“I looked at that sheet, and I think they must have been counting by twos. It didn’t feel like a 68-50 game,” Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said when talking about how badly his team got outhit by the Winnipeg Jets. It didn’t feel like an overly physical game, but it was enough for the Jets to get the job in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
The Jets played a solid road game, grinded, and got stops when needed.
Related: Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs: Which Playoff Team Has the Most to Lose?
Connor McDavid was held pointless, as was Leon Draisaitl. Both were relatively quiet in a contest where the Jets were only hoping they might be able to slow the Oilers two stars down. It wasn’t assumed they would completely shut either down, yet the Jets were able to do so and goaltender Connor Helleybuyck made 32 saves in a 4-1 win. He bounced back from a regular season series where he didn’t look like his Vezina-Trophy self and shut the door when the Oilers came on in the second period.
The Oilers certainly had a chance to win. Edmonton outshot the Jets 22-14 over two periods, but the game was tied 1-1 heading into the third and the typically deadly Oilers power play was unable to capitalize on its only opportunity of the game. McDavid said he actually liked the Oilers game on Wednesday, but his team just couldn’t get the equalizer. Darnell Nurse said it was really a 2-1 game and the team just needs to make a few adjustments and show up and keep playing.
Despite the shot total and the Oilers dominating possession, the Jets were able to shut the Oilers down, limiting the their opponent to perimeter shots, protecting the front of their own net well and eliminating dangerous looks. The Jets did an effective job of making sure no rebounds were available and there were few opportunities to tie the game in the third.
It was a strange, post-and-in shot that had to be looked at twice, plus two empty-net goals that put the Oilers away.
Game Two Between Oilers and Jets Friday
Most expect the Oilers will come out flying on Friday. Typically McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t quiet long, but there’s a chance Winnipeg could get a couple of key players in Nikolaj Ehlers and Pierre-Luc Dubois back as well. Edmonton can’t afford to go down 2-0 in the series, so a more up-tempo game is likely to follow.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the Oilers make a lineup change or two. Zack Kassian was put in to set the tone physically and he didn’t really do so. He might sit on the second game.
Next: Do Golden Knights Have the Guts to Keep Marc-Andre Fleury in Goal?
Pingback: Los Angeles Kings Offseason Strategy: Use Their Salary Cap Space
Pingback: Use Their Salary Cap Space – Hockey 1 on 1
Pingback: Kadri Offered In-Person Hearing From Department of Player Safety
Pingback: Kadri Offered In-Person Hearing From Department of Player Safety » 观看直播
Pingback: Draisaitl Not Worried, Says Oilers Offense Will Come
Pingback: Los Angeles Kings Offseason Strategy: Use Their Salary Cap Space » 观看直播
Pingback: Leon Draisaitl Not Worried and Says Edmonton Oilers Offense Will Come » 观看直播
Pingback: Draisaitl Not Worried, Says Oilers Offense Will Come – Hockey 1 on 1
Pingback: Avs’ Kadri Offered In-Person Hearing From Department of Player Safety – Hockey 1 on 1