Filling the Void After Kane’s Injury
November 10, 2022One-fifth of the Oilers’ schedule is now in the books
November 13, 2022November 10, 2022 by Mike Dashney
The Edmonton Oilers followed up their gutsy win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday by giving up a touchdown to the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Andrei Svechnikov scored the second hat trick of his blossoming career. With that stated, one doesn’t need a long memory to remember that the young Russian’s other hat trick also came against the Oilers earlier this season. His third goal this time came with 4:11 remaining, giving him 100 goals in 297 career games.
The Hurricanes’ goalie Pyotr Kochetkov was in his season debut and ended up being the difference in this hockey game. When it came down to it, I don’t think the Oilers played terribly, but I do believe that the better team won.The Hurricanes capitalized on the majority of their chances, and the Oilers simply did not.
Call Outs:
Usually when we talk about Evan Bouchard having a grenade on his stick, it’s because of the Bouch-bomb. Tonight it could have been said about his stick handling and passing instead. He didn’t look comfortable from the start. In fact he hasn’t looked very comfortable most of this season. He needs to start outscoring his mistakes again… you know, or just start scoring period. In fact, I’d argue that the only Oilers defenceman playing at his worth so far this season might be Tyson Barrie, and only Tyson Barrie.
After starting last game on the fourth line, Kailer Yamamoto has been sent back to Edmonton to receive further medical testing. He will miss the remainder of this road trip. In missing both Yamamoto and Evander Kane from their top six to injury, the Oilers looked to be out-classed this game. The inexperience up and down the Oilers lineup seemed exploited and exposed through most of the last two periods. This was very much a case of death by self-inflicted wounds.
The Oilers baked up more turnovers than McDonald’s for an evening.
Standouts:
Connor McDavid doing Connor McDavid things. He has points in nine straight and goals in three straight. This time with another highlight reel goal in the second period.
In a game where the Oilers had 5 different breakaway chances, their opponents still doubled them in the takeaway department. It was a back-and-forth contest that established early it would be a battle of opportunities from turnovers.
Shout Outs:
The only thing consistent about the Oilers is the mistakes they make. The Oilers give up another goal on the Penalty Kill. The Oilers give up the first goal. The Oilers make the opposition back-up goalie look George Vezina. Wash, rinse, repeat.
At Jack Campbell’s worst, he’s wildly inconsistent like Mike Smith and is showing the glove hand of Mikko Koskinen. Shoutout tonight to the hole in Soup’s trapper.
Brent Burns, Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and Jesper Fast also sniped for the Hurricanes. They ended a two-game skid and forged a season split with Edmonton in the process. Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas each had two assists.
Pyotr Kochetkov made 20 saves. “He came in a tough spot, a high-powered team,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He made some huge saves there. That’s the difference in the game for me.” I would have to agree. The Hurricanes got the saves they needed. The Oilers did not.