Unexpected Advice Sparked Savoie’s Breakaway Beauty vs. Kraken

Edmonton Oilers rookie forward Matt Savoie delivered the first multi-goal performance of his NHL career on Thursday night — and he almost had three — making sure to credit an unlikely source for a breakaway beauty. Savoie was asked about the shorthanded goal and gave credit to goaltender Stuart Skinner.

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In the Oilers’ explosive 9–4 win over the Seattle Kraken, Savoie tallied a gorgeous shorthanded goal, a smooth backhand move early in the second period. It was his second attempt to score a breakaway, the initial effort coming in the first period. In that instance, he opted to shoot and was denied.

When asked what made him decide to go a much different route on the second attempt, according to Savoie, the idea came from his backup goalie. He said they chatted during the intermission, and he had plenty of time to think about the first one not quite working.

“Stu actually mentioned maybe to go backhand next time,” Savoie said postgame. “Just something he saw. Credit to Stuey.”

The advice paid off instantly, and Savoie wasn’t done there. He added a power-play one-timer late in the third, giving him two goals on the night. It was a bold choice by the coach to put the second-unit power play on for the entire 5-on-3 in the third. It worked, and if it triggers Savoie to score more, it was, as Savoie likes to say, 100% the right decision.

Connor McDavid recorded a hat trick and four points in the game, while Leon Draisaitl added a goal and three assists.

For Savoie, the breakthrough was overdue. Not surprisingly, one goalie might have a good read on another goalie. One has to wonder if he’ll be talking to his netminders a lot more often, getting their advice on the goaltender the team is facing on any given night.

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