Jarry could not make a save at all. The fourth Wild goal was especially brutal; Quinn Hughes initially missed with the shot. As a goalie, you have to be set, and hugging the post, following a play like that. Guess what Jarry did neither of.
Not to be outdone, the 3–2 goal was also a tough one to allow. Now, set face-off plays have been something several other teams have used with great success against the Oilers before this season. So to an extent, it is a team issue that has to be resolved at some point soon. But Jarry is unable to pick this one up until it’s much too late.
After the Wild made it 5–2, Jarry was pulled in favour of Connor Ingram. 15 saves on 20 shots, and a .750 save percentage, for the guy who was supposed to be the new starter. We can have that discussion again coming out of the Olympic break, but for now, Ingram should be given the next two starts, to provide some sense of steadiness.
The Oilers solved their slow-start problem; now fix second periods
If we’re to glean a positive out of this game, it’s that the Oilers came to play in period number 1. While holding the Wild to a single power play goal in the first 19 minutes, Edmonton scored two at even-strength. Leon Draisaitl got the first one off an absolutely wicked wrist shot.
And then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins followed it up later on in the period. Plays like this are part of why he’s on the same line as Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. With a perfect side-of-the-net redirect, he restored Edmonton’s lead.
Even for giving up another power play goal to the Wild at the end of the frame, the Oilers got out of it tied 2–2. They played a really solid first period, and maybe deserved a better fate after 20. They just have to find a way to carry those results through the final 40 minutes more consistently.
At least Josh Samanski got his first NHL point
The Oilers tried to make a game of it, or at least dress the window, in the third period. A play behind the net resulted in a centring feed to Jack Roslovic, who made mo mistake on his shot. Not only was he the third different man to prove Wallstedt is beatable, but he also gave youngster Josh Samanski his first NHL point, an assist, in the process.
Stick-taps to Samanski on the accomplishment. Getting NHL games, and points, under your belt right before you head to the Olympics has to feel pretty good. And maybe Roslovic’s role the rest of the way will be continuing to foster the growth of the Oilers’ young roster talents. He’s done a good job of that so far.
Player perspective
“We gave them too much; too many good looks on our net, and (making you pay) is what a good team does.” -Jake Walman
Two very critical games like ahead before the long break
All-Canadian matchups await the Oilers next week, as they close out the long homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs before going and seeing the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome. Behind the scenes here, we call those the “Win Column Sports” rivalries. And there’s more than bragging rights at stake for Edmonton.
Neither the Flames nor the Leafs have a realistic shot of making the playoffs this year. The Oilers should beat up on both of these squads pretty easily. However, they did lose in regulation on their last trip down the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
A loss like that in either game will be flat-out unacceptable. The Oilers have to bank four out of four points, to stay afloat near the top of the Pacific Division. Shake this loss off, and set your sights on cleaning up the remaining competition.
Follow The Oil Rig on social media!
