Edmonton Oilers
Defense Fails, Campbell Solid Despite Oilers Losing 7-4 to Wild
Jack Campbell played well despite six goals against. The Oilers defense was incredibly bad as they lose 7-4 to the Wild.
Their first game of the season without Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers need a win. They brought the offense early and even scored in the third period. But, their defense was abysmal and Jack Campbell, despite a strong performance, wasn’t enough. Edmonton allowed the Minnesota Wild to score seven times, with five third-period goals to lose 7-4.
For any good that came from the first 40 minutes, there is a lot to be concerned about coming out of this game. The Oilers had the lead three times and couldn’t hold it. They gave up Grade-A chance after Grade-A chance and players like Evan Bouchard, for all he did on the offensive end, was absolutely terrible on the defensive end.
Oilers Started the Game Strong
The Oilers stormed into action from the get-go. Just moments into the game, Bouchard unleashed a powerful shot, scoring a Bouch-bomb and giving the Oilers an early 1-0 lead. The Oilers capitalized on their momentum, drawing two quick penalties, setting the stage for a significant advantage with a 5-on-3 opportunity. Despite the advantage, they couldn’t convert, a missed opportunity that would come back to haunt them.
The Oilers’ power play struggled in the absence of their star player, Connor McDavid, leading to difficulties in zone entries and numerous turnovers, creating chances for the Wild. The game intensified as Evander Kane brought his A-game, engaging in physical battles and hoping to turn the tide for the Oilers.
Related: Oilers Lines Without McDavid Pose Real Challenge vs. Wild
Warren Foegele emerged as a standout player, netting a crucial goal and showcasing his exceptional skills. However, the Oilers faced challenges in containing the Wild’s relentless offense. Goaltender Jack Campbell made some remarkable saves, keeping the Oilers in the game despite the mounting pressure.
The Wild Took Over in The Third Period
The game witnessed rapid goal exchanges, with the Wild responding swiftly to each Oilers goal. Ryan Hartman displayed his prowess, capitalizing on loose pucks to level the score. The game essentially ended when the Oilers found themselves trailing after Marco Rossi and Mats Zuccarello found the back of the net, giving the Wild their first lead of the game at 4-3. The Wild put the pedal down and kept scoring. Even a late power play goal by the Oilers wasn’t enough as costly mistakes allowed Minnesota to regain a two-goal advantage.
A late surge by the Oilers wasn’t enough, as the Wild’s Marcus Foligno capitalized on a defensive lapse, sealing the game at 7-4.
Despite a commendable performance by Campbell, the Oilers faced a frustrating defeat, conceding five goals in the third period alone. The loss highlighted the team’s struggles with defensive lapses and missed opportunities, leaving them with valuable lessons to take forward into their next game.
What the Oilers do from here is anyone’s guess. There were so many defensive breakdowns, it’s hard to imagine trying to fix it all before they take on the New York Rangers on Thursday. Edmonton was called for three too-many-men penalties.
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